Bambi

Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is not the cutesy Disney Bambi. The real Bambi is beautifully descriptive, full of tough situations and real-life meaningful lessons. I enjoyed studying this with my kids, ages 10 and 12.

Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyed studying this with my Littles. Somehow I think I missed reading these as a child!

The Story of the Other Wise Man

The Story of the Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet story of the journey of a life well-lived.

The Mansion

The Mansion by Henry Van Dyke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect cozy Christmas tale, one I'm glad to have finally read.

The Enchanted April

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A lovely, gentle, humorous character-driven novel. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this one. (I'm off to watch the movie on Netflix.)

Heidi

Heidi by Johanna Spyri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, it turns out, there are really good reasons why certain books become classics. This was a delightful book to study with my littles.

As You Like It

As You Like It by William Shakespeare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A new-to-me Shakespeare comedy that I studied with my kids for homeschool. Not my favorite, but lots of silliness and good times.

The Tailor of Gloucester

The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was our favorite of our Beatrix Potter unit. It's a perfect Christmastime read.

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jemima is the silliest duck going.

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was fun learning more about hedgehogs when we read this during our Beatrix Potter literature unit. I loved how clever this book was and how Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle took care of all the animals.

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Peter Rabbit's cousin! What could be better? And a big yay for dads.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A classic. Forever a favorite.

The House at Pooh Corner

The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So fantastic. Everyone should read these.

Winnie-the-Pooh

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So funny. Great for all ages. Way better than Disney. Loved learning more about the Milne family when we studied this in our literature unit this year.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved listening to this with my kids on a road trip. I had never read it before and was surprised by how it appealed to all ages. We were all anxious to keep listening and see how things ended up.

The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved this book when I was a kid. I just re-read it with my 2nd grader. It's sweet and teaches a good lesson, but it's dated and the ending felt flat.

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So very clever. I enjoyed this murder mystery immensely.

(A little tip: Don't look at the last page for any reason.)

Rebecca

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

On the library stacks: YA Classic/Adult Fiction
AR Reading Level: 6.8
Award: National Book Award

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't reread books very often. The last time I read this novel I was in high school. I loved it then, and I am happy to say that this book definitely stood the test of time for me.

Our nameless narrator is a traveling companion to an old American woman in Monte Carlo when she meets the handsome owner of Manderley, Maxim de Winter. Maxim's wife, Rebecca, died tragically a year before and Maxim just hasn't been the same. When No-Name says she is leaving for America, Max proposes and after a quick wedding and honeymoon, they return to his estate in Southern England.

Poor young and fragile No-Name is thrust into a life she has never known. She has power to direct the affairs of an entire estate, must make social calls and deal with Maxim's family, and pervading everything is the ghost of Rebecca. She is everywhere. It's her house, her servants, her beach, her dogs.  Everyone loved her and No-Name can never match up. She's not even sure if her husband will ever love her like he loved Rebecca.

For me the power of this book lies in the rich descriptive writing. I can imagine everything down to the minute details. I feel No-Name's anguish as I walk with her through the beautiful house, exploring the grounds. I hate manipulating Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, in spite of No-Name's spinelessness. And I love the mystery element too. I can't recommend this one highly enough.

Also reviewed by: The Bluestocking Society ~ Book Nut ~ Good Clean Reads ~ The Boston Bibliophile ~ Your link here?
Source: Purchased

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

On the library stacks: Children's fiction and YA Classics
AR Reading Level: 11.0

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My son and I read this out loud to each other during Halloween. I had never read it before and found it to be quite delightful. We bought a version with a lot of illustrations and my son really enjoyed it.

I knew this book involved Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, but what I didn't realize is that there is a love story of sorts involved. Ichabod, a school teacher in town, tries desperately to win the hand of a wealthy farmer's daughter, Katrina Van Tassel. Unfortunately for him, the match is not to be.

This book, first published in 1820, has very difficult vocabulary words for kids. I found I had to concentrate quite hard when my son was reading and every once in awhile we had to stop and summarize what was going on. Having a Kindle version we could use to quickly access the dictionary was very helpful. This is a great children's book for advanced readers.

Source: Kindle purchase

Daddy-Long-Legs

Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster

On the library stacks: Children's and Adult Fiction (!)
AR Reading Level: 6.1
Interest level: Grades 9+

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Judy Abbott is an orphan girl about to be released into the world. At the last minute, a wealthy trustee of the orphanage offers to pay for her college education, despite that fact that she is a girl. His only conditions are that he remain anonymous and that she update him periodically about her studies. Judy calls him "Daddy-Long-Legs" because she has only seen his shadow, but she would really like to figure out who he is.

This classic epistolary novel is really a treat. I loved Judy and her spunk. Most of the criticism I have encountered about this book is that it is a little weird, but I didn't think it was anymore creepy than cousins getting together in Jane Austen's novels. It IS a 100 year old book! Yes, I figured out who Daddy-Long-Legs was pretty early on, but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this delightful little book.

Here are some favorite bits:

It isn't the big troubles in life that require character. Anybody can rise to a crisis and face a crushing tragedy with courage, but to meet the petty hazards of the day with a laugh--I really think that requires spirit. 

It's true, you know. The world is full of happiness, and plenty to go around, if you are only willing to take the kind that comes your way. The whole secret is in being pliable.

On visiting New York:
But aren't the streets entertaining? And the people? And the shops? I never saw such lovely things as there are in the windows. It makes you want to devote your life to wearing clothes.

Also reviewed by: Puss Reboots ~ Lesa's Book Critiques ~ Giving Reading a Chance!! ~ things mean a lot ~ Your link here?
Source: BookMooch