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.

Star of the East

Star of the East by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and fun to see these characters in a different setting.

The Crossover

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, this WILL get tween/teen boys to read poetry, but it has mass appeal. I loved it.

Saint Anything

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a standout Dessen book, but I liked it.

The Rough-Face Girl

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A beautifully-illustrated Native American version of Cinderella. My kids enjoyed this with me.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So sad, but so good.

Secrets of a Charmed Life

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The storyline and themes are super engaging, and I read it in just over a day. But, the writing left something to be desired--it was too Americanized and sometimes pedestrian. It really needed a better (and British) editor.

Golden

Golden by Jessi Kirby
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Quick summer read. But too many clichés, forced themes, and elements that were somewhat far fetched.