Imaan.Net - have faith
Homeschool Charlotte Mason Good Reads

Chapter Books We Like, Part 1

November 15, 2006 by Imaan 4 Comments

A nice sister made a comment about my blog in an email (I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that someone actually reads my blog hehe…) She said that she too cannot imagine a world without books. I really love it when I meet someone who shares a passion for books.

Here are some chapter books Ms M and I have enjoyed…

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A beautiful, if painful, coming-of-age story. Set in fictional small town in Alabama, the story talks about life in Depression-hit America. It starts out with an affectionate description of the sleepy southern county. Scout and her brother Jem are raised by their widowed father Atticus and their housekeeper, Calpurnia. Their summers are consumed by grand plans to lure the recluse Arthur “Boo” Radley out of his spooky home. The ladies meet for missionary teas and “bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.” As the story progresses, this charming facade is dismantled to reveal ignorance, fear, hypocrisy and prejudice.

Atticus Finch is called on to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell. He is eventually found guilty and, “tired of taking white man’s chances”, attempts to escape and is shot to death. What I love about this story is how the author deftly shows that everyone is human and multi-faceted. Mayella is a pitiful figure, driven by loneliness and abuse; Mrs Dubose, a bigot who screams insults at the Finches, is also a courageous woman who kicks her morphine addict and dies “beholden to nothing and nobody”.

Ms M really enjoyed this book and while I am really strict about her watching any movies or TV, I did let her watch the movie starring the late Gregory Peck (he WAS Atticus, wasn’t he?). The language in the movie was more toned down so it is suitable for children.

2. Number The Stars by Lois Lowry
This is set in Denmark, during the second World War. We see what life was like through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen. The Danes suffer from food and fuel rations and the menacing presence of the Nazis at every street corner. On 29 September 1943, word got out that the Nazis were going to round up the Jews and send them to death camps. Annemarie had already noticed some of her Jewish neighbours disappearing. And so begins the mission to save their neighbours, the Rosens. Ellen Rosen poses as the Johannesen’s daughter and they travel to Gilleleje, a seaside town. There, the Resistance and the brave fishermen have arranged to transport the Jews to Sweden.

3. Misty of Chincoteague by Margeurite Henry, illustrated by Wesley Dennis
All the events in this book are true although they didn’t happen in the order they were written. Legend has it that a 16th century Spanish galleon carrying horses bound for South America was caught in a violent storm near Assateague Island. After escaping from the hold, the horses swam to the safety of the island. Wild with freedom, the horses adapted to their new surroundings and over the years, became a hardy breed.

Every year on “Pony Penning Day,” the men of neighbouring Chincoteague round up as many ponies as they can and bring them across the water to sell. Paul and Maureen Beebe long to have ponies of their own that they never need sell. They have their hearts set on the elusive Phantom. Paul is finally old enough to join the round-up and in the months preceding the big day, he and Maureen work hard to earn the money for their own horse. Paul not only manages to round up Phantom, but also her colt, Misty. The children struggle with their desire to own the lovely Phantom and their regret at confining such a beautiful untamed spirit. An evocative tale of dreams that come true and which must eventually be let go… A Newbery Honor Book.

4. The Wreck of the Zanzibar by Michael Morpurgo
I discovered 3 of his books in a second-hand bookstore in mint condition, each going for only 125 rupees (that’s about SG$3!). Needless to say, I grabbed them. His books are said to be for children aged 8 onwards but his stories are compelling and clearly, for all ages. This story unfolds in 14-year-old Laura Perryman’s diary entries and watercolor illustrations in 1907 and 1908. Laura longs to row the island gig with the men and pilot ships through the dangerous waters around the Scilly Isles. Her father, however, adamantly refuses to let her. Life on Bryher Island is harsh – the storms have destroyed the islanders’ homes and boats and food supplies are running out fast. The family faces even more bleak days – Laura’s wanderlust twin brother, Billy, runs away with a ship following a fight with their father and their cows, which provide both food and income, fall sick and die in a storm. They pray for a shipwreck, so they can salvage its cargo. Laura finally manages to realise her dream in the story’s dramatic and surprising ending… This book won the Whitbread Children’s Novel Award.

5. Billy The Kid by Michael Morpurgo
Some may not like the adult themes in this book, but this allowed Ms M and I to have a rather fruitful discussion about handling disappointments and one’s purpose in life later on. So, I would advise you to use your judgement. Eighty-year-old Billy is sitting on his favourite park bench and reminisces about his life. As a child, he dreamt of playing football (OK, soccer, you Americans!) for Chelsea FC. He gets what he wanted too, until World War 2 takes place. Billy’s late father, who had died after WW1 due to lung problems sustained in battle, had told him never to fight in any war but when his younger brother Joe fights and dies, Billy feels he cannot stay away.

He joins up as a medic and tastes first hand the pain and horrors of war. A serious injury to his legs means the end of his soccer career and upon returning to England, he finds that his mother, step-father and sister have been killed in the Blitz. Broken in spirit, Billy turns to the streets and drink. A kindly couple later take him in and while it is a long and slow process, Billy eventually succeeds in his search for peace. I enjoyed the football scenes and the ending, which was nothing short of touching. This book made Ms M cry quite a bit!

More in Part 2 in shaa Allah … Kids are up!

Share:
Reading time: 5 min
Good Reads

Being Book Mad…

November 13, 2006 by Imaan 1 Comment
  • I LOVE books.
  • It was my father who nurtured my love for reading.
  • One of my fondest memories of childhood is taking a drive with my dad to a quaint second-hand bookstore in Serangoon (in Singapore) and then going home to BURY myself in my new acquisitions.
  • I don’t really like libraries.
  • I love re-reading books.
  • Books I have re-read: The Sealed Nectar (I have to read and re-read it because of my studies but I really do it because I love any book on the life of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam); To Kill A Mockingbird (still not sick of it and what’s more, what joy! Ms M loves it too!); Hilyat-ul Awliya Wa Tabaqat al-Asfiya (I love inspirational snippets!); all of James Herriot’s books (he describes everything so aptly and beautifully and always has me in stitches…) and of course, To Kill A Mockingbird
  • I don’t like giving away or selling books I have read, although I have done so in the past.
  • I am therefore running out of room and am having an awful headache trying to pack everything for the return home to Singapore.
  • Much of my time in Islamabad (and allowance… ahem!) is spent on second-hand bookstores.
  • The rest of the time is spent making up wishlists online… :)
  • I don’t read as much as I used to.
  • I love reading with my kids.
[Image from Pexels]
Share:
Reading time: 1 min
Homeschool Good Reads

May 2006 Reading List

May 31, 2006 by Imaan 1 Comment

Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir (on-going)

Malcolm X : A Fire Burning Brightly by Walter Dean Myers & Leonard Jenkins
Pompeii: The Day A City Was Buried by Melanie & Christopher Rice (DK)
Usborne’s Enclyclopedia of World History (on-going)
Voyages of Discovery – Viking Explorers by Luidi Prunetti (McGraw-Hill) (on-going)

Animal Talk from Singing Birds & Fireflies by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Australia The Gift by Steve Parish
Fire! (DK)
Kangaroos & Marsupials by Lionel Bender
Koala Kate Talks Ablout Koalas by Denise Burt
Longman’s Inquizitive books: Bushfire
Longman’s Inquizitive books: The Desert Gallery
On The Trail from Animal Tracks & Traces by Kathleen V Kudlinksi
People & Animals: Work & Leisure by Barry Silkstone
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: Amazing Magnetism
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: Expedition Down Under
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: The Giant Germ
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: The Truth about Bats
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: The Wild Whale Watch
The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: Twister Trouble
Travelling Through Time (DK)

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

A Bargain for Frances by Russel Hoban & Lillian Hoban
Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping by Peggy Parish & Lynn Sweat
Best Friends for Frances by Russel Hoban & Lillian Hoban
Beryl’s Box by Lisa Taylor & Penny Dann
Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban & Garth Williams
Bread & Jam for Frances by Russel Hoban & Lillian Hoban
Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobel
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
Miss Lily’s Fabulous Pink Feather Boa by Margaret Wild & Kerry Argent
Mom Can’t See Me by Sally Hobart Alexander
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
The Gold Coin by Alma Flor Ada
The Pudding Like a Night on the Sea by Ann Cameron

DK Readers
Beastly Tales
Dinosaur Detectives
Disasters At Sea
Free At Last: The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Horse Show
Outback Adventure: Australian Vacation
The Story of Anne Frank
The Story of Muhammed Ali
Zeppelin

[Books image from Pexels]
Share:
Reading time: 1 min
Homeschool Good Reads

Expedition Down Under

May 7, 2006 by Imaan 2 Comments

Ms M loves all things Australian so we have decided to revisit the Land Down Under. Here are some of the things we have done/are doing.

Books & Stories

  • Animal Myths & Legends – of course we don’t believe in these but it was interesting to see how others think.
  • Australia The Gift by Steve Parish – superb photographs by one of Australia’s best-known photographers who has spent much of his life journeying around the country.
  • Australian Mammals Sticker Picture Book by Steve Parish – a gift from my sister… Ms M had fun with this!
  • DK Readers: Outback Adventure – Australian Holiday by Kate McCleod – a nice book about a family seeing the sites in Broome, a remote place in the Australian outback.
  • Kangaroos & Marsupials by Lionel Bender – a very informative and yet easy-to-understand book about the different marsupials. Very good photos!
  • Koala Kate Talks Ablout Koalas by Denise Burt – a little book we found at the second-hand bookstore… all about the life and habits of the koala told from the point of view of a koala! Delightful photographs.
  • Koala Lou by Mem Fox – sweet tale about a koala who feels sidestepped with the arrival of siblings and longs for her mother’s reassurance by trying to win a medal in the Bush Olympics. Listen to Mem Fox reciting it here.
  • Longman’s Inquizitive books: Bushfire – describes how bushfires occur, the damage it can do as well as how the fire can help the bush and animals that live in it.
  • Longman’s Inquizitive books: The Desert Gallery – interesting books about the amazing plants and animals that survive in the harsh Australian desert.
  • Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder – yes, I know it is set in the USA but we drew parallels between the Native Americans and the Aborigines.
  • Miss Lily’s Fabulous Pink Feather Boa by Margaret Wild & Kerry Argent – Ms M cried when we first read this! A lonely potoroo, who feels she must eb the last of her kind, meets a lively and kind crocodile, Miss Lily (she has “a very small appetite” and only eats fish). The Last Potoroo is enthralled by her host and her feather boa which made her feel as if “she could do anything – and everything!” With the help of Miss Lily, the potoroo learns about courage and honesty and goes forth to seek others of her kind. She returns to repay Miss Lily’s love with a surprise!
  • People & Animals: Work & Leisure by Barry Silkstone – about the relationship between man and animals, with a focus on those in Australia.
  • Possum Magic by Mem Fox – about Hush and Grandma Poss who gallivant Australia to undo the bush magic spell that made Hush invisible. A good intro to the different Oz cities and food. We didn’t feel comfy with magic so we called it Bush science/chemistry *LOL* and Hobart’s casinos were changed to hotels.
  • Stories from Australia
  • The Magic School Bus Chapter Book: Expedition Down Under

Aussie Geography – Overview

  • About Australia – by Pocantico Hills School
  • Australian Flag printout
  • Australia Interactive Map
  • A to Z Kids’ Stuff
  • Enchanted Learning’s page on Australia
  • National Geographic on Australia
  • Outline Map of Australia
  • Picture Australia
  • Photos of Australia

History

  • European discovery and the colonisation of Australia
  • The Flying Doctor

Aboriginal Culture

  • Aboriginal Art and Aboriginal Culture Centre – with gallery, info on didgeridoos and dreamtime
  • Aboriginal Fine Arts Gallery
  • Aboriginal Rock Art
  • Australian Aboriginal Art Online
  • Australian Aborigines
  • Indigenous Australia

Uluru/Ayers Rock

  • Australia Government’s page on Uluru
  • Crystal Links on Uluru – has more info on Australia on its index page

Aussie Animals

  • ABC TV’s Our Animals
  • Animal Postcards & Stories – cute!
  • Australian Fauna
  • Australian Koala Foundation
  • Billy Bear For Kids – The Koala
  • Chris’ Joey Haven
  • Enchanted Learning’s Page on Australian Animals
  • Fred’s Chook Page – listen to the kookaburra
  • Kangaroo Theme Page
  • Kids’ Planet – Kangaroo Fact Sheet
  • Kids’ Planet – Koala Fact Sheet
  • Koala Movie – see and listen to a koala
  • Laughing Kookabura photos with sounds
  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
  • Marsupial Mania!

Art & Crafts and Other Fun Activities

  • Aboriginal Art
  • Aussie Recipes from Mem Fox – an accompaniment to Possum Magic
  • Australia Colouring Page
  • Australia for Kids
  • Australia Jigsaws
  • Australian animals colouring sheet
  • Boomerangs
  • Clip Art
  • Colour the flag
  • Didgeridoos – make your own!
  • Echidna Craft
  • Ettamogah Wildlife Sanctuary’s Kids’ Site
  • K is for Kangaroo
  • Kangaroo Craft
  • Koala Craft
  • Koala Colouring Page
  • Kookaburra in a Tree
  • National Geographic Colouring Book: Kangaroos
  • National Geographic Colouring Book: Koalas
  • Platypus Craft
  • Sydney Opera House – a template from Paper Toys!

Aussie Songs

  • Kookaburra
  • Who’ll come a ‘Waltzing Matilda’ with me? – about Australia’s best known and much loved national song

Aussie Slang

  • Australian Slang
  • Australians speak English but…
  • PBS’ Glossary of Aussie slang

More Great Links!

  • Herberton State School (P-10), Far North Queensland, Australia
  • Jerrie Cheek’s Australia Hotlist Page
  • Lesson Plan/Ideas on Australia
  • Project by Class 3/4D of Eleanora Heights Primary School
  • ProTeacher on Australia
  • SurfNetKids on Australia
  • Time For Kids
  • Zoom School
[Map photo from Pexels]
Share:
Reading time: 4 min
Homeschool Good Reads

Books & Stories Online

February 17, 2006 by Imaan 6 Comments

Has it really been THREE months since I updated this blog? I have lots of links and ideas to add… BUT we are recovering from a long vacation (does that make sense?) and are inundated with luggage. :)

In the meantime, here are some links to story sites that I posted on a parenting forum. They were well received so I thought I would post them here too.

As always, visit and read with a critical mind. Ah… but then, you know that already. *S*

  • Aesop’s Fables
  • BAB Books
  • Between The Lions Printable Stories
  • Book Hive – with videos of professional storytellers!
  • BookPALS Story Online – video of celebs reading books… with accompanying activities
  • Children’s Books Online
  • Children’s Literature – Links etc
  • Classics for Young People
  • Contemporary Writing for Children & Young Adults
  • Dr Seuss Ideas – Lesson plans and printables for Dr Seuss books
  • Fable Vision Library – books by Peter Reynolds and more
  • Free Animated E-books (science)
  • International Children’s Digital Library
  • Kids’ Corner – featuring Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit in audio & other languages too!
  • Learning Page
  • Leo Lionni Teacher Resources (my kid likes Swimmy)
  • Mem Fox – learn about the stories behind the stories and hear Mem Fox read aloud!
  • New York Public Library’s E-Books
  • Online Children’s Stories
  • Reading A to Z
  • Reading Rainbow – LOVE their lesson plans!
  • Starfall
  • Story A Month: Printable Patterns for felt-boards or folder games
  • Story Place’s Digital Library
  • Story Street
  • Sunshine Online
  • Teacher Tap E-books & Online Reading – lots of links!
  • The North Star – by Peter Reynolds… inspiring! With teaching resources too!
  • The Rosetta Stone Project – illustrated antique books
  • TumbleBook Library – Queens Borough Public Library
Share:
Reading time: 1 min
Page 2 of 4«1234»

Search

About

  • Just a bunch of crazies
  • The Head Crazy
  • Send a Message

Archives

  • Islam
  • Homeschool
  • Charlotte Mason
  • Craftiness
  • Good Reads
  • Good Food
  • Journaling
  • Marzipan
  • Bear
  • Peep
  • The Stuff of Life
  • The Chai Files – Pakistan
  • The Rice Files – Singapore
  • Whatever

© 2019 copyright Imaan.Net // All rights reserved
Fashy was made with love by Premiumcoding