The Periodic Table : Elements with Style! by Adrian Dingle

I read this out loud to the boys; I thought it was middling but they loved it.

Stowaway by Karen Hesse

A preread for Simon. I thought it was excellent. I won't write down discussion questions since the book includes some. Another possible activity: since the book consists of diary entries with longitude and latitude given, it would be fun to plot the journey on a map as you read.

Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh

I read this out loud to the boys. It is a very short, very simple book that would be good for 4-7 year olds.

Summer for the Gods : The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion by Edward J. Larson

Disappointing.

The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe

I really enjoyed this book, even though I think Wolfe's writing style is right on the boundary between charming and annoying.

BTW, this is my 500th post.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This was excellent.

Fordlandia : The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford's Forgotten Jungle City by Greg Grandin

This book made just about every "Best of 2009" list. I have no idea why.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

I read this out loud to the boys. It is way funnier than any adaptation! The language is a little dense for young kids, however.

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers

The more that I think about this book, the more I like it. Not only is it a shocking story well-told, but it provides an excellent case study as to why our justice system has the protections that it does. Recommended.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

I guess this was kind of lame, but I enjoyed reading it.

Adopting the Hurt Child : Hope for Families with Special-Needs Kids by Gregory C Keck

I really liked this; I prefer it to Gray's books.

Manhunt : The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson

Above average but not extraordinary.

Nurturing Adoptions : Creating Resilience after Neglect and Trauma by Deborah D. Gray

Meh.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater

I read this to Truman; it is a very sweet and funny book.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I read this to the boys; I thought it was middling.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I adored this book. (But I wish it had been a little less vulgar.)

City of Light by Lauren Belfer

This is one of the very best novels I have ever read. Highly recommended.

Calico Bush by Rachel Field

A pre-read for Simon; this is a lovely book. Usually I write discussion questions, but this book doesn't really lend itself to that--it is more experiential. (Kinda reminded me of Little House in that way.)

Attaching in Adoption : Practical Tools for Today's Parents by Deborah D. Gray

I think I liked this; won't really know until I have a chance to field test the ideas.

A captivating book with a disappointing ending.