The Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson

I read this out loud to the boys. meh

Understanding the Book of Mormon : A Reader's Guide by Grant Hardy

[This is a placeholder; I reviewed this for publication and will link to the review when it is printed. But the short answer is: highly recommended.]

My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

I know that I am supposed to like this, but I didn't.

Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

I read this to Truman. He liked it; I wasn't impressed.

Before You Know Kindness by Chris Bohjalian

Can't decide if I liked this.

Sea Glass by Anita Shreve

I really enjoyed this.

Nothing to Envy : Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

Fabulous book; highly recommended. (But what's up with the two glaring grammatical errors? Don't books have editors these days?)

The Autobiography of an Execution by David R. Dow

I did not like this book.

A Short Stay in Hell by Steven L. Peck

Steven was nice enough to send me a pre-publication copy; this is a wonderfully compelling little story. It would be great for a book group.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

Not perfect but a good, quick read and very interesting in parts.

Catching Fire (Hunger Games Series #2) by Suzanne Collins

Am I allowed to say "meh" but to still be looking forward to the third book coming out?

Traitor to His Class : The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by H. W. Brands

I loved this. (It was made even more special by the fact that this was an autographed copy that my dad gave me for Christmas.)

Matilda by Roald Dahl

I read this to Truman. I didn't care for it; I thought the adults were just way too mean to the kids. It hurt my heart to read it.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

I read this for book group and really enjoyed it. (I also enjoyed understanding all of the Hebrew words in it!) The writing is so unadorned and yet enjoyable and there are so many fascinating themes here--can't wait to discuss it. (Note: I read this in junior high and did not remember a word of it. And I think the themes are wasted on a kid. I was thinking of having Simon read it next year when we do modern history, but I won't.)

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

A pre-read for Simon; I think this is the best YA historical fiction I have read. Why? An exciting story, great historical detail (including non-fiction chapter epigraphs), and a compelling exploration of the irony of colonies fighting for freedom when 20% of their population was enslaved. Highly recommended.

Woodrow Wilson : A Biography by John Milton Cooper

This was very dull; I don't think I would have finished it if it weren't a book group book.

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

Started out really strong and then fell apart.

Parenting the Hurt Child : Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow by Gregory C Keck

Meh.

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.