Wanted: Perfect Parents

I purchased Wanted: Perfect Parents by John Himmelman from a garage sale for 10 cents. It has quickly become one of Luke's favorite books. We have read it so many times. Gregory's parents see a sign on his bedroom door that reads Wanted: Perfect Parents. They ask Gregory what the sign is about and he tells them he is looking for perfect parents. He then describes to his parents what "perfect parents" would let him do. The perfect parents would never make him clean his room, would let him have every kind of ice cream at once, would let him flood the bathroom with water and swim with sharks, would buy him a pet elephant, and more. The illustrations are so much fun. Of course the book ends well with Gregory understanding the parents he has are perfect for him.

In the book the "perfect parents" let Gregory do whatever he can imagine. I think that is why Luke enjoys the book. Luke has already told me he wants to do some of the things Gregory imagines. I enjoy the book as well and especially love reading it with Luke!

Screen Play by Chris Coppernoll

Screen Play is a new Christian fiction book by Chris Coppernoll. I had never heard of this author before but what caught my eye is that he is married to Christa Parrish, who is a phenomenal author.



Screen Play was good and an entertaining read, but I can't say that I loved it. I think what I didn't like about it was that it seemed too much like a fairy tale. Everything worked out so well for the main character and real life just isn't like that. Also, a situation at the end involving a rescue just seemed silly and not necessary to the overall story.

Seesaw Girl by Linda Sue Park

After reading A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park I set out to read more books by this author. I found Seesaw Girl from the library and enjoyed it!

The story, set in 17th Century Korea, introduces us to Jade, a girl who wants to experience the world around her. But as a girl, as was the custom, she is not allowed to step beyond the walls of her family compound. At first Jade seemed somewhat silly and the pranks she pulled seem a bit much. But she matures and even though her circumstances don't change (she still is not allowed to go beyond her family compound) her outlook does. I love the line on the last page where Jade says, "It's not enough. But I will learn to make it enough."

Seesaw Girl is a wonderful children's book with themes of family and contentment that speak to all ages.

Book List

Starting in August, at the Homeschool Co-op we attend, I am teaching K and 1st grade Literature and 5th/6th grade Literature. 5th and 6th grade are combined with 17 students. We will have class once a week and they will have assigned reading during the week. Our focus for the year is the Middle Ages/ Medieval time period. Since I am teaching, I get to choose the books. Yay! I have read and read and read trying to find the best books to use for the year. All of these books I love and I hope the students love them too.

Here are the books I have chosen:
5th/6th Grade Book List

I am so excited for this class. Such great books. I can't wait!

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

I will be teaching Literature for 5th/6th grade in the fall. To prepare I have been reading and reading so many excellent books. One author I have fallen in love with is Sharon Creech. Her books are so good and deep. I have read four of her books so far and each one is a treasure. I have just started Walk Two Moons. My mom, the librarian, recommended Walk Two Moons to me three years ago, and she even lent me the book. But did I listen to her expert advice and read it? It has only taken me three years to start Walk Two Moons.

But on to The Unfinished Angel. It is a brilliant little book. Oh what an amazing writer Sharon Creech is. This book is told from an angel's perspective. Somehow Ms. Creech captures the angel's voice and makes this angel so charming. The combination of the angel's confusion over which words to use and her imperfect English only add to the charm. The angel is unsure of herself and wonders if she is a fulfilling her angel duties as well as other angels. She meets a girl and together they transform a town.

Be careful where you read this book. I read it during the boys' swimming lessons. After reading the chapter titled "The Nature of Papas" I had tears running down my face because it was so moving. I had to keep wiping my face. Who knows what the other parents thought of me?

Please, please read this book. It will be in the children's section, but any age will enjoy this book.

Visit Sharon Creech's blog here.