Literate Parents

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The Secret Garden
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 8:52pm
Image of The Secret Garden
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Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Publisher: CreateSpace (2009)
Binding: Paperback, 214 pages

Orphaned Mary moves from India to England to live at her absent uncle’s manor. Once there, this self-centered, stunted, sour girl blossoms, changing her own life and the lives of others as well.

Who doesn’t like the idea of a secret garden, and in fact all sorts of benevolent secrets hidden from the grownups? This book has a magical quality with all of the transformations that are taking place. Some of the ideas explored in the book are self-examination, nurturing, nature, and loneliness.

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Best Audience: 
Boys & Girls ages 5-11
Parts that might raise objections: 
magic
Ideas you will want to discuss: 
orphans, attitude, selfishness, self-fulfilling prophesies
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Tags:
  • Boys & Girls
  • Lonliness
  • Nature
  • Age 4
  • Age 5
  • Age 6
  • Age 7
  • Age 8
  • Age 9
  • Age 10
  • Age 11
My Side Of The Mountain
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 8:48pm
Image of My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics)
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Author: Jean Craighead George
Publisher: Puffin Books (2004)
Binding: Paperback, 192 pages

Sam decides to leave behind the crowded city to live on old family land in the Catskill Mountains. The book describes how he lives entirely off the land, from making his own home to storing food for winter. He learns the habits of animals, the rhythm of the seasons, and how to live through it all and enjoy it. There are practical descriptions and illustrations of how he manages, like making fish hooks and acorn pancakes. Sam also makes new friends, both human and animal.

This book makes living in the wilderness sound challenging but cool. It is also informative and educational. You might even think of it as a primer version of Man Vs. Wild.

Click for Discussion Questions
Best Audience: 
Boys & Girls ages 5-11
Parts that might raise objections: 
running away
Ideas you will want to discuss: 
running away, nature, being observant and resourceful
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Tags:
  • Boys & Girls
  • Nature
  • Age 5
  • Age 6
  • Age 7
  • Age 8
  • Age 9
  • Age 10
  • Age 11

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