Gumluck the Wizard is a charming chapter-book character with some humorous misapprehensions. The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Book One) by Adam Rex. Chronicle Books, 2023, 133 pages. Reading Level: Chapter Book, ages 6-8 Recommended for: ages 4-8 as a read-aloud, 7-10 for independent readers On Mondays, Gumluck receives visitors from town asking for help. One needs a new dress and another wants a muscly physique, and the little wizard uses magic to grant their wishes. But they’re never grateful because Gumluck always grants wishes in his own peculiar way. Not on purpose–he’s just a noodlehead. Or that’s the opinion of Helvetica, the Raven telling his story. Helvetica, readers might…

A missionary daughter in the 20th century and a pagan-born woman of ancient Israel offer two inspiring examples of faithfulness in difficult circumstances. *Pilipinto: The Jungle Adventures of a Missionary’s Daughter by Valerie Elliot Shepherd, illustrated by Jim Howard. P&R Publishing, 2023, 63 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, or independent readers ages 8-12 Valerie Elliot was ten months old when her father, Jim Elliott, was murdered by men of the Waorani tribe in the Ecuadorian rain forest. Two years later, two Wao women left their violent tribe and eventually connected with Valerie’s mother Elisabeth. As she got to know them and…

Poems about nail clippings, sausages, and page numbers?! Yes, and many more. My Head Has a Bellyache and More Nonsense by Chris Harris, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi. Little, Brown and Company, 2023. 192 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10-12 This morning I offered my boys “Mom bucks” to see how many poems they could recite out of the many we’ve reviewed over the years. They each got a handful, or at least a couple, out of the collection in my binder. What were they MOST eager to recite? Poems by Chris Harris. They’ve been stealing his new book off my desk before I had a…

An excellent introduction to P. G. Wodehouse via his short stories and one delightful novella. The Most of P.G. Wodehouse by P. G. Wodehouse, Touchstone, 2000.  672 pages.  Reading Level:  Young Adults, Ages 12-adultRecommended For: Ages 14-up In this collection, you will find Bertie Wooster, the none-too-clever British aristocrat, and his brilliant valet, Jeeves. Encounter hapless members of The Drones Club. Sit down with Mr. Mulliner (always ready with a relevant story about some relation). Meet the enterprising Stanley Ukridge, and the eccentric Lord Emsworth of Blandings Castle. And in addition to this plethora of characters, don’t forget the golf stories. (I don’t play golf, but still remember chuckling over the stories included…

A new edition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism uses cartoon illustrations as an aid to understanding and discussion. *The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English, illustrated by Paul Cox. P&R Publishing, 2023, 123 pages Reading Level: Middle grades ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, ages 8-12 for independent study and memorization “Catechizing” is a time-tested method of teaching that came into its own during the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, Zacharias Ursinus, and Philipp Melanchthon all wrote or contributed to catechisms, but the “Westminster Divines,” called together in 1646 to compose a comprehensive confession, wrote not one but two catechisms for the instruction of the people. The…

Fascinating, familiar specimens of insects AND arachnids are found in this lovely guide for young naturalists. A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Bugs by Eliza Berkowitz, illustrated by Nicole LaRue. Gibbs Smith, 2023. 96 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 8-10 Recommended For: Ages 8-10 Forty fascinating, familiar specimens of insects AND arachnids are found in this lovely, kid-friendly guide. Each page spread features an illustration, the common name, family or scientific name, description, food, life-cycle, habitat, size, and fun (or not so fun) facts about small creatures that may be found in many parts of the United States. The book begins with how to build a bug hotel with an…

Those of us who homeschool admire the one-room schoolhouse model of previous centuries. With simple resources, a wide-range of ages, and a school year that fit the needs of the community, one male or female teacher reigned in the classroom. …Unless there were “big boys” whose sole purpose in showing up seemed to be disturbing the peace. Thankfully my older sons are not seeking to physically throw me out (they do challenge my authority on occasion, but they don’t storm the aisle while pushing up their sleeves), but over the years I have found it curious how many literary classics include a schoolroom battle, either physical or psychological. Usually the…

In Ginny off the Map, a geography-obsessed sixth-grader learns to meet people where they are and find “true north” in her own family. Ginny Off the Map by Caroline Hickey. Little, Brown, 2023, 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-14 Ginny Pierce is the youngest member of a military family that moves every 2-3 years. She loves geography—absolutely loves it—so changing locations at least allows her to experience different places. The most recent move from Fort Bragg to Silver Springs, Maryland, will be tough, though: not only is she giving up two best friends, who love geography facts almost as much as she does, but…

Hope in the Valley captures one girl’s momentous summer as she processes grief, grapples with change, and finds her own voice along the way. *Hope in the Valley by Mitali Perkins. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023, 301 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, Ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up Pandita Paul is adamantly against change: whether it’s the city demolishing the lovely abandoned property next door or her widowed father *gasp* starting to date. As the story opens, Pandita is turning 13 and looking forward to summer. School is done, and it will be easier to avoid her former best friend. Time to enjoy her secret spot in the…