Building 903 {Review}

 

Fourteen year old twins Tessa and Theo have lived their whole lives in a utopian society.  Individuals enjoy long lives of comfort, and dissenters are promptly punished.  Their tyrannical leader has garnered dislike from most of the population, but in a life of relative ease, he's tolerated.  Until one day when Theo goes missing, and the family's peace is shattered.  Vanished... he simply vanished.  Could their 135 year old neighbor Mariam hold the key to his disappearance?  

Written in true dystopian style, Lois Lowry takes her readers on a journey... what would life be like in a world without books... without imagination... without storytelling?  A world where only "facts" reign and story is another word for "lies?"  It's a timely book, reminding us that stories reveal the innermost parts of humanity.... what motivates us and makes us truly human.  Following along the same lines as Lowry's The Giver, Building 903 touches on many of the same themes of censorship, overreaching government, collectivism vs identity, and dictatorship, only in gentler tones.  This book also reminded me a lot of Orwell's 1984.  

Building 903 is labeled for middle grades, ages 8-12 years.  In my mind, it would take a very mature 8 -10 year to handle this material.  However, for an early teen, there's a lot to be discussed here.  When does "safety" trump individual freedoms?  How does individual responsibility factor in creating a healthy society? What's the line between political disagreement and government overreach?  Lowry provides a lot of themes to be wrestled with, and this would make an interesting read for a history or government class as well.

We read this book in our homeschool with my high school sophomore and we were both hooked from the beginning.  The story is well written, easy to follow, and kept us interested from cover to cover.  We both give it a resounding recommendation.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this title from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll July 2026

Nonfiction:

 

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan

See my full review here

Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

Jumping into homeschooling can be overwhelming.  You're suddenly solely responsible for your child's education as well as all the other tasks on your plate.  It's sometimes hard to wrap your mind around how you're going to get it all done... let alone do it peacefully.  Teaching from Rest is all about finding that peace and sitting in it, even when your homeschool day goes awry.  This a a short, quick read that really challenges the homeschool mom to slow down and focus on the souls in front of them.

Better Together by Pam Barnhill

I read this one every summer as part of my Morning Time planning.  It always gets me excited for the new year and feasting on all the riches.  It really simplifies the idea of Morning Time of a new homeschool mom, but it's also a great encouragement for us seasoned veterans as well.  Pack full of ideas and resources, I look forward to reading this one again and again.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

Born and raised in a loving Muslim home, Nabeel fully embraced his family's faith.  He studied, quoted, and embodied the tenets of Islam.  But quietly, behind the scenes, God was working in his heart.  Through a series of investigations into Christianity, the Lord slowly revealed Himself to Nebeel.  This book is an intimate look into the heart and mind of deconstruction.  Qureshi details his former faith with clarity and sincerity in an attempt to bridge the gap between a Muslim and Christian mindset.  His writing gives valuable insight to through with Muslim neighbors and friends.  All in all, it was a fascinating read.

Fiction:

The Melody of Love by Wanda E. Brunstetter and Lorine Brunstetter Van Corbach

See my full review here.

Our Homeschool Read Aloud:

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

This book is small, but mighty.  Through rich arguments, Tozer challenges his readers.  How to fully release one's self to Christ, how to quiet one's spirit, how to recognize counterfeit faith, how to properly view meekness... and why it matters.  I read this one with my 10th grade son and while I struggled with it at times, it was a worthy read.  It caused both us to sit and reflect on how we are following the Lord and viewing ourselves in light of His Word.  HIGHLY recommend this one for parents and teens.

What are you reading?

The Melody of Love {Review}

 

Single mom Amelia Miller loves her little boy.  Although raising her autistic son has its challenges, she is happy and content in the life they've built.  But when taking part in a family wedding, she meets Christian Yoder and something begins to blossom between them.  Can they navigate the challenges of a long distance relationship, blending families, and their own painful pasts?  

I love the interaction between Amelia and her son in this book.  Although Amelia is just learning of his autism diagnosis, she takes it all in stride and learns what she can to help him grow.  I really admired her calm acceptance and peaceful pursuit for answers.  I believe the author's intent was to bring greater awareness and tools for parents in Amelia's situation.  The Melody of Love contains a lot of helpful ideas and tips for parents navigating a similar diagnosis.  

The books also has layers of likable characters.  Although the main action of the book centers around Amelia and Christian, there are several secondary characters that fill in the story.  Amelia's son, Micah, in particular, is a wonderful addition to the story, and might be my favorite from this title.

The plot line was pretty predictable.  But for a light summer read, it was decent.  The bits about autism felt a little elementary, but would certainly bring awareness and insight to any parent in a similiar situation.  And it's nice to have characters that are relatable to real life questions and relationships.  All in all, it was a light, quick read that will leave fans of Brunstetter happily satisfied.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Our 2026-27 Homeschool Read Aloud List

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray

The Hour that Changes the World by Dick Eastman

The Sprit-Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye

A Kidnapped Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum

A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

What are you reading in your homeschool?

Holy sexuality and the Gospel {Review}

From the author of Out of a Far Country comes this timely discussion on faith, love and relationships.  Christopher Yuan writes from both his knowledge as a Biblical professor, and his personal experience as a former agnostic before his radical conversion.  Dr. Yuan explores what he calls "Holy Sexuality": chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage.  Thoroughly researched and supported, this book is written to help all of us see how grand God's story truly is and how to celebrate in the good news of His design.

I've wanted to get my hands on this book for awhile.  After reading Out of a Far Country, I was compelled by Dr. Yuan's story.  His thoroughness and personal experience combined made this book a treasure trove of information.  Holy Sexuality and the Gospel isn't just about what we believe, but also why we believe.   It's about first seeking who God is, discovering His compelling love, and then centering our lives around that reality.  Every page is dripping with research and Scripture.  But the book also very centered on coming alongside people... real people with real emotions, lives, and stories.  Whether you have a loved one who identifies as gay or you're questioning your own identity, this is a very clear and well-written resource.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Alouds ll June 2026

 Nonfiction:

Miracles in the Hallways by Irene T. Lopez

What do miracles look like in everyday situations?  Walking the halls of a public school in California, for example?  As a well respected administrator, Lopez has an incredible eye for seeing these miracles and encouraging those around her.  Miracles in the Hallway is a beautifully written account of some of the ways she's seen God move in her schools and students' lives.  It's an incredible reminder to invite the Holy Spirit into our every day situations and allow Him to guide us for His glory.  This beautifully written account of the way the Lord is working in the every day would make an encouraging gift for anyone serving in the classroom.

The School of Obedience by Andrew Murray

As we see from Scripture, Christ was our example of full obedience to God.  He followed God's plan of redemption even to death on the cross.  In The School of Obedience, Murray lays out Christ's total surrender and how we as Christians are to follow in His steps.  This book is small, but mighty.  It's dense, thorough, and thoughtful.  Rather than presenting obedience as legalism, Murray shows the true freedom that comes from obedience and how it draws us into the fullness of Christ.

Outdated by Jonathan Pokluda

Pokluda spends each chapter addressing a myth about dating and expounding on the truth of what makes a successful relationship.  Some of the myths touch on communication, breakups, staying together, living together, the relevance of marriage, etc.  Our current hookup culture tends to send mixed messages to our teens and young adults so I've been looking for a helpful resource in this direction.  Pokluda speaks with a lot of honesty and hope about what makes a healthy dating viewpoint, and I tended to agree with him on most everything.  This is a title that I'll be adding to our teens personal growth reading list.

Fiction:

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Fanny Price comes to Mansfield Park as a young girl.  There her Aunt and Uncle raise her as one of their own.  Well, not quite one of their own.  She must know her place.  Still they endeavor to give her advantages that she wouldn't otherwise know.  She develops a special bond with her cousin, Edmond, and the two grow to be the most sensible of the cousins.  Over time, Fanny is approached by a wealthy suitor.  However, his playboy reputation precedes him and common sense Fanny will have nothing to do with him.  At the same time, Edmond falls for the suitor's sister, who is just as fanciful and wrapped in the seductions of wealth and image.  Fanny and Edmond must navigate their emotions, wealth, and societal expectations to find where their hearts can truly be at rest.  This is the first time I've read Mansfield Park, but felt that it's quite possibly Jane Austen's finest.  Though one of her longer novels, she writes the characters and their struggles so accurately; I couldn't put it down.  It was a page turner from beginning to end.

A Whale of the Wild by Rosanne Parry

Part of the Voice of the Wilderness series, Vega must help her family find salmon in order to survive.  But when an earthquake and tsunami separate her and her brother from the rest of the family, they must do everything they can to be reunited.  I love the way these books are written.  Parry does an incredible job of weaving fact and fiction to create a compelling story.  And in the back of the book, the author includes a tremendous amount of non-fiction concerning the animals and environment that she writes about.  These books would make wonderful unit studies for any homeschooler and treasured read alouds for any family.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

A fresh look at the classic myth of Cupid and Psyche, Till We Have Faces centers on Psyche's older sister, Orual, and her bond with her young sister.  When Psyche is sacrificed to appease the gods, Orual goes to the forest to gather her bones and return them home for burial. But there she find Psyche alive and married to a god.  However, as far as Orual can see Psyche is being held captive by delusions, and Orual sets out to free her.  This sets off a chain of events which will alter the girls' lives forever.  This is outside my usual genre, but I couldn't put it down.  C.S. Lewis did a masterful job of taking a classic myth and crafting a gripping tale.  This book reminds us that things aren't always as they appear and even the best of intentions sometimes aren't enough.

Read Aluds:

Jungle of Bones by Ben Mikaelsen

Dylan Barstow seems to always find himself in trouble.  Embittered by his father's untimely death, Dylan is determined to live life on his own terms.  But one day when he goes too far, he finds himself on a plan with his militant uncle traveling to a country that he's never even heard of.  Uncle Todd takes Dylan to Papua New Guinea in search of Dylan's grandfather's WWII fighter plane shot down by enemy fire.  Along the way, Dylan learns what true courage looks like and what it means to fight for a good cause.  There's a little bit of language in this one, but it was early edited out by reading aloud. What I really appreciated about this title was the redemption arc of Dylan's story.  Through the course of the book, he takes a hard look at how his choices are affecting his family, and determines to make a change for the better.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Meet Holling Hoodhood, seventh grader just trying to survive middle school.  But Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Baker prove to be a roadblock.  While half the class goes to catechism and the other half goes to Hebrew school, Holling is stuck in Mrs. Baker's class reading Shakespeare.  Over the course of the school year 1967-68, he and Mrs. Baker form an unlikely friendship against the background of the Vietnam War.  Wednesday Wars beautifully combines the everyday adventures of middle school with the impact of war on a torn nation.  As the book goes on, Mrs. Baker herself is impacted by the disappearance of her husband.  Several of the characters go on a deep, personal journey throughout the year ... touching on themes of human nature through the characters of Shakespeare.  Wednesday Wars is a comedic look at middle school life, intergenerational friendships, and the lessons we learn about ourselves.

Summer Reading List ll 2026

 Fiction:

Emma by Jane Austen

The Melody of Love by Wanda E. Bunstetter & Lorine Bunstetter Van Corbach

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Non-Fiction:

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi

Holy Sexuality and the Gospel

by Christopher Yuan

Making Peace with What I Can't Control

by Lysa trekkers

Read Alouds:

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day

The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

What are you reading this summer?

What I Read and Our Homeschool Read Aloud ll May 2026

 Nonfiction:

The Missing Peace by Tim Ross

See my full review here.

The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart

In this book, Julie Bogart brings her own town of enchantment and whimsy to homeschool.  Based on decades of experience, from being a homeschool parent to a writing coach and author herself, Bogart encourages parents to explore the elements of homeschool that embrace freedom,  curiosity, and wonder.  I've read this book multiple times and feel like I always get something out of it.  Even with high schoolers, I'm reminded of the principles that make this grand life of homeschool worth living.  This is definitely one I would recommend for all homeschoolers, but especially those starting out, to preserve a sense of wonder in their homes and children.

Fiction:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My challenge for this year is to read Jane Austen's books, and what better way to start that challenge that with Pride and Prejudice?  Set in the world of Regency England, independent Elizabeth Bennett finds herself fiercely clashing with the brooding Mr. Darcy.  But things are never as they appear in a world of propriety and social expectations.  Gender roles, misunderstandings, and clashing egos abound as love and loved ones are not all their appear to be.  This is a great one to start with if you're new to Jane Austen's work.

Read Aloud:

The House of Sixty Fathers by Meindert DeJong

Set during WWII, Tien Pao is separated from his family and must survive the Japanese invasion on his own.  Through flooding, enemy gunfire, and a burning city, Tien Pao manages to keep himself alive.  Along the way, he is helped by Chinese resistance fighters and manages to save an American airman as well.  With only his lucky pig to keep him company, he finds his way to an airbase and the men who set out to help him reunite with his family.  Sad, thrilling, and humanizing, The House of Sixty Fathers brings home the very personal pain of WWII, and the joy of finding family even in unlikely places.

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O'Dell

Young Tom Barton and his Uncle Jack help William Tyndale smuggle Bibles into England.  What starts out as a business deal, quickly turns personal when Tyndale teaches Tom to read and treats him like a son.  This book had its ups and downs.  Sometimes it felt very slow and other times, we were on the edge of our seats.  One thing I did really enjoy was the fact that it didn't shy away from the danger that Tyndale was in.  And that by befriending him, Tom Barton put his life at risk as well.  O'Dell also writes the characters in such a way that they are very human.  No one in this story is perfect and that really opened up a lot of opportunity for us that have conversations about one's character. 

What are you reading?

The Missing Peace {Review}

 

Tim Ross, bestselling author and podcaster, takes his readers on a journey of stepping out of temporary happiness and embracing true freedom.  He writes on identifying our emotions, regulating the body, creating safety, rewriting our reactions,  and more in ways that. go beyond doom scrolling, shopping addictions, and turning on worship music.  He reminds us to slow down long enough to identify the deeper reasons for our unease, and to unravel them with purposeful strategies.

Sharing his own testimony, Ross illustrates how true healing begins with voicing our deepest pains.  It's through revelation that healing can start.  Silence carries deep suffering.  But honest sharing can open one up to peace and freedom.

I was deeply encouraged by Ross' testimony and vulnerability in this book.  Written in the style of one who's walked a healing journey, The Missing Peace combines real pain and real healing with trauma informed techniques in a deeply personal style.  Ross' end goal is not coming to a place of erasing the pain, but healing it and using it in the Kingdom.  He reminds us that peace is found in walking through our trauma with the One who provides perfect peace.  

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

Top Seven Books for the Homeschool Mom

Are you a homeschool mom just starting out on your home education journey with little ones?  Or even a more seasoned homeschooler looking for some continuing inspiration?  If I were to sit down with a homeschool mom looking for direction, these would be the titles I'd encourage her to read.  Whether she has young children or old, these must-read books are sure to refocus and refresh any homeschooler.

*Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson-- This is the inspiration I return to every summer to help me refocus and find inspiration for the new year.  Erickson cuts to the heart of the matter, addressing the common fears that all homeschoolers face including if our homeschools are enough for our kiddos.  She reminds us that the Lord knows our strengths as well as our weaknesses, and has called us each to our particular families.  Our homeschool success if based not on our own efforts, but rather on our obedience and the Lord working in our kiddo's lives.  This one recalibrates my heart year after year.

*The Read Aloud Family by Sarah MacKenzie-- Filled with practical strategies for making read alouds a part of your family culture, MacKenzie reminds us that reading aloud has the power to shape individuals as well as the future.  Practical skills include; finding the time, developing empathy and compassion in your children, academic benefits, and family shaping.  

*Better Together by Pam Barnhill-- Morning Time has been a bedrock of our homeschool since the beginning.  This short, easy to read book sets a vision for Morning Time, practical ways to make it work in a variety of family situations, and a multitude of resources to try.  I'm constantly inspired by the resources included in this book.  This title is one I read year after year.

*Give Your Child the World by Jamie Martin--This extensive booklist includes over 600 titles to explore countries and cultures, organized by region, country, and age range.  I've used this one a lot to enhance our history and geography studies and haven't been disappointed by any of Martin's suggestions.

*For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay--Based on a Christian understanding of what it means to be human, Macaulay helps educators build an enriching and intellectually stimulating environment for their children.  This book takes education out of the classroom and into the world, helping the child thrives in all areas of life, not just formal learning.

*The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson-- Though not necessarily a homeschool book,  The Lifegiving Home includes ideas of families to enjoy their space year round.  Organized by monthly themes,, Clarkson inspires her readers to create special memories, establish routines and rhythms, and cultivate an environment where children (and homeschoolers) can thrive.

*The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment--  The Wild and Free community, founded by Arment, encourages a love of nature, great books, and using the world as the classroom.  Prolonging the wonder of childhood and nurturing curiosity are also an essential part of this philosophy.  This book reminds me not to take my homeschool too seriously, but to embrace the moment. To remember the joy and wonder in the everyday.  And to point it out to those around me.

*The Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola-- This book is divided into short, quick chapter.  It can be read through cover to cover, or chapters picked out based on topic.  I love how Andreola breaks down Charlotte Masons's principles into every day language, providing easy entry into a Charlotte Mason education.

What titles would you add to the list?

The Elephant and the Piano {Review}

 

"An incredible and uplifting true story about how music has healed troubled elephants in a sanctuary in Thailand."

Short-tempered Bonti lives on an elephant sanctuary in Thailand.  Temperamental, the other elephants give Bonti lots of room, and he lives a fairly solitary life.  But when Paul Barton arrives with his piano, something magical happens.... for all the elephants, but especially for Bonti.

This story is beautifully lyrical, magical, ... and even more special considering it's a true story.  It's an inspiring triumph, reading how music and friendship created a special bond between man and animal.  This picture book touches on themes of big emotions, empathy, and the healing power of music.

A sweet and beautifully illustrated story for readers of all ages.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review.  All opinions are my own.

25+ Fun Picture Books for Spring

Busy Spring: Nature Wakes Up by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss

Bug Off!: A Swarm of Insect Words by Cathi Hepworth

The Bumblebee Queen by April Pulley Sayne

The Honeymakers by Gail Gibbons

A Butterfly is Patient by Sylvia Long

The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi and Krysten Brooke

Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin

A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Aston

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Kidman

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messne

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Treasury for Children by James Herriot

Pig and Goose and the First Day of Spring By Rebecca Bond

When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlers

It's Spring by Renee Krill

Mossy by Jan Brett

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Park

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit by Il Sung Na

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano

Buzzing with Questions by Janie N. Harington

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson

Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor

Escargot and the Search for Spring by Dashiki Slater

Which One Will You Pick Up?

You Can Be Brave {Review}

 

We live in a busy wold.  Information is everywhere, headlines scream chaos, anxiety is on the rise.  Since 2020, counseling waitlists have grown exponentially, with many clients finding it impossible to get an appointment.  Being brave feels far out of reach when most of us are just trying to get through the day.

Author Max Lucado addresses our fear filled world, while encouraging his readers not to be filled with fear themselves.  Simply saying, "Don't worry" just doesn't cut it.  But in true Lucado style, the author walks us through how to move away from fear as default reaction, love fully, and live boldly.  Some of my favorite takeaways from this book include:

*"Parents... We can be loyal advocates, stubborn intercessors.  We can take our parenting fears to Christ.  If fact, if we don't, we will take our fees out on our kids."

*"Whether or not storms come, we cannot choose. But where we stare during a storm, that we can choose."

*"Change trampolines our lives, and when it does, God sends someone special to stabilize us (Holy Spirit)."

*"Christ distributes courage through community; he never dissipates doubts through fellowship.  He never deposits all knowledge in one person but distributes pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to many.  When you interlock your understanding with mine, and we share our discoveries... When we mix, mingle, confess, and pray, Christ speaks."

I loved that this book goes beyond the cliches of "Don't worry," "Trust the Lord," "Where's your faith?"  Instead Lucado uses real life examples of struggle and the peace that comes from laying it all down before the Lord.  His writing is a beautiful mix of Scripture and story telling, relating Biblical truth to everyday life we all find ourselves living.  This book was an easy read, but with powerful message... making brave choices today can lead us into a purposeful future with the Lord.  All in all, a worthwhile read.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.