Homeschool Resources: Hand that Rocks the Cradle

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably have picked up on this: I LOVE read-aloud time!  We have an hour scheduled in our afternoon every day for reading aloud.  An hour is the goal.  Sometimes, we get caught up in something else and have less time to read.  Sometimes, we are just captivated by what we're reading and can't stop!  During read-aloud time, the girls either snuggle up beside me on the couch or sit on the carpet playing quietly with a manipulative (like Legos or blocks).  Honestly, I think it's their favorite time of day, too! (The boys either nurse or sleep.)

In the beginning, I had a hard time selecting books to read aloud.  There are just so many to choose from!  Then, I found Hand that Rocks the Cradle by Nathaniel Bluedorn.  Nathaniel was homeschooled in a Christian family that also found great delight and value in reading aloud.  This book contains summaries of 400 classic children's books.  The books were chosen from those his mom and dad read aloud during his childhood as well as books that he and his siblings read on their own.  The books are organized by author's last name.  Each book is assigned a reading level of 1, 2, or 3, with 1 being appropriate for all ages, 2 for ages 10 and up, and 3 for ages 13 and up.  Bluedorn also includes the time the story takes place, the geographic setting of the story, and the date of publication.  Additionally, following the summaries, there is a listing of the books by subject.   

This year, I made a reading list by selecting level 1 titles from this book.  Of course, we have gotten a little sidetracked reading the My Side of the Mountain Trilogy:)  Thus far, we have not been disappointed with any of the selections!