This post contains affiliate links. Learn more here.
In this article:
Little House by Boston Bay by Melissa Wiley
She Deserves Better by Gregoire, Lindenbach, and Sawatsky
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson
Little House by Boston Bay (The Charlotte Years #1) by Melissa Wiley
4 STARS, Middle Grade Historical Fiction, My format: read-aloud for 8-, 7-, and 4-year-old girls
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop
Charlotte is growing up next to the growing town of Boston where her mother works hard in the house and her father runs a smithy in their back yard.
Personal Review:
Another great Little House installment! My girls enjoyed this one as much as the others. The Scottish accents of Charlotte's parents were written in a fun and interesting way.
The little story Charlotte had in her head about the Sunday family (beautiful dishes that only came out on Sundays) was so relatable for my imaginative girls.
The way that Charlotte takes adventures without understanding their magnitude seems so age appropriate. This was a fun read-aloud for us!
Content Warnings:
none
She Deserves Better by Gregoire, Lindenbach, and Sawatsky
5 STARS, Christian Parenting, My format: paperback
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop
This book shows what the authors have found to be the long-term effects of purity culture as well as a more balanced alternative to teaching our girls about sex and their role as Christian girls.
Personal Review:
As someone who grew up steeped in purity culture, I had experiences that were very similar to those described in this book. I love how the authors systematically and gently pointed out the fallacies and poor research behind many of the teachings I read and heard as a teenager.
My junior high and high school experiences with boys were pretty terrible and I knew there had to be a better way to raise my girls to see themselves and relate to boys. This book showed me what I was looking for - how to recognize the bad, teach my girls to recognize the bad, and how to work towards the good (all of this within the context of being a girl/woman in a sex-crazed culture).
I was worried the book would be too academic, with all of the studies and stats involved, but it was so readable and easy to understand and apply. The anecdotes didn't take over the book either; it was very balanced that way.
I have to admit there were some things that I scoffed at at first. But, after thinking about them and asking myself some hard questions, I am so glad that those viewpoints were offered to me. I am so thankful I have this book to help me think through some things while my daughters are still young. And thankful for the work that these ladies have put into yet another wonderful book!
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
3.5 STARS, Epic Fantasy, Christian Author, My format: ebook
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop
Princess Sarene is meant to marry Prince Raoden as a political alliance. Little did they both know that the night before the wedding would bring chaos and an epic adventure for all.
Personal Review:
This was my first Sanderson novel and it was…very long. 640 pages of world-building, interesting languages, religions, governments, and intriguing personalities. Everything was very intricate and there were almost too many details for my mom brain to deal with. I did love how everything wrapped up nicely at the end, though. It was extremely satisfying to reach the end and see it all come together.
Content Warnings:
some violence that is pretty graphic, demonic-like creatures, human sacrifice
The Warden and the Wolf King (The Wingfeather Saga #4) by Andrew Peterson
5 STARS, Middle Grade Fantasy, Christian Themes, My format: 1st edition hard cover
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop
Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli continue their quest to defeat Gnag the Nameless and restore their homeland of Anniera to its former glory.
Personal Review:
What just happened? That was quite the whirlwind; but the ending to this series was glorious, heart-wrenching, and such a perfect close to a very interesting saga.
I have two favorite characters: Rudric, who I wish had a better and bigger part in the fourth book, and Sara Cobbler, who I really hope gets the desires of her sweet and precious heart.
I loved that Peterson took his time to properly end the story. He tied up every loose end and gave us a calm and relaxed wrap-up after 4 books of fighting evil. He made it feel like the story will continue after the last page without making you feel like you missed something.
Of the story itself, I absolutely LOVE how the arts - words, music, and drawing - were a very important part of the story. The arts are what made the Wingfeathers' world truly beautiful, and I enjoyed being a part of it. I can’t wait until my kids read this some day. (Even though the characters are about ages 10-13, my girls likely won’t be ready to read it until they are teenagers.)
Content Warnings:
there is quite a bit more death in this book (especially of beloved characters), but if you were okay with the content of the first three books, this one would also be okay for you or your children
Have you read any of these books? Do any sound interesting to you?