"The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
Proverbs 18:15
This week my boys finished another school year. Instead of relief, I feel pride mixed with melancholy. Can you explain that to me?
I don't understand myself.
This one was a difficult year, with Beth's Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis coming right at the start. We traveled to more doctor's appointments than I can count, and Beth had a painful winter and spring.
I cried, I worried, she cried, she nursed, she cuddled in my lap. I spent hours and days, just soothing her.
Grueling about describes this school year. So why do I feel so sad at the conclusion?
Tomorrow, Friday, is our annual appointment to have an Ohio-credentialed teacher officially sign off on our year. Today I gathered all their work and listed all their reading material, and just like last August, I couldn't hold back the tears.
When I listed Where the Red Fern Grows, I remembered Peter's tears at the ending. I remember holding him as he sobbed.
I remember Peter telling me that Gentle Ben was one of the best books he'd ever read, and why did it have to end?
Many books became their friends this year. So many times they didn't want to say goodbye.
Just last month Peter said The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the best book he'd ever read.
And I distinctly remember last October. Farmer Boy captured his heart then.
I love that at home, school is mostly reading. I don't have to hand over a bunch of busy work to prove we did something this year. My children filled their minds every time they opened a book.
They cried, they laughed, they contemplated. History, tragedy, friendship, family, love, hate, fantasy, reality. They learned.
Today for Thankful Thursday I want to list the books that shaped my boys' hearts and minds this year. This is everything they read, except for non-fiction science and Bible materials.
"And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
Proverbs 24:4
For these authors and their stories, I give thanks.
My Peter, age 10 years
Farmer Boy
Sign of the Beaver
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Westward Toward Home My America
Meet George Washington
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Ruphus M.
McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm
The Summer of the Swans
Old Yeller
My Side of the Mountain
Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia
Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims
The Skippack School
Where the Red Fern Grows
My Father's Dragon
Elmer and the Dragon
The Dragons of Blue Land
A Lion to Guard Us
Meet Thomas Jefferson
Pedro's Journal
The Cabin Faced West
Caleb's Story
Gentle Ben
More Perfect Than the Moon
Skylark
A Hive of Busy Bees
Sarah Plain and Tall
Grandfather's Dance
The Bears of Hemlock Mountain
The Matchlock Gun
On the Banks of Plum Creek
On the Shores of Silver Lake
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Farm
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic
Hello Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Happy Birthday Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Little Men
The Story of Dr. Dolittle
Pippi Longstocking
Dr. Dolittle and the Green Canary
My Paul, age 8 years
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Ruphus M.
Along Came a Dog
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm
The Family Under the Bridge
Katie and the Mustang
My Father's Dragon
Elmer and the Dragon
The Dragons of Blue Land
The Bears of Hemlock Mountain
Caleb's Story
More Perfect Than the Moon
The Complete Treasury of Winnie the Pooh
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Farm
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic
Happy Birthday Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Hello Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
The Story of Dr. Dolittle
The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Dr. Dolittle's Circus
Farmer Boy Days
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
A Lion to Guard Us
Meet Thomas Jefferson
Sarah, Plain and Tall
Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims
The Cabin Faced West
Meet George Washington
Read Alouds by Daddy
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The Wheel on the School
Rascal
Chucaro Wild Pony of the Pampa
Ruphus M.
Pinky Pye
The Middle Moffat
Pollyanna
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Shiloh
The Tale of Despereaux
The Phantom Tollbooth
The Hatchet
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nihm
Chronicles of Narnia, book 1
Chronicles of Narnia, book 3
Chronicles of Narnia, book 4
Chronicles of Narnia, book 5
They'll still read everyday now, but regular school won't start up again until mid September.
photo credit
4 comments:
i have a confession to make...i read all kiersten's readers before she does- and i am never sorry!
what fun lists! hope your appointment is blessed and sweet. what a year
It's such a joy, isn't it? :)
Now I've got to get moving on buying used historical literature from one of the Sonlight lists. They still need to read more heavily on these two American history topics (Civil War and the American Revolution).
Wow great book list thanks for sharing that!My oldest two love to read my third is struggling so much it hurts my heart because reading is such an adventure.
Oh, Tesha. I'm saying a pray for him right now. Keep trusting in His plan. I know how hard it is to watch them struggle. But friend, the Lord has it covered.
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