Book Publication: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ; Hardcover edition (October 5, 2021) Reading Level: Pre-K- Grade 3 (Ages 4-8) Book Summary: When a little owl's home is suddenly upended and she is migrated with her tree home to the heart of the city, she begins to wonder what Christmas means. A friendly and compassionate … Continue reading The Christmas Owl (Ellen Kalish, Gideon Sterer & Ramona Kaulitzki)
SENBAZURU (Michael James Wong)
"Do not rush to make your way to the end, as there is nothing gained by arriving so quickly."Michael James Wong, "SENBAZURU: One Thousand Steps to Happiness, Fold by Fold" Book Publication: Book Publication: Chronicle Prism (October 19, 2021) Book Summary: This unique book is inspired by the Japanese origami art of folding paper cranes, … Continue reading SENBAZURU (Michael James Wong)
Until Unity (Francis Chan)
Our divisions usually aren't caused by a difference in theology but a lack of relationship. our problem is not our difference of opinion or interpretation; it's the shallowness of our love." — Francis Chan, Until Unity Book Publication:David C Cook (April 1, 2021) Book Summary:Chan charge to readers is that maintaining the unity of believers … Continue reading Until Unity (Francis Chan)
Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith (Henri Nouwen)
“Prayer, therefore, is not introspection. It does not look inward but outward.” — Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Direction Book Publication: Original Publication: Harper Collins (May 15, 2006) Copy owned: HarperOne (March 10, 2015) - edited by Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird Book Summary: This books seeks to answer and guide readers through some of … Continue reading Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith (Henri Nouwen)
The Most Perfect Snowman (Chris Britt)
Book Publication: Balzer + Bray; Hardcover edition (October 11, 2016) Reading Level: Pre-K- Grade 3 (Ages 4-8) Book Summary: A lonely snowman named Drift was initially created with minimal effort, with only two stick arms and a few coals that made up his mouth and eyes. His greatest hope is to become a "perfect" snowman … Continue reading The Most Perfect Snowman (Chris Britt)
The Knowledge of the Holy (A.W. Tozer)
“Let her love God as He is in Himself, and not as her imagination says He is, and pictures Him.” — A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy Book Publication: Original Publication: Harper & Row (1961) Copy owned: HarperOne (October 6, 1978) Book Summary: The premise of this book is that one must "think rightly … Continue reading The Knowledge of the Holy (A.W. Tozer)
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld)
Book Publication: Chronicle Books; Illustrated hard cover edition (May 4, 2011) Reading Level: Pre-K- Grade 2 (Ages 1-6) Book Summary: Following the story of five delightful construction vehicles—crane truck, cement mixer, bulldozer, dump truck, excavator— this book is a captivating and sweet bedtime story. Readers walk through each vehicle's unique experience during their long, hard … Continue reading Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (Sherri Duskey Rinker & Tom Lichtenheld)
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Charlie Mackesy)
"Asking for help isn't giving up, it's refusing to give up."Charlie Mackesy, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" Book Publication: Ebury Press (September 5, 2019) Book Summary: A heartwarming graphic novel with beautiful sketched illustrations, this book tells the story of a young, inquisitive boy meandering through life with his animal friends. … Continue reading The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (Charlie Mackesy)
None Like Him (Jen Wilkin)
“We were created to need both God and others. We deny this to our peril. We are not needy because of sin; we are needy by divine design.” — Jen Wilkin, None Like Him Book Publication: Crossway (April 30, 2016) Book Summary: "None Like Him" is about 10 character traits of God—infinite, incomprehensible, self-existent, self-sufficient, … Continue reading None Like Him (Jen Wilkin)
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 (Cho Nam-Joo)
“Just as putting the care of your child in another’s hands doesn’t mean you don’t love your child, quitting and looking after your child doesn’t mean you have no passion for your career.”― Cho Nam-Joo, "Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982" Book Publication: Minumsa Co., Ltd. ; Original Korean edition (October 14, 2016) Simon and … Continue reading Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 (Cho Nam-Joo)
Little Blue Truck (Alice Schertle & Jill McElmurry)
Book Publication: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers Original hardcover edition (May 1, 2008)Board book edition (July 7, 2015) Reading Level: Pre-K- Grade 3 (Ages 0-7) Book Summary: This story is set in the open countryside and is about a friendly blue pick-up truck and his many furry animal friends, who end up helping … Continue reading Little Blue Truck (Alice Schertle & Jill McElmurry)
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (David Epstein)
“Our work preferences and our life preferences do not stay the same, because we do not stay the same.”― David Epstein, Range Book Publication: Riverhead Books (May 28, 2019) Book Summary: Hyper-specialization in one area at an early age is only helpful for certain careers (like chess, golf or classical music), not for most careers … Continue reading Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (David Epstein)
Steadfast: Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James (Courtney Doctor)
“Patience and steadfastness are related, but not synonymous. Where patience sits back and waits, steadfastness is more of an active endurance.” — Courtney Doctor, Steadfast Book Publication: The Gospel Coalition (November 28, 2019) Book Summary: An 8-week Bible study on the Book of James, this book focuses on the overarching theme of remaining steadfast despite … Continue reading Steadfast: Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James (Courtney Doctor)
Soon (Timothy Knapman & Patrick Benson)
Book Publication: Candlewick (February 24, 2015) Reading Level: Preschool- Kindergarten (Ages 2-5) Book Summary: This story is about a mother elephant and her son, Raju, who set out on a great adventure. With echoes of what we often hear children saying in long car rides, this story highlights a baby elephant named Raju who keeps … Continue reading Soon (Timothy Knapman & Patrick Benson)
Free Food for Millionaires (Min Jin Lee)
"Some [readers] have had actually said I feel like you're following me around with a tape recorder because this is actually my life. And that comment to me has been incredibly gratifying. However, I am writing about sex and violence and women who betray each other. And these are the people that I know. … Continue reading Free Food for Millionaires (Min Jin Lee)
Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami)
“Silence, I discover, is something you can actually hear.”― Haruki Murakami, kafka on the shore Book Publication: Original Japanese: Shinchosha Publishing Co, Ltd. (September 12, 2002) First English Translation: Alfred A. Knopf (January 2005) Book Summary: Following the story of a 15-year old runaway teen named Kafka Tamura from Tokyo, this book is … Continue reading Kafka on the Shore (Haruki Murakami)
The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires)
Book Publication: Kids Can Press (April 1, 2014) Reading Level: Grades K-2 (Ages 4-7) Book Summary: After receiving a tool kit as a present, a creative, young girl ventures out to create something magnificent and useful for her faithful and furry friend. During the process, she learns how to persevere through problem solving, as she … Continue reading The Most Magnificent Thing (Ashley Spires)
Itsy Bitsy Christmas (Max Lucado and Bruno Merz)
Book Publication: Tommy Nelson Publishers (September 10, 2013) Reading Level: Grades 1-2 (Ages 4-7) Book Summary: This little Christmas tale follows two small mice, older brother Itsy and his little sister Bitsy, on their adventure of finding out what all the excitement in Bethlehem is all about. As people and animals gather around from far … Continue reading Itsy Bitsy Christmas (Max Lucado and Bruno Merz)
Culture Code (Daniel Coyle)
“Vulnerability doesn’t come after trust—it precedes it. Leaping into the unknown, when done alongside others, causes the solid ground of trust to materialize beneath our feet.”― Daniel coyle, culture Code Book Publication: Bantam (January 30, 2018) Book Summary: If you've ever wondered how some teams always seem to be get better results and enjoy working … Continue reading Culture Code (Daniel Coyle)
Follow the Track All the Way Back (Timothy Knapman & Ben Mantle)
Book Publication: Candlewick Press (October 17, 2017) Reading Level: Preschool- Kindergarten (Ages 2-5) Book Summary: A fun story about early independence, the little train learns how to venture out on his own without his parents for the first time. Initially, with much excitement, he races with top speed over the hills, across bridges, and next … Continue reading Follow the Track All the Way Back (Timothy Knapman & Ben Mantle)
House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)
I knew then I had to have a house. A real house. One I could point to. But this isn’t it. The house on Mango Street isn’t it. For the time being, Mama says. Temporary, says Papa. But I know how those things go. ― Sandra cisneros, House on mango Street Book Publication: … Continue reading House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)
The Whole-Brain Child (Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
“There’s a lot of scientific evidence demonstrating that focused attention leads to the reshaping of the brain. In animals rewarded for noticing sound (to hunt or to avoid being hunted, for example), we find much larger auditory centers in the brain. In animals rewarded for sharp eyesight, the visual areas are larger. Brain scans of … Continue reading The Whole-Brain Child (Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
The Meaning of Marriage (Timothy Keller)
“The reason that marriage is so painful and yet wonderful is because it is a reflection of the gospel, which is painful and wonderful at once. The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted … Continue reading The Meaning of Marriage (Timothy Keller)
The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin)
Book Publication: Puffin Books (April 12, 2004) Reading Level: Grades 5-7 Winner of the Newbury Medal Book Summary: Deceased millionaire Samuel J. Westing has written a will to give away his fortune. The catch? Only one of 16 of his specifically hand-selected people have the chance to win the game that he created to receive … Continue reading The Westing Game (Ellen Raskin)
Pachinko (Min Jin Lee)
“History has failed us, but no matter.”― Min Jin Lee, Pachinko Book Publication: Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition (February 7, 2017) Book Summary: A riveting story, following four generations of a Korean family during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 1900s, the story follows a struggling young woman named Sunja, who is at … Continue reading Pachinko (Min Jin Lee)
Forgotten God (Francis Chan)
“It is easy to use the phrase 'God's will for my life' as an excuse for inaction or even disobedience. ... My hope is that instead of searching for 'God's will for my life' each of us would learn to seek hard after 'the Spirit's leading in my life today.' May we learn to … Continue reading Forgotten God (Francis Chan)
Karl the Fog: San Francisco’s Most Mysterious Resident (Karl the Fog)
“When you fly thousands of miles and can't even see the bridge.” — Karl the Fog Book Publication: Chronicle Books (June 11, 2019) Book Summary: This small, kitschy book features beautiful pictures of Karl the Fog, San Francisco's famous fog that seems to be present all year around. The book is narrated by Karl, whose witty … Continue reading Karl the Fog: San Francisco’s Most Mysterious Resident (Karl the Fog)
Letters to the Church (Francis Chan)
One of the most debilitating issues facing the Church is the lack of maturing her members. Churches are filled with children who never grow up to become parents. And they're not expected to. Many pastors expect their members to sit under their teaching till they die rather than training them to leave and shepherd others. … Continue reading Letters to the Church (Francis Chan)
Mom, There’s a Bear at the Door (Sabine Lipan & Manuela Olten)
Book Publication: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (February 4, 2016) Reading Level: Preschool-Grade 2 (Ages 4-8) Book Summary: An imaginative tale is told solely through the dialogue between a young boy and his mom. The boy explains how a bear has arrived on the 11th floor of his apartment building in front of their door. … Continue reading Mom, There’s a Bear at the Door (Sabine Lipan & Manuela Olten)
The Complete Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi)
Book Publication: Pantheon; 1st edition (October 30, 2007) Book Summary: Set in the time of a the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the story of Satrapi's childhood is told in such a beautiful and striking way through style of a graphic novel. Her story gives a peek into the life of a child and growing up … Continue reading The Complete Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi)
The Pleasures of God (John Piper)
"I recall hearing one of my professors in seminary say that one of the bests tests of a person's theology was the effect it has on one's prayers."— John Piper, The Pleasures of God Book Publication Date: Originally 1991; Revised and Expanded edition- June 26. 2000 Book Summary: To see God and know God as … Continue reading The Pleasures of God (John Piper)
Pip and Posy: The Christmas Tree (Axel Scheffler)
Book Publication: Nosy Crow (September 25, 2018) Reading Level: Preschool-Kindergarten (Ages 2-5) Book Summary: An adorable little Christmas story about Pip and Posy, a mouse and a rabbit, who busily prepare for the season picking and decorating tree, decorating cookies and more. However, they run into a bit of a problem as their Christmas decorations … Continue reading Pip and Posy: The Christmas Tree (Axel Scheffler)
“Geranium” (Flannery O’Connor)
Story Publication Date: Summer 1946 "The Complete Stories" Publication: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First edition (January 1, 1971) Story Summary: The realistic story of a recent New York transplant from the South, an old man name Dudley moves into the city at the suggestion of his adult daughter. He can't help but keep comparing his … Continue reading “Geranium” (Flannery O’Connor)
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