In this episode, we sit down with homeschool mom Kirsten Hill to discuss the joys and challenges of reading aloud to a primarily male audience. Kirsten shares her insights on selecting engaging books for boys, keeping their attention, and fostering a love of reading through captivating read-aloud sessions. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or librarian, you'll find valuable tips and recommendations to enhance your read-aloud experiences with boys.

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy

The White Stag by Kate Seredy

A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy

A Tune in the Tree by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander

Percy Jackson and the Olympian series by Rick Riordan

Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Johnny Tremain: A Story of Boston in Revolt by Esther Forbes

Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat

Rascal by Sterling North

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Landmark books

Guadalcanal Diary (Landmark)

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

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Our guest this week is Amanda Cleary Eastep, author of the Christian middle-grade series The Tree Street Kids from Moody Publishers.

Today’s Guest: Author Jamin Still

Tales of Hibaria: The Awakening by Jamin Still

The Master of Tides- Book 1 of The Tales of Hibaria by Jamin Still

Other titles in this episode:

The Green Ember

Skyward Series by Brandon Sanderson

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

Sonya’s Chickens by Phoebe Wahl

Even If He Doesn’t… What We Believe About God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Kristen LaValley

Get ready to spring into reading with our latest Stories from the Ashes episode, where we're showcasing a delightful lineup of children's books perfect for the season. From charming picture books to beloved read-alouds, we've handpicked a selection of stories that will spark imagination and inspire young readers. Plus, don't miss out on our exclusive Spring Reading Bundle (download below), complete with fun reading challenge bookmarks and book log sheets to keep little bookworms engaged all season long!

Tune in now and let's embark on a springtime literary conversation together!

And don’t miss our newly updated Easter Book List!

Books that came up in this episode:

The Easter Treat by Roger Duvoisin

The Easter Egg Artists (also published as The Paintbrush Bunny) by Adrienne Adams

Hurry, Spring! by Sterling North

Rascal by Sterling North

Sketching Outdoors in Spring by Jim Arnosky

There’s More… Much More by Sue Alexander

Spring is Like the Morning by M. Jean Craig

Hooray for Spring by Iwamuraby

Tiny Perfect Things by M.H. Clark

Spring Things by Maxine W. Kumin and Artur Marokvia

The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Offers

The Winter Wren by Brock Cole

Beatrice Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf

Pick, Pull, Snap! Where Once a Flower Bloomed by Lola M. Schaefer

Anywhere Farm by Phyllis Root

The Forever Garden by Laurel Snyder

The Boy Who Didn’t Believe in Spring by Lucille Clifton and Britton Turkle

A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox by Wendy Pfeffer

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring by Kenard Pak

Spring an Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur

Spring Thaw by Steven Schnur

Welcome Back Sun by Michael Emberley

When Spring Comes by Kevin Hanks

Silver by Walter de la Mare

Spring Song by Barbara Seuling

All’s Right with the World by Jennifer Adams

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night by Peter Spier

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Brambly Hedge by Jill Barklem

Hurray for Spring! by Patricia Hubbell

Miss Jaster’s Garden by N.M. Bodecker

Hanna’s Cold Winter by Trish Mark

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

The Librarian by Sarah Stewart

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

The Narnia books by C.S. Lewis

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Spring Things by Bob Raczka

Hi, Mister Robin! by Alvin Tresselt and Roger Duvoisin

“Sweet Afton” (poem by Robert Burns)

“Pippa’s Song” (poem by Robert Browning)

Thanks for listening! If you’re looking for more seasonal books, be sure to check out our Winter Words Wonderland episode!

Join us in our conversation with Author and trusted Book Reviewer, Megan Saben. And find her book, Something Better Coming at the top of our Easter book list!

* The Redeemed Reader website where Megan shares book reviews.

* A page about Something Better Coming with a video preview.

* If you’re interested in hearing more on our discussion topic of Truth and Story, but specifically as found in picture books, here’s a taste on Redeemed Reader.

* A link to the fine art page for Megan’s illustrator friend, Ryan Flanders.

* Here’s a coupon code good for 10% off PLUS free media mail shipping through 3/31/2024. Good within the U.S. (International orders can contact Megan to see what you might work out.) Code: RESURRECTION24

* Westminster Kids carries Something Better Coming. They’re the only online store that does, besides ordering directly through Megan above. https://westminsterkids.com/products/7533495582920

Share this episode or Megan’s book with a friend!

The following book links are to the RA Amazon Storefront.

Books in this episode:

Something Better Coming by Megan Saben and Ryan Flanders

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss

“More Love to Thee” hymn by Elizabeth Prentiss- hear it here on YouTube

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Feminization of American Culture by Ann Douglas

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney

The Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood

I Spy books

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Mother West Wind stories by Thornton Burgess

A Year in the Big Old Garden by James D. Witmer

Bird Life in Wington by John Calvin Reid

With many in our community already elbow deep in our 2024 Reading Challenges, we thought it was a good time to listen in to Ambre and (RA Moderator) Kimberly Schluterman discuss how Kimberly approached the 2023 Reading Challenge.

Kimberly’s three most influential books:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1), also published as October Sky by Homer H. Hickam Jr.

Kristy’s Great Idea (Baby-Sitter’s Club) by Ann M. Martin (Kimberly’s breakthrough into love of reading title)

Share this episode with a friend!

Books and resources discussed in the episode:

Feel free to order any titles through our storefront.

Love & Friendship movie (based on Lady Susan)

A Little History of the World by E. H. Gombrich

Dave Barry’s books

Elephant & Piggie Books

There is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Goodnight Already! by Jory John & Benji Davies

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

The Complete Peanuts by Shulz

Poultrygeist by Eric Geron

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Garfield comics by Jim Davis

All Cats Are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann (updated edition of All Cats Have Aspergers Syndrome)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

All of Jane Austen’s books

Baby Lit books

The Childhood of Famous Americans series

Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton Porter

Bargain Bride by Evelyn Sibley Lampman

Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

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