2025 Reading Challenge (Quarter 3)

As a mother with an almost 9 year old, I apprecaited the authors candid, biblical wisdom in navigating the preteen years. Much can be said about these years of transition between child and teen, but they focus on the spiritual foundation. This book gave me tools to walk into this season with joy and confidence as I continue to guide my child in their relationship with the Lord and with others.

There were parts of this book I really enjoyed. I loved the premise and the call to be quiet and present in our daily lives, ready to hear from God. I apprecaited her honesty about her struggle with technology and thoughts on how to navigate all the distractions in our age.

Her writing is beautiful… like it is from another time or age. It’s almost like poetry, drawing in the senses.

But I gave it 3 stars because her theology is VERY different from mine. She and her vicar husband are high church Anglicans in England, but it gave very Catholic vibes. I would not recommend this read to someone who isn’t solidly grounded in their faith.

This unique book delves into the friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis though fun illustrations and comic style writing. I enjoyed learning more about these two men and gleaning insight into different aspects of their lives that read them to writing their great works of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. It also shares insight into the history behind myths and fairytales, which I found quite interesting.

Jane Austen meets dragons. That’s what this book is! It is an enchanting read full of mystery and intrigue making me want to read another chapter. The plot unfolds slowly throughout which keeps the reader engaged all the way to the last page.

My almost 9 year old enjoyed reading it as well.

*This was a very clean novel. One reference is made to a man “taking advantage” of a woman because they were in a room alone (no, no for that time period!) and he was threatening her for information. It was clear after the comment that was not his intent as he proceeded to only seek information. I did not feel uncomfortable with the comment, but just a heads up for parents!

This topsy-turvey, whimsical book gave us Lewis Carroll vibes. It is a delightfully enchanting read as you follow Milo, Tock, and the Humbug on a quest to save the Princesses Rhyme and Reason. The kids and I all gave it 5 stars!

*Parent note: It uses the word “demons” often to describe the villians. I just used “monsters” instead. But they are more like funny play-on-word creatures as opposed to being scary.

The subtitle was well chosen- a family love story. That’s exactly what this book is. From the first pages, you will fall in love with the Weaver family. Michael and Carol’s marriage is sweet and warm with a little romance sprinkled throughout. They have strong relationships with their children, their friends, and their church community. Carol was a delightful character! I felt like we became friends, and she inspired me to serve with more joy and purpose. I also loved the emphasis on family worship and being a light for Christ. This book follows their every day life reminding me that there is so much beauty even in the ordinary moments. A lovely read!

Must read for parents! Greta does a great job tackling a difficult topic with intensity yet with love, grace, and hope. Parents, we MUST be equipped to teach and talk to our children about porn and what to do when they’ve been exposed to it. I appreciate Greta being brave enough to speak about a very real issue facing children today. Highly recommend!

*Covers topics like pornography, mastrubation, sexting, sextortion, etc. Topics parents don’t want to acknowledge as dangers to our sweet children, but they are very real in this broken world!

I started this as a read aloud with my kids, but I wound up finishing the last quarter or more by myself. It began to reference dark magic in a way I was not comfortable with for my little ones (dark sorceress, a warlock monster of the deep, a demon shroud, magical crystals). This book was much more allegorical than the first. I was just disappointed in the darker elements. We probably won’t read any more of this series.

It felt like I wasw sitting down to tea and a chat with an older mentor/friend who was bestowing her godly wisdom and life experience! A great read- especially for homeschool mamas that appreciate Charlotte Mason ideals.

“A mother does a lot of taking care, so she needs to take care of herself, too. As a mother is feeding and cultivationg the souls of her children, she is nourishing her own soul with ideas, while taking a little time for her own play and creativity. Nourished and refreshed, she keeps growing closer to God and into the Christian woman God is designing her to be.”

I learned a lot about gardening, and specifically raised bed gardening. The practical tips on helping your garden thrive were good and used common materials found around the house. It gave me a good foundation for starting my own raised bed garden answering many of my questions.

The writing style was very poor. Sentences and even entire paragraphs were repeated again and again throughout the book. You could probably have cut the book in half and still had all the information, removing the parts that were restated multiple times- sometimes in various places througout the book, but often within the same chapter.

I enjoyed this for the gardening tips, not the presentation of information.

My oldest has read many books, and she emphatically says this is her favorite read ever. She’s been begging me to read it, and I wish I would have sooner. This enchanting tale whisks you away to a distant village where young women are summoned as potential brides for the Prince. Before any can win his heart, they must attend the prestigious Princess Academy to master the art of royalty.Only one will be chosen, who will it be?

*Parent Note: While this is a very clean read, love is a main theme of the book. Moreso little girl giggly infatuation and crushes, but had I been more aware of this, I would’ve waited to have my daughter read it. She was around 7 when she read the series for the first time.

This series came highly recommended by several friends, and it did not disappoint! Knights, swords, secrets, questions of purpose… this Medieval tale will keep you engage from beginning to end.

*I listened to the audiobook, and it was so good. It was dramatized which added depth to the read. As soon as I finished it, I told my husband this would be a great father/son read for him as Knox as a father and son are key characters in the story. Virtues like loyalty, love, determination, and bravery are championed throughout.

I want to sign the Vanderbeekers petition to let them stay at the brownstone!! (if you know, you know!) This story really is a heartwarming read. You’ll go through the ups and downs of everyday life in a family with lots of kids plus pets. Set on a friendly street in Harlem, you’ll fall in love with the Vanderbeerks as they fight to keep living in the house they love so dear.

This series has been such a fun read. It is so different from other fiction I have read before pairing dragons with Jane Austen England. This book continued to develop the plot as Edith took up her place as warden of the dragons residing at Wormwood Abbey. Mystery, secrets, dragon breeding and a budding romance make for a thrilling read!

*Note: There is reference to a man taking advantage of one of his servant girls, resulting in a pregnancy. Nothing explicit is said, but the situation is clearly implied.

Book #2 in the Princess Academy series. While this probably classifies as middle-grade fiction, I am really enjoying this series. Palace of Stone finds Miri and Britta swept up in a revolution in Asland. Who do you trust? What can be done? Will the country unite or tear itself apart?

This is my second time reading this book, and I loved just as much, if not more, than the first time! Crystal Paine offers so much wisdom into managing your time, rhythms, and life well while staying balanced in her approach. I gleaned so much from this book as I highlighted, dog-eared pages, and took notes. She masterfully guides you through crafting schedules, designing morning and evening routines, setting priorities, and building habits, all while inspiring you to create a life you truly love. Highly recommend!

I am sad to see this series come to a close, although the ending was beautifully written! In this final chapter, Miri finds herself stranded in a dismal swamp trying to make princesses out of three orphans. While there, she discovers that things aren’t as they appear to be. The linder walls of their home hold secrets, secrets that might change the course of their beloved homeland.

In Christina Baehr fashion, she kept my attention from first page to last (or first word to last since I listened to the audiobook version, which is fantastic. I love the readers British accent!) Edith and her handsome distant cousin, Simon, embark on a journey shrouded in mystery but holding truths that will change the course of their future. Peril and suspense are at every turn!

*Parents Note: CONTENT WARNING. While these feel like middle grade fiction, this is not one I will be giving my daughter anytime soon. And illegitimate child was introduced in book 2 (noted in the review above). This book gives more detail regarding that, but it also delves into other mature themes. None of which are necessarily inappropriate content for adult readers (while stated, nothing is graphic or erotic), but they are too mature for my preteen. Topics include forced marriage, wooing the attention of a desired man, a man having a mistress and children by her.

Why has it taken me so long to read this classic? We did it as a read-aloud, and all of us fell in love with it instantly! I grew up watching the Little House TV series, but introducing my children to the book was a delightful experience. They were so fascinated by how people lived life in the late 1800s. Garth Williams is an incredible illustrator who brought the story to life in our imaginations. My son ran off with Farmer Boy as soon as we finished this one! Delightful, heartwarming, family-centric, champion of moral character. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t wait any longer!