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Giving Books: Audiobooks Are Books, Too

Nov20

Bill at Thinklings spotlighted this new production from Focus on the Family Radio Theater:

You can purchase The Screwtape Letters (audiobook dramatized performance)here or here. I’ve definitely got this one on my list for someone who shall remain nameless. (If you’re on my giving list, and you want it, you’d better get your request in soon. Otherwise, I may give it to myself!)

We’ve been listening to lots of audiobooks around here since Z-baby (age eight) can’t read at anywhere near the level she can understand. A few of her favorites, played, repeated and almost memorized, have been:
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia, Focus on the Family Radio Theater production.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, narrated by Cherry Jones. Read Aloud Thursday interview with Z-Baby.
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, narrated by Sutton Foster. Read Aloud Thursday Interview with Z-Baby.
From the MIxed-up FIles of Mrs. Basil M. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. Narrated by Jan Miner. Read Aloud Thursday Interview with Z-Baby and Betsy-Bee.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Focus on the Family Radio Theater.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Focus on the Family Radio Theater.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Focus on the Family Radio Theater.

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Giving Books: For the nieces and other girls in your life

Nov19

The Anchoress has a post up about her Christmas shopping thus far, and she asks for book suggestions for her nieces, ages eight and twelve who have “some reading disabilities.” I’m inspired to make this list of possible gift ideas for all of you who have similar girl-type people to buy for this Christmas.

For an eight year old girl:
Alvin Ho: Allergic to GIrls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look. Semicolon review here.
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look.
Dessert First by Halllie Durand. Semicolon review here.
Ruby Flips for Attention by Derrick Barnes. (or any of the Ruby books)
Clementine’s Letter by Sara Pennypacker. (or any of the Clementine books) Semicolon review here.
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford. Semicolon review here.

For a twelve year old girl:
Extra Credit by Andrew Clements.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Semicolon review here.
I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.
Any Which Wall by Laurel Snyder.
Sisters of the Sword by Maya Snow.

These are some fairly recent titles that I think would work well for the age groups indicated and would not be too difficult for a reader with some learning challenges. They could also be read aloud by a parent or other caring adult, maybe just the first few chapters to get a girl started.

Classics that are on the easy side as far as readability for eight to twelve year old girls include The Boxcar Children books by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary, Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Sarah Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan.

Really easy reader series that are excellent are:
Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel.
Oliver and Amanda by Jean van Leeuwen.
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish.
Henry and Mudge by Cynthia Rylant.

I love recommending books, so if any of you have a gift recipient of a different age or gender, or if your gift-ee has a particular interest, anything from baseball to fantasy to card tricks (Karate Kid’s recent obsession), ask in the comments, and I’ll see if I can recommend some books for Christmas or for any time you want to give a book.