momto2Cs Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 We just can't choose! For an 11 year old, and a 9 year old. And here's a link to the first one in case you're not familiar with it: The Dragon in the Cliff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinD Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 How about The Sword in the Stone? That ties in nicely with the Merlin tv series, which is a lot of fun. Or Ghosts I have Been by R. Peck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I think "The Dragon in the Clift" looks very interesting. Unless you like reading accents (or have a different version than me) Don't do "Swiss Family Robinson". I think that book only works well as an audio recording. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5wolfcubs Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I voted Swiss Family Robinson because I loved reading it aloud and my children loved the story and it is really about a family who pulls together in a time of distress...which seemed timely for your family. :grouphug: However, after reading your blog and seeing how you're watching the LOTR movies and remembering (I think!) that you're secular homeschoolers, I think The Hobbit might be a better choice. SFR is written from a devout Christian perspective, especially at the beginning. It doesn't come into play much after the first chapter or so, but the family is Christian and prepared to "meet their maker" at the beginning. You could use it to show how other families deal with stress...unless you are Christian. Now I'm doubting my recollections! Sorry!! :D I must go check out the Dragon in the Cliff...we're huge dragon fans here too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I found SFR ponderous--but there are really good abridgements that might be just right for you. The Hobbit would be great--esp with the first part of the 3 part Hobbit movie coming out in December! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Gosh. This is hard. Maybe The Hobbit. Swiss Family Robinson I haven't read, but I thought I'd heard it was not great as a read aloud. The last one I know nothing about. :D Can I suggest some other favorites? (Completely unrelated to your ideas.) The Borrowers The Saturdays Understood Betsy The Wind in the Willows Swallows and Amazons (I haven't read, but want to.) Paddington Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 If you're thinking about reading The Hobbit then go ahead and read it! Then go see the movie in December. I'm thinking about doing that. My kids *know* the Tolkien stories from the movies and because they know their mother is obsessed with all things Tolkien. But I haven't read aloud the books yet and they haven't read them. So yeah. I vote The Hobbit! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 You know, write the three titles on a piece of paper. Put them in a hat. Draw one out. Read that. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Maybe I'm weird, but if I'm torn between a few read alouds, I give a description of each one and then ask the kids. I voted for The Hobbit, btw, because you can never go wrong with a story about Middle Earth. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Maybe I'm weird, but if I'm torn between a few read alouds, I give a description of each one and then ask the kids. I voted for The Hobbit, btw, because you can never go wrong with a story about Middle Earth. :001_smile: This is what I do all the time. I have a few books that I want read, and/or think my boys would like. I describe them, if we have them show them the books, ... then we vote. We all get a vote. Usually if each boy votes for a separate book I will read the shortest one first. Or if one is an audio and one is for me to read we do both at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Thanks ladies! Gave the kids a brief run-down of each book (though they are familiar w/Swiss Family Robinson from the movie), and they chose to go with Dragon in the Cliff, followed by The Hobbit. Then we'll see if they still want SFR! ETA: Of course, literally right after I posted this, ds11 said "Mom, weren't we going to read The Graveyard Book this year before Halloween?" I think we might be going with that! Edited October 1, 2012 by momto2Cs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I chose The Hobbit since the movie is coming out in December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I chose The Hobbit since the movie is coming out in December. :iagree::iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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