TKDmom Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 To give to someone, what would it be? I am currently hosting an exchange student from Spain. I'd like to send her home with a couple of American children's books. I would like something that is definitely American, not just English language. It needs to be fairly easy to read, but interesting enough that she might read them multiple times as her English continues to improve. The only thing I can think of are Little House books, which would be fine...but I need more ideas to choose from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 A collection of Mark Twain stories Mr. Popper's Penguins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 If I had to pick just one, I'd go with Little House on the Prairie, or one in that series ... or the whole series :) If I couldn't pick those ... maybe The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Bridge to Terabithia. A Wrinkle in Time. Sarah, Plain and Tall. Hatchet (actually set in the Canadian wilderness, but it's an American author, Gary Paulsen). Julie of the Wolves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 All-of-a-Kind Family Understood Betsy, which I read to pieces as a child (thank goodness it's free online now!) Bridge to Terebithia, sure. Dave at Night The Wizard of Oz - she might only be familiar with the movie, so that might be fun! The Great Brain Harriet the Spy Dragonwings Bud, Not Buddy Gee, since you primed the pump I keep thinking of older or historical fiction. Um... The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 ITA with Understood Betsy and the Wizard of Oz. Maybe Sarah Plain and Tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Caddie Woodlawn The Great Turkey Walk From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler The Cricket in Times Square Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Little House on the Prairie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Caddie Woodlawn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Little House on the Prairie Tom Sawyer The Wizard of Oz Little Women Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalLynn Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I think Charlotte's Web captures the heart of America. Love, sacrifice, trying hard. And it takes place on a farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I second Charlotte's Web. How about Carry on Mr Bowditch or maybe Johnny Tremain? I like the American Girls series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 In addition to one's already mentioned: Where the Red Fern Grows My Side of the Mountain Justin Morgan Had a Horse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Make Way for Duckings Blueberries for Sal Little House on the Prairie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Caddie Woodlawn Charlotte's Web The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 What age is this child? I'd say Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, Little House books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My3girls Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Charlotte's Web, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the Little House Books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My3girls Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Charlotte's Web, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the Little House Books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventuresinHomeschooling Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Well, gee, I just realized how many of our favorite books are British. :) (Think Winnie the Pooh, Narnia, Mary Poppins) or Anne of Green Gables, which is Canadian. Little House on the Prairie is a definite, but I'd also go with Mark Twain books. Pollyanna and Little Women also fall under the American category. What about some American stories like Paul Bunyan or Johnny Appleseed? My favorite poet is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with "Paul Revere's Ride" and "Hiawatha's Childhood" falling under a decidedly American outlook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Little House on the Prairie or Blueberries for Sal for youngers, and Tom Sawyer or Little Women for olders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 What age is this child? I'd say Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, Little House books. She's 12. Her sisters are 10 and 7, and also studying English, so I'm thinking it would be nice to have something that appeals to them. I love all the ideas! This is very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 She's 12. Her sisters are 10 and 7, and also studying English, so I'm thinking it would be nice to have something that appeals to them. I love all the ideas! This is very helpful. Definitely EB White then-- Charlotte's Web, Trumpet of the Swan, Stuart Little. Also maybe Cricket in Times Square, Little Women, Caddie Woodlawn. Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins books are fun. McClosky books are a must--Make Way for Ducklings, One Morning in Maine, Bluberries for Sal, Homer Price, Lentil, Time of Wonder. Virginia Burton books are nice--The Little House, Katy and the Big Snow, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel. I'd also think about the Holling books--Paddle to the Sea, Minn of the Mississippi, Pagoo. Book of Native American legends, and tall tales (John Henry, Pecos Bill, Appleseed etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKDmom Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Alright guys...I have 6 books in my shopping cart now. Not sure if she can fit all those in her suitcase. Decisions, decisions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 In the case you describe, I would pick from... The Wizard of Oz Charlotte's Web Ramona the Pest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I'd probably go a different route, I'd do an anthology. I have this American Tall Tales, which is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Just for something totally different what about a Jack London book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I agree with the tall tales suggestion, as well as Little House and Oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Anne of Green Gables Little House on the Prairie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Little Britches by Ralph Moody-the first in the series. I know a lot of people like Little House on the Prairie but I have 2 out of 3 girls who were bored to tears with it. Tom Sawyer or Hucklebrry Finn because what's more American than Mark Twain? But remember, Huck Finn has different dialects phonetically written out that can be challenging for native American-English speakers. Wizard of Oz Charlotte's Web Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 All of a Kind Family A Tree Grows in Brooklyn I like the Tall Tales idea, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnG in Arizona Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Charlotte's Web Tom Sawyer Little Women Wizard of Oz Done. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 A Guide to American Christian Education lists the "Key Classics of America's Christian History and Character" for elementary students as Little House in the Big Woods Abigail Adams, First Lady of Faith and Courage Benjamin West and His Cat, Grimalkin Carry on Mr. Bowditch Noah Webster, Father of the Dictionary Little Women The Last of the Mohicans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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