“My memory is like a film….And when people ask me to remember something I can simply press Rewind and Fast Forward and Pause like on a video recorder….If someone says to me, ‘Christopher, tell me what your mother was like,’ I can rewind to lots of different scenes and say what she was like in those scenes.”
I was simply enchanted by this book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. One of my dear friends gave to to last year to take on a trip to Florida. She had mentioned it was kind of a mystery and the main character was a teenage boy living with Asperger’s Syndrome. But this book was just so much more! I finally picked it up yesterday morning… and then read it start to finsh.
My girlfriend has 2 sons who are living with Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s is a high functioning form of autism. Within the homeschooling community I have met many families who have a child with Asperger’s. These children have almost always faced severe bullying n school and tend not to thrive in a school setting. I know there are many sides to the issue- however from my experience I can only see it as cruel to try and force a child or adolescent into a school or institutionalized setting, its very nature sets up the child for failure and misery, buts that;s another post.
The book open with Christopher, 15 , discovery he neighbor’s dog, Wellington, dead- killed with a pitchfork. The story is written entirely from Christopher’s point of view as he tries to solve the puzzle of who and why it happened. Christopher is somewhat of a math wizard and loves logic and puzzles. The book is liberally sprinkled with interesting math problems and puzzles that I found delightful- some that have really given me cause to think. ( especially the “Monty Hall Problem”
The book was refreshing and touching. It gave us a glimpse of how another type of person’s mind works- and his own sense of logic. I found it beautiful.
There is some strong language and mature content if that is a concern. The book would be a good read from about ages 12+ depending on the child. You may also want to read aloud and discuss.
This book would be a great springboard for talking about all kind of the things- difference in people. acceptance, tolerance and expression.
This has been one of my favourite books of the year- I HIGHLY recommend.
Related The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Links:
”Whitbread Book Awards” Book of the Year Winner 2003
Mathematical Association of America book review
Suggested Discussion Questions for the Book: http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/curious_incident_dog1.asp
Author Mark Haddon;s Offical Website (EXCELLENT!) http://www.markhaddon.com/
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Book of the Month Books, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 4:52 PM EDT
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Folktales and other Books of Wisdom for Children
I purposely keep the site non-denominational ; I respect everyone’s right to practice or follow their chosen religion and to follow their own spiritual journey . I do feel it is important to teach children about religions from the world in an effort to create tolerance- as well as the wisdom that can be gained from their teachings.
I was unpacking today (finally go to our bookshelves) and came across book I’d forgotten about “Buddhist Tales” “Buddhist Tales” which is one of my kids favourite read aloud book.
I have always been fascinated by folktales from all cultures. I remember being fascinated by the clever spider, Anansi as a child and try an dpass along my love for folktales to my kids- here are some favourites:
D\’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths - A must have for any homeschooling/unschooling library!
Wisdom Tales from Around the World: Fifty Gems of Story and Wisdom for Such Diverse Traditions As Sufi, Zen, Taoist, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, African, and Native American (World Storytelling)
Twenty Jataka Tales
Thai Tales: Folktales of Thailand
The Barefoot Book of Buddhist Tales
Something From Nothing
Solomon And the Ant: And Other Jewish Folktales
Brainteasers from Jewish Folklore (Folktales)
The Adventures of Spider: West African Folktales (BookFestival)
The Pot of Wisdom: Ananse Stories - This one is EXCELLENT .
Some Popular Ananse Stories
D\’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths - A must have for any homeschooling/unschooling library!
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 10:09 PM EDT
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I try each month or so to share feature a a book I am really enjoying or have enjoyed recently, as well as books or a book that my kids or others I know are reading and love. This month’s book for young readers, ( about 8-12 years old) is
The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
The books is features both pictures and words. Great illustrations and intelligently written,Lots of puzzles to solve within the story. A book both girls and biys with love equally. I think this will become a “classic”. I know adults who also love the books- and I will give t a whirl when my shorter friends are done with it.
From Editors:
Orphan Hugo Cabret lives in a wall. His secret home is etched out in the crevices of a busy Paris train station. Part-time clock keeper, part-time thief, he leads a life of quiet routine until he gets involved with an eccentric, bookish young girl and an angry old man who runs a toy booth in the station. The Invention of Hugo Cabret unfolds its cryptic, magical story in a format that blends elements of picture book, novel, graphic novel, and film. Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick has fashioned an intricate puzzle story that binds the reader like a mesmerist’s spell.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations for Boys, Book of the Month Books, Books for 8-12 Year Olds, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 8:06 PM EST
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July 21st is the Day! The final installment of Harry Potter will be released. I am meeting this day with mixed feelings. Its like reading a great book and being a little sad when it is over- wishing you had never read it so you could read it for the first time all over again.
You can pre-order your copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows through Amazon.com ins the US here : US Pre-Order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
If you are in Canada save on shipping and order from Amazon.ca : Canadian Pre-Order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
There is also an “adult” version- which means a different jacket cover, and it can be also bepre-ordered Adult Edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowshere
I am not sure yet if the two version will vary- often the American version is a bit different and been “Americanized” and Canadian is the same as the British publication.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 2:00 PM EST
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I know- I am posting a lot of book recommendations this week- We are in a reading frenzy at our house right now.
Another great find from om in one of my homeschool groups: The Children of Green Knowe
L. M. Boston’s thrilling and chilling tales of Green Knowe, a haunted manor deep in an overgrown garden in the English countryside, have been entertaining readers for half a century. Now the children of Green Knowe–both alive and ghostly–are back in appealing new editions.
The spooky original illustrations have been retained, but dramatic new cover art by Brett Helquist (illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events) gives the books a fresh, timeless appeal for today’s readers.
Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Book Recommendations, Book Recommendations for Boys, Book Recommendations: Books for Girls, Books for 8-12 Year Olds, General Homeschool and Unschooling at 10:49 AM EST
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