Recent Reads
This year, I’ve undertaken a fun new reading challenge: reading a book set in each U.S. state. Of course, I am mostly reading my usual favorite, vintage middle grade! I hope to share the complete list of titles at the end of the year when I’ve finished the challenge.
I wanted to give a quick rundown of a few books in my state challenge that I really enjoyed recently.
Alaska: I had several books to choose from for Alaska, but I ended up going with Summer on the North Star by Elsa Pedersen. (This one was actually retitled when it was published again; the original title was Alaska Harvest, which is actually a bit more accurate since the majority of the book takes place in the fall.) I read this one in a single day (the fourth of July!) and enjoyed it a lot. The story follows a girl who lives with her father and brother on a boat while they try to harvest crabs in order to earn enough money to buy their own house.
Maine: I re-read The Penderwicks at Point Mouette for Maine. Again, I had many delightful books to chose from for Maine (one of my favorite states to read about), but I chose this third book in the Penderwicks series because I was in the mood for it. Although this book isn’t my favorite in the series (mostly because Rosalind barely makes an appearance), it’s still a charming story full of the wonderful humor that makes Jeanne Birdsall’s writing sing.
New Hampshire: Over the weekend I read Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick, the first book I’ve read from this author. (I know she is a Betsy-Tacy fan and I loved that there was a reference in this book to a ‘Hill Street’–maybe a subtle nod to Maud?) It’s a very fun story about a girl whose family moves to a small town, and she helps run the family bookstore–solving a mystery along the way.
Have you ever done a U.S. state reading challenge before? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
Dagg’s SWEET HOME ALASKA was fascinating, if you can stand to read two about Alaska. I may have to try this. Curious to see what your Ohio pick is. We’ve had several!
If you haven’t done a Florida read yet, I think you’d enjoy Lois Lenski’s Strawberry Girl. I recently read it aloud to my 2 youngest daughters and I think I enjoyed it more than they did. Also, Lois Lenski has lots of other regional read titles you may want to check out. Happy reading! Melisa
Ah I love Absolutely Truly (and the entire Pumpkin Falls Mystery Series). Yes Heather Vogel Frederick is a Betsy-Tacy fan! In her series The Mother Daughter Book Club, they read the Betsy Tacy books! You’ve probably already read a book for Massachusetts, but if not I’d 100% recommend that series.
Ooh! This sounds like fun! I’m curious what you read for Kansas.
I love this challenge! I keep thinking I need to add it to my children’s curriculum the next time we study U.S. Geography!
Do you know Lois Lenski’s “American Regional Series” at all? Lots of great ones there if you get stuck for ideas. 🙂 (I LOVE her CT book, Blueberry Corners, but it’s very hard to find! Luckily one of our libraries has kept a copy on its shelves.)