Corrie ten Book by Janet & Geoff Benge is a tad above my girls’ level and I wasn’t sure whether they’d be ready to enjoy it yet. However, I went ahead and decided to try–and I’m so glad I did. It took us a few chapters to really get into it, but once we did, the girls were begging for me to keep reading!
This book chronicles the life of Corrie ten Boom, a woman who was imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Nazis because of her involvement in the underground network helping Jews during World War II. The story of her capture, the horrific things she endured, and then her incredible release and life post-war is fascinating and inspiring.
It’s perfect for younger children since it’s not too graphic, but it also opens the door to many great discussions on a variety of topics and historical events. If your children are a little older (or you are looking for great reading material), I’d highly recommend reading Corrie’s own retelling of her story in The Hiding Place.
See a list of the chapter books we’ve read together as a family so far this year.
Did you read any good books this week?
Love these books, too, Crystal! Must recommend another “must read” for your family. We are reading through the Little Pilgrim’s Progress which is a rewrite for children of John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress. It is unbelievably wonderful and has become a highlight for our family time each evening. I am just as excited as the kids to read it together. It leads to wonderful conversations with your children and the story is captivating. Definitely one you will want to add to your list!
I have the copy i read as a child on my bookshelf to read to my girls when they’re a little older 🙂
I recently found the Christian Heroes series too; our library has them. I really enjoyed Hudson Taylor. I was reading a Jim Elliot book before that (In the Shadow of the Almighty) and Jim Elliot mentioned Hudson Taylor a lot. I also love Corrie Ten Boom.
And to answer your question – I just finished “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” on the SCD diet and I am reading excerpts of Usborne’s World History with my son. 🙂
I haven’t read the children’s version, but I LOVE the story of Corrie ten Boom. What a horrific time in history -and what a testimony of the Lord’s grace.
I’ve read the adult version of Corrie ten Boom’s story. It’s absolutely fascinating…difficult, hard…but there’s also joy, forgiveness and redemption…all very important things 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
I <3 Corrie ten Boom!! Will think about reading it to my 8-y-o now.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this series!!! We just finished Ida Scudder… Excellent! We read Jim Elliott before that. Were going to read Nate Saint next. Another great series is the “Trailblazer series” by Dave and Neta Jackson we have read almost all of them and I started reading this series to my daughter when she was about 5 years old and she loved them.
The book “So Far From the Sea” by Eve Bunting is a really good picture book to read aloud that also brings up an important time in history to discuss with children. It is about the Japanese American Relocation Camps in CA during WWII.
My 3 year old daughter is obsessed with The Lorax book! It is a good read but it does get old after the hundredth time.
I am just finishing “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” with my 4 & 6 year old. It is a little sad but it is so good. They are both loving it.
We Love the Christian Hero Series and used to read them when my kids were younger! They loved them!
Blessings
Thanks for the reminder about “The Hiding Place”. I read it years ago and would like to read it again.
My children are older (high school) and my son recently read “Night” by Elie Wiesel so I decided to reread that as well. I’m glad I did, it is too easy to forget the horrors of that time.
I have heard nothing but praises about this series from other homeschoolers. I think I am going to add them to my list of things to buy for our homeschool library this year.
i’ve not read this book but i should add it to my list of “books to read.” i’m reading room by emma donoghue – story of a girl who was kidnapped, held captive and how she raised her son in “room.” adult reading material.
As a teacher, I love that you do read alouds with your kids. When I read out loud to my 5th graders, I always pick books on a higher reading level..usually a middle school level book. You listen and comprehend a higher level book better than you can read and comprehend a higher level book.
This one sounds interesting….may have to give it a read for myself.
I love this series of books also! We read the Nate Saint book, and my daughter and I were both in tears at the end. We’ll have to read this one as well.
I haven’t read this book, but I love “The Hiding Place.” It’s sad but very inspiring and thought-provoking as well. One of my favorites.
We read a lot of these in our homeschool, and we’ve enjoyed every title we’ve read in the Christian Heroes series. Next one we’re reading is George Mueller. Can’t wait!
We are reading that one right now and it is FANTASTIC! It will strengthen your faith and inspire you to live more dependent on God’s provisions. Enjoy~