The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

This is a story about a prince and his whipping boy.  The whipping boy takes advantage of living in the castle with the prince and learns as much as he can, receiving a "free" education.  The prince takes advantage of his position to get out of anything he doesn't want to do, like learning.  One day the prince runs away and takes the whipping boy with him.  If it weren't for the whipping boy, the prince would have died on this journey.  I thought it was an enjoyable book to read.

Pope Joan by Donna W. Cross

This was a very interesting historical fiction novel.  There were some very disturbing scenes that are not for the faint of heart.  It takes place during a time when it was okay to beat your wife and children.  What you did in your home was no one's business but your own.  It was also the time of misconceptions like how to tell someone was a witch by throwing them into a river and such.  I liked the historical knowledge I gained reading this book but I got very emotional and upset about how people were treated back then.  The concept of a female pope is also intriguing.

Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar

I love this series, including the arithmetic books.  When I read them to my students, I always have a discussion about how it may be okay for students at that school to talk that way or to do those things because they are not at our school.  I want to make sure they know it is a fictional story because I don't want them to pick up some of the bad habits that the students display in this book.  The book is so obviously fiction, it is easy to help them see the distinction.  It is such a fun series to read.  The first one is my absolute favorite.

Tuesday by David Weisner

This is a wonderfully illustrated picture book.  David Weisner tells a wonderful story through descriptive illustrations.  You can sit down with your child and make up your own story but talking about the illustrations.  I just love this book.  David Weisner is one of my favorite children's authors.  I fall in love with his books every time I read another one written and illustrated by him.  This story tells about what happens to some frogs one Tuesday evening around 7pm. . . . a very entertaining story.

Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman

Oh my goodness!  I found this book so fun to read.  It is amazing to hear about an event and the decisions people make in those conditions.  It is easy to say you wouldn't behave that way but that irresistible urge to behave irrationally is one that we have all felt at one time or another and you then can sympathize with those individuals.  This book can be read for enjoyment or as a self help book to help you discover why you behave irrationally and start to think more logically.  I liked this book.

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier

I remember reading this book in middle school.  I remember really enjoying reading it.  It is a sad story because obviously Tim's, the main character, brother, Sam, dies.  However, it takes place during my favorite historical era, the Revolutionary War era.

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer's Disease or believes they may develop Alzheimer's Disease one day should read this book.  This is a fictional first hand account of a woman who develops Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease at age 50.  It was very insightful.  It was an easy book to read but at the same time it was kinds of depressing especially if you believe one day you will develop the disease.  I really enjoyed this book and recommend you read it to help you gain new insight regarding those people diagnosed with the disease.