Choosing Family Reading That R.O.C.K.s!

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I am a huge advocate for reading and an even bigger promoter of the family read aloud book!  Reading as a family has many benefits:

• Promotes family discussion and cohesiveness
• Reflects proper reading skills to younger children
• Helps children build a broader range of vocbulary

Not just any book will do for the entire family.  A book has to have balance.  Families should only choose literature selections that R.O.C.K.!

Say what?  That's right, I said "R.O.C.K.! " This is my simple acronym that helps me in choosing books and literature for my family read-a-louds:

REAL - This means choosing living books.  Charlotte Mason was the originator of the phrase living book.  Home Hearts defines a living book as a book selection that ". . .  is usually written by an author who is very knowledgeable about his subject, many times in an experiential way. The author tends to write from a love of his subject, one that propels him to write with an enthusiasm that excites the imagination of the reader and carries him along as though experiencing the subject first-hand." Choosing books from authors that are both knowledgeable and passionate about their subject is imperative.  Enthusiasm is a great educator!

OBSERVATIONS - The books chosen should bring a clear observation about life and people.

CHARACTER - Choosing books that help to build good character and help a child attain real-world applications, are essential to home education.

KNOWLEDGE - The reading of a good book should teach a lesson or moral, and not just entertain.

Here are 25 Family Read Aloud Books that R.O.C.K.!

1.  In Freedom's Cause by: G.A. Henty

In Freedom's Cause

2.  Iron Men by: Howard Pyle

Men of Iron

3.  The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by: Howard Pyle

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

4. - 14. The entire "Hornblower" series by: C.S. Forester 

   

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Lieutenant Hornblower, Hornblower and the Hotspur, Hornblower During the Crisis, Hornblower and the Atropos, Beat to Quarters, Ship of the Line, Flying Colours, Commodore Hornblower, Lord Hornblower, Admiral Horblower in the West Indies

15. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by: C.S. Lewis

The LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by: Lewis $3.95

16. Trial and Triumph by: Richard Hannula

17. The Cabin Faced West by: Jean Fritz

The Cabin Faced West by: Jean Fritz $3.95

18. The Big Little Madison by: Jean Fritz

19. Sign of the Beaver by: Elizabeth George Speare

The Sign of the Beaver by: Elizabeth George Speare $3.95

20. Swiss Family Robinson by: Johann David Wyss

21. The Trapp Family Singers by: Maria Augusta Trapp

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by: Maria Augusta Trapp $3.95

22. The "Redwall" series by: Brian Jacques
Red Wall Series

23. Christian Heroes Tales: Then and Now series

Christian Heroes, Books 1-5

24. The Little Princess by: Frances Hodgson Burnett

25.  Little House series by: Laura Ingalls Wilder


Do you have any tried and true family read aloud books that R.O.C.K. too?  Be sure to leave a comment below on what books R.O.C.K. in your house!

Happy Family Reading!
 
The Joyful Socks Mom 

Here are some more homeschool resources we recommend: 

• Notebooking Success is the #1 Notebook Resource! This teacher gives this eBook an A+
• No "falling" behind on Homeschool organizing! Get the Weekly Homeschool Planner today!
• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love! Home of the Mystery of History.

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