Books We've Read...Sort of

Would you believe it?  I finished a book!  Not Les Miserables though....Annalise had been asking about Queen Elizabeth (the first one), so I started looking for books at the library.  Among those that came up in the search was Death and the Virgin Queen by Chris Skidmore.  I though it sounded interesting and requested it along with some kid books about Elizabeth.  It was interesting - although a little anti-climactic.  I like it when there is a real story to go along with dry history.  I got so caught up in the scandal of Elizabeth's refusal to marry.  The book provides some "new" evidence in the case of the death of Amy Dudley - the wife of Robert Dudley, the only man historians believe Elizabeth was interested in marrying.  The coroner's report concluded that Amy died when she fell down a flight of stairs, but naturally it was a suspicious death.  Ultimately, there is no clear evidence as to whether it was an accident or by malice, but it makes an intriguing mystery.

Having stairs in my house, I did learn some interesting facts:
1.  You are statistically very, very unlikely to die by falling down stairs.
2.  However, you are much more likely to fall on a flight of stairs in the first three steps.
3.  Stairs with landings are much safer than stairs without landings.

What a relief!

The kids have been "reading" (i.e. listening to) a lot of chapter books lately.  They have really enjoyed the various Beverly Cleary books - especially ones about Henry Huggins, they think he is "keen".  Natalie seems to find Cleary's books easier to follow.  They are the only chapter books she has commented on.  And they are very funny.

We have also discovered The Doll People and its sequel The Meanest Doll in the World - both by Laura Godwin and Ann Martin.  We listened to both of them on CD.  They are both entertaining and suspenseful.  And they inspired Annalise to make our dollhouse much neater.   

They've also enjoyed lately Stuart Little and The Cricket in Times Square.  Talking animals or talking toys - either one is good fodder for kid fiction.

Caleb read a book this week called Planets Around the Sun.  It was a easy science reader and I am so proud of him.  Reading is very tedious for him and hasn't started being enjoyable to him yet.  He has fabulous listening comprehension, so I know that when it clicks for him, it will all come together.

So I don't exactly intend to give up on Les Miserables.  I just think that maybe this year it's the year I'm going to read it.