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Erin
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St Nicholas Day and Christmas are approaching, I'm clicking away checking and double checking book suggestions as gifts for my children as I'm sure many of you are.
Will pop back later and share some of my ideas thus far. Struggling mostly with ideas for the teenagers and young adults, boys and girls
Have you any good recommendations/wishes?
Let's chat book ideas for our children 
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Erin
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SeaStar
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My ds is going through a Star Wars craze.
So far I have picked up the DK Star Wars Encyclopedia for him as well as the
Star Wars Jedi Academy books.
These are not great lit per se, but he will read and enjoy them!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Erin
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A serious Star Wars fan! 
Used to be our St Nick books were more on the Faith side, nowadays not always as easy as our collection has grown to find books that will interest all, particularly the older children.
So far considering:
Past Suspicion - Therese Heckenkamp for dd21
Ds 19 - ??
Ds - 17??
Shadow in the Dark - Antony Barone Kolenc possibly for ds 15. But is it too young for him??
King Oberon's Forest - Hilda Van Stockum for dd13. Or is it too young?
In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen - Cynthia Rylant for dd10, an new reader
My Father's Dragon: Three Tales - Ruth Stiles Gannett for ds 8, also an emerging reader
ds 6??
ds3??
dd 10 mths ??
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Erin
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St. Ann
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Erin, the books you mention for your younger daughters look interesting. I have never heard of them before. Have you already read them?
My youngest would rather play with dolls than read, so I am looking for something with pretty pictures and a good story for a young almost 11yr old.
For my 15yr. old dd I thought of "A Tree grows in Brooklyn". We don't have it here in Englisch and she hasn't yet read my German copy (I bought it to lend out to friends).
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Stephanie
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Erin
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Stephanie
Haven't read any of these books, mostly I go by book discussions here and book posts on various blogs such as Shower of Roses and our Jenn's Family in Feast & Feria.
Throughout the year I check out books mentioned and any possibles I save in my wishlist on Book Depository, you could do it in Amazon too, though I suspect like me you'd have to pay freight with Amazon so possibly shop through Bk Deposit?.
The Aunt Lucy's Kitchen was suggested here and can't remember where I saw the King Oberon mentioned, I think Jessica's blog.
Are you after more suggestions for your 13 and 11 yr olds? Have more in my wishlist I was considering such as;
Sisters of the Last Straw
The Kitchen Madonna
Shepherds to the Rescue
Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library
not too sure if they will be too young for a 13yr old, which is why I'm uncertain for mine. though she is still happy with 'younger' books.
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Erin
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Erin
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Stephanie
Would your 11yr old like books about dolls? Thinking Rumer Godden has some. Not sure about pictures.
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St. Ann
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Erin wrote:
Stephanie
Haven't read any of these books, mostly I go by book discussions here and book posts on various blogs such as Shower of Roses and our Jenn's Family in Feast & Feria.
Throughout the year I check out books mentioned and any possibles I save in my wishlist on Book Depository, you could do it in Amazon too, though I suspect like me you'd have to pay freight with Amazon so possibly shop through Bk Deposit?.
The Aunt Lucy's Kitchen was suggested here and can't remember where I saw the King Oberon mentioned, I think Jessica's blog.
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Oh yes, Erin, I also look to Jenn and others for sources.. .. We have an Amazon Germany, where I also stock up my wish list over time, but the books on my list sit there sometimes years, because a book just isn't the right fit for the right girl at the right time. I also use Book Depository.
Our local library just doesn't have what I am looking for. They have so many children's books, but so much twaddle and just downright bad books that I can hardly stand to look through the shelves. Thanks for all the great suggestions.
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Stephanie
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CrunchyMom
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For the six and 3 year olds, we like to collect Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr as well as the Little Tim books. My Father's Dragon is a winner here, too
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MelissaClaire
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Shadow in the Dark was excellent. We read the whole triology. My 11yo (son) and almost 13 yo (daughter) really liked them. I thought the first one was the best. They're free with a trial of Amazon unlimited (or if you have that membership)--we all read them on the Kindle.
I think Sisters of the Last Straw would be better suited for maybe age 10. (from what I remember of reading it.)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library was also excellent. The 11 and 13 yo old both really loved it.
Shepherds to the Rescue (the whole series) is geared for kids the Magic Tree House age group. We had the author (Sr. Maria Grace) over for dinner one night and she said as much. I think 7-8ish probably.
Books about dolls my daughter loved:
-The Christmas Doll (kind of depressing, but beautiful)
-The Doll People series by Ann Martin (three books including "the Meanest Doll in the World which title alone made my daughter not want to read it for the longest time, but really liked it.) Just double checked and it looks like they now have a 4th book!
--and I can't remember the title now, but maybe someone can help--it was about dolls in a large dollhouse that came to life and I think it was Christmas time.
Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia's Gift were big hits too.
She really liked the Trees Kneel at Christmas too.
ETA--For Christmas one year I bought my daughter (then 8 or 9) a 100 year old copy of The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew off of ebay. She loved getting something so old and it was inscribed to a boy from his aunt for Christmas in 1910. (And she received in in 2010!)
For boys: My boys(5, 9 and 11) love the Action Bible. It's done in graphic novel style and gets pulled off the shelf nearly every day.
-Dragon Slayer: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fights
-All the Redwall books
-Concord Cunningham Scripture Sleuth (like Encyclopedia Brown)
And all the kids have enjoyed the Lost in Peter's Tomb series of books.
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St. Ann
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Has anyone read Betsy's Up and Down Year by Anne Pellowski? We have the first 4 books of the series and my youngest just loves them. But, the 4th book disappoints me a bit. The time period is the 1960's, and the culture in the home reflects this to a certain extent. While reading out loud I always feel a bit sorry thinking "something is missing" or "they are really losing their heritage..." Maybe I am just comparing too much to the earlier books. Same place, but definitely a different time.
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Kelly
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Stephanie,
All my girls loved the OOP book "A Dixie Doll" which is about dolls in a nursury that come alive when "their" girl isnt watching, and the adventures one tells about her life during the Civil War. Its a lovely book-tho not heavy on pictures-that we all loved. When i was reading it outloud during our civil war studies a year ago, I even noticed my great strapping teen boys paying attention lol Wonderful book! And of course, the Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy books are also great.
Kelly in FL
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MarilynW
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Just have to mention a new book for teens/adults that looks really good - Catholics Wake Up I will be giving a couple as gifts. I head an interview about the book on EWTN radio and it sounded awesome.
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I really need some good book suggestions for 15 year old boys - who read a lot for school, but are not reading as much for pleasure. They are not into the fantasy genre.
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SeaStar
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The Obstacle is the Way
would, I think, make an excellent gift for teens.
I saw this at the library, liked its smallish size, and grabbed it. Now it has grabbed me!
Wow- if you need to be inspired to act/do/think/try.... this book is for you.
It is so full of interesting stories I could not put it down. The author quotes extensively from all kinds of movers and shakers, from Laura Ingalls Wilder to Amelia Earhart to Thomas Edison to the ancient Greeks.
The book starts out with a bang with the story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a famous boxer sent to jail for a crime he did not commit.
He spent 19 years in jail reading law books, studying, improving his mind and eventually clearing himself of the charge. When he left jail, he put it all behind him- he did not try to sue anyone or reclaim damages.
"He made his choice: This can't harm me- I might not have wanted it to happen, but I decide how it will affect me. No one else has the right."
Incidentally, Carter just died six months ago.
The book does have a couple of language issues- choice words sprinkled in here and there, though not often and pretty minor. These could easily be marked out without losing any meaning. I am not sure why the author felt he needed them. His message is powerful enough by itself. Also- the book is completely secular.
Otherwise, it is very inspiring. Would also make a great graduation gift- teaches lessons about how to get things done and how to make the most of whatever situation you are in. I will definitely be buying a copy.
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My 16 yr old son has been enjoying Sherlock Holmes recently. But he tends to like more fantasy (The Ranger's Apprentice, The Lord of the Rings, Percy Jackson..)
Have you checked out the book list mentioned here?
Let's see on my list
dd17 - no idea, lots of choices
ds16 - books 3 and maybe 4 of The Brotherband series (part of the Ranger's Apprentice world)
dd14 - Rapunzels Revenge graphic novel
dd13 - no idea, lots of choices
ds11 almost 12 Another Tin Tn book if we don't have them all and if we do I'm thinking Calamity Jack
ds10 - Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales Historical graphic novels
dd7 going to be 8 by Christmas - her own new set of Little House on the Prairie.. we had used ones for her sisters and they're ragged and not all there.
And I haven't figured out the little boys yet.. though my non-readers typically get lovely Christmas Picture Books to add to our collection.
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MarilynW
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Melissa mentioned the Chronicles of Xan trilogy. I would love some more feedback on these. I noticed that Sacred Heart Books and Gifts is selling them. Are they historical fiction or fantasy? Appropriate for 15 year old boys?
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MelissaClaire
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They are historical fiction. A young boy is just outside his village when it is burned to the ground. He has been struck on the head and can't remember who he is or where he came from. A monk from a monastery finds him and takes him back to the monastery with him to recover. As the story develops so does a mystery.
It really was very good. My oldest is just shy of 13 so I can't speak to a 15 year old liking it though--sorry! I think if I remember correctly the main character is 12.
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Erin
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Plan on coming back and suggesting some more titles for those ages asked for, but for now just wanted to share an impressive list from Fr Coulter wonderful suggestions suitable for my older teens, young adults and dh and myself
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St. Ann
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Thanks Erin for the list from Fr. Coulter. This is very helpful.
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Stephanie
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Erin
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Stephanie,
I used his list extensively to make choices for the older family members
Thought I'd share come back and share final choices in the hope that it helps anyone else searching. Ended up buying for dh and I too, cause I bought many 2nd hand I was able to stretch the pennies
Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz for dh
A Miracle for St. Cecilia's- Valentine, Katherine for me
Past Suspicion -Therese Heckenkamp for dd21
A World Away: The Quest of Dan Clay: Book One - Smith, T. J. for ds19
The Death of a Pope - Piers Paul Read for ds 17
Shadow in the Dark - Antony Barone Kolenc for ds15 (maybe a little young but sounds interesting)
Kat Finds a Friend, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Story - Joan Stromberg for dd13 (a little young but she loved the first book)
Mother Teresa - Demi and In Aunt Lucy s Kitchen - Cynthia Rylant for dd 10 (an extra book to encourage her new reading ability)
Brother William's Year: A Monk at Westminster Abbey - Pancheri, Jan for ds8
Saint Francis of Assisi - Joyce Denham for ds6
The Tower of Babel - Wiesner, William for ds3
Noah's Ark - Jerry Pinkney for dd 11mths
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Erin
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Books As Gifts - Let's Chat
