A Community of Booklovers
We are a reading community, and we wanted a shelf that reflects that. This August was the inception
of our Staff Picks/Parent Picks/Student Picks bookshelf located in the lobby of the Grammar School.
Whether you’re looking for a good book to read to your child or one for yourself, or maybe you want
to see what tickles Rod Gilbert’s fancy, this is a great resource. We've featured the books of authors
visiting our school, and the book our staff read at their retreat. Books are a great way to connect, and
the cozy spot in our lobby invites you to sit a spell and take a peek between the covers of some old
favorites and some you may have never heard of. If you have a book you’d like to recommend, contact
Meredith Davis at meredith@davises.net
Cumulative Regents Book Picks List
Staff Picks:
Liz Benigno:
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
“I still remember the boxed set I got for Christmas. Read every single one, pretended
that I lived in a dugout, cried when Mary went blind, rejoiced when Laura got
married... Those people were my family.”
Craig Doerksen:
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
“Man is a dog’s best friend, and a mouse is a boy’s. This book is totally responsible
for me wishing I could befriend a mouse when I was a boy, and for my childhood
ability to make the sound effect of a motorcycle.”
Patty Edling:
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner, illustrated by Marcia Sewall
“Every child needs to read this book! Ten-year-old Willie is determined to outrun
the best dogsled racers in the country, and use the prize money to save his
grandfather’s farm. Get out the Kleenex, this book might make you cry.
Thundercake by Patricia Polacco
“This is the authors true story of spending time with her grandmother who helps
her overcome her fear of thunder by making cakes. My kids loved this book, and so
will yours! Polacco is a big favorite in the Regents library.
Rod Gilbert:
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil
Postman
Bonhoeffeer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships by Henry
Cloud and John Townsend
Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
“More than anything else, I remember the author’s blend of joy and work ethic in
Almonzo’s family.”
Father Brown: The Essential Tales by G. K. Chesterton
Invitation to the Classics: A Guide to Books You’ve Always Wanted to Read
(Masterworks Series) edited by Louise Cowan
Raising a Modern-Day Knight: A Father’s Role in Guiding His Son to Authentic
Manhood by Robert Lewis
Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder
“A fantastic novel that animated the joy of Western Philosophy.”
Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers by Christian
Smith
The Devil Knows Latin: Why America Needs the Classical Tradition by Christian Kopff
“Really? A Latin book that references Clint Eastwood!”
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter
F. Drucker
The Knowledge of the Holy: The Attributes of God: Their Meaning in the Christian Life
by A. W. Tozer
The Road to Middle Earth: How J.R.R. Tolkien Created a New Mythology by Tom
Shippey
“My favorite biography of Tolkien.”
Just for Dads – picks by Rod:
The Book of Man by William J. Bennett
Essential Manners for Men by Peter Post
The Art of Manliness by Brett and Kate McKay
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Hal Iggulden
50 Things Every Young Gentleman Should Know by John Bridges and Bryan Curts
Matt Jasinski:
Davis and Goliath by Malcom Gladwell
“Can what our society perceives as weaknesses, really serve as strengths? Through
a variety of case studies, Gladwell looks at how people with "weaknesses", such as
dyslexia or losing a parent at a young age, can often be turned into strengths.”
Dan Peterson:
Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas
“What makes a man great? This work offers an in-depth look at the leadership styles
of seven great men. Each had the opportunity to seize power, but instead yielded
the temptation for a higher purpose.”
Rob Williams:
Standing on the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis by
Lou Markos
“A number of years ago someone informed me that he never read fantasy fiction
because he considered it a waste of time. Unfortunately, I didn't know how to
respond at that moment. If only I had On the Shoulders of Hobbits back then. What a
fantastic apologetic for fantasy literature, specifically the works of Tolkien and
Lewis, and a winsome explanation of how it can enrich both our lives and faith.”
Melanie Sharpless:
Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child by Anthony Esolen
“In our fast paced technologically advanced world it is difficult to slow down and
thoughtfully implement the good, the true and the beautiful. This book not only
inspires, but gives insight and practical ideas on how to nurture your child’s
imagination.”
Carrie Villani:
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
“Almost everyone can remember a teacher who made a difference in their life.
Thank you, Mr. Falker is a true story based on the life of the author, and the teacher
who changed it. Caution: Don’t read it without a tissue . . .
Parent Picks:
Heidi Cowden:
The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rodgers, illustrated by Abe Goolsby
This book reminds us to love goodness more than we fear evil, and live the life the
One True God unfolds before us. In a Narnia-esque way, it re-tells the story of David
and Goliath, but in place of Narnia’s distinctly British flavor, readers are immersed
in scenes reminiscent of the swamplands of the American South. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED. MUST READ!!!!!
Meredith Davis:
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee
“You’ll fall in love with Clementine. She gets herself in lots of trouble, but there’s
plenty of grace for a girl who tries. The illustrations will make you love her all the
more.”
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
“Drawing from a rich literary tradition of classics such as The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow, The Secret Garden and Peter Pan, Auxier creates a Victorian ghost story
about two Irish siblings, on their own and determined to survive in the crumbling
English manor house where they’re employed. It’s a moral fable about human greed
and the power of storytelling, and it’s the perfect dose of scary. (recommended for
6th and up)”
The Seven Silly Eaters by Marla Frazee
“Meet poor Mrs. Peters and her seven very silly eaters. After trying for years to
please all her children’s finicky palates, her brood finally hits on just the right
solution. Clever rhyme and charming illustration make this a book even the most
picky reader will love.”
Melinda Grace:
“Suspenseful, adventurous, full of unexpected twists and turns, well-written, with
rich vocabulary and grammar... everything a 3rd-7th grade boy, and his parents,
want in a book! This is the first book for children written by N.D. Wilson, son of
pastor Douglas Wilson (of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools).”
Student Picks:
Jessica Hardy:
Andrew Henry’s Meadow by Doris Burn
“Andrew Henry Thatcher loves to build. But what will his family think when he runs
away to build houses for him and all his friends? Through breathtaking illustrations
this tale of invention comes alive and reminds us to appreciate our families and
value each other’s gifts.”
Mary Frances Payne:
Trixie Belden and the Mystery at Bob-White Cave by Kathryn Kenny
“Trixie and her friends, the Bob-Whites, set out to explore mysterious caves, hoping
to find the three ghost cave fish, but they run into some crazy things on the way.
You’ll have to read it to find out! Also read the other books from the series!