Military Reading Lists

I am always on the lookout for reading lists, especially ones that 1) speak to the parents of young children to get them interested in books and 2) speak to high school students and adults to get them to think critically and expand their knowledge/understanding of a broad range of subjects.  Last week, I received a flyer from my local Navy Exchange.  In it was the latest ad for the Navy Professional Reading selections.  I have checked these lists before and have always found some great books here.  This time, while perusing the U.S. Marine Corps Professional Reading List, I found this:

Effective immediately, Commanding Generals and Commanding Officers are to incorporate the new lists into the command and unit professional military education programs.  Each Marine is required to read teh Commandant's Choice, First to Fight:  An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps by Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC (Ret).  Each Marine shall also read a minimum of one book per grade per year.  I strongly encourage Marines to discuss and debate the issues raised by the books on this list to broaden their perspectives and benefit from the experiences of others.  These discussions, conducted professionally, should unite Marines of varying ranks by providing a common literary frame of reference.  Completion of this requirement shall be noted in the individual Marine's proficiency/conduct remarks or fitness report, as appropriate.  How a Marine demonstrates completion of the annual requirement is at the discretion of the command.

Did you catch that?  Each Marine has to read at least two books per year, one from their rank reading list and the Commandant's selection.  For a recruit, that amounts to 1004 pages across just three books.  That is not light reading.  Did you also catch that the completion or non-completion of this assignment is recorded in their professional service record?  I wonder if they get a reprieve from this requirement during combat tours.

Anyway, my purpose in posting this resource is to give the parents of high school students some ideas for books that they may wish to have their children read.  To access all the military professional reading lists, visit the National Defense University Library Professional Military Reading List.  To read any individual list, just use one of the links below.  A quick note:  these lists contain more than just military strategy books.  They also include some classics like 1984 by George Orwell and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.  Enjoy!

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Professional Reading List
U.S. Navy Professional Reading List
U.S. Marine Corps Reading List
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Reading List
Coast Guard Commandant Reading List
Joint Forces Staff College Commandant Professional Reading List

Favorite Books for Young Children

Back in August 2006, I wrote this post for Gooseberry Lane, my other blog.  Since deciding to create a separate blog for my homeschooling articles, I have been culling through my archived posts.  Tonight, I found this one and thought I would share it here.  Frankly, I just might go back and read some of these books myself.  Seeing the world through a child's eyes makes for a great perspective check once in a while.

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Yesterday evening, my family and I watched Nanny McPhee, a recent film starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth. Based on the “Nurse Matilda” books by Christianna Brand, which I have never read, the film brought to mind a few books for children that I have read and that my daughter very much enjoyed during her early childhood years. Most of these recommendations are for children ages 3-8, but can be read aloud to those somewhat younger as well. I heartily encourage daily read-aloud time for all families in order to encourage listening skills, to establish the habit of reading, and to instill a love of literature in children. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as we did (and do!).

Happy Birthday, Moon by Frank Asch
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Calico the Wonder Horse by Virginia Lee Burton
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Verdi by Janell Cannon
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Come Again, Pelican by Don Freeman
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
What Do You Do, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin & Maurice Sendak
What Do You Say, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin & Maurice Sendak
Alphabeasts by Dick King-Smith
Frederick by Leo Lionni
Let’s Make Rabbits by Leo Lionni
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. & John Archambault
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
The Hole Book by Peter Newell
The Slant Book by Peter Newell
Topsys & Turvys by Peter Newell
Topsys & Turvys 2 by Peter Newell
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Babushka’s Doll by Patricia Polacco
The Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak
Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak
Pierre by Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Snuggle Piggy and the Magic Blanket by Michele Stepto
Gooseberry Lane by Bethany Tudor
The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber
Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
The Napping House by Audrey & Don Wood
Piggies by Audrey & Don Wood
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion & Margaret Bloy Graham