Doorways to Great Reading

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If there's a one-world government, it's television. King of the Technological Age, he sits enthroned in homes around the world, a little box of images and sound emitting edicts to his unified followers from his electrical shrine. That description may be a bit overwrought, but the fact remains: more people these days would prefer to watch TV than read a good book.

Many parents are desperate to expose their kids to quality literature, whether it's a classic like Anne of Green Gables, a more recent novel like Mimus, or simply something other than the TV Guide. In response, a number of literature-based curricula have been developed, and in turn have become increasingly popular among both homeschool families and school educators.

As great and noble as this effort has been, there are a couple problems we see with the literature-curriculum approach: 1) literature is treated as curriculum, and 2) children aren't exposed to the depth and variety available because reading is limited to the curriculum suggestions. Consequently, a lot of children grow to dislike reading, associating it as they do with schoolwork and not having a good time.

We've accumulated many of the titles used by the major literature-based curriculum lines, and those products are among our best sellers. We're also not entirely opposed to the literature approach, but we also want to offer a much broader selection of literature, titles that don't find their way into the program guides but are nevertheless worth reading.

Numerous book lists, catalogues, and publishers (including many dedicated to reprinting the more obscure classic titles) have guided us in the construction of our fiction and literature sections. (Employees have also been an important factor in this process, and you can read about their favorites here.) Doorways to Great Reading collects the best of these lists in one place.

Discovering classic literature is more than just checking off titles from a master list, however. Though books like Honey for a Child's Heart, The Well-Educated Mind, and The Book Tree are great places to start and offer excellent guidelines, they are still jumping-off places. Developing the skills to find good books on your own (and imparting those skills to your children) is the end these books are supposed to help you achieve.

When Lucy Pevensie opened the wardrobe and found Narnia, her first experience with a snowbound landscape gave her little indication of the adventure and wonder she'd find there. Great books are the same way: the more you read, the more you realize how many are really out there, and the better you get at finding them.

If your adventure in the realms of literature hasn't started, or is still in its beginning stages, use the booklists you'll find here as maps of sorts, there to help you navigate but not to make the journey on your behalf. The travel is up to you, and whether you decide to explore Ben-Hur or The Wind in the Willows, it's travel that will take you far from your front door and back many times over.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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	Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies Hornblower Series #11 by C. S. Forester from Little, Brown & Company Nautical fiction for 8th-Adult in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.14 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Against the World The Odyssey of Athanasius by Henry Coray from Inheritance Publications Biography for 5th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.46 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	All Sail Set by Armstrong Sperry from David R. Godine Nautical Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1936 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Among the Barons The Shadow Children Sequence #04 by Margaret Peterson Haddix from Simon and Schuster for 5th-8th grade in Science Fiction (Location: FIC-SCI) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Anno's Journey by Mitsumasa Anno from Puffin Books for 2nd-Adult in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick from Bethlehem Books Biography for 5th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $12.71 $7.60 (1 in stock)
	Augustine Came to Kent Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Barbara Willard from Bethlehem Books Biography for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
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	Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin & Robert Bonazzi 35th anniversary from Signet Classics for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $9.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Booklist: Recommended Reading for Children and Young Adults by Institute of Reading Development for 3rd-9th grade in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Books Children Love A Guide to the Best Children's Literature by Elizabeth Wilson 2^nd edition from Crossway Books for Kindergarten-8th grade in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC) $17.00 $7.00 (2 in stock)
	Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade 1962 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham from Houghton Mifflin Biography for 5th-9th grade 1956 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $13.59 $7.20 (1 in stock)
	Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham from Scholastic Inc. Biography for 5th-9th grade 1956 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Castle by David Macaulay from Graphia Architecture for 4th-8th grade 1978 Caldecott Honor Book in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER) $14.44 $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Castle Diary The Journal of Tobias Burgess by Richard Platt from Candlewick Press Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Children's Homer Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy by Padraic Colum & Willy Pogany from Aladdin Paperbacks Greek Mythology for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $9.34 $4.80 (3 in stock)
	Classical Reader A Comprehensive Reading Guide for K-12 Students by Dr. Christopher Perrin & Leslie Rayner 1.4^st edition from Classical Academic Press for Kindergarten-12th in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC) $8.46 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Come On, Seabiscuit! by Ralph Moody from University of Nebraska Biography for 5th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $14.95 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun by Rhoda Blumberg from HarperCollins Historical Non-Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1986 Newbery Honor Book in Japan (Location: HISMC-JAP) $8.49 $5.60 (2 in stock)
	D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Edgar & Ingri D'Aulaire from Yearling Greek Mythology for 4th-8th grade in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $16.99 $11.20 (1 in stock)
	Danger in the Desert True Adventures of a Dinosaur Hunter by Roger Cohen from Sterling Publishing Co. for 5th-9th grade in 20th Century Exploration (Location: HISW-20EXP) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Daniel Boone His Own Story by Daniel Boone from Applewood Books Biography for 4th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.95 $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Early Thunder by Jean Fritz from Puffin Books for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.79 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Escape The Adventures of Three Huguenot Children Fleeing Persecution Huguenot Inheritance Series #1 by A. Van der Jagt from Inheritance Publications Historical fiction for 7th-10th grade in Huguenot Inheritance Series (Location: FIC-WH02) $11.86 $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Exploring the History of Medicine From the Ancient Physicians of Pharaoh to Genetic Engineering Exploring Series by John Hudson Tiner from Master Books for 5th-12th grade in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP) $15.19 $9.50 (2 in stock)
	Exploring the World of Astronomy by John Hudson Tiner from Master Books for 5th-12th grade in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP) $15.19 $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Exploring the World of Chemistry From Ancient Metals to High-Speed Computers Exploring Series by John Hudson Tiner from Master Books for 7th-10th grade in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP) $15.19 $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Exploring the World of Physics From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy Exploring Series by John Hudson Tiner from Master Books Non-fiction for 7th-10th grade in Memoria Press Science (Location: SCICUR-MP) $15.19 $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Father's Promise by Donna Hess from Bob Jones University Press Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	George Washington Sowers Series by Norma Cournow Camp from Mott Media Biography for 6th-8th grade in Sowers Biographies (Location: BIO-SOW) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	George Washington's World by Genevieve Foster, expanded by Joanna Foster from Beautiful Feet Books History Reference/Biography for 7th-10th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $15.00 (3 in stock)
	Going Solo by Roald Dahl from Puffin Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Going Solo by Roald Dahl from Puffin Books for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Golden Fleece And the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles by Padraic Colum & Willy Pogany from Aladdin Paperbacks Greek Mythology for 3rd-8th grade 1922 Newbery Honor Book in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $9.34 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins for 5th-8th grade. 1979 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift from Dover Publications for 7th-Adult in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18) $5.10 $3.20 (1 in stock)
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	High King Prydain Chronicles #5 by Lloyd Alexander from Yearling Fantasy for 4th-8th grade 1969 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Hitler by Albert Marrin from Beautiful Feet Books Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $11.86 $7.60 (1 in stock)
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	Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz from PaperStar Books Autobiography for 4th-8th grade 1983 Newbery Honor Book in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	I Am David Previously published as North to Freedom by Anne Holm from Harcourt Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.40 (1 in stock)
	If All the Swords in England A Story of Thomas Becket Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Barbara Willard from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-7th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $7.20 (1 in stock)
	In Search of Honor by Donna Hess from Bob Jones University Press Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.64 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Journey to Topaz A Story of the Japanese-American Evacuation by Yoshiko Uchida from Heyday Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Kitty, My Rib Katherine Luther by E. Jane Mall from Concordia Publishing House Biography for 7th-10th grade in Clearance: Biographies (Location: ZCLE-BIO) $9.80 $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sanditon Penguin Classics by Jane Austen from Penguin Classics Realistic fiction for 8th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $9.35 $4.80 (2 in stock)
	Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman from Houghton Mifflin Biography for 5th-9th grade 1988 Newbery Medal winner in Biographies (Location: BIO) $11.89 $5.60 (4 in stock)
	Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery from Scholastic Inc. Fantasy for 3rd-8th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery from Harvest House Fantasy for 3rd-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Long Walk to Water Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park from Sandpiper Books for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Madeleine Takes Command Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Ethel Brill from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $7.20 (3 in stock)
	Martin Luther The Great Reformer by J. A. Morrison 2^nd edition from Christian Liberty Press Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Martin Luther The Great Reformer by J. A. Morrison 3^rd edition from Christian Liberty Press Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $9.99 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $10.19 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Men of Iron by Howard Pyle 2^nd edition from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Morbid Taste for Bones Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters from Mysterious Press for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.50 (2 in stock)
	Morning Star of the Reformation historical fiction based on the life of John Wycliffe by Andy Thomson from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $5.60 (1 in stock)
	My Heart Lies South The Story of My Mexican Marriage by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño Young People's Edition from Bethlehem Books Biography for 8th-12th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Mysterious Benedict Society Mysterious Benedict Society #1 by Trenton Lee Stewart from Little, Brown & Company for 4th-8th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $8.49 $4.40 (2 in stock)
	Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle from Dover Publications Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $11.01 $4.80 (2 in stock)
	Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley from ACE Publishing for 8th-12th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $12.75 $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Partisans Shadow Series #4 by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $10.16 $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Piece of the Mountain Story of Blaise Pascal by Joyce McPherson from Greenleaf Press Biography for 5th-9th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Poor Richard by James Daugherty from Beautiful Feet Books Biography for 6th-9th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $15.26 $9.60 (1 in stock)
	Pyramid by David Macaulay from Houghton Mifflin Ancient Egyptian Architecture for 4th-8th grade in Oversized History Books (Location: HISW-OVER) $11.04 $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Reb and the Redcoats Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Constance Savery from Bethlehem Books Historical fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $7.20 (1 in stock)
	Robinson Crusoe Classics for Young Readers by Daniel Defoe from P&R Publishing Realistic Adventure Novel for 6th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Scout's Distant Journey Scout Series by Piet Prins from Inheritance Publications Action/Adventure for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $9.31 $5.60 (1 in stock)
	Search for Delicious by Natalie Babbitt Reissue from Square Fish Publishing Fantasy for 5th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Seeds of America - Boxed Set Chains/ Forge/ Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson from Atheneum for 4th-8th grade in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX) $22.94 $13.60 (1 in stock)
	Sergeant York and the Great War His Own Life Story and War Diary by Alvin C. York from My Father's World Autobiography for 7th-Adult in World War I (1914-1919) (Location: HISA-20WW1) $18.70 $8.00 (2 in stock)
	So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George & David Small from Scholastic Inc. for 3rd-8th grade 2001 Caldecott Medal winner in American Presidency (Location: HISV-PRE) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Son of Charlemagne Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Barbara Willard from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.71 $7.20 (2 in stock)
	Story of Eli Whitney by Jean Lee Latham from Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd. for 4th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.80 (3 in stock)
	Story of Eli Whitney by Jean Lee Latham Second Edition from Avyx, Inc. for 4th-8th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp from HarperCollins Biography for 7th-10th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $16.14 $7.20 (1 in stock)
	Tanglewoods' Secret by Patricia St. John 2^nd edition from Moody Press Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.64 $4.40 (1 in stock)
	The Robe by Lloyd Douglas from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $16.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot from Tyndale House Biography for 8th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $16.14 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Treasure Island Usborne Illustrated Originals by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Fran Parreno from Usborne Action/Adventure for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt from Square Fish Publishing Fantasy for 5th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.64 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Twice Freed by Patricia St. John from Christian Focus Publications Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $10.99 $5.50 (1 in stock)
	Two Towers Lord of the Rings Trilogy #2 by J. R. R. Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	View From Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg from Aladdin Paperbacks for 5th-9th grade 1997 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Virginia's General Robert E. Lee and the Civil War by Albert Marrin from Beautiful Feet Books Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $13.56 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff from Sunburst Book Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Waterless Mountain by Laura Adams Armer from Dover Publications for 4th-8th grade 1932 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.09 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin from Little, Brown & Company for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $11.04 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Winged Watchman Bethlehem Books Living History Library by Hilda Van Stockum from Bethlehem Books Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $13.56 $7.20 (1 in stock)

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