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)
	Anno's Journey by Mitsumasa Anno from Puffin Books for 2nd-Adult in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Belle Prater's Boy by Ruth White from Yearling for 9th-12th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $2.50 (3 in stock)
	Beowulf A Verse Translation by Anonymous (translation by Frederick Rebsamen) from HarperCollins Medieval Poetic Epic for 8th-Adult in Medieval Literature (Location: LIT2-MED) $8.49 $4.80 (3 in stock)
	Best Things in Life A Contemporary Socrates Looks at Power, Pleasure, Truth and the Good Life by Peter Kreeft from InterVarsity Press for 9th-Adult in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI) $19.54 $6.80 (1 in stock)
	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)
	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)
	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)
	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)
	Easy Chairs, Hard Words Conversations on the Liberty of God by Doug Wilson from Canon Press for 9th-Adult in Reformed Theology (Location: XTH-REF) $10.20 $5.60 (6 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)
	Far Side of the World Aubrey/Maturin #10 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $13.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier 2^nd edition from Kregel Publications for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Fortune of War Aubrey/Maturin #6 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $14.95 $6.50 (1 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 Ocean by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $25.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Gorgias Oxford World's Classics by Plato from Oxford University Ancient Philosophy for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $7.61 $4.80 (2 in stock)
	Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Reissue from Charles Scribner's Sons Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $17.00 $9.00 (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)
	Helen Keller: The Story of My Life by Helen Keller from Dover Publications Autobiography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.25 $2.00 (2 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)
	Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor from Moody Press for 9th-Adult in Biographies (Location: BIO) $8.49 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Ionian Mission Aubrey/Maturin #8 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $14.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke from Bloomsbury Publishing for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $9.00 (1 in stock)
	King Richard III Cambridge School Shakespeare Series by William Shakespeare from Cambridge University Historical Drama for 9th-Adult in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	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)
	Know What You Believe Connecting Truth and Faith by Paul E. Little 5^th edition from InterVarsity Press for 9th-12th grade in Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-GEN) $18.69 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Know Why You Believe Connecting Faith and Reason by Paul E. Little 4^th edition from InterVarsity Press for 9th-Adult in Christian Apologetics (Location: XAP-GEN) $17.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
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	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)
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	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)
	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)
	Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles (translation by Dudley Fitts & Robert Fitzgerald) from Harcourt Ancient Tragedy for 9th-12th grade in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $15.99 $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway from Charles Scribner's Sons Realistic Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $12.75 $6.40 (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)
	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)
	Pilgrim's Progress in Today's English by John Bunyan from Moody Press Christian Prose Epic/Allegory for 9th-Adult in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $11.04 $4.80 (2 in stock)
	Poetics by Aristotle from Penguin Classics Ancient Greek Philosophy of the Arts for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $4.00 (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)
	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)
	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)
	Shorter Summa The Essential Philosophical Passages of St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica Edited and Explained by Peter Kreeft from Ignatius Press for 9th grade-Adult in Philosophy (Location: XWV-PHI) $6.40 (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)
	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)
	Timetables of History by Bernard Grun, translator 4^th edition from Touchstone World History Reference for 9th-Adult in World History Reference (Location: HISW-REF) $15.20 (1 in stock)
	To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee from Harper Perennial Realistic Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $16.99 $9.00 (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)
	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)

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