Honey for a Child's Heart

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Gladys Hunt is right: kids don't stumble on great books by themselves, they read the titles they're given. Most adults discover books the same way, which is why she's written guides to help families choose only the best stories for their children and teenagers (as well as one for Christian women, Honey for a Woman's Heart).

These aren't simply book lists. Both Honey for a Child's Heart and Honey for a Teen's Heart are divided into two parts: the first discusses the importance of reading, various genres (science fiction, poetry, animal stories, etc.), the question of censorship, the elements of a good book, etc.; the second part offers extended book lists to direct you to the right titles for your family.

Part I of both books is equal parts information and encouragement. While Hunt identifies the two levels of reading (for the story, and for the ideas) and the place literature holds in the formation of good character and critical thinking skills, she also talks about how much fun it is to read good books, especially together as a family.

In Part II Hunt presents extensive lists of books. Each title is organized by age-level, genre and author, with a brief synopsis for each one. Honey for a Teen's Heart is more oriented toward students on their way to college, so the reading level is pretty high, but there's nothing most high schoolers won't be able to handle (thought parents will want to know some of the titles include fairly mature content).

Neither of these books are intended simply as "suggested entertainment," lists of books kids will enjoy. There is an emphasis on enjoyment, but there's an equally strong emphasis on reading for instruction and development. Hunt chooses books that will both delight and stretch readers, helping them to think clearly about themselves, the world around them, and God.

There are also a lot of books: over a thousand in Honey for a Child's Heart, and 400 in Honey for a Teen's Heart. No one will be able to read all the titles listed here; these are intended as general guides, not rigid models. There's no real curriculum element here, either—Hunt wants families to read because they want to and understand the benefits of good books, not because they must.

We decided early on at Exodus Books that we wanted a strong selection of quality literature for children. Honey for a Child's Heart was the first book we turned to, and it proved an immeasurable help. Whether you're a parent who wants to find great books for your kiddos but don't know where to start, or a veteran who's run out of ideas, these are some of the best available guides to building a reading list and library, and knowing how to make the very best use of them.

You'll find a good number of the books listed in Hunt's guides below. We're constantly working on expanding this section, so if you don't see a book she recommends let us know and we'll do our best to bring it in. As your kids make their way through these titles, be sure to discuss with them often, as the goal of reading is growth, not simply knowledge or fun. Gladys Hunt is a capable and enthusiastic guide, and we offer her books without reservation.

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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Honey for a Child's Heart

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	And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1954 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	Archives of Anthropos series by John White from InterVarsity Press Christian Fantasy for 5th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Black Cauldron Prydain Chronicles #2 by Lloyd Alexander from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade 1966 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, editor from Dover Publications Fairy Tales for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $16.95
	Blue Sword by Robin McKinley from Puffin Books for 8th-10th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Book of Three Prydain Chronicles #1 by Lloyd Alexander from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	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) $9.99
	Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	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) $15.99
	Castaways of the Flying Dutchman by Brian Jacques from ACE Publishing for 3rd-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Castle of Llyr Prydain Chronicles #3 by Lloyd Alexander from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Chronicles of Prydain - Boxed Set by Lloyd Alexander Box from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX) $44.95
	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) $9.99 $7.00 (2 in stock)
	Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Penguin Classics by Mark Twain from Penguin Classics Social Satire/Comedy for 8th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.00
	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)
	Dark Lord's Demise Archives of Anthropos #6 by John White from InterVarsity Press Christian Fantasy for in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $25.99
	Fantasy Stories of George Macdonald - 4 Book Set Light Princess, Wise Woman, Gray Wolf, and Golden Key by George MacDonald, illustrated by Craig Yoe from Eerdmans Fantasy for 3rd-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19)
	First Four Years Little House Series #9 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter from Indiana University Press Romance for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
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	Freckles Dover Evergreen Classics by Gene Stratton-Porter from Dover Publications Romance for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter from Indiana University Press Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Girl of the Limberlost Dover Evergreen Classics by Gene Stratton-Porter from Dover Publications Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $12.99
	Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins for 5th-8th grade. 1979 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins for 5th-8th grade. 1979 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, editor from Dover Publications Fairy Tales for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $19.95
	Hawk That Dare Not Hunt By Day by Scott O'Dell from Bob Jones University Press Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	Hero Tales from American History by Theodore Roosevelt & Henry Cabot Lodge Paperback, First Printing from Tolle Lege Press Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biography Anthologies (Location: BIO-ANTH)
	Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom 35th Anniversary Edition from Chosen Books Biography for 6th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	High King Prydain Chronicles #5 by Lloyd Alexander from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade 1969 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Hobbit There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 5th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $15.99
	Hobbit & Lord of the Rings - Softbound Boxed Set by J. R. R. Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 4th-12th grade in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX) $72.00
	Honey For a Child's Heart The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt, with Mark Hunt 5th edition, updated & expanded from Zondervan for All ages in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC) $22.99
	Honey For a Child's Heart (old) The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt 4^th edition from Zondervan for All ages in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR) $12.00
	Horse and His Boy Chronicles of Narnia Book 3 by Lewis, C. S. from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $12.99
	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) $9.99
	Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, illustrated by Edouard Riou from Dover Publications Science Fiction for 6th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Let the Circle Be Unbroken by Mildred R. Taylor Reissue from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Life and Death of Crazy Horse by Russell Freedman from Scholastic Inc. for 7th-10th grade 1997 NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book in Gilded Age & Progressive Era (1877-1918) (Location: HISA-19GI)
	Little Men by Louisa May Alcott Reprint from Little, Brown & Company for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.00 (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) $11.99
	Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery from Scholastic Inc. Fantasy for 3rd-8th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20)
	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)
	Little Town on the Prairie Little House Series #7 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Little Town on the Prairie Little House Series #7 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1942 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $12.99
	Long Winter Little House Series #6 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1941 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Long Winter Little House Series #6 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1941 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $13.99
	Mariel of Redwall Redwall #4 by Brian Jacques from Firebird Press Fantasy for 4th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.99
	Mary Poppins Mary Poppins Series #1 by P. L. Travers from Harcourt Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $9.99
	Master Puppeteer by Katherine Paterson from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $11.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Mattimeo by Brian Jacques from Firebird Press for 4th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.99
	Minn of the Mississippi by Holling C. Holling from Houghton Mifflin Realistic fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1952 Newbery Honor Book in BFB Holling Geography (Location: HISCUR-BFG) $12.99
	Mossflower by Brian Jacques from Firebird Press for 4th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $10.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for 4th-8th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $16.99
	Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle from Dover Publications Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $12.95 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling C. Holling from Houghton Mifflin Realistic fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1942 Caldecott Honor Book in BFB Holling Geography (Location: HISCUR-BFG) $13.99
	Pagoo by Holling C. Holling from Houghton Mifflin Realistic fiction for 3rd-8th grade in BFB Holling Geography (Location: HISCUR-BFG) $12.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Prince Caspian Chronicles of Narnia Book 4 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $12.99
	Pushcart War by Jean Merrill 50th Anniversary Edition from New York Review of Books Satire for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $12.99
	Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom by Katherine Paterson from Puffin Books for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, editor from Dover Publications Fairy Tales for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $19.95
	Redwall Set (Trade Paperbacks) by Brian Jacques from Firebird Press Fantasy for 4th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Return of the King Lord of the Rings Trilogy #3 by J. R. R. Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 8th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $17.99
	Return of the King Lord of the Rings Trilogy #3 by J. R. R. Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 8th-12th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Road to Memphis by Mildred Taylor from Bantam Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Road to Memphis by Mildred Taylor from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 5th-8th grade 1991 Coretta Scott King Award in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99
	Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe from Dover Publications for 8th-Adult in 18th Century Literature (Location: LIT5-18) $11.00
	Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong 1st Pbk. Ed from Crown Publishers for 4th-8th grade 1999 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award in 20th Century Exploration (Location: HISW-20EXP) $13.99
	Silver Chair Chronicles of Narnia Book 6 by C. S. Lewis, illustrated by Pauline Baynes from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell from HMH Books for Young Readers for 6th-8th grade 1971 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Smoky the Cowhorse by Will James from Aladdin Paperbacks for 5th-8th grade 1927 Newbery Medal winner in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $8.99
	Star of Light by Patricia St. John from Moody Press Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99 $5.00 (2 in stock)
	Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Reprint from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Fiction for 7th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions Howard Pyle's King Arthur series book 3. by Howard Pyle from Dover Publications Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for 7th-10th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
	Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Gordon Browne & Lewis Baumer, afterword by Peter Glassman from Chronicle Books Family Stories for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA)
	Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome from David R. Godine Family stories/boating for 7th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $16.95
	Swallows and Amazons Swallows and Amazons #1 by Arthur Ransome from Overlook Press Family stories/boating for 5th-9th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
	Sword Song by Rosemary Sutcliff from Sunburst Book Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $11.99
	Tanglewoods' Secret by Patricia St. John 2^nd edition from Moody Press Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Taran Wanderer Prydain Chronicles #4 by Lloyd Alexander from Henry Holt and Company Fantasy for 4th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	The Robe by Lloyd Douglas from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $19.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	These Happy Golden Years Little House Series #8 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-8th grade 1944 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.99
	They Loved to Laugh by Kathryn Worth from Bethlehem Books Realistic Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $14.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Tower of Geburah Archives of Anthropos #3 by John White from InterVarsity Press Christian Fantasy for 5th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $25.99
	Treasures of the Snow (adapted) by Patricia St. John, adapted by Mary Mills 2^nd edition from Moody Press Realistic Fiction for 4th-8th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	True North by Kathryn Lasky from Scholastic Inc. for 5th-8th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt from Square Fish Publishing Fantasy for 5th-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $5.00 (2 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) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Voyage of the Dawn Treader Chronicles of Narnia Book 5 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $11.99
	Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff from Sunburst Book Historical Fiction for 6th-9th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	William Bradford Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim by Gary D. Schmidt from Eerdmans Biography for 7th-10th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $12.00
	Wright Brothers How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman from Holiday House Biography for 5th-8th grade 1992 Newbery Honor Book in Aviation History (Location: HISV-AVIA) $16.99
	Wrinkle in Time Wrinkle in Time Series #1 by Madeleine L'Engle from Square Fish Publishing Fantasy for 4th-9th grade 1963 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Wrinkle in Time Wrinkle in Time Series #1 by Madeleine L'Engle from Quality Paperback Book Club Fantasy for 4th-9th grade 1963 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, editor from Dover Publications Fairy Tales for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $19.95

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