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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	Adam of the Road Puffin Modern Classics by Elizabeth Gray from Puffin Books Historical Fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1943 Newbery Medal winner in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99
	All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor, illustrated by Helen John from Yearling Family Stories for 2nd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Ben and Me New and Astonishing Life of Ben Franklin as Written by His Very Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson from HarperCollins Humor for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Betsy-Tacy Betsy-Tacy #1 by Maud Hart Lovelace 2^nd edition from HarperCollins Family/Friendship Story for 3rd-6th grade HarperTrophy in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $9.99
	Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink from Simon Pulse Realistic Family Fiction for 3rd-7th grade 1936 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Caleb's Story by Patricia MacLachlan from HarperCollins Family Stories for 2nd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Call it Courage by Armstrong Sperry from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for 2nd-6th grade 1941 Newbery Medal winner in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $4.99 $3.00 (2 in stock)
	Cay by Theodore Taylor from Yearling Realistic Fiction for 2nd-6th grade in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl from Puffin Books Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Charlotte's Web by E. B. White from HarperCollins for 2nd-6th grade 1953 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson from Dover Publications for 1st-5th grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL) $4.00 $1.50 (2 in stock)
	Chronicles of Narnia - Mass-Market Boxed Set by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX) $55.00
	Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh Reissue from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for Kindergarten-6th grade 1955 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	Cricket in Times Square by George Selden from Square Fish Publishing Animal Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade 1961 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, illustrated by Garth Williams, foreword & updates by Stacey Lee from Square Fish Publishing Animal Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade 1961 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli from Yearling Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1950 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99
	Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary from HarperCollins in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.39
	Farmer Boy Little House Series #3 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from Scholastic Inc. Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
	Frog and Toad All Year An I Can Read Book Level 2 by Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.99
	Frog and Toad Are Friends An I Can Read Book Level 2 (Reading with Help) by Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade 1971 Caldecott Honor Book in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.99 $3.00 (3 in stock)
	Frog and Toad Together An I Can Read Book Level 2 by Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade 1973 Newbery Honor Book in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.99
	George Washington's Breakfast by Jean Fritz from PaperStar Books Biography for 1st-4th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Hannah Stepping Stones: A Chapter Book by Gloria Whelan from Random House Realistic Fiction for 1st-3rd grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.99
	Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh from Yearling Humorous Stories for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary from HarperTrophy for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	Homer Price by Robert McCloskey from Puffin Books Humor for 3rd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99
	House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne from Puffin Books Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes from Harcourt Realistic Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1945 Newbery Honor Book in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $8.99
	Just So Stories Puffin Classics by Rudyard Kipling from Puffin Books Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for 1st-6th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99
	King of the Wind The Story of the Godolphin Arabian by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 3rd-7th grade 1949 Newbery Medal winner in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Last Battle Chronicles of Narnia Book 7 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99 $5.00 (5 in stock)
	Last Battle Chronicles of Narnia Book 7 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Light Princess by George MacDonald, illustrated by Craig Yoe from William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Fantasy for 2nd-5th grade in Vintage Fiction & Literature (Location: VIN-FIC)
	Little Princess Puffin Classics by Frances Hodgson Burnett from Puffin Books for 3rd-8th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99
	Long Way to a New Land An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Joan Sandin from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.99 $2.50 (3 in stock)
	Long Way Westward An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Joan Sandin from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.99 $2.50 (3 in stock)
	Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction, Rhyming Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1940 Caldecott Honor Book in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $9.99
	Magician's Nephew Chronicles of Narnia Book 1 by C. S. Lewis from HarperCollins Allegorical Fantasy for 3rd-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey from Puffin Books Realistic Animal Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1942 Caldecott Medal winner in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $9.99
	Matchlock Gun by Walter Edmonds from PaperStar Books Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade 1942 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 3rd-6th grade 1948 Newbery Honor Book in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Molly's Pilgrim A Bantam First Skylark by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Daniel Mark Duffy from HarperTrophy for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $2.00 (5 in stock)
	Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater, illustrated by Jim Madsen from Little, Brown & Company Humorous Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1939 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater, illustrated by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humorous Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1939 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson from Little, Brown & Company Humor/historical fiction for 2nd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle #1 by Betty MacDonald from HarperCollins for 1st-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $8.99
	Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne from Puffin Books Poetry for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.99
	On the Banks of Plum Creek Little House Series #4 by Laura Ingalls Wilder from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction/Pioneers for 3rd-6th grade 1938 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Once On This Island by Gloria Whelan from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $6.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey from Puffin Books Realistic Family Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1953 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99
	Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat from Yearling Realistic Animal Stories for 2nd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $5.99
	Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall from Puffin Books Realistic Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1980 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99
	Pinocchio Puffin Classics by Carlo Collodi, translated by E. Hardin and illustrated by Gioia Fiammenghi from Puffin Books Fantasy for 3rd-8th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $2.50 (4 in stock)
	Pinocchio Puffin Classics by Carlo Collodi, translated by E. Hardin and illustrated by Gioia Fiammenghi from Puffin Books Fantasy for 3rd-8th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99
	Pippi Longstocking Pippi Longstocking #1 by Astrid Lindgren from Puffin Books Humor for 2nd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Rabbit Hill Puffin Newbery Library by Robert Lawson from Puffin Books for 3rd-6th grade 1945 Newbery Medal winner in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.99
	Rabbit Hill Puffin Modern Classics by Robert Lawson from Puffin Books for 3rd-6th grade 1945 Newbery Medal winner in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $7.99
	Redwall Set (Mass-market paperbacks) by Brian Jacques from ACE Publishing Fantasy for 3rd-7th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 30th Anniversary from HarperCollins Family Stories for 2nd-6th grade 1986 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $7.99 $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Shh! We're Writing the Constitution! by Jean Fritz from PaperStar Books Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in New Nation (1783-1800) (Location: HISA-18NN) $8.99
	Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare from Houghton Mifflin Historical Fiction for 3rd-6th grade 1984 Newbery Honor Book in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99
	Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan from HarperCollins Family Stories for 2nd-6th grade in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99
	Snowshoe Thompson An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Nancy Smiler Levinson & Joan Sandin from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.99
	Sounder by William H. Armstrong from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1970 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.99 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for 2nd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $8.99
	Stormy, Misty's Foal by Marguerite Henry; illustrated by Wesley Dennis from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 3rd-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $6.39
	Stuart Little by E. B. White from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Tales from Shakespeare Puffin Classics by Charles & Mary Lamb from Puffin Books Shakespeare Stories for 3rd-8th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $8.99
	Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey from Puffin Books Realistic Fiction for 2nd-4th grade 1958 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99
	Tree is Nice by Janice Udry & Marc Simont from HarperCollins Non-fiction for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1957 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.99 $4.50 (2 in stock)
	Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 3rd-6th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $9.99
	Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty from Beech Tree Books for 3rd-6th grade in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $9.99 $3.50 (2 in stock)
	When I Was Young In the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant from Puffin Books Family Stories for 1st-3rd grade 1983 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99
	Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? by Jean Fritz & Margot Tomes from PaperStar Books Biography for 2nd-4th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $7.99
	Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne from Puffin Books Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	Wolves of Willoughby Chase Wolves Chronicles #1 by Joan Aiken from Yearling Historical Fantasy for 3rd-5th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.99
	World at her Fingertips The Story of Helen Keller by Joan Dash from Scholastic Inc. for 1st-4th grade in Biographies (Location: BIO)
	Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss from Aladdin Paperbacks for 1st-3rd grade 1996 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99

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