Staff Favorites & Reviews

Store Location

No staff is entirely static, staying exactly the same for years with no additions or subtractions. We realize that, but we're also pretty proud of our current personnel, and the many ways they've helped shape Exodus Books and point it in some unforeseen and wonderful directions. So, in 2011 we started asking each individual to share their favorite books, curricula, games, etc., and these pages are the result.

Because sharing favorites is fairly personal, we thought you should get to know each of these peculiar persons and asked them all to write a main bio, as well as section-specific bios. These are partly to show why they selected the titles and products in their lists, and partly just to show you that Exodus Books is inhabited by real people who do real things.

One of our biggest in-store services is making recommendations and helping people find what works best for them. These lists aren't as customer-specific, but they serve the same purpose—we're not just trying to parade our excellent taste or prove that we're literate, we're trying to help you discover things you may never have found otherwise, and maybe to rediscover some old favorites.

It's probably a fact universally true of book-lovers: given the chance, they'll talk your ear off about the books they love, the books they hate, and all the books you'll never read but that are really much better than the well-known books you will read. This isn't pretension. It's simply what happens to those who love words and want to share them. We've tried to cut the talk down here, though we'll gladly answer any pertinent questions.

With that, we present Staff Favorites. You'll find some overlap (lots of people seem to like The Chronicles of Narnia), but rarely if ever will you find complete consensus on a single title, product, or curriculum line. That's why we let everyone make their own lists: you know the official Exodus stance by reading our reviews, but the individuality that makes our store unique and awesome is what's on display here. Enjoy, and don't judge too harshly.

	Almost Home A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower's Mary Chilton Daughters of the Faith by Wendy G. Lawton from Moody Press Historical Fiction for 3rd-6th grade in Daughters of the Faith (Location: SER-DAU) $7.64 $4.00 (3 in stock)
	Amazing Tigers! by Sarah L. Thomson from HarperCollins in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	American History for Young Students I Exploration to 1800 by Michelle Miller from TruthQuest History History Curriculum for 1st-5th grade in TruthQuest History (Location: HISCUR-TQ) $17.50 (1 in stock)
	And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? by Jean Fritz & Margot Tomes from PaperStar Books Biography for 2nd-4th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $7.64 $3.60 (3 in stock)
	Baby Elephant All Aboard Science Reader Level 2 by Ginjer L. Clarke from Grosset & Dunlap for Kindergarten-1st grade in Penguin Young Readers / All Aboard Readers (Location: EAR-PYR) $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka from Schwartz & Wade for Preschool-2nd grade 2012 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $15.29 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Beginning of the Republic 1775-1825 A Basic History of the United States Volume 2 by Clarence B. Carson from American Textbook Committee American History Reference for 9th-Adult in Basic History of the United States (Location: HISCUR-BHUS) $17.00 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward from Sandpiper Books Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade 1953 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.19 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Black Stallion Black Stallion #1 by Walter Farley from Yearling Realistic Animal Fiction for 5th-6th grade in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.64 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Bony by Frances Zweifel; illustrated by Whitney Darrow, Jr. from Harper & Row for 1st-3rd grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Brand New Day with Mouse and Mole Green Light Readers Level 3 by Wong Herbert Yee from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for 1st-3rd grade in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC) $4.24 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Call of the Wild Puffin Classics by Jack London 2008^th edition from Puffin Books Action/Adventure for 7th-10th grade in Puffin Classics (Location: FIC-PUF) $9.34 $3.60 (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)
	Case of the Cat's Meow An I Can Read Book Level 2 by Crosby Bonsall from Weekly Reader Mystery/Suspense for Kindergarten-2nd grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth from Aladdin Paperbacks Eastern Fairy Tale for 3rd-6th grade 1931 Newbery Medal winner in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $5.94 $3.20 (4 in stock)
	Charlotte's Web by E. B. White from HarperCollins for 2nd-6th grade 1953 Newbery Honor Book in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $4.80 (2 in stock)
	Children of Odin The Book of Northern Myths by Padraic Colum, illustrated by Willy Pogany from Macmillan Norse Mythology for 3rd-8th grade in Myths, Fairy Tales & Folklore for Children (Location: FIC-MYT) $32.00 (1 in stock)
	Colonial Experience 1607-1774 A Basic History of the United States Volume 1 by Clarence B. Carson from American Textbook Committee American History Reference for 9th-Adult in Basic History of the United States (Location: HISCUR-BHUS) $17.00 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Colonial Kids An Activity Guide to Life in the New World by Laurie Carlson 1^st edition from Chicago Review Press for 4th-6th grade in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL) $5.60 (2 in stock)
	Corduroy by Don Freeman Imagination Library Edition from Puffin Books Personification Stories for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn & Hal Iggulden 2013 Reissue from William Morrow & Company for 3rd-Adult in Dangerous Books for Kids (Location: SS-DAN) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Danny and the Dinosaur An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Syd Hoff from Sandy Creek for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Dinosaurs Usborne Beginners by Stephanie Turnbull from Usborne for 1st-2nd grade in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA) $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Doodling Dragons - Phonogram Coloring Book 2^nd edition from Logic of English, Inc. for Preschool-1st grade in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE) $6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Draw Write Now Book 3 Native Americans/North America/Pilgrims by Marie Hablitzel & Kim Stitzer from In the Think of Things for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Draw Write Now (Location: ELE-ARTDWN) $19.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Early American History for Intermediate Grades - Guide A Literature Approach by Rea Berg & Rebecca Manor 3^rd edition from Beautiful Feet Books for 4th-6th grade in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB) $25.95 $18.00 (1 in stock)
	Eleventh Hour A Curious Mystery by Graeme Base from Scholastic Inc. for 5th-Adult in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Fire Cat An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Esther Averill from HarperCollins for Preschool-1st grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Fizz, Bubble & Flash! Element Explorations & Atom Adventures for Hands-On Science Fun! by Anita Brandolini from Williamson Publishing Company for 3rd-8th grade in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Fossil Book Wonders of Creation Series by Gary & Mary Parker from Master Books for 4th-10th grade in Dinosaurs & Fossils (Location: SCI-DINO) $15.19 $11.00 (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)
	Handy Dad 25 Awesome Projects for Dads and Kids by Todd Davis from Chronicle Books for Adult in Dangerous Books for Kids (Location: SS-DAN) $24.95 $12.50 (1 in stock)
	Harry and the Lady Next Door An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Gene Zion from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	History of US Book 3 From Colonies to Country: 1735-1791 History of US Book 3 by Joy Hakim 3rd Revised Edition from Oxford University American History Reference for 5th-9th grade in Joy Hakim's A History of US (Location: HISA-HAKIM) $16.13 $8.80 (1 in stock)
	Hobbit (Perma-bound) There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien 2^nd edition from Del Rey Fantasy for 5th-9th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $2.40 (4 in stock)
	Horse Heroes: True Stories of Amazing Horses A DK Eyewitness Reader Level 4 by Kate Petty from DK Publishing for 2nd-4th grade in DK Readers (Location: EAR-DK) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Horse Heroes: True Stories of Amazing Horses A DK Eyewitness Reader Level 4 by Kate Petty from DK Publishing for 2nd-4th grade in DK Readers (Location: EAR-DK) $4.24 $2.00 (2 in stock)
	Horses and Ponies Usborne Beginners by Anna Milbourne from Usborne for 1st-2nd grade in Usborne Beginners (Location: SCI-USBREA) $2.40 (1 in stock)
	I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Wilson from Sourcebooks for 4th-7th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $9.34 $5.60 (1 in stock)
	I Spy a Scary Monster by Jean Marzollo from Cartwheel Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Scholastic / Hello Reader! (Location: EAR-SCH) $1.60 (1 in stock)
	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) $6.79 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Knitting Knights - Phonogram Coloring Book from Logic of English, Inc. for Preschool-1st grade in Logic of English (Location: PHO-LOE) $6.99 $4.50 (1 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) $6.79 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Monitor The Iron Warship That Changed the World All Aboard Reading by Gare Thompson from Grosset & Dunlap for 2nd-3rd grade in Penguin Young Readers / All Aboard Readers (Location: EAR-PYR) $1.60 (1 in stock)
	New World In View To Pledge Allegiance #1 by Gary DeMar & Fred Douglas Young from American Vision Press American History Reference for 8th-10th grade in To Pledge Allegiance (Location: HISCUR-TPA) $12.00 (2 in stock)
	Niagara Falls Wonders of America Ready-to-Read Level 1 by Marion Dane Bauer from Simon Spotlight for Preschool-1st grade in Ready-to-Read (Location: EAR-R2R) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur? All About Dinosaurs by Bonnie Worth, illustrated by Steve Haefele from Random House Books for Young Readers for 2nd-4th grade in Cat in the Hat's Learning Library (Location: EAR-CAT) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	On the Road to Independence To Pledge Allegiance #3 by Gary DeMar & George Grant from American Vision Press American History Reference for 9th-12th grade in To Pledge Allegiance (Location: HISCUR-TPA) $12.00 (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)
	Poppleton and Friends by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Mark Teague from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Sam the Minuteman An I Can Read Book Level 3 by Nathaniel Benchley & Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Historical Fiction for 2nd-4th grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness from Holt, Rinehart and Winston Allegorical and Moral Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1967 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope from Sandpiper Books for 10th-12th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Shiloh Shiloh #1 by Phyllis R. Naylor from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 5th-8th grade 1992 Newbery Medal winner in Animal Stories (Location: FIC-ANI) $7.64 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Sounder by William H. Armstrong from HarperCollins Realistic Fiction for 3rd-8th grade 1970 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $5.94 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Spaceships and Rockets DK Readers Level 2 by Deborah Lock from DK Publishing for Kindergarten-2nd grade in DK Readers (Location: EAR-DK) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of the Wright Brothers and Their Sister by Lois Mills from Christian Liberty Press for 3rd grade in CLP Phonics & Reading (Location: REA-CLP) $9.99 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo from Candlewick Press for 3rd-6th grade 2004 Newbery Medal winner in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $7.64 $4.40 (2 in stock)
	Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright from Square Fish Publishing Realistic Fiction for 4th-6th grade 1939 Newbery Medal winner in Realistic Fiction (Location: FIC-REA) $6.79 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness from Aladdin Paperbacks Biography for 1st-4th grade in Pilgrims at Plymouth (Location: HISA-17PIL) $6.79 $3.20 (3 in stock)
	Why Not, Lafayette? by Jean Fritz from Scholastic Inc. for 4th-8th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Reissue from Sandpiper Books Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade 1959 Newbery Medal winner in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF) $8.49 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Yankee Doodle Boy A Young Soldier's Adventures in the American Revolution Told by Himself by Joseph Martin from Holiday House Historical Non-Fiction for 5th-8th grade in American Revolution (1765-1783) (Location: HISA-18REV) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Yankee Doodle Boy A Young Soldier's Adventures in the American Revolution Told by Himself by Joseph Martin from William R. Scott Inc. Historical Non-Fiction for 5th-8th grade in Vintage History & Biographies (Location: VIN-HIS) $14.00 (1 in stock)

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