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.

	101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum Choosing the right curriculum & approach for your child's learning style by Cathy Duffy from Grove Publishing for Preschool-Adult in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
	102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum Choosing the right curriculum & approach for your child's learning style by Cathy Duffy from Grove Publishing for Preschool-Adult in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
	21 Super Simple Astronomy Experiments by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-8th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
	21 Super Simple Biology Experiments by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-8th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
	21 Super Simple Chemistry Experiments by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-8th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
	21 Super Simple Geology Experiments by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-4th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
	21 Super Simple Physics Experiments by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-8th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (Location: SCICUR-RS4K)
	Alpha List A Dictionary focusing on the Logic of English Spelling by Wanda Sanseri from Back Home Industries for 1st-4th grade in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR) $33.00
	America - with CD Heart of a New Nation from Diana Waring Presents for 1st-6th grade in Diana Waring History Revealed (Location: OHIS-DWHR)
	Ancient Egyptians and their Neighbors An Activity Guide by Marian Broida from Chicago Review Press for 3rd-6th grade in Ancient Egypt (Location: HISW-ANEG) $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Arithmetic Charts 3-8 Home School Version 5^th edition from A Beka Books for 3rd-8th grade in A Beka Arithmetic & Mathematics (Location: MAT-ABK)
	Arithmetic Charts 3-8 (old) Home School Version 5^th edition from A Beka Books for 3rd-8th grade in A Beka Math (Old Versions only) (Location: OABK-MAT) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Catwings A Catwings Tale Book 1 by Ursula K. Le Guin from Atheneum for 1st-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN)
	Catwings Boxed Set (December 2023) by Ursula K. Le Guin from Atheneum for 1st-4th grade in Boxed Sets & Literature Packages (Location: FIC-BOX)
	Catwings Return A Catwings Tale Book 2 by Ursula K. Le Guin from Atheneum for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.99
	First Start Reading Storybook D by Kelly Booker & Michelle Tefertiller from Memoria Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Memoria Press First Start Reading (Location: PHO-MP) $10.50
	First Start Reading Storybook E by Kelly Booker & Michelle Tefertiller from Memoria Press for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Memoria Press First Start Reading (Location: PHO-MP) $7.90
	Focus on Elementary Biology - Teacher's Manual (old) by Rebecca W. Keller from Gravitas Publications, Inc. for Kindergarten-4th grade in Real Science-4-Kids (old editions) (Location: OSCI-RS4K) $14.00 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Geography through Literature K-3 - Guide A Literature Approach for Primary Grades by Rebecca Manor 1^st edition from Beautiful Feet Books for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Beautiful Feet Books (Location: HISCUR-BFB) $34.95
	Gravity is a Mystery Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science level 2 by Franklyn M. Branley, Illustrated by Edward Miller from HarperCollins for Preschool-3rd grade in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
	Jane on Her Own A Catwings Tale Book 4 by Ursula K. Le Guin from Atheneum for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.99
	Janice VanCleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre & Incredible Experiments by Janice VanCleave from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for 3rd-6th grade in Janice VanCleave's Science (Location: SCI-EXP) $18.00 $12.00 (1 in stock)
	Janice VanCleave's 202 Oozing, Bubbling, Dripping & Bouncing Experiments by Janice VanCleave from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for 3rd-7th grade in Janice VanCleave's Science (Location: SCI-EXP) $12.95 $7.50 (2 in stock)
	Janice VanCleave's 203 Icy, Freezing, Frosty, Cool & Wild Experiments by Janice VanCleave from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for 3rd-7th grade in Janice VanCleave's Science (Location: SCI-EXP) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky & Wonderful Experiments by Janice VanCleave from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for 3d-7th grade in Janice VanCleave's Science (Location: SCI-EXP) $6.50 (1 in stock)
	Janice VanCleave's Machines by Janice VanCleave from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. for 3rd-6th grade in Janice VanCleave's Science (Location: SCI-EXP) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Johnny Appleseed My Story A Step into Reading Book Level 3 by David L. Harrison, Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka from Random House for 1st-3rd grade in Step into Reading (Location: EAR-STEP)
	Knights & Castles 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages by Avery Hart, Paul Mantell from Williamson Publishing Company for 2nd-8th grade in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Lingua Angelica II - Student Book by Cheryl Lowe & Paul O'Brien from Memoria Press for 3rd-8th grade in Memoria Press Latina Christiana (Location: FL-LATCHR) $13.60 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Lingua Angelica II - Teacher Manual by Cheryl Lowe & Paul O'Brien from Memoria Press for 3rd-8th grade in Memoria Press Latina Christiana (Location: FL-LATCHR) $19.45
	MapTrek - Atlas & Outlines Maps of World and U.S. History by Terri Johnson from Master Books for 1st-10th grade in Historical & Cultural Atlases (Location: HISRF-ATLAS)
	Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder - with CD Experience History Through Music by Diana Waring from Diana Waring Presents for 1st-6th grade in Diana Waring History Revealed (Location: OHIS-DWHR)
	Nine Days to Christmas A Story of Mexico by Marie Hall Ets from Viking Press for Preschool- 3rd Grade 1960 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Norte, sur, este y oeste by Allan Fowler from Children's Press for Preschool-3rd grade in Spanish Resources (Location: FL-SPARE) $2.00 (1 in stock)
	Reason for Spelling Level C - Teacher Guide (old) from A Reason for… for 3rd grade in Old Edition English / Language Arts (Location: OLAN) $15.00 (1 in stock)
	Robots National Geographic Kids Level 3 by Melissa Stewart from National Geographic for 1st-3rd grade in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin from Houghton Mifflin Biographies of Scientists and Inventors for 1st-3rd grade 1999 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99
	Story of the Greeks by Helene Guerber 4^th edition from Nothing New Press Ancient Greece Reference for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Ancient Greece (Location: HISW-ANGR)
	Story of the Middle Ages by Christine Miller & Helene Guerber from Nothing New Press for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
	Story of the Renaissance and Reformation by Christine Miller & Helene Guerber 2^nd edition from Nothing New Press History Reference for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
	Story of the Romans by Helene Guerber 3^rd edition from Nothing New Press Roman History Reference for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)
	Story of the Romans by Helene Guerber 2^nd edition from Nothing New Press Roman History Reference for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)
	Story of the Thirteen Colonies by Helene Guerber from Nothing New Press History Reference for 3rd-8th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Colonial America (1690-1765) (Location: HISA-17COL)
	Story of the World Volume 3 - Tests and Answer Key Early Modern Times: From Elizabeth the First to the Forty-Niners by Elizabeth Rountree from Well-Trained Mind Press for 3rd-6th grade in Story of the World (Location: HISCUR-SoW) $13.95 $9.00 (3 in stock)
	Sword Drills for School, Church and Home from A Beka Books for 2nd-5th grade in Bible Study & Reference for Kids (Location: BIB-STU) $8.50 (1 in stock)
	Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig from Simon and Schuster Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1970 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Usborne First Encyclopedia of the Human Body by Fiona Chandler from Scholastic Inc. for 3rd-6th grade in Human Anatomy & Physiology (Location: SCI-ANA) $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Westward Ho! - with CD The Heart of the Old West Experience History Through Music by Diana Waring from Diana Waring Presents for 1st-6th grade in Diana Waring History Revealed (Location: OHIS-DWHR)
	WISE Guide Enrichment Activity Worksheets A-M by Elizabeth Fitzgerald from LITHBTH Educational Services for 1st-4th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
	WISE Guide Enrichment Activity Worksheets N-Z by Elizabeth Fitzgerald from LITHBTH Educational Services for 1st-4th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR)
	WISE Guide for Spelling by Wanda Sanseri from Back Home Industries for 1st-4th grade Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks in Spell to Write and Read (Location: PHO-SWR) $58.00
	Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings A Catwings Tale Book 3 by Ursula K. Le Guin from Atheneum for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $6.99
	Yellow Is the Sun by Joan A. Cotter, Ph.D., Illustrated by Carrie Lynn Heidrich for 2nd-4th grade in RightStart Mathematics (Location: MAT-RSM) $4.50 (3 in stock)
	You Wouldn't Want To Be a Roman Gladiator! Gory Things You'd Rather Not Know You Wouldn't Want To... by John Malam, David Antram (Illustrator) from Franklin Watts for 3rd-6th grade in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)

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