Books About Books
Developing a reading list can be a daunting task when first starting out. How do we choose from such a wide selection of literature and pick those titles that will make the best use of our limited time and best serve our families? Fortunately, there are several books available that whittle down the masses to provide us with a starting point.
All Through the Ages: History Through Literature GuideChristine Miller
If you are studying history chronologically, All Through the Ages makes it easy to find books that tie in with the time period you are studying. Books are arranged by time period, subdivided by grade level (1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12), and further subdivided by the categories Overview of the era, Specific events, Historical fiction, Literature, and Culture. The book listings do not include descriptions, but do include very brief notes as to time period or series, as well as a key denoting the original source in which the author saw the book recommended. In the back are book listings for geographical locations, science, math, the arts and Great Books.
Best Books for Kindergarten Through High School
Donna Hess (BJU Press)
Books are alphabetically listed by author in categories K-3, 3-6, 6-8, 6-8: Books for Analysis and Discussion, 8-12 and 8-12: Books for Analysis and Discussion. The books listed in the Books for analysis and Discussion cateagories are included so that a reading can be "followed by a guided discussion in which the story is interpreted and evaluated using sound literary and biblical principles." Guidelines for Choosing Books in the back of the book avoids both the permissivist and exclusivist views of choosing literature, preferring to include literature that meets certain guidelines in order to "help young people develop literary and spiritual discernment." Best Books also includes a Biographies and Autobiographies section with titles listed by subject. This book is no longer in print but is available as a free, two-part download at the publisher's web site.
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's LiteratureElizabeth Wilson
Books are arranged by subject and listed in alphabetical order by author. Age-appropriate gradings are included. Warm and detailed descriptions help us easily determine whether or not a book will be a good fit for our family. The titles chosen, each having been read by the author, must catch and hold the reader's interest, be of high literary quality, and represent a "wide range of people in varying circumstances." The author has not included books that "reflect a perverse view of human life, that exploit deviant behavior, or that undermine or attack basic Judeo-Christian moral and ethical values." Originally published in 1987 and updated in 2002, Books Children Love has remained a well-loved guide for a reason.
The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children's LiteratureElizabeth McCallum & Jane Scott
A mother/daughter team recommending "classic books, as well as books by Christian authors, some little-known books by great writers and poets, and a sizable collection of inspiring biographies." In recommending books that the authors "have especially enjoyed," your favorites might be missing, but you'll have an interesting place to start in your search for great literature. The authors primarily avoid abridged works and select works that are well-written, reader-friendly (no formal guidance necessary to understand the work), follow high ethical standards, have visual appeal and are accessible. The books are alphabetically listed by category: Preschool Literature, Elementary School Fiction, Middle school Fiction, Elementary and Middle School Biography, High School Fiction, and High School Biography. The summaries provided are meant to convey the flavor of the selection and will assist parents in choosing literature that meets the needs of their family.
The Book-Lover
James Baldwin
James Baldwin was Editor in Chief for American Book Company (a large textbook publishing company in the late 1800s), a teacher, and the author of over fifty books including Fifty Famous Stories Retold and The Story of Siegfried. The Book Lover, originally published in 1884, was in its thirteenth edition in 1902 when published with this opening preface, "Book love has ever been my passion; of its beginning I have no recollection. Although its early opportunities to manifest itself were slight indeed, yet it seemed to me so natural and so very necessary, that as a child I thought everybody ought to be possessed by it in the same manner as myself. That any person could live indifferent to the allurements of books was a matter of constant wonderment." The author concluded the preface by offering what he hoped would be "a safe Guide to the Best Reading." In this digital era, we have access to many, if not most, of the books mentioned in this guide. Some selections have withstood the test of time and are still in publication. Others, more obscure, deserve a fresh look. The books are listed alphabetically by author in the following categories: Books of Power, What Books Shall Children Read, Books Relating to Ancient History, Books relating to Modern History, Geography and Travels, Philosophy and Religion, Political Economy and the Science of Government, Study of English Literature, and "The Hundred Best Books." His chapters on choosing and reading books should also be of value. The Book-Lover is available online as a free .pdf download.