I am asking my children to read at least ten of the books on their individualized list before August 18, 2008. I also want each of them to memorize two poems this summer and present them for the family. I will take each child who does so out to eat to the restaurant of his choice, and I will also buy a book for each child who finishes the challenge. This list is for Brown Bear Daughter, age 13, who just finished seventh grade.
The Bible. Romans.
The Bible. I Samuel.
Costain, Thomas. The Conquering Family. Nonfiction about the Norman invasion of Britain and about the Plantagenet family and the history of England.
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. A princess and her maid are locked in a tower for a thousand days because the princess refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her. Semicolon review here.
Little, Paul. Know What You Believe. What does the Bible teach about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? What do angels, Satan, and demons have to do with reality? What place should the Bible or a church have in my life?
McKay, Hilary. Forever Rose. The last in the series of books about the wacky Casson family.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. The White Darkness. May’s selection for Biblically Literate Book Club.
Malley, Gemma. The Declaration. Semicolon review here.
Marshall, Catherine. Christy. Romance and Christian service clash with culture shock in the mountains of North Carolina. Christy is an eighteen year old innocent idealist when she goes to the mountains of Appalachia to teach school in a one-room schoolhouse. By the end of the story she’s a grown-up woman who’s experienced friendship, grief, and love.
Richardson, Don. Peace Child. Don and Carol Richardson were missionaries who risked their lives living among the Sawi headhunters and cannibals who valued treachery through “fattening” victims with friendship before the slaughter.
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. One of the plays to be performed at Winedale this summer.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Pre-reading for next year’s English curriculum, Starting Points.
Sire, James. How to Read Slowly. Pre-reading for next year’s English curriculum, Starting Points.
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Pre-reading for next year’s English curriculum, Starting Points.
Two poems to memorize:
I loved The White Darkness. Hope your daughter will, too. And once you’ve memorized The Raven you can never get it out of your head!
I hope to read The Book Of Thousand Day Some time.