No name

A Litany of Saints

Book cover: 'A Litany of Saints'
Author(s): 
Ann Ball
Number of pages: 
224 pages
Copyright: 
1993
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
When I see Ann Ball's name on a book, I expect a treat. This book is no exception. A Litany of Saints begins with an introduction to the Communion of Saints and Catholic practices regarding their veneration. This section is clear and easy-to-read, including the changes instituted as a result of the Second Vatican Council. The footnotes provide many sources for additional reading. Next comes a history of litanies in general and the text of the formal "Litany of the Saints". Following this is the bulk of the book: a fascinating, documented collection of information about 26 well-known saints as well as shorter summaries of 17 more saints. This book contains prayers, photographs, legends, and the stories of these saints. It is written in a titled-paragraph style that makes it easy to pick up, read a few pages, and put down again---perfect for a busy person to read in those few available minutes each day.

Do you know why we should ask the saints to pray for us? Do you know what happened to St. Christopher? Do you know who is the protector from cancer? If not, then you need to read this book and have your questions answered!

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Imprimatur (1992) and Nihil Obstat

Many thanks to Saint Gabriel's for donating this book for review.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

A Little History of the World

Book cover: 'A Little History of the World'
Author(s): 
E.H. Gombrich
Copyright: 
2006
ISBN: 
978-0300143324
Publisher: 
Blackstone Audiobooks
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This is the kind of book that is written for children and yet any adult will enjoy it immensely. We listened to it during a summer trip, and all of our children, from 6 to 20 years old, were enthralled. Reader Ralph Coshan won an audio award for the reading of the book and we have truly grown to love the sound of his voice. Gombrich's A Little History of the World is right up there with Hillyer's A Child's History of the World, but even better--which I never thought I would say, as A Child's History of the World has been a favorite of mine for years. Gombrich himself revised and translated his 1930's text into English before his death in 2002. This is why we have a recent publication in English of a European bestselling history text for children from the 1930s! The text is geared to children a bit older than the Calvert School classic, which is good for a homeschooling family. I love the way the author dealt with a huge Catholic theme: the Reformation! And I love the fact that there is a whole chapter on the Counter-Reformation, which is largely ignored by the American public when studying European history. His account of Saint Ignatius Loyola's story and the founding of the Company of Jesus (Jesuits) makes this volume very Catholic-friendly indeed, which is something to be said for a history book from any major secular publisher. The way the author refers to God, and to the person of Jesus Christ, and to His teachings, is very respectful and wonderfully done. In my research about Gombrich's faith life, I learned that he converted to Christianity from Judaism early in his life. I am currently leading a History 3rd/4th grade small class using Hillyer's text and comparing/complementing it with Van Loon's Story of Mankind. I believe these three volumes together can make up a superb World History curriculum for elementary school! Hedgeschool's First Timeline, done in first and second grades, would be a great place to start. Highly recommended. This will be a great addition to your homeschool audio library.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
9-20-2007

A Long Way from Welcome

A Mystery in Paris
Book cover: 'A Long Way from Welcome: A Mystery in Paris'
Author(s): 
Echo Lewis
Number of pages: 
182 pages
Copyright: 
2002
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
In this story Echo Lewis takes us from the small town of Welcome, Indiana, all the way to Paris, France alongside Maggie, a shy teenager who would really rather stay at home in her comfortable small town surroundings. Maggie is visiting her new step-dad's sister in an ancient convent in the heart of the city. There she becomes wrapped up in her new home and friends and in a mystery involving a series of art heists plaguing Paris.

The story is a fun quick read for ages 12 and up. The convent itself is fascinating with its hidden panels and secret passages. The experience would be further enhanced by checking out some guide books of Paris and architecture books (that include the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Beaubourg) from your local library.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

This title was donated for review by Bethlehem Books

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-4-03

A Look at Minerals

from Galena to Gold
Book cover: A Look at Minerals
Author(s): 
Jo S. Kittinger
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9780531159255
Publisher: 
Franklin Watts/Grolier
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

A surprisingly interesting (and fairly in-depth) picture book that introduces children to minerals – which include metals and gems. Many full color photos highlight and enhance the text, which covers topics such as Mohs' Scale of Mineral Hardness, ice crystals, cleavage planes (the way minerals break when cut) of various minerals, metals in their natural state, special metals like gold, silver and platinum, how various minerals form and what they look like in their natural state. My children and I found this to be quite an interesting book.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-25-01

A Look at Rocks

from Coal to Kimberlite
Book cover: A Look at Rocks
Author(s): 
Jo S. Kittinger
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
1997
ISBN: 
9780531158876
Publisher: 
Franklin Watts/Grolier
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

I really didn't expect to get much out of a children's picture book on rocks. Rocks are, well, rocks! I was wrong. Mrs. Kittinger has done a fine job in presenting various types of rock, how they are formed in nature (with a significant emphasis on volcanoes) and the various fascinating and often beautiful varieties of rocks. There are many stunning photos and fascinating statistics on rock-related items from Mount Rushmore (and it's lesser known "sister-sculpture" – Stone Mountain – of some "monumental" figures of the Confederacy) to the Grand Canyon to amazing volcano formations. The book also includes a glossary, an index, suggestions for further reading and internet resources for rock collectors.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-25-01

A Man for All Seasons

Book cover: 'A Man for All Seasons'
Author(s): 
Robert Bolt
Copyright: 
1966
ISBN: 
043396180857
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This is a VERY well-done rendition of the story of St. Thomas More. Thomas More was a well-respected lawyer who was named Chancellor of England under King Henry VIII. He is a model statesman – modest, intelligent, and principled. He was martyred for not condoning the actions of the King toward the Catholic Church and his first wife. (Quite a refreshing contrast to modern-day politics!) I would suggest this for high school students as younger students – unless they are familiar with the story and accustomed to somewhat complex dialogue – may find it "boring". We were very pleased to find this movie at our local library. Available on VHS or DVD.

Additional notes: 

Duration: 120 minutes.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

A Map of Life

A Simple Study of the Catholic Faith
Book cover: A Map of Life
Author(s): 
Frank Sheed
Number of pages: 
144 pages
Copyright: 
1933
ISBN: 
9780898704747
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This is a really beautiful little book about morality and the Catholic Faith. It would make a great supplement for high school age or excellent reading for an adult. It's not too difficult to understand, but also interesting and really makes you think. The author has this to say about the purpose of this book:

A traveler through life gets vivid – sometimes extremely vivid impressions of things near at hand: confused impressions of things seen at a distance or only heard of: but of the whole plan of life, no idea at all. In his mind will be a jumble of facts, tossed about in any order – God, sin, church-going, disease, sacraments, suffering, the treason of friends, hostilities, death and the fear of death, money and the loss of it, God-made-man – and so on without end. But which of these things are big things and which of them are little, he will not know with certainty: the things that have come nearest to himself will seem big things: the remoter things will seem small. And of the relations of these things one to another – how one thing agrees with, or conflicts with, another – of all this, merely by dint of living, he will have only the most confused and uncertain impression. In fact it may easily happen that a man who merely lives, and neither reflects nor is taught, does not even suspect relationships, but thinks of all things as accidents with no reason in themselves save that they happened, and no connection with each other save that one cam earlier and one came later. Because of this confusion, I propose to try to make what may roughly be called a map of life.
This is a great book to use for a teen group discussion. When I was being homeschooled for high school, a friend of the family guided us in discussions of one chapter every month. We found it very engaging and helpful.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

A Marian Bible Study

Bringing Scripture to Life for Moms
Book cover
Author(s): 
Laura Marie Wells
Number of pages: 
112 pages
Copyright: 
2006
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Review: 
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-11-2007

A Medieval Feast

Book cover: 'A Medieval Feast'
Author(s): 
Aliki
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1983
Publisher: 
Harper Trophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This is a children's story book about a fictional, but historically accurate, medieval feast (appropriate to about 1400 A.D.). The story starts from the very beginning, when the lord and lady of a manor receive notice that the King would be visiting for a few days. We see what immense preparations would start long before his arrival and the concern on the part of those hosting the feast because the king wouldn't be travelling alone - the queen, knights, squires and members of the court would make the feast a large and somewhat worrisome preparation. The colorful illustrations are inspired by medieval tapestries and are full of interesting details. The role of the Church is not forgotten as the bishop chants the grace before the meal and sits at the right hand of the king. Other details of life in the middle ages are included in the midst of the preparations for the feast and the feast itself, but the details don't go very deep. You see what happens but not much about how it happens. (My husband thought the book would have been improved by including some recipes and more descriptions of how things were made and how tasks were performed in those days). Nevertheless I think it's an interesting and worthwhile read for the little ones while their older siblings are studying the middle ages. You could probably find this one at your local library.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-7-2000

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Title page of the play, from the first quarto
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
We studied this Shakespeare comedy in 9th grade using an "interleaved" edition featuring the original text on one side and notes to clarify the meanings of archaic terms on the facing pages. Looking at the text on the pages was a little daunting, but it is amazing what a difference reading it aloud in class made. Suddenly the words were not so strange or difficult to follow any more, and as it is a play -- not a novel -- reading aloud really helped bring it to life. Our class was also able to attend a live outdoor performance, which further enhanced our study of the play. As for the play itself, it is a light comedy that revolves around two young men (Demetrius and Lysander) and two young women (Hermia and Helena) and their adventures. Their fathers want Demetrius and Hermia to wed, but Hermia prefers Lysander. Meanwhile, Helena is still in love with Demetrius even though he has jilted her for Hermia. Hoping to elope, Hermia and Lysander enter a wood, but are pursued by Demetrius and Helena. There they get mixed up in the doings of the fairies, whose King and Queen have themselves had a bit of a falling out. Throw in the mischievous Puck and a group of simple craftsmen, and you have a recipe for much hilarity. Shakespeare uses the situations to explore our human capacity for caprice and wilfulness through the sometimes ridiculous events in his play. Other themes you might want to discuss are: is it appropriate for a father to insist that his daughter marry a particular man? To what extent have the people Shakespeare portrays been influenced by the return of classical thought and Roman law in this regard? What of Oberon's attitude toward his wife Titania? And what about the magic? It's supposed to fix everything, but does it? Or does it just create more chaos? But A Midsummer Night's Dream is a lot of fun, so don't let too much dissection spoil it for you or your students.
Additional notes: 

Written approximately 1595.

Many editions available, including several online.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1-8-2009

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