Louisa Author(s): Yona Zeldis McDonoughIllustrator(s): Bethanne Andersen I love picture books and I love biographies... and I love it when both are combined successfully! This warmly illustrated picture book tells of the most beloved American author Louisa May Alcott. Her family was definitely sui generis, holding unusual beliefs and moving often, and Louisa began thinking and writing poetry at a very young age. This picture book sheds light on what a noble soul Louisa had, filled of generosity, integrity and character. Highly recommended especially for young readers who love the wonderful Little Women author. Read more about Louisa
G.K. Chesterton's The Blue Cross, Study Edition Author(s): Nancy Carpentier BrownGilbert Keith Chesterton First, let me say that I'm a "study guide, unit study" kind of homeschooling mom. I love it when someone else has found all the links and critical vocabulary words within a book or subject to be studied. I do however almost always "tweak" the study guide to ensure that my kids are getting everything they can from the resource. With this study guide I don't have to tweak much. Mrs. Brown has given her reader everything they need for a study of the short story "The Blue Cross" – even the story – in this 90-page study guide. Read more about G.K. Chesterton's The Blue Cross, Study Edition
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien Author(s): Humphrey Carpenter (ed.)J.R.R. Tolkien This book is not a "must read", but it is an enlightening read (best for high school and up). I have not read any other compilation of letters like this, so even the concept was new to me. There isn't a format, a thesis or an argument to unify the book. Rather, it is the life, work and times of Tolkien which generate the letters. He writes to his wife, his children, fans of his work, his publishers and various friends. The book is a subset of his letters (edited with the help of his son Christopher). Read more about The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Happy Times in Noisy Village Author(s): Astrid LindgrenTranslator(s): Florence Lamborn The charming and humorous adventures of the children of "Noisy Village" are continued in this sequel, recently reprinted by Bethlehem Books. The children's adventures and creative pranks and business ideas make for a fun family story. Speaking from experience, I can attest to the fact that it's an excellent book to curl up with on a chilly fall afternoon with a couple of little girls on your lap. (My eight year old boy hung around to listen too.) Read more about Happy Times in Noisy Village
Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham Author(s): J.R.R. Tolkien Tolkien has a habit of making stories that are just plain fun to read. And a sneaky little tendency to make them exceedingly rich too – offering many levels of interpretation and withstanding rigorous study by philosophers, theologians, philologists and anyone else. But all the time they remain delightful – and offer a healthy dose of poetic knowledge even to the most superficial readers. Both of these stories are 'old-fashioned' in style. Read more about Smith of Wootton Major & Farmer Giles of Ham
The Dawn of All Author(s): Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson This book, together with its counterpart Lord of the World, is an early venture into the "speculative" genre of fiction. Written in 1911, it could be considered early science fiction with its descriptions of future technology, but it is really much more a religious and philosophical exploration of the effects of belief systems on society. Read more about The Dawn of All
Lord of the World Author(s): Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson Lord of the World, written in the early part of the 20th century, is an intelligent and Catholic fictional extrapolation on the trend towards Modernism described and condemned by Pope Pius X in Pascendi Dominici Gregis and Lamentabili Sane Read more about Lord of the World
J.R.R. Tolkien Author(s): Michael Coren This is a surprisingly good, very readable biography of one of the most popular authors of all time. J.R.R. Tolkien was born in South Africa, the son of an English banker. After her return to England and the death of her husband, Tolkien's mother, Mabel, converted to Catholicism. Shunned by relatives after this, she was assisted by a kind parish priest who took care of her two sons after she died at age 34. Read more about J.R.R. Tolkien
The Princess and Curdie Author(s): George MacDonald The Princess and Curdie continues the fantasy saga begun in MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin. This novel gets off to a slower start than the first one in the series, but it is just as attention-holding. Curdie, the young hero, is put to the test in this story, and must prove himself both brave and loyal, whilst remaining trustworthy and honest. In this story, Curdie is given the gifts of a magic of his own that can only be used for others and a faithful but unusual traveling companion. Read more about The Princess and Curdie
The Princess and the Goblin Author(s): George MacDonald The Princess and the Goblin is a classic fantasy novel written in the late 1800s by George MacDonald. The story features all of the elements of a great fairy tale: a young princess, a brave hero on the verge of adulthood, subtle magic, and more goblins than can be counted. There is enough adventure to keep the story moving, but the plot is not overwhelming or difficult to follow. There is nothing to recommend a caution for: no rough language, no adult situations, and very little violence. Read more about The Princess and the Goblin
