The Good Master Author(s): Kate Seredy The Good Master by Kate Seredy is a timeless tale of the goodness of the land and of the Faith. Set in Hungary before World War I, a young impish girl, Kate, is sent to the country because her father, a widower, cannot control her anymore. When she arrives she is a world class brat but she is tamed by her uncle through discipline and love. She is somewhat fearless and zealous to try everything the farm life has to offer and this leads her and her cousin Jancsi on many humorous farm adventures. Read more about The Good Master
On the Banks of Plum Creek Author(s): Laura Ingalls WilderIllustrator(s): Garth Williams The dog, which has been trotting in the shadow of the wagon for maybe a hundred miles, lays down to rest. The family has just moved from Indian territory to western Minnesota. Pa does a little negotiating and ends up trading the horses that helped them move for the sod hut of a Norwegian farmer who is ready to move farther west. So they begin their life at the new home. The delights of childhood leisure are described, not so much reminiscing as the matter-of-fact way that a child who simply enjoyed it would tell. Read more about On the Banks of Plum Creek
Cheaper by the Dozen Author(s): Frank GilbrethErnestine Gilbreth Carey It's the Jazz Age, roadsters are the rage, and an engineer in Massachusetts is raising a vibrant family of 12 children. Welcome to the world of the Gilbreths, where everything comes 'cheaper by the dozen'. Read more about Cheaper by the Dozen
The Singing Tree Author(s): Kate Seredy The Singing Tree, sequel to The Good Master, is a much more serious story and takes place during World War I. Sandor, Kate's father, is drafted into the war and eventually, the Good Master, Marton Nagy, must report as well. The majority of the book tells of how the family gets along during the war years without the men of the family. Of course, Jancsi the young master steps up and, aided by a journal his father left for him, manages the farm quite well. Read more about The Singing Tree
Everybody Cooks Rice Author(s): Norah Dooley A small illustrated children's book about two children who visit a number of their neighbors of different ethnic backgrounds and discover that each of their cultures uses rice in their cooking. Includes recipes in the back. A good way to introduce children to our country's ethnic diversity without getting "politically correct." (Warning: We get hungry every time we read this book.) Read more about Everybody Cooks Rice
The Assisi Underground A true story of Italian Catholics helping Jews escape from the clutches of the Nazis during the Holocaust. It focuses on Padre Rufino, the superior of St. Francis' own church of San Damiano. I especially love the scene where a Mother Abbess who is hiding Jews in her cloister stands up to the Nazi officials and refuses to allow them to search the convent. Most appropriate for upper grade school or high school, depending on the sensitivity of your children. The movie is very well done, appears to be very carefully researched and was filmed on location is Assisi, Italy. Read more about The Assisi Underground
Great Moments in Catholic History Author(s): Father Edward Lodge Curran Inviting the reader in with its black and white illustrations on each page, Great Moments in Catholic History presents one hundred exceptional events in the history of the Catholic Church. Originally published in 1938, each page presents a great moment beginning with the Annunciation and ending with Pope Pius XI's 1937 Encyclical letter on Atheistic Communism. At the end of the book there are 500 quiz questions, 5 for each of the 100 historical events, to review the lessons learned. Read more about Great Moments in Catholic History1 comment
D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths Author(s): Ingri Parin D'AulaireEdgar Parin D'AulaireIllustrator(s): Ingri Parin D'AulaireEdgar Parin D'Aulaire This was first published in 1962 and is a wonderful book of Greek mythology. It tells the stories of the gods, goddesses, and heroes of Ancient Greece. Details of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are included, as well as the Argo, the Argonauts, and Jason's quest for the golden fleece. Some of the references of the legends are sparce and would need further references. (I would recommend Padric Colum's books, The Golden Fleece and The Children's Homer.) The book is highlighted with beautiful drawings, elaborate family trees, and a large map. Read more about D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths
Farmer Boy Author(s): Laura Ingalls Wilder This mouthwatering book isn't about Laura. It is about her future husband, Almanzo Wilder, and told through his eyes. He works (hard) on his father's sucessful farm in upstate New York. As would be expected from the perspective of a hardworking young boy the book lingers on FOOD. They ate pretty well too! They have fresh fruits and vegatables, they make their own butter (some of which they sell for – about a buck a pound! – imagine that). The pies, the meat etc. etc. etc. Each is described just well enough that you want to make some for yourself. Read more about Farmer Boy
Little Britches Author(s): Ralph Moody Little Britches is the first book in an eight-book series by Ralph Moody and came so highly recommended that I was concerned about being disappointed. We shouldn't have waited; it is brilliant! This book is particularly well-suited to being read aloud and will be enjoyed by every age grouping. It would be a wonderful book to have Daddy read to the family. The titles in the series are: Read more about Little Britches
