Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale - January 2019...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. A few of the books are ex-library, but most are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and supplemental resources for language arts teaching.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

Teacher Created Resources Daily Warm – Ups Language Skill Grade 5 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 8 $10

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 12 $10

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5 each (x2)

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key by Carol Einstein $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level A $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Test Book

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level B $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Answer Key

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Bishop-Spalding 4^th edition $3

Spelling Workout Level G Student Workbook NEW! $3

Spellwell Levels A-D w/answer keys $30 set

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art by Laura Chapman $30 set

-       Kindergarten Teacher’s Edition (by Cynthia Colbert & Martha Taunton)

-       Art Print Guide grades 1-3

-       Grade 1 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 1 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 3 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 3 teacher’s edition

-       Art Print Guide grades 4-6

-       Grade 4 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 4 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 5 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 5 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 6 teacher’s edition

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 3 $4

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 4 $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Art in Action by Guy Hubbard Grades 1-5 hardcover $10 set

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Hand – Print Animal Art by Carolyn Carreiro (Williamson Publishing) $3

Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists Faith Ringgold by Mike Venezia $3

The Story of Painting by H. W. Janson (hardcover w/jacket – excellent!) AO $10

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards $6

Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjork and Lena Anderson (hardcover w/jacket, ex-library) $4

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $5

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $5 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

The Sling and the Swallow by Eleanor Means Hall (hardcover) $3

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $5

What Your First Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Fifth Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch (hardcover) $4

Why Johnny Can’t Read and What You Can Do About It by Rudolf Flesch $3

How I Read Along With My Upper Level Students...

As Riley and Ruben get older, I have stopped reading all their books aloud to them for obvious reasons. This has been bittersweet. Some days, it's a relief not to have to strain my voice for hours. On the other hand, I greatly miss those times of snuggling up and the discussions of our reading. This year, I found a solution, which has afforded me the best of both worlds. I scheduled Riley and Ruben to read some of the same books. Then I adapted their list as my own personal reading. Given time constraints, I'm still not able to read everything they read. But, overall, our new system went well. I was able to encourage independence in their studies while still engaging in their education. I call it read along instead of read aloud.

We use a multitude of media in order to make our reading possible. Given Ruben's dyslexia, he reads some books traditionally and listens to some on audio. Our library system offers certain titles on a gadget called a Playaway. Playaways are small MP3 devices containing an individual audiobook. There is no download or WI-FI necessary. We simply add a battery and our headphones. Because of their size, smaller than a deck of cards, they are very portable. And, since they are pretty much foolproof, Levi (age 5) has enjoyed several books on Playaway as well. We have also used books on CD, Audible, and Librovox to aid in our reading since not every book is available on a Playaway. These various types of media have allowed me hands free reading while I'm cooking and doing laundry. I also use audio versions in the early morning or late evening, when it's dark and my eyes are tired.

This year, the three of us finished reading several of the same books independently through use of above mentioned mixed media, including:

Watership Down by Richard Adams
- Riley read a hard copy
- Ruben listened to CD
- I used a mix of Playaway and hard copy

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
- Riley and Ruben read a hardcopy
- I listened on Librovox

English Literature for Boys and Girls by H.E. Marshall
- Riley and I read a hardcopy

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
- Riley and I read using a mix of hardcopy and Audible

The Daughter in Time by Josephine Tey
- Riley and I read hardcopy

In addition to our mixed media, I did still read aloud certain titles. In our second term, I threw in a couple of bedtime read alouds as winters are cold, dark, and long here in Wisconsin. There's no better time to gather round a great book than December through February. These titles included Black Fox of Lorne by Marguerite de Angeli and Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle.

I also slipped a few read alouds into our Morning Time that I wanted everyone to be exposed to at one time. These were:

How to Be Your Own Selfish Pig by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon
Citizenship by Charlotte Mason - select readings
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury
Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin
The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin Wiker
The Elements by Theodore Gray - select readings
How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler - select readings
Macbeth by Shakespeare
The Story of Painting by Janson
Grammar-Land by M.L. Nesbitt

Lastly, Ruben and I read many of the same books Riley read for her Beautiful Feet Intermediate History study, albeit on our own time schedule. Some of which, I read aloud to him, often times, reading alternate chapters individually, particularly toward the end of the year as Ruben became stronger in his reading ability and started gaining a desire for independence. It got to be a game where he would sneak the book and read ahead of me. I wholeheartedly played along, stifling my excitement in his inclination toward self-sufficiency.These books included:

Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo
One Thousand and One Arabian Nights by Geraldine McCaughrean
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green
Robin Hood - Ruben and I read a different edition than Riley, but we were still able to compare and discuss
Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Gray
The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean
Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by AVI
The Trumpeter of Krakow by Eric P. Kelly

When I look back at the list, it seems like a tremendous amount of books, but we weren't reading them all at one time. I find much can be accomplished with a chapter a day over a 12-36 week period. Also, reading living books is our primary means of education. We don't use much in the way of textbooks for things like history, literature, and science.

Using mixed media to read along with my upper level students has allowed me to continue to participate in their education, while fostering their independence. At the same time, I'm thankful for a chance to recover my own education with the use of so many great books! I will definitely continue the read along method throughout their high school years. Reading together as a family is super important to me, whether it be by read aloud or read along. It has opened a wealth of wonderful conversations within our family and has provided for intimate wit in a variety of social settings. I believe a family that reads together, stays together.

Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. A few of the books are ex-library, but most are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and supplemental resources for language arts teaching.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4 each (x2)

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

Teacher Created Resources Daily Warm – Ups Language Skill Grade 5 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Easy Grammar Ultimate by Wanda Phillips Teacher Edition Reproducible for Student use Grade 12 $10

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key by Carol Einstein $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level A $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Test Book

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level B $8 set

-       Student book (some writing)

-       Answer Key

-       Teachers Guide & Answer Key

The Writing Road to Reading by Romalda Bishop-Spalding 4^th edition $3

Spelling Workout Level G Student Workbook NEW! $3

Spellwell Levels A-D w/answer keys $30 set

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art by Laura Chapman $30 set

-       Kindergarten Teacher’s Edition (by Cynthia Colbert & Martha Taunton)

-       Art Print Guide grades 1-3

-       Grade 1 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 1 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 3 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 3 teacher’s edition

-       Art Print Guide grades 4-6

-       Grade 4 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 4 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 5 student book (hardcover)

-       Grade 5 teacher’s edition

-       Grade 6 teacher’s edition

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 3 $4

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition by Laura Chapman grade 4 $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Art in Action by Guy Hubbard Grades 1-5 hardcover $10 set

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Hand – Print Animal Art by Carolyn Carreiro (Williamson Publishing) $3

Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists Diego Rivea by Mike Venezia (hardcover) $4

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $5

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $5 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergarteners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $6

Home Grown Kids by Raymond and Dorothy Moore $2

What Your First Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

What Your Second Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch $4

Language Arts, Bible/Character, and Elective Books For Sale...

Below you will find our latest list of Language Arts, Bible/Character, Elective, and misc. teaching resources for sale. Some of the books are ex-library and some are from a private collection. Workbooks are clean, new, and unused unless noted. There is a variety of curricula and study guides as well as living books.

The prices do not reflect shipping. We are a smoke and pet free home. I accept PayPal and ship media mail within the U.S. Please use the contact form on the right side bar to send inquires and desired list.

Thanks so much for your consideration,
Melissa

Writing & Grammar Books

Daily Guided Teaching and Review for 2^nd & 3^rd Grades by Wanda C. Phillips $5

Language Lesson for the High School Student 2 by Sandi Queen – student book & key $10

Many Luscious Lollipops – A Book about Adjectives by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4

A Cache of Jewels and Other Collective Nouns by Ruth Heller $4

Up, Up and Away – A Book about Adverbs by Ruth Heller $4

Bowmar/Noble Handwriting Level F (cursive workbook) $3

Little Kids Can Write! by Karen Sevaly ages 3-6 student workbook $3

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. & E. B. White (hardcover) SL AO 9 $4 each (x2)

Scholastic Success with Writing Grade 5 $3

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 2 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 5 $4

Evan-Moor Daily Language Review Grade 6 $4

No Frill Grammar Drill grade 4 $2

Scholastic Narrative Writing by Tara McCarthy grades 4-8 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 2 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 3 $3

Spectrum Writing – grade 7 $3

Spectrum Language Arts – grade 6 $3

The Student Editor by Virginia Allison – middle school $4

Critical Thinking Co. Editor in Chief Book A-1 $4

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 2 $3

ETA Daily Writing Reinforcers (spiral bound with answers and teacher notes) grade 4 $3

Jensen’s Grammar by Frode Jensen AO $8

Writer’s INC, A Guide to Writing, Thinking, & Learning MFW $5

Reading, Phonics, Vocabulary & Spelling Books

Knowledge Box Central Literature Book Report Lapbook $3

Spectrum Word Study and Phonics Grade 5 $4

Claims to Fame – Fourteen Short Biographies – Book 2 w/key $5

Bob Books – Levels 1, 2, & 3 $3 each level

Wordly Wise – prices as marked

-       Wordly Wise 3000 6 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

-       Wordly Wise 3000 7 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

-       Wordly Wise 3000 8 Test Booklet & Answer Key $3

Vocabulary in Action by Loyola Press Level E (student workbook) $3

Building a Strong Vocabulary by Carl B. Smith, Ph.D. $3

Study Guides

The Biggest Bear w/book $4

Total Language Plus Guide - The Wheel on the School SL $10

Art, Music, Foreign Language, & Home Economics

Art & the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing (NEW hardcover) $20

Rich & Sharon Jeffus Preschool & Early Elementary Art Basics $5

Adventures in Art Kindergarten Teacher’s Guide $5

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition grade 3 $8

Discover Art Teacher’s Edition grade 4 $8

Big Book of Books and Activities by Dinah Zike $3

Come Look With Me – American Indian Art by Stephanie Salomon (hardcover) $4

Kids Colorpix My Favorite Masterpieces Assorted Cards & Envelopes $3

The Second Painter’s Problem Book (hardcover w/jacket) $3

Start with Art – Animals by Sue Lacey (hardcover) $4

The Gift of Music, Great Composers and Their Influence by Jane Stuart Smith & Betty Carlson $5

Beethoven Lives Upstairs by Barbara Nichol $3

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System Starter Kit for 2 Children & A User Guide book $10

Bible, Character, & Misc. Resource Books

Bible Quest: God’s People, God’s Land – Home School Teacher’s Edition $5

3 in 1 (A Picture of God) by Joanne Marxhausen $3

Little Visits with God by Allan Hart Jahsmann & Martin P. Simon $3

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier (hardcover) SL K $7

Egermeier’s Bible Story Book by Elsie Egermeier SL K $5

Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible for Young and Old (original 1932/1947 hardcover) $10 each (x3)

NIV Women’s Devotional Bible (Zondervan – hardcover) $5

Little Ladies series by Sandi Queen (new) $10 set

-       Dressing for God

-       Speaking to Please God

-       Keeping Myself Pure for God

Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook (hardcover w/jacket) $4

The Book of Virtues for Young People by William J. Bennett (hardcover) $5

Early Education at Home – A Curriculum Guide for Parents of Preschoolers and Kindergartners by M. Jean Soyke $8

Art Adventures at Home – Level 1 (grades K-2) by Pattye Carlson and M. Jean Soyke $7

Learning at Home – Preschool and Kindergarten by Ann Ward $15

Learning Activities for Threes (hardcover, ex-library) $5

Year Round Activities for Four-Year-Old Children by Coletta (hardcover, ex-library) $5

Home-Spun Schools by Raymond and Dorothy Moore (hardcover w/jacket) $6

Konos

Character Curriculum by Jessica Hulcy $10 each or $15 for the pair

-       Obedience

-       Orderliness

World View

Countering Culture by David Noebel book & video set NEW (Video in shrink wrap - unused) $20

Why I've Decided Against a Reading Challenge This Year...

I've participated in the Back to the Classics reading challenge for the past couple of years, which has become an extremely popular venture. One year, I even took the Chunkster Challenge. However, this year, I've decided against online reading challenges and here's why.

The first year, it was fun. Coming back to classic literature was so rewarding and being bound by a challenge brought accountability. I couldn't wait to see how many categories I could read from. Oh, and the thought of winning an Amazon gift card simply for doing something I love was a bonus too.

The second year, things started to change. Being a homeschool mom, my personal reading time is limited. Since I was signed up for the challenge, I felt like I needed to spend the little time I had to read only on reading the classics in order to complete the challenge. Then I started to hear about Wendell Berry and a few other modern authors that I wanted to try, but since they didn't fit the challenge and my time was finite, it seemed like an impossibility. I started to put restrictions on myself and my reading, which led me to grow bitter. I even restricted my kids because if the book I was reading to them didn't fit the challenge, it wasn't happening. Truth be told, I was actually reading less because reading had become a burden and a chore.

Because of the spiritual warfare in my mind, I was already on the fence about joining another reading challenge this year. Then I heard Brian Phillips speak on Listening for Echoes: On Right and Wrong Reading Habits at the CiRCE Conference and it confirmed all that my mind was wrestling with. Below are a few notes I jotted down during his break-out session...

• You will never get through your reading list.
• You will never have enough time to read.
• You will not have enough money to buy all the books you want to.
• The more you read, the more there is to read. 
• It's OK to read purely for enjoyment. 
• It's OK to eat junk periodically as long as you admit what it is and sharpen your tastes. 
• You can read through the right books in the wrong way. 
• Make time to read everyday. You don't have to feel guilty. Feed your soul. 
• Read and delight in what you are reading. 

After contemplating on these thoughts for the past month, I have decided against participating in an online reading challenge this year. Life is short and in this season my time is short. Therefore, I will not be shackled to someone else's ideally categorized list. I have enough book lists of my own. I love to read...and I love to read classics! I will continue with Homer and Augustine, Shakespeare and Plutarch, Dickens, Austen, and Bronte, but I will also throw in a little Wendell Berry and the like as I see fit. My chains are broken. I have been set free. The list of reading possibilities this year is endless and knows no bounds. I'm very excited about the prospect. It feels good!

2016 Back to the Classics Challenge Wrap-Up....

I finished the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge, reading books in six of the twelve categories. The books in each category that I read were...

A classic in translation - Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

An adventure classic - Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe

A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic - The Hobbit by J.R R. Tolkien

A classic which includes the name of a place in the title - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

A classic which has been banned or censored - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Re-read a classic you read for school (high school or college) - The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The 2017 Challenge is just around the corner. I see there are a few new categories this time.  I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I'll participate.  Last year, I was able to read nine of the twelve categories.  I didn't do quite as well this year. I find myself reading so much to the kids that I don't always have time for my own reading...ahem!

Did you complete the challenge?  I'd love to hear about it.  Please free free to comment below.

2015 Back to the Classics Challenge Wrap Up....

I finished up the 2015 Back to the Classics Challenge!  I read books in nine of the twelve categories, including....

1. 19th Century Classic - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

2. 20th Century Classic - Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

3. Classic by a Woman Author - O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

4. Very Long Classic Novel - Quo Vadis? by Henryk Sienkiewicz

5. Classic Novella - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

6. Classic with a Person's Name in the Title - Andrew Jackson by Clara Ingram Judson

7. Forgotten Classic -  Children of the Covered Wagon by Mary Jane Carr

8. Non-fiction Classic - Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg

9. Children's Classic - Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

The three categories I didn't complete were Classic in Translation, Humorous or Satirical Classic, and Classic Play.  In my quest for 'mother culture', I'm planning to link up the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge.  I encourage you to give it a try!