History

Cleared for Action

Book cover: 'Cleared for Action'
Author(s): 
Stephen Meader
Number of pages: 
639 pages
Copyright: 
1940
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
19th century
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
This "Budget Book" offers four full-length stories in one volume...

Clear for Action by Stephen Meader (copyright 1940)
Clear for Action tells of American sailing at the beginning of the War of 1812. Jeff Robbins is a young sailor from Maine, taking his first voyage aboard a cargo schooner bound for the Carribean. All aboard are nervous about being overtaken by British vessels who have been intercepting ships, blocking harbors and making trouble all along the Atlantic Coast. Jeff's world is turned upside down when their schooner is apprehended and he and several of his shipmates are forced into service on a British frigate. Clear for Action is an interesting and worthwhile adventure story that provides all kinds of insightful angles on the War of 1812 and offers a unique contrast to very-British Midshipman Quinn collection. The story wraps up amidst interesting plot-twists - a deserted island, buried treasure and big plans.

Reviewed 4-29-02

Whaler Round the Horn by Stephen Meader (copyright 1950)

Stephen Meader's "whaling yarn" brings to life the exciting and dangerous adventures of a New England whaleboat sailing all the way around Cape Horn (at the tip of South America) to the Pacific Ocean. Young Rodney Glenn, an orphan from New Hampshire, has always wanted to be a whaler, and we follow him aboard his first time at sea. Everything is new and exciting to his young eyes and young people of today will readily relate to his adventures.

Historically speaking, it's nice to find a story that gives an honest look at the interesting but sometimes ugly world of whaling without the politically correct shock and contempt with which whalers of the past are generally treated today. This was uniquely important to me in that one of my great-great-great grandfathers was a Portuguese whaler from the Azores. The first time I told my daughter about this ancestor (who was also a third order Carmelite) she reacted with disgust, given her great interest in whales and the number of books and shows on whales she had eagerly digested.

In addition to the whale theme which contains undercurrents of Moby Dick, 19th Century Hawaii provides a unique contrast with the home port in New England and the main character's adventures through massive storms (the Perfect Storm has little on this), harrowing escapes from the "jaws of death" and adventures on a deserted stretch of one of the Hawaiian Islands make for a memorable and engaging story.

Reviews of the other two stories in the Budget Book Cleared for Action by Stephen Meader will be forthcoming.

Additional notes: 

Copyrights 1940-1950

This book was donated for review by Bethlehem Books

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
2-22-03

Close to the Wind

The Beaufort Scale
Author(s): 
Peter Malone
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
0399243992
Publisher: 
Putnam Juvenile
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Geography
Weather
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
Sometimes your casual pick-up-what-looks-good from the library hits jackpot--last week it was one of those instances for us. Close to the Wind by Peter Malone gets very close to being the picture book par excellence. In every aspect, this gem brings the very best of the world of picture books: beautiful, detail-rich illustrations, a captivating story, plenty of educational content, and great use of visual diagrams, side notes and explanatory illustrations. Good picture books, I am always exclaiming, are so helpful in the homeschool. What did we know about the Beaufort Scale before this find? Next to nil. Now, not only we learned about the useful scale that measures wind based on detailed observations, we also learned information on ship-building, sails, the life of sailors, curious entries in sailor's glossary, how many trees are cut down to build a ship, and the sad destiny of many ships after their many years of service.
Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
2-21-2008

Columbus

Book cover: 'Columbus'
Author(s): 
Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Number of pages: 
60 pages
Copyright: 
1955
Publisher: 
Beautiful Feet Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Setting: 
15th century
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

This is another great biography by the D'Aulaire's. Well told and beautifully illustrated, this book will introduce you to Columbus' boyhood dreams, some of the reasons why he (and others) believed the earth was round, his early sailing days and interest in the tales of Leif Ericson, and of course the story of his family, his long quest for sponsorship of his desired trip and finally his voyages to America. Most adults don't know as much about Columbus as your children can learn from this story.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Copernicus, Galileo and the Catholic Sponsorship of Science

Book cover: 'Copernicus, Galileo and the Catholic Sponsorship of Science'
Author(s): 
Jane Meyerhofer
Number of pages: 
0 pages
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Ye Hedge School
Binding: 
Catholic
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Scientists
Science and Religion
Review: 
This is by far the most useful (and easy to understand) resource on clearing up the confusion, myths and down-right lies associated with Galileo and the Catholic Church. Mrs. Meyerhofer sorts through the myths. She is fair to the Catholic Church, but also willing to put blame where blame is due. Her treatment of Galileo himself and Science in general displays a sense of fairness so often lacking in controversial issues and the correct Catholic attitude toward the unity of truth (faith and reason) and the very important fact that true faith and true science will not contradict each other; that they in fact work hand-in-hand.

The Galileo controversy is a big issue for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Any number of resources commonly used by Catholic homeschoolers (such as Protestant high school science texts, certain biographies, novels, and many more) will portray this issue incorrectly. Homeschool parents teaching their children about faith and reason and homeschool students preparing to go out into the "real world" cannot afford to be clueless about this issue. I highly recommend this resource.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
8-29-01

Counting Your Way Through ...

Book cover: 'Counting Your Way Through Germany'
Subject(s): 
History
Geography
Grade / Age level: 
Grades K-2
Review: 
  • Count Your Way Through Japan
  • Count Your Way Through Mexico, etc.
When I was little I had a fascinationg with learning how to count to ten in various languages (over the course of time I learned to count to ten in about six different languages). It's a small task, manageable by a young child, that provides great satisfaction, and serves as an introduction to other languages and cultures. As a mother, I was naturally drawn to these interesting and unusual set of books that teach you how to count to ten in each language while illustrating and explaining different aspects of that country's culture and traditions.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-26-01

D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths

Book cover: 'D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths'
Author(s): 
Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Number of pages: 
192 pages
Copyright: 
1962
Publisher: 
Delacorte Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
Ancient Greece
Mythology
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 
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. More than half of these pictures are in colour-an added bonus.

You can purchase this paperback or hardcover book from most homeschool companies or better bookstores. Perhaps your local library would have a copy on it's shelves that you could borrow? It can be used for a variety of ages. Younger children would like it as a 'read aloud' and older students would enjoy it as an excellent introduction to greek mythology. All in all, it is a classic retelling of Greek myths and legends, and belongs on every homeschool bookshelf.

Reviewed by: 
K.H.
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Deathbed Conversions

Finding Faith at the Finish Line
Book Cover
Author(s): 
Karen Edmisten
Number of pages: 
132 pages
Copyright: 
2013
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Subject(s): 
Religion
Biographies
Conversion Stories
Grade / Age level: 
Mature Teens
Resource Type: 
Book(s)
Review: 
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories about famous (and at times infamous) people who converted to Catholicism after many years of wrestling with God. The author handles their often tough life stories with gentleness and understanding, and with special attention to God's grace working through friends and family members who stuck with these individuals in good times and in bad. Many of the stories include very messy life situations - including extra-marital affairs and abortions - but, of course have a good ending. For that reason, (besides recommending that you preview it for your children!) I think it's best suited for older teens, and would make a great jumping off point for discussions about how to be "salt of the earth". The list of converts include a king, a gangster, a Nobel Prize winning biologist, a famous mathematician and a number of notable entertainers, actors and writers.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-25-2013

Do Re Mi

If You Can Read Music, Thank Guido D'Arezzo
Author(s): 
Susan Roth
Number of pages: 
40 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
9780618465729
Publisher: 
Houghton Mifflin
Subject(s): 
Music
Biographical Stories
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

A dear blog reader recommended this picture book on the life of Guido d'Arezzo, the Benedictine monk who came up with the system for writing music one thousand years ago–the same system we still use today. I requested it via inter library loan since our library does not own the title.

I liked the way the life of the monks is described, but I wonder about the illustrations... in the book the monks look more like Dominicans in white habit... Honestly, my wish is for the book to be re-ilustrated by another artist! Still, a very nice cultural picture book and... you may not mind the style of the illustrations!

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
November 30, 2009

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