No name

The Core Knowledge Series

Book cover: What Your First Grader Needs to Know

Author(s):

E.D. Hirsch, Jr.

Number of pages:

368 pages

1998

Publisher:

Delta

Subject(s):

Books About Curriculum

Review:

Titles in this series include What Your Kindergartner Should Know, What Your First Grader Should Know, etc. The series is written for parents of children in traditional schools to get an idea of how the schools are doing and to assist the parents in supplementing their child's education at home. The series amounts to an extensive "Scope and Sequence" which outlines the fundamental skills and concepts which should be understood in each grade and includes supplementary exercises, poems, stories and recommended resources to assist in fulfilling the stated goals. I know quite a few Catholic homeschoolers (particularly those who are "putting together their own program") who have found this series very helpful. It can also be a good choice for those who are temporarily homeschooling under circumstances that don't allow for a large quantity of books (such as those homeschooling away from home for various reasons). For others, it might be "one more thing" to make their lives more complicated. Please keep in mind that, although the perspective is in many ways positive (especially in comparison to the public school system) the series is still secular and contains some material which should be taken with a grain of salt.

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1-18-01

The Courage of Sarah Noble

Author(s):

Alice Dalgliesh

Illustrator(s):

Leonard Weisgard

Number of pages:

54 pages

1954

ISBN:

9780689715402

Publisher:

Aladdin Books

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

The Courage of Sarah Noble is based on the true story of eight year old Sarah Noble, who accompanies her father into the Connecticut wilderness to cook meals for him as he builds the family's cabin. The story takes place in 1707 and focuses on her courage against the unknown fears of the wilderness.

Because the book focuses so much on her courage, this book could be used as a springboard for discussing the role of Guardian Angels in our lives. Of course, it should be mentioned to the child reading the story that Sarah was not Catholic and would not know that she could pray to her Guardian Angel whenever she was frightened. In the same light, it would also have been nice if Sarah would have placed more faith in God and said a prayer every time she was frightened instead of clutching her cloak or repeating the words "'keep up your courage.'" Sarah does, however, say her night prayers when she stays with an Indian family while her father returns home to bring the rest of the family to the cabin and she does read her Bible. (Both incidents are naturally interwoven in the story.)

In particular, I really liked the way Dalgliesh develops Sarah's relationship with her father. It is very heart warming to see this kind of relationship presented in literature. Not only is he a good role model as a father, but, as a character, he speaks with wisdom. He is very gentle, patient, and loving with her. One statement that he makes that is very heartening to hear is when he says, "'It was a blessing the Lord gave me daughters, as well as sons.'" How many daughters in real life yearn to hear their fathers say this? He also comments, when he is referring to the Indians, "'In our home all will be treated with kindness always Sarah.'" This is a nice counterpoint to the fear she had of the Indians as ruthless savages. The story also realistically makes clear that although some Indians are peaceful, some are to be feared.

My only concern with the story would be that I would be hesitant to read this story aloud with younger children (4 year olds) in the room who are already fearful by nature, because of the constant emphasis of her fear. For the age that it is intended, it should not be a problem.

Overall, this is an easy to read short chapter book for the 3rd-6th grade reader. It is a very realistic portrayal of life in the wilderness as a little girl struggles to overcome her fears, at the same time trying to do the right thing. Because of the way each chapter is presented, this book would be ideal for discussing each chapter's theme between the parent and child. I would recommend this book along with discussion. For example, "Do you think it was kind for the children to tease Sarah?" What could they have said instead.

Reviewed by:

Elizabeth Yank

First reviewed:

April 9, 2001

The Cure D'Ars

St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney

Author(s):

Abbe Francis Trochu

Number of pages:

586 pages

1927

Publisher:

TAN Books and Publishers

Binding:

Softcover

Sample Pages

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

This is a fascinating and surprisingly readable (but lengthy) biography of St. John Vianney - the definitive one, carefully researched from the documents produced for the canonization process. It is most suitable for adults, but will be appropriate for teens who enjoy reading - it is particularly beneficial for young men considering the priesthood. Some of the particular stories about St. John Vianney and those whose lives he touched are absolutely amazing.

This book also bears a special recommendation from Pope John Paul II and had a substantial influence on his life. He had this to say about St. John Vianney and this particular book in his own book Gift and Mystery: On the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination...

"With great emotion I visited the little old church where Saint John Vianney heard confessions, taught catechism, and gave his homilies. It was an unforgettable experience for me. From my seminary years I had been impressed by the figure of the Cure d'Ars, especially after reading his biography by Monsignor Trochu. Saint John Marie Vianney astonishes us because in him we can see the power of grace working through human limitations. It was his heroic service in the confessional which particularly struck me. That humble priest, who would hear confessions more than ten hours a day, eating little and sleeping only a few hours, was able, at a difficult moment in history, to inspire a kind of spiritual revolution in France..." (pp. 57, Gift and Mystery by Pope John Paul II)

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

3-7-01

The Cure of Ars

The Story of Saint John Vianney, Patron Saint of Parish Priests

Author(s):

Mary Fabyan Windeatt

Number of pages:

210 pages

1947

Publisher:

TAN Books and Publishers

Binding:

Softcover

Sample Pages

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Although this is a bit longer than some of the other Saint stories by the same author, my children have been enjoying this story very much as a read-aloud. The story is told in the first person - from the point of view of St. John Vianney himself. (My children have particularly enjoyed this perspective and found it a nice change from the ordinary.) The author also weaves a great deal of thoughtful commentary upon the importance and mystery of priesthood into the story as well as important concepts about the love of God and the need for prayer and penance. It is just the sort of book that could inspire a young boy to consider a priestly vocation in his future.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

3-7-01

The Dawkins Delusion?

Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine

Author(s):

Alister McGrath

Joanna Collicutt McGrath

Number of pages:

118 pages

2007

Publisher:

IVP Books , An Imprint of InterVarsity Press

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Review:

Cogent, concise, and coherent, that is The Dawkins Delusion. Written as a response to The God Delusion, Alister McGrath takes Richard Dawkins head on. A former atheist, Alister, along with his wife Joanna, convincingly demonstrate the errors of Richard Dawkins's atheism. Equal to the task, Alister received a doctorate in molecular biophysics and presently is a professor of historical theology at Oxford University (where Dawkins also teaches). An admirer of Dawkins's earlier work, The Selfish Gene, McGrath clearly points out that Dawkins has diverged into new territory with his diatribe against God, resulting in erroneous conclusions. McGrath considers himself an "evidence-based" thinker (like Dawkins), yet ultimately his conclusions are vastly different than Dawkins. Ironically, although Dawkins considers himself an evidence-based thinker, The God Delusion is anything but. As McGrath states, . . ."Dawkins simply offers the atheist equivalent of slick hellfire preaching, substituting turbocharged rhetoric and highly selective manipulation of facts for careful, evidence-based thinking." McGrath goes on to state, "The book [The God Delusion] is often little more than an aggregation of convenient factoids suitably overstated to achieve maximum impact and loosely arranged to suggest that they constitute an argument." Because of this, McGrath says, "Every one of Dawkins's misrepresentations and overstatements can be challenged and corrected." Rather than correct him point for point, McGrath instead chooses to pick "representative points" to discuss. Answering Dawkins's flawed argumentation, McGrath demonstrates that God is not a delusion created by a deluded people, science has not disproved God, that science need not be locked in a battle with religion unto death and that they can actually be compatible with one another, God is not based on superstitious beliefs, not all religions are the same, and that Christianity is not evil. McGrath reminds Dawkins that in our modern times there have already existed societies which have sought to stamp out religion, resulting in great, evil atrocities. Not a heavy handed treatise, but a highly accessible answer to Dawkins's ranting and raving, The Dawkins Delusion? makes for an enlightening, educating, and entertaining read.

Perspective:

Judeo-Christian

Additional notes:

This would be an ideal resource for the student heading off to a secular college, who may encounter those who will attack his Christian beliefs based on atheistic notions.

Reviewed by:

Elizabeth Yank

First reviewed:

8-26-2008

The Day the Sun Danced

Publisher:

CCC of America

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

Published by CCC Animated Video
This is a nicely done version of the story of Our Lady's appearances to the three small children in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. It is a simpler version than The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima and more appropriate for very young children.

Updated March 2024: This video has been reissued on DVD with three languages, English, Spanish, and French, on the same disk.

Perspective:

Catholic

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

1998-99

The Donkey and the Golden Light

Author(s):

Gill Speirs

Illustrator(s):

John Speirs

Number of pages:

32 pages

2004

ISBN:

0810948125

Publisher:

Harry N. Abrams

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

The story follows a donkey, named Bethlehem, who was born on the same night and in the same stable as Jesus and who never forgets that it was a special night, symbolized by the mysterious golden light that shines from the star that guided the Magi. After the Nativity the donkey also accompanies his mother when she carries the Holy Family on their flight to Egypt. When the family returns to Israel, he goes to work in the Temple garden. We continue to follow him as he passes from owner to owner in events not directly related to the life of Jesus and as he continues to ponder the events in his life and especially the meaning of the golden light he has witnessed. All of the art in the book is inspired by various paintings from Pieter Brugel the Elder and is rich in detail and color. A nice touch is that various events in the life of Jesus are occurring in the distant background during these other scenes in the life of Bethlehem the donkey: the child Jesus in the Temple, the baptism in the Jordan, the temptation in the wilderness, the feast at Cana, Jesus walking on water, blessing the children, the raising of Lazarus, the Sermon on the Mount, etc. A list of these appearances is in the back of the book, with thumbnails to highlight Jesus. Also, this list explains which Brugel painting inspired each of Speirs' paintings. The story is recursive: each incident adds another item to the list that the donkey remembers and ponders which grows longer and longer. This is from near the end:

As he made his way into the city, Bethlehem thought of the donkeys seeking comfort in one another, the woodcutters struggling to make a living, the village children looking for fun, the farmer helping him find strength, the peasants hoping for a bountiful future, the merchants pursuing riches, the vagabonds entertaining the villagers, the students seeking knowledge, and his family searching for safety...

The repetition can get bit tedious, not only for me but even for my almost 3 year old; mostly because there are so many items in the list by the end. At the same time, it works quite well as a subtle reminder of the universality of salvation. Bethlehem later reenters the Gospel narrative when he carries Christ into Jerusalem, thinking as he does so that there is something familiar and special about this man. He stands outside in the street during the Last Supper, unaware of the momentous event happening above him. The crucifixion is not really dealt with directly in the story. The donkey is only aware of an earthquake and a great disturbance as angels challenge the forces of evil in a painting inspired by Brugel's "The Fall of the Rebel Angels". A small circle with three crosses hangs in the background almost lost in the tumult and confusion. I think it rather works, though. I like the oblique approach that allows the adult reader to mediate for the child the details of Christ's passion and death since the crucifixion itself can be rather strong material for very young children. The book ends as Bethlehem meets the resurrected Jesus in the garden and recognizes him and finally enters into his rest and peace:

The donkey's sadness, pain, and weariness left him. With joy, Bethlehem went to Him and His promise of peace, goodwill, and a new beginning for all.

I really appreciated the fine art aspects of the book. The detail-rich paintings are fascinating to our toddler, who loves to point at and ask questions about various figures in the scenes. Though I'm not sure she understands the more hidden meanings just now, as she grows she will be able to appreciate other layers. Older children will be able to understand more about the Biblical themes, to hunt for the scenes from the life of Jesus, and to connect their reading of this book with a study of Brugel's paintings. Although this book is aimed at 4-8 year-olds, it will appeal to all ages simply because of the beauty of the art and the simplicity of the story.

Reviewed by:

Melanie Bettinelli

First reviewed:

4-7-2009

The Door in the Wall

Author(s):

Marguerite de Angeli

Number of pages:

128 pages

1949

ISBN:

9780440227793

Publisher:

Laurel Leaf

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Setting:

Grade / Age level:

Review:

The Door in the Wall is set in England in the 1300's. It tells the story of a young boy who survived the plague. The main character is Robin de Beureford, the son of a nobleman. Robin is suddenly stricken with an illness that cripples him. After the servants leave, fearing the plague, Robin is taken to the monastery of St. Mark's by a kindly monk who heard of his plight.

Robin is taught how to read and write, woodcarving, and how to swim at the monastery, but is very disappointed that he cannot become a knight. Who would want a knight who is unable to ride a horse and can only walk with the help of crutches? Robin is finally taken to Sir Peter's castle at Lindsay, where he was to have served as a page and then a knight. He is taken into Sir Peter's service. The castle is soon besieged by the Welsh, and the food and water is slowly diminishing. Robin has an idea of how to save the castle, but can he get out of the castle and obtain the assistance of Sir Fitzhugh in time? Will Sir Fitzhugh help him?

The Door in the Wall gives you a good idea of what life in the Middle Ages was like for a young boy. It has beautiful black and white drawings that show you some of the Medieval styles of clothing. I think that this book would be good for children in grades 4 to 7. My only complaint was that I found the plot slow-moving. I would recommend this as an addition to your study of the Middle Ages.

Reviewed by:

K.H.

First reviewed:

2-22-2000

The Dot and the Line

A Romance in Lower Mathematics

Author(s):

Norton Juster

Number of pages:

70 pages

2001

Publisher:

Sea Star Books

Binding:

Sewn Hardcover

Subject(s):

Grade / Age level:

Resource Type:

Review:

"Freedom is not a license for chaos" is my son's signature below his email messages. It was written by Norton Juster, of The Phantom Toolbooth fame, and it comes from our almost-17-year-old's favorite book.

The phrase is the turning point and premise of this amazing, simply delightful little Math book. Math? That is our son's most disliked subject. Wait, The Dot and the Line is not a Math book! It is a hilarious comedy! But is that all? It is a romance, a story of love deeply felt, pursued, capable of provoking great things in the soul. In a little math book? Is it possible? Yes, it is.

Our classic languages-loving son reads it aloud every time this book visits us from the library. He suffers with the straight, dull and unbending line when driven to the "edge" (of the paper— the line is drawn on the edge of the page) as the "perfect by every measure" dot flirts around with the anarchist, slothful squiggle. Moved by great love, the line at first attempts to show its own grandeur by asserting its importance in art, world politics, sports. To no avail: the dot is not impressed. Then the unimaginable happens: when almost giving up, the line, using great concentration, becomes able to make angles!

What follows next is what makes this little book a great book: the enthusiastic line makes more and more angles in a chaotic frenzy, until... it realizes that chaos without order leads nowhere. It stops, straightens itself again and it discovers that freedom is not a license for chaos. From then on, life changes for the line: exercising great control and virtue, it discovers a new world:

For months he practiced in secret. Soon he was making squares and triangles, hexagons, parallelograms, rhomboids, polyhedrons, trapezoids, parallelepiped, decagons, tetragrams and an infinite number of other shapes so complex that he had to letter his sides and angles to keep his place. Before long he had learned to carefully control ellipses, circles and complex curves...

Ah, the virtue of Mathematics! The beauty of its exact angles and dimensions. The rhythm, art and music of what it is able to create, using exercise and order! I will refrain from spoiling it completely for the new reader, but let me repeat the "moral" of the story: to the vector, the spoils.

The back jacket, after telling us that the author, among other things, runs "a support group for negative numbers" (one can glimpse Mr. Juster's opinion of the state of the culture in the 60s) mentions an award winning film, and I found it on You Tube. I was happy to see that that the screenplay was also written by the author but I warn you that the book is much better. This new 2001 edition has wonderful graphics and some different pictures as well.

Additional notes:

Reviewed by:

Ana Braga-Henebry

First reviewed:

4-21-09

The Drovers Road Collection

Adventures in New Zealand

Author(s):

Joyce West

Number of pages:

416 pages

1963

Publisher:

Bethlehem Books

Binding:

Softcover

Subject(s):

Family Stories

Grade / Age level:

Grades 6-8

Review:

Drover's Road is a sheep "station" set way back in the hill country of New Zealand in the 1920s. Gay (Gabrielle) Allan, who lives at Drover's Road with her cousins and her uncle, writes of their happy childhood, of their adventures on the farm, on horseback, and exploring the hills and caves surrounding Drover's Road, in an "upside-down world" (to those of us from the Northern Hemisphere) where at Christmastime the house can be decorated with fresh flowers from the garden and the weather is very warm. It is a world filled with family, humor, hard work and horses.

This Bethlehem Budget Book includes three titles in one volume. The first, Drover's Road introduces us to the Allan family and their adventures, pranks and mishaps as children. When the scheming Cousin Celia starts to turn her attentions toward their bachelor uncle, the children come up with a plan to "discourage" her after hearing one of the family ghost stories. After Gay and her cousin Merry adopt a good-for-nothing dog, he shows a surprising side in a pinch. And as for cousin Hugh's attempts at raising pigs, well... I don't want to spoil it for you. Let's just say this is a great family story you don't want to miss. In the second book Cape Lost, Gay meets her Great-uncle Garnet and does him a great favor for which he is indebted for life. Uncle Dunsany finally gets married and Gay begins to make plans for her future, but perhaps a little prematurely. Finally, in The Golden Country, Gay inherits some land which calls for lots of patience and some interesting adventures. Although she has a bit of trouble getting men willing to work for her on her farm, she finds herself choosing between an array of suitors.

According to the afterword, "Joyce West spent her childhood in the remote country districts where her parents taught in Maori schools. About her stories she said, 'When I began to write, it was with the wish that I might save a little of the charm and flavour of those times and places for the children of today.'"

Drover's Road is a nice place to escape to for awhile with your family, particularly when the weather is too cold or too hot outside. You can spend many delightful hours with the Allans and still ask for more.

Additional notes:

Copyrights 1953/1963/1965

Donated for review by Bethlehem Books

Reviewed by:

Alicia Van Hecke

First reviewed:

6-13-03

Love 2 Learn.net

No name

The Core Knowledge Series

The Courage of Sarah Noble

The Cure D'Ars

The Cure of Ars

The Dawkins Delusion?

The Day the Sun Danced

The Donkey and the Golden Light

The Door in the Wall

The Dot and the Line

The Drovers Road Collection

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