Literature the Handmaiden of History: Reading List 2014

This is how we roll . . . 

Literature and History are two of the foundation stones upon which we are building our house of knowledge.  I have approached both of these subjects with the utmost respect since the beginning of our homeschooling days.

Not that I do not approach all subjects with such seriousness, but these two get special noteworthiness in the pantheon of educating in our home.

Literature is given a noteworthy nod in our home for its ability to explain and expand our knowledge of history, and the narrative telling of the human race.  I have once heard it told that "Literature is the handmaiden of History".  We teach Literature in the traditional Charlotte Mason, no textbooks allowed style, narration-styled discussion.  The majority of the novels that the kids are using this upcoming year are selections from Ambleside Online, with a few additions here and there to suit individual tastes and needed historical content.  

Grade 6: Medieval History
This is what I would consider a bit of an adventurous booklist!  The Bug is a reader though, and I believe this list will challenge and stretch her abilities.

• The History of English Literature for Girls and Boys by H.E. Marshall
• The Once and Future King by T.H. White
• The Age of Chivalry by Thomas Bulfinch
• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
• A Taste of Chaucer by Anne Malcolmson
• Watership Down by Richard Adams

FREE READING LIST: Men of Iron by: Howard Pyle, The Adventures of Robin Hood by: Howard Pyle, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by: Howard Pyle, Galen and the Gateway of Medicine, Door in the Wall by:Marguerite de Angeli

Poetry: Tennyson, Keats

Grade 10:

• The History of English Literature for Boys and Girls by: H.E. Marshall
• The Canterbury Tales by: Geoffrey Chaucer
• Utopia by: Sir Thomas More
• The Merchant of Venice by: William Shakespeare - We are discussing this in a group, so we will also be using the No Fear Shakespeare version.
• Paradise Lost by: John Milton
• Pilgrim's Progress in Modern English by: John Bunyan
• Silas Marner by: George Elliot
• The Tale of Two Cities by: Charles Dickens
• Frankenstein by: Mary Shelley
• Pride and Prejudice by: Jane Austen
• Animal Farm by: George Orwell

Poetry: Maynard, Donne, Milton

Family Read-A-Loud List:

Purpose Driven Life by: Rick Warren $3.97

• A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
• The Story of the World, Volume 2 by: Susan Wise Bauer
• The Adventures of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by: Howard Pyle

• Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes

• God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew and John Sherrill

The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by: Maria Augusta Trapp $3.97

• The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by: Maria Augusta Trapp

• The Case For Christ by: Lee Strobel

• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

What is the book that you are most excited about reading with your family this year?

If you missed our Curriculum post, here is what Our Charlotte Mason Education will look like this year.

• Don't forget to get your copy today! The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas.  55 Homeschool Moms sharing their expertise on 103 Homeschooling topics.  Great read for the back-to-homeschool month!  I am also a tiny bit excited about this publication because your's truly wrote two chapters.

Joyfully Learning with You,

The Joyful Socks Mom 

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