The Readers and Read-Alouds for HBL J's Literature are loosely gathered under the theme "Award-Winning Titles and Authors." The fifteen Read-Alouds in J are the last collection of Sonlight books intended for you to read aloud with your children. (Though you are welcome, of course, to read any of the high school books aloud, it is neither expected nor required.)
The Literature for J is compelling and interesting. These books are not, for the most part, stretching or challenging in the way that, say, Hamlet is stretching and challenging. These are thoughtful books that don't require slow reading to ensure comprehension.
You'll find a lovely array of genres in the Read-Alouds:
- novels
- historical fiction
- genre-bending experimental work (Echo)
- school story
- coming-of-age
- mystery
- poetry
- family lore
- missionary biography
You'll read Newbery Honor and Newbery Medal books, and more titles by authors who have either won those awards or others (like Joan Aiken, author of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, who won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. This award is given annually, can only be won once per author, and is selected from a panel of British children's writers. Quite the honor!)
Enjoy this year of reading brilliant books with your Middle Schooler.