Readers J

The Readers and Read-Alouds for History / Bible / Literature J Literature are loosely gathered under the theme "Award-Winning Titles and Authors." The Literature for J is compelling and interesting, and the Instructor's Guide is full of excellent discussion questions and introductory literary analysis. 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 Readers:

• memoir
• fantasy
• gothic horror (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
• adventure
• survivalist tale
• a Christmas seasonal novel
• sci fi
• dystopian
• mystery
• mythology
• coming-of-age

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!)

This is a brilliant collection of excellent literature. From well-know titles like Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and The Giver to less well known – and yet every bit as wonderful – Gammage Cup and The Phantom Tollbooth, you will find yourself laughing out loud, tearing up at times, enjoying each adventure, and learning about what it means to be a person of character, addressing issues of human nature, boredom, caring for outsiders, growing up, generosity, and more.