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Donna Marie Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline Posts: 2530
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Posted: April 18 2012 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
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I came across a few older books that I didn't know much about. So I figured, in the interest of saving time...I would ask here!
Beverly Gray's Adventure (Clair Blank)
Sue Barton Senior Nurse (Boylston)
The Story of Michelangelo's Pieta (Irving Stone)
The Arts (Van Loon)
Umm...that is it for now. Any input? Are they worthwhile for cherished spots in the bookcase??
__________________ God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: April 18 2012 at 6:33pm | IP Logged
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Beverly Gray was a mystery series of 26 books by Clair Bank. They are enjoyable reading material, particularly the first 4 when she is in college (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior).
My mother's family had this series, and so my sisters and I and my cousins all read it, we play acted being Beverly and other characters.
I started my own collection and have almost all the books. HOWEVER, as my sister and I started rereading the series as adults, we realized there was quite an emphasis on career. She postponed marriage proposals and settling down so she could have adventure and a career in journalism.
So we have rethought our positive attitude towards the books. Are they terrible? No, but it's just the attitude that your child needs to be aware of. I don't think the books are super rare, but they are harder to find if you are trying to get the whole series.
As far as Van Loon -- I enjoy his books as they are interesting, and I love the illustrations, and I have the Arts. He writes in a living manner. He does need some caution, as his viewpoint is secular, so this book I would hold off until teenage years, when the reader can discern the author's opinion/viewpoint.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: April 19 2012 at 8:28am | IP Logged
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We really enjoy Van Loon's books, and we have The Arts and find it to be quite worthy. It would be a keeper if it were on my shelf. It's too much of a book to just hand to a child and ask them to read for the year. Yikes! But it works really well, read a little at a time, concurrently with the period of history you're studying so that the arts are interwoven culturally speaking. This could be a book that is ongoing for a number of years, maybe 3 - 4, without blinking an eye. It's also something you could pick up, skim through the table of contents taking a look at the chapters, and just pick up reading right where you are in history. Anyway, that's how I like to read it - in context. I would agree with Jenn, the content and writing style is best suited to upper middle school/high school reading.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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St. Ann Forum All-Star
Joined: Oct 20 2006 Location: Germany
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Posted: April 19 2012 at 11:05am | IP Logged
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May I intrude here with my own book question?
My 12y.o.'s penpal is full of praises for the book "The Elect Lady". I looked online and found this title by an author, George MacDonald. It must be quite old. Does anyone know anything about it?
__________________ Stephanie
Wife and mother to Hannah '96, Maria '99, Dorothea '01, Helena '03
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: April 19 2012 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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St. Ann wrote:
May I intrude here with my own book question?
My 12y.o.'s penpal is full of praises for the book "The Elect Lady". I looked online and found this title by an author, George MacDonald. It must be quite old. Does anyone know anything about it? |
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I am familiar with George MacDonald, and he is quite good. This page gives a list and description of all his books, yours included. The description sounds like a very good book.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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