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SarahCD
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| Posted: May 03 2012 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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How do you come up with a book list for your child (children)? In perusing the multitude of threads on GOOD books, I have to admit, I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the options! (A good problem, huh?!)
I am interested in setting some reading goals for my children over the summer. We participate in the library program, too, but so often my kids are drawn to the "twaddle."  So, I'd like to have a list of "approved" books (ones that I want them to read) from which they can pick.
Then, I'd like to begin figuring out books for next school year, when we will study U.S. history through geography. I'd like the literature to correspond.
Anyway, I feel like it is hard to pick books! Am I just being indecisive? Does it even really matter? How do you decide which books you will have your children read and when?
Do you have a resource that is your "go to" for finding GOOD books?
Oh! And I know that I cannot possibly read all of the books that they read. Please tell me that is OK!! But when do you think it really is important to be sure I'm reading the book, too?
Thank you!
God bless!
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Sarah
wife to G
mom to  dd 9, dd 8, dd 6, ds 4, dd 4 and ds 1
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 03 2012 at 8:37pm | IP Logged
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Very much no time right now to get into the lists of books and such.
But I wanted to address the last part. I would recommend that you pre-read almost any science fiction or fantasy genre books. They can be really wonderful books but the genre is rife with problem areas that you may not be comfortable with your children reading. Remember that as a genre they tend to "push the envelope" and so you have edgy topics.. and just because the topic is controversial doesn't mean that the book will fall on the "liberal side", sometimes it's really helpful to think through some topics and actually helps you fall on the "it's not right to do that" side.
Other than that.. look for reviews here. The ladies here are very good at mentioning if there's an area that needs discernment by the individual family or if it's something like Little House on the Prairie that everyone pretty much recommends.. 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 03 2012 at 10:31pm | IP Logged
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I would also suggest pre-reading anything that is super-popular (The Hunger Games leaps to mind.) Your children are still pretty young, and just because their traditionally-schooled friends are reading something does not mean it's age-appropriate or developmentally-appropriate for your own children.
I will definitely suggest Holling C. Holling's books (particularly Paddle-to-the-Sea) for the geography study you are contemplating.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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SallyT
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| Posted: May 04 2012 at 8:11am | IP Logged
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I wholeheartedly recommend Maureen Wittmann's For the Love of Literature. This is the single most helpful homeschooling book I have ever owned, since choosing good books is the core of my homeschool planning.
I also look at the booklists at Mater Amabilis for guidance, and this Read Your Way Through History list has been hugely helpful to me as well.
Re grade/age levels: in addition to the above, I also have found the Emmanuel Books catalog to be a very useful guide: they have a rich selection of great literature for all subjects and age levels, and it's organized by both, so it's easy to find, say, good books for fourth grade-ish history.
I'll also second the H.C. Holling recommendation -- excellent books!
And you know, I will confess that I don't take my kids to the library much, for precisely the reason you describe. There are good choices available, but given their heads, my kids will bring home Star Wars books. I figure that as bad as I am about getting books returned to the library (late-fee outlaw! wanted! on two continents!), we don't really spend any more money building our own library at home. I try to concentrate my time and energy and funds on acquiring books I want my kids to read and leaving them out to be read.
Anyway, all those links are my best go-to resources -- they make this kind of decisionmaking so much easier.
Sally
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Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 04 2012 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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I use the resources Sally recommend. Mater Amabilis has great "extra reading" lists that helps me zone Also there is a small pamphlet by a local mother, Teresa Fegan, A Mother's List of Books which is a good list.
I also look at the books used at Ambleside and Sonlight for comparison and making lists.
My son always wants to bring Peanuts, TinTin or Asterix, even though we have many here. I usually reserve ahead of time some books, steer him in themes (right now he's immersed in Greek myths) or authors. I do still get a load of picture books by themes or authors, too.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: May 04 2012 at 10:14am | IP Logged
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Before I even started homeschooling my oldest, I decided I needed a list (oh yes, list girl from the beginning  ) of good books for her. She was only 6 yo (1st grade) but had already surpassed anything her class was reading. I asked the teacher for a possible list: never got one and what they were reading really wasn't what I thought of as good.
There are so many books out there and many recommendations. I wanted the opinion I chose to be from like minded and faith caring just like us. I knew nothing about CM or living books just that I had a love for books and learning. I needed to give my children a good start. I just wanted to say that the fact you are here and asking will probably mean you will develop amazing lists for your family.
I randomly searched online and found 1000 Good Books List from classical christian education and printed the fist two levels. I still have that first list  . A few years after I started hs I found this site, Ambleside, Mater Amabilis, and many others I'm sure you've discovered already. It has been just amazing!! 
My advice start with a small list of age appropriate classics, get through some and soon you'll discover your kids style. Then you're search will become easier and your list will surely grow 
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Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 04 2012 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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Have you seen Jen's lovely post on building a booklist?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Developing a Book List ~ Help!
