Literature and Books

Jem and his cousin Nathan find Copper's tracks end at a dark canyon up in the hills. Jem remembers an old Indian legend Strike-it-rich Sam is fond of retelling about people disappearing and no one ever seeing them again. What is the real story of the canyon of danger? Have thieves found the perfect hideout?

In this second Jack and Jenny Mystery, the Carltons head to Hong Kong on another family business trip. The four children soon find themselves captives on the Twin Dragon at the mercy of dangerous criminals who pulled off the ingenious armored-car robbery.

Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton

(Recommended reading for Notgrass's Exploring World History, 2014 Edition.)

"Cry, the Beloved Country" is a beautifully told and profoundly compassionate story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set in the troubled and changing South Africa of the 1940s.

When she converted to Protestantism, Jeanne found freedom of conscience. She hid Reformed ministers who were being persecuted, and she built schools and hospitals.

Thirteen-year-old Bani, though born in Jerusalem, has lived from infancy with his uncle in beautiful Susa, the city of the Persian King Artaxerxes. Now, his Uncle Nehemiah wants to leave his position of high honor as Cupbearer to the King to return to Jerusalem, a city in ruins and beset by every kind of trouble! Nehemiah's request of the king, permission to return to help his own people, could so easily—in an empire riddled with political intrigue—be misconstrued as treasonous scheming. Bani himself is given an unexpected part to play, the outcome of which is to forever change his life. Seen through the eyes of Bani, this novel dramatizes a turning-point of history, in 445 BC, when—through confrontation and daring risks—Judaism was re-established in the Promised Land, and purified for her unfolding mission.

The events of the Thousand Year War have been the cause of great shocks to our economy and investment markets, including: the oil embargoes, the Iranian hostage crisis, the Iraq-Kuwait war, and the Caucasus Wars over the Caspian Sea oil basin. These shocks are likely to remain so for decades to come. Forewarned is forearmed. You must understand where this war is leading to manage your career, business and investments, as well as to reach an informed opinion regarding U.S. involvement in Mideast affairs.

Conventional wisdom says that when the government expands the money supply, the money descends on the economy in a uniform blanket. This is incorrect. The money is injected into specific locations causing hot spots or "cones.

In his final quest, Gilgamesh, still mourning the death of his dear friend Enkidu, sets out to find the key to immortality. His journey is perilous. He must fight ferocious serpents and wild lions. He travels through bitterly cold caves, across scorching deserts, and over the fatal waters of the Sea of Death. Finally he arrives at the palace of Utnapishtim, the only human who knows the secret of immortality. Utnapishtim sets Gilgamesh a test to stay away for six days and seven nights, but Gilgamesh fails. His last hope, a flower of eternal youth, is eaten by the goddess Ishtar, who exacts her revenge. Finally, Enkidu comes from the underworld to show Gilgamesh true immortality: the king will be remembered for his good deeds, courage, and love for his people. This book is used in Illuminations.

In this third book, Love's Long Journey, Clark and Marty's oldest daughter is now married and heads off across the prairie to start their own ranch. The trip is much more difficult than Missie ever dreamed - the rain, the mud, the impassable rivers, extreme poverty and even death. Will their love for each other and faith in God survive the bewildering surprise at journey's end?

In the second book, Love's Enduring Promise,  Clark and Marty's family continues to grow. More tragedy is introduced. Their children are growing up and finding relationships of their own. A beautiful story of love and acceptance - and God's mercy and grace.

In Love's Abing Joy, the 4th book, Clark travels west to visit Missie. He faces unthinkable tragedy while their. How will the family ever cope? Only through God's grace!

Almost Forever  by Maria Testa  (Homeschool subjects covered: 20th Century American History) When the six-year-old narrator of...

A delightful story of a 9-year-old girl and her older sister and brother as they face their parent’s decision to homeschool them. At first frightened that all her friends will think she’s odd, Katy soon comes to realize that being homeschooled is one of the best things that could happen to her. Each chapter follows Katy through typical days in her life as she learns to honor her parents and her siblings. A story of faith, obedience, and fun. Perfect for the ‘tweener age group.

Don't be misled by the title. This book is written for you, homeschool mom. When you were a young girl, didn't you dream of growing up to become a mommy some day? Didn't you play with dollies and practice your parenting skills? What about now? Do you ever dream of the next season of life? Of being a grammy? Do you ever wonder how you can practice to equip yourself to be an effective grandparent that will pass on a legacy of the gospel for your grandchildren? The problem is that American philosophy of the retirement years has completely robbed this most-important season of life from any meaning or value. 

How do we know that God wrote the Bible? What makes the Bible different from other books? Does the Bible have errors in it? Where did the Bible come from? Answers to these types of questions can be found in this book for 4th-6th graders. With 13 chapters, professional artwork, charts, and activity pages, this resource is excellent for both Bible class and homeschool instruction.

This 2-book set includes "Homeschool Supermom...NOT!" and it's companion, "Come to the Garden." For details on these 2 books, please see the individual titles. In the meantime, the set gives you both books at a reduced price. 

It’s finally here! This book, 20 years in the making, is full of photos, ideas, tips, Scripture, humor, and practical application. In it, you will find help for your home and school and hope for your soul. You might think I’m not just a homeschool mom like you. I’m the epitomy of the Homeschool Supermom - or so it may seem. I’ve homeschooled my nine amazing kids for 20 years. But it’s time for me to climb down from the pedestal, and in total transparency, explode the Supermom myth. 

"Come to the Garden" is the journal/Bible study designed specifically to accompany the book, "Homeschool Supermom...NOT!" Written by my mom, a godly older woman, this journal is designed to help you dig deeper into the Bible alongside the lessons you are learning in Supermom. Each chapter in the journal corresponds with a chapter in Supermom. Author Alta Andraeas has added stories and lessons of her own to the many questions taken from the side bars of Supermom and from the "Homework for the Soul" assignments at the end of each chapter, further enriching your studies. 

Give Them Grace is a guide to help Christians parent their children with grace and an emphasis on the cross. How are parents to raise children so they don't become Pharisees (legalists) or prodigals (rebels)? It's all about grace-filled, gospel-driven parenting, says the mother/daughter team of Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson. Christian parents, in their desire to raise godly children, can tend toward rule-centered discipline. There is, however, a far more effective method- a grace-motivated approach that begins with the glorious truth of God's love for sinners.

Dr Oma is a story set in the time of the reformation. Juliana von Stolberg (1506 – 1580) the Queen Mother of the Netherlands, is cherished by the Dutch people as a wise and gifted healer. Juliana gains an able apprentice when her granddaughter Maria comes to live with her. Will Maria learn to trust her fears to God while her father, the courageous William of Orange, fights to free Holland from Spanish rule? Will one woman’s belief save the Netherlands and change the world? 

Text and black and white illustrations show how the Romans planned and constructed their cities for the people who lived within them.  The illustrations are very detailed and beautiful. 

"Caution: Writing In This Book Might Be Fun!" (Girls version) was written by my daughter and my daughter-in-law. My daughter, Monica, loves to write and desires to pass her sense of enjoyment on to other students. My daughter-in-law, though she doesn't profess to "love" writing, is a wonderful writer. She is, however, one of the most talented, feminine, delightful young ladies you'd ever want to meet. Monica and Rachel teamed up to create a book full of wonderful, girly ideas to write about. Your daughter might actually enjoy creative writing! 

Mention "creative writing" to most typical boys, and they'll run screaming from the house, or play sick, or try to flush their creative writing book down the toilet. However, "Caution: Writing In This Book Might Be Fun!" was written by a boy who really hates creative writing. Stephen, my son, sympathizes with your son's writing struggles and tries to give your son ideas of zany-boy things to write about. Full of bright colors and obnoxious color schemes, writing examples to get the proverbial ball rolling, and crazy ideas (with a few cautionary comments from Mom Kemmerer - er, me), your son might actually enjoy creative writing! 

Bluestocking Guides are designed to enhance students’ understanding and retention of the subject matter presented in the corresponding Uncle Eric book. Bluestocking Guide: Political Philosophies includes both comprehension questions (relating to specific chapters within Are You Liberal? Conservative? Or Confused?) and application questions (to guide students in applying the concepts learned from Are You Liberal? Conservative? Or Confused? to everyday life). 

This guide is designed to reinforce and enhance a student's understanding of the subject matter presented in "The Clipper Ship Strategy," an Uncle Eric book by Richard J. Maybury.  Comprehension questions are given for each chapter and may include definition, true/false, and/or short answer questions.  

Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia is back in print! A Landmark Book. Full of interesting facts and a lively biography for kids involving the events surrounding the birth of our nation as seen through the eyes of Ben Franklin. This is one of the books necessary to complete the PA Keystones 2 history study.

"The soldier heaved me over his shoulder as if I were a spring lamb.
"I am not Israelite!" I screamed.

Sold into slavery, Adara becomes a servant to General Namaan and his family and begins a remarkable journey of self-discovery, healing, and redemption a journey that, in the end, faces herwith the hardest decision of her life . . .

In book two of the Circle C Beginnings, Andi's friend Riley shows her a scary old dime novel that sets Andi's mind spinning with thoughts of being captured by dangerous Indians. But when she and Riley travel a little too far from the safe surroundings of the Circle C ranch, Andi discovers the truth about the natives living nearby

In book three, if Andi can't take her new foal, Taffy, to the 1874 California State Fair, she doesn't want to go. But once she's there, there are so many exciting things to see that she's glad she came . . . until her big brother tells her she can't keep the prize she won fair and square! 

School for Andy means being away from the ranch, away from her family, and away from Taffy. And sitting next to a boy who throws things at her. Having to stand in the corner for something that wasn't even her fault is the last straw. Andi is not used to feeling afraid, but when it is time for her to start school she needs God's help to get over her fear of so many new things all at once. 

Andi loves Christmas! But her holiday is spoiled when a grumpy, bossy visitor arrives. No more running. No catching spiders. No wearing overalls. Can Andi do anything right? Then during an afternoon buggy ride, Andi finds out she can help this unwelcome guest in a way she never imagined. 

Book 1 of the Circle C Adventure series. Twelve-year-old Andrea Carter can't seem to stay out of trouble. Now her beloved horse, Taffy, is missing and it's Andi's fault. The daring young girl will do anything to find the thief and recover Taffy. But her choices plunge her into danger, and Andi discovers that life on her own in the Old West can be downright terrifying! 

Book 2 of the Circle C Adventure series. Andi nearly tramples her new teacher in a reckless, impromptu horse race down the main street of Fresno, California--not a good way to begin the fall 1880 school term. Her troubles multiply when she must decide if she should deliberately walk into a dangerous situation to rescue the teacher's mean-spirited, trouble-making daughter.

Book 3 of the Circle C Adventure series. Strange things are happening on the Circle C. Andi finds a stranger near death in the creek. A mysterious young woman shows up at the ranch with her three young children. And why was Andi never told the secret her family has carefully kept hidden? Angry and hurt at being left out, Andi saddles Taffy and sets out to find some answers--answers that turn her world upside down.

Book 4 of the Circle C Adventure series. When a flood damages the schoolhouse, Andi is ecstatic—until her family sends her to a stuffy San Francisco school for young ladies. The plight of a small, Chinese slave girl captures her heart, sending Andi and her new friends into the dark alleys of  Chinatown, where danger greater than she’s ever known waits to swallow them up.

Book 5 of the Circle C Adventure series. A map of old gold diggings lures Andi and her friends into the Sierras. Big brother Mitch goes along to keep them safe, but instead of gold they find heaps of trouble—trouble that leaves Mitch gravely injured. Andi needs help fast. But whom can she trust? And what good is a bag of gold when her beloved brother lies near death in the middle of nowhere? 

Book 6 of the Circle C Adventure series. Andi wants to surprise her mother with the perfect birthday gift. But working in town after school puts Andi in the wrong place at the wrong time. She witnesses a back-alley crime that places a beloved citizen at the scene. Will the price of telling the truth about what she saw be too high if it means losing Taffy forever? 

Back Before Dark by Tim Shoemaker - The second book in the great mystery series (with a gospel message) for boys. A favorite of my energetic, I-don't-like-to-read son AND daughter.

Below the Surface by Tim Shoemaker - The third book in the great mystery series (with a gospel message) for boys. A favorite of my energetic, I-don't-like-to-read son AND daughter.

Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of the evil Shadow Warriors, Sir Gavin is given a new name by the Prince to signify his new allegiance-to the cause of the one he once swore to kill. Called to share this message to everyone in the land of Arrethtrae, Sir Gavinaugh takes up his sword and embarks on an epic journey. 

While the Knights of the Prince train in the Kingdom Across the Sea, the Dark Knight, Lucius, reigns in Arrethtrae with complete authority. But when a small group of loyalists swears allegiance to the King, the Prince returns, and in a mighty battle, Lucius and the Shadow Warriors are vanquished and imprisoned in the Wasteland. 

Tragedy and heartache seem to be waiting for Drew Carter at every turn, but college offers Drew a chance to start over—until an accident during a physics experiment leaves him blind and his genius friend, Benjamin Berg, missing.

Fifty classics are addressed with a short description of each title, objective and discussion questions (like a mini-quiz) for each book, a list of vocabulary words in their context (quoted right from the book your child is reading), important quotations, and more.  

A collection of thirteen articles by noted economists selected to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of the subject of free market economics. Thought and comprehension questions/answers (original to the book) are also provided for each article. Articles were selected to accompany Richard J. Maybury's book Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? and its corresponding Bluestocking Guide: Economics.