Literature By Time Period

Dark allegory describes the narrator's journey up the Congo River and his meeting with, and fascination by, Mr. Kurtz, a mysterious personage who dominates the unruly inhabitants of the region. Masterly blend of adventure, character development, psychological penetration. Considered by many Conrad's finest, most enigmatic story.

When the great Velazquez was painting his masterpieces at the Spanish court in the seventeenth century, his colors were expertly mixed and his canvases carefully prepared by his slave, Juan de Pareja. In a vibrant novel which depicts both the beauty and the cruelty of the time and place, Elizabeth Borton de Trevino tells the story of Juan, who was born a slave and died an accomplished and respected artist.

Young Simon, recently and tragically orphaned, becomes a scribe in the following of the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The uncertainty of the tumultuous years leading to the infamous cathedral slaying is heightened by Simon's separation from his twin Edmund, who is in the service of King Henry II.

At the end of the 13th century, the oppressed Scots rebelled against England under the leadership of William Wallace, a scottish knight who fought for Scotland's independence, and Robert the Bruce, who was eventually crowned king of Scotland. This gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and ingenuity takes readers into heroic company with a fictional protagonist, young Archie Forbes, who fights alongside the legendary heroes.

Deeply shaken by the apprearance of a mysterious stranger in town and his impassioned pleas for the poor and downtrodden, the minister and five influential parishoners begin a year-long experience in Christianity. Each has resolved to conduct his life according to the precepts of Christ, applying His behavior to their own lives.  As each applies the maxim, "What would Jesus do?" to his personal life or business practices, the changes are astounding.  

Johnny Tremain is the Newbery Award winner by Esther Forbes. Set in Boston during the Revolutionary war, Johnny Tremain is the story of a brilliant orphan boy who was apprenticed to a silver smith. Though young, Johnny has a bright future before him as he is quickly recognized as the driving force behind the silver smith. With marriage to the master's daughter in view, and the eventual ownership of the shop, things are looking up for Johnny, until a jealous fellow apprentice plays a prank on Johnny that literally ruins his life. 

In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself.

What was it like to wear armor? What was the food like in castles? This nonfiction companion explores what life was really like in medieval times. Jack and Annie look at knights, armor, and life in a castle.

This biography of the author of the popular "Little House" books tells her family's real life on the American frontier, and of the events that surpassed the drama of her stories. 

Little House in the Big Woods is the 1st book in the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder that described life on the frontier in the middle of the 19th century. Laura and her family pack up all of their earthly belongings and travel across several states to settle on the prairie. Their adventures are exciting and even hair-raising. Facing loneliness, danger, deprivation, and loss, the Ingalls family make an incredible journey to build a new life on the frontier. Illustrated. This book makes an excellent addition to any study of US history and frontier life.

On The Banks of Plum Creek is the 3rd book in the classic "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is a full-color collector's edition. An award-winning story about little Laura and her family as the live in a little dugout home. My kids loved this story. You'll need this book for the third unit in "Prairie Primer," if you're using that guide. It also goes well with TruthQuest history.

By The Shores of Silver Lake is the 4th book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's award-winning series about life during the westward movement. Full of wonderful facts and exciting vignettes, my kids love this book! You'll need this book to complete the fourth unit in "Prairie Primer." You can also use it to further your studies in TruthQuest Age of Revolution II.