Sprinkled heavily with French words and sentences, this book would be a nice stepping stone into reading longer French texts. While the reader doesn’t need to fully understand all the French to appreciate the story (my French is virtually non-existent!), it would be fun for a blossoming French student to be able to read a book that brings French and English together. If you have children who enjoyed the Dear Canada series, this book would be excellent for continued reading. Historical figures like Governor Frontenac and Sieur de la Salle are woven into the story, similar to how historical events are treated in the Dear Canada books. 

A head’s up to parents: while there are few mature topics, and the ones that are discussed are dealt with subtly and delicately, this book may not be suitable for younger children, and may not be a good choice for a read-aloud. Young Jacques’ mother is the town prostitute, abandoning her son to the elements and good nature of her neighbors while she entertains the sailors who come and go from Quebec City. While her activities are never named explicitly, it is clear what is going on at her hotel. Mentions of torture endured by Catholic priests at the hands of some Indigenous nations are also briefly described and may be disturbing to younger children. 

Despite touching on heavy subject matter, this book reads like a cross between a Dear Canada novel and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books. Descriptions are vivid and captivating, and the characters jump off the page. The ideals, values, attitudes, and hard-working character of the first generations of French settlers in Canada thread through the book, and the reader comes away with an appreciation for the hardship and an admiration for the tenacity and good nature of generations gone by. Overall, this book is a lovely addition to your Canadian history bookshelf and will captivate the imagination of your children. 

Abigail is a Royal Conservatory of Music graduate; she completed her ARCT in Piano Pedagogy in 2020 and she teaches piano and violin. Abigail is the oldest of 7 and was homeschooled from start to finish. She likes to listen to Bach, Beethoven, and jazz. Other interests include reading, watercolours, and crochet.

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Emma

The Scarlett Pimpernel

The Swiss Family Robinson

Little Women

My Antonia

Eight Cousins

Where the Red Fern Grows

Anne of Green Gables

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Keep-er
/ˈkēpər/
1. a book that has worn edges, dog-eared corners, and pencil markings because it has been poured over many times
similar meanings: treasure trove, gold mine, cache

The books listed here are all keepers.  Many of them should probably just remain in your “to periodically review” pile as there really is too much to be mined during the first read-through.

Mere Christianity is a Christian classic and Pride and Prejudice is a literary classic.  Don’t miss out on either of these.  For the Children’s Sake is an educational classic and is a title commonly seen on recommended reading lists for homeschooling mamas along with The Well-Educated Mind.

Other titles that are sure to inspire you on your mothering and homeschooling journey are Mere Motherhood and The Life-Giving Home (on my personal wishlist). Pick up a copy of 30 Poems to Memorize or On Reading Well and you’ll be encouraged to fill your mind with beautiful things.  In Age of Martha, you’ll be challenged to rest, allowing time for contemplation.  Finally, amongst all the moving parts of a homeschooling family, you’ll never regret the time you spend reading aloud to your children.  The Read-Aloud Family will help you get started or revive you whether you have toddlers or teenagers.

by Adrianne Curwen

Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children.  She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there.  Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new.  She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.

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There is something here for all dads. A few of these books will take you back to glean the timeless wisdom from writers who lived before you. Beowulf the Warrior is the retelling, in modern language, of a fictional classic, it would be a great one to start as a read aloud. The Emperor’s Handbook is a translation of Marcus Aurelius’ meditations. Major themes include character, leadership, and duty. You could explore the meaning of life in the 17th-century classic, Paradise Lost, or sink your teeth into G.K. Chesterton’s, Orthodoxy.

Are you looking for something more specific to homeschooling? Try The Liberal Arts Tradition or The Well-Educated Mind.

The Name of the Rose is part historical fiction, part mystery, and part theology; a fictional piece that challenges.

If you are looking for something to fulfill the pragmatic side then try State of the Arts, Total Truth, or Good Man.

Undecided? The links will take you to a full description of each title.

by Adrianne Curwen

Adrianne is a wife to a public-school educator/administrator and a homeschooling Mama to seven children, ranging in age from 7 to 23. She believes that we have a unique opportunity as homeschoolers to design individualized education that suits giftings, interests, and passions. She and her husband have used a blend of registered homeschooling, enrolment with independent DL schools, and participation in public trade school programs to design individualized programs for their children.  She is passionate about using as many read-alouds, picture books, novels, and conversations to educate her children but also gets excited by the amazing homeschool-designed curriculum that’s out there.  Adrianne is thrilled by her new role as Communication Specialist for Classical Education Books and is grateful to have an opportunity to learn something new.  She is grateful, every day, for her saviour, Jesus Christ, and has no greater joy than when she sees her most important missions field walk with Him.

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