HELP!!! I'm looking for good literature to go along with World History (1700's to present) for high school. Phillip doesn't care for Henty books, but I may give him one. We're doing the Scarlet Pimpernel, and I'm debating on reading Les Miserables out-loud. Because it's high school, the librarians aren't much help, nor are the booklists I've seen. What are some of your favorites?
A Tale of Two Cities Animal Farm Frankenstein Heart of Darkness Ivanhoe Importance of Being Earnest Dracula Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Gulliver's Travels A Modest Proposal We loved the Focus on the Family Radio Theater version of Les Miserables. Really excellent. I assume you're just looking for prose and not poetry. If so, check out the lists on Good Reads for some inspiration by time period: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/16.Best_Books_of_the_19th_Century
Ivanhoe I think is too early for what we want. We saw the movie when we did the Middle Ages, about nine years ago. Phillip was my little guy, four or five at the time, watching the movie with his wooden sword in one hand, and wooden shield in the other. There's a scene where they come rushing in to save the gal at the stake. Phillip jumps up, swinging his sword, yelling, "FOR KING RICHARD!!!" It was so cute!!! I hadn't thought of Gulliver's Travels. That's a thought. I don't want a Tale of Two Cities, because we're doing the Scarlet Pimpernel. He would probably like Dr. Jekyll. Did you know Robert Louis Stevenson's wife had a really hard time with that book? And that Treasure Island was written specifically for his step-son? Thanks, Shelley! (And if I decide against reading Les Mis, Radio Theater would be a great option!)
Have you checked out Sonlight or Beautiful Feet to see what they use? Anything by Charles Dickens, Cry the Beloved Country, All Quiet on the Western Front,Night,o rAnimal Farm.
I have checked out the list for both of those, but am still having difficulty. We also have the list from Notgrass.
I thought of Night, too....but sure didn't want to call it Historical Fiction. Candide by Voltaire is funny, short, and has many discussion worthy topics. It's a little scandalous and racy...but that's why Teen boys tend to like it. Nothing ridiculous. 1750's over the top is pretty tame.
That's the Night I meant. I assume MSChickie meant the same. Great read. I used it for dramatic reading competitions in Forensics when I was in high school.
I love paralleling literature to history! I do it with my history students frequently. Just for clarification, when you say "World History" do you mean "World" or "European"? A lot of literature may be European-American, which isn't bad, but there's a lot to consider beyond those borders if it's a survey of world history proper. Too bad, your son's not into Henty, I really like that guy. And are you looking for books written in the time periods, or about the time periods? I'll include both in my list and list by authors. 1700s Swift R.L. Stevenson (writes in the 1800s, but usually bases stories in 1700s) Wyss (Swiss Family Robinson). 1800s Dickens Austen (I think guys can appreciate P&P) Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) Kipling (great for India), Twain (Innocents Abroad), Verne (more science fiction, but gives good insight into attitudes of the time). 1900s - Present Kipling (he bridges the two centuries) Orwell Huxley Kind of a short list, but a really great resource is Terry Glaspey's "Great Books of the Christian Tradition." Guided a lot of my reading in high school.
Welcome, Tim! We are doing Mystery of History Vol. 4. It is "world" history, but I'm guessing it's more heavy on European. At least the non-European isn't ignored! I've always been a person to read classical literature out loud. we've done Kipling (The Jungle Book), Swiss Family Robinson, and several Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped), Sherlock Holmes, Twain (The Prince and the Pauper, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer), Verne (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days), We started Oliver Twist, but weren't able to finish it, mostly due to time constraints. We also have free out-door Shakespeare in Central Ohio, and so he's very familiar with the Bard, especially the comedies. My middle daughter and I saw Romeo and Juliette last summer, but he didn't want to go; we were also able to see Columbus Ballet perform it. I've taken my kids to the ballet many times, but I have NEVER enjoyed a performance as well as I did that one!!! I'm not familiar with Glaspey's book. I'll check to see if the library has it; thanks!
I'm more familiar with Henty's ancient history and medieval novels. I really like his medieval stuff. In terms of modern, however, I really liked "The Young Franc Tieruers" (sp?) It's about two young English boys serving in an elite French unit during the Franco-Prussian war. Two great things about this book: 1) It alerted me to a piece of European history that is arguable the most important political event in 19th century Europe, and the world really. Up to reading the book, it was a conflict that I had almost no knowledge of. 2) It's contemporary to Henty's time so it'd be interesting to correlate the battles he discusses in the book to primary source material like newspapers of the day. Henty is often noted for his geographic accuracy and description. It'd be a fun piece of research to compare the secondary source with the primary sources. And thanks for the kind welcome Jackie!
I have a couple of books about Literature through High School separated out by eras, I'll take a look and see what they recommend.
Thanks, Krista! Tim, have you ever read The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy It's hard to find (I got it interlibrary loan), but was one of my favorites to read aloud! My library doesn't have the Young Franc Tireurs, but I can get through Project Gutenberg, btw!
Jackie, what grades are you looking for? This book breaks down by grade, I'm thinking it might be a bit easier for me to photo copy and send the lists to you (or scan and email to you as a pdf)....OH....and time periods...1700-when? FYI, book is called "Literature Connections to World History" by Lynda G. Adamson, if it's something you wanted to look for on your own to buy (though I'm PERFECTLY willing to scan/email or photocopy mail the lists that would fit your needs!) LMK>
http://www.amazon.com/Literature-Co...words=Literature+connections+to+world+history This is a different cover than mine, looks like it's a more updated version....looks like you could get it used for .01, and it would be 3.99 shipping - so for $4 you could have the whole thing! LOL
Krista, THAT was the book!!! I was at the library the other day, and they had gotten rid of most of the good reference books. There was one book, but I wasn't sure what it was. It was THAT book, only with American History instead of world! Our library doesn't have it, but I'll see if I can get it interlibrary loan!
