The Ball and the Cross

by G.K. Chesterton. This was an excellent book that I read last year. I quickly got drawn into the story. I fell in love with one of the characters, hated and later liked another, and could hardly put the book down. I was reading it on my iPad and woke up in the morning a few times to find I had fallen asleep while reading. There is a lot of believable and interesting character development as well as typical Chestertonian humor. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Come Rack! Come Rope!

by Robert Hugh Benson is one of the best books I've ever read. It reminded me a bit of Crossbows and Crucifixes, except this one is for older/mature readers or listeners. The author does a wonderful job keeping the reader's attention throughout the story, making it a great possibility for a read-aloud, in which case some younger children might be able to listen since the story could be "edited" by the reader if necessary.*

Set in Elizabethan England, when Catholics were persecuted, this is a wonderful love story. (If you don't like love stories, please read it anyway, because it's not the usual kind.) I can't say it's the greatest, because, as Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said, "The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host."  Additionally, Robert Hugh Benson portrays the beauty of sacrifice and of the priesthood. He shows the meaning of true love, both for God and for your fellow men. 

Now for a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
"A broken heart and God's will done would be better than that God's will should be avoided and her own satisfied."
"To love is to wish the other's highest good, as I understand it...That is the love of a Christian, at least."
This last one is (at least close to) what Mary Stuart, also known as Mary Queen of Scots said before she died: "As Thy arms, O Christ, were extended on the Cross, even so receive me into the arms of Thy mercy and blot out all my sins with Thy most precious Blood." Isn't that just beautiful?

*Two characters kiss on the lips, which shouldn't be done before marriage, but there's nothing wrong with the book aside from that. Most of the editing would probably need to be done later on in the book at the parts with the rack, as younger (or more sensitive listeners) might have a hard time with those bits. Although I will say, it's very inspiring to read about things like that happening to people, especially with the way the world is today.

The Hidden Treasure of Glaston

by Eleanore M. Jewett.  As one can see on the side-bar of my blog, this is one of my favorite books.  Set in twelth century Glaston, England this story is about young Hugh, whose father bring him to Glastonbury Abbey and leaves him in the care of the monks there.  Hugh, along with his friend, Dickon find themselves caught in a mystery of the Holy Grail (the chalice that Our Lord used at the Last Supper).  An old, supposedly mad hermit, the exciting setting, and the details of life in a twelth century monastery all add to the enjoyment of this book.

The Lark in the Morn

by Elfrida Vipont. This book is published by Bethlehem Books, and as with all the books they publish, is a really good book. Kit Haverard is a young girl who greatly frustrates her cousin, Laura, who runs the Haverard household. After an illness, Kit is sent to stay with her great-aunts at Manningleigh, where she discovers her talent for singing. This is the first of two books about Kit Haverard.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is an exciting book about one of England's most famous (though legendary,) detctives, Sherlock Holmes. Most of the Sherlock Holmes books can be grouped together in a few large books. However, The Hound of the Baskervilles is not the size where this can easily be done. The unabrigded Puffin Classics edition is 240 pages long.

Unlike most of the other books which follow Sherlock Holmes' adventures, several chapters focus on Watson, Holmes' loyal assistant, and from whose point of view the stories are written. A Dr. Mortimer asks Holmes to investigate the legend of a mysterious hound, which suddenly seems to have turned to reality. Holmes sends Watson to protect the heir of Baskerville Hall, and later comes himself. Together the two companions find themselves unraveling many exciting clues until they come to the conclusion of the mystery.

At the Back of the North Wind

by George MacDonald. I read this book for the Literary Club which I go to, and I think that it is one of the best books that the club's leader has told us to read for the club.

Men of Iron

by Howard Pyle. This is a very exciting book which takes place in France. You will enjoy reading about Myles Falworth as he strives to become a knight and avenge his father (the blind lord), an unjustly outlawed knight.

The Black Arrow

by Robert Louis Stevenson is a GREAT book!

The main characters are:

Richard Shelton

Sir Daniel Brackley

Joanna Sedley

Sir Richard of Gloucester (Richard Crookback)

Sir Oliver Oates

Apparently, R.L. Stevenson had a good sense of humor; for while the book is rather violent in some places, it is very funny in others. At the end of the book Dick (and the reader,) have learned a few lessons.

It would make a REALLY GOOD read-aloud. My family and I listened to the seven (7) CD set in the car, and we all enjoyed every bit of it.

Black Hearts In Battersea

by Joan Aiken. This sequel to The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is an excellent book.

The main characters in this book are:

Simon, Bonnie's friend from The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Sophie, Simon's sister
Justin
and Dido.

The Wolves of Willouby Chase

by Joan Aiken is a good book.

The main characters are:
Bonnie Green
Sylvia Green, Bonnie's cousin
Simon, a friend of Bonnie's who lives in the woods
Miss Slighcarp, Bonnie's fourth cousin
Mr. Grimshaw, Miss Slighcarp's friend
and Mrs. Brisket, another of Miss Slighcarp's friends.



P.S. There are lots of sequels.

If All the Swords in England

by Barbara Willard is a good book. The second paragraph of a book-report I did on this book goes as follows:

Thomas Becket was loved and respected by the people of England. As Archbishop Thomas Becket's "relatives" were travelling to France after being exiled, they encouraged each other by speaking about their beloved Archbishop. Brother Oswin happily shared with Simon, "I have as little connection with the Archbishop as you yourself, my poor lad. But let us find honor at being named his men by no less than the King of England!" (p. 32) Later, when the Archbishop's ship came to the shore of England, many people joyfully greeted him, running into the water to climb aboard the ship to meet him. When Thomas Becket arrived in Canterbury, England, the people threw brightly-colored cloaks and capes, and beech, oak, yew, and holly branches down for their much-loved Archbishop. Thus, the English people's love for the Archbishop of Canterbury was especially evident when he was in need of support.

If All the Swords In England

by Barbara Willard is an excellent book. I have done a book-report on this really good book. I might share part of the book-report on If All the Swords In England later.

Augustine Came to Kent

by Barbara Willard is a really good book. I have done a book-report on this absolutely fabulous book. Most people who like to read will enjoy this book. I really enjoyed reading this book.

The Prince and The Pauper

by Mark Twain is a very good book. I think quite a few people would like, The Prince and The Pauper. I would recommend The Prince and The Pauper as a read-aloud for ages 8-and-up.

Florence Nightangale

by Ann Clover is very good. It tells us about the determination of a young lady named
Florence Nightangale.

The Hidden Treasure of Glaston

by Eleanore M. Jewett is a very good book. Even though the people in this story did not find the hidden treasure, three of them saw it.

The book is published by Bethlehem Books.


P.S. I know what part it is on the picture.

The Door in the Wall

by Marguerite de Angeli

Little Lord Fauntleroy

by Frances Hodgson Burnett is about a seven year old boy who goes to live with his grandfather to learn how to be a good lord like his grandfather is. I would recommend this book as a read-aloud.

The Lark and the Laurel

by Barbara Willard