Literature Curriculum Recommendations by Cindy Downes

	*Literature Resources*

Cindy's Literature List (pdf document). Print this free excerpt from The Checklist which includes an extensive list of recommended American and world authors and their works.
Print Resources
Internet Resources

Print Resources (purchase here or borrow from the library):

Childhood of Famous Americans. These books are my favorite biographies! They were published in the early 1900's. Many have been republished.
Easy Readers - History - These are great for teaching your child fluency. They are interesting and easy to read so they'll want to read more. I would use these at any age that your child finds them interesting.
Easy Readers - Science. Use these the same as history above.
Newbery Medal Book List, Note: I have not read all these books. Please check them out to make sure they will suit your family.
Caldecott Medal Book List, Note: I have not read all these books. Please check them out to make sure they will suit your family.
Landmark books are excellent reading for grades 4th and up. This series, written in 1950-1970, include stories of famous people and historical events from American and world history. Some have been republished; others you will have to find used.
A guide to Landmark books is Karen Thiessen's, World Landmark Books, A Homeschooler's Guide. A review of this book is on my blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/EmptyNestMom/23005/
Opal Wheeler wrote absolutely delightful biographies of great musicians in the early 1900's. I believe they are just starting to republish them. In the meantime, you can buy them used at Amazon.com.
My Favorite Mysteries
Use Movies as Literature for grades 7-12.

Doucette Index: Search by author or title to find teaching ideas related a particular book.
Carol Hurst Literature Page: Find books, websites, and activities by subject. Wonderful resource for unit studies.
Free bookplates from Jan Brett: http://www.janbrett.com/bookplates/bookplates_main.htm
Subject index to 19th Century children's books. Also check Bibliomania-Children's Books.
300 Books Recommended for Any Student (K-12)
Bartleby.com - Etext of Great Books Online. Also includes encyclopedias, thesaurus, World Fact Book, and more. Also check The Online Books Page.
Outline of American Literature for grades 7-12.
Brief Timeline of American Literature, Gr 7-12.
NovelGuide - Want to know what a novel is about? Includes a novel summary, character profiles, quotes and more.
G. A. Henty Books online - FREE!: http://henty.ae6gn.com/booksalpha.php
Be sure to subscribe to Homeschool Radio Shows "Living Book for the Ears" newsletter. The newsletter "brings you wonderful "old time radio" adaptations of great books and historic stories, chosen especially for homeschooling families, each and every week -- and it's absolutely free."

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