TOS Review - Apologia Read for the Heart

 

Title: Read for the Heart Whole Books for Wholehearted Families

Author:  Sarah Clarkson

Publisher:  Apologia/WholeHeart, a division of Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc.

Address:  1106 Meridian Plaza, STE 220, Anderson, IN 46016

Copywrite:  2009

ISBN:  978-1-932012-97-2

Order:  Apologia  (retails for $17.00)

This is my last blog review for The Old School House (TOS) Crew and what a wonderful way to end an amazing year. I am so happy that my last review is on something that I not only love but something I can wholeheartedly recommend!  Seeing as this book comes from WholeHeart Ministries, it should be no surprise that I can recommend it, wholeheartedly. chuckle, chuckle. 

All kidding aside, if you are a book lover, and what homeschool mom isn't?, this is a fabulous book to have on your shelf.  This is a book of books. Lists and lists of books, that come recommended by the author of Read for the Heart. What makes this book unique from other booklist books is the author, Sarah Clarkson, was homeschooled herself. She is the oldest daughter of Sally and Clay Clarkson, who started Wholeheart Ministries, and was raised in a literature rich home.  Saturated and dripping with high quality literature choices at her fingertips through her formative years, a passion for the written word and a heart for sharing that passion with others, is what prompted Sarah to write this book. So not only are you getting a list of incredible books, you are also getting a piece of Sarah's passion when you open up the pages of this book and delve into what is written there. 

Here's an excerpt from Sarah's book, ch 1 pg 26:

Reading has taught me how to live.

The books I have read have shaped me to see, to engage, to love. Reading has taught me not just to think, but also to look up from the pages of my book at a world that is itself a story. Books have trained me to be active, alert and ready to enter life as I find it. At this moment I may not be reading, but I'm writing. Watching. Laughing. In short, living. That is really the point of all this reading.

Passion. Life. Living. Sarah has captured her zest for life in the pages of her book and is sharing it with us! I had the pleasure hearing Sarah speak in person at a Whole Heart Conference this past February. She is the real deal. The way she spoke, the passion for learning and living and reading was just as present in her in real life as it is in this book. What you read in these pages is Sarah.

The book itself is 384 pages, soft cover and is broken into easy to navigate sections. Along with the lists of books, Sarah has written about her passion for books and life, the state of literacy in our country (not a pretty state, btw), a "how to use" section explaining how the book is broken apart and finally, the lists! Oh joy! The lists are amazing. To use a term coined by Charlotte Mason, you won't find "twaddle" in these lists! The lists are broken into the following categories:

• Picture Books
• The Golden Age of Classics
• Children's Fiction
• Fairy Tales and Fantasy
• History and Biography
• Spiritual Reading for Children
• Poetry
• Music, Art and Nature

There are also six appendices:

• Caldecott Medalists
• Newbery Medalists
• Historical Fiction by G.A. Henty
• Landmark History Books
• The Trailblazer Series
• A Few of My Favorite Things (Sarah's favorites)

and two indexes:

• Authors and Illustrators
• Titles

Like I said, this book is easy to navigate! There are so many different ways to find a book that will suit your needs. Recently, I had a friend asking me for recommendations for books on WWII for her 12 year old daughter. I grabbed this book and within seconds, we were compiling a list of books for her daughter to read. It was really that easy. 

If you love books, or even just like them, you will not be disappointed with this book!

You can read what my fellow crew mates thought of Read for the Heart, here.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing.  I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions.