9th-12th A Taste Of Literature

Proposed Book List:

The Swiss Family Robinson
Johann D. Wyss
Review:
Interestingly, author Johann David Wyss wrote only one book: The Swiss Family
Robinson. However, his one book became one of the great classics of children’s
literature, the title of the book being known today by virtually everyone in the United
States. Inspired by Daniel Defoe’s book Robinson Crusoe, this book began when Wyss
began creating and telling stories to his four sons about a family that was shipwrecked.
Wyss used these stories as an opportunity to teach his children about moral character
traits such as kindness, family unity, faith, and hard work. The Disney movie Swiss
Family Robinson, to me, is not close to matching the true plot or greatness of this book.
While geared more to boys, some girls would enjoy this book. Be aware that this book is
long and difficult and not for reluctant readers.

Chrystal and Sea Larks
Crona Temple
Review:
Chrystal McRanald was a lonely little person. She lived with her grandfather at the north end of
the island, too far from any neighbors for her to have much other company than that of the gruff
old man. So begins the heart-tugging story of Chrystal, who lives on an isolated, barren island
off the coast of Scotland. Unexpected love and friendship, as well as unforeseen tragedy,
delicately entwine in this beautiful tale. “With extraordinary description and deep insights into
human life, Chrystal and the Sea Larks is an example of powerful, engaging literature that has
been lost to the world. We are grateful to bring this book back to life.” —Jenny Phillips

Dawn
Eleanor H. Porter
Review:
Fourteen-year-old Keith Burton is going blind, but he does not know it at first. He thinks his
father bought him a poorly printed copy of Treasure Island that has words printed with wavy
lines. A great terror seizes Keith when he discovers that he is losing his eyesight and realizes
that his bright future has suddenly changed. First published in 1919 by the author of Pollyanna,
Dawn tells the moving story of Keith’s struggle to find happiness and the dedication of those
who so nobly sacrifice and persist in helping him. The well-developed, beloved characters in this
deep, insightful book will make you laugh and maybe even cry. (This book was known in
England as Keith’s Dark Tower.)

Mother Carey’s Chickens
Kate Douglas Wiggins
Classic author Kate Douglas Wiggin (author of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm) brings to
life a loving, lively family. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. The writing is
exemplary, and the moral value is fantastic. As readers follow the touching and often
humorous story of a dedicated, nurturing mother and her children, readers learn about
the power of family relationships, the beauty and joy of motherhood, gentleness,
sacrifice, and so much more. The book can be read for free on Gutenberg.org.

The Other Side of the Wall
Mary E. Ropes
Review:
“All I said, Monsieur,” I answered, “was that maybe the good God, if I trusted in Him,
would make a way of escape for me. And if He did make it, Monsieur Valdac, and put it
before me, I should most certainly avail myself of it. It is but fair to tell you this.” Jersey
Jack is a sailor who has a strong sense of adventure and honesty. When entrusted with
the delivery of a critical letter, he risks his safety and his freedom to follow through on
his promise. Though the actions of an immoral man lead to the threat of permanent
imprisonment, Jack will neither lie to the jailer nor disclose what his employer bade him
keep secret.

Wavie of the Storm
Crona Temple
Review:
As the sole survivor of a terrible shipwreck, a small girl is nursed back to health by Antony, a
grieving fisherman, who brings her home to his family. The children immediately call her
“Wavie,” since she came to them from the waves. Who she is or where she comes from is a
mystery, but Wavie soon steals the hearts of everyone she meets and becomes the very
sunshine of Antony’s home, selflessly caring for his blind wife and befriending even the most
unlikely neighbors. Not even the terrors of the stormy sea, the cruelty of others, sickness, and
poverty deter Wavie from following in Christ’s ways. This is a beautifully descriptive, gently
paced story that carries powerful messages of family, selflessness, triumph over trials, and
God’s unfailing love.

The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien
The prelude to the Lord of the Rings, Bilbo sets out on a great adventure. Lots of suspense and
humor … There’s a beautifully illustrated version available that can make this book a little easier
to share with families with a large age gap.

The False Prince
Jennifer A. Nielsen
In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of
the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install
him as a puppet prince.

Okay for Now
Gary D. Schmidt
At once heartbreaking and hopeful, this absorbing novel centers on Doug, 14, who has an
abusive father, a bully for a brother, a bad reputation, and shameful secrets to keep. Teachers
and police and his relatives think he’s worthless, and he believes them, holding others at arm’s
length.

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence
for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of
her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her
neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

Hatchet
Gary Paulsen
This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are
compared—and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery
Honor.Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine
plane in which he is flying crashes…

Meet the Austins
Madeleine L’Engle
For a family with four kids, two dogs, assorted cats, and a constant stream of family and friends
dropping by, life in the Austin family home has always been remarkably steady and contented.
When a family friend suddenly dies in a plane crash, the Austins open their home to an
orphaned girl, Maggy Hamilton. And that’s when it all changes