Good Books Program

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FIFTH GRADE: Good Books Program Study Guide

Price: $19.95

Our 5th grade (116-page) Good Books Guide comes with a full-color front cover, Answer Key for each guide, True/False questions, and Essay questions to encourage young writers, and a synopsis of each book. Our Good Books Literature Guides were written by Dr. James S. Taylor, author of the widely acclaimed Poetic Knowledge: The Recovery of Education. Dr. Taylor took his first formal course in Children’s Literature from Dr. Dennis Quinn at the University of Kansas and had many conversations concerning these poems and stories with his colleague, Dr. John Senior. He has taught Children’s Literature at the high school and college levels for nearly two decades.

FIFTH GRADE: From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne

Price: $19.95

When the members of the elite Baltimore Gun Club find themselves lacking any urgent assignments at the close of the Civil War, their president, Impey Barbicane, proposes that they build a gun big enough to launch a rocket to the moon. But when Barbicane's adversary places a huge wager that the project will fail and a daring volunteer elevates the mission to a "manned" flight, one man's dream turns into an international space race.

FIFTH GRADE: Hans Brinker by Mary Mapes Dogdes

Price: $14.99

From glistening ice roads to frozen canals, in a wonderland where even the richest nobles thrill to the gliding joys of winter, everyone is awaiting the fabulous race to win the magnificent silver skates - except Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel. For the Brinkers are desperately poor, friendless; with their father felled by a crippling head wound, Mother and the children must battle simply to survive. And while Hans and Gretel are strong, fast, disciplined, and loyal...on hand-carved wooden skates, they can't compete against trained rich kids with fine steel blades...But sometimes...sometimes...good people are given a chance. Sometimes strangers do care. And sometimes a family's love and loyalty can struggle against even the cruelest twists of Fate...sometimes...

FIFTH GRADE: Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Price: $14.95

In this classic tale, the struggle between the wild and the civilized is played out deep in the savage African jungle. The infant Tarzan is raised by apes and grows into manhood, learning to survive as the animals survive. When an expedition of white men brings the beautiful and cultured Jane Porter to the jungle, Tarzan enters civilization to win her love. But in the end, love is not enough, and the spirit of the wilderness beckons Tarzan back to his jungle world.

FIFTH GRADE: The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Price: $16.95

Tarzan had renounced his right to the woman he loved, and civilization held no pleasure for him. After a brief and harrowing period among men, he turned back to the African jungle where he had grown to manhood. It was there he first heard of Opar, the city of gold, left over from fabled Atlantis. It was a city of hideous men-and of beautiful, savage women, over whom reigned La, high priestess of the Flaming God. Its altars were stained with the blood of many sacrifices. Unheeding of the dangers, Tarzan led a band of savage warriors toward the ancient crypts and the more ancient evil of Opar...

FIFTH GRADE: The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Price: $16.95

The third novel of Edgar Rice Burroughs classic character Tarzan. When Tarzan's infant son is kidnapped by old enemies Tarzan gives chase but falls into their trap and is exiled on an African island. Tarzan must use all of his jungle skills to track down his enemies and rescue his infant son.

FIFTH GRADE: The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Price: $16.95

Edgar Rice Burrough's fourth installment of his classic Tarzan series. Tarzan's son Jack is kidnapped from London and smuggled to Africa by Tarzan's arch enemies only to escape into the deep jungles of Africa where he becomes known at Korak the Killer.

FIFTH GRADE: Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Price: $16.99

This is a collection of several short stories all about the time when Tarzan was a young boy being raised by the great apes. The young Tarzan was unlike the great apes. Theirs was a simple, savage life, filled with little but killing or being killed. But Tarzan had all of a normal boy's desire to learn. He had painfully taught himself to read from books left by his dead father. now he sought to apply this book knowledge to the world around him. He sought for such things as the source of dreams and the whereabouts of God. And he searched for the love and affection that every human being needs. But he was alone in his struggles to grow and understand. The life of the jungle had no room for abstractions.

FIFTH GRADE: The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Price: $16.95

Introduce your student to the beauty of poetry! The epic story of Hiawatha and his fantastic magical powers. Angered by the sight of warring nations, Gitche Manito, Mohican Master of Life, sends for the prophet Hiawatha to bring peace. Brought up by his grandmother on the shores of Lake Superior, Hiawatha learns to use his remarkable powers for the good of humanity: wearing his magic moccasins he covers a mile with every step; grinds boulders to dust with his special mittens; speaks with all kinds of animals and birds in their own language. Overcoming evil forces, Hiawatha offers the gift of civilization to the world. His marriage to Minnehaha leads to a golden age of happiness and peace - until the reappearance of mischievous spirits leads Hiawatha into further adventures. The song of Hiawatha reflects the traditional way of story-telling. Highly controversial when first published, Longfellow's epic poem has nonetheless created a legend - still loved by millions.

FIFTH GRADE: Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott

Price: $19.95

This is the story of two runaways - Ben Brown and his dog, Sancho - who have escaped from a hard life in the circus to search for Ben's lost father. Tired and hungry, the pair are taken in by young Bab and Betty Moss and their mother, as well as by the Mosses' neighbors, Miss Celia and her brother, Thorny. Thanks to their kindness, Ben soon has a job, a family, and a chance to go to school. But can life with Miss Celia and his other new friends ever compare to the excitement of the circus? And will Ben stay out of mischief long enough to find out? Louisa May Alcott's realistic and spirited writing has captivated readers for generations. She lived with the real Little Women in Concord, Massachusetts. The author of mysteries, romances, and novels, she traveled widely and died in Boston in 1888.

FIFTH GRADE: The Dash for Khartoum by G. A. Henty

Price: $19.99

The book, The Dash for Khartoum, is the story of two English lads who accompany the expedition to rescue General Gordon from the besieged city of Khartoum. Here Mr. Henry has composed a story around an event which occurred during his lifetime, and of which he had significant personal knowledge as you will read n our special foreword by Mrs. Ann King. Henty, Wolseley and Gordon were contemporaries. Mr. Henty had been in the area twenty years prior to the event depicted in this story as a correspondent for the Standard. As an extra, PrestonSpeed Publications has included in this volume one of Mr. Henty's special despatches.

FIFTH GRADE: The Ranch on the Beaver by Andy Adams

Price: $19.95

The Ranch on the Beaver continues the hide-and-hoof Horatio Alger story of Wells Brothers: The Young Cattle Kings. By 1887 the teenage boys Joel and Dell have weathered several seasons as ranchers in northwest Kansas. With help from drovers on the nearby Western Trail, they have built up a herd. Looking beyond Beaver Creek, the boys acquire grazing rights in Colorado and Texas. As others fail, they persevere, learning all aspects of a rapidly changing operation-from maturing beef to managing, shipping, and selling it. Drawing on firsthandknowledge, the author of Log of a Cowboy offers a realistic and spirited story mixing hard work and fun. Robert R. Dykstra introduces this Bison Books edition of Adam's last work, originally published in 1927. Dykstra, the author of The Cattle Towns, is a professor of history and public policy at State University of New York, Albany.

FIFTH GRADE: Wells Brothers: the young Cattle Kings by Andy Adams

Price: $24.95

Two orphans face starvation on the prairie of northeastern Kansas during the terrible winter of 1885-86. Dell and Joel Wells, redheads who have barely reached shaving age, are about to abandon their dead father's claim on Beaver Creek because it won't grow crops. Then unexpected events and a drover seeking aid, allow them a decent chance in life.

FIFTH GRADE: Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott

Price: $14.95

These sketches, taken from letters written in the few leisure moments a very busy life, make no pretension to literary merit, but are simply a brief record of one person's hospital experience. As such, they are republished, with teir many faults but partially amended, lest in retouching they should lose whatever force or freshness the inspiration of the time may have given them. To those who have objected to a "tone of levity" in some portions of the sketches, I desire to say that the wish to make the best of every thing, and send home cheerful reports even from that saddest of scenes, an army hospital, probably produced the impression of levity upon those who have never known the sharp contrasts of the tragic and comic in such a life. The unexpected favor with which the little book was greeted, and the desire for a new edition, increase the author's regret that it is not more worthy such a kind reception. L.M.A. Concord, March, 1869

FIFTH GRADE: Bonnie Prince Charlie by G. A. Henty

Price: $19.99

The adventures of the son of a Scottish officer in French service. The boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a Jacobite agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, and serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe in a duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of Prince Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland. Date: 1745 Location: Britain, Scotland Main Event: Culloden

FIFTH GRADE: In Freedom's Cause by G. A. Henty

Price: $16.99

Liberty or death. This was the choice the people of Scotland in the 13th-14th century faced if they rose up against their English ruler. Most would say it was no choice at all. Many of the Scottish nobles were English supporters. Few could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army. The hero of the story, Archibald Forbes, joins the struggle for Scottish freedom led by the valiant Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of these men rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry. Mr. Henty, the Prince of Storytellers, weaves a brilliant story around the actual events of the time.

FIFTH GRADE: An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Price: $18.95

When Polly Milton visits Fanny Shaw and her wealthy family in the city for the first time, she's overwhelmed by the modern and fashionable world around her. She doesn't wear fancy clothes, go to popular shows, or even talk the way the girls in town do. Though her new friends consider her quaint and "countrified," Polly clings to her simple clothes and plain manners, and in time wins the hearts of the entire Shaw family. But even a country girl can be tempted by the flirtations, excitement, and intrigues of the city. Can an old-fashioned girl remain true to her principles and still find work, happiness, and love in a thoroughly modern city. Louisa May Alcott, the author of the childhood classic Little Women, has captivated readers for generations with her realistic and spirited stories.

FIFTH GRADE: Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

Price: $16.95

The sequel to Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom is a refreshing look at a young woman who must determine her place in the adult world. Upon her return from traveling around the world, Rose is greeted by her six male cousins - all of whom show affection for her. They are surprised that the feisty and fun girl who left two years ago has "bloomed" into a beautiful, generous, and prudent young lady. Not one to marry without being in love, Rose is determined to prove herself as an independent woman. Unfortunately, the wealth that she has inherited has attracted more friends and followers than she bargained for. With no honest friends to turn to and numerous men trying to court her, can Rose still be true to her ideal? Louisa May Alcott's spirited writing has captivated readers for generations. As she states in her preface, "There is no moral to this story...It was written hoping to afford a helpful hint to other roses getting ready to bloom." Louisa May Alcott lived with the real Little Women in Concord, Massachusetts. The author of mysteries, romances, and novels, she traveled widely and died in Boston in 1888.

FIFTH GRADE: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Price: $16.99

The year 1866 was signalized by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and puzzling phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten. Not to mention rumors which agitated the maritime population and excited the public mind, even in the interior of continents, seafaring men were particularly excited. Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, both of Europe and America, naval officers of all countries, and the Governments of several States on two continents, were deeply interested in the matter. For some time past vessels had been met by "an enormous thing," a long object, spindle-shaped, occasionally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid inits movements than a whale. It is this "something" that Professor Aronnax sets out to encounter - and thus begins the most incredible underwater journey ever. From Atlantis to the South Pole, the reader is taken through dangers, surprises, and the unsurpassed majesty of the marine world.