When it comes to what we enjoy for reading material, Genius and I have entirely different ideas. I really will read anything, but enjoy historical fiction a lot. Genius needs to be duct taped to a chair to read anything that isn’t sci-fi or fantasy though.
I was filled with excitement knowing that through the TOS Crew, I was going to be able to review three books from Salem Ridge Press. Salem Ridge Press is a company that is dedicated to publishing quality children’s books that were published originally in the 1800′s and early 1900′s. Daniel Mills, the founder of Salem Ridge Press, is a homeschool graduate himself, who after reading a couple of these books as a homeschooler, had the desire to reprint them and republish them, to allow a whole new generation of readers to enjoy the stories upon their pages.
The three titles we received to review were; Mary Jane Her Book, The White Seneca and Glaucia the Greek Slave.
Originally I was indifferent to the thought of reviewing Mary Jane Her Book. It is the story of five year old Mary Jane and her daily activities. I was expecting a humdrum reader with stereotypical roles due to the fact that it was originally published in 1918. After the first chapter though, I was enthralled! Seriously. It is the most charming book I can remember reading in a long time. Suitable for a read aloud for children in preschool probably up to age eight or nine, the adventures of Mary Jane are anything but humdrum (at least for 1918!!). For independent readers the type is easy to read, and the language while a bit more obscure than today’s, is not overwhelmingly difficult. I can imagine that this would be a delight for young girls to listen to or read, although it may not be embraced by some boys!
The White Seneca was originally published in 1911. It is about a young boy of 15, who is captured by a party of Seneca Indians in 1774. I had to resist the impulse to place this book back on the shelf and grab something else to read. I found the story line and plot intriguing, but it is written quite dry. I believe that this book would appeal to teenage boys, however, it is at a high level of reading I think, and would maybe make a better read aloud if the students in question don’t read fluently. Also, since the storyline deals with the reality of the Indian tribes in the late 1770s and the beginning of the Revolutionary War, there is mention of warfare, and subsequent acts related to them. Toward the end of the book, there is a budding romance developing as well. This book is a good portrayal of Indian life through the eyes of a captive, who becomes one of them, yet is still separate.
Genius was given the opportunity to review Glaucia the Greek Slave, and this is what she had to say about it. This book was written by Emma Leslie in 1874 and has 274 pages. The book is about Glaucia and Laon, two children sold as slaves to pay their dead father’s debt. While Laon escapes, Glaucia is sold to the daughter of a Roman philosopher. Meanwhile, a new religion is spreading through the streets, the worship of an “Unknown God” who forsakes all other gods. Throughout the story, everyone from Glaucia, to her mistress and Laon, to a curious fruit seller, will have to choose to accept this God, whose kindness reaches slaves and nobles. This book was exciting and historically accurate, with people from the New Testament. The speech is hard to understand though and the time lapses during the book are not very obvious. I think this book is suitable for people age 13 and up, if they enjoy history.
In an effort to impart his belief that what we read matters and what we partake of in our minds is a great factor in our character and ideals, Daniel Mills and his family, are certain that you will be encouraged by the types of books they have republished at Salem Ridge Press.
If you check out their website they are having a contest going on now. If you choose five books and create a wish list you will be entered to win those books, and have them in time for Christmas! The drawing will take place December 1st.
If you would like to read more reviews on homeschooling products visit Tammy’s personal blog at Three Different Directions and click “review” in the Labels.
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