Annotated Book List

Standing for Something -- Gordon B. Hinckley

Subtitled, "10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes," this is a self-help style book for youth. It is written by the Mormon prophet, but written for all Christian youth. The virtues are Love, Honesty, Morality, Civility, Learning, Forgiveness, Thrift and Industry, Gratitude, Optimism, and Faith. (256 pages)

In His Steps -- Charles Sheldon

This is the book that started the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) movement. A story about people who make a commitment to do nothing without asking themselves, "What would Jesus Do?" (256 pages)

Treasure Island -- Robert Louis Stevenson

The epic tale of a young man's quest to capture a hidden treasure on the open seas. (304 pages)

Little Britches -- Ralph Moody

"Father and I were Ranchers." The first of eight books about Ralph's family. This is about Ralph's childhood and the lessons he learns from his father. Similar in style to the Little House series. (260 pages)

Redwall -- Brian Jacques

Furry Fiction. Redwall Abbey is inhabited by various critters, who are attacked by the evil rat, Cluny. The young mouse novice Matthias vows to recover the lost sword of Martin the Warrior in order to save the day. An epic adventure story, full of symbolism. (350 pages)

Magnificent Obsession -- Lloyd C. Douglas

When Robert Merrick's life is saved at the expense of the life of an eccentric but adored surgeon, the carefree playboy is forced to reevaluate his own path. Merrick embarks on a course of anonymous philanthropy, inspired by reading the doctor's private papers.

Yearning for the Living God -- F. Enzio Busche

F. Enzio Busche, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, was born in Germany in 1930, three years before Hitler's rise to power. Fifteen years later, when World War II ended, Enzio was a prisoner of war, having been drafted into the German army at age fourteen. The war left Enzio with many questions: Is there a God? What is the purpose of life? What happens after death? In time, he learned the answers. "Yearning for the Living God" is a collection of Elder Busche's experiences - both before and after his conversion - and an account of the life-changing awakening that can come to all who search for truth in this world. (307 pages)

The Hiding Place -- Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie and her family in the Netherlands resist the Nazis and assist the Jews by giving them a place to hide and helping them escape. Eventually they are discovered and sent to concentration camps. A true story. (256 pages)

Great Expectations -- Charles Dickens

The orphan, Pip, is given a large amount of money from a mysterious stranger, so he can go study. A story of growing up and learning life's lessons. (484 pages)

Alas Babylon -- Pat Frank

Randy Bragg's brother, a career military man, has agreed to send him a message, "Alas, Babylon" if nuclear war is imminent. One day he gets the call, and the story begins. (323 pages)

The Adventures of Robin Hood -- Roger Lancelyn Green

The classic tale of Robin Hood and his band of merry outlaws. They fight the tyranny of Prince John, until King Richard returns. Actually in real life, John wins and becomes king, but is so tyrannical that the nobility revolts and forces him to sign the Magna Carta, but that's a different story. (320 pages)

Sackett's Land -- Louis L'Amour

The first of 16 novels about several generations of the Sackett family. Barnabus Sacket is driven out of England in the 17th century, and sets out for the new land (America) and a new life. (208 pages)

Up From Slavery -- Booker T. Washington

An autobiographical account of Booker T. Washington, from his start as a slave in Virginia, to busiman, activist, and president of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He proclaimed that "property, industry, skill, intelligence, and character" were the keys to success for black Americans. (176 pages)

Little Men -- Louisa Mae Alcott

"Little Men" continues the story of the March family of "Little Women". Jo and her husband, the kindly professor Bhaer, open a school for boys at Plumfield. Some boys are neglected, some are badly brought up, all need love, laughter and a caring environment. (244 pages)

The Education of Henry Adams -- Henry Adams

...

The Dark is Rising -- Susan Cooper

A five-book series of children's novels published in the 1960s and 1970s. The series is based on the Arthurian mythos. (wikipedia)

Velinda Mitchell: "I feel passionate about this book, because it is about "old ones" who are placed with a special mission to protect the people of the earth fighting against The Dark, which is Rising. It is a GREAT read for a pre-scholar group just about to transition into scholar, because it is inspiring us in our own life journey. We are all "old ones" ie. eternal beings. Our cause is to find our life mission in the cause of truth ie. light."

Green Rider -- Kristen Britain

Michelle Harkey: "The main character is a typical young girl until her life changes suddenly. She struggles with her call to serve the king as a Green Rider (her mission in life) but does it anyway. I found it to be a wonderful commentary on the role of mission and how each of us can avoid it to our detriment or embrace our calling and move forward, despite our feelings of unworthiness."

Ishmael, Self-Raised, The Hidden Hand -- E. D. E. N. Southworth

Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/15774

Also here: http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/southworth/hand/hand.html

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy & The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

Feel like having some fun with a nihilist worldview? Look no further! One of the great classics of comedic literature (it's funny, really), and also very profound at times. I think the discussion about the Babelfish is very enlightening, especially if you replace the word "Babelfish" with "Bombadier Beetle". Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster Recipe

Ghandi, Fighter without a Sword

Not for Prep Class:

First Circle -- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The First Circle gives great insight into a culture totally foreign to most US citizens, as the book's a mixture of spy novel, guide to life in a Gulag camp, and brief introduction to Soviet society of the 1950s. A depressing place to be sure, but fascinating. (580 pages)

The Lonesome Gods -- Louis L'Amour

Left in the California desert as a boy, Johannes Verne finds his way in a west full of indians and immigrants from all lands. (560 pages)

The Chosen -- Chaim Potok

Laddie -- Gene Stratton Porter

The Book of Three, Black Cauldren, et al. -- Lloyd Alexander

Love of Learning level fantasy series.

Let the Trumpet Sound -- Stephen B. Oats

"I just taught Martin Luther King last week (for the third time) and I
handled him in more of a lecture format this time.  I did that because the
time, culture, and issues he was impacting were quite complex.  I had a hard
time finding good biographies on him, so I knew my students probably would
too, and wouldn't be as prepared to discuss his life as they had the other
men we have studied.  I did finally find a very comprehensive biography
written by Stephen B. Oats called Let the Trumpet Sound.  It made all the
difference in my understanding of Dr. King. My students didn't read it
because it isn't readily available; I found it at a used book store." -- Patty Jex

Martin Luther, Biography of a Reformer

"Sonlight curriculum has put out a great biography on Luther, Martin Luther, Biography of a Reformer.   I think it is also available on Amazon.  There is a full length movie which goes with the book. It's excellent!  We have a movie night and watch it together.  This really helps my students understand what Luther did." -- Patty Jex

The Agony and the Ecstasy -- Irving Stone

"Another good one to go with Luther is Irving Stone's The Agony and the Ecstasy.  It's about Michelangelo, but they lived at the same time, and it tells what was happening in Rome with the Popes.  Understanding that is key understanding the issues surrounding Luther.  Luther is mentioned a couple of times in that book." -- Patty Jex

(Video) John Brown's Holy War

"I found a PBS broadcast of John Brown that I have used the last two times I've mentored TJYC I -- "John Brown's Holy War."  The feedback was good; it was something a little different than usual, and it was fun to see the footage of what life was like in those days.  It's 90 minutes, but we were able to see it and discuss the document by starting right on time." -- Deena Ortiz