angela in ohio Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I had a great time teaching a group of young teens through Amos Fortune, Free Man and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, because I thought there were a lot of lessons for them in staying strong in the face of life's trials. I'm trying to put together a book list at a bit higher level along the same theme. The works can be poetry, plays, novels, etc. and any time period or place. I'd like to offer some role models, some examples of high moral character and strength while facing less than ideal circumstances, but nothing too saccharine. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Off the top of my head, Old Man and the Sea comes to mind. Red Badge of Courage? What level is Across Five Aprils? The Chosen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 While it's not about a specific person, I think the theme of the poem goes perfectly with the underlying theme of the books you mentioned: The poem If by Rudyard Kipling. It is about the meaning of maturity and manhood (and, in this day and age Kipling would probably have added womanhood, too). It is the source of the quote "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfside Academy Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 One of my all-time favorites is The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Captains Courageous, by Rudyard Kipling. A++++++++ And the movie is a treat too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaJuana Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Men of Iron by Howard Pyle Jane Eyre Rolf and the Viking Bow by Allen French Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 Captains Courageous, by Rudyard Kipling. A++++++++ And the movie is a treat too. :) We just watche that movie a few weeks ago. (All my dc had to read the book first, of course. :D) It was wonderful! Good suggestions so far. Thank you! Keem 'em coming... :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choirfarm Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 For a different choices: What about A Tale of Two Cities? Sydey Carton starts out as an undesirable character, but then chooses to do something important with his life by making the ultimate sacrifice. Also a study in how revenge can blacken someone's heart ( Madame Defarge). To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch is an admirable man who chooses to defend a black man in the South. It is hard to find upstanding characters in modern fiction. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Here are two that are a little more contemporary: Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank -- an apocalypic story about how a small FL town copes after an atomic attack. From the topic, it sounds depressing, but most of the story is about how ordinary folks band together to survive and how they recognize the gifts of everyone in their community. Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton -- a story that takes place in South Africa in the 1940s. The main character goes in search of his wayward son. HTH, Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 What immediately comes to mind is The Chosen by Chaim Potok. It was an amazing book. I am still wrestling with some of the questions it brought to light. Otherwise ..... How Green Was My Valley by Richard Lllewellyn Once and Future King (The Sword in the Stone) by T.H. White Brady by Jean Fritz I Am David by Anne Holm Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (if you think they are ready for mature themes) Christy by Katherine Marshall Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy at Home Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Ishmael (and its sequel, Self Raised). They are lamplighter books, so they have Christian themes, if that matters. Excellent. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyzenthlay in Pa. Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Elliot Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I had a great time teaching a group of young teens through Amos Fortune, Free Man and Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, because I thought there were a lot of lessons for them in staying strong in the face of life's trials. I'm trying to put together a book list at a bit higher level along the same theme. The works can be poetry, plays, novels, etc. and any time period or place. I'd like to offer some role models, some examples of high moral character and strength while facing less than ideal circumstances, but nothing too saccharine. Any suggestions? Island of the World fits your criteria and so much more. It's probably not for very young teens. It gets intense in its descriptions of the atrocities. I will be having my teens reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 "An Old-Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkein Harry Potter, actually. The theme grows strongest in the last two books. "Antigone" "Dohaschtida" (hard to find, but very good. Christian content big time) "Christy" by Catherine Marshall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Two favorites: Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, Jean Latham Silas Marner, George Eliot (And for those a bit younger, my all-time favorite is probably the original, unabridged Heidi. But might not fly for high schoolers.) Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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