Read for the Heart – TOS review

Product: Read for the Heart: Whole books for Wholehearted families

Company:  Apologia

Price:  $17.00

 

I’ve always been one who likes to save the best for last.  This is the last review for the 2010-2011 TOS crew year and I have to say I think this is my favorite book I have been blessed with this year. 

This isn’t my first thing to review from Apologia.  They are a great company that sells all different types of curriculum.  They have science, Bible, reading and other types of homeschool curriculum.  They also have great books.

The book I reviewed is is Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Wholehearted Families.  I have mentioned before that we homeschool using Charlotte Mason style learning.  She is adamant about using whole, living books and not twaddle.    Sarah Clarkson, the author of Read for the Heart, has helped readers everywhere sort through the thousands of the books at your local bookstore or library to find only the best for your family. 

From Classics to Modern favorites, picture books and adventure novels and even read aloud ideas, it is all in this great book.   This is a guide to the best in children’s literature that I think every Christian family should have.  She has book reviews and descriptions intermixed with lists of authors and book titles.   What I love most is that she tells her story in the pages between all of these.   This book really is wonderful.

The book is written like a story and you will learn about Sarah’s life and why she loves to read.  Her writing is excellent as you can see from this excerpt where she is speaking about reading The Lord of the Rings:

It was in reading this book that I first understood that life – my life—is a story.  The entire history of world is an epic written by God and told throughout the colorful drama of each advancing generation.  We are the heroes and heroines, the villains and knaves that people the pages of this one true tale.  Our actions and our decisions contribute as much to light or darkness as any prince or princess in a fairy tale. 

She talks about her reading life where she has read thousands of books.  It is with love and hard work that she narrows them down to what is included in this book.

She describes how to use the book in your family very well.  There are lists of different genres and also authors to choose from.  I have already spent many hours at the library looking for the books suggested.  Some of them we have already read and loved, but so many more were new to me.  My kids have liked all that I have picked to read.  This book is give us years of reading pleasure through it’s suggestions. 

I have to admit I’ve read the entire book twice already and plan to read it again.  Clarkson’s writing draws me in and I can’t stop.   I usually don’t like to buy books that I can get at the library but this is one time when I can highly suggest spending the $17 for this great guide.  You will use it over and over again. 

I love books.  I have an addiction to reading and I would love for my children to follow in my footsteps in this regard.  Read for the Heart is helping me attain this. 

Check out the other books from Apologia.  I haven’t been disappointed yet with anything I have gotten from them.  Of course, don’t forget I love books.  It’s hard for me to find one I don’t like. 

Our family gives Read for the Heart

Smiley guide:

1 Smiley - Product not really for our family. Probably wouldn’t buy. This really should probably be a frown face but we hate to be negative.

2 Smileys - Would maybe buy this product if on sale. Not a great fit for our family.

3 Smileys - We really liked this product and would probably recommend this to friends and fellow homeschoolers.

4 – Smileys – Definitely would buy this if the budget would allow. We suggest you check this out to see if it is a fit for your family.

5 Smileys – Would sell the family pets to get this one (just kidding). A must have for our family and we think you should get it too.

To see what my fellow crew mates have to say about this this product, click here.

For giveaways,and other great stuff, please check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog by clicking below.

Please note:  I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion in this review.  No other compensation was provided.  Thank you to Apologia and TOS for this opportunity.

I have been blessed to be asked to continue on with the TOS crew for next year, so this won’t be the last review you read from me, just the last for this school year.  Thank you for reading and I hope my reviews help you decide if something is right for your family.   I love teaching my kids at home and I know you do to. 

Happy Homeschooling.  Now grab a good book.