Anne of Green Gables

 

Hi Everyone

No one is ever too grown up to read Anne of Green Gables. Anne is just adorable! She talks more than me :)

The story is a classic, and I see why. Every page has something special. The language is witty, clever, elegant, and rich. I have read plenty of children's and young reader's books, but this one tops them all. I see history intertwined amongst the literacy, which will enable many talking points if read aloud to young people.  

Overall, I think anyone's reading list is not complete unless this is either added or already read. It is one of the best classic series on the market.  Now that is giving Anne of Green Gables some major credits because I like reading the classics and I have many of them on my favourites list.  I still think this one needs to be one of the top children's literature titles. 

When you find a copy and a spare moment, take the time to journey with Anne of Green Gables. Then we can all have a talk about Anne, literacy, and a bit of history.  I have the whole series to read so I will keep you updated.

Description: 

People are surprised when Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, both very set in their ways, decide to adopt an orphan boy. But no-one is more astonished than Marilla and Matthew themselves when the boy they are expecting turns out to be a very talkative, very imaginative, very read-headed, very female girl. Anne has arrived at Green Gables. Her adventures, dreams, sorrows and joys are set down here in one of the most popular books ever written.

Happy reading

For private tutoring with Richelle

Frankenstein

Author: Mary Shelly

Hi Everyone

Initially, I avoided every possible opportunity to read this novel. I have managed to avoid any movie allocated to the name, ‘Frankenstein’. I don’t find any pleasure in horror movies, and I always envisioned Frankenstein as such.

Wrong!

Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Studied with the eye that I read this novel through, channeling into the depths of human nature, this book is far from a horror story.  It is a story of rejection and the damage that it does to human character. As I read the pages of the ‘monsters’ experience, I was left silenced by my own thoughts. Reading his experience showed the cruelty and neglect served upon him because of the way he looked.

First impressions are a natural survival setting that we all have implanted into each of us from birth. Society then moulds that instinct as we judge ourselves and experience hurt and fear. But do we take that too far? Do we stop listening to ourselves and place our judgment on the society we have come to be a part of? I don’t only mean the prejudices that are commonly spoken of through media either. I am thinking much deeper. I don’t even know how to express the hurt and isolation we place on people unknowingly. Words spoken, looks given, even words unspoken. The outcomes of isolation and the feeling of rejection are often… quiet.

I have heard many say this book is life-changing.

Frankenstein is a ‘classic’ for a reason.  I recommend that this book be read, and an examination of humans that the  character looked at from between the lines of each page.

 

Description:

Frankenstein is the classic gothic horror novel that has thrilled and engrossed readers for two centuries. Written by Mary Shelley, it is a story that she intended would ‘curdle the blood and quicken the beating of the heart.’ The tale is a superb blend of science fiction, mystery, and thriller. Victor Frankenstein is driven by the mad dream of creating his own creature. Experiments with alchemy and science to build a monster stitched together from dead remains. Once the creature becomes a living breathing articulate entity, it turns on its maker and the novel darkens into tragedy. The reader is very quickly swept along by the force of the elegant prose, the grotesque, surreal imagery, and the multi-layered themes in the novel. Although first published in 1818, Shelly’s masterpiece still maintains a strong grip on the imagination and has been the inspiration for numerous horror movies, television, and stage adaptations.

 

Happy Reading

Private Tutoring Link

Iliad

 Author: Homer

Translated by Stanley Lombardo

Introduction by Sheila Murnaghan

ISBN: 978-0-87220-352-5

Hi Everyone

I am going to give this five stars because I believe Homer deserves it.  As for this translation I was pleasantly impressed.  I understood the translation easily and the introduction was well written.  

First, I will comment on the translation.  I found it to be an easy-ish (because when was the Iliad an easy read) translation.  I connected well with the language and enjoyed the plot.  I would like to look at a classic edition to analyse and comment on how correct the translation was, but as a first reader of the Iliad I enjoyed this translation.  I have to admit that I needed to photocopy the main character list from the back of the book and highlight in three colours the Trojan's, Greeks, and Gods.  It was the only way that I could keep up with all the characters for the first quarter of the book.  There are multitudes of characters in the beginning sections of this epic!  Once I had the characters organised the rest of the reading flowed much easier.  Now my copy of the Iliad will remain in my hands because it is well annotated. To open a well annotated book means the book was well read and enjoyed.  

I got utterly annoyed with Achilles! Was I meant to or did he just wind me up the wrong way?  That is a question I will forever be asking myself as I continue to absorb my thoughts of Iliad's plot.  For now, I remain with my first impression, "he annoyed me!".  He acted like spoilt brat and had now remorse over the raging war until it involved one of his friends - that he sent out there!?! I told you; he really got on my nerves.

The rest of the characters played their parts well. I connected with each of them. The Gods made the story more than a 'war' story. The outcome was realistic and well finished.  The story is not necessarily for the faint hearted, it a graphic piece of writing in places. Overall I ended up being pleased that I had endured to the end, it is a great piece of classical literature.

Now to the Introduction. It was clear and well set out.  It gave me a good insight into what I was about read.  This introduction will serve the purposes of any student studying the Iliad.  The only issue that I had, is that by the end of it I felt I had actually read the book.  Is there any need to read the book as a student when the introduction explains the whole story?  Maybe this is what some students need, hence study the introduction.  As for me I mainly wanted to read the Iliad so I may have been better off skipping the introduction to the end.

I found the 'Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia -  A completely Revised and Updated Edition of the Classic Encyclopedia of World Literature' a fantastic asset to accompany the reading of Iliad.  It gave a simply low-down of each chapter which kept me on track with where the plot was heading.

Do I recommend the reading of Iliad? Yes I do. I think that it worth at least attempting once in a life time. I also recommend reading it with a pen/pencil and highlighter and annotating while you read, it helped me to connect to the characters and plot. If I hadn't ruined my copy with all my highlighting and notes then it would have just be a book that was read because 'I should' rather than a piece of literature that I am pleased to have picked up and read well.

Description:

"... accurate, idiomatic, fast-paced and highly readable. Its sustained flow will enable students and other contemporary readers to enjoy the poem's narrative, similes, and speeches and should help them to engage critically with its central ethical problems. Sheila Murnaghan's lucid Introduction instructively situates the epic in its historical and cultural contexts, elucidates its representation and critique of traditional heroism, and calls attention to the main interpretive problems it raises for ancient audiences and modern readers" 

- Seth Schien, Professor of Comparative Literature, University of California Davis

Happy reading

Anne of Avonlea

 Author: L. M. Montgomery

Hi Everyone,

I have been so blessed to be given the opportunity to read some really old books!  Now, when I say old I mean a treasure! This one was published in 1926.  I have read it and been transported in time.  In more ways than one.  To hold and read this book, knowing the owner and their age; knowing the story behind them receiving it: knowing the joy that they got from reading; knowing... just knowing the history I hold in my hand, is a gift.

Then there is the history written on the pages. It's like being transported back 95 years to a time well before mine.  I read this seeing Anne and her friends living in a totally different time to ours but also knowing that in some aspects things have changed very little.  The world around us is continually changing and so are people, but reading this I and see people unchanged in many ways too. There was a certain connection still available to today's reader, that I grasped with every breath. I feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride between the 'Oh No!' moments and the 'shear laughter' moments, and there was even a moment that I wanted to cry.  

I was taken by the importance of good character.  Considering this was a children's book in it's time, I was impressed by how much I myself, learnt of the expectations of good character which was placed within the writing of this children's book.  There was not one perfect person in the story, but good character was defiantly intertwined within the pages.  I am sure just reading these books would have had children learning of the moral and social expectations of their time, and they were interesting to read about.  

I was also intrigued by the age in which Anne started teaching. Sixteen. I think of our sixteen year olds today, they are still the student and still have a few years of education before them.  Anne was a first year teacher and she took on the challenge like a professional. Sometimes we think we have come so far, but reading 'Anne of Avonlea' I am left questioning some things? That has to be a sign of a book worthy of being called a Classic.

As I finish the final pages I am reluctant to put the book down, knowing that I put down more than a book.  I put down a book full of history and memories.  In between the tattered cover lies thick pages entailing more than Anne's story, it tells of history.  I am left thinking that there is more history in these books that the history text books can show us.

Lucy Maud Montgomery (1974-1942)

A school teacher and minister's wife, Montgomery became a writer of popular juveniles almost by accident. Asked to prepare a short serial for a Sunday school paper, she drew on her girlhood memories of Prince Edward Island to produce the enormously successful 'Anne of Green Gables' (1908), to which she wrote six sequels.  Her ventures into adult fiction were not a success.

Taken from: Benet's Readers Encyclopedia - Fourth Edition

- 'Anne of Avonlea' is book two of the 'Anne of Green Gables' series

Happy reading

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

 Author: Unknown

This edition: a verse translation by Keith Harrison

ISBN: 978-0-19-954016-7

Grammar Fix It! Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 

Author: Pamela White

ISBN: 978-1-62341-177-0

(Institute for Excellence in Writing)

Hi Everyone

I have two things here for you today. 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is a book I studied, a few years ago now, and it still remains a treasure piece of literature in my mind. Now I am taking a student on a literary journey, using the novel and this curriculum.

Let's start with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Written in the 14th century, by an unknown author, and this gem of poetry which still graces our book stores, universities, schools and homes today.  Now that to me says "Must Read!".  This is the second time that I have read this and I still loved every bit of it.  I have a confession to make... I love poetry and verse. That said, I may be a little bias on the fact  because this is a long work of poetry.  It could be called a story or it could be called poetry.  Whichever way you look at it, I without a doubt encourage you to pick up a copy and try it.  

When I first got handed a copy I was far from convinced.  I probably wouldn't have read it if I didn't need to write an essay on thing.  Today, I am thankful that I have enjoyed reading it for a second time.  It re-opened my eyes to a genre that often goes left on the back of shelves, neglected.  I would love to see a world of this genre re-opened up, for this generation to enjoy.  Then again, maybe there is more out there that I am to discover, so if anyone knows of some modern versions of poetic book then please let me know.  I want more!

You will find many resources online to accompany this book such as Spark notes and of course there is the one I am highlighting here for you today - Grammar fix it (if you live outside NZ then try EIW.com ).  Of course there is a good write up over on Wikipedia and if you put 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' into Youtube there are multiple links to videos and reviews. 

To Grammar Fix It...

What exactly is Grammar Fix It?

It is a curriculum that takes the student through 32 weeks of fixing grammar using a story.  In this instance, 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' is used.  Each week there are four days of a couple of sentences that need correcting.  Each one is clearly written in the student book.  The teacher book has a copy of each student page along with notes and corrections.  In the back of the student book there are flash cards which can be cut out; an excellent glossary; a completion certificate.  By the end of the year the student has a corrected story of their own - Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  

I like to use the curriculum along side the novel as a supplement course in grammar and English. The student gets a taste of the novel, poetry, analysation and grammar - all in one when used together.  Fantastic.

Grammar Fix It comes in 6 levels and this edition is the 6th level.  

Overall, 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' remains a brilliant piece of literature in my views. I would highly recommend experiencing the read if you can pick up a copy.

Description:

"Middle English poem in Alliterative verse written by an unknown called Peral Poet.  The poem is one of four (possibly all by the same writer) which appear in a single manuscript of the collection of Sir Robert Bruce COTTON.

Perhaps the greatest single Arthurian legend in English, this masterpiece of Middle English writing concerns the ordeal of the ideal knight, Sir Gawain. ... Into the midst of New Year festivities at King Arthur's court burst a green giant on horseback.  he dares any of Arthur's knights to chop off his head on condition in one year he be allowed to return the blow... "    Taken from: Benet's readers Encyclopedia - fourth edition"

Happy reading

You will find Sir Gawain and the Green Knight also within Ambleside curriculum and Sonlight curriculum.