Recommended Read-aloud Books

The following books are recommended for reading aloud during or after the record section History lessonsinTheFamilySchool—Year1. We recommend parents spend at least 15 minutes reading aloud to their children as part of your daily family school. Although you may choose any book for this reading time, we recommend the following because of their correlation with the subject matter of The Family School.

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Ranofer, a young orphan, lives with his cruel step-brother. He yearns to be a goldsmith like his father, but this desire does not appeal to his criminal brother, who needs him for other tasks. Ranofer finds friendship, bravery, and honesty as he works to save the belongings of a sacred burial ground.

The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty

Set in the era of Egypt’s greatness, The Cat of Babastes is full of adventure. The 15 year old hero, the prince of a small nation invaded by the Egyptians, is of strong moral character and boys, especially, will love the story of his captivity! Packed full of details, the book covers everything from Egyptian architecture, family life, methods of warfare, government, and geography to religion. It even includes a cameo appearance by Moses, himself.

Tirzah by Lucille Travis

Tirzahis the story of the Israelites’ Exodus as seen through the eyes of a young girl, Tirzah, and her lame brother, Oren. It portrays the struggle and ultimate victory to keep faith while living in the midst of the murmuring Israelites. (We will be using this book in the Dispensation of Moses unit.)

Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green

This collection brings the world of Ancient Egypt to life with tales of journey and discovery. Among the many stories are the great myth of Amen-Ra, who formed all the creatures in the world; the entrancing tale of Isis, who searched the waters for her dead husband Osiris; and the miraculous story of the girl with the rose-red slippers, considered the first-ever Cinderella tale. Entertaining and enchanting, this is a timeless collection of the oldest stories in the world.