The Book of the Dun Cow

The Book of the Dun Cow is by Walter Wangerin, Jr. A classic allegorical fantasy/fable, the first in a series of books about the mythical Dun Cow. This is the story of Chauntecleer the Rooster who finds himself in the unenviable position of leading his animal friends against the ultimate evil - Wyrm and his general, the equally evil Cockatrice. This story reminds one of the Christian themes seen in Lewis's Narnia series, although Medieval cosmology plays a large part in the tale. This is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

George MacDonald Fantasy Classics Collection

George MacDonald Fantasy Classics Collection is by George MacDonald. A classic set of fantasy tales by a wonderful author. The set includes: Phantastes, The Light Princess, The Princess and the Goblin, and Lilith. The middle two stories are fun reads for children, while the other two are definitely for adults. MacDonald weaves Christian themes into his writing. These classic tales are Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Reads. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night is by William Shakespeare. The classic comedy drama of disguise and disorder. Viola is shipwrecked and disguises herself as a boy and gets a job as a page to Orsino. She falls in love with him, but Orsino is "in love" with Olivia who does not love him. Orsino sends Viola, in disguise, to take a message to her and Olivia falls "in love" with Viola - who is really a girl. The play is loaded with zaniness and humor. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Fordlandia

Fordlandia  is by Greg Grandin. A nonfiction book which covers the history of Henry Ford's attempted settlement of the Amazon. Ford tried to set up quintessential American towns in the Amazon; with the intent of growing rubber and creating an Americanized social and business structure in the middle of the rain forest. Drags a little at times, not the most exciting read, but still interesting. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.  

The Rose Code

The Rose Code is by Kate Quinn. A wonderful historical fiction novel set in Bletchley Park during WWII. Three women find themselves recruited to work at the famous code breaking estate at Bletchley Park. They find love and friendship in the midst of war; they also find heartbreak, pain, and treason. WWII lovers, as well as historical fiction fans, will love this book. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Screwtape Letters

The Screwtape Letters is by C.S. Lewis. This classic fantasy is a must read for all Christians. The book is a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is trying to tempt a human and Screwtape is giving him advice on how to do so. Lewis does a masterful job of laying bare Satan's devices and strategies and how easily we can fall for them. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Trojan Women

The Trojan Women is by Euripides. The classic drama by Greek playwright Euripides. The play is set at the end of the Trojan War, where the women of Troy are being left to face the consequences of their defeat. Although the play is short, it is powerful and emotional and should be a must read. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot

The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot is by Agatha Christie. A wonderful classic short story collection of mysteries. These 25 short stories were published in The Sketch magazine in 1923. They represent many classic Poirot mysteries that fans of Christie and David Suchet's Poirot will surely be familiar with. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo

Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo is by J.R.R. Tolkien. Three 13th-century British poems translated by Tolkien. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" tells the story of King Arthur's knights of the Round Table and an adventure that comes their way. "Pearl" is story of a man who is mourning the loss of his young daughter, when he falls asleep and dreams he sees her. "Sir Orfeo" is a re-telling of the myth of Orpheus. Fans of Arthurian legends and Tolkien will be charmed. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is by J. R. R. Tolkien. Charming fantasy book of short stories and poems from the world of Middle Earth. Fans of Tolkien will enjoy reading these tales, some of which are unpublished, and some of which are longer versions of poems hinted at in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Letters from Father Christmas

Letters from Father Christmas is by J.R.R. Tolkien. Wonderful Christmas fantasy classic! Why couldn't Tolkien have been my Dad? These are letters Tolkien wrote to his children pretending to be Father Christmas. The letters are utterly charming and the drawings are beautiful. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 6th grade  - 10 out of 10. 

Time After Time

Time After Time is by Lisa Grunwald. A charming historical fiction fantasy novel. It's December 1937, Joe Reynolds works at Grand Central Station. On this morning, he runs into a mysterious woman who disappears. A year later he meets her again and when she disappears a second time, discovers she was killed in a train crash at the station in 1925. How can she be a ghost and yet he can touch her? Joe and Nora's love story carries us through the thirties, WWII, and it's aftermath. This is a beautiful love story with a unique premise. Fans of historical fiction and love stories will enjoy this one. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

The Great Divorce

The Great Divorce is by C.S. Lewis. The classic allegorical fantasy by the creator of Narnia. The story begins with the narrator joining a queue for a bus. Once the bus arrives at its destination, the narrator, through a series of meetings discovers he was on a bus from Hell to Purgatory. The riders were destined to meet beings who attempt to lead them on to the mountains (Heaven). The bus riders and those they meet are clever allegories for many types of humans and the sins which keep them from God. It is a wonderfully convicting and important book that needs to be read by all believers. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Leaf by Niggle

Leaf by Niggle is by J.R.R. Tolkien. The classic fantasy short story of the painter whose art is interrupted by life. The story is semi-autobiographical and tells of Tolkien's struggle between his desire to write stories and his duties. Niggle fails to plan for the "journey;" spending as much time as possible on his painting and the rest on helping his neighbor Parish. A classic tale for all readers.

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.