Renaissance and reformation: literature and free reads

We don't always coordinate our literature selections to the history period we are studying in our homeschool, but as our students get older it happens more frequently. This year, I have chosen two main novels of enduring literary and historic value for my Year 8 student to read. It is my hope that the rich vocabulary will proffer a vivid picture of the times and places described, and that each will speak truths about human nature, and of the relationship between God and man.  

Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley - If ever a book gave a flavor of the times, this is one. Set in Elizabethan England, the ins and outs of 16th century religion, politics, and warfare all come into play in the hero Amyas Leigh's life. Amyas sails and explores, fights Spanish invaders in Ireland, and in the end, gets the girl; his integrity and faith guiding him through it all.


I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed) by Alesandro Manzoni - another book that is new to me, Amazon had this to say about it: " The Betrothed's exploration of love, power and faith presents a whirling panorama of seventeenth-century Italian life and is one of the greatest European historical novels."

(Both of the above books are also available free in Kindle or ebook format.)

And because I can't keep my daughter in books, I have also added these rather easier reads to her schedule this year: 
The King's Fifth by Scott O'Dell (1541) - recounts the adventures and trial of Spanish mapmaker Julian Escobar in the New World. So good, truly.

The Explorations of Pere Marquette by Jim Kjelgaard (1670) - okay, this is actually a non-fiction title, from the much acclaimed Landmark Series; this book recounts the travels of French Jesuit Marquette (and his friend Joliet) as they explore the Mississippi river and environs.

A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh (1665) - I picked up this small volume one night and could not put it down until the last page. Based on the true story of how the Plague devastated the English village of Eyam, it is a haunting story of love and loss, but also a thoughtful look at the convergence of religion, politics, and science in the 17th century. 

And because my 4th, 6th, and 8th grade students are all studying this same time period, I have chosen a few books to read aloud that we can all enjoy, though every book on this list would make an excellent free read choice as well. All are appropriate for younger children as well, though they may find The Black Arrow a bit dull.  

The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson (1460-61) Set during the War of the Roses, young Dick Shelton finds himself betrayed by his treacherous guardian, and torn between conflicting loyalties with the houses of York and Lancaster, as he seeks to become a knight and rescue his lady love. Truthfully, this should have been a part of last year's studies, but hey  - I can't always get it perfect.

The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O'Dell (early 1500s, during the reign of Henry VIII) - while his uncle is merely out for profit, young smuggler Tom Barton sees that the writing of one Martin Luther, and William Tyndale's hopes of an English Bible, are changing the lives of English men and woman and ushering in the dawning of a new age.

Unknown to History; The Captivity of Mary of Scotland by Charlotte Yonge (1567) - it seems that every British child knows the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, but if I ever learned it, I've forgotten it. Through the story of the Talbot family and their foundling daughter, Cicely, we read here of Mary's captivity and her conflicts with Queen Elizabeth I.  (available free for Kindle or ereader)

Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal by Robert C. Reilly (1580) -  an exciting and adventurous tale based on a true story from Irish history - that of Red Hugh's capture, imprisonment, and escape from his Elizabethan English enemies. A story of bravery, loyalty, and perseverance.

 I Will Adventure by Elizabeth Janet Grey - (1596) - I randomly picked up this out-of-print book at a sale, and am glad a did. A quick and easy read, the story follows Andrew, who is sent from his home in Canterbury to become a page to his London uncle, but what he really wants is to be apart of the exciting theatrics of Mr. Shakespeare.  

The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat  (1647) -  Set in England during the time of the Civil War, four children, whose royalist father was killed fighting for King Charles, flee their burning ancestral home, and take up residence with Jacob Armitage, a keeper in the New Forest. An exciting and detailed look at a very volatile time. 

Master Cornhill by Eloise Jarvis McGraw - (1666) Full of detail about life and customs in 17th century London, this story centers around Michael, orphaned during the great plague, and left to fend for himself in the city. He befriends a balladeer, a map maker, and his lively housekeeper Susanna, but that only seems to make it worse once the Great Fire sweeps through London, threatening them all...

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1687) - 16 year old Kit finds it difficult to adjust to life with her uncle's family in Puritan Connecticut, after growing up in sunny Barbados. The colonists, in turn, have a hard time understanding her different ways, especially after she befriends a Quaker woman that is already regarded as a witch. I originally intended to assign this book in Term 3, but decided instead to read it aloud to all my children - I believe everyone from the 7 to 13 year old will enjoy it, and I don't doubt the younger children will pick up more than I expect!
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