Evaluating Books from a Biblical Perspective

Posted on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 01:20

I recently run across a question on one of my lists... and thought this might be something to share further...

Let the Author's Speak, A Guide to Worthy Books Based on Historical Setting by Carolyn Hatcher  I use this one a lot.  It is a really easy quick reference guide, catagorizing by author, century/location, or title.  She notes books reviewed in Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson, listed in the bibliography of Honey for a Child's Heart and reviewed in Read for Your Life both by Gladys Hunt, and the reading list for Westside Prep School in Marva Colin's Way by M. Collins & C. Tamarkin.  She also notes Newbery Medal and Pulitzer Prize Winners.  It's all in columns with abreviations to note whether the books are biography, autobiography, history, essay, science, allegory, fable.... and lots more...

Another source I've used is the Keepers of the Faith web site.  He is very strict in his evaluations and reveiws and judges the authors by thier lives as well as other of thier writings, not just by book.  We have still chosen to read some of the books that he says christians should never read, but it was nice to have the history and to know some specific areas of certain books to talk with the children about, (or just skip over if I'm the one reading).  Like some of Louisa Mae Alcott.  Her writings are so full of great examples of children learning specific character qualities...  I just printed out his article and folded it into great-grandma's copy of Little Women, for future posterity...  ;'>

Abundant Blessings,
Dawnita