I have children 8th (almost 14), 6th (12 and ELL), 5th (10), two 1st (7 and 6) and little DD is 2.
We are enjoying Sailing. I found it used (and cheap) on half.com Mine does have the illustrations. I am reading it with all of them, but I let two 1st graders work in their journaling (half lines, half blank) with their Draw, Write, Now books at the same time. DS, 7, is fascinated by boats and airplanes so he really pays attention.
We started Master Skylark today. I plan to keep reading it, but mine didn't love the first two chapters. However, the writing is impeccable and we talked a lot about how the writer was setting the scene. I asked them as I read chp. 1 who they thought was coming to the town and they all guessed "a king" (which it wasn't but this reeled them in for sure).
BTW, I got it FREE on my kindle (if you have one might be an option): http://www.amazon.com/Master-Skylark-ebook/dp/B008485BDQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1343791760&sr=8-3&keywords=master+skylark (no illustrations though)
Sailing is available on-line free here: http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/js/saaw.htm#illus (some illustrations are good; some not so good). I like a real book though. I dunno.
We do not use the GOAL Bible study b/c we attend a weekly Bible study class through Community Bible Study and our DC go to the homeschool classes. It is quite in-depth. Last year, we studied the Book of Acts the entire year, year before that the Book of Revelation, and this year we're studying the Books of 1 and 2nd Kings as well as the Minor Prophets. I study the same books right alongside the children, so this works really well for our family. We attend the classes Sept.-May.
BTW, JennNC, we are both doing Moduel 5 with a bunch of kids LOL! We need to keep in touch and encourage and motivate! I assume you are in NC? We are your neighbors to the West in TN. Wish we were a bit closer! 