Early American and/or World History spine for Junior High

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  • crazy4boys
    Participant

    We’re doing Early American history and World History next year (1550 to 1850). I know what I’m doing with my 8 and 10 year olds, but am slightly lost for my two 8th graders (both 14-years-old).

    I have nice, long lists of living books to read, but am wondering if I need a spine for them. I have looked at many and can’t find anything I like. For reference I have looked at and DO NOT want to use (some because they used it last rotation, some because it’s too ‘young’, and some because I just don’t like it):

    Story of the World – Susan Wise Bauer

    American History Stories – Mara Pratt

    Story of the Thirteen Colonies – Guerber

    Story of the Great Republic – Guerber

    America First – Lawton Evans

    Stories of the Americas and Nations – SCM

    BJU Press (American and World History)

    Notgrass

     

    Things I’m needing to research more/get opinions:

    Quest for a Hemisphere – Donzella Cross Boyle

    Mystery of History III and the beginning of IIII

    Sweet Land of Liberty (and maybe Story of Liberty)  – Charles Coffin

    Landmark History of the American People – Boorstin

    America: The Last Best Hope – William Bennett (might be too hard for 8th grade?)

    A Basic History of the United States – Clarence Carson

    Truthquest Age of Revolution I – just have them read through a list without a spine

     

    Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! 

    Wings2fly
    Participant

    Would you consider Genevieve Foster World of …. books as a spine? They are used in Beautiful Feet Jr. High.

    crazy4boys
    Participant

    Yes, Wings2fly….those should have been on my list too! 

    I should also add NOT The Story of US by Joy Hakim.

    Tristan
    Participant

    Not a spine, but what about The Work and the Glory series by Gerald N Lund (covers 1800s Church History), The Undaunted also by Lund is a bit past your time span (1879) but good, there is also Fire of the Covenant by Lund (1856). 

    sheraz
    Participant

    The Prelude to Glory set covers the Reveolutionary War to the War of 1812.  I learned so much from it.

    Tristan
    Participant

    I haven’t read the prelude series yet, I want to get a hold of it…

    anniepeter
    Participant

    I very much enjoyed Boorstin’s Landmark History…with my oldest, and she continued reading it on her own after we wer done to do research for a book she was writing! I think it would be excellent for these ages. Sonlight used to use it (maybe still does?) for younger kids 3-5 grades, but it was quite a difficult read aloud even at that age.

    blue j
    Participant

    I have the opposite opinion from anniepeter where Boorstin’s book is concerned — but it may suit you.  We read it a couple of times and it really didn’t work for us AT. ALL.  Note that the first part is as. dry. as. dust. and just as exciting to read aloud as I did with my kids at the time. The second part picked up, but was still not our cup of tea. 

    Have you looked over Bennett’s books?  I ended up ordering them for my high school student to use.

    crazy4boys
    Participant

    Blue J, I have all the Bennett books and I’ve been reading them on and off this week, trying to get a feel for them. I’m not sure it’s what I want for 8th grade, but can see them working for high school. 

    I’ve never seen the Boorstin. Did you read the newer, color version or the older blue cover one? I have read reviews that the newer one is better. I requested it ILL so hopefully they’ll be able to get it so I can make a better determination than the few page sample I can find.

    I also found All American History by Bright Ideas Press that I’ve been reading through.

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