Elsie Dinsmore Classics

I also think that many modern people’s sensitivities get offended by time period language and attitudes that are apparently present in the book. Basicly, the book is just by today’s race standards instead of taking it within it’s context.  For example, I bought an unabridged Jungle Book and there was a warning at the beginning of the book about the racial attittudes and sterotypes presented within do not reflect todays standards (I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point).

I suggest looking for the them used and buying them and reading them yourself or outloud with your dd to edit and/or discuss, but choose those from Vision Forum. I forget why, but there’s a reason I forgot long ago.

Rachel

Something I can definitely recommend are the ‘girl’ oriented Lamplighter books (actually all of them, but some veer more towards one sex or theother and sometimes it doesn’t matter) http://www.lamplighterpublishing.com/departments.asp?dept=6

and these from Grace and Truth, assuming your dd is from 8-12: My dd enjoys-The Girls Heritage Series:http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/category/the-girls-heritage-series

and my son and dd read from the Charcter Building Collection:http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/product/the-childrens-character-building-collection-set-of-11-titles

Lastly, these that I haven’t read, but are familiar with some of the titles: http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/category/character-classics

All of these you can get individually.

Rachel

My daughter has read all 12 of the newer version and also we purchased the new/used set of the original books, because we found such a great deal on ebay.  She really loved them and has probably reread them a couple of times.  Funny thing was that through her reading she became familiar with geneologies and started making up her own for her stories.  Have you ever noticed how much more you get out of a book, in terms of learning, when they are read together to discuss?  There is so much richness that is easily brought out through the reading of these books.  There is an endless supply of rabbit trails to go on together.  I would agree with Rachel, who commented on reading these aloud together.  It may be that some girls need to work through some things in their own little hearts and this could be a tool in your hands.  I would also recommend, should anyone out there really enjoy these books, the newer Life of Faith series.  They have a few series of books that are a take-off from Elsie.  A couple that I can think of are “Millie” and “Violet”, etc.  My daughter has equally enjoyed these as well.

I cannot excuse the racist elements and some of the archaic views but there are some updated/ cleaned up versions that are womderful. They are still living books in my opinion and change very little except what I wouldn’t want my children reading anyway.

This website has the elsie books along with tons of other historical fiction classics with female heroines who exhibit faith and a host of other virtues. I LOVE this material and have led clubs at church. http://www.alof.com/ ALOF stands for “A Life of Faith.”

For those who are skeptical about rewritings and revisions of older works, this site is worth your time to check out if you have daughters, or if you are a reader who loves a whimsical, real heroine like I do!

Heather <><