A self-described "glorified list of books", All through the Ages features books from well known Christian publishers Answers in Genesis, Beautiful Feet Books, Bluestocking Press and others, as well as award winning literature. Arranged primarily by chronological and geographical categories, three smaller categories of "History of Science & Mathematics", "History of the Arts", and "Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian Tradition" are also included. Under each historical event or era, resources are listed by reading levels, and then by sub-category; the title, author, sentence summary and publisher code are provided for each. Timelines and information on the events or times included provide an interesting summary of some of the most interesting aspects of history! A detailed introduction includes the authors' explanations for using biblical dates, teaching history chronologically, and the use of living books. Each book is indexed by title, author, section and reading level. 360 pages, softcover.

How pleasant it is to receive little notes telling me that your homeschoolers are enjoying their “living books”: biographies, children’s literature, even picture books. You’ve also mentioned your need of story-style history books that chronologically place rulers and battles in timeline order—main texts that are not skimming overviews of the world but that provide a clear impression of a country or culture, and prominent events of a time period. The H.A. Guerber books will fit this need. Some teachers call them “spine” books because they form the backbone of a time period on which all those lovely living books can be attached. You may refer to the reading lists and handy timelines included in each volume.

Originally published in the 1890s, Guerber’s story-style histories have been either gently updated by Christine Miller or, in some instances, rewritten by her. No lists of questions follow each chapter. Evenly spaced quizzes and tests are absent. These books are for those who prefer students to narrate orally and/or keep a notebook of written narration—a record (sometimes picturesque summary) of what each student is learning. Looking back over our homeschool, I see that most of our children’s effort at writing was centered on narrating history. It is a natural way of developing English skills, thus nicely combining two subjects for the day.

Not marked by specific grade level, the books can be used with a group of children of combined ages. The Ancient World (the story of God’s chosen people) and the American histories could be used for later elementary. Greeks and Romans would suffice for middle school up to high school. I found the most involved, challenging histories to be Middle Ages and Renaissance and Reformation. It’s okay to give books “a try” with children. Knowledge has a wonderful way of crossing imposed boundaries of grade level, especially when presented through books like these. Approx. 200–350 pages each, softcovers from Nothing New Press.

—Karen

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