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First, let me say that I'm a "study guide, unit study" kind of homeschooling mom. I love it when someone else has found all the links and critical vocabulary words within a book or subject to be studied. I do however almost always "tweak" the study guide to ensure that my kids are getting everything they can from the resource.

With this study guide I don't have to tweak much. Mrs. Brown has given her reader everything they need for a study of the short story "The Blue Cross" - even the story - in this 90-page study guide.

The study guide includes biographical information about Chesterton - a British Catholic convert well-known for his wit and deep, symbolic writings. Mrs. Brown is somewhat of a Chesterton scholar, so her write-up is not only accurate, it's extensive. She includes references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to ensure the student understands the Church's teachings on reason; teachings that always play a big part in Chesterton's writings.

Mrs. Brown includes a suggested schedule which takes about 10 days to complete - you of course could make the study of this exceptional short story either longer or shorter. There are essay topics and short-answer questions to help the student delve into the meaning of the story. There are vocabulary words, literary terms (for example, alliterations and similes), understanding through contextual reading, and other activities to enliven the reader's experience of this first of the Father Brown stories. An answer key is included at the end of the study guide.

The study guide itself is a useful size - a 6"x 8" spiral bound volume with a great silhouetted graphic on the laminated cover. This study guide just begs to be opened and used -- always a bonus when spending money from usually quite limited homeschool budgets.

Science readers are to be found if you look around enough as this book demonstrates. It is the fictional story of Massimo, a boy who regularly throws his uncle's lunch off a bridge to his boat as his uncle rows by below. Galileo happens to see that the bread and the cheese land at the same time. The story ends atop the leaning Tower of Pisa, as legend suggests Galileo did.

The illustrations are a little disappointing, the people in particular. The story is sometimes forced as math and science readers often are; however, overall it is a great tale that teaches a basic principle of physics sure to have your children dropping objects from heights. It even alludes to Galileo's ramp experiments on acceleration. The last page briefly fills in the reader on the period in history, what in the story is fact and fiction, and the formula for calculating speed.

Overall this is a great introductory physics science book.

Printed on heavy paper in an approximately 9x12 format, this booklet is an explanation of the Creation account of Genesis 1. With thirteen inviting full-page line drawings to color, this slim volume packs a surprising punch.

Basing herself on the work of Fr. Stanley Jaki, Mrs. Daly explains the first creation account of Genesis in terms of its message about the Sabbath observance as an outward sign of the covenant between God and His people. Or, in her own words:

In Genesis 1, the message is about the importance of observing the Sabbath. In order to teach us the importance of this observance, Genesis 1 presents God Himself keeping a Sabbath rest after His creation of the universe, a vast work, suitable to his divine wisdom and his almighty power. and a work whose purpose actually to make a home for mankind, His partner in a solemn covenant.

Genesis 1: House of the Covenant is so different from many other works I have read on this topic. Each creative act described in Genesis 1 offers some specific and often profound insight into God of His creation, and insight which, ironically, is usually overlooked in insistence on the literal meaning of this portion of Scripture. In simple language, Mrs. Daly brings out these insights. One example, about Genesis 1:3 ("Let there be light.")

Nobody can work well in the darkness. The first thing we do (unless we are doing something bad) is to turn on the light.
... This light simply tells us that God did not work blindly, or for an evil reason, but purposefully, in light and goodness, and we are meant to see what he did. If we imagined God working in darkness, we might think the world was evil or accidental. What a mistake! We live in the orderly creation of a wonderful and loving intelligence.

Middle-schools students could use this book independently, but it is also a wonderful resource for parents introducing their younger children to Genesis. My oldest enjoyed it in 5th grade, and came away from it with a deeper sense of his heavenly Father's work in creation.

It is just like the D'Aulaire's to create a story (complete with beautiful full-color illustrations) that would be interesting and appealing to small children and yet teach more about the character and upbringing of "the Father of Our Country" than most textbooks. The story covers our First President's early childhood - growing up in Colonial America - his adventures (and character) as a young officer during the French and Indian War and, of course, his role in the American Revolution and as president.