Must-Read Monday

After running out of library books the other day, I picked up the copy of "Many Waters" by Madeline L'Engle that we own. While I read the three most popular of her books many, many times over the years, I'd never even seen Many Waters until a few years ago in a bookstore. I finally managed to snag a copy somewhere for free or cheap, but never started reading it until recently. So far, I'm not nearly as impressed with it as I was the first three books. Perhaps the fact that it's set in real Biblical history is what makes it less likeable to me.

But as to the other three books. Oh, some of my very favorites. I haven't saved very many of my juvenile fiction books, but all three of those have a place in my heart and on my shelves. Oddly enough, I read the series backward. "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" in 5th grade gifted class and loved it. Later I came across "A Wind in the Door", and eventually the first one, "A Wrinkle in Time". I love them all, but if I absolutely had to choose a favorite, it would be "Planet". It can be mildly confusing because of some time travel parts to the plot, but if you like science-fiction (as it turned out, I do) then it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

All of the books have a fairly strong moral basis, and some people find them religious while others find them merely "mystical". I think I'd have to go with the "mystical" take, as they tend towards a rather broad good vs. evil bent rather than a specific theology. However you view them, I think you can't deny that they are good, quality writing that is clean and enjoyable.

posted by Homeschool Help Web at 7:59 AM |