Books in The Classics Series series

"I have never concealed the fact that I regarded [George MacDonald] as my master; indeed I fancy I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him." — C. S. Lewis — A Complete and Unabridged collection of all three of George MacDonald's inspiring "Unspoken Sermons." Comes with an Index made for this edition. Other theological works by George MacDonald include:—The Hope of the Gospel, The Miracles of Our Lord, and God's Words to His Children. Some of his Fantasy works include:—The Princess and the Goblin, The Princess and Curdie, Phantastes, Lilith, Dealings with the Fairies, and At the Back of the North Wind.

Core Classics Series Stories loved for generations come to life for today's young readers in the Core Classics series. Faithful to the style, plot, and themes of the originals, Core Classics are designed for use as classroom editions of the literary works listed in the Core Knowledge Sequence. They include introductions by E. D. Hirsch Jr., editor of the Core Knowledge Series (What Your Kindergartner — Sixth Grader Needs to Know). The Core Classics are generally considered suitable for fourth and fifth grade students. The texts are illustrated, annotated, and include a brief biography of the author. From the Introduction Two heroes from the Middle Ages still stir our imaginations. One is King Arthur, with his knights of the Round Table. The other is Robin Hood, with his band of forest outlaws. King Arthur and his knights live at court. They go into the dark woods when they are after adventure. But forests hold no danger to Robin Hood and his men. Sherwood Forest is their home, and they feel safe there. The King Arthur stories tell of the mighty noblemen who rule. The Robin Hood stories tell of common men who defy their masters and rule themselves.

Atalanta is the fastest runner in the world butÿwill only marry the man who can beat her in a race; Perseus must destroy the snake-headed gorgon, Medusa; Pandora has been givenÿthe gift of curiosity, what will happen if she opens the forbiddenÿmagic jar? Pegasus, the miraculous flying horse, has never been tamed,ÿcan Bellerophon catch him? These ten wonderful tales from the world of Greek mythology are perfect for reading aloud to younger children. The stories are told by Sally Pomme Clayton, one of the UK's most spellbinding storytellers, with beautiful, glowing illustrations by the award-winning artist Jane Ray. Included are notes and a map showing the real places in Greece that are connected with the stories.

Core Classics Series Stories loved for generations come to life for today's young readers in the Core Classics series. Faithful to the style, plot, and themes of the originals, Core Classics are designed for use as classroom editions of the literary works listed in the Core Knowledge Sequence. They include introductions by E. D. Hirsch Jr., editor of the Core Knowledge Series (What Your Kindergartner — Sixth Grader Needs to Know). The Core Classics are generally considered suitable for fourth and fifth grade students. The texts are illustrated, annotated, and include a brief biography of the author. From the Introduction At the time Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes, the most famous detective in fiction, most stories were told in parts in magazines over many months. The problem with that, Doyle thought, was that if readers happened to miss the first part, they would not be interested in picking up the story later. So he decided to write stories that were complete in one issue and had main characters that reappeared in future adventures. Edgar Allen Poe wrote the first detective story, but Doyle reinvented it with the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson.

Little Women is one of the best loved books of all time. Lovely Meg, talented Jo, frail Beth, spoiled Amy: these are hard lessons of poverty and of growing up in New England during the Civil War. Through their dreams, plays, pranks, letters, illnesses, and courtships, women of all ages have become a part of this remarkable family and have felt the deep sadness when Meg leaves the circle of sisters to be married at the end of Part I. Part II, chronicles Meg's joys and mishaps as a young wife and mother, Jo's struggle to become a writer, Beth's tragedy, and Amy's artistic pursuits and unexpected romance. Based on Louise May Alcott's childhood, this lively portrait of nineteenth-century family life possesses a lasting vitality that has endeared it to generations of readers.From the Paperback edition.

Core Classics Series Stories loved for generations come to life for today's young readers in the Core ClassicsTM series. Faithful to the style, plot, and themes of the originals, Core Classics are designed for use as classroom editions of the literary works listed in the Core Knowledge Sequence. They include introductions by E. D. Hirsch Jr., editor of the Core Knowledge Series (What Your Kindergartner - Sixth Grader Needs to Know). The Core Classics are generally considered suitable for fourth and fifth grade students. The texts are illustrated, annotated, and include a brief biography of the author. Don Quixote is one of the most famous characters in literature. His name has become a word, "quixotic," that means to do something foolishly impractical for the sake of a high ideal. Equally famous is his companion Sancho Panza. As Don Quixote wanders Spain thinking of himself as a storybook knight-errant, Sancho takes the role of the knight's loyal squire. Don Quixote is idealistic and intelligent, but crazy, because he is living in the everyday world but believing it is the world of romances. He is too old and weak to be a knight-errant, but he doesn't think so. Sancho has solid common sense and sees everyday reality clearly, but he is ignorant and willing to lie. He knows it is useless to try to reason with madmen and so he plays along, hoping to find a profit in it. Cervantes seems to wish we could mix the best qualities of this knight and squire in ourselves; then we would see our everyday selves as we truly are and still strive to be nobler and better.

Rosemary Sutcliff's thrilling retelling of Homer’s epic tale, The Wanderings of Odysseus, is now available in an exciting new format. For this dramatic sequel to her Kate Greenaway Award–winning Black Ships Before Troy, Rosemary Sutcliff has transformed Homer's magnificent epic poem The Odyssey into an enthralling traveler's tale with a spectacular cast of men, magicians, and monsters.