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From CiRCE Institute:A reading guide can do one of two things:- It can tell you what to think
- Or it can teach you how to read
This guide strives to do the latter. We aren't trying to convince you to think like us; we want to provide avenues of access to the story you are reading.Our approach is driven by the belief that stories are natural to human beings and that, therefore, the best approach to story is to approach it like humans naturally approach stories. Stories are different from paintings and rocks and symphonies because they have characters who make decisions and the drama of a story revolves around those decisions.Technical literary elements are wonderful things to learn because they can help a reader think about and interact with ideas a story-teller is developing. But they have to revolve around the core event of the story, which always remains the decisions and actions of the main characters.A theme or motif or literary device can help the reader understand what the author is getting at. But considered in isolation, themes, motifs, and literary devices lose their meaning and purpose, and become mere fodder for academic exercise.This reading guide is not interested in academic exercises. It is interested in stories and the people who read them. If you read the story the way this reading guide shows you, you will become a better reader. You will find the stories more interesting too. And you’ll have plenty to contribute to a discussion about this story or any other story you might read. In fact, you’ll see how every story is part of a vast tapestry woven by every author who has ever told a story, some with greater influence than others, but all adding a valuable thread to the tapestry.What then is the story?Think of any story you have ever read or heard, no matter how short. You can include TV shows and movies. You probably notice that stories happen somewhere and at some time. You probably also notice that there are always characters in a story, and that at least one of the characters has some really big problem to deal with (he’s in love and the girl doesn’t notice him, the mountain is shaking and he’s about to be swallowed in an avalanche, he’s lost his wallet or his horse or his mind and needs it for something right now, etc.)The urgency of a story comes from this need to act, but before the character can act he needs to make a decision. What are his options? What do you think he should do?Take Achilleus, for instance. When you read The Iliad, you’ll have the privilege of reading about one of the most interesting characters in all the long history of stories. But it all starts, as Homer tells us in line one, with his rage. He’s so angry he could…Well, we don’t want to spoil the story, but he could do some pretty awful things. But should he?In book one, you’ll see how his leader, Agamemnon, the king of kings, insults him in a way that you and I can hardly imagine. In fact, when you first read it, you might think Achilleus is over-reacting. But that’s the whole point. That’s what we’re supposed to wonder. Is he over-reacting? The whole Iliad is about his anger and the pain that it caused (read the first 10 lines and you’ll see that Homer doesn’t wait to tell us about that anger and that pain). What do you think? What would you have done?All 24 “books” ( think chapters) of the Iliad involve characters who have a key decision to make. If you want to read like you’ve never read before and enjoy a story more than you thought you were allowed to, plunge in to those decisions. Find characters that you like or dislike and argue with them.But keep your mind open. As you read the Iliad using this guide, you will form your own opinions, and then you will test them. With each book you’ll be moving closer and closer to the heart of a very angry man, and you’ll also join a number of other characters who also have painfully difficult decisions to make -- the kind of decisions you often have to make yourself, though hopefully not often with so much at stake.In the end, that is one of the best reasons to read Homer. Read him closely and he’ll give you a great gift: the ability to make better decisions.Should you accept our invitation and read the Iliad? If you do, we who love Homer are happy to offer you clues to the pleasure of the story. Thank you for letting us play a small part in increasing your joy on the journey!The Space Between – A Guide to Homer’s Iliad
$29.50 -
A Tale of the Sixteenth Century “He could not die thus for his faith. On the contrary, it cost him but little to conceal it. What, then, had they which he had not? Something that enabled even poor, wild, passionate Gonsalvo to forgive and pray for the murderers of the woman he loved. What was it?”The Spanish Brothers
$14.95 -
The Spirit of Canada, a stunning anthology that celebrates our country's life and times, is filled to the brim with stories, songs, poems, legends, and more. This remarkable collection is a must-have for every library. With one hundred and fifty illustrations by some of Canada's most prestigious children's book artists, The Spirit of Canada will prove to be a useful reference guide, as well as a keepsake for generations to come. Beginning with native creation myths, readers are introduced to a cross-section of Canadian history. Chapters include the discovery of the New World, early settlement, and Confederation, as well as legends, humour, and multiculturalism.The Spirit of Canada
$29.95 -
The other peacocks want Prewitt to move away, then they discover the benefits of his ferocious-looking tail.The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock
$12.50 -
The Squirrel Behind the Tree guidebook, for both instructors and the students themselves, explores the philosophical bases behind the concepts introduced in the novel and includes excerpts of works by Huxley, Adler, James, Peirce, Dewey, and others who were central to the movement known as Pragmatism and who influenced Dewey’s views of religion, democracy, and education. It also provides in-depth discussion questions about both the readings and the novel.3 GradesThe Squirrel Behind the Tree – Guidebook
$26.50 -
This novel traces a fictionalized version of American philosopher John Dewey’s intellectual development. In it, Dewey meets several great philosophers at a philosophers’ camp, where he explores the concepts of Pragmatism, democracy, and issues of social justice, including the rights of children. Dewey revolutionized the American educational system, and this story examines the forces that led him to that achievement, while engaging readers in a compelling tale of curiosity and discovery.3 GradesThe Squirrel Behind the Tree – Student Book
$26.50 -
From the Publisher: Have you ever tried to count the stars? There are so many it's impossible! God made all those stars. But one day the star maker became small enough to lie under the stars... as a little baby. This beautifully illustrated little book will help children grasp the wonder and excitement that Jesus, the Son of God, became a small baby for us at Christmas, so that He might grow up to become a man, providing a way for us to be friends with Him again.The Star Maker
$8.50 -
From the Publisher: Due to careful research, Spier’s artwork depicts “the dawn’s early light” and “the rocket’s red glare” with remarkable authenticity and detail in this celebratory book.The Star-Spangled Banner
$13.99 -
The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky offers everything you need to explore the remarkable beauty of the stars, moon, and planets. Dr. Jason Lisle, a research scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in astrophysics provides a very thorough, practical and easy to read resource to fuel the curiosity of amateur astronomers ages 10 to 100.The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky
$54.50 -
From CiRCE Institute:Long considered an essential title in classical literature, Plutarch’s Lives have, unfortunately, fallen out of favor among many contemporary readers and educators. Most translations have rendered Plutarch’s original language, which is so energetic in the Greek, quite dryly in English, thus relegating these classic tales to the dusty bookshelves of specialists.The Statesmen: The Parallel Lives of Cato the Younger and Phocion of Athens
$29.50 -
From the Publisher: Jacoby Howard was the star quarterback, and I was the middle linebacker who was going to stop him from scoring. I glanced up at the scoreboard; it read :03; 21-17. Jacoby had to go through me to win the game. My teeth clenched as I crouched, ready to surge forward.The Storm Blitz
$16.50 -
Since 1933, The Story About Ping has captivated generations of readers, but never before has it been available in a mass-market paperback format. No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River.The Story about Ping
$7.99 -
The Story Bible is a collection of stories from God’s Word that will be a treasured resource. The realistic art brings each story to life and will engage your child with the narrative of God’s redemptive plan.The Story Bible
$39.99 -
Listen along as Uncle Paul converses with his three children, teaching them all about the world around us. Share the story of the ants’ underground city, the spider’s suspension bridge, the caterpillars’ metamorphosis. Unlock the mystery behind thunder, lightning, clouds, rain, the year and seasons, volcanoes and earthquakes, and much more.3 GradesThe Story Book of Science
$19.50 – $33.95 -
Sara Stanley is only fourteen, but she can weave tales that are impossible to resist. In the charming town of Carlisle, children and grown-ups alike flock from miles around to hear her spellbinding tales...The Story Girl
$12.99
