Review
Having studied elementary education in college and then obtained a graduate degree in children’s literature, I can sometimes be picky about children’s books. I don’t say that to be snobby. I just want to let you know my perspective. When I read the first chapter from The Circle C Adventures, a series set in 1880s California, I fell in love.
My boys are younger than the targeted 9-12 age range, so I read The Long Ride Home to them out loud. They fell in love, too. They would ask me to read to them, and they were ready to move on to the next one when we finished. What did they love? Andi, the main character, her horse Taffy, and the adventure.
What do I love about The Circle C Adventures Series?
- Fabulous descriptive language, but not over-the-top
- First-class, adventurous plots that “tweens” love
- Firm morals woven throughout without being preachy
- Fun characters that kids can relate to
- Fantastic opportunities for discussing real-life issues with your children, such as discrimination based on race or position
I would warn parents of more sensitive children that you may want to read each book first before letting your child read them solo especially if they are eight, nine, or ten. There are some heavy issues (child slavery and abusive drunken family members, for example) in The Circle C Adventures, and you will want to judge for yourself if your child is ready. The issues are handled appropriately, but, again, each child is different. For example, I will wait until my boys are older to read them the books that contain the examples above because my son with Aspergers is not ready for that. Other children his age would be fine. Based on my prior experience teaching upper elementary, I’d recommend you read books three through six with your kids that are ten or younger.
There are some great additional resources online for Circle C fans–students can put together online jigsaw puzzles of the characters, parents can download free enrichment guides for each book, and more! If you’d like to be transported back in time with your children to the Wild West era, or if you’d just like to share some great stories with your family, I highly recommend The Circle C Adventures Series.
About the Reviewer
Susan Marlow is a twenty-year homeschooling veteran of four and the author of the Circle C Adventures, Circle C Beginnings, and Reach for the Stars, a fiction writing workbook for young authors. Susan combines her love of teaching and her passion for writing by teaching writing workshops for kids on line, at schools, and in homeschool co-ops. She loves to watch kids get excited about creating stories. Susan and her husband, Roger, live on a 14-acre homestead in north-central Washington state.
From the publisher’s site: Sensing a growing need for solidly evangelical works, Kregel Publications began in 1949 to supply resources to meet the spiritual needs of evangelical readers as well as the professional needs of pastors, missionaries, teachers, and Christian leaders. Today Kregel’s backlist has over 900 titles including books in Christian education and ministry, contemporary issues, Christian living, fiction, and Biblical studies, in addition to reprints of classic works. Kregel Publications represents Lion Hudson plc of Oxford, England in the North American market as the exclusive distributor of Monarch Books and Candle Books and the religious market distributor for Lion Books and Lion Children’s Books.
It’s so hard to find wholesome reading material for older children these days. I can’t wait for my oldest to read these.
Beth, make sure you come back and choose your own rating for the books and leave us your thoughts!
This looks great for a boy or a girl. Sometimes it can be hard to find books that appeal to both. Will have to be on the look out for these!
Senaida, I agree. If I were still in the classroom, I know my fifth graders, both boys and girls, would have loved these. Lots of adventure and themes they can identify with!
I have been on the look out for a series of books for my 9 year old son. These sound perfect. And thanks for the heads up on the subject matter. He is a sensitive child so I will be very careful about that.
Yes, you may want to read books three through six out loud with him. Susan handles these issues very carefully, but if he is sensitive and nine, that may be the better route to go. He will love Andi’s friend Cory!