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Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:59:44 -0700

Does "Analysis" Destroy the Love of Reading? By my latest count, I have heard the following dictum at least a dozen times in the last month: “literary analysis destroys the love of r […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 17:02:30 -0700

Pelican Book Club: Edgar Allan Poe CenterForLit · Pelican Book Club: Edgar Allan Poe Return to Pelican Book Club Archives The Pelican Book Club is a regularly-occuring […]

Susan Datema commented on the post, Of Stones and Streams

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:43:00 -0700

As the oldest of 7 and who collected rocks I kept them in a paper bag in the closet where they would be safe. I still have some of the ones I collected. I loved this blog and all the others you have written. […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:28:28 -0700

Beating Out the Fire There is a chapter in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie in which Ma and Pa fight a wildfire as it rages toward their house. Pa h […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:35:20 -0700

Of Knights and Men We celebrated our eldest grandson’s fifth birthday last weekend. His Narnia-themed party featured small wooden-sword party favors. He is all a […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:39:54 -0700

Of Stones and Streams by Missy Andrews What is it about a kid that loves a rock? When I was nine, I collected rocks. My family and I had moved from … Read More »

Heather Smith changed their profile picture

Wed, 06 May 2026 20:40:56 -0700

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:10:29 -0800

Teacher Guide: Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle Plot Summary: Robber baron Conrad is injured when he attacks rival baron Frederick. Conrad’s wife Matilda dies after seeing his wounds, but not b […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:41:24 -0800

A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban – Teacher Guide Plot Summary: Despite Mother’s warnings, Frances allows Thelma to swindle her out of money she was saving for a blue China tea set. Frances e […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:33:19 -0800

Teacher Guide: The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco Plot Summary: This charming autobiography spans four generations, during which the main character, Great Gramma Anna, remembers her heritage and […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:20:37 -0800

Teacher Guide: The Library by Sarah Stewart Plot Summary: When the prolific reader Elizabeth Brown accumulates more books than her small house can contain, she donates both house and books […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:39:44 -0800

Teacher Guide: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Plot Summary: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer follows a mischievous boy in a small Missouri town as he gets into trouble, witnesses a murder, and […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 21:44:30 -0800

Teacher Guide: Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema Plot Summary: When a mosquito tells an iguana a tall tale just for fun, events spin out of control until one of Mother Owl’s babies is dead. S […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:03:26 -0800

Teacher Guide: Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary Plot Summary: Ramona Quimby, a bright, stubborn new kindergartener, endeavors to win the love of her teacher, Miss Binney, and prove to her […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:14:15 -0800

Teacher Guide: The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz Plot Summary: Ann Hamilton is a ten-year-old girl whose family has moved to the Western frontier from Gettysburg. Although she struggles with […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:25:16 -0800

Teacher Guide: Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan Plot Summary: Young Peter Lundstrom and his friends help save their town’s gold bullion from the invading Germans by sneaking it past the t […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 22:51:36 -0800

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White – Teacher Guide Plot Summary: When Wilbur, Fern Arable’s runt pig, learns that he is to be Farmer Zuckerman’s Christmas dinner, his faithful spider friend Cha […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:35:57 -0800

Teacher Guide: Elbert's Bad Word by Audrey Wood Plot Summary: Young Elbert surprises himself and everyone else when he “catches” a bad word. A garden variety vocabulary “wizard” cures him with a […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 12 May 2025 20:07:16 -0700

Floods and Arks – Private Libraries and the Preservation of Western Culture by Missy Andrews Over the past several years I have become aware of a growing conversation around the issue of independent bookstores. These are, […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:31:53 -0700

Your Life is Perfect by Missy Andrews What would you say if I told you that your life was perfect? You’d probably say something like: “You don’t know my life.” I kno […]

Jami Hoekstra changed their profile picture

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:17:28 -0800

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:54:10 -0800

"The Story of a Homeschool Family Feud" by Missy Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “The Story of a Homeschool Family Feud” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:52:41 -0800

"Teaching the Classics from Seuss to Socrates: Literary Analysis for Everyone" by Adam Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “Teaching the Classics from Seuss to Socrates: Literary Analysis for Everyone” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:50:32 -0800

"Raising Christian Readers" by Missy Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “Raising Christian Readers” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:48:24 -0800

"Raising a Worldview Detective: Thinking Critically About Books, Movies and More" by Adam Andrews(CFHE 2023) “Raising a Worldview Detective: Thinking Critically About Books, Movies and More” (CFHE 2023) Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:46:47 -0800

"Homeschoolings Highest Goal: Lessons From the Story of Job" by Adam Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “Homeschoolings Highest Goal: Lessons From the Story of Job” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:44:58 -0800

"Hercules Overwhelmed: The Quest for Success and Enoughness" by Missy Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “Hercules Overwhelmed: The Quest for Success and Enoughness” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:43:14 -0800

"Education in an Hour: Teaching Life’s Most Crucial Lesson in One Sitting" by Adam Andrews (CFHE Conference 2023) “Education in an Hour: Teaching Life’s Most Crucial Lesson in One Sitting” (CFHE Conference 2023) Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:41:03 -0800

"Teaching the Classics from Seuss to Socrates: Literary Analysis for Everyone" by Adam Andrews “Teaching the Classics from Seuss to Socrates: Literary Analysis for Everyone” Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:39:15 -0800

NCHE Keynote Address: "Homeschooling's Highest Goal" by Adam Andrews NCHE Keynote Address: “Homeschooling’s Highest Goal” Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:35:36 -0800

"The Most Important Reason to Go to College – and Be Wary in the Process" by Adam Andrews “The Most Important Reason to Go to College – and Be Wary in the Process” CenterForLit · The Most Important Reason to Go to College – and Be Wary in the Process Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:31:37 -0800

"Asking the Right Questions" by Adam Andrews “Asking the Right Questions” CenterForLit · “Asking the Right Questions” Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:29:10 -0800

"Education, Freedom, and…Literary Analysis" by Adam Andrews “Education, Freedom, and…Literary Analysis” CenterForLit · Education, Freedom, and…Literary Analysis Explore the Library

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:18:42 -0800

"Building the Perfect Reading List" by Adam Andrews “Building the Perfect Reading List” CenterForLit · “Building the Perfect Reading List” Explore the Library

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 19:58:37 -0800

Gateway Stories to the Classics: "enormous SMALLNESS" by Missy Andrews Some of us love poetry all our lives. Others write it all of theirs. Edward Estling Cummings (a.k.a. E. E. Cummings) did both. After […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 20:49:12 -0800

Books Without Covers: Stories My Kids Loved to Pieces by Missy Andrews The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh, by A. A. Milne, with Decorations by Ernest H. Shepard Those who visit the Andrews’ f […]

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 17:44:18 -0700

Finding Energy for the Work of Education by Missy Andrews In Colossians 3:23-24, the Apostle Paul alludes to the fruitfulness of patiently abiding in the finished work … Read More »

Missy Andrews wrote a new post

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:37:38 -0700

The Gospel for Homeschool Parents and Teachers by Missy Andrews “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bea … Read More »

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 01:28:24 -0700

Teacher Guide: Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco Plot Summary: Three neighbor children work to earn money and overcome obstacles to purchase an Easter bonnet for their beloved grandmother, Miss Eula. She […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 01:23:56 -0700

Teacher Guide: Doctor De Soto by William Steig Plot Summary: Dr. De Soto is a reputable dentist – and mouse – who has a policy against treating dangerous animals. When a fox appears at his office in ter […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:56:57 -0700

Teacher Guide: All Those Secrets of the World by Jane Yolen Plot Summary: Janie’s father leaves for war and returns two years later. She learns that the senses cannot always be relied upon to tell us whether or not s […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:52:58 -0700

Teacher Guide: I Have an Olive Tree by Eve Bunting Plot Summary: For her seventh birthday, Sophia’s grandfather gives her an unusual gift: an olive tree, growing on the Greek island where her mother was b […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:48:42 -0700

Teacher Guide: Amos and Boris by William Steig Plot Summary: An unlikely friendship, reminiscent of Aesop’s fable of the mouse and the lion, develops between Amos, a mouse, and Boris, a w […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:44:47 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward Plot Summary: A young boy makes a bear cub his pet and must learn the true meaning of manhood when the bear becomes a nuisance. Originally published in […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:41:37 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton Plot Summary: A Little House in the countryside is slowly abandoned as a city grows up around her, but the caring great-great-granddaughter of the house’s b […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:37:07 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco Plot Summary: A young girl struggling with reading goes with her grandfather on a wild chase for a bee tree and discovers the sweet rewards of patient […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:34:32 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks Plot Summary: Omri, a young boy, receives a gift on his ninth birthday, a magic cabinet that brings plastic figures to life: Little Bear (a tiny Iroquois […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 22:44:02 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom Plot Summary: The ten Booms, a Christian family in Holland, aid Jewish people as part of an underground resistance network during World War II. They are then […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 22:40:54 -0700

Teacher Guide: Lentil by Robert McCloskey Plot Summary: Lentil, a young boy who loves music, learns to play the harmonica since he cannot sing, or even whistle. When the generous and respected […]

Adam Andrews wrote a new post

Sat, 10 Aug 2024 22:37:50 -0700

Teacher Guide: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Plot Summary: A mouse named Despereaux falls in love with the Princess Pea and is exiled to the dungeon for “unmouselike” behavior. There he meets a rat who […]