Interesting reading related to homeschooling

     New Homeschooling Magazine: This information was reported in the Aug. 25 issue of the HomeSchoolBuzz.com e-mail newsletter. Secular Homeschooling is a non-religious magazine that reflects the diversity of the homeschooling community. Its readers and writers are committed to the idea that religious belief is a personal matter rather than a prerequisite of homeschooling. This magazine is for any homeschooler, religious or not, who is interested in good solid writing about homeschooling and homeschoolers. Secular Homeschooling is $7 per issue, including postage. Subscriptions to Secular Homeschooling are $28 for four issues. The website for more information is http://www.secular-homeschooling.com/index.html .

     Some Positive Homeschool Reading:   (I saw this at another blog, http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jab300/380444/ on Aug. 27, 2007.  )  I like magazines, especially most of the Reiman publications. I subscribe to Taste of Home and Simple and Delicious and occasionally buy other Reiman mags at the store. Well I am so glad I picked up this month’s issue of Country Woman! I was so impressed by this issue I just wanted to share. It is always a good read, filled with good recipes, crafts, decorating ideas, and articles about country living and farm life. But this issue struck me with all it’s positive exposure to homeschooling. I have never seen so many articles and references to homeschooling families in a mainstream magazine. And they fit right in and portray homeschooling as part of the norm…they aren’t like some articles that only even appear because they want to show a "unique" family or "different" way of life, kwim? [Editor’s note: for those who do not know computer shorthand, this stand for "know what I mean." WSW.] The homeschool families aren’t singled out they are just there. Love it!! I just am so happy there is finally some mainstream media recognizing that homeschoolers are everywhere and aren’t different or unique…just families like everyone else.

     Practical Homeschooling: My favorite homeschooling magazine is, well, I guess whichever one I am reading at the time. I am personally associated as a volunteer with The Old Schoolhouse, but I have had articles and/or reviews published in Home School Digest, Home Educator’s Family Times, and Home School Enrichment, and I subscribe to some others. One of the most venerable is Practical Homeschooling, published by Mary Pride ( www.home-school.com ), long time homeschooling mother and advocate. The July/Aug., 2007, issue (#77) has a lot of interesting information, including an article about Answers In Genesis’s new creation museum in northern Kentucky, an interview with the folks at Sycamore Academy who have been helping to serve homeschoolers for 25 years, and an entire section on homeschooling and the military (I mean, after all, if a family publishes a magazine they ought to be able to trumpet the achievements of their own children if they want to; as I say with Biblical Homeschooling, "It’s my newsletter, and I’ll sing if I want to"!). Michael Maloney also has a good article on the importance of teaching geography.

Just another good reason to keep your children as far away from a public school as possible

      The following information was reported in the Mon., Aug. 27, issue of my hometown newspaper, The Times Gazette of Hillsboro, OH. A Peebles, OH, Elementary School third-grade teacher, Sandra L. Bratt, 31, was charged with rape following her arrest Thursday on charges alleging she had an inappropriate relationship with a student for several years. According to the complaint filed in Adams County Court by Adams County Sheriff Kermit Howard, Bratt engaged in sexual conduct with an unidentified male student for the past five to six years. The student was approximately 11 years old when the activity began and is now 17 years old. I did not go to school in Peebles, but growing up in Highland County, I had the opportunity to be in and around the village in nearby northern Adams County many, many times. These kinds of problems do not exist only in the "rough" inner city schools of urban areas but are just as likely to happen in the "nice" schools of suburban and rural America too. And it is scary to the MAX how this kind of thing could go on, apparently unnoticed by anyone, for "several years"!

Have you patronized blasphemy lately?

      (And another general comment from AFA ActionAlert, Fri., Aug. 24, 2007.)  Did you know that there was a time when the entertainment industry was bound by a code that forbade them from using any blasphemy in a movie? The "Hays Code" stated: Pointed profanity–this includes the words "God," "Lord," "Jesus," "Christ" (unless used reverently), "Hell," "S.O.B.," "****," or every other profane or vulgar expression, however used–is forbidden.Hollywood is no longer restricted by the code. Many of today’s movies don’t simply blaspheme the name of Jesus. They go one further. For example, the award-winning Blow, directed by Ted Demme, is a typical R-rated film. The name of Jesus Christ is blasphemed eleven times in the movie. Three of those times, for some reason, the "F" word is used in the middle of His name. So, how can you (as one person), make a difference and influence the powerful Goliath of the entertainment industry? The answer is in your own hands. In 2005, roughly $8.8 billion was spent on movie tickets in the U.S. How much of $8.8 billion do you think came from those who call themselves Christians? According to The Barna Group, it was a massive $6.94 billion. Over 70% of the box office intake comes from people of faith. With more than 170 million professing Christians in America, we have a powerful sling that can hit Hollywood between the eyes and leave a deep impression on its money-making mind. They are causing an entire generation to hate Christianity, and to use the name of Jesus Christ to express disgust.

More about this sick, sick world

    An August 26, 2007, Associated Press article headlined, "Self-Described Pedophile to Leave Calif.", also caught my attention. It tells how a self-described pedophile named Jack McClellan, 45, came to the attention of authorities for a Web site where he posted photos of children in public places and discussed how he liked to stake out parks, public libraries, fast-food restaurants and other areas where little girls congregated. Superior Court Judge Melvin Sandvig issued a permanent injunction and a three-year restraining order that prohibit McClellan from coming within 30 feet of schools, playgrounds and other places where children congregate. Unfortunately, the judge’s ruling narrowed an injunction issued earlier in the month that barred McClellan from coming near anyone under age 18 anywhere in the state (why could that injniction not stand?). McClellan had spent 10 days in jail for violating that injunction when he was arrested earlier this month near a child care center at the University of California, Los Angeles. However, Sandvig’s new ruling also bars McClellan from contacting, videotaping or photographing children or publishing their photos without written consent from a guardian or parent. McClellan could be arrested if he violates that prohibition. What was McClellan’s response? He says that he is leaving California because the judge ordered him to stay away permanently from places where children. "I have to leave the state, really, I can’t live here under this Orwellian protocol," told KABC. "It’s nightmarish." Awww, that’s TOO BAD! Wittle Jackie take his marbles and go home. Many Californians might say, "Good riddance!" But does not society have a right to protect its children from people like McClellan, even if that means restricting the "rights" of a self-described pedophile?

The sick, sick, sick world in which we live

     I do not make very many comments for this blog or for my free e-mail homeschooling newsletter ( biblicalhomeschooling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biblicalhomeschooling/ ) on our society in general that do not relate in some way or another to homeschooling, but occasionally I will. This is something that happened to catch my eye. A headline on my Juno homepage said, "Teammates Congratulate New Dad Tom Brady," and I figured that it had to be either something very good or something very bad to make the headlines. Unfortunately, it was something very bad. According to People Magazine on Sat., Aug. 25, 2007, new dad and New England Patriots star Tom Brady, 30, had a newborn baby, born the Wednesday before in Los Angeles, CA, with actress Bridget Moynahan. Unfortunately, the article also said, "Brady and Moynahan, 36, broke up in December after a three-year relationship; he’s currently dating model Gisele Bundchen." So, here is a man who "had a relationship with a woman" whom he never married but fathered a child with, and even before the child was born he broke up with her and is dating someone else. What is the reaction? "Several of his teammates and friends said they’d offered congratulations upon hearing the news of the birth." According to the article, Patriot linebacker Chad Brown , father of two children, ages 11 and 8, said, "I congratulated him and told him his whole life is going to change. He said, ‘It’s changed already.’ " I am sorry; of course, the poor baby is not to be faulted, but this guy does not need to be congratulated. He needs to be set down and given a lesson on responsibility. Years ago, he would have been standing at the altar long before now with the girl’s father behind him, shotgun in hand. In this sick society, all a person has to do is be able to throw a football reasonably well, and suddenly he is a "hero" regardless of how ungodly his personal life is. And the most important consideration? "Some teammates said they were glad the good news didn’t seem to distract Brady, who completed 17 passes Friday including two touchdowns."

Public School Virtual School:

     On Fri., Aug. 24, 2007, JoAnn Reese ( JoAnn.Reese@slps.org ) sent me the following e-mail. "Mr. Walker, St. Louis Public Schools is launching its Virtual School Program this year. K12, Inc. is our Virtual School provider at the K-3 level and Kaplan Virtual Education is our Virtual School provider at the 9-12 grade level. Our enrollment opened August 20, 2007. Classes will begin September 4, 2007. There is additional information on the district’s website: http://www.slps.org/virtual_school/index.htm . We are hosting an Information Session this afternoon for parents at Gateway High School, 5101 McRee Avenue 63110, 5 – 7 p.m. in the library. You may also contact me at 314-345-2551 or jreese@slps.org . Jo Ann Reese, Virtual School Director."

     Here is my response (I hope that it does not sound too impolite). "Dear JoAnn, Let me say first that I do appreciate the fact that you have contacted me. I assume that you have sent me this information because I am involved in various roles of leadership among homeschooling families here in the St. Louis area. However, in all honesty I feel that I must tell you that I cannot and therefore will not be recommending this program to any homeschoolers for one primary reason–it is still a public school program. I cannot speak for all homeschooling families, but the vast majority of homeschoolers, at least that I know, look upon homeschooling as more than just "doing their schooling at home." Rather, we view homeschooling as having the parents in complete control of their children’s education–choosing their own curriculum, including materials that show a definite Biblical worldview if that is their desire, and generally passing on their own values to their children. I doubt that your Virtual School Program will allow that. As far as I know, K-12 Inc. provides a good curriculum, and I have no argument with that (I do not know anything about Kaplan). However, independent homeschoolers have proven that their ways work by consistently high scores on standardized tests, growing college acceptance, and increased visibility in the work force–all without any aid or assistance from the public schools. While there may be many who are having trouble in traditional school settings and may benefit from your new program, most of us homeschoolers feel that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Sincerely, Wayne S. Walker."

Looking at things differently

     A teenage boy lost a contact lens while playing basketball in his driveway. After a fruitless search, he told his mother the lens was no where to be found. Undaunted, she went outside and in a few minutes returned with the eyepiece in her hand. "How did you manage to find it, Mom?" the teenager asked. "We weren’t looking for the same thing," she replied. "You were looking for a small piece of plastic. I was looking for $150." (from Alan Smith, Helen Street Church of Christ, Fayetteville, NC.)

Homeschool guitar course on-line

      (I received this e-mail on Mon., Aug. 20, 2007.) Through our exclusive interactive guitar course you will learn to play over 100 guitar chords in the first six lessons!! This is only the beginning of what we offer to our students No – it’s not a memory course – for you will receive an understanding of each chord, it’s numerical equivalent, its arpeggio, its position; later on you get to understand its function! Every lesson is fully animated, and paced at the average speed starting with beginners!! All lessons interactive and have been beta tested with students The average speed has been incorporated as the standard for each lesson. Should you have a question, you will be answered in a very timely manner when contacting us via e-mail provided on our site. Registration is free! Once you have registered, logged in and purchased the lesson, you are ready to begin. To begin click the registration button at www.theguitarfoundation.com . There are GREAT Benefits! You learn at your own pace. You learn in the privacy of your own home. You are not required to buy any books, CD’s, audios, videos, etc. You can apply all that is presented to your favorite songs!! Because you are learning in an accelerated manner, it won’t take you forever!!! You are learning from a guitar specialist who is a phenomenal communicator. All instruction is precise, therefore easy to follow along! You will be sent a professional set of notes of material covered in each lesson, and an assignment to work on. Your success is our delight! Kind regards, Evelyn Hohn; contact@theguitarfoundation.com . As with all such offers, caveat emptor ("let the buyer beware"!).

Book reviews

     For a number of years now, I have been reviewing books, mostly children’s literature.  This began when we had a few bad experiences with our children’s reading books that had been recommended by others but which we later found were inappropriate by our standards.  Therefore, I determined to preview what they read.  I have also reviewed other books related to homeschooling, parenting, apologetics, and similar topics.  Most of these have been posted to various e-mail lists including Family Reads ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/familyreads/ ).  Some have been included in the weekly e-mail newsletter of Home School Buzz ( http://www.homeschoolbuzz.com ) and also Stories for Children, an e-zine ( http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com ).  A few have even been published in homeschooling magazines (The Old Schoolhouse and on its website and Home School Enrichment).  However, all of them are published each month in my monthly homeschooling newsletter, Biblical Homeschooling.  Anyone who is interested may receive it by sending a blank e-mail to biblicalhomeschooling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and following the instructions that will be sent in response or by subscribing on the web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biblicalhomeschooling/ . 

     Here are the reviews from the August, 2007, issue.

9. BOOK REVIEWS

     (Note on language levels: 1. Nothing objectionable; 2. Common euphemisms; 3. Some cursing or profanity; 4. A lot of cursing or profanity; 5. Obscenity or vulgarity.)

     Earnhart, Paul. Invitation to a Spiritual Revolution: Studies in the Sermon on the Mount (published in 1999 by Gary Fisher, 2685 W. Riley Rd., Floyd Knobs, IN 47119). The author is a gospel preacher who currently lives in Louisville, KY, and works with the Douglas Hills church of Christ. I first met him in 1977 when he spoke at the annual lectures of the Thayer St. church in Akron, OH, where I was then laboring. While we have never had the opportunity to have close association through the years, our paths have crossed several times since then, and I consider him among my personal friends. In all of our limited relations, he has always been a source of encouragement to me. In fact, the last time I recall seeing him, he must have heard that we were homeschooling and said that it was the right way to go. Four years prior to my meeting him, he had presented a series of lessons about the Sermon on the Mount at the Thayer St. lectures, and beginning in 1975 continued in succeeding years to deliver such lessons to scores of congregations throughout the nation to great reception. Over a period of three years, he wrote articles on this same subject in Christianity Magazine, of which he served as an editor from its beginning in 1984. These articles were collected and put together to form this book. I recall reading and enjoying the articles when they first came out, but it was very refreshing to read them again in book form. Most of the books reviewed in this newsletter fall into the category of literature, and I usually avoid including books of a purely "religious" nature unless they are to be highly recommended. This book falls into that classification. Its 56 relatively short chapters could easily serve as a good source for daily devotionals or as part of a Bible curriculum for deeper study of the passage. The Sermon on the Mount contains some of the most fundamental teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who is interested in developing a better understanding of these basic principles, not just with theoretical knowledge but with practical application, will benefit from this book. Language level: 1. Ages: teens and adults. EXCELLENT.

     Hyman, Mac. No Time for Sergeants (published in 1954 by Random House Inc.; republished in 1956 as a Signet Book by The New American Library of World Literature Inc., 501 Madison Ave., New York City, NY 10022). I picked up this book at a library used book sale because I recognized the title. Years ago, we watched on television the movie, starring Andy Griffith, that was based on this book, and I remembered it being very funny. It is the story about a drawling, easy-going Georgia boy named Will Stockdale who was drafted into the United States Army and assigned to the Army Air Corps during World War II. With his new friend Ben Whitledge, he gets in all kinds of misadventures involving officers, KP, latrine duty, and an induction-center psychiatrist. There is even a Mark Twain-Tom Sawyerish twist where Will and Ben attend their own "posthumous" medal awards ceremony after a plane crash. Ira Levin adapted the novel for a play which originally appeared as an episode on The United States Steel Hour television series in March 1955, starring Andy Griffith. It was later adapted into a popular Broadway play that opened later that year, again starring Griffith along with Don Knotts, and closed in 1957. The film version, which also included Knotts, was made in 1958 and was largely responsible for launching the careers of Griffith and Knotts. The setting for the film was updated to reflect the peacetime forces of the 50’s and the characters were members of the now separate United States Air Force. No Time for Sergeants came to the small screen as a short-lived ABC television series in the fall of 1964, starring Sammy Jackson, which lasted only one season. However, it was also the inspiration for the much more famous CBS television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. which aired from 1964-1969. Someone noted, "A bigger problem is that No Time for Sergeants AND Gomer Pyle BOTH ripped off their premise from The Good Soldier Schweik, a novel that is very famous in Europe but which appears to be utterly unknown to everyone in America (except the guy who ripped it off for these two TV shows). Schweik is a moronic klutz of an army private who just wants to be ‘a good soldier’, but his efforts to please his sergeant only reap disaster." The book is definitely funny. Bennett Cerf, a popular reviewer of the time, wrote, "I always thought ‘I laughed till I cried’ was just a figure of speech–until I read this book! It’s a four-star, one hundred per cent wowser." A lot of the humor is a bit crude by refined standards, and some of it would be considered politically incorrect today. However, for a book about military life there is surprisingly no vulgarity or obscenity, and very little bad language. The "h" and "d" words each appear once, except that toward the end of the book the term "God-d" is used a couple of times. However, the terms "by God" and "Lord" are used frequently as interjections (which is taking the name of the Lord in vain). There are numerous references to drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, and gambling. This would not be a good book for small children, but older teenagers and adults, especially those who are interested in things military, might enjoy it. Language level: 3. Ages: 16 and up. GOOD.

     McAllister, M. I. Urchin and the Heartstone (Mistmantle Chronicles Book Two, published in 2006 by Hyperion Books for Children, 114 Fifth Ave., New York City, NY 10011). We have read Book One in the "Mistmantle Chronicles," Urchin of the Riding Stars, in which Urchin the squirrel rescued Crispin who was unjustly exiled by the evil Captain Husk in his attempt to overthrow King Brushen of Mistmantle Island, and we really enjoyed it. In Book Two, Urchin is kidnapped by emissaries of the deranged King Silverbirch of Whitewings Island to be a slave in the silver mines, while back on Mistmantle the Heartstone has been lost so that Crispin’s coronation as the new king cannot take place and there is a revolt against Crispin by some hedgehogs. Will Urchin be able to help the enslaved islanders of Whitewings, escape himself, and get back home to help find the Heartstone? M. I McAllister is the wife of a minister and lives with her family in England. This book is recommended for readers ages 8 to 12 who like fantasy and, as one reviewer said, would be especially good for children who are not quite ready for Brian Jacques’s "Redwall" series, which we happen to like also. Language level: 1. Ages: 8-12. EXCELLENT. (Note: This review first appeared in Stories for Children Magazine, June, 2007; http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com ).

 

     Nappa, Mike. Tuesdays With Matthew (copyrighted in 2003 by Nappaland Communications Inc. and published by River Oak Publishing, an imprint of Cook Communications Ministries, 4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918). To be honest, I purchased this book only because I needed another couple of dollars on an order to take advantage of a special offer and CBD had a fiction package of this one and another for $2.00. It is somewhat of an odd book, but overall I enjoyed it and think that it has a useful purpose. Apparently, it is an attempt to base a fiction book upon what is called "relational apologetics." Photographer Todd Striker is a thirty-something disillusioned son of a minister. He experienced some rather unpleasant situations as a child in his "church career," had some doubts and questions that were never satisfactorily answered, quit going to church when he was in college, and then suffered the untimely death of his father to cancer. A couple of angels arrange for Todd to spend twelve Tuesdays with the apostle Matthew. Todd asks various questions about miracles, Satan, prayer, purpose, pain, wealth, faith, greatness, honesty, failure, and love, and Matthew answers them, mostly by relating stories about Jesus from the book of Matthew. Matthew’s explanations remind Todd of various in his life when the principles enunciated were applicable. There are some denominational concepts and terminology used in the book with which non-denominational Christians would disagree (calling the preacher "pastor," instrumental music in worship, observing Christmas as the birth of Christ, and the definition of miracle), but aside from these there are some beneficial concepts to be found in it. Norm Wakefield, a homeschooling father of four, founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries International, and frequent homeschool conference speaker, recommends this book, saying, "A unique blend of creativity, wisdom and warmth make Tuesdays With Matthew a delight to read! Mike Nappa’s novel left me with a sense of our Lord’s presence." Language level: 1. Ages: older teens and adults. GOOD.

     Paul, Donita K. The "Dragon Keeper" series (published by Waterbrook Press, 2375 Telstar Dr., Suite 160, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, a division of Random House Inc.). These books were recommended in both the 6/05 and 3/06 issues of this newsletter. Our son Mark, age 16, read them and his review appears in the 1/07 issue. I just finished them and think that they are great. Wulder is the Creator of all things, including the seven high races who inhabit the continent of Amara. The leader of Wulder’s forces is Paladin, along with good wizards such as Fenworth and Cam Ayronn. The enemy is The Pretender, who calls himself Lord Ire, and those in his service include bad wizards Risto, Crim Cropper, and Burner Stox. And, of course, there are all kinds of dragons. In DragonSpell (2004), Kale, an orphaned orant slave girl, finds a dragon egg and because of her ability to bond with it is sent to Paladin’s Hall. After being attached by grawligs, she is rescued by the marione General Lee Ark, the emerlindian Leetu Bends, the doneel Dar, and the urohm Brunstetter, and goes with them on a quest to find Wizard Fenworth and rescue a meech dragon egg that Risto has stolen to increase his power and then joins in the battle against Risto’s forces. In DragonQuest (2005), Kale is joined by her friends, the newly hatched meech dragon Regidor, and her monitor Bardon, on a quest to rescue another meech dragon, free other enslaved dragons, and thwart Risto’s plans. She also begins seeing visions of her mother and statements are made which lead her to believe that her mother is still alive. Will she ever find her? In Dragon Knight (2006) Bardon must go on his own quest to help an elderly emerlindian and her granddaughter find the girl’s father who has been imprisoned by Risto. Eventually, he is joined by Kale and both find out many secrets about their past. Kathy Davis of HomeSchoolBuzz.com had written about DragonSpell, "Imaginative world, adventurous quest, unusual characters, and dangerous foes do make a reliable recipe for a good fantasy read. In DragonSpell, the author has all these ingredients, and delivers it as a Christian allegory. Former slave-girl Kale has a gift for finding and caring for dragons. When she’s called upon to retrieve a stolen rare dragon egg, Kale must face doubts, trials, and peril as she discovers the true purpose of her gift. The book is fresh, and contains nothing objectionable. It’s not a perfectly crafted novel–the plot meanders at times and the metaphors are obvious. Still, I have no hesitation in recommending this book; it’s nice to find a story that helps kids with their faith. Anyone who craves fantasy will enjoy DragonSpell, and will be looking forward to reading the sequel, DragonQuest." I really enjoyed the books and while I can see where the plot did meander at times (my wife also read them and said she noticed it especially in DragonKnight), I had trouble in putting them down. I think I finished all three in less than a couple of weeks (and they’re not small books!), My feeling was that, meaning no disrespect to Mrs. Paul, I doubt that anyone would confuse her with J. R. R. Tolkien or C. S. Lewis, but I found the books really interesting and refreshing; there was a sort of "Lord of the Rings" feeling about them. As Kathy says, there is nothing objectionable (except a few references to drinking ale, and it could be "ginger ale"). Language level: 1. Ages: grades 4-8. EXCELLENT. (Note: Some of my comments on this book appeared in the June 7, 2007, issue of the HomeSchoolBuzz.com newsletter; if you would like to subscribe, go to http://homeschoolbuzz.com )

     Ware, Jim. Canyon Quest: The Exciting Start of the Last Chance Detectives (copyrighted in 2004 by Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80902, and published by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, IL). Twelve-year-old Mike Fowler hates living in Ambrosia, AZ. While the Fowlers were living in Ohio six years earlier, his father was missing after an F-16 crash, so he and his mother had to move to live with his father’s parents in Ambrosia. Mike is just about ready to "run away" back to see his best friend in Ohio when he finds his father’s old journal in the B-17 that his grandfather has parked out behind the family’s "Last Chance" diner and gas station. While doing some research on what his father did as a young boy, he meets Ben, a local boy who believes in Martians and can give him a ride to the nearby Lowell Observatory where Mike’s father hung out a lot during his childhood; Spence, another local boy who is homeschooled and is studying astronomy; and Winnie, a local Navajo girl who knows the countryside very well. Together, while looking for evidence of what Mike’s dad might have done in his youth, they investigate some strange goings on in the canyons around Ambrosia. Are they caused by Martians? or the spirits of the ancient Anasazi enemies of the Navajo? or maybe a top-secret military operation that might even involve Mike’s missing dad? The story is very exciting, especially towards the end. "The Last Chance Detectives" is a Focus on the Family audio cassette and DVD series. This book explains how the four friends came to become the Last Chance Detectives. Jim Ware has written other books, such as God of the Fairy Tale: Finding Truth in the Land of Make Believe; Finding God in the Lord of the Rings; and Finding God in the Land of Narnia. Language level: 1. Ages: 12 and up. EXCELLENT. (Note: This review first appeared in Stories for Children Magazine, June, 2007; http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com )

Some suggestions of things to see and do

     From July 30 through August 10 of this year, we were on a trip to three different states in which we were able to visit a number of interesting sites. Monday through Thursday we spent in and around Dayton, OH, with most of the time spent visiting relatives and friends and having a hospital checkup for Mark at Shriners Hospital in Cincinnati. We did drive around Dayton Thursday morning to see some statutes that had been placed at various outdoor spots in and near downtown, but the exhibition was to be moved shortly after that. On Friday, we stopped at Dinosaur World, 711 Mammoth Cave Rd., Cave City, KY 42127 ( www.dinoworld.net ). This is a very interesting "museum" dedicated to life sized sculptures of dinosaurs. There is, as you would imagine, some evolutionary presuppostions presented, but given the fact that we have been over and over that aspect of dinosaurs in our study, it is still interesting to see how they might have looked up close and personal. Over the weekend, we attended a family reunion at Barren River Lake State Resort Park, 1149 State Park Rd., Lucas, KY 42145. There is really not much there, but that area of Kentucky is filled with caves that we would like to see when we have time. We did take a drive Saturday morning to see the Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site, 38 Old Mulkey Park Rd., Tompkinsville, KY 42167. This is the oldest log church building still standing in its original form, and it has a special interest for those of us who promote non-denominational Christianity. Built in 1804, it was originally the meeting place of the Mill Creek Baptist Church founded by Philip Mulkey, but his brother John studied himself out of Baptist doctrine and took a stand for primitive Christianity. With a membership of 200, about 150 stood with John, so the other 50 decided to leave and erect another building for the Mill Creek Baptist Church. The original building was then just called the Mulkey meeting house and was used until 1856 when the membership united with the Church of Christ in Tompkinsville. Many Revolutionary War soldiers and pioneers, including Daniel Boone’s sister Hannah Pennington, are buried in the church cemetery. There is a small gift shop. After dropping Karen’s mother back in Dayton, we travelled on to Ft. Wayne, IN. On Monday, we went to Science Central, 1950 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 ( www.sciencecentral.org ). This is somewhat of a cross between a science museum and a children’s museum. For those who live in the Ft. Wayne area, it has an annual homeschool resource open house, provides various homeschool programs, and offers homeschool discount days. On Tuesday, we went to the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, 1100 S. Calhoun, Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 ( www.botanicalconservatory.org ). This consists of three greenhouses–the Showcase Garden featuring seasonal displays; the Tropical Garden with waterfall and rain forest plants; and the Desert Garden with 72 species of cacti and other plants from arid regions of the world. On Wednesday, we went to the Lincoln Museum, 200 E. Berry St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46801 ( www.TheLincolnMuseum.org ). The founder of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. of Ft. Wayne amassed one of the largest collections of Lincoln memorabilia in the world, and this forms the basis for this museum dedicated to the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln. There are three separate theater areas with Lincoln-related films, twelve exhibit galleries with artifacts and images from Lincoln’s era–including the only copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Lincoln on permanent public display, and eighteen interactive stations. And on Thursday, we went to the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo, 3411 Sherman Blvd., Ft. Wayne, IN 46808 ( www.kidszoo.org ). This is not an exceptionally large zoo, but it is well maintained and the animals are easy to see. There is the Central Zoo, with the Indiana Family Farm; the Australian Adventure; the Indonesian Rain Forest; and the African Veldt which is being replaced by the African Adventure. All four of these sites have admission prices, but they are not exhorbitant. There are other interesting things to see and do around Ft. Wayne (which is Karen’s hometown), but we had only four days, so "this is what we did on our summer vacation." Oh, and on the way home, we stopped at the Driftstone Pueblo, 702 W. Tower Rd., St. Elmo, IL 62458 (just off I-70 at Exit 76). This really is not a "site to see" but it is an interesting store that has American Indian crafts, artifacts, books, pottery, beads, jewelry, and other such items.