Classics and Books Commonly Assigned for School

In our general book list, we have worked to provide parents and educators with our comments and suggestions regarding children’s reading material. We have found it necessary to compile a separate list devoted to books which are commonly assigned for in-class or at-home reading assignments. Unfortunately, it is extremely rare to find classics that are as completely problem-free as we would like. In addition, many classics gloss over sensitive issues, but schools should be aware that students can easily access Cliff’s Notes or similar explanatory notes (either on-line or at the library) that clarify these issues in graphic detail. Introductions, prefaces, biographies of authors and other addenda often provide inappropriate information as well. Therefore, although our comments are based on our reading of the original works, we also provide comments on the Cliff’s Notes, etc. so that schools and teachers can make informed choices. (Experienced educators have informed us that forbidding the use of explanatory notes is generally ineffective as some students are determined to read them in the place of the original text)

These comments on classics are written in as much detail as possible, in order to aid principals and educators in deciding if and how these works will be used in their school. We have included grade recommendations; however, keep in mind that these are based on our own, unscientific approximation. Please note: for many of the 'classics', we generally do not make recommendations. Each school will need to balance the potential problems in a book, with the educational value it seeks.

For books that are used as assignments but unlikely to be picked up by a child outside of school, we omitted the usual rating and simply marked them as "Classic."

Review Date	Title	Author	Rating	Grades	Teen	Comments
05/24/2018	A Connecticut Yankee - The Library of America Edition	Twain, Mark	Classic	9 - 12		" A very satirical tongue-in-cheek story about an 18th century man who finds himself in King Arthur's court and tries to modernize them. A lot of direct criticism of the power of the Catholic Church, but not criticism of religion in general. The man unwillingly goes on a quest with a fair maiden sitting on the horse behind him - eventually he marries her. Description of wives kissing husbands before they are killed, and women suckling newborns before they are burned at the stake. Some anatomy detailed. Somewhat vague references to the queen being unfaithful to the king."
05/24/2018	A Little Princess	Burnett, Frances Hodgson	Acceptable	5 - 8		Beautiful classic about a little rich girl in a boarding school. When her father dies she is treated as a servant until she is discovered by father's old friend.
05/24/2018	A Long Walk To Water	Park, LInda Sue	Generally Acceptable	6 - 8		A story set in the war torn Sudan told from the perspective of an orphaned boy forced by war to run to a refugee camp, and a girl more than 20 years later who has to walk very far to get disease ridden drinking water for her family. Ultimately, the boy immigrates to the USA and creates an organization that helps the girl's village dig a lifesaving well. Religion/Hashkafa Man speaks about his cause in churches. No religion. Violence Sensitively written, but the horrible conditions are quite stark and the boy watches his uncle shot by enemies.
05/24/2018	A Passage To India	Forster, E.M.	Classic	10 - 12		Novel focuses on race relations between the natives of India and the British officials and their wives who are stationed in India. Plot revolves around an attempted assault on a British young woman. An Indian doctor is accused of the crime and sides are drawn between the accusers and the accused. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah A constant discussion of mistresses, brothels, impropriety, being attracted or not attracted to a specific kind of girl, calling a girl a prude, commenting on her lack of prominent anatomy, thinking about relations with other gender (not stated so politely), contemplating about what lies to tell to get away to have relations with a woman in a different city,man asks bachelor if he has any illegitimate children,thinking if it is snobbery to only want to have relations with beautiful women, question if there was any impropriety when a man offered a woman housing in his college, etc. Men and women shake hands. Young couple decides not to get engaged for excellent reasons, but when their car is in a minor accident her hand accidentally touches his “ and one of the thrills so frequent in the animal kingdom passed between them, and announced that all their difficulties were only a lovers’ quarrel.” and more of the same. Religion/Hashkafa Highly detailed description of Hinduism (seems like straight out avodah zarah)- pages and pages of minutely detailed practices and beliefs, religious songs with explanations, discussions of belief in gods, festival, temple,alter, etc. Some details about Islam and Christianity as well- mosques, missionaries, beliefs, G-d is referred to as Jeh--a, etc.. Discussions of atheism, does one truly believe in heaven, changing religious beliefs etc.Mention of prehistoric ocean.A lot of cigarette smoking. Towards the end of the book one sentence blames India’s problems on the Jews. Language Language- damn/damned (multiple times), stupid/ stupidity, blast, idiot, nigger.
05/24/2018	A Single Shard	Park, Linda Sue	Generally Acceptable	6 - 8		A Newberry Medal book that is acceptable! A Korean orphan who lives under a bridge with a kind vagrant, becomes an apprentice to a master potter and is eventually adopted by him when his friend dies. At end of book, excerpts of 2 books by same author - "See Saw Girl" and "The Kite Fighters". Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah One word mention of King's concubines - no explanation. Religion/Hashkafa A lot of Korean culture but very little religion beyond description of monks helping people and giving presents on Buddha's birthday.
05/24/2018	Adventures & Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes	Doyle, Arthur Conan	Generally Acceptable	7 - 10	Teen	Description of opium & casual cocaine use, "aversion to women"
05/24/2018	All of a Kind Family	Taylor, Sydney	Problematic	4 - 6		Historical Fiction. Jewish girls growing up in the Lower East Side. Jewish content somewhat accurate. Jewish girl has crush on non-Jewish peddler- she is awkward around him and blushes. She is sad when she finds out he has a "sweetheart" he is trying to locate. She imagines when he finds his sweetheart "he will take her in his arms..." When he does really find her he kisses her. Mention of unreviewed book by title- "Peter and Polly In Winter". Brief , unimportant mentions of old fashioned undergarments. Oldest girl dresses up in boy's clothing for Purim.Children read St. Nicholas" magazine. Mixed swimming at the beach (illustration of coed beach scene in old fashioned bathing suits) . Family seems to eat purchased food (eg candy, ice cream, hot pretzel, etc.) without worrying about kashrus- but not stated clearly. Language- heck (p113), freak. It may be a classic, but...
05/24/2018	Around the World in 80 Days- Great Illustrated Classics edition	Verne, Jules	Problematic	4 - 6		A greatly abridged version of classic story of man and his servant who travel around the world in 80 days in order to win a bet. Save a woman who is slated to be burned as "a human sacrifice to the gods", end up "falling in love" and marrying. Black and white illustration of her wearing sleeveless top. Illustration of women hugging man when she is relieved he returned safely. Illustration of man holding woman's hand when he proposes. Language - stupid (once)
11/18/2021	Billy Budd	Melville, Herman	Classic	9 - 12		A young sailor who is liked by his peers is framed for treason. He punches his accuser and accidentally kills him, thereby being convicted and hung. This happens despite the fact that the captain and the court all feel that he is innocent. They convict him to follow the rules of martial law and to ensure that the other sailors don't think they can get away with things. Can lead to discussions about following rules or conscience- which would have to be monitored carefully. A few allusions to religion, but since they aren't explained, they will likely go over the head of most ignorant readers.A young sailor who is liked by his peers is framed for treason. He punches his accuser and accidentally kills him, thereby being convicted and hung. This happens despite the fact that the captain and the court all feel that he is innocent. They convict him to follow the rules of martial law and to ensure that the other sailors don't think they can get away with things. Can lead to discussions about following rules or conscience- which would obviously have to be monitored carefully. A few allusions to religion, but since they aren't explained, they will likely go over the head of many ignorant readers. In this edition, Tom Doherty Associates, the foreward (pg. x) mentions that some scholars compare this to the life of yoshka "in spite of Melville's life long skepticism about religion- and the perceptive reader will pick up on the frequent Christian symbols and images such as references to Calvinism and the Holy Writ, Claggart's elemental evil, and Billy Budd's acceptance of his fate, his ascension into the "soft glory of the fleece of the lamb of g" etc. and later mentions (pg.xii) that "Billy's acceptance of his fate is as essential to the novel as C's acceptance of the crucifixion to the Christian story.". Comparision of captain telling sailor he was sentenced to die to Abraham telling Isaac (chapt 22 pg 91). When the captain announces to the crew that the sailor was sentenced to be executed "Their captain's announcement was listened to by the throng of standing sailors in a dumbness like that of a seated congregation of believers in hell listening to the clergyman's annoncement of his Calvinistic text." The ship's chaplain comes to talk to the sailor before he dies - he is called a minister of yoshka. The sailor is compared to the barbarians in history who took on christianity (chapt 24 p97) which continues (on p98) talking about seraphs/angels. The priest understands that he shouldn't talk to the convicted man about "thoughts of salvation and a savior" since he wouldn't understand. Brief mention that the priest's role was to put a religious stamp of agreement on the decision. As he is killed "the vapory fleece hanging low in the east was shot through with a soft glory as of the fleece of the lamb of god seen in a mystical vision" (chapt 35 p102)
05/24/2018	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory	Dahl, Roald	Generally Acceptable	5 - 7		Poor boy is selected to go on fantastic chocolate factory tour. Minor language. Mr. Wonka is insulting to other adults. Very tongue in cheek.
05/24/2018	Chasing Vermeer	Balliett, Blue	Questionable	6 - 8		A convoluted and strange mystery/puzzle book where children try to locate a stolen work of art. P 33 - juvenile rhyme about boy and girl stuck in closet together. A few mentions in passing of art in museum being paintings of ladies in "too tight dresses" or "naked people" - easy to cross out. Talk of supernatural and if coincidences are real. Some kids will love the book and some won't get it.
05/24/2018	Cheaper by the Dozen	Gilbreth Jr., Frank B. and Ernestine Carey	Classic	6 - 9		Adventures of a family with 12 children. A lot of minor bad language: heck, damned, bloody bastards, g-damn, JC (as curse), freaks, sucker, and more. Inconclusive, vague discussion about "flowers and bees" and where babies come from - leaves kids wondering. A few vague allusions to "women of the night" and "loose women" but never explained. Family tricks ladies who are looking for a home to hold a meeting for "Society for Birth Control". Lots of talk of being sad since baby will be last child (reader wonders - how do they know?). Lots of juvenile, old fashioned, boy/girl courting among high schoolers. Girls convince father to let them be modern and wear bobbed haircuts, silk stockings, short skirts and short underwear. Father eventually gives in to everything but makeup and perfume. Talk about collegiate boys and girls "petting", "necking", and "jazzing".
05/24/2018	Cricket and the Crackerbox Kid	Ferguson, Alane	Problematic	4 - 6		A lonely rich girl risks friendship with poor boy over ownership of a dog. Cattiness and bad middos of other rich kids described in detail. Not a romantic friendship but other kids tease and make kissing sounds when they are together. 160-161 a few lines of x-mas hymns. Other x-mas stuff mentioned without religion.
05/24/2018	David Copperfield	Dickens, Charles	Classic	9 - 12		(Pages refer to Penguin Classics Edition).A typical (long) novel of Dickens. An orphan struggles to make it in the world, overcomes cruel circumstances, finds a savior in a eccentric great aunt, eventually becomes a successful author. Lots of intertwined plots and romance of the old fashioned variety. Minor Religion. Refers to friend/girlfriend as a "lover". Old fashioned romantic negiah usually of the soon to be married variety or at dances. Long and detailed description of a marriage between a mature young man and an immature flighty girl and how he made the best of it even though he realized they were not well matched. One story line involves a young girl married to a man many years her senior and everyone's suspicions that she is having an affair with a younger man - turns out to be not true.Describes in detail some adults who treat children cruelly and some who don’t. Lots of youthful crushes, some flirting, some juvenile kissing and mild negiah. Quote about the resurrection – p. 142 chap 9.. Black and white illustration of women nursing a baby – somewhat detailedLanguage – stupid, drat (p 120 chap 8) For C___ sake (p 345 chap 22)One important story line about an upper class boy who seduces a lower class girl who is engaged to someone else and they run away together until he abandons her. She is so ashamed she moves to Australia.Penguin Classics Edition- IntroductionP. xxii – reference to home for “fallen women” - prostitutes in AustraliaCliff’s NotesOverall, much more subtle than usual but a few problems. Reviews a few of boy’s childhood crushes clearly noting a kiss (eg chapters 9-10) and co-ed dancing (chapters 17-18). Alludes to a character as being a “fallen woman” but doesn’t explain. Describes how she “flirts” because the one she really loves is talking to another man (chap 33-34).Chap 47-48 woman wants to commit suicide (not clear in book)Chap 43-44 says author married Catherine Hogarth even though apparently cared more for wife’s sister.Spark NotesOverall, not much more problematic than the book itself, but uses different labels for things that are problematic – eg, says a character is suspected of having an “affair” with her cousin. No mention of prostitution.
05/24/2018	Death Be Not Proud	Gunther, John	Classic	10 - 12		Novel takes the reader through a father’s perspective of his teenage boy’s fatal illness that eventually leads to his death. le you live, then die and be done with”. These types of religious discussions permeate the entire book. For his funeral they had a rabbi and a priest conduct a joint service. The rabbi read the “Unbeliever’s Prayer” aloud. This book is set during World War II, so much of the medical information is outdated. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Boy is worried that he won’t know how to dance at the senior prom. Likes a certain girl- speaks to her on the phone, says his temperature goes up when he sees her, but he is so sick that nothing comes of it. When doctor wants to put him on a regime of hormones he says “Look out or you’ll make a s-- maniac of me” Religion/Hashkafa There are a number of religious issues. The parents (who are divorced) seem to be Christians, but later it is explained that the mother is Jewish. There is a lot of talk of G-d and if one should believe in Him and how to believe in Him. Boy goes to a Christian school, and when he is home his mother conducts church services at home and read “The Bible of the World, The Old Testament and the New, The Prophets and J, also Buddha, Confucius, and Mahomet…” The mother says of G-d that though He stood by her, “in all His onmipotence, was helpless too (C”V)” To her, life is a series of mutations that G-d is also subject to. The boy himself was sometimes an atheist and sometimes an agnostic and wrote a prayer called the “Unbelievers Prayer” which is written out in its entirety- twice- basically doubting G-d’s existence. According to him “G-d is what’s good in me”. His philosophy- “Live, while you live, then die and be done with”. These types of religious discussions permeate the entire book. For his funeral they had a rabbi and a priest conduct a joint service. The rabbi read the “Unbeliever’s Prayer” aloud. Brief mentions of xmas, presents, carols. Language Language- hell (twice), G-- damn it (once) damn (once) TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media Many mentions of going to the movies, movies by name, books by name.
05/24/2018	Dibs in Search of Self	Axline, Virginia	Classic	10 - 12	Teen	True account of a brilliant and apparently autistic boy, with emotionally distant and abusive parents, who is successfully treated using play therapy. Nicely done, although somewhat outdated, since a) diagnosis of autism had not been established, b) boy is ‘cured’ quickly over a few months, and c) reinforces the idea popular at the time, that autism was caused by ‘refrigerator parents’. Woman offers another person a cigarette. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah Mother says that boy’s conception was an accident; they had not intended to have any children. Religion/Hashkafa Some childish discussion of G-d, church and religion - Christian based but without mention of JC. Mention of St. Francis of Assissi, Saint of the animals. Language Word ‘gay’ used to mean ‘happy’.
05/24/2018	Emma	Bronte, Charlotte and "Another Lady"	Classic	9 - 12		(see also book by Jane Austin with the same title). A young girl abandoned at a boarding school is adopted by a single man and woman who try to find out her identity and eventually marry. Mentions of going to church, sitting in pews, catechism, confirmation, etc.. Celebration of xmas- gifts, charity. Detailed descriptions of young woman’s miserable marriage to an older man whose stepchildren refused to have any sort of relationship with her. Alot of wondering as to who real father of a baby is. Chapt 4 pg. 31- “joyful on xmas day becuase we celebrate the birthday of our savior, the lord jc”. Chapt 5 pg 47-48 priest speaks of G-d “as the fountain of light, life, truth, love, peace and joy”and pour out his glory through jc. Chapt7 pg 68- hellish. Chapt 7 pg 69- no witch could have power over a good christian child. Chapt 8 pg 86- a baby born dead can not be buried in consecrated ground of churchyard since it isn’t christian. Chapt 10 pg 97- woman worries that a man wants to progress beyond their platonic friendship, but she is afraid since her first marriage was so miserable.Chapt 10 pg 102- girl wrote a story based on the truth- two women who were in love with the same gentleman fought a duel and one shot the others finger off. Man refused to marry either one of them. Chapt 12 pg 136- list of books by title and author recommended for a man to read in order to study to be a priest.
05/24/2018	Ender's Game	Card, Orson Scott	Classic	8 - 11		Boy genius saves the world from aliens. Language, male anatomy. Other books in series are very inappropriate for children.
05/24/2018	Ethan Frome	Wharton, Edith	Classic	9 - 12		(Page numbers refer to Enriched Classic Pocket Books Edition)A man is in an unhappy marriage falls in love with a cousin who is living in his house to help his sickly wife. He imagines being with her but in the end he can’t be unfaithful to his wife so they try to unsuccessfully try to commit suicide together.Introduction-pVIII-author had an unhappy marriage and had a “passionate love affair” for three years. pX-author’s husband committed “infidelities” pXIII-women who didn’t end up marrying had to either work in a factory or become prostitutes.First chapter-l p12-hell P14-mention of church (as a landmark)Chapter I-p24-38-married man stands outside church watching a coed dance and dreams of being with a single girlchapter II-p47-he puts his arms around her p52-he thinks about kissing herchapter III-p58-he thinks about being alone in the house with her for the night while his wife is awaychapter IV-p67-man interrupts engaged couple kissingchapter VIII-p108-110-considers leaving his wife and running away with the girl he loveschapter IX-p135-they kissnotes on the book-p152-Greek mythology p153-prostitution p160-virgincritical excerpts-p169-extramarital liason, sexual passion p174-sexual maturity suggestions for interested reader-p181-182-brief reviews of novels which may or may not be appropriate
05/24/2018	Frankenstein	Shelley, Mary	Classic	9 - 12		"(Pages below, and comments regarding introduction, refer to Penguin Classics Edition)A classic tale which is often much distorted in modern culture. A young man discovers the secret of creating life and succeeds in creating a monstrous being. He later regrets his creation. The monster eventually takes revenge on his creator by killing all the people his creator cares for. In this edition the front and back covers depict an unclothed man which is really stark and should probably be covered with a book cover.The introduction is highly problematic in detailing in a painstaking fashion the immoral lifestyle of the author. It also goes into very deep philosophical discussions about the nature of creation and various philosophical belief systems.Other than the premise that man can give life and create a living and thinking being there is little else problematic.Vol.I. Chapt V p 59-man imagines embracing a girl (his future bride) and a “kiss on the lips” but she dies in his arms.Chapt VI p69-d-n the fellowVol II chapt.V p123-old man kisses and embraces his son’s fiancé Chapt.VII p 132-brief discussion about book “Paradise Lost”- “An omnipotent G-d warring with his creatures…”A few mentions of hell implying a terrible experience- chap V p60, Chapt VIII p89, vol ll chapt. VIII p138, vol.III chapt VII pg 206The appendix and notes in the back of the book were not reviewed as of yet."
05/24/2018	Frindle	Clements, Andrew	Generally Acceptable	3 - 5		Boy tests out rules of language by coining a new word. Undertone of lack of respect for adults and authority, and message that kids know best.
05/24/2018	Goody Hall	Babbit, Natalie	Questionable	5 - 8		A boy is raised in luxury by his mother, after his father is reported dead, but the the boy suspects that he is alive. With the help of a friendly tutor, the boy solves the mystery of his family. Well written, unusual story. Language: Gates of Hell; man rides horse "hell for leather". Mentions of Hercules (tutor's namesake) and his "Twelve Labors" from Greek mythology. At end of book. tutor kisses dour housekeeper on the forehead - not out of feelings for her, but out of happiness about the turn of events.
05/24/2018	Gulliver's Travels	Swift, Jonathan	Classic	8 - 10		Satirical commentary on human nature about adventures of an Englishman's voyage. Lots of bathroom references, religious references, and procreation references which are wholly inappropriate but written in such sophisticated and ironical language that a child reading this story for adventure may miss it. However, an older child reading it carefully (i.e. for school) will encounter all sorts of unacceptable descriptions.
06/11/2018	Hard Times	Dickens, Charles	Classic	9 - 12		(Page numbers refer to Penguin Classics Edition)This novel is set in nineteenth century industrial England. A factory worker is set up by a rich boy to be falsely accused of robbing a bank (to cover up his own crime). A father learns that his system of rational education (utilitarianism) is faulty when his logical daughter who marries for practical reasons is seduced by a family friend and she doesn’t know how to handle it (nothing actually happens, but the gradual, well planned out road to the seduction is detailed quite clearly). Detailed description of drunken mother who mistreats her young son- turns out to be a lie much later in the book(chapt 4 pg 60)Notes at the front of the book- author fell “passionately in love” with a girl. Later married someone else and seperated from her and “befriended” a young actress “who may have become his mistress”. Mentions of novels and authors. Brief mention that park admission was free except during hours of church service. A number of mentions that circus women were not “at all particular in respect of showing their legs”. A lot of smoking and drinking throughout the novel.notes at the back of the book- Book 1 Chapter 5- discusses laws to make people religious by force. Baptism was withheld from unwed mothers until she got a letter from her employer “testifying to her previous good character, her shame, and capacity for hard work” Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah A man’s wife becomes a drunkard who lives on the streets, but he is not allowed to divorce her, so he conducts a chaste love affair with another woman.Asks if there is a law that would punish him if he lived with her without marrying her (since he is not allowed to marry her)- there is such a law. A lot of minor negiah- kisses on the cheek, men kiss girl goodbye, woman lightly lays her hand on man’s arm, woman kisses man’s hand, when man is trying to seduce married women puts his arm around her and “embraces” her- she sits frozen. Religion/Hashkafa Many brief mentions of going to church service, church bells.Man dreams of having wedding in church. Language Man falls down a hole called “Hell shaft”Language- idiot, stupid, ass (pg 205book 2 chapt.7), damned (pg 212 book 2 chapt 8) for C-----’s sake (pg 290 book 3 chapt. 6). Book 1 Chapter 15- efforts were damned
10/22/2021	Heart of Darkness	Conrad, Joseph	Classic	9 - 12		Page numbers are from Roads Classics Edition. A European man travels to the Congo to pilot a steamship for a European company gathering ivory and riches. He witnesses terrible brutality in the way the company treats the natives, and how Europeans act when they are far from civilization and not bound by the usual niceties and code of conduct. He looks forward to meeting a certain European at one of the outposts but when he arrives he discovers that he had turned himself into a diety for the natives and murdered people and put their heads on posts. There is a description of a tall native women involved with this man- it is implied she is his mistress, but it is not said outright. The man had a fiance in England. p32 niggersp36 stupidp39 man thinks of someone as a "chattering idiot"p55 refers to a man as "that ass"p76 gory and detailed description of a man killed by a spearp107 stupidp115 stupid
05/24/2018	Heidi	Spyri, Johanna	Generally Acceptable	4 - 6		Classic story of girl brought up on mountain by eccentric grandfather. Good midos. Many minor religious references - pretty neutral, ie "higher being": pages 124, 192, 263, 277
06/12/2018	Hiroshima	Hersey, John	Classic	10 - 12		Novel follows the lives of a few survivors of the nuclear attack on Japan. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah .”Many mentions of people in their underwear when blast hit, man finding blood in his underwear because he had kidney stones. Mention that reproductive processes were affected- “men became sterile...menstruation stopped.” Mention of women bringing babies to orphanages because the fathers were American soldiers. Sometimes fathers tracked down the mothers of their babies and married them. Mention of Japanese prostitutes. Father teaches son to dance, takes him to a dance hall introduces him to a girl and tells her to be gentle with him. Religion/Hashkafa Many mentions of priests, church and religion but always in a detached, news reporter fashion. Jesuits, Catholics, priests, minister, theological students, nuns, monks, zen, relatively neutral prayers read, mass, bible classes, communion, constant trying to convert people. One of the survivors is from the Society of J----. Women asks priest “If your G-d is so good and kind how can he let people suffer like this?” Priest answers “man is not now in the condition G-d intended. He has fallen from grace through sin. Description of a shrine dedicated to spirits of those killed in wars. Violence Very detailed and graphic descriptions throughout this novel of horrific injuries and death caused by the radiation. TV, Movies, Rock Music, Internet and other Media TV
05/24/2018	Johnny Tremain	Forbes, Esther	Questionable	6 - 9		Historical fiction. Set in Boston, Revolutionary War. An orphan gets involved with the Patriots. Ongoing subtle love story runs throughout the novel but not integral focus.
05/24/2018	Julius Ceasar	Shakespeare, William	Classic	9 - 12		"(Pages below, and comments regarding introduction, refer to The Folger Library General Reader’s Shakespeare)Introduction, page 19 – Shakespeare was married hastily and daughter was born 6 months later.Introduction, page 22 – Shakespeare’s daughter married under “somewhat scandalous circumstances”.When Julius Caesar, member of the Roman senate, seems to be seeking the crown, he is killed by a group that includes one of his friends. Another friend avenges his death. Use of the words “damned” and “hell” in their proper usages.Act 2, Scene 1 (line 300) – Wife states that if husband won’t share his concerns with her, she is like a harlot and not a wife.Act 5, Scene 4 – bastard used in non-specific usage"
10/12/2022	Lily's Promise	Ebert, Lily	Questionable	9 - 12		.A Jewish Hungarian girl from a somewhat religious family goes through the holocaust- there are some halachic issues but overall they are frum which was common in many non Hasidic Hungarian families at the time. All transliterations are havarah sefaradit, though this is not historically accurate since in Hungary they spoke Asheknazis. Evolving antisemitism described leading up to the holocaust. Persecution in the Holocaust described honestly but gently compared to the horror of the way it really was, but still nightmare inducing. Granddaughter publicizes her grandmother's story on social media. A lot of detail about various types of social media and how they work. Detailed description of how to research holocaust information using websites. After the war she went to Palestine. She started out in a religious kibbutz but it was too primitive so she moved to Bnai Brak. Many mentions of the fact that the boys she had gone through the ordeal with were more like brothers than friends. p15-16 Before the war, children are in their beautiful garden on shabbos and they know they aren't allowed to pick fruit on shabbos but they are hungry so they eat the fruit while still on the branch so they aren't violating the law of picking food p18 mother came from a large rabbinic familyp22 On special days the girl was allowed to wear a golden angel necklace. "My cherub was copied from an Italian painting- one of the much-loved pair of baby angels in Raphael's Sistne Madonna." Girl put her hair up "film star style".p24-25 description of orthodox jews vs. neolog jews- orthodox jews don't use razors, but use a chemical to be clean shavenp28 girls went to a Catholic high school and nuns were the teachers but they never made them write on shabbosp34 it became illegal in Hungary for a Jew to marry or even have sexual relations with a non Jew.p38-39 when girls father passes away from pneumonia, shiva described accurately and positively p52 As the Jews were rounded up from the ghetto a girl was crying through the fence "forgive me mama"- she had married a non Jew and her parents had sat shiva for her- as she was being rounded up the mother said "I forgive you". p67 Description of being herded into showers and being forced to stand naked in front of strangers and how that made them feelp75 Description of using latrines with no privacyfirst section of photos- after liberation girls made themselves dresses with sleeves that show the elbow- also in a wedding photop104 girls didn't have a period in Aushwitzp117 going through hellp142 young men try to flirt with the girlsp146 list of people the Germans persecuted including homosexualsp154-155 "frum" girls figure out which organization to affiliate with and how they feel about Zionismp187 Nazis also targeted homosexualsp194 mention of books by Ellie Weisel by titlep202 on the boat to Palestine when they spot land they sing Hatikvahp203 disembarked from boat on Shabbos but didn't take luggage because can't carry on Shabbosp209 description of meeting her future husband (no shadchan involved)second section of photos- after she is married wearing short sleeves and grandchildren in a variety of dressp218 description of the joy on the day of the founding of the state of Israelp255 daughter met future husband at a youth event at their shulp265 one sentence mention about programs on TV about the holocaustp 279 gates of hell
05/24/2018	Little House in the Big Woods	Wilder, Laura Ingalls	Problematic	3 - 5		Little girls growing up in a log cabin. Slaughter of animals described in painstaking detail. X-mas described in detail. Sunday described in detail - kids will draw parallel to Shabbos (lehavdil). Bedtime prayer - "now I lay me down'. Co-ed dance - illustration of men and women dancing. Can tear out pages.
05/24/2018	Little House On The Prairie	Wilder, Laura Ingalls	Problematic	3 - 5		Classic story of a family that moves west. Girl asks parents if dogs go to heaven-father answers” yes, G-d wouldn’t leave a good dog out in the cold”. A full chapter on xmas and girls hope of Santa Claus bringing her presents. Very warm and fuzzy description of the holiday. Father sings song about angels and saints (p170). Brief unimportant mention of women’s undergarments. Description of “naked” Indians. Some scary moments when cabin is surrounded by wolves and when fear Indians will “massacre” (never defined but implication is clear).
05/24/2018	Little Lord Fauntleroy	Burnett, Frances Hodgson	Generally Acceptable	5 - 8		A little boy raised in a simple way by his American mother, suddenly finds out he is a lord and must go to England to live with his rich, crotchety grandfather. Innocent comments about liking to look at girls (p. 102 chapter 6). Description of church service - kneeling and folding hands in prayer - no heavy religion (p. 134-135, chap. 7). Drawn out description of a beautiful woman who all the men fawn over,seen through a young boy's eyes (p. 176-177 ch. 10; p 234 chap 15)
05/24/2018	Little Women	Alcott, Louisa May	Classic	6 - 9		4 sisters grow up together, fall in love, and marry, except for one who dies young. Very religious family – father is a minister. Boy/girl relationship, Tznius and Negiah A lot of old fashioned boy/girl, many dances described, talk of flirting. Eg p. 300-301 (part 2 chap 32) a lot of platonic boy/girl and questions if platonic relationship can turn into romantic love and then back to platonic again a lot of negiah. Some affectionate between “friends”, some mildly romantic, a lot unclear eg: p. 171-172 (part 1 chap 18) p. 210 (part 1 chap 23) p. 233 (part 1 chap 25) p 390-391 (part 2 chap 41) p. 439 (part 2 chap 46)A lot of courting leading to marriage which includes mild negiah. Religion/Hashkafa Many references to religion but not explained clearly – eg many mentions of “Pilgrim’s Progress” and trying to reach the “celestial city” by being good, eg p 10-11 (part 1 chapter 1), p. 132 (part 1 chapter 13)a lot of x-mas presents, santa claus, being good on x-mas. E.g. p. 3 (part 1 chapter 4), entire chapter 2 (part 1)Talk of heavenly father p. 77 (part 1 chap 8)crosses and rosaries – p. 178-179 (part 1 chap 19)JC – p. 184 (part 1 chap 20 ). Madonna and child and x-mas – p 202 (part 1 chap 22). Hymn – p. 206 (part 1 chap 22)
05/24/2018	Lord of the Flies	Golding, William	Classic	-		A group of boys are marooned on a desert isle without adults, and try to form some semblance of society, but instead revert to being savages and even attacking each other, leading to the death of 2 boys. Discussion potential about man’s essential nature being essentially evil according to author.Biggest issue – in back of book, “Note on Lord of the Flies” goes into great descriptive detail pointing out how the killing of a sow was accomplished as a form of intimacy (not phrased quite this nicely), which is something kids would never pick up on independently (p 206—207) Language Lots of shut up Chap 1 p 13 sucks, boy calls asthma “ass-mar” Chap 4 p 74 damn you Chap 6 p 101 sucks Chap 8 p 124 hell; p 135 ass; p 140 ass-mar Chap 10 p 162 ass-mar; p 168 “I hit him in the pills “ (slang for male anatomy).
05/24/2018	Master of the World	Verne, Jules	Generally Acceptable	8 - 9	Teen	A police inspector investigates strange happenings in a mountain and tries to capture an inventor who created a vehicle that can't be stopped by human beings. A bit outdated by modern technology but a fun read with some discussion potential. Many references to the devil but no real religion.
05/24/2018	Moby Dick	Melville, Herman	Classic	9 - 12		A crazed captain takes his crew on a whaling voyage to capture the whale who made him lose his leg. Very, very detailed descriptions of whales, their habits, anatomy, how they are killed and how each part of their body is used after death. This review is not complete as some of the chapters were skimmed, not read carefully. Many biblical quotes about whales and other related topics- semi accurate translations. Mentions of the "New Testament". Harpooner worships idols (described) and decends from cannibals. Detailed description of the chapel where they pray and the "father" who preached- sermon detailed in full- retelling of the story of "Jonah and the whale"- somewhat creative version.l. Sailor wonders if there is really a problem with idol worship and ends up concluding that the will of G-d is "to do to my fellow man what I would have my fellow man do to me"- and since he would like the canibal to "unite with him in Presbyterian form of worship" , he should likewise unite with him in his idolatry- so he joins him in worshiping his idol- said in a humorous fashion. Use of JC last name as a curse. Sailor ends up sharing bed with harpooner- in his sleep he threw his arm around him in a "bridegroom clasp", compared them to a man and wife and called them a "cozy loving pair"- all of this humorous (written at a time when 2 men married was a joke) .One word xmas. Brief mention of "nakedness" of native "dancing girls". Language- be damned/damn/dam/damndest (frequent), hell, blast,
05/24/2018	My Antonia	Cather, Willa	Classic	9 - 12		P36-38-story of 2 men who were driving a bride and groom. Men threw the couple to the wolves to lighten the wagon to save themselves. IX-p42-singing in church P47-christian people often forget “they were her brother’s keepers” XI-p48-52-xmas described-gifts, tree, story of 3 kings and baby in manger (not told in great detail), father reads chapter in St. Mathew about the birth of JC, prayers, man makes sign of the cross XIV-p51-60-old man commits suicide- described vividly. People say he is in purgatory.XV-p61-the family wants a priest to “pray over him”man says we believe you don’t need a priest because “JC is our only intercessor” P62-boy helps priest at the alter, first communion, vessels of the “holy sacrament” XVI-p67-family makes sign of the cross on the dead body P68- sing hymn- “JC lover of my soul” XVII-p70- “he not JC” P71-girl takes boy’s hand- affectionate, not romantic XVIII-p72-74-minor violence P77-woman kisses man’s hand out of gratefulnessBook IIIV-p92-92-detailed description of married man who enjoyed being with single girlVI-p98-woman believes that JC was born in BohemiaVII-p105- mixed dancingVIII-p108- dittoIX-p109-112 (whole chapter)- description of the dynamics of boy/girl relationshipsX-p113- girl slaps soon to be married (to someone else) man when he tries to kiss herXII-p122-mixed dancing, boy wants to kiss girlXIV-p130-girl flirts with boy- runs fingers through his hairXV-p134-135-man unsuccessfully tries to rape girl- not stated explicitly but clearly understoodBook IIIIV-p156-157-girl explains why doesn’t want to marry P157- brief kiss P158- dittoBook IVBeginning of book IV, especially chapter III- description of how woman had illegitimate baby- states clearly that she never married baby’s father.Book VII-p188-boy describes how he and his father (married) danced with femalesExplanatory notesP208 -209- JCP216- man impregnated hired girlsP221- greek mythology, hellP222- woman should agree to be man’s mistress
06/07/2023	Number the Stars	Lowry, Lois	Questionable	5 - 8		A book about a non Jewish girl in Denmark during World War II who together with her family rescues her Jewish friend from the Nazis by helping them cross over to Sweden. Although this book is gently written and may be simple enough for younger children, there are plenty of frightening incidents described.chapt. 3 p21 dumbchapt 4 p32-33 Non Jewish girls are often invited to watch Jewish women light the Sabbath candles- she covered her head with a cloth and said a special prayerchapt 4 p33 Non Jewish girl thinks Jewish girl is lucky since she can skip school on her new year and go to synagogue-sister responds that she isn't so lucky because she probably has to sit very still just like they do in churchchapt 5 p39- Jewish girl wants to be an actress and wonders if she can convince her father to let her go to acting schoolchapt 9 p78 girl struggles with lying in order to protect someonechapt 15 p117 Nazi calls girl- idiot girl and says her mother is stupidchapt 16 p125 damn dogschapt 17 p131 non Jewish girl remembers her sister dancing with her fiance at their engagement
05/24/2018	Of Mice and Men	Steinbeck, John	Classic	9 - 12		"2 men, George and Lennie, work as itinerant farm laborers; Lennie is very mentally challenged, and is also very strong. Lennie unintentionally gets into trouble when he hurts or kills animals or people. Once he touched a girl’s dress and he couldn’t let go, and she accused him of rape. At the end of the book, he accidentally kills a man’s wife, and George kills him to prevent him from being lynched.A lot of strong language, including hell, damn, bitch, bastard, JC (as curse).Wife of boss’s son is flirtatious and tries to get attention from farm workers. Men call her a tart and say she is bait for jail. Man comments that it is preferable for a man to go to a whorehouse and get everything out of his system all at once, than to get caught up with her.Several direct and indirect references to whore houses. Extended discussion comparing between 2 houses, including one that has ‘5 girls’ but also has chairs in case a guy ‘doesn’t want a flop’. In both Spark and Cliff notes, specifically refers to whorehouse where the book does not name it."

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