One thing to note about the books is that they are written by different authors. If you liked one, you might not like the next, but overall I really enjoyed these books. The diaries could be read aloud to younger children (6-9) as I think they might be difficult for many children to read on their own until they’re 10-11. As far as what age they’re appropriate to? Well, I’m 14 and still reading these books from time to time because they’re so enjoyable.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. When Will This Cruel War Be Over? The Civil War diary of Emma Simpson written by Barry Denenberg. 1864 Emma Simpson is about 15 years old when this diary was written. She is from a wealthy family in the South. Her life is turned upside down when the Union soldiers take over her house and force Emma and her family to live in the attic. My favorite thing about this book was how Emma dealt with the soldiers and with what they were forcing her family to do. She had respect for the soldiers and their own duty but would not let them get in the way of her responsibility to look after her family.

2. Across The Wide and Lonesome Prairie. The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell written by Kristiana Gregory. 1847 This book a very real and uncanny version of the real trail stories. Many people die along the way and that fact makes this book more appropriate for those who are older (11-12). I really liked how Hattie deals with all of this death and the way she was a real pioneer.

3. A Picture of Freedom. The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl written by Patricia C. McKissack. 1859 Clotee was taught by the youngest white mistress how to read and learns a new word: F-R-E-E-D-O-M. She goes around the plantation asking all the other slaves what that word means. Clotee wants to know what it is and how it feels– and finally one day she experiences it herself. This particular diary made me think about freedom and what it is exactly. It also depicts the real and awful way slaves were treated.

4. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. The Diary of Bess Brennan written by Barry Denenberg. 1932 Bess is blind and goes to a school where she is taught how to deal with her disability. She has her sister write in the diary for her as she herself cannot write. I enjoyed reading about her life in such a different world than I will ever live in. Her attitude is cheerful and happy to do whatever it takes to be “normal”, like everyone else.

As you can probably see, I tend to like history in the late 1800s best, but there are a few very good books that take place in the 1700s, the 1600s, the 1500s, as well as a few in the 1900s. There are even Dear America books that are written from the perspective of princesses and queens in the past, including Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

The 5 diaries that are written in a boys perspective are these:

1. The Journal of Sean Sullivan - A Transcontinental Railroad Worker written by William Durbin. 1867.
2. The Journal of James Edmond Pease - A Civil War Union Soldier written by Jim Murphy. 1863.
3. The Journal of William Thomas Emerson - A Revolutionary War Patriot written by Barry Denenberg. 1774.
4. The Journal of Joshua Loper - A Black Cowboy written by Walter Dean Myers. 1871
5. The Journal of Otto PeItonen – A Finnish Immigrant written by William Durbin. 1905

The Dear America books make a great gift for a young girl that can be added to throughout the years. I highly recommend this series!

What a wonderful goal!! I sure hope we get lots of great ideas from everyone to help with this one. Parents everywhere can glean from such info, and we all need encouragement to be regularly studying the Word with our older children. Often we get intimidated once the simple, familiar Bible stories are “outgrown” and our children become young adults. But now, more than ever, they need the Word. They are bombarded with questions and challenges. Daily they are confronted with issues of character, life choices, morality, and weighty matters. Getting into the habit of looking at the Word together is wonderful - downright vital!

I haven’t used any published study guides (the fill-in the blank type of workbook) with my kids. If anyone has, please send us the info! Here are a couple of ideas from my experience.

In our home, group devotions often center around a simple verse which we are memorizing together. In the process of memorizing we discuss the meaning of the verse, talk about general practical application, and then apply it directly to situations in our lives. (We also use it for vocab and spelling, if anyone would like to add those ideas as well.)

If you have struck upon a topic or issue that is particularly vital or interesting, extend your study of it. Branch out by studying additional related verses through cross-referencing with a cross-reference Bible or an online source such as bible.crosswalk.com. If that doesn’t yield much, or if your appetite has been whetted for more indepth study, go to a concordance and look up key words. For instance, if you are studying the concept of “work and industry” start with Proverbs 6:6-11. After looking at that for a few days, you could go to the concordance and look up “sluggard”, a key word used in that passage. Or “lazy”, a synonym for “sluggard”.

Nave’s Topical Bible is also a great resource, listing scriptures in categorized fashion. You can look up “sluggard” and find several scriptures related to that topic. If you don’t own Nave’s you can find it free online at bible.crosswalk.com. Simply click on “Concordances” listed under “Bible Study Tools”.

Reading a book together is another possible approach (I am referring to books centered around the scriptures in this case.) A book which is worth studying together with anyone at any time is Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life. I am doing that now with a group of friends. We meet weekly. The text provides a springboard for discussion of scriptures. For a daily routine, read a page or two together each morning, taking time to discuss the scriptures introduced. There is enough material there to take you through months of study together. It will help establish your daughter in a Biblical worldview.

I hope our readers can supply more ideas, more book titles, more sources, etc. We are all facing varied situations. Consequently, we need lots approaches from which to choose, so - bring on your suggestions!

I highly commend parents who are seeking to be diligent in study of the Word with their children. There is no greater legacy to pass on to them than a love and regard for the Word of God. I pray for grace to be your portion and great success to be your reward!