Yikes! With 1,892,729 books out there, how do I pick the right ones? Start here with "Books for the Journey: A Guide to the World of Reading." Nearly 1,500 of the 'best books ever', selected by teachers, curriculum directors, librarians with help from high school students themselves are organized by category, marked for appropriate high school grade levels, and include a two to six line description of each book. From Leonardo DaVinci s notebooks to modern writers,"Books for the Journey" includes hundreds of titles that spark imagination, introspection and idealism. Representing dozens of cultures, these lists include both classics and lesser known, but equally worthwhile books. Mythology,drama, poetry, fiction, biography, history, non-fiction they re all here. Even a section where high school seniors chose the books that made a difference in their lives. Each category also includes a Reader s Road Map written just for teens. If you are... A teen beginning your exploration of books A seasoned reader eager to take on the classics of literature A teacher, parent, or guidance counselor looking for books to recommend to your students An adult who wants to capture the magic of the books you missed in high school or college Someone who grew up speaking a different language and wants to use English literature as a learning tool -you will come back to this guide again and again! An annotated list of 1500 recommended books for teens on their journey to adulthood. In compiling the list, the three editors sought input from students and teachers at Waldorf schools about their favorite titles. The selected books are organized into five sections: "Drama, Mythology, Poetry, and Sacred Writing"; "Fiction"; "Biography and History"; "Nonfiction"; and a list of titles recommended by seniors as they graduated from high school. Author, editors or translators if applicable, country and year of publication, genre, and recommended grade levels are provided. However, the grade levels seem limited and arbitrary. The annotations are brief, generally a sentence or two. Most of the titles are adult; a few are children's classics or favorites. They form a potpourri of nationalities, styles, and genres that mirrors many lists of books for the college bound. –Karen Hoth, Marathon Middle/High School, FL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. ForeWord Magazine selects "Books for the Journey"as Finalist in Book of the Year Awards Announced at the 2004 Book Expo America (BEA) in Chicago "Books for the Journey: A Guide to the World of Reading" was a finalist in the Education category in ForeWord Magazine s Book-of-the-Year Award. The awards were presented at the annual Book Expo America in Chicago. It is the fourth title for Michaelmas Press, publisher of award-winning parenting and education books. ForeWord Magazine was established to bring increased attention to the literary achievements of independent publishers and their authors. It is the only magazine showcasing reviews and title trends exclusively from this explosive market. For these awards, a jury of librarians, booksellers and reviewers select winners and finalists based on editorial excellence and professional production as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the book adds to its genre. Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate 2001-2003, comments: It is a book full of books the only guide to reading you will ever need. "Books for the Journey" is a reading list for high school and beyond with nearly 1500 titles of the best books ever, categorized into subjects, annotated, with suggested high school grade levels. Includes a Reader s Road Map that introduces the books in each section. --Michaelmas Press A useful blueprint for teenagers, educators, and parents as they negotiate the challenging high school years. Thoughtfully catalogued and annotated for quick reference, here are the books that have captured the imaginations, stirred the hearts, and shaped the lives of teens and adults alike. A valuable resource. _ Katrina Kenison, Senior Editor, Best American Short Stories (Annual Series) --Katrina Kenison, Senior Editor, Best American Short Stories (Annual Series) Like a dictionary or a good cookbook, 'Books for the Journey' deserves a place on every bookshelf. As a teacher and a parent, I now have a reliable reference when I am searching for the perfect book to enhance curricula, to motivate reluctant readers, to stretch students reading choices, to inspire my own children, AND during those wonderful,lazy days of summer, to indulge myself. Deborah Szabo H.S. English teacher and parent, Newburyport, MA --Deborah Szabo, H.S. English teacher and parent, Newburyport, MA A useful blueprint for teenagers, educators, and parents as they negotiate the challenging high school years. Thoughtfully catalogued and annotated for quick reference, here are the books that have captured the imaginations, stirred the hearts, and shape