Edith Hamilton’s classic retelling of all the primary Greek myths serves as a great introduction to the Greek world that is the backdrop to the freshman literature sequence. Students will learn the Greek origin myth and several memorable cautionary tales. Also, these short stories introduce the Greek gods as well as all the major Greek heroes, such as Hercules, Pericles, Theseus and Jason. This is a must-read for students to prepare for the Iliad, Odyssey, Aeneid and Greek dramas covered in the freshman literature curriculum.

**Note: Read Parts I-III of the Hamilton book only. Reading further actually begins to preclude the subject matter of the Iliad and Odyssey which we read during the year.** 

With the slow fall of Rome that is covered in the sophomore history sequence, the gravitational center of the Christian world shifts northward, and the original Christian themes and ideals of the ancient word are retold against a new Germanic cultural backdrop. Roger Lancelyn Green's retelling of these Norse myths sets the stage for Beowulf, the Song of Roland and the Arthurian legends that are studied in the 10th grade.  

As our juniors prepare to study moral theology, Lewis’ book will prepare their minds and hearts to better appreciate the deep impact of original sin and how the forces of darkness try to undermine joy and truth. In this book, the cunning plans of the adversary are not centered around obvious sins. Instead, the tempters focus on subtle forms of sin (e.g., vanity, pride, distraction, insincerity, forgetting God), and show how these can achieve the same effect as more obvious sins, that is, to lead us away from God. Ultimately, the tempters in this story do not care what sins are committed by their subjects - so long as they accomplish their goal of separating people from God. The case can be made that The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging and humorous account of temptation - and triumph over it - ever written. 

12th Grade

Frankenstein
Shelley, Mary
ISBN 978-0486282114