JUNIOR CLASSES.
For Children from Eight to Ten Years old.
The books here given are of a somewhat homely and simple order, such as are understood and liked by children without much cultivation or knowledge of the world—average ones, in fact; for the intelligent and eager ones, or those who have some home culture, need something of a higher order.
20. Louie White’s Hop-picking. By Amabel Jenner. (Griffith, Farran & Co.) 6d.
A good picture of Kentish hopping, introducing a brisk little London maiden, as inferior to her homely cousins in practical usefulness as she is superior in knowledge.
21. The Lion Battalion. By Mary Hullah. (Hatchards) 2s. 6d.
Several short stories. The first is of a tiny German boy who makes imaginary soldiers of buttons and abstracts a whole brilliant regiment from his little friend’s jacket. It is less good than the second, ‘The Fireman’s Little Maid,’ a friendship between a fireman and a little neglected girl. Read aloud, it has charmed a third standard class and a mothers’ meeting.
22. Smuts and Diamonds. By Selina Gaye. (Remington) 5s.
The first tale is on Christian brotherhood; the second, ‘Who did It?’ is of the mysterious painting of the effigy of a pig hung at the pork butcher’s. It is my resource when I have to keep a mixed troop of children quiet while waiting. The third, ‘Three Little Sisters,’ is a warning to little nurses to be faithful.
23. Golden Gorse. By Florence Wilford. (S.P.C.K.) 1s. 6d.
A London child’s first visit to the country, with her help to her more backward cousins.
24. The Heavy Sixpence. (S.P.C.K.) 3d.
An overcharge, weighing down the conscience.
25. Missy and Master. By Mary Bramston. (S.P.C.K.) 2s.
Missy had been a member of a circus troupe. Master was the pony she used to ride. Her taming down in an orphan asylum is well told.
26. The Christmas Mummers. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
This story preserves the old Hampshire custom of ‘Mumming.’
27. Langley School. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3s.
28. Lads and Lasses of Langley. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.
29. Langley Adventures. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s. 6d.
‘Langley School’ was written many years ago. The others are of the present day, of examinations, &c.
30. Pickle and his Page Boy. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 2s.
A boy and a Skye terrier who try to be faithful.
31. Godmother’s Whim. (S.P.C.K.) 4d.
A treasure concealed in a ball of worsted.
32. Michael the Chorister. (Walter Smith) 6d.
One of the first tales of little choristers, and with a great simplicity and beauty.
33. A Bright Farthing. By S. M. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 1s.
A good child’s story of the temptation to conceit and self-exaltation.
34. Grannie’s Wardrobe. (S.P.C.K.) 9d.
A case of curiosity and untruth, well told.
35. The Railroad Children. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 6d.
May be a help with unbaptised children.
36. The Secret of a Ball of Wool. (S.P.C.K.) 2d.
Is the same idea as the ‘Godmother’s Whim,’ but is told by a Russian nurse and is more amusing.
37. Harriet and her Sister. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
A warning against concealing an accident; but the child left alone all day in charge of a baby is a thing of the past.
38. Snowdrop’s Eggs. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
Against pilfering.
39. The Third Standard. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
The consequences of children copying each other’s marks in school.
40. Wolf. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
Adventures of a set of Christmas carollers.
41. The Wood Cart and other Tales. By F. M. Peard. (Walter Smith) 2s.
Excellent tales of peasant life in France which delight English children.
42. The Old Garden Door. (Walter Smith) 2d.
A little girl who gets into a scrape by aiding in surreptitious transactions between a hawker and some boarding-school young ladies. The children left at home to the care of a young elder are things of the past, but the child nature is true in all times.
43. Uncle Henry’s Present. (Walter Smith) 2d.
A droll lesson on curiosity.
44. The White Satin Shoes. (Walter Smith) 2d.
Equally telling on vanity.
45. Cheap Jack. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d.
Adventures of some beads ill obtained.
46. Mary and Florence. By A. Fraser Tytler. (Hatchards) 3s. 6d.
This is an unfailing favourite, a children’s classic of fifty years’ standing.
47. The Star in the Dustheap. By the Hon. Mrs. Greene. (Warne) 3s. 6d.
Very touching.
48. Froggy’s Little Brother. By Brenda. (Shaw) 6d. or 3s. 6d.
A touching tale of street Arabs. Interest in it seems to be uncertain among children—one class has liked it, another virtually hissed it by inattention.
49. Little Meg’s Children. By Hesba Stretton. (R.T.S.) 1s. 6d.
More powerful than ‘Froggie.’ Also of London children in a garret, where the faithful little elder sister struggles to take care of the little ones till her father’s return from a voyage. This is as fit for mothers as for children. There are multitudes more of these street Arab tales, most of them written from fancy. It is possible to have too many of them, so only the names of these two best are given here.
50. The City Violet. By C. Winchester. (Seeley) 5s.
There are violent improbabilities here, but children like the book, and listen to it eagerly. The lesson of Christian love is taught by an old bedridden woman to various classes of children, among whom are some of the circus children, who have such a fascination for young readers.
51. Little Lives and a Great Love. By Florence Wilford. (Masters) 2s. 6d.
Four tales designed to illustrate the text, ‘The love of Christ constraineth us,’ in a scale gradually ascending. Of the four, only the first is historical.
52. Helpful Sam. (Griffith, Farran, & Co.) 6d.
A very real and quaint young chimney sweep.
53. The Beautiful Face. By Mrs. Mitchell. (Masters) 4s. 6d.
A veritable child’s romance, not attempting to be historical, but graceful, tender, and bright enough to delight children.
54. Dandy. (S.P.C.K.) 6d.
A pleasant story of a lost dog.
55. Ben Sylvester’s Word. By C. M. Yonge. (Walter Smith) 3d. or 1s.
The value of truth in a witness. The murder in this has secured its popularity.
56. Little May and her friend Conscience. By Mrs. Cupples. (Nelson) 9d.
A debate with conscience.
57. Tim’s Basket. (Nelson) 6d.
Might cheer a crippled child.
58. Story of a Needle. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 1s. 6d.
Autobiographical.
59. The Two Watches. By the Author of ‘Copsley Annals.’ (Nelson) 1s.
Didactic but lively.
60. Baby’s Prayerbook. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.) 8d.
A tiny girl unconsciously leading her elder brother to a right course.
61. Wings and Stings. By A.L.O.E. (Nelson) 1s.
Once this was read to a class who delighted in it. Another year it fell flat, owing, perhaps, to the children having less imagination.
62. It’s his Way. By the Author of ‘Copsley Annals.’ (Nelson) 1s.
Very good for reading aloud.
63. Northope Cave. By Mrs. Sitwell. (S.P.C.K.)
Seaside adventures, a brave little self-devoted fisher-boy among babies.
