Philosophy/Religion/Myth
By Staff -- Curriculum Connections, 4/1/2006
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Gr 6 Up –In alternating free-verse narratives, two very different young men–the biblical Ishmael, son of Abraham, and Sam, a present-day teenager–describe their astoundingly similar situations, as each struggles to forgive the father that he feels has betrayed him, deals with upheaval in his family life, and attempts to maintain faith in God. Presenting two distinct voices, Grimes’s eloquent poetry evokes timeless issues and powerful emotions. B
HONDERICH, Ted, ed. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. 2nd ed. 1056p. diags. reprods. chron. index. CIP. Oxford Univ. 2005. PLB $60. ISBN 0-19-926479-1. LC number unavailable.
Gr 10 Up –“Philosophy thrives” states the editor in his preface, and this substantial volume brings together articles on both the great philosophers of the past and contemporary thinkers. More than 2200 signed entries enlighten readers on every aspect of philosophic thought throughout history. Useful to scholars as well as general readers, this is a major update of the 1995 edition and will serve college-bound students well for both quick reference and sustained inquiry. B
MCCAUGHREAN, Geraldine. Not the End of the World. 244p. CIP. HarperTempest. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 0-06-076030-3; PLB $17.89. ISBN 0-06-076031-1. LC 2004014786.
Gr 9 Up– Noah’s daughter, Timna, is not content to stand back with her extended family and watch as the rest of the world drowns. An evocative and thought-provoking look at life on the ark, the rights and responsibilities of “the chosen,” and the notion of unquestioning faith. B
MELTON, J. Gordon, ed. Encyclopedia of Protestantism. 628p. (Encyclopedias of World Religions Series). photos. reprods. bibliog. chron. further reading. index. CIP. Facts On File. 2005. Tr $75. ISBN 0-8160-5456-8. LC 2004016792.
Gr 9 Up –This clear, accessible, and liberally illustrated volume covers the denominations, issues, practices, and important historic developments of the Protestant movement from its early 16th-century beginnings to the consecration of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop in 2003. Prominent thinkers and theologians are profiled as well as the religious history of various countries with respect to Protestant denominations. Concepts such as baptism, creationism, and liberation theology are covered, and all entries contain cross-references and one or more bibliographic citations. B
ROTH, John K., ed. Ethics. rev. ed. 3 vols. 1685p. charts. illus. photos. reprods. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Salem. 2005. Tr $331. ISBN 1-58765-170-X. LC 2004021797.
Gr 10 Up –A wide-ranging, comprehensive encyclopedia focusing on applied ethics. This edition features new and expanded essays on individuals, concepts, events, and issues. Students looking for multiple perspectives or writing reports on any number of current and/or controversial topics (“Jihad,” “AIDS,” “Reality television”) will find this a rich source to mine. Sidebars, photos, and charts enhance the volume. B
YUAN, Margaret Speaker, ed. Women in Islam. 128p. (At Issue Series). bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Gale/Greenhaven. 2005. PLB $28.70. ISBN 0-7377-2759-4; pap. $19.95. ISBN 0-7377-2760-8. LC 2004054104.
Gr 9 Up –Three main schools of thought about women’s role in Islam have developed in recent years: the traditionalist, the feminist, and the progressive. In this collection of essays, each view is explored in relation to Islamic writings, interpretations of the Koran, and changes in Islamic societies. Addresses, essays, and articles from journals and Web sites by prominent proponents of each of these views set forth the issues. B
Mythical Creatures. www.eaudrey.com/myth. David Otte. (Accessed 12/12/05).
Gr 4 Up –This exhaustive site about mythical creatures contains information on seraphim, dragons, hippogriffs, and more. Each detailed description is complete with picture, features, other names, and often a literary reference. Additional fantastic facts can be found in “Mythical Places,” which discusses such exotic locales as Atlantis and Eden, or in “Marvels of the East,” which documents cannibals and one-eyed giants. W
