The best way to describe these wonderful books is “literature and Bible study rolled into one.” Truly from a Christian perspective, these classic and award-winning books are examined in the light of God’s Word and a Biblical worldview. The author sent us several review copies and they are wonderful!

Each guide includes:

• a concise synopsis of the book
• information about the book’s author
• background information pertinent to the story
• suggestions for activities relating to the subject matter
• introduction of literary terms
• vocabulary exercises for each section of reading
• comprehension, analysis, and application questions for each section of reading with discussion of related Biblical themes
• a complete answer key and suggestions for further reading

Their brochure states “Our goal is to teach students of all ages to examine what they read, Christian or secular, classic or contemporary, and value the truth it contains as measured against the Bible.” A worthy goal indeed! If you want to study great literature from a Christian perspective, here’s your answer! If in doubt, try just one - we’re sure you’ll be back for more!

Progeny Press guides are available in two formats: softcover staplebound booklets and CD-ROMs. The CD-ROMs originally featured printable .pdf files, but Progeny Press is now transitioning these to interactive .pdf files. Inspired by a tax software, these files are able to be used by the student on the computer, or printed out. Questions in the files have text boxes to type in or buttons to select, so you won’t have to print worksheet pages if you don’t want to. Plus, users can grade their answers and leave notes as well! The publisher is starting with the high school and middle school titles, with upper elementary titles transitioning in early 2010. Lower elementary titles will remain the same, printable but not interactive. All books to accompany study guides are available from us for your convenience.

Customer Reviews

 
Jane l. from ohio wrote the following on 08/06/2007:
I have used these guides for elementary, middle and highschool levels; they exceeded my expectations. They give an interesting and relevant background to each story, vocabulary, and different levels of questions that increase in difficulty. They are easy to use even if I am unable to read the book along with my kids. There is minimal preparation for teaching; I usually look over each lesson and pre-mark what I want each child to do or skip. The last section of questions are insightful ones that at times we did orally together so that I could make sure the child understood but the more advanced student could do it on their own. This is the best written guide that I have purchases. My only suggestion would be that Progeny offer MORE guides. It is worth the expense and could easily be used with more than one child.

 
Sandra P. from Carrollton, Texas wrote the following on 10/27/2008:
I have a number of high school level Progeny Press Guides and consider them invaluable for in-depth literature analysis. We used the study guide on Julius Caesar in conjunction with Shakespeare Made Easy, in which the original text is on the left side of the page and the text in modern English is on the right side. This study guide refers to specific lines of the text. The numbers in our text were a little different, but not enough to matter. The study guide provides useful background information on Shakespeare and Roman history, vocabulary exercises, questions on each act of the play - some basic and others very analytical, an overview, suggested essay questions and answers at the back to all the questions. I wanted a study guide to clarify exactly what happens in the play, expand my child's vocabulary, and thoroughly analyze all aspects of the play. I wanted a complete set of answers so that I would not have to study the play myself. Progeny's guide to "Julius Caesar" exceeded my expectations. I felt this study guide was a great value. I told my children not to write on the pages, just to write the answers on notebook paper. It is also legal for me to photocopy for my family's use. The only teacher prep I had to do was photocopy the vocabulary crossword puzzle and either discuss the answers to questions or check the written work to makes sure my child got the right answers. I was very happy that this guide discussed such literary devices as personification, juxtaposition, and metaphor. In the overview there is wonderful section explaining dramatic structure. All the elements -exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement are explained and applied to "Julius Caesar." There is also a good explanation of protagonist, tragic hero, and antihero and the application to this play. There were many questions to help the student analyze the main characters and their motives. The applicable lines in the play are given to help the student best analyze the characters. In this guide I did not especially appreciate the Biblical questions. I felt Brutus, Cassius, and their followers were too far gone to follow the example of Matthew 18:15-17 and confront Caesar. (And I thought Caesar might have killed them for such a confrontation.) However, in the Progeny Press Guide to "The Merchant of Venice" I think the Biblical questions relating to usury and anti-Semitism are most relevant. The guide to "The Screwtape Letters" has great Biblical questions on the use of the word "Wormwood" in scripture and a wonderful suggested research paper on Calvinist and Arminian positions. The relevant scriptures for these positions are listed. In short, Progeny Press Guides not only test the student to make sure he understands what he has read, but lead him to a thorough analysis of the story, a much deeper analysis than I have found in textbooks or other study guides.