favourite read loud for Renaissance/Early Modern?

[Peela]

I am looking for "the" book to read aloud to my 14 and 15yos next term. It is my dd15's last year homeschooling with us and we are rushing through the Renaissance/Early Modern period in 10 weeks in order to spend 30 weeks on Modern History- as she is going into Journalism and she really wants to focus on Modern history. I want this year to be memorable and enjoyable.
Dd15 will be reading Pride and Prejudice for the term, ds14 will be reading 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (probably something else too). I am ok with Logic Stage books rather than too hard, but it depends (and we have read everything in the WTM logic stage list for this period). I was thinking of a Dickens but it just doesn't excite me.
I am looking for a book that kind of/loosely goes with our period, but that is not a heavy going classic. Something enjoyable (classic is ok, just not the meatier end of the spectrum).
Any ideas? Can be a bit off beat. We are not treading a strictly classical path.

[Corraleno]

Have you already done Gulliver and Frankenstein? How about Candide?

Jackie

[Peela]

Have you already done Gulliver and Frankenstein? How about Candide?

Jackie

Weve done Gulliver....what's Frankenstein like?

[Corraleno]

There are over 300 reviews here, so you will get a wide variety of opinions:
http://www.amazon.com/Frankenstein-Mary-Shelley/dp/1440463336/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262589880&sr=8-4

Frankenstein is required reading in most US high schools, and it's on the WTM rhetoric stage Great Books list. There are so many interesting directions to go with it: background on Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron, and the summer when Frankenstein was written; it's historical context and meaning; the "meme" of Frankenstein and all the ways it is expressed in popular culture; comparing the novel with the movie and with other modern interpretations/explorations of the story, etc. Here's some background:
http://members.aon.at/frankenstein/frankenstein-novel.htm

Jackie

[Catherine]

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It's very long, I'm right now reading it to my 13 yo. I love the story of a person transformed by love and forgiveness.

[Dot]

Personally, I think Frankenstein would stink as a read- out loud. However, to make it more enjoyable, just have a contest going on guessing how many times the word "countenance" appears per page. It's a quick read, though, and can lead to many good discussions. ETA--I didn't enjoy it even when reading it the first time, but I do see the merits.

[amtmcm]

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Love it! It's a great read-aloud - and an excellent way to study society, customs, geography, transportation and communication in the late 1800's.

[Stacy in NJ]

currently reading Oliver Twist and just loving it. Dickens' use of language is wonderful; it's so funny and touching.:001_smile:

[Peela]

Thanks for the suggestions....I am thinking Around the World might fit the bill, except that my kids have seen the movie which means they will resist...but I can probably convince them. The other suggestions I will keep in mind. thanks again.

[amtmcm]

Thanks for the suggestions....I am thinking Around the World might fit the bill, except that my kids have seen the movie which means they will resist...but I can probably convince them. The other suggestions I will keep in mind. thanks again.

One heads-up - Around the World starts out very slowly. The pace of the book mirrors Phineas Fogg's character development - he starts out reserved and methodical and develops into an adventurous and fun character. Just thought I'd mention it in case your kids give you any resistance at first - you can assure them it picks up the pace.

And I like the movie, but the book is way better. :)