Elson Readers -- Are they worth $180 bucks?

[Linda...inOwasso]

I saw these on the lost classics books website and of course, they look awesome, but I was wondering if anyone has used them and is willing to opine.

There are so many books, series, collections that I would love to have for our home library and I'm trying to pace myself on buying so dh doesn't come unglued.

Thanks so much!

[WTMCassandra]

What lost classics website? Do tell! Don't tantalize us now and fail to provide a link! Aaaaaahhhh!

[Hathersage]

The link to the lost classics website.

http://www.lostclassicsbooks.com/

You can view Elson readers at books.google.com
Here is a link to google books
http://books.google.com/
Here are links to 6 of the8 elson readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=FPUAAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=IGcXAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=zmYXAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=JWYXAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=DWcXAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers
http://books.google.com/books?id=9GcXAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=elson+readers


And Vol 4 and 5 are available at Project Gutenberg:

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/6963
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/9106

[Teri in VA]

I bought mine from Amazon. I don't remember the price, but I'm pretty sure it was cheaper than $180. :-)

[Trivium Academy]

I would say they are worth it to the homeschool that will use them faithfully and make them an integral part of their homeschool. Will you be more likely to read the stories as they are in the Elson Reader or pick up an individual book? Will your child(ren) like to read from one text or would they prefer a single book to read.

I considered these too but bought the McGuffey Readers instead b/c they were cheaper- I used them periodically for 6 months and then sold them to someone who wanted the readers to be a primary resource in their homeschool. I would carefully consider whether you would use them as a primary resource AND I would see how your child(ren) feel about reading from one volume instead of single books before investing in them.

Hth,

[Karenciavo]

You don't need to buy the whole set at one time since they are grade based, but even so, no they are not worth all that money. I collected original copies and bought the complete set for $40. The originals include chapter question, the Lost Book Company took the questions out of their versions and I guess put them in their optional teacher's editions :confused: I did purchase Primer K and Primer 1 used because they are easier for my ds5 to handle.

Look on bookfinder.com for books that are in very good condition. Mine are pristine for 80 year old books.

[KristineIN]

You know, many times we have high hopes for something and our children have other ideas. I too had the McGuffey readers and it just wasn't something that interested my kids. You know what got my daughter started in reading, plain old Dick & Jane Books. Once she started reading those, she started reading on her own. I couldn't believe it. For my son, it's just been picture books and Star Wars early readers.

Kristine

[chiguirre]

$180 is a lot of money. Take a look at the Pathway readers. My ds is enjoying those right now and they are great for practicing fluency once you know enough sight words. You can use just the readers, but the workbooks are good for spelling practice. Learning through Sounds is a very good phonics program and it also coordinates with the readers. The stories do hold my ds's interest and, frankly, my interest much more than McGuffey readers because they keep the same characters for a long time (I think through 2nd or 3rd grade).

I have a set of McGuffey readers that I got as a girl. They're nice, but nowhere near as good as the Pathway readers. The language is a bit stilted and they just aren't "fun".

[Mary in NJ]

Why don't you look on the used book sites. I have the original ones and they were between $5-7 a piece, hardback, great shape. Maybe you can get the original books and it would cost a lot less than the new printed softback ones. Just a thought.

I think I ordered them from Abe Books a couple years ago.

Hope this helps
Mary

[EvergreenEclecticAcademy]

I bought mine from Amazon. I don't remember the price, but I'm pretty sure it was cheaper than $180. :-)

I would probably buy them individually, as needed. The price per book at Amazon is in the $12-15 range. My dd7 is using Book 2 right now. She enjoys the stories, and it has been great fluency practice for her! We didn't do either the Primer or Book 1. I'm waiting to see if I'll buy Book 3 & beyond.

HTH!

[EvergreenEclecticAcademy]

Forgot to add...

I also bought the Teacher's Guide to go with Book 2, but I haven't used it at all.