Edward Everett Hale

Bring the Classics To Life. These novels have been adapted into 10 short chapters that will excite the reluctant reader as well as the enthusiastic one. Key words are defined and used in context. Multiple-choice questions require the student to recall specific details, sequence the events, draw inferences from story context, develop another name for the chapter, and choose the main idea. Let the Classics introduce Kipling, Stevenson, and H.G. Wells. Your students will embrace the notion of Crusoe's lonely reflections, the psychological reactions of a Civil War soldier at Chancellorsville, and the tragedy of the Jacobite Cause in 18th Century Scotland. In our society, knowledge of these Classics is a cultural necessity. Improves fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

High Interest Classics with Comprehension Activities

The Man Without a Country

Hope Brockway

This short story was published during the Civil War and, because of this, it low-key resembles propaganda. 

No offense, but this whole situation seemed a bit unrealistic to me. I mean, a man who, in his rebellious youth, was banned from stepping foot in his country and from even hearing of the United States ever again? It seems a bit too elaborate to me. 

So Nolan lives out his life scuttling from ship to ship, always skirting around the U.S. but never setting foot on land again. He is also banned from hearing news from home. Any news pertaining to his former country is cut out of his newspapers. Like what?? Honestly who has the time and dedication to carry such a thing through? (view spoiler)[In the end, the poor man is so depressed. He is literally dying and they won't tell him anything. It was so sad to see old man Nolan almost crying when they finally spilled the tea about what happened to his country during this exile. (hide spoiler)]

At its heart, this short story is about patriotism and staying true to your country, no matter how flawed it seems. It discusses the idea of country identity and how, once stripped of that, life changes forever. It was quite sad to see Nolan spiral into depression once he realized the severity of his punishment. As I mentioned before, the whole situation seemed a bit unrealistic and unnecessarily cruel to me. 

I do think that since this was written during the Civil War, this was written for the Confederates. Basically a "you better shape up or you're gonna be like poor Nolan here" threat. So that's fun.

Other then the aforementioned flaws, this story was quick and fairly easy to read. I was fortunate enough to read my great-great-great aunt's edition and I was enchanted both by her signature in the front cover (!!!) and the several pictures throughout.

The Man Without a Country High Interest Classics with Comprehension Activities

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