THE AMERICAN SCHOOL READERS FIFTH READER 66 BY KATE F. OSWELL, B.A. AND C. B. GILBERT FORMERLY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS ST. PAUL, NEWARK, ROCHESTER AUTHOR OF THE SCHOOL AND ITS LIFE," "STEPPING STONES TO New York THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1913 All rights reserved 588382 (C BY THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. Set up and electrotyped. Published February, 1912 Reprinted July, September, 1912; January, 1913. PREFACE THE Fifth Reader, Book VI of the American School Readers Series, is intended for use in graded schools in grades five or six, or both, according to local conditions, and for use by the older pupils in rural schools. Like its predecessors in the series, it contains literature of a high order and of great variety, all suitable for reading by children of eleven to fourteen years of age. It contains for such children more good literature of a kind that they can readily read and enjoy than is usually found in fifth readers. In addition to the excellence of its selections and its careful grading, the book contains questions upon the matter read and suggestions for study intended to introduce children to the real and sympathetic pursuit of literature. The questions are not technical and are not mere questions of fact upon the text; they aim rather to arouse curiosity as to the literary motives of the authors quoted, and to stimulate appreciation and cultivate taste. It is not enough for children in the higher grades merely to read lessons in a reader. They should read understandingly and sympathetically, and should have their eyes opened more and more to the finer qualities of good literature. The authors believe that the use of this Fifth Reader will greatly help to this desirable end. The book, however, is not heavy, and the literature is not, like that of many fifth readers, beyond the comprehension of children. The questions for study are not "learned" and discouraging; on the contrary they are stimulating and suggestive, and will add to the pleasure of the reading. The authors beg leave gratefully to acknowledge the valuable criticism of the manuscript by Professor Charles W. Kent of the University of Virginia. They also acknowledge with thanks the courteous permission of The Macmillan Company for the use of "The Albatross Family," from Mrs. Over the Way, by Mrs. J. H. Ewing, of the Atlantic Monthly, and William H. Hayne, the author, for permission to use "A Sea Lyric," and of Janey Hope Marr for the use of three selections from Arms and the Man by her father, the late James Barron Hope. |
