• Complete, ready to use!
• Book included inside the course!
• Makes reading fun!
• Develops literacy, vocabulary!
• Introduces some history, geography!
• Develops critical thinking!

I taught a literature class in my homeschool co-op using two Steps Literature Guides, Sherlock Holmes stories and The Time Machine. The Literature Guides are very easy to use. The lesson structure made scheduling and assigning homework very simple. We used the lesson questions to stimulate class discussion and I was impressed with the contributions that the students made during class. I look forward to continuing to use Steps products!  L.F., Homeschool Teacher
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Now largely forgotten, in his day, George MacDonald was regarded as one of the most creative, beloved writers of stories for children and their parents.

This is perhaps his most whimsical tale, about a spoiled princess so self-involved that her feet never touch the ground - literally.  She floats about from place to place, living a life with her head in the figurative and literal clouds.

Here's a complete guide that will help your student, ages 7-adult, understand the rich and rewarding writing of this masterful writer.

The history of the period of time is explained, so that the student understands why MacDonald wrote as he did, and what he was trying to say to his readers about their time (and ours). MacDonald's personal history is also explored, and the student relates what he's learned about the writer's life to the stories, and how MacDonald's own experiencehelped him to create his great works. The history of his books, their publishing success, is considered.

Important tools of writing are explored and explained, such as the message of a piece (the idea the author wishes to communicate), plotting, characterization, conflict, language, irony, and the use of surrogate characters representing the author and his views. The student then uses his knowledge of the tools of good story-telling to analyze and understand the story.

No additional materials are needed. The entire text for this short novel is contained in the course.

Before reading each section, the student looks though the simple, single definition that applies, for every key or difficult word used in that section. This will allow the student to understand what he reads the first time he reads it. (WARNING – This course does require and develop some serious literacy. ) 

After each section, the student is provided numerous exercises which demand cognitive and critical thinking on the student's part. The exercises help make the story more relevant to the student, and increase his understanding of the story and its unique values.

We provide links to film and/or other presentations of the pieces being studied!

This is a complete study guide, one that will bring this fantastic, unexpected tale to life.