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Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright

Gone-Away Lake

By Elizabeth Enright
Level 6
Review:

This Newbery Honor Book, written in 1954, is wonderful! Two siblings go to the country to spend the summer with their cousin. They end up discovering a mostly abandoned community next to a dried-up lake where they befriend two elderly neighbors. I love how this book treats family and shows the majesty and beauty of nature. The writing is fantastic and has a rich, varied vocabulary. The second book in the series, Return to Gone-Away, did not make our list because it contains one instance of taking God’s name in vain.

(Reviewed by Kate Phillips)

Genre Fiction
Digital Format Audiobook
  • Audiobook
  • 4 Entertainment Value
  • 5 Moral Value
  • 3 Educational Value
  • 5 Literary Value
Rating System

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Entertainment Value

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Moral Value

All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are deemed appropriate and wholesome, but some books have more emphasis on moral principles than others. A lower rating for moral value does not mean the book is inappropriate; it only means that moral values are not as highly emphasized.

Educational Value

Although all books on this list have educational value in the sense of increasing vocabulary and other important skills, the educational value scale is based on how well the book helps the reader gain knowledge about historical time periods, cultures, geography, science, etc.

Literary Value

Books that score high in literary value include exceptional writing, use of literary devices, and a rich vocabulary. All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are well-written, but some have a higher literary value than others.

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