By Bob Shultz
Great Expectations Book Company
www.gebconline.com
PO Box 2067
Eugene, Oregon 97402
541-343-9926
Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schultz is a collection of encouraging essays on becoming a man for boys aged ten and up. Created for Work, also by Mr. Shultz, expands on the first book, devoting itself entirely to developing a good work ethic. This book was written for slightly older boys, aged twelve and up. Chapter titles are as follows:
Boyhood and Beyond:
- A Grand Book
- Admit It
- Authority
- One Degree at a Time
- A Man
- Be of Good Cheer
- Coveting
- Temptation
- Education for Life
- Forgiveness and Dirty Diapers
- Get Up Again
- Where Do I Belong?
- Mr. Industry vs. Mr. Sloth
- Inventions
- Justice
- Leadership
- Learn to Like It!
- Life Is Doing
- Meeting God in the Morning
- Misunderstood
- No Rest Without Work
- Overcoming Fear
- Pain
- Preparing for a Wife
- The Best Book
- The Morning Watch
- The Value of an Old Man
- A Time to Kill
- Worship
- Letters
- Preparing Your Children
Created for Work:
- Art in Your Heart
- Confidence
- Dangers of the Diligent
- Difficulty
- Dirt
- The Doorway to a Heart
- Exit Strategy
- Great-Grandpa Cornelius
- Grudges
- Increase
- Initiative
- Maintenance
- Me Own Dog Tucker
- Transported with Delight
- How Could It Be My Fault?
- My Instructor
- Plodding
- The Plumbline
- Promptly After, but not Before
- Sidestepping Discouragement
- Keeping Your Word
- The Donut Race
- The Making of a President
- The Morning Song
- The Process
- Treasure in Our Box
- Understanding Your Boss
- Unemployed?
- Vision?
- What Are You Going to Do?
- When Mercy Goes to Work
- You're Rude
- Work Within the Rules
- Finish It
The layout of each book is identical. Each book begins with a poem: "If" by Rudyard Kipling in Boyhood and Beyond, and "Work While You Work" by M. A. Stodart in Created for Work. Each chapter begins with a relevant quote relating to the chapter and ends with a relevant Bible verse. A list of four to six questions at the end of each chapter can be used for discussion or journal ideas.
Mr. Schultz writes in a friendly, conversational manner. The books are written directly to boys but would be enjoyable reading for father and son together. Chapters are short enough to read easily in one sitting. Mr. Schultz uses Bible stories, interesting narratives from his own childhood, and meaningful analogies to illustrate lessons. He obviously remembers the struggles of becoming a man and does an excellent job communicating with compassion and understanding.
Boyhood and Beyond is an excellent book that I highly recommend to all families with boys. Recurring themes include seeking God, serving in the home, working hard, preparing for the future, and being honest. In my fifteen years of marriage and parenthood, I have read many books on family life and have often felt discouraged by them. Not so with this book. Mr. Shultz has a gift of encouragement that is sure to edify boys and their families. And who would have thought that a book written for boys could be so encouraging to a 35-year-old homeschooling mother? If I could pin down one recurring theme that spoke to my heart, it would be to make changes one degree at a time, not getting bogged down with the enormity of the task at hand. Mr. Shultz writes, "Often the boy who looks down on little things because he wants to accomplish great things never completes either."
Created for Work is also a very good book, but I do have a couple of reservations about it. In the introduction, Mr. Shultz writes, "What is the good of knowing how to read or write if a young man doesn't have the heart to work, to produce, and to create? Boys are often forced to sit for hours, year after year, in front of books. Modern child-labor laws hinder and even prevent them from learning to enjoy strenuous work. Then, after twelve to sixteen years of inactivity, folks wonder why all their teenager wants to do is sit on the couch playing games." First of all, I'm not sure I see the connection between reading books and sitting on the couch playing games. Secondly, although I know from his first book, Boyhood and Beyond, that Mr. Shultz encourages boys to do their best in all their studies, this book definitely leans toward physical labor as the best kind of work. This made me slightly uncomfortable; although, truth be told, I would be thrilled if my sons were inspired to paint the bathrooms, fix the fence, and build shelves in my garage! However, I am concerned that an immature mind might misunderstand Mr. Shultz to be discouraging schoolwork in favor of physical labor, as if it were an either/or situation. I offer this as my only caveat regarding a fine book that I hope will encourage my boys to work hard for the glory of God in every area of their lives.
Product review by Heather Jackowitz, Contributing Writer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, October 2006
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