I think I am interested in using DITHOR with my 12 yr old dd and 8 yr old ds. They are both strong readers, but like to do it on their own terms. We used a different language arts program for my ds this past year and he actually took a few steps back in his ability because it wasn't challenging him, but I went by "grade level". My dd is easily adaptable to whatever we choose, though she is picky about book choices. We all enjoy doing as much of school together as possible, but we don't love being tied to a busy work, workbook.
First, I am wondering if DITHOR can be the ONLY reading program they use (we have grammar, history and science covered)? Then, are there writing projects suggested as some of the activities? Also, are the student workbook pages in the TM or only available in the grade specific workbooks? And finally, are there lists of other suggested books besides those in the book packs? Like I said, they are quite picky about what they read and I can see them giving me a difficult time with some of the book pack pieces.
If I do choose my own books, how do I decide how long to take to read it through?Thanks so much, in advance, for all of your help!
The book list also is going to show you the level and genre as well taking that work out of the picture too. Once you've chosen a book, you will just divide the number of pages by 15 days and see how that works out. If that seems like it will be way too few of pages each day for your dc then you might want to use that book for 10 days and pick another shorter book for 5 days. This is just my OCD nature, but I like to have things divide out nicely into chapters so I typically try to find a book whose chapters work out to be about the right length and number for 15 days or choose a book or two that works out that way. I hate stopping in the middle of a chapter but if it is a book with long chapters, then I try to find more natural divisions when dividing the reading. We have had a few books that were that way, but I try hard to avoid them. 
I hope I didn't make that sound complicated, it isn't at all. 
