Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
The monks of the Chronicles of Sorrowing fear the goat the most. Answelica has taken a piece of each of them with her sharp teeth and hard head. So when Brother Edik finds a child asleep with Answelica, he is terrified. How did that child get there? And what will that goat do to her?... Continue Reading →
Nella is outnumbered by younger brothers. She desperately wants a sister - and finds one, for a time - in Angela. But as they grow and change, Nella grows tired of Angela and is captivated by Clem, the new girl. As life changes more quickly than she wants or anticipates, Nella finds herself caught between... Continue Reading →
Will's life on the African farm is magical. Day after blissful day roaming the plains on her horse with her monkey and best friend. Suddenly, her life changes and she's sent to England for school. How will she learn to live so far from her beloved Africa? I loved Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell... Continue Reading →
Over vacation, I was delighted to find the third companion book to Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo. Beverly, Right Here starts right near the end of Louisiana’s Way Home and Beverly is mourning the loss of her dog, and that her friend, Louisiana, has moved away. Impulsively, she decides to run... Continue Reading →
Every once in awhile you pull a random book off the library shelf and fall in love. That’s what happened with The Mailbox by Audrey Schafer. I've never heard of this author before. I thought the description sounded interesting. I sobbed my way through the last few chapters late last night. It's a keeper. It's... Continue Reading →
Do you remember the Encyclopedia Brown books by Donald J. Sobol? I loved these books as a kid. Rereading the first one as an adult, I found it borders on cheesy. That does not mean even modern-day kids won't enjoy the little mysteries Encyclopedia solves for 25-cents each. Highly recommended for young readers - read... Continue Reading →
I think I've either read or listened to every one of Andrew Clements' books, except Extra Credit. For some reason I kept putting it back on the shelf. My girlfriend told me how much she loved it so I picked it up. I'm so glad I did! A realistic portrayal of pen pals, sixth grade,... Continue Reading →
Esther just wants her mom to hug her and kiss her. She wants to be sure her mom loves her. Maybe if she keeps track of all the good luck superstitions her mother follows, her mom will love her more. In the midst of the Great Depression her family goes through lots of difficulties -... Continue Reading →
On the eve of World War II, Genevieve impulsively decides to stay in the Alsace region of France with her grandmother. And she doesn't even like her grandmother. Her aunt always says she doesn't think before she acts. Now Gen doesn't know who to trust and must learn how to care for her grandmother, the... Continue Reading →
With all the change in my life right now (I wrote this review several years ago), I find myself gravitating towards books that feel like familiar friends. I remember listening to The Birthday Ball by Lois Lowry years ago with my children and enjoying it. I find it ironic I listened to it again so... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 