Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Jack Plank loved being a pirate. His fellow pirates liked him a lot too. But after a bit, it became clear to everyone that Jack was no good at plundering. That was OK, because someone needed to stay behind and keep the soup warm. But then hard times hit pirating, and the pirates couldn't keep... Continue Reading →
Pinmei's grandmother is the neighborhood storyteller and always has the perfect story for Pinmei and the villagers. But the emperor's soldiers break into Pinmei's house and kidnaps her grandmother. Fortunately, Grandmother was able to hid Pinmei in a large pot, so the soldiers didn't kidnap her. So Pinmei and her friend Yishan set out to... Continue Reading →
The subtitle is what really made me pick up The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz - Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog. Gidwitz tells the story of these children through the recounting from many different people, all gathered at an inn in rural France during the Middle Ages. It's a fascinating tale... Continue Reading →
Jane finds a strange coin on the sidewalk and sticks it in her pocket. She and her siblings are bored stiff that summer - all their friends are away in the country while they’re stuck at home. So she wishes something exciting will happen. And surprisingly, something exciting does happen - her wish is granted!... Continue Reading →
Eben McAllister enjoys dreaming about visiting the world. He loves pouring over maps and books about the world outside his little down of Sassafras Springs, Missouri. But he’s never left his hometown. One day, Eben’s father challenges him to find seven wonders in his home town. And, there’s a prize. A visit to visit his... Continue Reading →
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are popular topics of books and other adaptations. Gerald Morris wrote Sir Lancelot the Great, one part of his The Knights’ Tales series for young readers. This short chapter book is perfect for readers ready for the next step - and wanting adventures and laughter. The... Continue Reading →
Lisa and her friends live on farms outside a village in the Swedish countryside. They enjoy simple pleasures of life - crayfishing in a local pond, celebrating Christmas, enjoying walks home from school, shopping at the local market for their mothers. The Children of Noisy Village was written by Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking... Continue Reading →
I’ll be honest. I picked up this short, little book because of the Scandinavian art on the cover. I love Scandinavian folk art, and thought this book could be enjoyable because of it. I was not wrong. When Mischief Came to Town by Katrina Nannestad should be a classic. I loved this sweet story of... Continue Reading →
I stayed up entirely too late to finish Echo Mountain another excellent story by Lauren Wolk, author of Wolf Hollow. Ellie has decided to make Echo Mountain home since her family lost everything in town during the Depression and had to learn how to make it in the wilderness. Her mother and older sister remember... Continue Reading →
You might think that a story about pioneering families in Alaska would be the most unusual part of Sweet Home Alaska, by Carole Estby Dagg. You’d be wrong. The most unusual part, at least in my opinion, are the names of her main characters - three sisters named after Greek muses. The twins are lucky... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 