Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had may not be the longest title for a book, but it’s a pretty long one. I almost didn’t pick it up because of it - but I’m glad I did. Dit and Emma are unlikely best friends - especially in America’s rural south in 1917. Dit comes from... Continue Reading →
Marlee is changing. She doesn’t want to change. She doesn’t talk to anyone except her older brother, her sister and her dad. Sometimes her mom. But this year, everything is changing. Her brother is off at college, and now her sister wants to move into his room and leave Marlee by herself. A new girl... 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 →
Moxie knows Grumps wasn’t perfect. But she isn’t going to go blabbing family business to the neighborhood. Then one day, a stranger shows up at the front door, asking for Grumps. And not taking no for an answer. Moxie starts on a quest. Why does this stranger want her Grumps? And what could Grumps remember... Continue Reading →
Tommy is trying to do the right thing. His sister, Mary Lou, is in the hospital recovering from horrible burns. She was injured doing his chore. So Tommy takes over Mary Lou’s paper route. Just until she comes home. But he misses her horribly. They were allies in trying to survive their home, their mother’s... 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’ve been intending to read The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis for several years. But every time I picked it up, I had a hard time getting past the first chapter. I finally decided to check out the audiobook and listen to it. That made all the difference in the world! By the... Continue Reading →
When I picked up this audiobook in the library, I misread the title. I thought it was Pieces of Sky. Which explains my confusion during the first few chapters of the book. Confusion aside, Pieces of Why by K.L. Going follows the story of Tia, a twelve-year-old singer in New Orleans. Tia and her best... Continue Reading →
I recently read Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk with a book club. We all loved it so much that one of my friends decided to read all of Wolk’s books - and pass them on to me. (Thank you Jan! See also Echo Mountain.) Beyond the Bright Sea tells the story of Crow, a young... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 