Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
About a year ago, I was writing an article of book recommendations for families to read aloud together. I asked my friend if she had any ideas of great family books. "Oh yes," she said. "You should write about that book you read last year to your kids. The one about the young driver." "Which... Continue Reading →
In Nazi-occupied Holland, the business of surviving took so much time that many children were left to their own devices. Fifteen-year-old Michiel would rather be in school, but it was too dangerous to cross the river, between the Nazi soldiers looking for strong men and boys to send back to Germany to work in the... Continue Reading →
"This is the best book EVER!" cried my 10-year-old, lifting Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor high in the air. We had just finished listening to the audio version of the book, read by Lynne Thigpen. I had tried reading it aloud to my children, but being a white woman from... Continue Reading →
Japan in the 1800's was a mystery to the rest of the world. The country was truly isolationists - no Japanese person who left its shores was allowed to return. Not for any reason. Japanese rulers told their people the world outside Japan was dangerous - full of demons, barbarians and monsters. And soon, fourteen-year-old... Continue Reading →
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson is a coming-of-age story set in Montana during World War I. Hattie is an orphan, shuffled from one unwilling relative to another for most of her life. Then a letter arrives in the mail. Hattie's uncle has died, leaving her his homestead claim in Montana. Although she is only... Continue Reading →
Some people may call 15-year-old Simon Green a turkey - his aunt even calls him 'pea-brained.' But Miss Rogers, Simon's teacher, sees something special in Simon. "Not everyone appreciates your finer talents, Simon. ... But I'm certain there's a place for you in this world. Just think about what you like best, Simon. Think about... Continue Reading →
Set in the Tower of London during the 1730's, The Ravenmaster's Secret by Elvira Woodruff tells of a daring escape from the Tower. But Forrest Harper isn't sure he has the courage to help with the escape. The older boys at the Tower bully him, his mother requires him to watch over his little sisters. ... Continue Reading →
In Dark Life, author Kat Falls introduces her readers to Ty, the first child to be born in Benthic Territory. He helps his parents & his sister on their subsea farm, and explores the rest of the continental shelf - and even parts of the open ocean, even though it's dangerous. Ty is more comfortable... Continue Reading →
This may be an odd choice as a rockin' kids book, but my kids enjoyed it. All four of them. (Of course, my kids adore museums too, which makes them a tad geeky - but that's just fine with me!) So what book deserves that qualifier? Lincoln: a Photobiography by Russell Freedman. I think my... Continue Reading →
Fans of Peter and the Starcatchers rejoice! Authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have teamed up again to write another series about Peter Pan, Neverland, Starcatchers, starstuff, and Lord Ombra. This time, they set the story in modern day America and London, featuring two teens - 17-year-old Sarah and 15-year-old Aidan. This brother and sister... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 