Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
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 →
Clearie’s dad is in the Navy, which means she’s moved around a lot. Now, she’s moving again - this time without her dad. He has to go overseas to occupied Japan. So Clearie is going to Alaska to live with her mother’s people. Alaska! What is in Alaska? Clearie barely remembers her mother. She’s never... Continue Reading →
Sophie is proud of the hard work she’s done to become the top student in her class. She didn’t used to be a diligent student, but after several moves and several schools, she decided to work hard and make her parents proud. But the day her teacher is to chalk her name on the board... Continue Reading →
I decided I needed to reread Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne after Masterpiece Theatre on PBS aired a mini-series based on the book. Well - loosely based on the book. The mini-series was fun to watch, but Phileas Fogg is nothing like the character in the book. In the book, Fogg... Continue Reading →
One very special harmonica changes the lives of three hurting children in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Friedrich in Germany is the first to find the harmonica. It brings him hope and courage as he fights for his music, his dream, and his father, under Hitler’s regime. Then Mike in Pennsylvania discovers the harmonica. It gives... Continue Reading →
Northwind by Gary Paulsen starts like a fable, with “The Saga of the Sea Child.” It’s an interesting way to start a book - my one complaint is that the font it’s printed in is difficult to read. All caps with very little punctuation. Which I guess makes it feel more like the reader is... Continue Reading →
Rudi Matt is obsessed with The Citadel. It’s the last great summit of the Alps that remains unconquered. Rudi’s father was sure it could be climbed - and he died trying to prove it. Rudi is determined to prove his father right. And Rudi’s mother and uncle are just as determined that Rudi will not... Continue Reading →
Moses Thomas lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, and spends most of his time with Boo Nanny, his grandmother who was born into slavery. Boo Nanny is steeped in the old ways and the signs, and Moses listens to her stories with rapt attention. But as he grows older, and sees more of the world, he... Continue Reading →
Lily can’t wait to get away from school and the city and head to Rockaway Bay with her grandmother and father. But when she arrives, she realizes this summer is going to be different. Her best friend, Margaret, is moving to a war factory town. Then Lily discovers her father is leaving for the war,... 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 →
Cultivating Readers 