The Wanderer by Sharon Creech. Recommended for ages 9 and up. The story of Sophie, a young girl who crosses the ocean with her uncles and two cousins to visit her grandfather-or "Bompie". The family bonds, and many secrets are uncovered. This tale would be great for young girls, because the novel is narrated mainly by a female and is told in a simple but elegant style that will keep the reader engrossed and guessing until the very end.
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck. Recommended for ages 8 and up. This Newberry Honor winner tells the story of Joey and Mary Alice, two children from Chicago in the height of the depression. This book tells the stories of what happens on their annual pilgrimages to their Grandmother's house in Illinois. Their Grandmother is a larger-than-life woman, and the stories that are told will amuse readers of any age. This book was heartwarming, and I would recommend it to anyone fourth grade and up.
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck. Recommended for ages 10 and up. The sequel to "A Long Way from Chicago", this novel continues the exploits of Joey and Mary Alice's infamous grandmother. The annual trips continue, though now Mary Alice is facing Illinois alone, as Joey has enlisted in the army for WWII. The bonding between grandmother and granddaughter may make this novel more suited to girls than its predecessor, thought the stories are just as amusing. These novels give children an insight into what life was like during the depression, and how different life was.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Recommended for ages 9 and up. This novel was fascinating-it was fantasy and a coming of age story all in one. Miranda is growing up in New York City in the 1970's, and is at the age where she must learn a lot of new lessons about herself, her friends and her family. On top of everything she is starting to discover, she is receiving mysterious notes from someone who seems to know the future. As Miranda matures and accepts the inevitable facts of life-her best friend won't always be her best friend, and her enemy may not always be her enemy-she also discovers that everything is not as it seems, for better or worse.
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. Recommended for ages 3 and up. The tale of a man who longs to be able to voyage and discover new places who is granted a gift in the form of 12 intelligent and well-trained penguins. Written in 1938 when most people were not aware of what a penguin even was, this story will delight children of all ages with its simplicity. It teaches children to follow their dreams, for you never know what a new day may bring you if you do. Mr. Popper and his wife are a prime example that generosity and kindness for all creatures will get you far.
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Recommended for ages 10 and up. The 2012 Newberry award winner is a funny and slightly twisted story about a young man growing up in a quiet town in 1962 where everything seems idyllic. Grounded for the summer by his parents for disobedience, Jackie gets loaned out to an elderly neighbor to write obituaries for the men and women who founded his town. Along the way he discovers murder and mystery, and learns about respecting the past and the importance of history. I was reluctant about this book at first because the summary didn't seem very interesting, but once I got into the story the novel was impossible to put down. An excellent summer read for children of the right age.
Savvy by Ingrid Law, recommended for ages 8 and up. While this book is a fantastic read-funny and heartfelt, I would definitely recommend it for children who are a bit older. 8 year olds may not be mature enough to comprehend and empathize with most of what Mibs Beaumont, the main character and narrator, is going through. Mibs has just had her 13th birthday and gotten her "savvy" a unique and life-changing power that runs in her DNA when her father is hospitalized after a bad car accident. Mibs and her siblings find a way to their father's bedside along with the son and daughter of their local preacher, but not without learning a lesson or two about what it means to be you, and the fact that being special doesn't need to run in your DNA.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi. Recommended for grades 5 and up. This story is an excellent blend of history and fiction. Crispin teaches children about the rebellions of the 1300's while taking them on a journey with a young man who has no idea who he is or who his parents were. This book was a very quick read, and was just gruesomely detailed enough to keep most boys interested. This novel teaches young readers about friendship, loyalty and family as well as providing an insight into what life in the feudal system was like.
Breaing Stalin's Nose by Eugene Velchin. Recommended for ages 9 and up. The story of young Sasha Zaichik who is growing up in the USSR under Stalin's rule. He is raised to be a good communist-to look out for any spies in his country and to believe that capitalism is the worst system in the world. However, one day things begin to unravel for him as his father (who was once given a medal by Stalin himself) is arrested for treason and taken to jail. Sasha begins to realize that not everything he believed is the truth, and that it is important to make up your own mind, and not to blindly follow a leader.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin. Recommended for ages 8 and up. A folk tale with Chinese origins, this tale tells the story of Manli who journeys to meet the Old Man of the Moon to ask how her family can change their fortune. Interwoven with ancient stories that help enhance the tale, this is an excellent fantasy story for children 8 and up. The language is easy to understand and it will keep kids fascinated and imagining from beginning to end.
No comments:
Post a Comment