13
Sep
Must-Read Picture Book of the Year: The Journey
War, death, despair, perseverance, hope… The weight of these topics is not easily communicated in a book for children, but The Journey by Francesca Sanna (public library) approaches these topics in a heartfelt story that couldn’t be published at a more appropriate time in the world today. I know “must-read book of the year” is […]
15
Aug
Liar & Spy
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead Published: Wendy Lamb Books, imprint of Random House, August 2012 Recommended Age: 9 & up In a Nutshell: I have an author crush on Rebecca Stead- this is no secret. When You Reach Me is up there as an all-time favorite, her Newbery Medal acceptance is something I go back […]
27
Jul
See You at Harry’s
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles Published: Candlewick Press, May 2012 Recommended Age: 10 & up In a Nutshell: Twelve-year-old Fern is feeling anything but the love. Her three-year-old nuisance of a brother Charlie will not leaver her alone. Older brother, Holden, a freshman in high school, is having a hard time at school […]
26
Jul
Throwback Thursday: The Snow Spider
The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo Published: Dutton Books, 1986, Orchard Books (Imprint of Scholastic), 2006 Recommended Age: 9 & up In a Nutshell: On Gwyn’s 5th birthday, his older sister, Bethan, tragically disappeared. Four years later, still ridden with guilt over her disappearance, his slightly cooky grandmother gives him five unusual presents. Presents she […]
19
Jul
Mr. & Mrs. Bunny–Detectives Extraodinaire!
Mr. and Mrs Bunny–Detectives Extraordinare! by Polly Horvath, illustrated by Sophie Blackall Published: Schwartz & Wade (Imprint of Random House), February 2012 Recommended Age: 8 & up In a Nutshell: Dear Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tanenbaums), Please, please, PLEASE pick up this book, do your magic, and make it a movie. What you […]
13
Jul
The Year of the Book
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2012 Recommended Age: 7 & up In a Nutshell: 4th grader Anna Wang prefers the comfort of a book to that of other people… or anything else really. As an ABC (American Born Chinese), […]
10
Jul
A Tale Dark and Grimm
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz Published: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2010 Recommended Age: 10 & up In a Nutshell: Ooooohh this book is too good! “Once upon a time, fairy tales were AWESOME!” This quote from the opening sequence had me thinking this would be another fun fractured novel […]
21
Jun
One for the Murphys
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt Published: Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2012 Recommended Age: 10 & up In a Nutshell: Carly Conners finds herself in the hospital after surviving a violent attack from her stepfather. While her careless mother, who was also attacked, remains in critical condition at the […]
19
Jun
Three Times Lucky
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage Published: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 Recommended Age: 10 & up In a Nutshell: It’s summer in Tupelo Landing, population 148 minus one (murder) where quick wit, sixth-grader Mo LeBeau is about to have a summer she’ll never forget. Found as a baby by town restaurant owner Coronal […]
13
Jun
Recent Kids Reads
Here’s my latest list of Recent Kids Reads from the past few weeks! And if you haven’t checked out The Summer Book Hook yet, please do! I’ve been busy posting weekly kid-approved book recommendations with the goal to inspire even the most reluctant reader to get hooked on reading this summer. The Hero’s Guide to […]
