Published: 1964 Theme: Overcoming Bullies Best for: 8 and up The Pushcart War started on the afternoon of March 15, 1998, when a truck ran down a pushcart belonging to a flower peddler. Daffodils were scattered all over the street. The pushcart was flattened, and the owner of the pushcart was pitched headfirst into a pickle barrel. The theme of standing up to bullies comes in a NYC setting of pushcarts versus trucks, with humor all the way through.
Published: 2012 Theme: Death of a grandparent Best for: 6 to 9 "I sleep with Lucy [the dog] in Billy's bed because I promised. She sleeps next to me, sometimes lifting her head to peer at me as if to say 'You're not the one I love. You're all right. But not the one I love.'" In Kindred Souls, once again MacLachlan addresses the journey of a young child dealing with the death of an elder, offering humor and compassion..
Published: 2004 Theme: Good vs Evil Best for: ages 10 and up "As if reading her mind, a large porpoise rose straight up, using its powerful tail to lift its head well clear of the water, dancing on the churning water. It looked at Molly, grinning, and said, "Hello." " An action packed pirate story, with lots of fights, heroes, and drama, this is a magical prequel to Peter Pan...
Published: 1963 Theme: Historical Fantasy Best for: 8 and up "The only thing a cat worries about is what's happening right now. As we tell the kittens, you can only wash one paw at a time." This time-travel, historical fantasy stands out through the heart-felt and accurate portrayal of cats and their behavior, sharing traits that are often missed by non-cat lovers.
Published: 2013 Theme: Power to Create Best for: 8 and up "[The Gods] did tell one another what they would make once they got back to work, if only they had the energy, and if only they had the time, but in truth their world was still unfinished, still had many gaps and spaces in it, and there was still much making to be done." This book has a profound message for all ages - within each of us is the power of the Gods to create our world, and... we must be responsible...
Published: 1999 Theme: Greek Mythology Best for: 9-12 "I wish," said Susan, closing her eyes and rubbing the coin between her fingers,"that I could meet Hercules." Next moment the bed seems to give way and she fell heavily to the ground. Susan blinked. She was in the corner of an immense room, with stone columns..." A contemporary young girl finds herself at the crucial point of seven Greek myths, where the heroes route to success is humorously manipulated with her aid...
Published: 1998 Theme: Native American lifestyle Best for: 9 and up classrooms "I believe that in many instances where the white settlers had trouble with the Indians it all started because the Indians were just curious to know what in the world the white settlers were doing, and not be because they ...even knew they were doing any damage." This nonfiction children's book is simple and informative, giving a full and loving picture of a culture that tragically has disappeared.
Published: 2011 Theme: Friendship Best for: 8 - 11 "Ipswitch, Pennsyvlania, is a small town. In July of 1955, the population was one hundred and sixty-two. People who visited Ipswitch commented on what a happy place it was." At the heart of this book is friendship ...between two young people, Alice and Charlie; between Alice and her aunt Polly; between Polly and her whole town...
Published: 2014 Theme: Faith Best for: 11 and up "Everyone in Chile has an explanation for earthquakes. I say that the earth has the right to yawn and stretch just as I do in my bed when I don't want to wake early for school, and also has the right to sneeze as we all do when covered in dust." Profound and poetical are the best two words to capture the new children's book by Chilean author Marjorie Agosin about a young girl forced into exile from Chile...
Published: 2011 Theme: Growing up Best for: 7 - 9 "After her very important call my mom sat on the couch with me and read five whole chapters of a book to me... And when we got to the happy ending, my mom's eyes got red...My mom always cries at happy endings." Here's one of the absolute best early readers/ first chapter books I've come across. The writing is simple, laid out with only a few words on a line for ease of reading...
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