Published 1975 Theme: Chinese Immigrant experience Best for: 12 and over "All of a sudden I saw that if life seems awfully petty most of the time, every now and then there is something noble and beautiful and almost pure that lifts us suddenly out of the pettiness and lets us share in it a little." This beautifully written and sensitive book covers the experience of the Chinese immigrants in the 1900s in San Francisco.
Published: 1904 Theme: Magical Adventures Best for: ages 10 and up The carpet was sailing over rocks and rivers and trees and towns and farms and fields. It reminded all of them of a certain time they all had had wings... Another great imaginative classic by master storyteller E. Nesbit, this one has a real Phoenix in it!
Published: 2006 Theme: Learning to Love Best for: 7 and older "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." The quote above is worth the entire journey of tears that this little children's book takes you on, as you move from the self-centered heart of a china rabbit to one that has been broken open with love and hope...
Published: 1958 Theme: Coping with Circumstances Best for: age 5 and up "You know, Henry," said Mrs. Brown as they watched Paddington go up the stairs to bed, looking rather sticky and more than a little sleepy, "it's nice having a bear about the house." This is a real chapter book, perfect for young readers who have just learned to read, with a few choice illustrations to keep it moving.
Published: 1983 Theme: Knights, Women's Equality Best for: girls age 12 and up "Maude said I should use my Gift of healing. She said I had the power to heal more than most people. She said if I didn't heal, I wouldn't make up for the killing I did as a knight." In this series of four books, Tamora Pierce weaves an odd world of knights, magic, and the feminine in a way I haven't encountered before...
Published: 1865 (est.) Theme: Fairies, Bravery, Kindness Best for: everyone Five Stars "What will people say?" is the name of this formidable ghost; and it does much harm, for few of us have the courage to live up to what we know to be right in all things." What young person does not need to be reminded about being true to themselves? Or being brave, or being compassionate, or being fearless?
Published: 2013 Theme: Life in the Future Best for: 2nd grade boys The series of six children's books in Galaxy Zack are brand new, and intrigued me at first glance because the writing seemed accessible to early readers, especially boys...
Published: 1998 Theme: Dealing with Divorce Best for: 7 and older "I, Amber Brown, don't get what she means by the paws refreshing...But there are a lot of things grown-ups say that I don't get." Is this great literature or not? I must admit, I cannot say yes. But I can say that this children's book is a great example of the kind of contemporary writing that floods the market today...
Published: 2005 Theme: Wisdom and Foolishness Best for: 5 and older Five Stars "In the forbidden City of the Celestial Emperor Kwan-Yu lived a white cat with such beautiful green eyes that she was called Dream-of-Jade." Lloyd Alexander, perhaps best known for his fantasy children's books for older readers, has completely captured the genre of classical Chinese folk tales in an impeccable style...
Published: 1950 Theme: Overcoming Handicaps Best for: 5th grade and up, classroom/home school "...he would learn all the ways of knighthood. He would learn how to be of service to his liege lord, how to be courteous and gentle, and at the same time, strong of heart." This Newberry Medal winner is a well-crafted historical fiction children's book set in medieval England, complete with knights, plagues, and cloistered monks...
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