Published: 1994 Theme: Mathematics Best for: ages 9 and up A historically accurate illustrated children's book about Eratosthenes, a Greek librarian, and mathematician at heart, who figures out how to measure the earth using only a shadow, and some geometry...
Published: 1990 Theme: Survival, Resilience Best for: Classroom use, Home School, grade 5 and up "Everyone in our tribe had two names, the real one which was secret and seldom used, and one which was common, for if people use your secret name, it becomes worn out and loses it's magic." This work of historical fiction, about a young girl left alone on an island, chronicles the ways she managed to survive..
Published: 1990 Theme: Being Oneself Best for: ages 10 and up, especially girls "Being a dragon's princess is a perfectly respectable thing to do, so my parent's couldn't complain. And it would be much more interesting than embroidery and dancing lessons." An easy-to-read adventure with dragons, wizards, and a princess who breaks the mold...
Published: 1961 Theme: Wisdom Best for: 10 and up Five Stars "Of course there are a few of us whose feet never reach the ground no matter how old we get, but I suppose it's the same in every family." This timeless classic is so filled with humor and wisdom that each reading makes it feel new. A must-have...
Published: 1997 Theme: Thinking for Yourself Best for: Girls over 11 "Decisions were a delight after the curse. I loved having the power to say yes or no, and refusing anything was a special pleasure." This lightweight modern fairytale explores what happens when a young girl can no longer think or choose for herself. An apt pre-teen subject....
Published: 1948 Theme: Fairyworld Best for: 5-9 "It is autumn in Moomin Valley, for how else can spring come back again?" This quirky little children's book captured my interest right away because I'm in the midst of teaching phonetic skills to second and third graders...
Published: 2000 Theme: Kindness Best for: Ages 6-11 "You got to remember, you can't always judge people by the things they done. You got to judge them by what they are doing now." Part of what I love about this children's book is the simplicity of the writing and the story line. That makes it perfect for early readers...
This children's book is really teaching children about the power of the mind, the power of thoughts, to shape one's life. The teaching element is the main point of the book...
Published: 2003 Theme: Self-Reflection, Service to Others Best for: 12 and older “The secret is not to dream,” she whispered. “The secret is to wake up. Waking up is harder. I have woken up and I am real. This powerful fantasy book by Terry Pratchett has so much depth to it that one realizes it needs several reads...
Published: 1923 Theme: The Unseen World Best for: All ages "The Being passed very near her mountaintop, moving slowly, as to unheard holy music. But as he passed, he turned his face and looked down at Gentian, standing still and small on the mountain top. She ...was lost in awe." This unusual book defies categories. It isn't fantasy, the way most people understand fantasy. The closest word I can use to describe it is mystical. There is something very true about the book...
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