Children’s books for the early teen years, not yet young adults, but no longer little ones
Published: 2018 Theme: Protection of Endangered Species Best for: 9 to 12 "This story is for all who have the courage to protect instead of dominate, to save instead of plunder, and to preserve instead of destroy." A sequel to Dragon Rider, this action-packed adventure with fantasy animals, is all about protecting all living beings.
Published: 2018 Theme: Truth and Lies Best for: 11 and up A lie is just a wall round the truth. Could be that it's built strong like a wall, or it could be built out of something that'll collapse. But no matter what it's made of, the truth is always going to want to get out. A compelling and dramatic children's book about truth and lies. Who do you trust?
Published: 2018 Theme: Overcoming Discrimination Best for: 9 and up "It wasn't surprising that Siobhan Washington became a librarian. She grew up surrounded by books, spending just as much time in her school library as she did on the tennis courts. " This authentic peek back in time to the struggles of African-Americans to be accepted is well-done, written in the form of a puzzle-solving adventure.
Published: 2017 Theme: Courage, Fantasy Best for: girls 11 and up "We will rise. We will not, cannot, be controlled through fear or hatred, for we have hope. Those who greedily hoard their power will find it slips through their fingers like sand. We are free." This is a very dramatic fantasy, with two fabulous heroines leading us to right some wrongs...
Published: 2018 Theme: Courage, Overcoming Differences Best for: 11 and up "Her father had a phrase for the way the sun catches things out against the darkness of a coming storm: the clear light of trouble, he called it." This excellent historical fiction is a timely addition to educating children about the dangers of xenophobism...
Published: 2018 Theme: Unglorious War Best for: 11-13 "He wasn't sure why Ella had lied about texting her mom. All he knew was that she wasn't the girl he'd thought she was. She was the girl who did magic tricks and listened to Mozart." Great historical fiction children's book, featuring two very likeable 7th graders, who end up liking each other...
Published: 2018 Theme: Bravery Best for: 10 and up "I'm terrified to see my mother being taken away. I want to pull her out of there, and hold her hand as we run back to our apartment. I don't do any of that. I'm sacred and angry and sad." From beginning to end, this adventure in New York City brings us to see the immense courage of immigrant families under threat.
Published: 2016 Theme: Defending the Truth Best for: 12 and up "The year I turned twelve, I learned that what I said and what I did mattered. So much, sometimes, that I wasn't sure I wanted such a burden. But I took it anyway..." A worthy piece of literature for young readers, somewhat a milder version of Kill a Mockingbird, but with less brutality and perhaps more heart.
Published: 2017 Theme: India's Independence fight Best for: 12 and up "Ma handed Anjali one of the two prasad trays as they headed into the hall. Anjali gave a ladoo to her father and bowed to him in pranaam. He raised his hand over her head to bless her..." We journey to a village in India during the struggle for independence, and live with freedom fighters, including a young girl and her mother...
Published: 2016 Theme: Religious Tolerance Best for: 12 and up "Louis of France is not yet thirty, and already he is the greatest king in Europe. His armies have never been defeated. This war is different... He is fighting three children. And their dog." I don't know how he pulled it off, but along with the historical description, Gidwitz adds contemporary outrage, and humor as well, giving perspective on the bizarre behavior of the human race!
Litkidz 