Children’s books for the early teen years, not yet young adults, but no longer little ones
In book number 8 of The Squire's Tales, we follow our Arthurian heroes on an unusual quest, as Beaufils is searching for his father. This is one of the more profound stories in the cycle, as we find the vulnerability of men shown as they recognize themselves in each other.
In this children's book, number 9 in the Squire's Tale series, at last we have a book solely about Terrance the squire. He is the most mysterious of all, being part fairy. We find out so much more here.
In the final children's book in The Squire Tale series, we come to the conclusion of the Arthurian cycle of stories, with it's bittersweet ending. Book number 10 has to bring it all to an end, even though we will come back and read these stories again and again.
Published: 2013 Theme: Inner Power and Mystery Best for: 12 -14 "There are those who, unmistakably, have a powerful talent, able to access the sensory energy of the world around them.They can even learn to work with it, harness it, utilize it to make change. Your sister is showing clear signs that she has these talents." A blend of inner power, African-American life in Chicago, and the thrill of solving mysteries makes this a very unusual book.
Published: 1994 Theme: 13th Century Life Best for: girls 12 and older "I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family. That is all there is to say." It's not often that I read a somewhat serious children's book that makes me laugh out loud. This book certainly does that, due to the main character, a sharp, funny, sarcastic, and somewhat willful 13th century teenager.
Published: 2007 Theme: Loyalty Best for: age 11 and up "If the difference between a surviving group of students and a dead group of students is that a thief managed to sneak behind the enemy and steal a magic weapon or incapacitate a skilled mage, then it's well worth risking moral ambiguity." Here's a children's book that is just non-stop adventure from chapter to chapter, as well you might expect with its title. Well-written and fast-paced...
Published: 1917 Theme: Chivalry Best for: ages 10 and up "Be not robbers to any who are poor and who are good fellows--having only their poverty against them. Be kind to those who help you, but exact toll as heretofore of all who come through the greenwood. The rich to pay in money, and blood--if it be necessary." Given how riveting the tale of Robin Hood is, I surely hope others don't wait as long as I did to finally read this masterpiece of children's literature. It is everything I had hoped it would be...
Published: 2004 Theme: Love Conquers All Best for: 9 and older "It is a failure of courage, and worse yet, a failure of love to relinquish your dreams so easily...Each of us holds within his soul the ability to conquer sorrow, fear, and misery with charity, compassion, and wisdom…. You must find a way to use what your soul knows.” If ever there was a children's book that conveys the deeper meaning of the holiday, this is it. The power of faith in one's dreams, faith in oneself, and faith in goodness, pour out of every page of this book.
Published: 1986 Theme: Courage, Destiny Best for: ages 8 and up "Mattias cut a comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping, and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice's habit. He paused to gaze upwards and tripped over the enormous sandals." I have to admit I was hooked on this children's book with the opening lines even before I realized this was a book about mice and small animals. One of the amazing features of this fantasy children's book is that it is so real...
Published: 1977 Theme: Friendship, Courage Best for: ages 11 and up "He was angry, too, because it would soon be Christmas and he had nothing to give Leslie. It was not that she would expect something expensive; it was that he needed to give her something as much as he needed to eat when he was hungry." When I put this children's book down, my shirt was dampened with teardrops, and I couldn't do anything but sit quietly for a while. I felt like I had just lost my best friend, as Jess had. The impact was astounding...
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