Children’s books which are generally suitable for children age nine to twelve
Published: 2013 Theme: Power of Imagination Best for: 8 to 12 "The power of the imagination is a magnificent thing. Here, whatever you can imagine, you can make real." If you ever wished to have a children's book which is fun yet compelling page-turner, this is good place to start...
Published: 2015 Theme: Mystery Best for: Girls 9 - 12 "Leila breathed in the heavy scent of masala, nicked with the sharp undercurrent of gobi and war my oily parathas. She knew most of the dishes on her plate, and was determined to try everything..." The best part of this children's book is the ending, where the resolution unfolds so skillfully, that only then did I realize the mystery ... .
Published: 2016 Theme: Self-confidence, Dragons Best for: 8 to 12 "It was Vasilisa's doll that did all the cleaning, dusting and laundry at night while Vasilisa slept in her room here. A couple of times, I tried to stay up long enough to catch the doll at it..." Dolls that clean houses, a dragon that lives in the basement, and a school for humans and magicals... a perfect recipe for delight.
Published: 2013 Theme: Injustice Best for: 11 and up "To make a tomahawk for your son, you needed the stone blade, and the wooden shaft, and time. In my father's day, there was still time..." I couldn't put this historical fiction book down. From start to sad ending, the trauma of the battle for land in early America is a compelling read...
Published: 1967 Theme: Faery Best for: 7 - 10 "There was a village once, not very long ago for those with long memories, not very far away for those with long legs. Wootton Major it was called because it was larger than Wootton Minor..." A truly magical yet profound tale of the skeptic world and those who 'do believe in fairies'...
Published: 2008 Theme: Tolkien Fantasy Best for: 7 and up "Faerie is a perilous land, and in it are pitfalls for the unwary and dungeons for the overbold..." This collection of shorter stories by Tolkien has something for all ages, including adults who love Tolkien's fantasy worlds.
Published: 1998 Theme: Fantasy Best for 8 and up "Not every old man with ragged trousers is a bad old man: ... a few, a very few, are wizards prowling round on a holiday looking for something to do. This one was a wizard, the one that now walked into the story." Early on, Tolkien crafted several short novellas out of stories that he made up for his own children, and Roverandom is one of them.
Published: 2011 Theme: Meaning of Life Best for: 11 to 13 "After five years, he has sent me a message with one instruction, to open this box on my thirteenth birthday. Somehow, no matter how impossible it might seem, I am going to do exactly that." If you want an uplifting, somewhat philosophical children's book, for a child who is wondering about the meaning of life, this is it...
Published: 2007 Theme: Imagination Best for: 9-11 "With a pleased yowl, the griffin chased after the ball again, catching it a few feet from Kate and Michael. Then it came forward and laid the ball at Kate's feet like a cat presenting a dead mouse.." There's a real gentleness about this children's book that actually doesn't need additional drama or hype...
Published: 2012 Theme: Accepting Differences Best for: 11 and up "I'm kind of used to how I look by now. I know how to pretend I don't see the faces people make. We've all gotten pretty good at that sort of thing: me, Mom and Dad, Via. Actually, I take that back: Via's not so good at it." Let's get right to the heart of the matter: this is a stunning, daring, heart-opening children's book.
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