Children’s books which are generally suitable for children age nine to twelve
Published: 2015 Theme: Self-confidence Best for: girls 8 to 10 "Sadie imagined Jess and Maya calling from the road and asking what she was up to. 'Oh Nothing much. Just doing magic with a friend. Nobody you know.'" With a little imagination, and the help from the Backyard Witch, "a most magical and mysterious visitor, who always appears just when you need her," Sadie's summer, and her own sense of self-worth is transformed.
Published: 2010 Theme: Fairy Tale adventure Best for: 9 to 11 "It's a Story Book. It's actually pretty rare... My grandfather got this one when he rescued an old woman who used to ride a giant goose... The book writes down any stories you tell it..." First, the recommendation and review by a fifth-grade reader that led me to this children's book: “I liked how funny May was."
Published: 2015 Theme: Value of Community Best for: 9 and 10 "Burdock knew perfectly well he was strictly a barn cat. A barn cat, not a house cat, not even a sometimes-allowed-in-the-house barn cat. But Burdock loved warmth more than just about anything..." The banding together of the animals for a common cause - to save themselves from an impending fire- is the heart of this newly published children's book.
Published: 1998 Theme: Science Fiction Best for: 11 and up "Be quiet! You know the words of Arnold Bros. (est. 1905)! Everything Under One Roof. Everything! Therefore, there can be no Outside. Therefore you're from some other part of the Store. Corsetry. Or Young Fashions..." The first children's book in The Bromeliad Trilogy is filled with humor, puns, social commentary, and a clever plot. I admit to laughing out loud ...
Published: 2000 Theme: Adventure and Fantasy Best for: 9 and up "A water rat scuttled away as the children felt their way along the narrow passage. It led to a canal, like so many of Venice's alleys and passages...Someone had painted "Vietato Ingresso" in clumsy letters on the door- No entry." Once again, I am dazzled by Cornelia Funke and her masterful way of putting characters and plot together that is memorable and exciting...
Published: 2015 Theme: Resilience Best for: Girls 9 and up "This semester you will be taking a very difficult course... You will be learning all about How to Find Your Way...You will be graded on the following: pluck, enthusiasm, spirit of adventure, brilliance, and self-reliance." The moment I saw the motto of "The Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents" I knew I'd love this children's book. Quoting Amelia Earhart, "Adventure is worthwhile in itself,"...
Published: 1954 Theme: Space Travel Best for: boys 8 and up "Wanted: A small space ship about eight feet long, built by a boy, or by two boys, between the ages of eight and eleven...An adventure and chance to do a good deed await the boys who build the best space ship." In this delightful early science fiction children's book, we are introduced to space travel, impossible in 1954, and of course, becoming quite possible only a decade later...
Published: 2015 Theme: Family Best for: 7 to 9 "Appleblossom's brothers and sisters move closer to one another as Mother Possum continues: "The first kind of monster is made of metal. They have wheels and bright eyes when they are out after dark. These eyes are blinding." I liked the possum point of view in this recently published children's book, that is sprinkled with enticing pencil sketches throughout...
Published: 2006 Theme: Historical Fiction Hero Best for: 7 and up "Once there was a boy who could not claim his Father. Kil Dong, as he was called, was the second son of a wealthy and powerful advisor to the king, Minister Hong. But Kil Dong's mother was not the noble wife of the minister..." This historical fiction, beautifully illustrated 'graphic' novel, set in 16th century Korea, tells of the Korean Robin Hood...
Published: 2003 Theme: Best Friends Best for: 4th grade and up "I did a play all by my stupid self and I was a blind woman, but it is hard to be a blind woman all by yourself, with no one to talk to but your own stupid self. It doesn't make a very good play." Creech's books often address topics that no one wants to write about for children, and she does it with compassion, and in this case, a great deal of humor...
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