Emma and the Blue Genie

Emma and the Blue Genie: A Children's Book by Cornelia Funke

Published: 2014 Theme: Bravery Best for: 6 to 10 "Before they took off, Emma quickly wrote a note to her parents: "Don't worry. I'm off with a pretty big genie to find his nose ring. And I have Tristan with me..." The "pretty big" was of course an exaggeration..." In this small children's book, Emma helps a genie regain his power. Great for young readers who are ready for easy chapter books, or as a read-aloud.

Like Carrot Juice on a Cupcake

Children's book - Like Carrot Juice

Published: 2014 Theme: Best Friend Dramas Best for: 10 to 11 girls "Then she said, "I don't want you to be mad at me! You're as important to me as paper is to pencil!" "You hurt my feelings," I said. My voice was quivery, too. We both sat there, very miserable...." With the same simplicity, humor, and sensitivity that Sternberg's other books have, this children's book takes on the 'bff' problem of young girls head-on...

Magic or Not?

Children's Book - Magic or Not

Published: 1959 Theme: Magic of Goodness Best for: ages 9 and up "Just 'cause magic never happened to you, it doesn't meant it isn't lurking around still, waiting to turn up when you least expect it!" With an unusual turn from Eager's other magic books, like Half Magic, this children's book puts magic squarely in the realm of human activity...

Here Lies The Librarian

Historical Fiction Children's Book

Published: 2006 Theme: Historical Fiction Best for: 10 and up "Any outrage as big as hiring a librarian was bound to bring everybody out of the woodwork. The hitching rail was chock-a-block with horses and wagons, and there was a farmer's tin Lizzie...a Ford Model T." Humor, eccentric characters, and a love of old cars flows through this historical fiction children's book. The story unfolds creatively and unpredictably...

Dragon Rider

Dragon Rider - Children's Book

Published: 2004 Theme: Fantasy Best for: 8 and up "The Rim of Heaven." Slatebeard closed his eyelids. "Its mountains are so tall that they touch the sky. Moonstone caves lie hidden among its slopes, and the floor of the valley is covered with blue flowers." Imagine in one children's book: brownies, dwarfs, dragons, sea serpents, a giant Roc, and even a homunculi. Add the magic of the Himalayas and a Tibetan monastery, and adventure soars to another level.

Igraine the Brave

Children's book: Igraine the Brave

Published: 2007 Theme: Bravery Best for: 9 and up "Twelve! And I haven't had a single real adventure. How will I ever get to be a famous knight?... I'm going to die of boredom, you wait and see! Maybe not overnight, but definitely before my next birthday!" I love this children's book. It has all the elements of fun, especially if you are a fan of books about knights. There's humor, adventure, magic, and wonderful heroes and heroines...

Hawksmaid

Children's Book - Hawksmaid

Published: 2010 Theme: Bravery Best for: ages 11 and up "Mattie felt a sudden dizziness. Just for a second or two, it was almost as if she herself were tumbling through the air. And once again the boundaries that separated human beings from birds seemed to dissolve." A wonderful creative look at the early life of Robin Hood and Maid Marian, with lots of equality for women thrown in...

The Princess Test

Children's Book - Princess Test

Published: 1999 Theme: Inner Worth Best for: girls 8 and up "Once upon a time, in the village of Snettering-on-Snoakes in the Kingdom of Biddle, a blacksmith's wife named Gussie gave birth to a baby girl. Gussie and her husband, Sam, named the baby Lorelei, and they loved her dearly." If your young (girl) reader is a fan of 'fractured fairy tales,' this children's book offers a wonderful comical version of the classic Princess and the Pea.

The Great Unexpected

The Great Unexpected: Children's Book

Published: 2012 Theme: Dealing with change Best for: 9 - 12 "We didn't think we were tragic...All any of us wanted was for somebody to care about us, and if we couldn't have that, then at least somebody who wouldn't be too mean and who would feed us from time to time." In this book, the children's reality merges with the reality of spirit, and it's hard to tell one from the other in the end.

A True Princess

A True Princess - Children's book

Published: 2011 Theme: Courage and Loyalty Best for: 9 and up "Elves," I whispered. Dressed in fur and velvet, silk and satin, they noiselessly took their places at the table, standing behind their chairs. The candles all lighted in unison, and then the Elf-King came into the clearing." This book offers the delight of meeting new characters, visiting fantastic realms, like that of the elves, and an utterly satisfying and happy ending...