Children’s books which are generally suitable for children age nine to twelve
Published 1994 Theme: Loss and Healing Best for: 12 and older "Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins." If young readers came away from this profoundly moving children's book with only the above as their understanding, that alone could change the world. Imagine how our culture would develop...
Published 1999 Theme: Selfless Service & Humility Best for: Boys 11 and up That is why the rare human who is truly good is so remarkable. And the rare human who acquires true wisdom...is so magnificent.". Yet again, Gerald Morris has taken a classic, Arthurian literature and created an inspirational children's book...
Published 2008 Theme: Innate Wisdom of Children Best for: 11 and older "It was because of the king. Because he was brave and true to what he believed in and wouldn't let himself be bullied. Because he knew that if you have power you must use it well and not be afraid." A book that celebrates the power of independence in children's lives..
Published 2001 Theme: Adventure and self-discovery Best for: ages 10 and up Five Stars "Perhaps I'm mad--and the professor, too--but I think children must lead big lives...if it is in them to do so." What is the mark of a great children's book, really? For me, it is the feeling of immense goodness about the world that rises up when I finally read the last word of the book...
Published 2012 Theme: Relationships - Humans and Animals Best for: ages 9 and up The tears are barely dry on my cheeks as I write this. Reading The One and Only Ivan was both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. You get to experience their fullness of heart, their magnificence as animals. And at the end, it's impossible not to cry--out of joy, out of relief...
Published 1979 Theme: Fantasy Best for: Boys age 11-12 Almost written like a classic morality play, this amazing children's book weaves a message about selfishness and pride without ever appearing terribly heavy-handed. The fantasy elements of the story, a boy finding himself in a story being written as he appears in it, brings the reader far away from the real world.
Published 1967 Theme: Adventure in New York City Best for: Girls age 10-12 Here's a very funny, easy to read, yet somewhat profound children's book that I stumbled across in my local bookstore. Obviously others found it before me, as it is a Newberry Medal book.
Published 1973 Best for: 12 years and up Theme: Fantasy Five stars After reading A Wind in the Door, I understand why the fantasy genre in a children's book is so addicting. With skillful writing, such as L'Engle brings, you lose all sense of what is possible and what is not possible, or, as the teacher says in this book, What is real?...
First published 1931 Best for: Ages 8-12 Theme: Compassion Five Stars This story is so delicately written, with little poems prefacing each chapter, that your heart just opens more and more. The theme of sacrifice is presented in a very careful and thoughtful manner...
Published; 1995 Theme: Women's Historical Fiction Best for: Girls, age 12 and up A wonderful book to use as class reading for bringing history, especially women's history, alive. Set in fourteenth century England, the story of an impoverished orphan and her role in the society of the day is compelling...
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