Children’s books which are generally suitable for children age nine to twelve
Published: 2009 Theme: Norse Myth Best for: 9 to 10 "He clambered onto the bear's back, holding his crutch with his left hand and clutching the bear's fur with his right. The bear stood up slowly, making sure the boy was on, then set off at a fast lope..." It's wonderful to see contemporary authors make good use of imagination and the wealth of possibilities from the Norse stories...
Published: 2017 Theme: WWII Resistance and Courage Best for: 9 to 12 "A few days later, I was one my way to meet Katrin for school when the German office cornered me at the end of the path. "Where's the dog, Fraulein?" Meme and I should have decided to what to say to him..." It seems important for children to know that resistance is not just for history, or adults, but is something that even young people can participate in.
Published: 1955, republished 1960 Theme: Fairy and Other Tales Best for: 7 to 12 "The Goldfish stopped jumping, because his joy had been damped by doubt. "How can the world be more than I can see?' he asked the Ship. 'If I am really in the world, I ought to be able to see it all...'" Each tale in this children's book is a literary work, complete with sometimes difficult language, almost always a moral, and something to think about...
Published: 2015 Theme: Puzzles and Books Best for: 10 to 13 "Garrison Griswold here to welcome you to the wonderful world of Book Scavenger. We are a community of book lovers, puzzle lovers, and treasure hunters. Are you, too?" This is a very well-written children's book, which combines literary information, puzzles, and a bit of a mystery to solve...
Published: 2016 Theme: Heroes and Villains Best for: boys age 10 and up "My name is Danny Daley, but no one calls me "Danny" anymore. These days, I'm know as "Stink.' Before you laugh, let me tell you how I got that nickname, because it's not what you might think." Three cheers for a children's book series called Guys Read, a fabulous way to grab the attention of middle-school boys.
Published: 2012 Theme: Healing Relationships Best for: 10 and up "I felt like I was speaking a part in some out-of-date play. Who in the world calls their grandmother "Grandmother?" But "Grandma" didn't seem to fit." This children's book is about relationships - between parents, children, grandparents, and friends, showing the way that misunderstandings can create distance, and communication can create love and warmth.
Published: 2014 Theme: Be yourself Best for: 10 - 12 "Sometimes I wonder if I was born into the wrong family. Being onstage makes me nervous, and I'm not a fan of working backstage either." There are two themes interwoven here: responsible science, and finding your own way...
Published: 2017 Theme: Words as Weapons Best for: 10 and up "It was that moment. That terrible, blood-freezing, ashy-mouthed moment when you suddenly realize that sixty eyeballs are fixed on you, deciding what to do about you, where you fit in." Bullies, abusive words, cliques, middle school - a realistic look at what our children may face, unless we change our cultural norms and say no to bullying.
Published: 2006 Theme: Adventure Best for: 11 and up "This adventure really began on early spring morning when I was fourteen years old. I remember it all so clearly, from the moment I stepped out into the still dark yard and went to unlock the stable door." Written like a page out of the Celtic past, the adventures of two young lads searching for their dad on a lost island is exquisitely crafted...
Published: 2016 Theme: Child Labor, Doing Good Best for: 12 and up "The sounds of the sewing machines that masked the constant grumbling of my belly would surely mask the sound of ripping paper. The guard now had his head tilted back, his eyes shut..." This recently-published children's book takes on child labor directly and dramatically, and how one person can make a difference for others.
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