Children’s books by current writers which are both well-written and captivating. We use 1975 as the cut off date for calling something ‘contemporary’ or classic; however, contemporary generally means today’s kids can identify with the characters.
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: 2016 Theme: Self-acceptance Best for: Girls 7 - 9 "Did Mom know she hired a witch as a babysitter?" In this second children's book in the Backyard Witch series, we watch a young girl grow into her own qualities, which are different from her mother's expectations.
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: 1996 Theme: Curiosity Best for: 5 to 8 "Once upon a time there was a bat--a little light brown bat, the color of coffee with cream in it. He looked like a furry mouse with wings." This poetic little fable about animals, and one bat in particular, will be a sweet bedtime story.
Published: 2007 Theme: Love the World Best for : 5 to 8 "The boat docked in Africa, and Jules kissed the ground; the earth so precious, so fragile, so round" A simple, beautifully illustrated children's book, that gently reminds us that all the creatures on earth need our protection and love.
Published: 2000 Theme: Easy Reader Bedtime Best for: 5 to 8 "Once there were three little dragons. They lived in a dark cave. The cave was in a dense forest. The forest was in a faraway kingdom. The poor little dragons were very lonely in their deep dark cave." A must-have, read-aloud bedtime story that's perfect for every child...
Published: 2015 Theme: Welcoming Diversity Best for: 5 to 7 "The trouble with having a tiny elephant for a pet is that you never quite fit in." A simple children's book like this begins the process of opening hearts and minds to the beauty of diversity at an early age.
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.
Published: 2005 Theme: Norse Myth Best for: 8 to 11 "I had never been in the Great Hall of Asgard before. Even from outside, it was the most amazing building I had ever seen, vaster and grander than I could have imagined possible..." This children's book is very easy to get through, and would make a nice complement to the third graders after they work with the original Norse myth...
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