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: 2005 Theme: Power of Kindness Best for: 11 and up "Africa was hurrying by as if someone were turning the pages of a book too quickly. I was miserable at what I was leaving behind. Even the railway itself has a sad story...I felt my own future would be no better." This historical fiction for children is full of unexpected turns, and dramatic turnabouts, from living in Africa to exile to England.
Published: 2013 Theme: Pluck Best for: 8 to 10 "Every time a human walks out of a room, something with more feet walks in. Mice, of course, who are only a whisker away. It's true of the room where you are sitting. It's truer still of Buckingham Palace." This lovely tongue-in-cheek children's book will definitely bring smiles to readers, especially those who can grasp some of the satire.
Published: 1990 Theme: Light Mysteries Best for: 8 to 10 "I did not write a long letter to Aunt Veronica. All I did was introduce myself and tell her that the only reason why I had not written before was that my father had never told me of her existence." The earliest writing of Alexander McCall Smith, this series of mystery books for children is easy to read, silly, and good entertainment.
Published: 2015 Theme: Trust Best for: 6 - 9 "Marvin sees crumbs under the table, but those are nothing special. The beetles find crumbs all the time. But then he sees something else. Something shiny. Something silver." My criteria for an good children's book for emerging readers is that it is not too daunting, and not too dull. This book meets both criteria.
Published: 2016 Theme: Freedom of Literary Speech Best for: 8 and up "The hover ladders were floating platforms with handrails, book baskets, and ski-boot safety locks that allowed you to float up and retrieve any book simply by entering the book's call number into a keypad." The reason I found this particular children's book compelling is that it offers a very strong message about the importance of books, libraries, and freedom of press.
Published: 1998 Theme: Gentleness and Bravery Best for: 6 to 10 "'A tridrake,' the dragon repeated. 'A three-headed dragon.' Only then did the children notice that the dragon had two other necks, branching off on either side of the first neck, and two other heads... both sound asleep." This book reads like an old fashioned tale, as each head of the dragon tells of an earlier encounter with a child who trusted and helped the dragon.
Published: 2015 Theme: Raising Chickens Best for: 9 and up "Mom says she has no intention of ever being a farmer, even though she knows how to drive a tractor and prune grapes.. But if I'm going to live on a farm, I guess I might as well be a farmer..."This is a totally lovable book, and a very likable heroine, who is trying her best to learn all about chickens, one chicken at a time.
Published: 2015 Theme: Friendship Best for: 5 - 8 "Diva was the gardienne's dog, which mean that Diva was practically responsible of the whole of 11 avenue Le Play, including the courtyard. It was a very big job for a very small dog." Hooray! An enchanting first chapter book for children that delights, amuses, is readable, and even stretches our reading muscles to read some French words.
Published: 2013 Theme: Robin Hood Best for: 10 and up "Killing wolves is supposed to teach me to be a great lord of men? Aren't there any books on the subject?" This children's book is full of action. While it's not written as a historical fiction, it gives a good view of the class disparity, and why one would rob the rich and give to the poor.
Published: 2015 Theme: Homelessness Best for: 9 and up "Robin asked what is a keepsake. My mom said it's an object you treasure. Then she said things don't really matter, as long as we have each other."The most interesting part of this children's book is that it allows us to see that perhaps homeless people are just the same as you and me, but having a very difficult financial time.
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