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: 2015 Theme: Family Best for: 7 to 9 "Appleblossom's brothers and sisters move closer to one another as Mother Possum continues: "The first kind of monster is made of metal. They have wheels and bright eyes when they are out after dark. These eyes are blinding." I liked the possum point of view in this recently published children's book, that is sprinkled with enticing pencil sketches throughout...
Published: 2006 Theme: Historical Fiction Hero Best for: 7 and up "Once there was a boy who could not claim his Father. Kil Dong, as he was called, was the second son of a wealthy and powerful advisor to the king, Minister Hong. But Kil Dong's mother was not the noble wife of the minister..." This historical fiction, beautifully illustrated 'graphic' novel, set in 16th century Korea, tells of the Korean Robin Hood...
Published: 2003 Theme: Best Friends Best for: 4th grade and up "I did a play all by my stupid self and I was a blind woman, but it is hard to be a blind woman all by yourself, with no one to talk to but your own stupid self. It doesn't make a very good play." Creech's books often address topics that no one wants to write about for children, and she does it with compassion, and in this case, a great deal of humor...
Published: 1991 Theme: Deep friendship Best for: 8 and up "The egg shook in his hands. The dancing colors froze in place. He heard a scratching sound. Suddenly a single, sharp claw pierced the shell. The tiny talon sparkled like a jewel in the moonlight..." This particular children's book on the theme of raising a dragon has a lovely simplicity and innocence about it...
Published: 2005 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: 12 and up 'Tiffany had never been able to find out much about the librarians. They were a bit like the wandering priests and teachers who went even into the smallest, loneliest villages...It was said they could tell what book you needed just by looking at you..." The mastery of this children's book is the way everything is woven artfully into one exquisite whole, even while each part, each character, stands out clearly...
Published: 2014 Theme: Parody Best for: 7 and up "To the Carpet people, the Carpet was bigger than a forest,... full of cities, towns, small villages, castles, and all sorts of tiny animals in the really thick parts that weren't swept often...In the village of the Fallen Matchstick, the Carpet-dwellers were preparing to leave." Here's a glorious children's book to discover...short stories written by renowned author Terry Pratchett when he was a teenager!
Published: 1983 Theme: Independence Best for: 10 and up "They saw hundreds of horses charging through the forest until the ground rang under their hooves...They're not frightened- they're just running winter out of their bodies." This magical children's book is like stepping into an ancient fairytale, from who knows where, and who knows when. It has an eternal quality about it...
Published: 2014 Theme: Passion for Cooking Best for: 8 and up "Gladys's dad didn't believe in recipes, so if Gladys left him alone for even one minute, he'd start throwing in random stuff, saying that experimenting always made a dish taste better. It didn't...Worst of all, Gladys's parents... just nuked things in the microwave." In a lovely role reversal, it's 11-year-old Gladys who is aching for quality prepared food, while her parents are into take-out pizza, junk food, and worse.
Published: 2012 Theme: Ice Skating and Nature Best for: 7 and up "The first ice came on the sheep pails in the barn- a skim of ice so thin that it broke when we touched it." Twelve Kinds of Ice is a small, inspiring ode to the beauty and simplicity of ice, ice-skating, children, nature, and simple living.
Published: 2015 Theme: Mystery, Family Best for: 9 and up "With her shabby shoes, the too-big dress, too-tight sweater, and the odd gray apron hanging down, she looked more like a scullery maid than a guest. But the apron's pocket was handy for holding her mouse, and a small sweater hole would give him sufficient air..." Nooks and Crannies held my attention all the way to the extremely happy, and perhaps predictable, ending, where the orphan girl meets a long-lost, very rich, relative.
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