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: 2001 Theme: Courage Best for: girls 9 to 12 "Today Bamarre needed a hero more than ever... I was no hero. The dearest wishes of my heart were for safety and tranquility. The world was a perilous place, wrong for the likes of me." Ogres, dragons, fairies, specters, gryphons, and sorcerers fill the pages of this adventure, dedicated to sisterly love.
Published: 2007 Theme: Contentment Best for: 5 to 8 "After drying her eyes on a leafkerchief, Rani kicked off her sensible walking shoes and slipped into the lagoon. of all the fairies, Rani was the only one who could swim, and that was because she had no wings to drag her under." A true fairy tale about fairies, by a great children's author, alas, co-opted by Disney, which means dreadful illustrations, but the story and writing are excellent.
Published: 2011 Theme: Family Best for: 12- 14 "Everything changes, child," Grandmama observed calmly. "Me, you, the world... Who knows what the future will bring? The one thing that doesn't change is the family. It always comes first. Keep everyone in it safe. Keep them happy." Laurence Yep is a fabulous chronicler of Chinese culture and Chinese American culture This particular children's book includes both, as it traces a family from 1835 in China to 2011 in America...
Published: 2012 Theme: The Fairy Worlds Best for: 9 and up "The Way was real, and the puck-boy had come through it, and maybe the lovely woman from her dream had come through, and her own father had gone through it, gone away forever." Memorable characters, good writing, and an exciting plot make both of these children's books worth spending time with...
Published: 2010 Theme: Adapting to Change Best for: 8 and up "I'm Turtle," I say. "Turtle?" the boy, Beans, says, "What kind of name is that?" "At least I'm not named after something that gives you gas," I say. In this historical fiction, a humorous and plucky girl narrates her life during the 1935 depression demonstrating just how important a good attitude is for survival.
Published: 2010 Theme: Fairytale Best for: 9 and up "My name is Zita, and I am the thirteenth of thirteen princesses. My twelve sisters have become the subject of legend, even in faraway kingdoms, but I am sure that you have never heard of me." Thus begins a wonderfully written children's book, with an entrancing retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, one of the Grimm fairytales...
Published: 1993 Theme: African-American History Best for: ages 8-11 Sarah looked at Addy. "You is coming to school, ain't you?" "Momma say I can go," Addy answered. "That's good," said Sarah. "We learn to read and write...You gonna like school. You'll see." Written in dialect, an African-American girl's journey from slavery to freedom unfolds in this series of historical fiction children's books.
Published: 1992 Theme: Equality in Relationships Best for: 5 and up "You will become ruler when I die," the old king said, "for that is the ancient law that cannot be changed. But you will not wear my crown until the day you marry a woman who is your equal in beauty and intelligence and wealth." This story has all the classical elements of a great fairy tale: an impoverished girl, tending her goats, who outsmarts a conceited prince, and in the end, rules happily ever after.
Published: 2006 Theme: Belonging Best for: 8 and up "Never attack another duck unless. That's the first rule." She waddled in a circle around us. "Actually, the first rule is: Don't get eaten. The second rule is: Never attack another duck unless." In this lovable version of an old tale, we discover what life is like for the Ugly Duckling when he has to fend for himself.
Published: 2011 Theme: Friendship Best for: 11 and up "Essence was not physical matter, Po knew. No one could touch it. No one could destroy it either... People could push and pull at you, and poke you, and probe as deep as they could go... But at the heart and root and soul of you, something would remain untouched." This creative children's book weaves a drama that almost feels Shakespearean, as many characters with their own mission all collide in the same place and same time...
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