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: 2007 Theme: Freedom and Slavery Best for: 12 and up "I'd started with ten fish and now I was down to six, and even though I ain't particular worthy at my schooling, it'd take a whole lot of doggone humbug algebra and trickaration geometry to make ten percent of ten come out to four." In this skillfully written historical fiction children's book, we see the world through the eyes of a freeborn child, whose parents had been slaves.
Published: 2011 Theme: Value Yourself Best for: 5 and up "The horse already had a question prepared. He shuffled his feet on the ground and said, 'What is the reason I was made a horse and not some other animal?" The light said, 'Because we needed another horse." In this exquisitely painted and carefully crafted children's book, the essential question of life is asked and answered.
Published: 2003 Theme: Protecting the Environment Best for: 11 and up "Mrs. Stark's classroom was an unlikely place to meet a rebel. So when we opened our literature books to a new chapter on Monday I was shocked to see a person who actually looked interesting. Henry David Thoreau was standing at the bottom of the page..." For anyone who loves the transcendentalists, and especially teaching children about them, this children's book is a treasure.
Published: 2001 Theme: Queen of England Best for: 12 to 14 "So my sister was now queen. And because she had triumphed, I was next! This was the moment, standing in the knot garden, when I realized that someday I, too, would become queen of England..." In this historical fiction children's book, we get a very good look at the way power can corrupt even the best of people...
Published: 2012 Theme: Forgiveness Best for: 9 to 12 "It is better to light a lantern than to bemoan the darkness," Madame Change said softly to herself, as if in a dream. "Can't we light more lanterns, then?" Peiyi said eagerly, "to make up for the light of the moon?" In another lovely children's book, Grace Lin deftly weaves a dramatic story of forgiveness around the retelling of classic Chinese tales.
Published: 2014 Theme: Accepting Differences, Autism Best for: 11 and up "I hear lots of things I'm not supposed to hear, and lots of things nobody else is able to hear, because my hearing is very acute, which is part of my diagnosis of high-functioning autism..." This entire work of fiction is written in the voice of an autistic child, displaying all her unusual tendencies, such as obsession with homophones and prime numbers...
Published: 1998 Theme: Peace at all costs Best for: 9 and up "There they go," a voice said. "There go the cowards." Samuel Russsell clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white but he did not look around..."Cowards", that was what many people called him and his father and all his people." This very informed historical fiction children's book depicts an actual event involving the Quakers in New York State, and their encounter with French Canadian Indians, told through the eyes of two young boys.
Published: 2012, 2014 Theme: Fantasy Exploring Best for: 12 and up "We Explorers have always been redrawing the maps. That map was no less correct when it was made than the ones made by Ortelius or Mercator. A map of the world isn't a fixed thing. We know only what we can see." This series is superb. The adventures, the dangers, the daring, the unstated metaphors to today's warped political world, are both disturbing and important...
Published: 2007 Theme: Power of Silence Best for: 9-12 "Because he wasn't talking, Dave had focused all on his energy on listening. Listening at the lunch table, really listening, was a brand-new experience for him. Because most of the time Dave was a loudmouth." If you love education, students, teachers, and the dynamics that happen in a middle school, this children's book is a must. For kids themselves, it's superb...
Published: 2014 Theme: Mysteries Best for: 9 to 12 "In Stain'd-by-the-Sea the only remaining police officers were a married couple known to most as the Officers Mitchum and known to me as no help at all." This is the first Lemony Snicket children's book I have ever read, and I'm glad I started with this one- an easy introduction...
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