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: Finding One's Destiny Best for: 9 and up "Hugo had become a thief to survive and help the automaton. What would his punishment be? Was he now going to spend the rest of his life behind the counter of this toy booth like the old man?...There had to be something else." To spend time with this children's book is a one-of-a-kind experience. The full-page illustrations complement the very dramatic unfolding of events...
Published: 2013 Theme: Inner Power and Mystery Best for: 12 -14 "There are those who, unmistakably, have a powerful talent, able to access the sensory energy of the world around them.They can even learn to work with it, harness it, utilize it to make change. Your sister is showing clear signs that she has these talents." A blend of inner power, African-American life in Chicago, and the thrill of solving mysteries makes this a very unusual book.
Published: 2013 Theme: Curiosity Best for: 5 - 8 "Suddenly he knew there were mysteries in the word, hidden and silent, unknown and unseen. He wanted, more than anything, to understand those mysteries." Here's a treasure - an authentic story about Albert Einstein, written with very young children in mind, accompanied by absolutely magical illustrations. I am so in love with this one...
Published: 2005 Theme: Wonder in Daily Life Best for: 8 and up "Sit down now, Eben McAllister, and pay attention to what I say," she ordered me. So I sat. Because when folks in Sassafras Springs start to tell a story, it's likely to take a while." It's hard to believe this is a contemporary children's book, as it reads and feels like something from another time and place.. the style is slow, rambling, and filled with stories of ordinary people's little miracles...
Published: 1994 Theme: 13th Century Life Best for: girls 12 and older "I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family. That is all there is to say." It's not often that I read a somewhat serious children's book that makes me laugh out loud. This book certainly does that, due to the main character, a sharp, funny, sarcastic, and somewhat willful 13th century teenager.
Published: 2007 Theme: Loyalty Best for: age 11 and up "If the difference between a surviving group of students and a dead group of students is that a thief managed to sneak behind the enemy and steal a magic weapon or incapacitate a skilled mage, then it's well worth risking moral ambiguity." Here's a children's book that is just non-stop adventure from chapter to chapter, as well you might expect with its title. Well-written and fast-paced...
Published: 2004 Theme: Love Conquers All Best for: 9 and older "It is a failure of courage, and worse yet, a failure of love to relinquish your dreams so easily...Each of us holds within his soul the ability to conquer sorrow, fear, and misery with charity, compassion, and wisdom…. You must find a way to use what your soul knows.” If ever there was a children's book that conveys the deeper meaning of the holiday, this is it. The power of faith in one's dreams, faith in oneself, and faith in goodness, pour out of every page of this book.
Published: 1986 Theme: Courage, Destiny Best for: ages 8 and up "Mattias cut a comical little figure as he wobbled his way along the cloisters, with his large sandals flip-flopping, and his tail peeping from beneath the baggy folds of an oversized novice's habit. He paused to gaze upwards and tripped over the enormous sandals." I have to admit I was hooked on this children's book with the opening lines even before I realized this was a book about mice and small animals. One of the amazing features of this fantasy children's book is that it is so real...
Published: 1975 Theme: Good Battling Evil Best for: ages 12 and up "The music of the golden harp," said the blue-robed lord, "has a power that may not be broken either by the Dark or by the light. It has the High Magic in it." Susan Cooper is a fabulous writer. She doesn't ever let it get over the top with bad stuff. The settings are magical, and some of the characters are larger than life...
Published: 2010 Theme: Friendship Best for: 5 - 8 "Bink,"said Gollie, "the brightness of those socks pains me. I beg you not to purchase them." "I love socks," said Bink. "Some socks are more lovable than others," said Gollie." This quirky and fun book is a perfect easy reader. It moves fast, has funny lines, and great pictures...
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