Contemporary – Page 36

Posted on August 6, 2013June 12, 2024 by Laura

Rowan Hood Returns

Published: 2005 Theme: Loyalty and Overcoming Anger Best for: 10 and older "Like a larger embrace, her comrades encircled her. Far more than the strands of the ring bound them all together. And it was this thought that made Rowan's heart feel warm and full." This particular book was interesting in that Rowan loses touch with her magical powers for most of the book, as she seeks vengeance. Without saying it directly, young readers are allowed to explore the price one pays for carrying hatred in their hearts...

Posted on August 1, 2013December 1, 2018 by Laura

Rowan Hood

Published: 2001 Theme: Women's Strength Best for: Girls, age 11 and up "Her band might somehow help folk to help themselves, Rowan thought, rather than just giving them gold stolen from rich men's packs, gold soon spent. But she could not say that, for she loved everything about Robin Hood." The book has a wonderfully clever premise -- that Robin Hood actually fathered a daughter by an aelfen woman... If you love tales of Robin Hood, this is a perfect complement, bringing in the feminine...

Posted on July 28, 2013June 12, 2024 by Laura

The Arkadians

Published: 1995 Theme: Finding One's Path Best for: 9 and up "When our Bear tribe forefathers came to Arkadia, they found a shocking state of affairs: a country governed by councils of women, all devoted to that figment of female imagination, the Lady of Wild Things." It's breathtaking when you find someone has put it all together in one book: action, humor, morals, good writing, and a pace that doesn't let you put the book down till you are done.

Posted on July 27, 2013September 30, 2014 by Laura

A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears

Published: 1998 Theme: Kindness, Moderation Best for: all ages "I've left an important question unanswered. Once Tom walked out of the book, how and why did he come back? The answer to that question is: boredom. It's not much of a life for a character in a book to be out of the book." This is one unique, terrific, silly, and somewhat profound children's book. In Feiffer's hands, everything becomes just a little bit fantastical, out of the ordinary, and we get swept along believing every word of it...

Posted on July 23, 2013July 24, 2013 by Laura

George’s Secret Key to the Universe

Published: 2007 Theme: Caring for the Planet Best for: 9 and up "His mind was full of clouds in space, huge explosions, and the millions of years it took to make a star. These thoughts took him far, far across the Universe--" What a wonderful discovery this children's book is, in so many ways. As a work of fiction, it makes great reading, with plenty of humor and drama all the way through. However, add to that the scientific accuracy of the genius of Stephen Hawking and...

Posted on July 23, 2013January 25, 2016 by Laura

Amelia Bedelia Means Business

Published: 2013 Theme: Daily Life Best for: 6 and up "You can't pick flowers in the park. They're for everyone who lives here to enjoy.!" "I live here," said Amelia Bedelia. "So does my mom. I picked these for her." For children struggling with the English language, especially if they are second language learners, words can be confusing. And no one demonstrates this better than Amelia...

Posted on July 13, 2013September 30, 2014 by Laura

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

Published: 2013 Best for: 9 and older Theme: Choices in Life; Selflessness Five Stars "What's your name?" she asked the fox. "T.H. Reynolds." "What does the T.H. stand for?" "Truthful and Handsome. My mama always said that a child grows into his name, and I guess she was right because just look at me." I love everything about this fabulous, hot-off-the-press children's book. The typeface is the easiest to read that I've seen in a long time, the illustrations are lovely...

Posted on July 13, 2013June 12, 2024 by Laura

Circle of Magic – Books 2, 3, and 4

Published: 1998 Best for: 12 and up Theme: Magic and Nature "Did Niko see this way all the time? Didn't his eyes get tired? There was magic everywhere in Winding Circle, she'd found...in the south gate..., in the stones in the path..., in windows and doors..." I decided to review all these children's books together because they are similar in many ways, and also, quite different than the first book in the series...

Posted on July 8, 2013September 30, 2014 by Laura

An Elephant in the Garden

Published: 2011 Theme: The Madness of War, and Survival Best for: over 11 "If they hate us, Karly, it is because we have also bombed their cities. What we are seeing now is a world gone mad, children, a world full of brutes, all intent on killing one another. And we should not forget that we are all responsible for making it happen." This children's book is an utterly fascinating and unique piece of historical fiction. In essence, this is a story of WWII from the point of view of a family of German refugees...

Posted on July 8, 2013June 9, 2016 by Laura

Mary, Queen of Scots

Published: 2002 Theme: History Best for: girls 9 and older "There was a soft chorus of ayes, and the three other Marys dropped to their knees and vowed as well to follow me through tumult and repose and never to marry until I have so done. Did any person have a luckier charm than these four steadfast friends?" This is one of many in a series called The Royal Diaries. What an absolutely fabulous way to learn history. Reading a diary is always fun, and even more so when it chronicles history...

Litkidz

Category: Contemporary

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.