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Sandry’s Book – Circle of Magic Book 1

Sandry's Book - Children's book

Published: 1997 Theme: Self-control, Development of inner powers Best for: Ages 10 and up "Meditation teaches self-control," Lark told the children firmly. "It teaches discipline. You learn to govern and organize your mind. Since a few of you were sent here because it was thought you were ungovernable..., meditation could turn out to be the most important thing you do here." This book is pure fantasy, from the location to the premise, and done with great skill and care. It's a fantasy book that is perfect for younger readers, as there is nothing scary or too out of the ordinary in it.

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Moon Over Manifest

Published: 2010 Theme: Community, Honoring the Past Best for: 11 and older "Death is like an explosion," Miss Sadie said, her accent thick, like the humid air that hovered heavy around me. "It makes people take notice of things they might have overlooked." This is a serious historical fiction children's book, covering some pretty intense topics, all set in 1936 and earlier. From bootlegging to the Ku Klux clan, from immigrants to war casualties, this book is no light reading.

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Frogged

Frogged - children's book

Published: 2013 Theme: Don't be Gullible Best for: Pre-teen girls "Either the witch would be reasonable, or she would not. Imogene had read enough fairy tales to worry that a royal decree on the matter was less likely to soften the witch's heart and more likely to make her stubborn." If you are looking for a fun, light-weight summer children's book, one to take on a trip, this new book is a good choice. It's a silly little take-off on the princess-kissed-frog story, with amusing and sometimes dangerous twists of the plot.

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Rebound

Rebound - Children's book

Published: 2000 Theme: Compassion, Friendship Best for: Boys age 10 and up "You know, it wasn't so much about being in the wheelchair that I learned about, but how people reacted to me being in the chair. People treat you different. They act like you're...you're..." "Stupid!" David snapped." What a courageous book for someone to write. And what a perfect book for middle school boys. The author is a middle school teacher, and clearly knows the issues boys are up against...

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The Whipping Boy

Children's Book- The Whipping Boy

Published: 1986 Theme: The Grass is always greener... Best for: 5th or 6th grade "What was he looking for, a prince in fine velvets and a crown cocked on his head? Was it clothes that made a prince, Jemmy wondered, just as rags made a street boy?" What a great children's book this is! I first heard of it last year when the fifth grade class in my Waldorf Charter school was reading it. A superb example of writing with humor, and capturing an era of the past...

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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Children's book Charlotte Doyle

Published: 1990 Theme: Breaking Conventions Best for: ages 12 and up "What could I do? All my life I had been trained to obey, educated to accept. I could hardly change in a moment. 'Please lead me,' I mumbled, as near to fainting as one could be without actually succumbing." What an unusual children's book. I admit I was riveted, despite the amount of drama and violent scenes. There was something so compelling about the way it was written, as a first person journal of a 13-year-old...

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Me in the Middle

Children's Book Me in the Middle

Published: 2002 Theme: Valuing the Past Best for: Girls up to 12 "We speak the same language, but sometimes it's hard to believe. Some things have changed so much that it's hard for us to understand each other at all." Finally -- a multicultural story to enrich my list of children's books. This book reminds me how much we deprive children of interesting experiences when we don't invite them into other worlds.

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Sir Gawain the True – The Knights’ Tales

Sir Gawain the True Children's book

Published: 2011 Theme: Courtesy Best for: 6 to 9 "King Arthur covered his eyes with his hands. Sometimes in those early days he wondered what it would take to prove to his knights that courtesy was as important as courage." In this series, Morris takes some of the same King Arthur legends, but reworks them for a younger audience. Children could read this book cover to cover, and enjoy both the writing and the message.

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The Goose Girl

Children's Book- Goose Girl

Published: 2003 Theme: Finding One's True self Best for: ages 12-14 "It's important to know stories. I felt the earth shift to make a place for you when you were born, and I came to tell you stories while you are young." Just as Ani's aunt knows the power of story, and passes it to her niece, so author Shannon Hale passes that same power to today's young readers...

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Princess Academy – Palace of Stone

Children's Book - Palace of Stone

Published: 2012 Theme: Ethical Choices Best for: 12 and older "What to do? She thought of History, Ethics, and Diplomacy, as well as Peder and Esa's ma, who said 'Truth is when your gut and your mind agree.' This sequel to Princess Academy is a wonderful way to bring the questions of change, ethics, and choices to young people.