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 2005 Theme: Self-discovery Best for: Girls 11 and up "Miri woke to the sleepy bleating of a goat. The world was as dark as eyes closed, but perhaps the goats could smell dawn seeping through the cracks in the house’s stone walls. This beautifully written tale weaves fantasy, adventure and great lessons into a memorable read. Don't let the title put you off!
Published: 2012 Theme: Magic, Family Best for: 12 and up "Her mother and father, despite living in a small town, owning a mini-van, and sometimes wearing fanny packs, were kitchen magicians." A contemporary attempt at magic in daily life, this book can amuse kids, though it is not by any means a lasting piece of literature.
Published 1975 Theme: Chinese Immigrant experience Best for: 12 and over "All of a sudden I saw that if life seems awfully petty most of the time, every now and then there is something noble and beautiful and almost pure that lifts us suddenly out of the pettiness and lets us share in it a little." This beautifully written and sensitive book covers the experience of the Chinese immigrants in the 1900s in San Francisco.
Published: 2006 Theme: Learning to Love Best for: 7 and older "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." The quote above is worth the entire journey of tears that this little children's book takes you on, as you move from the self-centered heart of a china rabbit to one that has been broken open with love and hope...
Published: 1983 Theme: Knights, Women's Equality Best for: girls age 12 and up "Maude said I should use my Gift of healing. She said I had the power to heal more than most people. She said if I didn't heal, I wouldn't make up for the killing I did as a knight." In this series of four books, Tamora Pierce weaves an odd world of knights, magic, and the feminine in a way I haven't encountered before...
Published: 2013 Theme: Life in the Future Best for: 2nd grade boys The series of six children's books in Galaxy Zack are brand new, and intrigued me at first glance because the writing seemed accessible to early readers, especially boys...
Published: 1998 Theme: Dealing with Divorce Best for: 7 and older "I, Amber Brown, don't get what she means by the paws refreshing...But there are a lot of things grown-ups say that I don't get." Is this great literature or not? I must admit, I cannot say yes. But I can say that this children's book is a great example of the kind of contemporary writing that floods the market today...
Published: 2005 Theme: Wisdom and Foolishness Best for: 5 and older Five Stars "In the forbidden City of the Celestial Emperor Kwan-Yu lived a white cat with such beautiful green eyes that she was called Dream-of-Jade." Lloyd Alexander, perhaps best known for his fantasy children's books for older readers, has completely captured the genre of classical Chinese folk tales in an impeccable style...
Published: 1994 Theme: Mathematics Best for: ages 9 and up A historically accurate illustrated children's book about Eratosthenes, a Greek librarian, and mathematician at heart, who figures out how to measure the earth using only a shadow, and some geometry...
Published: 1990 Theme: Being Oneself Best for: ages 10 and up, especially girls "Being a dragon's princess is a perfectly respectable thing to do, so my parent's couldn't complain. And it would be much more interesting than embroidery and dancing lessons." An easy-to-read adventure with dragons, wizards, and a princess who breaks the mold...
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