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: 2018 Theme: Saving the World Best for: 8 to 11 "Max didn't have a mother or father to tell her when it was time to wake up, go to bed, do her homework, eat her vegetables, turn off the TV, or hurry because she'd miss the subway. Max was completely on her own." An odd and quirky book that tries to have children solve the mess of the world, with a bit of adventure thrown in.
Published: 2018 Theme: Healing through books Best for: 9 and up "It's better to read in the library. Sitting at my favorite table... reading and listening to the sound of other folks turning pages makes me feel I'm in a house full of company I don't have to talk to." A beautiful and lyrical small book set in 1946, exploring the loneliness that comes from being uprooted from South to North.
Published: 2013 Theme: Biography Best for: 10 and up "We must melt the hearts of the Government with love... Remember, we can only win the opponent over by love, never by hate. Hate is the subtlest form of violence. Hatred injures the hater, never the hated." This very thorough biography of Gandhi in graphic novel form is a pleasure to read.
Published: 2018 Theme: Refugees, Compassion Best for: 9 and up "The middle school cafeteria always makes me wish for the school in Istanbul. We often shared meals there, seated on the ground, with little to give. But most important, it was quiet." It is time, past time, to bring our children into the conversation about religious tolerance, and immigration. This book is a start.
Published: 2018 Theme: Moral Courage; Refugees Best for: 10 and up "Ahmed--he had a name, Max reminded himself--was just a boy, a boy who liked soccer and comic book heroes. He had lost his parents, he was alone, and he seemed far more frightened than dangerous." All I can say is - read this to crack open your heart with compassion for the plight of refugees.
Published: 2018 Theme: Optimism Best for: 10 and up "No one knew where the Mona Lisa was hiding. Chantal made a fist. How she hated the war. It had scared all the art way from the city." A truly uplifting story about hope even during the direst of times, this will make your heart smile.
Published: 2018 Theme: Fantasy Adventure with Books Best for: 10 and up He'd been trained as a solider, after all. He knew how to fight. The same rules applied, if you thought about it, to books and to swords. For one thing, you didn't run away from a challenge. You met it head-on. This is a non-stop, action packed books about libraries and librarians, and if you thing that's an oxymoron, you'll need to read this yourself...
Published: 2019 Theme: Mindfulness Best for: 5 to 8 Laying down before I sleep / I visit every part /Of my soft animal body... What a wonderful way to go to sleep - thanking every part of our body. This is the beginning of a mindful practice of gratitude...
Published 2017 Theme: Books and Readers Best for: 9 and up "Books are the external memory of mankind--a warehouse of memories." Translated from Spanish, this excellent children's book leads us into the investigation of the value and power of books and how to befriend them.
Published: 2018 Theme: Immigration and Survival Best for: 14 and up "Behind every one of the headlines on deportation there is a family. Innocent children. True stories that are rarely told. At last, I found the courage to tell you mine." This is best for parents and children to discuss how to deal with the current inhumane immigration policies, and realize the impact on children.
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