While gender doesn’t determine if a book is great or not, it does help if children can identify with some of the characters in the stories. This is especially true for reluctant readers. The books in this particular category are noted for the predominance of boys as main characters.
Published: 2016 Theme: Nurturing Relationships Best for: 9 to 12 "There are six kinds of teachers in the world. I know because we classified them once during indoor recess...The last kind we simply call the Good Ones...the ones who you don't want to disappoint." A beautiful, heart-warming story of three middle-school boys and their relationship to one very extraordinary teacher, who is about to leave them.
Published: 2016 Theme: Middle-school life Best for: 11 and up "We all need goals," he said. "Here's one: Stay away from people who don't know who they are but want you to be just like them. People who'll want to label you. People who'll try to write their fears on your face." This terrific, humorous middle-school story covers bullying, teachers, cliques, change, parental divorce, and gender identity, just to name a few...
Published: 2016 Theme: Historical Fiction Biography Best for: 9 to 12 "He passes the hammer to me, and I heft it in my hands. It fits my palm perfectly, and it feels good...It seems to be speaking to me, begging to be used, ready to be of service." So many themes in one book - father/son, developing a written language, Native American struggle. Yet it all holds together beautifully.
Published: 2014 Theme: Dragons Best for: 6 - 9 "Drake looked over at his friend Bo. he could tell Bo was thinking the same thing he was: How did the king know one of the dragons was sick?" Our school librarian gets a high demand for books about dragons, especially from the lower grade students. So she and I were delighted to find this one.
Published: 2013 Theme: Injustice Best for: 11 and up "To make a tomahawk for your son, you needed the stone blade, and the wooden shaft, and time. In my father's day, there was still time..." I couldn't put this historical fiction book down. From start to sad ending, the trauma of the battle for land in early America is a compelling read...
Published: 2015 Theme: Monsters Best for: 7 to 8 "Yes, he had to admit, Ruffleclaw had been quite a pest. Always hungry. Always tired. And he spat absolutely everywhere. And still... Tommy missed him." Let's start by admitting that this children's book is aimed at being gross, and aimed at young boys who like to be gross...
Published: 2012 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: 11 and up "Will Sparrow was a liar and a thief, and hungry, so when he saw the chance to steal a cold rabbit pie from the inn's kitchen and blame it on the dog, he took it - both the chance and the pie..." First and foremost, this is a beautifully written piece of children's historical fiction literature. The fact that the story and characters are interesting as well is icing on the cake..
Published: 2015 Theme: Trust Best for: 6 - 9 "Marvin sees crumbs under the table, but those are nothing special. The beetles find crumbs all the time. But then he sees something else. Something shiny. Something silver." My criteria for an good children's book for emerging readers is that it is not too daunting, and not too dull. This book meets both criteria.
Published: 1975 Theme: Loyalties Best for: 6th grade "Of all the stupid things he had ever done, this was the worst by any measure. He had completely humiliated his kind father in front of Yoshida - the man upon whom all their livelihood depended." This compelling children's book has so much going for it that the best advice is to read it. In fact, that's what the sixth grade class does in our Waldorf school, and I hope parents read along.
Published: 2013 Theme: Robin Hood Best for: 10 and up "Killing wolves is supposed to teach me to be a great lord of men? Aren't there any books on the subject?" This children's book is full of action. While it's not written as a historical fiction, it gives a good view of the class disparity, and why one would rob the rich and give to the poor.
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