At a certain age, boys seem to outgrow the fairy realm and girls still love them. Also these books have girl protagonists.
Published: 2015 Theme: Mystery Best for: Girls 9 - 12 "Leila breathed in the heavy scent of masala, nicked with the sharp undercurrent of gobi and war my oily parathas. She knew most of the dishes on her plate, and was determined to try everything..." The best part of this children's book is the ending, where the resolution unfolds so skillfully, that only then did I realize the mystery ... .
Published: 1990 Theme: Light Mysteries Best for: 8 to 10 "I did not write a long letter to Aunt Veronica. All I did was introduce myself and tell her that the only reason why I had not written before was that my father had never told me of her existence." The earliest writing of Alexander McCall Smith, this series of mystery books for children is easy to read, silly, and good entertainment.
Published: 2015 Theme: Raising Chickens Best for: 9 and up "Mom says she has no intention of ever being a farmer, even though she knows how to drive a tractor and prune grapes.. But if I'm going to live on a farm, I guess I might as well be a farmer..."This is a totally lovable book, and a very likable heroine, who is trying her best to learn all about chickens, one chicken at a time.
Published: 2015 Theme: Resilience Best for: Girls 9 and up "This semester you will be taking a very difficult course... You will be learning all about How to Find Your Way...You will be graded on the following: pluck, enthusiasm, spirit of adventure, brilliance, and self-reliance." The moment I saw the motto of "The Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents" I knew I'd love this children's book. Quoting Amelia Earhart, "Adventure is worthwhile in itself,"...
Published: 2005 Theme: Coming of Age Best for: 12 and up 'Tiffany had never been able to find out much about the librarians. They were a bit like the wandering priests and teachers who went even into the smallest, loneliest villages...It was said they could tell what book you needed just by looking at you..." The mastery of this children's book is the way everything is woven artfully into one exquisite whole, even while each part, each character, stands out clearly...
Published: 2014 Theme: Parental Love Best for: 8 and up "An ache spread through Lexie, blurring her thoughts and stabbing her heart. All she really knew was how desperately she missed Mama. Grandma blamed Mama for everything. It wasn't fair." What makes good parenting? Is love enough, or is something else needed? We address this head on...
Published: 2012 Theme: Overcoming Hardships Best for: 5th grade "We are going to Colorado! Pa told us. He just came home from his first trip to Colorado Territory and announced that he and Ma and I were moving west to strike it rich.'" Set in 1858, this delightful historical fiction is an easy and informative read, based on a real incident in Colorado history...
Published: 2001 Theme: Courage Best for: girls 9 to 12 "Today Bamarre needed a hero more than ever... I was no hero. The dearest wishes of my heart were for safety and tranquility. The world was a perilous place, wrong for the likes of me." Ogres, dragons, fairies, specters, gryphons, and sorcerers fill the pages of this adventure, dedicated to sisterly love.
Published: 2010 Theme: Fairytale Best for: 9 and up "My name is Zita, and I am the thirteenth of thirteen princesses. My twelve sisters have become the subject of legend, even in faraway kingdoms, but I am sure that you have never heard of me." Thus begins a wonderfully written children's book, with an entrancing retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, one of the Grimm fairytales...
Published: 1993 Theme: African-American History Best for: ages 8-11 Sarah looked at Addy. "You is coming to school, ain't you?" "Momma say I can go," Addy answered. "That's good," said Sarah. "We learn to read and write...You gonna like school. You'll see." Written in dialect, an African-American girl's journey from slavery to freedom unfolds in this series of historical fiction children's books.
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