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Smile
Smile is about Raina's battle with orthodontics, an earthquake, boys, and friend drama from middle school into high school. It's a graphic novel and is based on the author's personal experiences.
Age Range: Early Adolescence (8-12)
Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. New York, NY: Scholastic. -
Ninth Ward
This book is about a girl growing up in the poor NInth Ward in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina hits and demolishes her neighborhood. She shows courage and resilience in the most devastating circumstances. I love New Orleans culture; this book showcases it and gives insight into the enormity of this natural disaster's impact on the community.
Age range: Early Adolescence (10-14)
Rhodes, J. (2010). Ninth ward. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. -
Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion
My daughter loved the Knuffle Bunny series, and I just discovered this third and final installment. Trixie loves her Knuffle Bunny, and leaves it behind on a family vacation. She copes with more maturity than in the previous books. This is a must-read to see how treasured objects are always special, but growing up makes us less dependant on them and more dependant on ourselves.
Age Range: 4-8
Willems, M. (2010). Knuffle Bunny free: An unexpected diversion. New York, NY: Harper Collins. -
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
This is a unique mix of photographs and narration about Jacob's journey to Wales, spurred by his grandfather's cryptic words before his death Jacob finds Miss Peregrine's home and the peculiar children that inhabited it--they were supposed to be dead, are very much alive. It's a quirky, unusual book that will appeal to high schoolers.
Age Range: Middle Adolescence (13-17)
Riggs, R. (2011). Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. -
The Fault in Our Stars
This is an emotional roller coaster about two teens with cancer who fall in love. While there is plenty to be sad about, it also shows how they create joy for each other, support each other and make the most of the life they have left.
Age Range: Middle to Late Adolescence (14-17)
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York, NY: Dutton Books. -
Wonder
Auggie has a facial deformity he has tried to hide. After being homeschooled for years, he goes to public school in 5th grade, and we get 8 different points of view about him and his experiences.
Age Range:Early Adolescence (8-12)
Palacio, R. (2012). Wonder. New York: Random House. -
Amelia Bedelia Means Business
When I discovered there is a new series of Amelia Bedelia chapter books, I was so excited! I loved these books as a kid, and the silly language misunderstandings continue in this new series. In this book, Amelia Bedelia is a girl, and she wants a new bike. She gets various jobs (diner, lemonade stand) to earn money, and has lots of mishaps along the way. As fun as I remember!
Age Range: 6-10
Parish, H. (2013). Amelia Bedelia means business. New York, NY: Harper Collins. -
Eleanor & Park
This book takes place in 1986 (my freshman year in high school); I was immediately drawn to the nostalgia of it. Eleanor and Park alternate telling their point of view and we see what each likes/loves about the other and we see their teenage first love bloom. Fun allusions to 80's culture (The Smiths!) make this a read teens and parents could bond with.
Age Range: Middle to Late Adolescence (15-17)
Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. -
The Day the Crayons Quit
One day when Duncan looks for his crayons, he finds them gone and in their place is a list of grievances, symbolic of their color (i.e. black is misunderstood, beige is bored, blue is tired...). A letter writing campaign follows and Duncan has to learn the art of mediation and compromise to bring the colors back together.
Age Range: 4-7
Daywait, D. (2013). The day the crayons quit. New York, NY: Philomel Books. -
Sparky!
An unnamed protagonist promises to find a pet that doesn't need to be walked, bathed or fed. She consults with the librarian, "Mrs. Kinklebaum (who knows everything in the world)," and discovers that a sloth meets the criteria. The sloth mostly sleeps, but the girl loves him anyway. I loved this book because she thinks the librarian knows everything! :)
Age Range: 4-8
Offill, J. (2014). Sparky! New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade. -
The Fourteenth Goldfish
As Ellie begins middle school, her grandfather--in a 13-year-old boy's body--comes to live with her and sparks her interest in science. This book was recommended by my daughter's librarian for how it looks at some heavy scientific questions but remains fun and light-hearted.
Age Range: Early Adolescence (10-14)
Holm, J. (2014). The fourteenth goldfish. New York, NY: Random House Books for Young Readers. -
Loot
Loot has a nostalgic quality that reminds me of a good old-fashioned heist book. It begins with the death of protagonist March's father, takes him to an orphanage with the twin sister he didn't know he had, and leads him through all kinds of adventures to recover stones to try to pull off a heist that will make him rich.
Age Range: Early Adolescence (8-12)
Watson, J. (2014). Loot. New York: Scholastic.
