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The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To by D. C. Pierson
This book is sure to appeal to reluctant boy readers: the main characters love Star Wars and comic books, video games, and girls, but are harassed by bullies and men in suits and dark glasses. Raucously funny and mature themes including drug use.
Ages 12 and up.
Pierson, D. (2010). The boy who couldn’t sleep and never had to. New York, NY: Vintage. -
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Publication Dates for Children's Books
Ten books that fit different stages of child development, ages 1 through young adult. -
A Ball For Daisy by Chris Raschka
Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy’s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. This book explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring.
Ages 3-7.
Raschka, C. (2011). A ball for daisy. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books. -
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Endlessly surprising, this laugh out loud narrative depicts unexpected events while growing up in a slightly off-kilter place. After getting “grounded for life” by his feuding parents, Jack is sentenced to helping out his feisty old neighbor type up obituaries of long-time residents who keep dying mysteriously, and it’s up to Jack to solve the crimes.
Ages 10-14.
Gantos, J. (2013). Dead end in norvelt. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. -
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
At the tender age of ten, August Pullman has experienced the same public shame, finger pointing, and humiliation usually reserved for circus freak show members. Loved by his family, up until now he has been homeschooled, but now his mom wants him to attend a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants to be treated as an ordinary kid, but his new classmates can’t get past Auggies’s extraordinary face.
Ages 8-12.
Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder. New York, NY: Knopf Books -
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
In exchange for a temporary stay of execution and lesser forms of torture, a young female spy captured in Nazi-occupied France writes a confession of her activities in the Resistance. In the meanwhile, a female pilot works with the Resistance to free her best friend from the Gestapo.
Young Adult Literature.
Wein, E. (2012). Code name verity. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion. -
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor is the new girl at school; bullied because she’s overweight and dresses in a boyish manner. Park is half-Korean and has lived in his town his whole life but feels like an outsider. Eleanor and Park really, really like each other and believe they can overcome all obstacles that life throws at them. The characters are very likeable and the reader finds themselves rooting for a happy ending.
Young Adult literature.
Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & park. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Griffin -
Locomotive by Brian Floca
It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. The beautiful text describes everything about early rail travel, such as crew responsibilities and machinery specifics to the sensory thrills of a bridge rumbling underneath and the wind blasting into your face.
Ages 4-10.
Floca, B. (2013). Locomotive. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. -
First 100 Words Lift-the-Flap by Roger Priddy
This bright and colorful book contains 100 recognizable photographs and are accompanied by 100 simple first words to read and learn. The lift-the flaps will add interest and surprises.
Ages 1-3
Priddy, R. (2013). First 100 words lift-the-flap. New York, NY: Priddy Books. -
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
This graphic novel is a coming-of-age tale that illustrates a stressful time in one girl’s life while capturing the awkward transition from carefree childhood to self-conscious young adulthood. Storyline elements contain some very mature subjects, including a crush on an older boy, an unwanted pregnancy, and an attempted suicide.
Ages 12-18.
Tamaki, M. (2014). This one summer. New York, NY: First Second. -
Alexander, Who’s Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever by Judith Viorst
In this hilarious companion to the bestselling classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Alexander hates consequences, and therefore, is trying his best to be the best boy ever. Kids will totally relate with Alexander’s desire to be good, how good intentions can still go awry, and how parents will still love you through the difficult episodes.
Ages 4-8.
Vorst, J. (2014). Alexander, who’s trying his best to be the best boy ever. New York, NY: Atheneum Books.
