Type: chapter bookAges: 9+Author: Marie McSwiganIllustrator: André LaBlanc This is one of my favorite WWII historical fiction stories for the intended age group. Its unique and adventurous storyline keeps the pages turning. The Norwegians are “liberty-loving people who think freedom…
Type: chapter bookAges: 9-12Author: Noel Streatfeild Margaret truly has many good adults in her life, but sometimes they are not as near as we would wish! She’s not quite an orphan but has to go live as one. The POV…
Type: chapter bookAges: 10+Author: Sylvia Cassedy There comes a point (with me, personally) when examples of rotten behavior go on too long. Enough is enough already. Somebody love this poor 12-year-old! There’s legitimate reason for her defiant behavior, but as…
Type: picture bookAges: 4-8Author: Daniel NayeriIllustrator: Vesper Stamper One element of a well-written children’s story is its ability to powerfully communicate with so few words. We of non-Iranian backgrounds are sweetly welcomed into a tradition over 2,500 years old as…
Type: chapter bookAges: 12-18Author: Jack London If any one author could describe the rough wildness of nature, it is Jack London. Until recently, it had been many years since I last read this, and though it has a better ending…
Type: picture bookAges: 4-10Author: Reeve LindberghIllustrator: Kathy Jakobsen * Swedenborg held some concerning theological beliefs, so parents might want to avoid that paragraph in the after notes (or be ready to discuss). This poem is a delight to read aloud!…
Type: biographical picture bookAges: 4-8Author: Esmé Raji CodellIllustrator: Lynne Rae Perkins * Not many picture books touch on this element, but Codell points out that Chapman claimed “spirits and angels” spoke to him, that he would gather friends for a…
Type: longer biographical picture bookAges: 5-10Author: Margaret HodgesIllustrator: Kimberly Bulcken Root Hodges makes such excellent word choices in her books! Her descriptions are unique yet understandable to little ears. “Every spring the blossoms were like white clouds.” The text throughout…
Type: biographical picture bookAges: 4-8Author: Steven Kellogg What’s myth and what’s real? Kellogg has done a good job here in recounting facts about John’s life while also humorously showing how myths grew out of those facts. If you and your…
Type: bridge book (short chapter book)Ages: 7-11Original author: Howard PyleAdapted by: Annie Ingle Introduce a new generation to the classic legend of the man who stole from the rich to help the poor! There’s adventure, loyalty, courage, and strong friendship…
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