children’s books

‘Once There Was’ by Kiyash Monsef is a beautiful and compelling young adult fantasy

/ Pamela Kramer / 1 Comment

Instead of “Once upon a time…” the fairy tales that we read in Kiyash Monsef’s wonderful fantasy novel “Once There Was” begin with different words. When the main character Marjan’s father, who was from Iran, told her the childhood tales about mythical creatures, he started the stories with “Once was, once wasn’t…” The first story is about a trapped unicorn saved by a young girl; that encounter changes the young girl and the lives of some of her descendants. We learn that Marjan is one of those who descended from that girl.

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‘City Spies: Mission Manhattan’ by James Ponti is the fabulous new middle grade thriller in this exceptional series

/ Pamela Kramer / 1 Comment

Can I just say that I love the “City Spies” series by James Ponti? This latest one, “Mission Manhattan,” is just as exciting and thrilling as the preceding books, and reading them brings me as much pleasure as reading one of my favorite adult spy novels, like Tess Gerritsen’s “The Spy Coast” or even John Scalzi’s “Starter Villain.” While granted, these spy novels are geared for middle grade readers, the plots and the action are every bit as well plotted and gripping as many of that genre written for adults. The major differences are that the books in this series are much quicker reads with spies that are underaged. But they are no less brilliant than any seasoned adult spy.

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‘Finally Heard’ by Kelly Yang is a middle grade novel about growing up, technology, and fitting in

/ Pamela Kramer

“Finally Heard” is Kelly Yang’s newest middle grade fiction. Author Yang is known for her powerful middle grade and young adult novels about fitting in, making friends, finding one’s place in life, and appreciating family. Many children appreciate the vulnerability in her fictional characters because it reflects some of their own feelings. Her first novel, “Front Desk,” for example, reflected her own experiences growing up as her parents managed hotels and she helped work the front desk.

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‘Project F’ by Jeanne DuPrau is a middle grade book about climate change and difficult decisions

/ Pamela Kramer

In her new book, “Project F,” Jeanne DuPrau takes us yet again far into the future to a different kind of world. It’s a simpler world where there is some electricity, but little technology. Through the eyes of main character fourteen-year-old Keith, we learn about a world in which there are no cars, no planes, no smart phones. Instead people take trains if they need to travel long distances, they bike within their small cities, and they walk. Life as we know it today is hundreds of years in the past.

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Must-have dog and cat picture books: funny, clever and touching

/ Pamela Kramer / 1 Comment

As I’ve mentioned (repeatedly) in writing about dog and cat picture books—kids love them. Adults love them. Whether they are funny, touching, clever, or as is often the case, a combination of all those qualities, reading books about our favorite companions is almost always extremely rewarding. Here are some wonderful choices to share with your picture book readers.

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‘Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck’ by David Ezra Stein is clever, funny, and filled with life lessons

/ Pamela Kramer

Usually I prefer to review picture books as a group, but my grandson loved “Beaky Barnes and the Devious Duck” by Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein so much that he insisted on taking it home with him after reading it. When I asked him specifically what he loved about it, he said that it’s just really excellent. But he (and his grandfather) loved the humor. They loved the sneaky acts and the deviousness. They loved the characters. And they loved the plot.

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‘Gather’ by Kenneth M. Cardow is a brilliant young adult novel about abandonment and finding family

/ Pamela Kramer

In “Gather,” Kenneth M. Cardow introduces us to a teenager who has had to grow up much more quickly than anyone should have to. Ian is used to being abandoned; his father left Ian and his mother years before, and then his grandmother left them to move south to be with her sister. So now, it’s just Ian and his mother in the small, run-down family home, on land that has been in Ian’s family for many generations. His father’s family, that is.

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‘Mixed Up’ by Gordon Korman is another brilliant middle grade novel: how important are our memories? (Discussion questions included)

/ Pamela Kramer

“Mixed Up” is a typical Gordon Korman novel; typical because it’s both very accessible and very brilliant. Korman’s books are legendary (among teachers and students) because they are almost unique in their ability to provide a plot that moves rapidly with plenty of action, yet at the same time offer us thoughtful issues to consider — in every story. His newest release accomplishes all that.

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‘Spy School: Goes North’ by Stuart Gibbs is a perfect chilly winter read for middle grade readers

/ Pamela Kramer

While El Niño might promise a rather warm winter, those reading “Spy School: Goes North” by Stuart Gibbs will surely feel the icy chill of north winds fingering down necks and up sleeves. Because in this eleventh novel in the Spy Series, Ben and his cadre of fellow spy students and a few adults are in Alaska, where even in the summer you need parkas in addition to industrial strength mosquito repellant.

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‘Dogtown’ by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko is an absolutely heartwarming middle grade tale of dogs and community and adventure and family

/ Pamela Kramer

“Dogtown” by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko is a middle grade fantasy that will be extremely appealing to kids because it’s filled with dogs—real dogs and robot dogs, or really just one special robot dog. There’s even a mouse. The story is told in first person by Chance, a dog residing in a shelter at the start of the story.

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