Summer days are for enjoying the outdoors, swimming, walking, playing sports. But long summer nights are made for reading, and it’s the perfect time to get kids hooked on good books. Here are some wonderful choices for kids with a variety of interests.
Don’t miss Katherine Applegate’s newest series, “Endling,” consisting of the first book, “Endling: The Last” and this book, “Endling: The First.” Applegate’s genius is her ability to write a book filled with adventure and endearing characters, and at the same time use the beliefs and lessons learned in the stories to teach readers about kindness, compassion, and above all, justice.
With “Spark,” Sarah Beth Durst proves that you don’t have to be loud or pushy to make a difference. In this middle grade fantasy, Mina learns that with the support and love of friends and her storm beast, she can change big things.
The month of May is good for flowers and green growing things, but it’s also got some wonderful picture books just released in time for spring. And after a long day filled with sunshine, or even a long day filled with rain, nothing gets a kid ready for bed better than a wonderful picture book. Here are a few fabulous suggestions: some will make your child laugh and giggle, others will lead to fabulous discussions. Enjoy.
“Kid Normal” by Greg James and Chris Smith is a wonderful illustrated novel that is sure to attract readers. Kicking off the start of a series, it is packed with action and humor. It shows how something good can often come out of something bad. The characters are passionate and will not give up. This book proves what working together can accomplish.
Wonderful children’s author David Lubar has two new collections of short stories, “Teeny Weenies: The Intergalactic Petting Zoo” and “Teeny Weenies: Freestyle Frenzy.” Kids love the original Weenie series like “Strikeout of the Bleacher Weenies,” which are perfect for older middle grade readers. In this new “Teeny Weenie” series, the stories are great for younger kids in first grade and higher. The stories are a bit shorter and simpler to follow, yet still filled with Lubar’s clever wit and bizarre imagination.
How better to get ready for Easter than by reading these three picture books about Easter? Each is special and will be loved for different reasons; each is worth reading with children before and after Easter.
“Undaunted” by Kat Falls is the sequel to “Inhuman,” published in 2013. For those who read “Inhuman” when it first came out, it’s time to pick it up and read it again, although it’s also certainly possible to read and really enjoy this sequel without remembering everything from the first book.
There are many different kinds of picture books. Some are bedtime stories, some are sweet or silly, and some have wonderful messages to share for readers of all ages. These nine books are picture books that would be appropriate for a wide range of ages, and they all have lovely themes to discuss with kids.
“The Deepest Blue” by Sarah Beth Durst is a beautiful story filled with strong and compassionate characters, a rich setting, and a plot with nonstop action. The writing grabs the reader on the very first page and doesn’t let go until the very end.
“Beauty and the Beast” was never so engrossing as Brigid Kemmerer’s version, “A Curse So Dark and Lonely.” This retelling is a true harkening back to the original Grimm tales — dark, thrilling, and really violent. Fantasy lovers will love this story from the first page.
This review was written by a junior reviewer, Jamie L., who is a fourth grader who loves to read.
“Spy Toys Out of Control” by Mark Powers is a great sequel that includes action, humor, and a little bit of mystery. Powers hooks the reader into his writing, forming a picture in the reader’s head. Once a person starts reading, this book will not be put down.
