Category: Age: Middle School

Top 10: Best Children’s Books Featuring Life-Changing Teachers (ages 4-12)

As we ease into the summer and reflect on the our children’s past school year, it is the teacher who makes the difference between a great year and a mediocre or worse year.  I am sure that I am not alone in sending up prayers to get particular teachers for my kids next year.  This list is a homage to the exceptional teachers everywhere who dedicate their lives to making a difference.  And they absolutely do!  One day, one of their students may even write about their exception teacher as in the case for a few of the books selected below.

To purchase any of these books, please click on the image of the book

or buy at the Pragmatic Mom store on the right hand column.  Thank You!

ps  Special thanks to the exceptional teachers I and my children have had.  You know who you are!

10.  The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

Based on the true story of Agnes Sutterfield who came to the a remote village in Alaska in 1948 to teach in a one-room school house.  Her students could survive in the wilderness but most didn’t know how to read or write.  Her ability to connect with her students and create curriculum that they could relate to makes her a life-changing teacher!  In real life, one of her students becomes the firs Alaskan native to be accepted to Medical School in England.  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

9.  My Face to the Wind: The Diary of Sarah Jane Price, A Prairie Teacher by Jim Murphy [chapter book, ages 8-12]

This novel is set in the 1800′s in Broken Bow, Nebraska which is part of the wild, wild west.  Fourteen-year-old Sarah Jean Price must take over the one-room school house where her father was hired to teach but dies unexpectedly. Written in a diary format, we read about Sarah’s challenges and her ultimate success as she develops into an exceptional teacher.  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

8.  Yoko by Rosemary Wells

Mrs. Jenkins, Yoko’s teacher, is featured in many of the books in the Yoko and Friends series.  She is a wonderful teacher as shown in this book, where she must figure out a way to keep Yoko’s classmates from teasing her about her Japanese lunch.  Mrs. Jenkins is up to the task though it keeps her up late at night fretting until she thinks of a solution.  [picture book, ages 4-8]

7. The Secret School by Avi

14-year-old Ida fills in secretly when the teacher in their one-room school house suddenly leaves and threatens closure of the school.  Ida has always wanted to be a teacher and she’s completely up to the arduous task.  This is one of my fourth grader’s favorite books of all time!  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

6.  Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard

When Miss Nelson is missing and the class is way behind in their work, a scary substitute teacher turns up to whip things into shape.  Children will love the surprise ending.  [picture book, ages 4-8]

5.  Don’t Say Ain’t by Irene Smalls

New York public schools were first integrated in 1957 and this picture book portrays the difficulty for exceptionally talented African American children to bridge the two worlds of their advanced, integrated school with their colloquial inner city home.  Dana, the little girl in the story, is assisted in learning this precarious balancing act  from her teacher.  [picture book, ages 6-10]

4.  Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Mr. Slinger is such a wonderful teacher that everyone in his class wants to be a teacher when he or she grows up.  Especially Lily.  But when Lily brings in her new purple plastic purse and can’t follow the rules, she gets in trouble and is furious with Mr. Slinger.  The way Mr. Slinger handles this makes every parent want a “Mr. Slinger” to be our child’s teacher!  [picture book, ages 4-8]

3.  A Nickel,  A Trolley, A Treasure House by Sharon Reiss Baker

This is a true story about a young boy who is shown  a world of possibilities by his kind teacher. And to think opening up a world of possibilities takes only a nickel, a trolley and a treasure house.  And an exception teacher!  Don’t forget that part!  [picture book, ages 6-10]

2. Ida B.  … And Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster and Possibly Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

Sometimes teachers can change lives in quiet ways such as by being exceptional listeners to their students as is the case with Ida B. who is reeling from her mother’s cancer, the abrupt change from being homeschooled to being back at public school, and the loss of some beloved trees. [chapter book, ages 8-10]

1. Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

This book is a homage to Polacco’s teacher who discovered her dyslexia and helped her to overcome it.  And this book would be the perfect gift to any amazing, life-changing teacher that we are fortunate to have in our lives.  [picture book, ages 6-12]

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Sep 06, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

7 Ideas for Social/Emotional Learning and the Start of School (From Edutopia)

We start school in two days and my kids are getting a little anxious about it despite being very familiar with their elementary school.  I know it’s normal to be anxious even if the transition seems small.  I came across this great list about Social and Emotional learning and the start of school and there is great advice for both parents and teachers.  Hey, we are all in this together!  Here’s to a smooth transition to your child’s school year!  Let me know how yours went and if you have any advice on what worked for you.

From Edutopia by Maurice Elias:

From a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) point of view, the most important consideration at the start of the new school year is to create positive feelings and optimism about school. This has many practical implications for both educators and parents.

Here are seven ideas to keep in mind:

Number One

Make a special effort to greet children in a positive and uplifting way at the start of school. Create a festive atmosphere, not a “get down to business” factory atmosphere.

Number Two

Highlight all the good and exciting things that will be happening at the beginning of the school year, as well as throughout the year.

Number Three

Give students a chance to share good memories about the summer, what they are looking forward to for the new school year, and something about themselves that they would like classmates to know. Time spent helping the students in a class bond in positive ways will bring large dividend later in the year as students work together in pairs, teams, and groups.

Number Four

Allow students to have input into setting the rules for the classroom, in terms of both “do’s” and “don’ts.”

Number Five

Give students an opportunity each day to reflect on what they are learning. Ask them to keep a journal and write down, at the end of the day, three things they are taking with them from the school day. Have them keep daily journals in one or some or all subject areas where, at the end of a class period or unit or project, they write down three things they are taking away from that unit of work.

Number Six

Parents, the parallel of all these apply to you. Keep the first days of school very positive. Allow time for routines to kick in. Don’t get upset if your child is running late, or forgets things. Make it clear that you understand and expect by the end of the first week of school, routines will be set and work well. Ask your child for suggestions about ways to modify the routines that are not going well.

Also, after school, ask your child to share the best parts of the school day. Later, ask your child what they are looking forward to most the next day. Please note the words, “best” and “most.” These are relative terms, so there will be a “best” part of a bad day and something to look forward to “most” even where the day is dreaded. In that way, you keep the focus positive. Remember, school is much more than classes. Asking about hallways, announcements, and things other than academic classes may garner special conversations.

Number Seven

Teachers and parents should share what the school is doing around social-emotional and character development, health, and such key areas as prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Parents, if you are not given this information proactively, seek it out. Teachers, your best hope for continuity and reinforcement of school messages out of school is if parents know what it is that their children are being taught!

The essence of SEL is to be sure that the adults dealing with children understand that the gateway to learning is through children’s social and emotional skills and experiences. Opening that gateway at the start of the school year will lead to a smoother path during all subsequent days.

Sep 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10 Children’s Books: From ChristinaReads (for Middle School Girls)

I do love a good Top 10 List and this chapter book children’s book list for ages 10-14 (middle-school-girl-ish-give-or-take-a-year-or-two) from ChristinaReads is a really good one of her childhood favorites!  I have only read half her list, but the books that I’ve read are such winners that it makes me want to read the rest of her list.  Clearly the woman has great taste!  This is a list worth having your daughter work her way through.  Let me know what you think?  And please check out ChristinaReads excellent blog!

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What with my dearth of book news recently, I’ve decided to share another top 10 list! This time, it’s the top 10 books I loved as a child (in no particular order):The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Yearling Newbery)

1. Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This is my all-time favorite book from childhood, and I still love it. It’s about a girl named Kit who moves from a carefree life in Barbados to the restrictive, Puritanical society of colonial New England. The book depicts this society wonderfully, making that period of American history come alive. The historical information about the Salem Witch Trials and the colonists’ growing discontent with British rule blends beautifully with Kit’s personal journey towards adulthood. The various characters are also wonderful, and even those who appear unsympathetic have some redeeming qualities. I honestly can’t praise this book enough; I’d recommend it to anyone, children and adults alike!

The View from Saturday2. E. L. Konigsburg, The View from Saturday. You might recognize Konigsburg’s name from the more famous From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, but personally I’ve always preferred The View from Saturday. This book is told from the perspectives of four sixth-grade children whose lives unexpectedly converge when they become teammates for an interscholastic academic competition. All four children are extremely intelligent, and they each have a unique way of seeing the world. I loved this book because I felt like I could identify with all the main characters, particularly Nadia, the only girl on the team. I also learned a lot of random interesting facts, because the narrative frequently flashed back to the competition and described some of the questions and answers. I think that, in real life, many smart or “gifted” children are misfits socially, and this book does a wonderful job of depicting that innocence and awkwardness.

Ella Enchanted3. Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted. I didn’t read this book until my late teens, so I can’t call it a childhood favorite, but I very much enjoyed this clever retelling of the Cinderella story. The problem with traditional Cinderella stories is that it’s hard to root for a heroine who would allow herself to be bullied by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Levine adds a wonderful twist to the story: Ella is obedient because she has to be — she’s under a curse. In this version of the tale, Ella must find the fairy godmother who gave her the “gift” of obedience and convince the fairy to undo her spell. Otherwise, she might be compelled to do something horrible, such as murder the kindhearted prince Charmont whom she’s grown to love. This is a creative and charming twist on the Cinderella story, and it has a good lesson for young girls about determination and inner strength.

Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables, Book 3)4. L. M. Montgomery, Anne of the Island. I loved all the “Anne” books as a child, but this one was always my favorite. It’s the third book in the series, where Anne finally has the chance to go to Redmond College. There she reconnects with old friends and makes several new ones, including the frivolous yet quite intelligent Philippa Gordon. I really liked reading about Anne’s adventures at college, and I think she matures a lot during the course of this novel. I must admit, I also loved this book the most because it’s the one where Anne finally realizes her true love for…well, you know who. :)  These books are so sweet and uplifting, and the little anecdotes about the eccentric people Anne meets are always charming. Revisiting these books just makes me happy, and I know I can always turn to them for a nostalgic, comforting read.

Number the Stars5. Lois Lowry, Number the Stars. This book will always stand out in my mind as the first book I ever read about the Holocaust, and I still think it’s one of the best, at least of those written for children. It’s the story of a Christian girl living in Denmark and her Jewish best friend, and it takes place during the German occupation of Denmark. When the Germans start passing laws that discriminate against Jews, Christian Annemarie and her family decide to hide her best friend Ellen from the soldiers. This book does not directly address the horror of the Holocaust, but it depicts the fear felt by 10-year-old Annemarie very well. It also shows the heroism of ordinary people who did their best to rescue Jews in defiance of the laws, as well as the difficulties they faced. The book’s ending is a hopeful one, focusing on the triumphs that some brave individuals managed to achieve. I definitely think all young children should read this book.

Catherine, Called Birdy (rpkg) (Trophy Newbery)6. Karen Cushman, Catherine, Called Birdy. Looking back, I’m pretty sure that this book sparked my fascination with the Middle Ages. It’s the story of 14-year-old Catherine, the daughter of a moderately well-off gentleman who wants to marry her off to an even richer gentleman. The book is composed of her diary entries, where she muses about her lot in life and observes the strange behavior of the adults around her. Initially, Catherine is immature and full of complaints, but she definitely grows and matures throughout the novel. I remember being completely fascinated by her depiction of medieval life and how different it was from my own. I also thought her voice was hysterically funny — her unique approach to swearing remains one of the most memorable aspects of the book to me (“God’s thumbs!”). Oh, and the various tricks she played on the suitors who tried to court her — hilarious! This is another book that’s stayed with me since childhood — and, like most of the others on this list, it’s still on my shelves.

A Girl of the Limberlost7. Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost. This sweet book follows the lovely and independent Elnora Comstock, who is fascinated by nature and whose passion is collecting rare moths. In the first half of the book, she struggles with snobbery at the local high school and with a mother who (for reasons that become clear later in the book) hates her. In the second half, she falls in love for the first time, but the experience is bittersweet because the man in question is engaged to somebody else. Like Rose in Bloom (see #8), this is a sweet, wholesome story that just lifts my spirits.

Rose in Bloom8. Louisa May Alcott, Rose in Bloom. This sequel to Eight Cousins revisits the Campbell family when Rose and all her cousins have grown up. Now Rose must navigate the confusing world of high society; and, as a wealthy and beautiful young woman, she must choose between her many suitors, some of whom are just after her fortune. Alcott’s books — at least the ones written for children — are refreshingly wholesome, and sometimes it’s just nice to read a book where the biggest “sins” are things like flirting and (funnily enough) reading inappropriate novels. :) There are some wonderfully romantic moments in the book, and Rose must ponder difficult questions about her place in the world. Reading this book transports me to a simpler time, and it’s often a welcome relief from the stress of modern life.

The Mozart Season9. Virginia Euwer Wolff, The Mozart Season. This is another book whose main character I really identified with. Twelve-year-old Allegra is something of a violin prodigy, and she enters a music competition where she must learn to play a Mozart concerto better than everyone else. (No, I wasn’t a prodigy, but I did play the piano for several years and was involved in annual competitions). As she prepares for the competition, she also matures into adolescence and begins to perceive the world around her in a new way. I appreciated the musical descriptions in this novel, and there’s a very memorable storyline with a confused, homeless man who desperately wants to remember a particular song he heard long ago. The book is somewhat melancholy, but in a very good way, and it’s yet another childhood favorite of mine.

Here's to You, Rachel Robinson10. Judy Blume, Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson. What girl didn’t read a ton of Judy Blume in her pre-teen years? This particular book was my favorite of hers, even though I didn’t initially realize that it was the second in a series. It must have stood alone fairly well! Rachel is another protagonist who’s something of a misfit because of her intelligence. She also feels some pressure to be the “perfect” child because of her older brother Charles, who is constantly getting into trouble and annoying her parents. This is a quintessential coming-of-age novel complete with first crushes, changing friendships, and a new perspective on the world. It’s funny in some places, sad in others, and I just remember really loving it. This is the only book on the list that I don’t currently own — but I definitely checked it out of the library several times! I’ll have to find a copy of my own now.

These are my childhood favorites, and they’ve really stayed with me through the years. What books did you love as a child?

Sep 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

2010 Winners: Australian Children’s Book Council

These are the winners to the Australian Children’s Book Council for 2010 in the categories of Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book of the Year, and Eve Pownall Award for Information Book of the Year. For a complete list of winners including the books that won an Honorable Mention, please see TrevorCairney’s blog.

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1. Older Readers (Mature readers, aged 12 plus)

a) Winner

‘Jarvis 24‘ by David Metzenthen

Marc E. Jarvis lives a comfortable life in suburban Camberwell (Victoria). But suddenly life becomes complicated. Life is being crowded in by work experience at a used car yard, football training, and then a girl comes into his life. Electra, is gorgeous, as well as a brilliant runner. Probably out of his league, but why not give it a try. She arrives in Melbourne on a sports scholarship and sends Marc’s life into a spin. Metzenthen has written a story rich in the strength of its characters. Urban teenagers will recognise the urban places, the life and the people that go with it. The story has a good balance of humour and emotional depth. It should be enjoyed by many teenagers.

2. Younger Readers (Independent readers, 7-11 years)

a) Winner

‘Darius Bell And The Glitter Pool‘ by Odo Hirsch. The Bell family is in danger of losing their honourable name. Can Darius step up to the challenge and uphold it?

“The Bell family’s ancestors were showered with honours, gifts and grants of land. In exchange, they have bestowed a Gift, once every 25 years, on the town. The Gifts have ranged from a statue to a bell tower with stained-glass windows, but now it’s Darius’s father’s turn – and there is no money for an impressive gift. It looks as though a wheelbarrow full of vegetables is the best they can do. Darius is determined to preserve the family honour, and when an earthquake reveals a glorious cave, with the most beautiful minerals lining the walls, he thinks he’s found the answer…”


3. Early Childhood (Pre-reading to early reading stage)

‘Bear And Chook By The Sea‘ by Lisa Shanahan and Emma Quay

“In a follow-up to the delightful Bear and Chook, the two lovable characters continue their adventures. Bear and Chook are unexpected friends. Bear still likes adventure and Chook would still much rather have the quiet life! One day they decide to go and visit the sea. Chook is worried that they don’t know the way and will get lost, but Bear is confident they will find it just around the pond, under the bridge, through the forest and over the mountain! A wonderfully warm read-aloud story about the dreamers in life and those who wish they’d sometimes keep their feet more firmly on the ground.”

4. Picture Book of the Year (Birth to 18 years)

a) Winner
The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers is book three in the ‘Boy Bear’ series and follows the two previously highly acclaimed wordless picture books ‘The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard‘ and ‘Midsummer Knight‘. The Boy escapes a gang of bullies by running into the perfect hiding place – a gallery filled with mystery and treasures. The Boy befriends a mischievous dog and is enchanted by the magic of painting. He finds himself venturing into the world of a Vermeer painting and is transported to Delft in seventeenth century. But there are many dangers on these old streets and he needs to use his wits to rescue his new friend from the butcher’s chopping block. All three ‘Boy’ books are brilliant wordless tales in the same league as Raymond Brigg’s ‘When the Wind Blows‘.  Readers of the first two Boy books will enjoy looking for the characters from the previous books as they follow this new time slip adventure.

5. Eve Pownall Award for Information Book of the Year 2009 (Birth to 18 years)
a) Winner

‘Australian Backyard Explorer‘ by Peter Macinnis

“Australian Backyard Explorer tells the stories of many intrepid individuals who explored the Australian continent in the first 120 years of European settlement. It includes little-known explorers as well as the old favourites, such as James Cook, Edward John Eyre, Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. There are tales not only of tragedy, conflict and death, but also of loyalty, amazing perseverance and wonder over the new animals and landscapes they encountered.”

To buy or look at any book at Amazon, please click on image of the book.

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Sep 03, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

An Author’s Tips for Hooking Reluctant Readers (from Marcia Scheel)

This wonderful list of books is from author Maria Scheel. You can find her blog by clicking here.  Her full post can be found here.

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“I believe that all it takes to create a reader is the right book. Finding that tale is the trick.

So how do you pick books that will hook reluctant readers? Each child is different, with very particular tastes. Nevertheless, here are some key elements that engage child readers, along with some suggested titles:

HUMOR

Whether you hate or love Captain Underpants, you can’t deny that his humor captures readers – especially boys. Kids love to laugh, and if you can put funny books in their hands, they’ll keep gobbling ‘em up.

Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

Time Warp Trio seriesby Jon Scieszka

Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery series by Deborah and James Howe

The Chet Gecko Mysteries by Bruce Hale

Mr. Chickee’s Funny Money by Christopher Paul Curtis

SYMPATHETIC CHARACTERS, ACCESSIBLE WRITING

Whatever genre the story falls into, it must have a main character that the reader claims as a friend. And just as important, the tale must be told in concise, vigorous writing. Reluctant readers don’t have the patience to slog through lengthy or convoluted prose.

Amber Brown series by Paula Danziger

Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee

The Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Superfudge by Judy Blume

FANTASY

Kids love books that take a compelling “what if” (what if a treehouse was a time machine? what if a boy went to wizard school?) and spin out a story. Alternate worlds, magical happenings, extraterrestrials – all of these can capture the unmotivated reader’s imagination.

Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Bartimeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud

My Teacher Is an Alien by Bruce Coville

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

ACTION

With so much competition from movies, TV and videogames, books must move if they want to entice. Slow-paced stories are fine for more experienced readers, but reluctant readers need books that hit the ground running.

Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz

Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer

The Redwall books by Brian Jacques

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

THE PROMISE THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN

This is why we all read, to see what happens next in the story. A book that builds suspense early on and maintains it will keep kids reading.

Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate

Holes by Louis Sachar

Matt Christopher Sports Series by Matt Christopher

Goosebumps by R.L. Stine

SERIES

Series are training-wheel books. They provide familiar characters in a familiar world that’s easier to lose yourself in with each new title. Series books build literacy skills and create new readers.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan

The Magic Schoolbus series by Joanna Cole

STRONG VISUALS

Graphic novels, manga, and comic books, with their strong visual content, will hook plenty of reluctant readers – especially boys and ESL readers. These books can serve as a stepping-stone to longer fiction.

Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai

Bone by Jeff Smith

Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragones

Babymouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm

SEEING THEMSELVES

Some reluctant readers don’t want fantasy; they want the real world. If we take the time to give them books with multicultural characters they can identify with, those readers will respond.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis

Who Am I Without Him? Sharon Flake (YA)”

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To get a sense for age recommendations, please click on image of book to view at Amazon.  Age recommendations are usually below the book reviews.

Sep 02, 2010 | 2 comments View Post

Top 100 YA Novels: From Persnickety Snark

  1. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling
  3. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
  4. Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson
  5. Northern Lights, Philip Pullman
  6. The Truth About Forever, Sarah Dessen
  7. The Book Thief, Markus Zusak
  8. The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
  9. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer
  10. This Lullaby, Sarah Dessen
  11. Looking for Alaska, John Green
  12. Just Listen, Sarah Dessen
  13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling
  14. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
  15. City of Bones, Cassandra Clare
  16. On the Jellicoe Road, Melina Marchetta
  17. The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
  18. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
  19. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky
  20. Along for the Ride, Sarah Dessen
  21. Shiver, Maggie Stiefvater
  22. Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead
  23. Graceling, Kristin Cashore
  24. Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher
  25. Sloppy Firsts, Megan McCafferty
  26. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
  27. Alanna: The First Adventure, Tamora Pierce
  28. Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card
  29. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling
  30. Uglies, Scott Westerfeld
  31. A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray
  32. Tomorrow, When the War Began, John Marsden
  33. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, E. Lockhart
  34. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
  35. The Westing Game, Ellen Raskin
  36. Paper Towns, John Green
  37. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling
  38. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
  39. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Betty Smith
  40. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie
  41. Lock and Key, Sarah Dessen
  42. The Amber Spyglass, Philip Pullman
  43. Evernight, Claudia Gray
  44. Sabriel, Garth Nix
  45. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling
  46. Beautiful Creatures, Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
  47. Forever, Judy Blume
  48. I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith
  49. Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine
  50. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot
  51. Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli
  52. Howl’s Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones
  53. The Dark is Rising, Susan Cooper
  54. Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick
  55. Saving Francesca, Melina Marchetta
  56. Second Helpings, Megan McCafferty
  57. Dreamland, Sarah Dessen
  58. Eclipse, Stephenie Meyer
  59. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
  60. Fire, Kristin Cashore
  61. The Chocolate War, Robert Cormier
  62. Weetzie Bat, Francesca Lia Block
  63. The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank
  64. Looking for Alibrandi, Melina Marchetta
  65. How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff
  66. City of Glass, Cassandra Clare
  67. Keeping the Moon, Sarah Dessen
  68. Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer
  69. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, Louise Rennison
  70. If I Stay, Gayle Forman
  71. The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner
  72. Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson
  73. Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast, Robin McKinley
  74. The Blue Sword, Robin McKinley
  75. Feed, M.T. Anderson
  76. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, Ann Brashares
  77. Go Ask Alice, Anonymous
  78. Wicked Lovely, Melissa Marr
  79. Lord of the Flies, William Golding
  80. Someone Like You, Sarah Dessen
  81. The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan
  82. Jacob Have I Loved, Katherine Paterson
  83. The Knife of Never Letting Go, Patrick Ness
  84. Poison Study, Maria V. Snyder
  85. Shadow Kiss, Richelle Mead
  86. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Avi
  87. An Abundance of Katherines, John Green
  88. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Mark Haddon
  89. A Ring of Endless Light, Madeleine L’Engle
  90. Glass Houses, Rachel Caine
  91. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party, M.T. Anderson
  92. Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech
  93. Whale Talk, Chris Crutcher
  94. Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles
  95. Going Too Far, Jennifer Echols
  96. The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks
  97. Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver
  98. Hatchet, Gary Paulsen
  99. The Pigman, Paul Zindel
  100. The Hero and the Crown, Robin McKinley

At the conclusion of the Top 100 YA Novels poll for this year, I would like to share some information gathered from your votes.

  • Voting took place over five weeks at the end of April and throughout May.
  • 735 people shared their top ten choices of the best YA titles. The participants come from across the globe and many different careers. Students, librarians, teachers, editors and a myriad of other professions took the time to volunteer their thoughts on YA.
  • At least 80% of participants were female.
  • An overwhelming majority of voters identified themselves solely as readers.
  • Sarah Dessen accumalated the most points which is amazing considering she has not written a series. The only title of hers not to make the top 100 was That Summer, her first publication.
  • The top five authors represented on the list in terms of title rankings order were – Sarah Dessen, JK Rowling, Melina Marchetta, Stephenie Meyer and Cassandra Clare. Three represent the strong representation of paranormal series on the list while the other two represent contemporary works with strong female protagonists.
  • Despite having only a single title (The Princess Diaries), Meg Cabot was the author with the most titles voted for – 20.
  • The top five authors in terms of titles voted for were – Meg Cabot, Tamora Pierce, DianaWynne Jones, LJ Smith and Judy Blume.
  • The top five authors represented in terms of point accumalation were – Sarah Dessen, JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Stephenie Meyer and Philip Pullman.
  • As I am an Australian it is with pride that I point out that five titles were from my homeland.
Aug 29, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Percy Jackson + Ancient Egypt = New Riordan Series (for ages 8-15)

I was at the bookstore with my middle child in search of the new Clementine book and the latest Ivy and Bean book.  We found the new Clementine but we had the latest Ivy and Bean.  As we were checking out, I noticed this pile of books behind the counter.

Me:  ”Is that the latest Riordan book?”

Checkout Lady:  ”Yes, it is.”

Me:  ”How is it?  I heard it was about Ancient Egypt.”

Other Employee, much younger:  ”So awesome!”

Me:  ”Better than Percy Jackson or worse?”

Both Employees:  ”Well… different.  Not better or worse.”

Me:  ”I have to have it.  Ring me up again please.”

So, I told Capability:Mom – she has a new blog design, check it out!–  that I had it and we both thought that it was weird that this independent bookstore was hiding books behind the counter such that  you have to ask for it specifically to buy them.    Aren’t they trying to sell books over there or is this such a hot property that they can hide the goods? Or is this because the book is only supposed to land in certain hands? …

Capability:Mom’s kids are big fans of Percy Jackson as is my eldest so I thought I’d speed through the book, review it and pass it on.  I read about a page when said eldest noticed the book and appropriated it for herself.  Three days later she pronounced the book even better than the entire Percy Jackson series which is a huge compliment because she sped through the Percy Jackson series in a matter of weeks and LOVES it.

I finally got my hands on the book and finished it late last night.  My oldest kept popping up to check where I was in the book and sigh with contentment saying, “Oh that is such a good part.”  I don’t want to spoil the book for you so I’ll only give hints about the plot but suffice it to say that this series is another winner that will turn into a movie very soon.  Get your hands on it and be sure to scan the shelves behind the check out counter or ask for it.  This is a stealth sell as if you have to qualify to get it; they don’t want the book in the wrong hands because, you know, they are recruiting … you’ll learn more about that if you read the book.

  • Carter and Sadie, the books protagonists, are brother and sister but have been raised apart for six years since their mother (complicated back story).
  • After their father gets into a fix, they must work together to save him, and, of course, the world as we know it.
  • They discover their interesting bloodline and some latent powers (think demi-god but with an interesting twist).
  • You’ll learn a lot about the gods of Ancient Egypt as well as an overview of Ancient Egypt by reading this book.  And here’s a link to Ancient Egypt from Wikipedia if you want more.  I’ll search for more books on these topics appropriate for kids and post on these later.
  • Like the Percy Jackson series, this is an epic battle (requiring at least 5 books) of  Good versus Evil but in this case, it’s Chaos versus Order.  There is also a time deadline where Very Bad Things Happen If Someone Isn’t Stopped Within Days.
  • Like the Percy Jackson series, families of both Gods and Men are involved.  Again, the humans involved are special.
  • Finally, like the Percy Jackson series, there is a lot of cross country U. S. travel and some overseas travel as well which is a fun way to learn geography!

That’s all I can tell you without spoiling the book for you.  Buckle up for the ride and enjoy every word!

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan.  [chapter book, ages 8-15]

Aug 25, 2010 | 3 comments View Post

In Living Color: How Ancient Greek Statues Really Looked … (for Percy Jackson Fans!)

I found this from the Best of Digg.  For those interested in Ancient Greek Civilization, Greek Mythology or just plain old Percy Jackson fans, check out this post from ColourLovers that depicts ancient Greek sculpture and how they really looked based on scientific research…

Here’s the link.  It’s titled Gods in Color:  Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity.

Aug 24, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

NYTimes Top Selling Graphic Novels

There is a lot of talk on the internet in the Reluctant Reader arena that graphic novels are a legitimate vehicle for literacy.  I, for one, agree!  Graphic novels tell stories both through images and words.  If this gets a Reluctant Reader excited to read more, what is not to like?

Here is link to the New York Times list for Top Selling Graphic Novels both hard cover and paperback.  This is not a genre that I am too familiar with so please comment with age appropriateness if you happen to know.  Thanks!

The number one hard cover?

TWILIGHT: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL, VOL. 1, by Stephenie Meyer and Young C. Kim. (Yen Press, $19.99.) The comic adaptation of the ever-popular vampire series.

The number one paperback?

SCOTT PILGRIM: PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE, by Bryan Lee O’Malley. (Oni Press, $11.95.) Meet Scott Pilgrim, twentysomething slacker, member of the band Sex Bob-Omb and would-be suitor of Ramona Flowers.

The number one Manga?

OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB, VOL. 14, by Bisco Hatori. (VIZ Media, $9.99.) Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich school, is forced to work – as a boy – for the school’s all-male club. The series is described as a “romantic comedy.”

This is the first one if you want to start at the beginning…

This is the number one manga.

To see more about any of these graphic novels, please click on image of book to go to Amazon.

Aug 23, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Amazing YA Adolescent with Cancer Novel, Ever After Ever, by Sonnenblick

I am  not exactly sure why I am on a posting jag on books about children with cancer, but I have read both of these books recently.  The Nurse with the Red Clown Nose (an eBook picture book app for iPhone/iPad/iPod) and a Young Adult novel, Ever After Ever, by Jordan Sonnenblick seem to be a yin/yang serendipitous pairing.  There are not many people I know whose lives haven’t been touched by cancer in one way, and these books give a perspective from a child with cancer’s point of view.  If you want to read my review of The Nurse with the Red Clown Nose, please click here.

Ever After Ever was one of the books that I read twice in quick succession and cried through each reading.  A book that makes me cry is not normally one that I would then re-read, so it’s a testament to Sonnenblick’s ability to make me laugh and engage in the story and thus willing to go through the emotional toll of the story not once but twice (knowing full well the kicker at the end is coming!).  It’s hard to find a book that makes you laugh and cry simultaneously but this book manages to do both.

Sonnenblick (an really excellent YA writer; this was my second of his books and now I’m a HUGE fan) says that nurse friends asked him to write on the topic of what happens after the cancer is in remission from the child’s point of view.  The support base is gone because the cancer is “cured” but the after effects from the treatments can often be devastating and permanent.  It’s an important story to tell that wasn’t told before, or maybe just not as excellently as Sonnenblick’s version.  The nurse friends definitely picked the right person for the job!

In this YA novel, two best friends are also both cancer survivors.  Jeffrey Alper and Thad Ibsen are eighth graders going through the angst of teenage adolescence as well as grappling with the after effects of their battles with cancer.  In Jeffrey’s case with a rare form of leukemia, he has a slight limp, difficulty paying attention and a tough time learning math concepts.  Thad’s mental capacity is razor sharp as is his wit, but he’s wheelchair bound.  In an effort for each  to “win the girl,” Jeffrey and Thad goad each other to rise to new challenges.  Jeff, tutored with great discipline by Thad, must pass the state standardized test in order to graduate to high school.  Thad, as challenged by Jeffrey, must get out of his wheelchair to practice walking again.

Add in a gorgeous but sensitive new student from California who is Jeffrey’s dream girl and Sonnenblick has covered all the bases of The Middle School experience.  One final twist is the question of standardize test score minimums as a graduation requirement — a political polarizing issue particularly how this should be applied to children with special needs.

I highly recommend this book but it’s particularly useful for anyone who knows a child or adult who has survived or battled cancer.  For those who have been untouched by cancer (and knock wood that they will stay this way forever!), this book is also an uplifting story about middle school social politics and how one child can make a difference during a time period (i.e. Middle School) when standing out from your peers  or standing up for something you believe in can seem terrifying and impossible.

To learn more about this book, please click on the image of the book to take a peek at the first few pages in Amazon.

p.s.  I found on Jason Sonnenblick’s site, a link to an organization called SuperSibs! which is a great site to help support siblings of children with cancer and it’s in English and Spanish.

Aug 16, 2010 | 1 comment View Post
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