Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Little House series was one of my favorites as a young girl. If all you know of Laura Ingalls Wilder is from the slightly saccharine television series from the 1970's then you have missed out on a true children's classic. Told from a child's point-of-view and in a child's voice, this series, which starts with Little House in the Big Woods, is the author's recollection of her childhood. It details all the usual childhood themes, events, and drama - family life, school, friends and "frenemies", with the additional challenges and experiences of being a pioneer girl in the late 1800's. What I love most about this series is the stark honesty with which it is told. Laura never tries to portray herself or her family and friends as perfect, but only as people struggling to do the best they can in whatever circumstances they find themselves. With its simple and sweet style, these books at once convey strong moral values and the story of a strong girl learning to make her way in the world. I highly recommend this book to parents (in particular parents of girls) who wish their children to grow up with a solid sense of right and wrong, and always striving to do your best.
Liz's Review ∆
 

Tithe by Holly Black
Disclaimer: A younger incarnation of myself was enchanted by this story of war in the unseen world of the faeries. Kaye, the human (?) protagonist returns with her musician mother to her grandmother's home in New England. There, she becomes entangled in a battle for domination of the real world. She is called upon as sacrifice (tribute, to use a Hunger Games reference) to maintain the tenuous balance of light and dark. With the help of an angsty faery knight (dedicated to the queen of the light, traded and forced to do the bidding of the queen of the dark) and a selfish selkie, Kaye plunges into this other world - and pieces of her own follow. This is a gritty young adult novel. I would suggest this story to any fan of the goth-glam-teen-romance books. Tithe is sharper (and older!) than Twilight. Black's other works include the Spiderwick Chronicles, a series aimed at younger readers, featuring faery companions without the sex, smoking, or threat of violent interruption of life by dark faery forces. The illustrations of Tony DiTerlizzi in the Chronicles are quite pretty ' check them out in our Children's Literature section. Final verdict: Holly Black's stories of the fae breathe new life into a world overrun by vampires and werewolves.
Katie's Review ∆
 

A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry
Many people know Lois Lowry from her most famous works Number the Stars and The Giver, but fewer have read her very first novel A Summer to Die. I first read the book when I checked it out from my grade school library and I have never forgotten it. The book starts out seeming to be a story about a very typical sibling relationship. There is jealousy, clashing personalities, and the usual amount of bickering. However when one of the two girls falls ill with leukemia it quickly becomes apparent that this is an entirely different type of story. While Meg is forced to watch as her sister Molly suffers from both the disease and the treatments designed to fight it, life goes on for the family and those they know. Meg learns about photography and Molly about wildflowers. When a pregnant couple moves in next door it causes a small scandal amongst the townspeople who incorrectly assume the couple is unmarried because they have different last names. The girls become friends with the couple, who even invite Meg to photograph the birth of their baby. When Molly is rushed back to the hospital she makes Meg promise to tell the baby to wait to be born until she returns. I won't spoil the ending, but I promise it will make you both laugh and cry. This is a touching story that I recommend to adults and children old enough to deal with issues of life, death, and the varying emotions that accompany both.
Liz's Review ∆

 

The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
This book is the first in the line of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, a line of young adult fiction that is easy to enjoy for young and old alike. The books chronicle the misadventures of three young orphans as they try to find happiness in their lives while a vicious relative schemes to steal their inheritance from them. The prospect seems very gloomy; even the narrator tries to dissuade the reader from continuing. These books remain among my most favorite because the style of narration is so fresh and original--the narrator, Mr. Snicket, asserts his voice strongly at times, hinting that he is in some sort of dire, implausible situation. Some of my favorite parts of the series are the way Snicket defines words. Rather than giving a basic definition, the reader is given a quirky explanation sometimes relevant to the orphans' predicament, sometimes referring to something completely bizarre. The books are short, but sweet (perhaps bittersweet at times), making them a perfect choice for young readers and a treat for literary veterans.

I would recommend each and every one of the thirteen (would you expect anything else from a series like this?) of Snicket's books, but I'll settle for recommending the first, and I guarantee it'll be so good you won't need anyone to tell you to pick up the next.
Allan's Review ∆
 

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to a corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew." Transfer student Stargirl Caraway surprises her new classmates at Mica Area High School when she approaches each one of them warmly. She lives without the self-consciousness exhibited by the majority of the students. Narrator Leo chronicles Stargirl's transition from the subject of curious gossip, through her earned popularity as the cheerleading squad's newest member (who cheers whenever either team scores), during Stargirl's ensuing social isolation and beyond. I adored this book as a pre-teen, due mostly to Stargirl's indomitable spirit. The wisdom contained in this short (at 186 pages) novel is relevant at any age, though the experience of high school is vividly expressed. Keep a kleenex handy, and prepare to feel the urge to be yourself. Stargirl's passion for life can be contagious.
Katie's Review ∆
 

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Amazing! This book is easily the favorite of all the books my daughter Isabel (9) and I have read together this year. We were drawn to Selznick's first full-length novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a few years ago - and I was thrilled to encounter his latest. Like Hugo, Wonderstruck showcases Selznick's art and his unique way of using illustration to move the plot. This story alternates between the tales of two characters, Ben (whose story is told all in language) and Rose (whose story is told entirely in pictures). Ben lives in Gunflint Lake, Minnesota in 1977. The death of his mother leads him on a journey to find the father he has never known. He carries a "museum box" with him - a collection of objects with special meaning to him - and follows leads to New York City. Rose lives in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1927. She is fascinated with the New York City buildings she sees in the distance. She is preoccupied with her absent mother. Her older brother, who works at the Museum of Natural History, turns out to be a strong ally.

This book is inspiring on multiple levels. It's full of epiphanies about itself - a plot point is revealed that suddenly draws earlier elements into focus, leaving the reader with a great sense of "Oh! That's why..." It also lends the reader a new sense of excitement about the natural world and the mysterious way life unfolds and points intersect. It's a fantastic read-aloud with your kiddo; a great selection for yourself; a spot-on gift for that 9-14 year-old niece/nephew. Anyone who reads this book will be wonderstruck.
Cinnamon's Review ∆

Little Bunny on the Move by Peter McCarty
A bunny on the move! Past one brown cow, past five fat sheep, this bunny would not stop! Peter McCarty, whom I was unfamiliar with until I happened upon this book while perusing the shelves of A Novel Idea, Chapter Two's Children's section - as I often do for books I think my nieces and nephews might enjoy. I instantly loved this one! Peter McCarty is the author as well as illustrator - which is half the appeal for me when it comes to Children's books. The illustrations have this sort of whimsical feel to them and somehow make you feel peaceful and at ease. The pictures in a sense are detailed but yet still very simple and would be great for small children that need that 'simple' quality to a book. Little Bunny on the Move was named New York Times best illustrated book of the year, for good reason. This particular story reminds me a lot of a most beloved story to me, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. And not just because of the bunnies. Both aren't too lengthy and both show the importance family has. Other books by McCarty are: Night Driving, Hondo and Fabian, T is for Terrible plus, a few others. I'm going to keep an eye out for the rest!    DeeAnn's Review ∆ 

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be." This is a very sweet and loving story about the the special bond between mother and child. It's starts off with the mother and her newborn and continues as he grows and goes through the typical stages of "having strange friends, wearing strange clothes and listening to strange music!." It's a touching story. I recently purchased a copy of this book for my own collection for when the nieces and nephews come to visit and my friend who is currently visiting expressed how much she loved this book. She told me when she was little her mother used to read it to her all the time and she plans to get a copy herself one day for her own children. I also had a copy growing up and it was very dear to my Mom's heart. Rarely do I read it without having a tear in my eye at the end. (It's a good tear though!) I enjoy the fact that the illustrations are on one page and the story is printed on the opposite page. I think you can appreciate the pictures more and I feel it makes it easier to read. I think kids of preschool age would best enjoy this particular read, but I have memories of it at an earlier age. Robert Munsch has written over 40 children's books including, Mortimer, Promise Is A Promise and Put Me In A Book.  
DeeAnn's Review ∆

Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
I'm sure I am preaching to the choir on this one.  It seems like I was one of the last living members of society to read these books; however, if you haven't, and you want more convincing, read on.  Perhaps I  was scared off by people talking about Dumble-something-or-other and Griffin-whose-it-whats-it, or maybe it was the (to put it mildly) enthusiasm shown over a Children's book that kept me away from this series, heck, maybe I was just stubborn, however I am glad I got over it.  This is a really fun and (dare I say) intelligent read.  I struggled through the first two books - sometimes being highly annoyed by the writing, but if you get through those, I can promise the books after will be a real treat.  And don't just say, "oh, I've seen the movies." Seriously, these make the movies better.  If you're looking for a good spring and summer series to sink into (perhaps while lying in a hammock?) put these on your list.      
Matthew's Review ∆
 

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
 This is a wonderful book to read aloud to your kids. Isabel was 5 the winter we read Because of Winn-Dixie . Every night for a week, we curled up to read for an hour or so. She loved Opal (10), who has moved with her preacher father to a new town. Opal has questions about her absent mother and feels out of sorts in her new environment. She finds a dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie offers humor and companionship and gives Opal a sense of responsibility. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal meets new friends and draws closer to her father. Kate DiCamillo creates great characters. This is a touching and entertaining book. After our week of reading, Isabel & I watched the movie based on the book. It was a good adaptation, and a great experience to see my daughter notice differences between the book and the movie. That launched a conversation about decisions writers/directors/costumers make when adapting a book for the screen. ("EVERYTHING in movies is a choice? Even the CLOTHES people wear? Whoa!") Yeah...whoa. One of the best things about parenting is opening up their little minds!Cinnamon's Review ∆
 

Horace and Morris by James Howe
Horace and Morris stories are about two best friends and the little adventures they encounter while growing up. They go to school and are friends with a girl named Dolores. So far there are 3 Horace and Morris books: Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores is about the boys joining an all-boys club, which leaves Dolores feeling left out. Dolores then decides to make her own club just for girls - but is it really more fun when everyone can't play together?! Horace and Morris Join the Chorus (but what about Dolores) is about when Horace and Morris make the chorus but Dolores does not. With determination and some practice, along with the help of  Moustro Provolone (did I mention these are mouse characters?!), Delores develops her talent for songwriting and is able to participate.  Horace and Morris Say Cheese is about, yup you guessed it, cheese! To them swiss is bliss, muenster is magnificent, and nothing's better than cheddar. I'm sure you can already tell how funny these books are.  For the most part, these are simple stories and they will easily hold a 4-5 year old's attention. Each book has some type of problem but in the end they figure out how to fix it or better deal with the situation. There is problem solving and lessons to learn.  These are great books for boys and girls, and would appeal equally to both.    
DeeAnn's Review∆ 

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Like most of you, I first read Flowers for Algernon in middle school. While I enjoyed it at the time, my understanding of it was of course at a middle school level. And like many classics of children's literature, Flowers for Algernon has emotional and intellectual levels that can only truly be appreciated by an adult. So when I re-read it recently I was struck by how differently I viewed a work that I had thought I so thoroughly knew. The very first thing that I noticed was the craftsmanship and detail of the work. The novel is written entirely as journal entries by Charlie, an adult male in his thirties with an IQ of 68 who undergoes an experimental procedure that ends up giving him an IQ of 185. The reader is able to watch Charlie's intellect grow as the journal entries change from the understanding and abilities of a child to those of a genius. The second thing that I felt was extreme pain and grief for Charlie as his growing intellect gives him the ability to understand other people's thoughts and motivations. One of his first realizations is that people whom he had considered friends were in fact cruelly laughing at him. And then comes the cruelest twist of fate, Charlie's discovery that he will deteriorate just as Algernon has, and with his increased IQ he has the ability to understand just what that loss will mean for him. If you haven't read this book since your school days I recommended reading it again as soon as you can. You will be surprised at how complex and moving this book for children really is.   
Liz 's Review ∆

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
People love reality television shows. We get involved with the characters and feel their passion. We compare ourselves to them, or against them, judge them, get caught up in the drama and escape our less exciting lives. There are hundreds of reality shows right now: imagine one in the future, post-Apocalypse. What would it look like, and what would it mean?
In The Hunger Games, the first book in a young-adult trilogy, Suzanne Collins tells of Katniss and her participation in the new reality TV. Teenagers are chosen by lottery to play The Hunger Games, a fight against almost overwhelming odds to be the last one standing. Literally. To be a contestant means her family will have food. To win means her family will have food for life. To lose...means one less mouth to feed. And everyone watches: it's the national sport, and obligation.
I blew through this book like a windstorm, and as soon as I finished I wanted to read it again - which I'm doing now. The Hunger Games well deserves a place in the post-Apocalyptic literary pantheon, which serves as both allegory and warning. And like all good young-adult literature, it tests boundaries by showing us a mirror of ourselves and what we could be. 
Katherine's Review ∆ 

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Here is a fun, silly, imaginative tale that is likely to be enjoyed by any child. It was one of the most reached for books on our bookshelf growing up - by all four of us kids. It all begins in the small town of Chewandswallow, a town, for the most part like any other small town except for the strange weather they have there. For when it storms it doesn't actually rain water. You never know what the weather might bring- there may be a "brief shower of orange juice, with low clouds of sunny side up eggs." I like how clever this story is and the illustrations are detailed and awesome. It isn't necessarily for toddlers but it's certainly a book worth keeping on your shelf until your kids can really enjoy it. It's a good, wholesome, silly story that leaves you happy in the end. Everyone should have a copy in their home!   
DeeAnn's Review ∆

Fun Food by Stephanie Rosenbaum
This book is changing my life. It was a gift from Santa to my kids, Isabel (8) & Aidan (7). Hands down, this is the best cookbook for children I've seen. It has a section at the beginning on basics, so kids have a chance to practice technique - measuring, chopping, stove safety, etc. The rest of the book is filled with great recipes for delicious, healthy food. The list of ingredients is not overly long - and most recipes are basic but teach ways to make substitutions so you can do things like turn your lemon-shrimp pasta dish into a sundried tomato & salami pasta dish. It is well-illustrated with photographs that detail step-by-step instructions, which really helped my kids' confidence.
They first tried the smoothies. Blueberry-banana-grape juice, strawberry-banana-orange juice...once they got the hang of the blender, they were making them on their own. It was a happy day when they brought a smoothie (garnished with a fresh strawberry!) to me while I was working on bills in my office. Then Isabel made her first dinner: bowtie pasta with ham & peas in a parmesan cream sauce with fresh oregano. She only needed help draining the pasta and was thrilled to have made a meal for the family.
We've tried other cookbooks geared for children - but either the list of ingredients was overwhelming or the layout wasn't so inviting. Fun Food is a book that draws you in and shows you how simple and fun it is to create great meals. Even though it's designed for kids, this is a fantastic book for any beginning cook!   
Cinnamon's Review ∆
 

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Do I even need to say what a wonderful, classic book this is?! I hardly think so but I will go on just in case. This book is very simple and I say that in a positive way - it's important when trying to keep the attention span of a toddler. Clemet Hurd does a magnificent job illustrating. Bright yet warm colors on one page and black and white on others. When I was taking care of a special needs girl, we used to read this book over and over every time I saw her. Honestly, I never got tired of it. She especially liked "the quiet old lady who was whispering hush!" and "the kittens and mittens" and "bowl full of mush"! One of the first books I had growing up (that I didn't have to share with my older siblings) was another book by Brown, The Runaway Bunny, which still holds a dear place in my heart. She has written MANY children's books and she is in the top three of my favorite children's authors!   
DeeAnn's Review ∆
 

Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene
Whenever I finish what I consider to be a heavy book and am looking for something a little lighter, first that comes to mind is Nancy Drew. There are plenty of titles to choose from and I have yet to get bored with them. Also, you don't have to start with book #1. With each case, the reader is briefed about the prime characters and a bit of their history. Each case is easy to slip into. These books are great for a range of ages - young adult and up. I enjoy a good mystery as much as the next guy, but more times than not, I find they can be too much for me and I wind up huddled under the covers at night! With Nancy Drew, on the other hand, I can read and sleep in peace. Mystery and suspense, I keep turning the pages! Growing up, my friend Sarah and I had our own idea of a slumber party - which consisted of good food and staying up late, reading as many Nancy Drew mysteries as possible before falling asleep ... or as many as we were allowed to check out at the local library. They still have not gotten old for me!   
DeeAnn's Review ∆

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Not since Rebecca's World by Terry Nation (which I have been looking for a copy of for years now) have I been so absolutely absorbed by a children ' s story. This book actually forms a dichotomy between an adult and child ' s understanding of the story. To a child, it is a great adventure; there are deserts, small planets in outer space, and of course lots of imagination. For an adult, it is an allegory on life, love, and society, seeing what ' s not really there, using your heart. Did the sheep eat the rose? This book is required reading for, well, everyone.
Chris's Review ∆

Ronia the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren
One day Ronia, who lives in the forest with her family and their robber clan, was out exploring the woods. While in the woods she meets Birk, the son of a rival robber and enemy to Ronia's father. Enemies at first, they soon become friends and must keep their friendship hidden. It is only a matter of time before the plot thickens and their secret is revealed. You'll find all sorts of characters in this book. Ronia's story is full of fantasy, imagination, adventure, danger and fun. It will teach you important lessons such as to love, to forgive and to never give up! Ronia is a headstrong heroine who will capture your imagination instantly! I first read this story when I was a teenager along with my best friend. Even though it is a children's chapter book, it didn't take away from the enticement of a well written story. This tale always makes me want to go exploring in the woods and find my own adventure. I still have hopes of becoming a forest child! This is just one of Astrid Lindgren's classic children's stories - Pippi Longstocking is another book you have probably heard of! I am ready to reread Ronia's tale the moment I finish it. Definitely in my top 10 favorite books. I love it and I think you will too!   
DeeAnn's Review ∆

  The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan has the magic and monsters of Harry Potter mixed with an element of X-Men that creates a captivating and wonderful adventure story. Percy Jackson has ADHD and has been kicked out of several schools. He doesn't seem to fit in, that is, until he accidentally vaporizes his math teacher. What we discover is that Percy is no average 12 year-old, but rather the son of a Greek god. In fact, his ADHD is merely caused by his incredible ability to read ancient Greek. I wish I had that problem! What is wonderful about Riordan's story is that not only does Percy's quest introduce the reader to Medusa, Cerberus, Procrustes, Titans, and Minotaures but it successfully blends a modern coming of age story with classical storytelling. It kept me captivated. The hero in this book really is a hero, whether he succeeds or not. The Lightning Thief is a clever and fun read. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading about Percy's other adventures.
Carolyn's Review ∆ 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
I picked this up at my 6 year-old daughter's book fair with the intention of reading it myself. She was intrigued and asked slyly, "So...if you're going to read that book to yourself...what if I just sit next to you and you SAY the words OUT LOUD?" And that is how we came to read this book together. It's a huge book, practically a door stop, but don't let that deter you. We were entranced. Hugo is an orphan who winds the clocks at a train station in Paris. Isabelle is the bookish, eccentric granddaughter of a cranky old toy shop owner. Hugo gradually begins to trust her enough to allow her into the mystery surrounding his prized possession: a mechanical man he has been slowly repairing over time. What does the mechanical man do? Why was he created? Who created him? These questions drive Hugo & Isabelle to visit bookstores, theaters and a film school. It's a great story. What's remarkable about it, though, is the illustrations. There are pages of them at a time...and they not only illustrate the text but serve to move the plot on their own, which makes for especially fun reading with a 6 year-old! Winner of the 2007 Caldecott Award, this is an innovative book geared toward younger readers...but it is thoroughly enjoyable at any age.   
Cinnamon's Review ∆
 

Messenger by Lois Lowry
Messenger ends Lowry's dystopia series that began with her Newberry Award winning novel The Giver. In Messenger, characters from The Giver and Gathering Blue have escaped or left their unwelcoming communities to travel to Village, a place that supports and nourishes undesirables. Lowry gracefully weaves social criticism with a touching story about fitting in and individual strength. Like her other novels in the series, Messenger leaves the reader with only some closure, but with an overwhelming sense of hope. Messenger not only satisfies young adult literary requirements by providing a mix of genre, a fast paced story, and a main character, Matty, who begins to move to adulthood, but also tells an enjoyable and magical story. I enjoyed this novel because Lowry reminded me that family and community are important. She does so without being didactic, but rather by telling a wonderful story about the good of humanity.
Carolyn's Review ∆

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst
With the recent loss of our beautiful store cat, Silas, my thoughts have naturally turned to dealing with grief and the process of acceptance.  Someone once asked me what I do when I feel lost and drifting, and my answer was heartfelt: I go back to my children's books, as they hold wisdom in simplicity while not being simplistic. I took my own advice and opened up The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst. In this picture book, a boy is mourning Barney the cat, who has just died. The boy's mother suggests he think of ten good things about Barney to say at the funeral...he can only think of nine. His process of discovering the tenth is his story about traveling through grief and coming to terms with his loss. This is a fantastic book to share with a young person undergoing his or her own coping journey and I believe it excellent for us older folks as well. Simple, not simplistic. As I thumbed through The Tenth Good Thing About Barney last night in preparation for writing this recommendation, I learned when I had last opened this book. Falling out of the book were photographs of our first great store cat, Mr. O.K. It seems I had taken my own good advice before, and before this book closes again, it will have a picture of Silas resting next to the photograph of O.K.   
Katherine's Review ∆         

The Kitten Book, by Jan Pfloog
Having this picture book as a child is probably the reason that I am such a cat lover today.  Also, it is one of the few books that I can remember having as a child, remembering the wonderful drawings exactly as they were from all those years ago.  The first thing you notice are the big eyes staring back at you, and that the book isn't squared off like others , it takes the shape of the cats on the cover!  It takes you through kitties� development from their eyes being shut to discovering their world.  The illustrations are colorful, expressive and full of movement, just like kittens should be.  My favorite is the one of two kitties discovering a turtle.  This is just right for a child around 4-years old and they�ll treasure it for years to come.
Julie's Review ∆

Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell
This Young Adult selection is a former Newbery Award Medal winner.  My fifth-grade teacher read it aloud to our class, and when I saw it on our shelf at the store, I decided to re-visit this classic.  It is based on true events, about a young woman who was found to have spent 18 years alone on the island of San Nicholas.

As it starts, Karana is only 12 years old, and is the daughter of the chief of Ghalas-at, as they called San Nicholas.  In the spring, a group of Aleuts led by a Russian came to hunt otters on the island.  They made a deal with the chief to give half to the tribe.  As they were leaving, they reneged on their deal, and there was a fight between the Aleuts and the tribesmen.  Many were lost. 

Life is hard on the island after that, and the workload is redistributed between the remaining men and the women of the tribe.  The next spring, one of the elders decides to find a new island to the East for them to live, with the white men.  A ship returns with white men to take the tribe to the new land, but Karana is left behind.  And now she must learn how to survive - how to find food, make shelter, make clothes, make weapons, repair canoes, and fend off wild animals.  But what will be her biggest enemy - the wild animals, or loneliness?  This is a beautifully written book - you can almost picture the island in your mind, it is so well described.  Even after so many years, I still remembered parts of it.  If you like this book, you might also like "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George.
Julie's Review ∆

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card
There are some books out there that really do choose you.  Sometimes, not in the noblest way. 

Ms. Hanson, my sixth-grade teacher, required every Friday we sit in silence for forty-five minutes in class and read a book of our choosing. To get twenty-some odd 'tweens' to sit in quietly anywhere is idealistic at best; expecting them to /actually read /while surrounded by their peers probably borders on delusion. 

So Friday comes along and I haven't a clue what I'm going to bring to class.  I hadn't had anything the previous weeks and was getting pretty sick and tired of staying after school "serving time" for my blatant disregard for this completely unreasonable exercise.  I literally run into the library between passing classes, grab the first book I see, and head on in. 

Ender's Game blew me away.

A group of young gifted children are groomed in simulated war games to fight off an alien species that had attacked earth decades before any of them were born.  It wasn't the action, or even the science fiction appeal that pulled me (and many of the other Card fans I've met) in.  Orson Scott Card does a remarkable job of telling the /story/ of his characters.  Themes of forgiveness, the "grey" areas of morality, and the awkwardness of family ties permeate this book; really forcing the reader to love characters not out of their inherent goodness, but because ultimately we forgive them for their faults and weaknesses.

This is a perfect book though, for young and old alike.  I revisit Andrew "Ender" Wiggin's story at least once a year.  Easy to read, fast-paced, and enjoyable.  There is little 'literary flare' in this tome, be aware; if you are looking for an excellent novel from a master story-teller, this is for you.  
James' Review ∆

 Bunnicula, by James Howe
Its hard to beat a vampire bunny for sheer entertainment value. One who sucks vegetables white. Beware, crispers of the world! Toss in a paranoid cat and a somewhat less concerned dog, along with an innocent human family, and you're ready for mayhem around the house. Check out the sequels as well, including The Celery Stalks at Midnight. My copy notes and 8-12 year old age range, but dramatic readings from this book on road trips with your friends make the time fly by.         
Katherine's Review ∆
 

The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes
Wanda has 100 dresses but she always wears the same plain blue one to school where the other girls tease her. When she moves away suddenly she leaves behind some precious gifts, tangible and intangible, for her classmate Maddie. Teaching compassion, tolerance, and the value of not making assumptions, this book is perfect for a girl between 7 and 11 years old.          
Katherine's Review ∆
 

The Music of the Dolphins, by Karen Hesse
This remarkable book, suitable for children ages 9 and up, raises several important questions about the primacy of human society over animal society and how we define families. At the age of four, Mila is shipwrecked and raised by dolphins. When she is rescued as a teenager she is taught human language, music and social mores, but yearns for her "true" family. Hesse describes the journey Mila takes very effectively and the story sweeps you along. I highly recommend Karen Hesses other books as well.          
Katherine's Review ∆
 

The Fairy Tale Books of Andrew Lang
I cut my teeth on this series at a very early age, particularly The Red Fairy Book. We had a red (natch) cloth-bound copy that I read literally to shreds. Since then I've collected the entire series (thoughtfully reprinted by Dover), all twelve "colors." Andrew Lang was a collector of fairy tales from Grimm and Andersen and beyond, and printed them, along with gorgeous woodcuts, in a series of red, blue, lilac, yellow, etc. Im sure that early on they were read to me, but I sought them out ever after. A glorious collection, including old favorites and the obscure stories one delights in finding.         
Katherine's Review ∆
 

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katharine Paterson
One of the reasons why I like this story is because it involves a close friendship between a boy and a girl at an age when these relationships tend to be discouraged a child's peer group. Written for children ages 8-12, the book still has appeal for me as an example of thinking outside of the box and the power of imagination. Paterson also deals very tenderly and realistically about loss. One of the many children's books I reread.          
Katherine's Review ∆
 

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls
My fifth-grade teacher, Miss Pepper, read this to us as a class, and it was a profound experience. Yes, she was an excellent reader, but the experience wasn't diminished by the fact that she couldn't read some of the last parts of the book: she had a student read it aloud instead while she hid in the closet. She couldn't bear it and would start crying. Tragedy and grief affect kids every day, and I think it is an important subject for them to explore in literature as a way to deal with and learn from their actual experiences. Don't get me wrong: this book isn't such a downer. A boy, his two coon dogs, the Ozarks, their escapades - and lots of sheer joy, which is the flipside of sadness.          
Katherine's Review ∆

When Thunders Spoke, by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve
This is a contemporary Dakota Sioux story about a reservation family experiencing strange occurrences when the fifteen-year-old son recovers a old coup stick from the land. A coming-of-age story told with mysticism and history, with values familial and cultural. Check out her other books written for pre-teens and teens, especially High Elk's Treasure.          
Katherine's Review ∆
 

Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
A family drinks from an everlasting spring of water - and becomes immortal. This family moves from place to place over the years to escape attention - and comes upon a girl who needs some attention. Learn about what can happen between them through this book, and what wisdom people can have as they travel through their lives - however long they last.         
Katherine's Review ∆
 

Lizard Music, by D. Manus Pinkwater
Imagination. This is the most important element of children's books. Imagination nurtures brain development, addresses worlds children live in, and provides a vehicle for education. D. Manus Pinkwater lives and works in a world of imagination for children of ages up to fourteen and beyond, and one of my favorites is Lizard Music. Think Home Alone with musical lizards, an enterprising "street person," Claudia the chicken, and Walter Cronkite. Guaranteed to surprise, satisfy, and stimulate the imagination. Wait until you see Thunderbolt Island.         
Katherine's Review ∆
 

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is with no doubt in my mind the best work of children's fantasy to be written since CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Much like Narnia, The Golden Compass and sequels, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, are at their core fantastic novels of magic and adventure being cast upon ordinary children. Again, like Lewis' work, layers can be peeled away by more learned adults and individuals will be surprised at how much depth, allegory, symbolism and metatext can be found here. Theologians, historians, linguists and scientists of all kinds can find something in these books to spark their imagination and curiosity.           
James' Review ∆
 

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'engle
You might have read this one when you were a kid, or you may have not. If you haven't, go read it now. If you have, read it again. This among others is the story that really launched a fascination with science fiction and stories of the fantastic. The book is a very smart piece of work when viewed through the eyes of a 10 year old, and even as an adult you'll be surprised at just how smart it really is. A story of adventure following the slightly off-kilter Murry family, A Wrinkle in Time is also a great introduction to far-fetched, mathematical concepts and questions of theology that people of every age will ask themselves. Yes, there is some Christian undertone here, but it's not nearly as preachy or heavy-handed as that found in CS Lewis' Narnia or Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Despite that, it is still a novel.
James' Review ∆