Age 12
Ella is given the gift of obedience as a baby, which quickly reveals itself as a curse. After much suffering, Ella finally takes steps to break the curse, both for her own benefit and for a prince’s.
Based on Cinderella, this book tells a much deeper story than the fairy tale version, complete with magical creatures, a fairy godmother, mean stepsisters, and all the rest. The languages add another layer as well, and there is a glossary in the back with words from the various languages.
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I resisted these books for years, thinking they were not quality. Boy, was I wrong. I absolutely love this series and have read it many times. One of the most impressive things to me is how good a writer Rowling is—she mentions things in book one or two, then fully develops them into plot twists in future books. The attention to detail, humor, characterization, and gifted storytelling combine with a novel setting to make each book a compelling read.
This first book introduces Harry to the wizarding world. I love the descriptions of secret passageways and quirky castle magic and Harry’s whole introduction to this life. An important point to note about this series is that books 1-3 are more benign. The story gets increasingly dark with subsequent books.
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Annika is an Austrian orphan raised by servants. Though she loves her new family and her friends, she dreams of her mother arriving one day. When this actually happens, the subsequent events are not quite as Annika dreamed. She suffers and is mistreated but is ultimately rescued. Essentially, it was all an act to steal valuable jewels Annika did not even know she had.
I was delighted to discover this author when my daughter brought this book home from her school library. Between the generous amount of Vienna history, the character of Annika, and the mysterious nature of the jewels and Annika’s fate, this makes for a fast-reading book.
Click for Discussion QuestionsWhile my focus is chapter books, this picture book is worth mentioning. A friend gave it to me in college as we frequently despaired over the brazen lack of etiquette in society. In fact, we saw a disproportionate number of these very things happen on the streets of NY.
The pictures are awesome; the text is amusing (and informative). I chuckle every time I read it.
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Thirteen-year-old Laura and her family suffer through a long and difficult winter on the prairie. Heavy snows keep the trains from running to her town, and slowly, the town runs out of food. The book details the difficult winter and Almanzo’s bravery in helping to save the town.
This book, though it has a slower storyline than most other Laura books, is also one of my favorites. It highlights the interdependence of the town and the sprit that made the pioneers persevere in the face of adversity.
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This story is uniquely told using a combination of images and text. It is the story of Hugo, a Parisian boy who lives and hides in a train station in 1931. Hugo, an orphan, finds himself entirely alone in the world, but a series of connections and coincidences ends up changing his life.
This story has elements that will appeal to many audiences. First, the drawings can help to capture the comic book crowd. There is a mystery to solve, gadgets and mechanisms, history, old movies, and characters to understand.
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William, one of many children evacuated from London during the WWII bombings, finds a refuge in the country. Abused, frightened, and withdrawn as a result of his mother’s treatment, William responds to the patience and kindness of Mr. Tom, blossoming into a healthy boy, friendly boy with artistic talent.
For the most part, the story paints an encouraging picture of how a child responds positively to his nurturing surroundings. It also gives historical information about the war in terms of child evacuations. Be warned that William shows signs of physical and emotional abuse. William is reunited briefly with his abusive mother, and his disturbing living conditions are described in detail.
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Winnie is excited to learn that a new family has moved into the neighborhood. Some of the other neighbors are not, however, because the new family is black. Winnie befriends the new kids, learning much about the hurtfulness of erroneous perceptions.
The story examines stereotypes and prejudice from a sixth grader’s point of view. Blume presents these complex ideas in a simplified, straightforward way that children can understand, while acknowledging that the issues are complex. For example, at one point, Winnie remarks that the new family can’t be that different if it uses the same brand of peanut butter.
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Brian, thirteen and reeling from his parents’ recent divorce, survives a plane crash that lands him in a remote Canadian forest. With minimal supplies, Brian makes a life for himself, surviving alone for about two months before he is rescued.
The story is interesting, and Brian is inspiring in his resourcefulness and determination. Underlying the story of his struggle to survive in the wilderness is the story of his struggle to survive the divorce. Readers see Brian’s thought process and the importance of a “don’t give up” approach when overcoming adversity.
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Madeleine L’Engle has many good books centering on families, and this is one of them. In Meet the Austins, Vicky’s family is discombobulated by the arrival of a troubled orphan. Despite the difficulties Maggy presents, the family honors its commitment and makes a place for her.
Like many of L’Engle’s characters, Vicky cares about her family and her place in it. She is appreciative of her parents and siblings and is sensitive to what is right. She may be awkward and imperfect, but she is secure in her family’s love, which is a reassuring message for any child.
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