Picture Books
by Andrea Wang
While driving our old Pontiac around rural Ohio one day, my parents saw a crop of watercress growing in the ditch. We all piled out and gathered fistfuls of the plant, putting them in discarded paper bags. We took them home and added them to our meals.
But I'm tired of eating scavenged food, wearing hand-me-down clothes, and filling our house with trash-heap furniture. I want to eat food from the grocery store. I want to look and dress like the other girls in my class. I don't want to be embarrassed to invite people to our home anymore. Mom sees my frustration, brings me a photo of her childhood family, and tells me about her life in China.
Based on the true story of the author's experience as an Asian American, this multiple award-winning book is about perspective and learning to be grateful for what you have, even if it feels like very little.
by Caroline Starr Rose
In the 1880s, only two percent of the world's journalists were women. With the immense popularity of Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days readers were fascinated with the idea of global travel. Technological advancements like the telegraph and steamboat were changing the landscape of the entire world, making it feel faster and smaller. In this age of discovery, two relatively unknown female reporters attempted to do something no woman, nor man, for that matter, had ever done before: travel all the way around the world in less than 75 days. It was a race to the finish line that only one of them could win. Which woman would it be?
Against all odds, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland made the voyage of a lifetime. This is their story.
by Emma Bland Smith
It all started when a British pig wandered onto the fields of an American potato farmer. The year was 1859, nearly fifty years after the two countries had signed the Treaty of Ghent. And yet, because of the still-looming bad blood between the Brits and his fellow Yanks, farmer Lyman killed the pig and had him for dinner. This porcine feast put the two countries at odds once again. Troops were gathered, guns were loaded, and battle plans were drawn up. On one hot September day off the coast of the small island of San Juan, the two frienemies faced a choice: Do we fight to the death, or can we lower our weapons and agree to share the hotly-contested land?
This is a true story that gives new meaning to the words "That escalated quickly!"
by Caron Levis
When kind-hearted Charlie arrives at the animal rescue center, he's nearly blind. He must learn new ways to see. Jack, on the other hand, has two healthy eyes but struggles to see the good in others because of some past trauma at the hands of his previous owner. In time, the pair develop an unlikely friendship. Jack becomes Charlie's eyes, and Charlie helps Jack learn to trust again.
Inspired by the real relationship between Charlie, a blind horse, and Jack, a socially awkward goat--two animals at Wild Heart Ranch Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Claremore, Oklahoma--this is a story of love, patience, recovery, and unexpected friendship.
Leveled Readers
by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Baby Bear needs a hug. She first turns to Mom, then to Dad. Both of them give such wonderful hugs. Sometimes they're big; sometimes they're small. Sometimes they're wet; sometimes they're dry. She likes all the hugs. But the most special hug of all, she discovers, is one given by them both--a hug for three!
This Level 1 rhyming reader contains a mix of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences, each with three to five words.
Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
by Peter and Connie Roop
Mother has fallen ill. Father embarks on a perilous journey to the mainland for medicine, food, and supplies, leaving his young daughter Abbie in charge of tending the lighthouse. Shortly after he sets sail in their small skiff, a ferocious storm batters their island. Waves pound the shore for four weeks. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Abbie dutifully lights the lamps each night, a testament to the vital role of lighthouse keeping in maritime history.
This book, based on the true story of Abbie Burgess, tells of a young girl's heroism during the devastating 1856 storm off the coast of Maine.
Illustrated Chapter Books
by Laura James
A small dachshund hound named Gizmo moves to the village of Puddle. Here, he meets Jilly, an Irish wolfhound, and her four puppies, who are soon to be adopted and sent to homes all across the country. Distraught over the possibility of never seeing her pups again, Jilly begs Gizmo for help. The "sausage dog," as he's affectionately called, determines to keep the pups nearby and launches The Daily Bark, a newspaper just for dogs. Will his efforts to spread the word to other pooches and their owners work? Will he be able to find new local homes for Jilly’s brood?
by Jean Fritz
Ann Hamilton wants her old life back. She and her family have just settled in the western part of Pennsylvania, a frontier country. Hamilton Hill is so different from her bustling hometown of Gettysburg. She misses her friends, going to school, and the conveniences of the East. But as the days quietly pass, an unexpected visitor—a soldier named George Washington—arrives. He helps Ann realize that adventure can be found anywhere.
This historical fiction will encourage readers to choose family first and to endure hardships with hope.
Middle-Grade Novels
by Carolyn Leiloglou
Vincent's little sister is missing. She's been kidnapped and is being held inside a painting.
Inside a painting?
While trying to rescue her, Vincent discovers that certain members of his family are Restorationists--artists and crime fighters in a secret society tasked with safeguarding and recovering stolen art by hopping in and out of the world's greatest canvases. Vincent realizes that he, too, is a Restorationist and must use this newfound knowledge to find his sister. And fast! With the help of his cousin Georgia, he must step inside one of the most famous works of all time, Van Gogh's Starry Night, avoid the Distortionists (the evil masterminds behind most art heists), and return them all safely home without ruining the painting. Once inside the masterpiece, however, Vincent learns that a new crime family has emerged. Unlike the Distortionists, these evil-doers are not ruining art. They are kidnapping unsuspecting kids and training them in art forgery.
And who's behind this new breed of artistic criminals? It's none other than...
Fans of Laura Martin's Glitch and Deron R. Hicks' The Van Gogh Deception will enjoy this first book in a newly developing Christian fantasy series called The Restorationists.
Please note: In one scene, Vincent and Georgia stumble into a nude portrait. The author handles the topic well, however. The pair learn why certain artists throughout history chose to paint people without clothes on. The kids brainstorm ways they can avoid portraits that make them feel uncomfortable while still enjoying the other works by those artists. Ultimately, the two walk through the scene carrying a canoe over their heads, which helps them avert their eyes from any nudity and supplies them with a built-in getaway vehicle. Additionally, there are a few uses of "Gosh" and "darn it" in the text. One cousin calls another cousin an idiot in jest.
by Bill Wallace
Bird dogs are trained to point. When one of these furry hunters finds a covey of quails, he uses his nose like an arrow, showing his master where to shoot. But not J.C. As a wee pup, he was scratched by a cat, stung by a wasp, and pecked by a bird...all on his nose. From then on, he was afraid of using his snout. He had to learn to point differently.
Every other chapter of this simple story includes one animated black-and-white sketch, making it a great title for kids transitioning from illustrated chapter books to middle-grade fiction. It's told from J.C.'s perspective. Readers will enjoy reading a puppy's humorous interpretation of his family's work-a-day lives.
Please note: J.C. refers to humans as "people animals." The father in the book smokes and uses the word "darndest" twice.
by Elizabeth Yates
As the sickly runt, Biddy should have been put out of her misery. That is the shepherd's way. Especially since by the time she arrived in Mother's kitchen, she was presumed dead. But, Biddy was nursed back to health and given to Peter, the farmer's son.
The pair grows up together, inseparable. Wherever the boy goes, the lamb goes. With the help of the wise old shepherd Benj, Peter slowly takes his place as the next shepherd, and Biddy becomes the leader of the flock. Along the way, they face many natural obstacles like storms, wolves, and the unpleasant tasks of keeping a farm.
This is the first in a sweet three-part series about the 19th-century lives of Peter and his family, who faithfully raise sheep in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
by Sharon Creech
Long ago and far away, two orphan siblings discover a leather pouch stamped with the king's seal. Before they even have a chance to understand the meaning of the bag's contents, the children are whisked off to Castle Corona to become "tasters" for the king, who fears someone is trying to poison him. Once settled at the castle, the two meet the five discontented members of the royal family. The king, queen, and their three children have everything they could ever want, but they are whiny, bored, and restless. The tasters naturally assume wealth would greatly improve anyone's life and can not understand why the king and his family complain so much. Eventually, both groups learn that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Though it doesn't follow a happily-ever-after timeline, this modern, silly fairy tale will have young readers exploring what it means to be content.
Parents, Be Aware
by Daniel Pinkwater
While looking out the window of their high-rise apartment one day, siblings Nick and Maxine notice a tiny cottage nestled in the heart of the city. “Who lives there?” they wonder. They learn that it’s none other than Mrs. Noodlekugel, a wonderfully eccentric old woman with a magical, talking cat. Though their parents explicitly instruct them not to go to the cottage, the children disobey. At first, they wonder if she is a witch. As it turns out, however, she’s just a grandmotherly type who tells fantastical stories and bakes tasty treats. Fans of Miss Piggle Wiggle will enjoy the magical realism of this story, the first in a series of 3 books. I have not read the sequels.
Things to know: When trying to gather more information about their mysterious neighbor, the children consult the apartment janitor, who tells them all about Mrs. N. but cautions them not to tell their parents about his conversation with them. Additionally, when their mom and dad learn that the children have directly disobeyed them, the parents rejoice. They reveal that since Mrs. Noodlekugel is to be the new babysitter for the siblings, they want the kids to get to know and begin to like her. Essentially, they prohibited Nick and Maxine from going to the cottage, knowing full well that the pair would disobey them.
by Cammie McGovern
“When you find your person, you will know!” These are the words that Chester has been told his whole life—by his mom, by his littermates, and by his trainer. After failing the service dog program because of his fear of loud noises, however, Chester is not sure he will ever have a person. That is until he meets Gus, a nonverbal autistic boy struggling to adapt to school. Even though he’s not technically certified, Chester does all he can to protect and serve, finding unique ways to warn adults of Gus' impending seizures and keeping the boy away from the class bully. In the end, Chester and Gus make a perfect pair.
For the most part, this is a sweet story that will help readers better understand and empathize with kids who have special needs.
Things to know: Gus suffers from periodic incontinence. Several passages describe Chester's love for the smell of Gus' urine. Additionally, one of Gus' favorite activities is Fright Fest, an annual Zombie Festival where he witnesses the fictional scene of a woman getting her head chopped off.
There is one mention of God's name used in vain.
Just for you, Mom
by Stacey Lee
By day, Chinese American Jo Kuan works as a maid to the privileged and temperamental daughter of a southern aristocrat. At night and in her free time, she writes an anonymous advice column for the town newspaper under the pseudonym Miss Sweetie.
As her column gains traction and starts to make a real difference, Jo's security is put in jeopardy. She has helped, challenged, and offended the women of Atlanta's high society, and they naturally want to meet and/or confront her. Little do they know, she is a destitute Asian American squatting in the basement of the newspaper office, taking care of her aging uncle, yet her words are shaking the foundations of their world.
This compelling YA novel delves into the universal themes of racial and gender inequality, shedding light on the struggles of Chinese Americans during the post-Reconstruction era of the Deep South.