I was originally going to write this as book suggestions, but I feel like everyone knows of these books whether they be classics or they’re well-known readings for classrooms and childrens libraries. So I won’t bother repeating why they’re so good to read.
Aka what I like to think is the golden era of kids books. Or at least from my rose tinted glasses.
Secrets of Droon by Tony Abbot
This series took kids to the magical and dangerous world of Droon that is so unlike other fantasy series It was all so unique that I don’t think I have ever seen others copy bits from it like the Queen of Shadowthorns, whose absolutely terrifying or Gethwing the moon dragon. It was all just specific to Droon. I may be wrong about this, but it was a good series from what I remember.
Animorphs by KC Applegate
This was surprisingly dark for a lower school series but that was part of why it was so good. It didn’t talk down to the readers about the futileness of war, the human capability for aggression, the cost of leadership, the hollow victories etc. Also Yerks were the creepiest sort of bad guy you can imagine being able to get into your head and take over.
Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osbourne
This is another book series that got me into history, but also mystery and mythology. Really this series covers it all from famous works like Mozart’s Sun and Moon to the celebration of King Louis’s Mardi Gras to helping Merlin in Camelot. It has a timeless magic that has allowed it to keep going for all these years.
This is an absolutely heartwarming trilogy focused on a group of fith graders over the three amazing years they spend with a life changing teacher, the titular Mr. Terupt. Each have their own worries, flaws and fears from missing dads to mean girls to a class clown nature that backfires spectacularly on the boy. But with Mr. Terupt’s understanding and compassion, they all grow and start becoming friends. But can they do the same for him when the time comes for it? I highly suggest reading it. 5 stars.
Prydian Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander
Don’t watch the Disney movie is my first suggestion. They butchered and sanitized it, plain and simple. Alexander’s work here in using Welsh mythology to carve a classic hero’s tale has to be experienced wih clear eyes. He has a compelling voice as it follows Tarem, a boy who wishes to be more than a pig-sitter even if its a magical ocular pig. With his ragtag group of a sorceress scullery maid, a bumbling bard, a dwarf and said pig, they go against fearsome foes and find their true destinies. A similar book to this series is Pat O’Shea’s The Hounds of Morrigan using Celtic myths.
Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Myslowski
This is a light fun series for teens featuring Rachel, a completely average girl. Whose mom and little sister are witches. Apparently the magic skipped her. Not that she cares. . . too much. She has more important things going on her life right now like getting her sister to use that witchy magic not to overburden herself with world peace. But help her with her untamable hair, and find a date for the spring fling. However, magic sometimes cause more mishaps than it’s worth. . . A good choice for fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
I’ll admit I was one of the ones who was not on board with Archie Comics’ new look and didn’t want to read any of their new material. However, a few years ago I caved and was pleasantly surprised. It surpassed my expectations in how they combined the traditional Josie antics with a more “realistic” feel.
What do you did when you are a enter a matchmaking agency that makes you to a real life Cupid.
A Cupid. There is more than one after all.
Felicity may mess up sometimes in her matchmaking schemes (especially her choice to matchmake her parents. The aftermath scars her for life) but she is full of heart and a true romantic even when things aren’t going her way. Besides offers some true advice on love and friendship. Plus it feels relatable as she describes the skeezy house parties and boring health classes. Also it’s funny which is rare plus for me.
Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce
Pierce is a classic fantasy author, and this quartet really shows off her skills in creating a unique world. This one based on creative skills like weaving, metaworking and planting. But the main draw for me was the tight friendship of the four main characters, and seeing them come to trust and love each other as family.
While it is not impossible to love books and sports, I find most readers prefer to curl up with a book than to go out and tackle someone for a ball. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to vicariously read about sports. Here are some sporty books I enjoyed when I was a kid.
Kids
Go for the Gold Gymnasts series by Dominique Moceanu and Alicia Thompson
This middle grade series gets straight into the competitive world of gymnastics touching such points as anorexia, the physical strain on the body, pushy parents and financial straits that come when seriously committing to a sport. And that’s not even getting into the interpersonal relations in a team where you support yet also compete with each other for the top score. This gives a realistic look into the joys and struggles of the sport and as co-written by Olympic champion, Moceanu it fittingly describes and depicts the amazing feats the girls do.
For a kids (and more dated version) of this, try The Gymnasts by Elizabeth Levy.
Here’s a little break from all the book suggestions I have. I want to hear from you or really anyone’s who’s reading this little blog.
So my first question to get the ball rolling is, who has read those book novelizations of tv episodes?
Or just based on celebrities like Mary Kate and Ashley. They had so so many books based on them.
Comment below with ones you’ve read or your favorite ones? Or do you think it is a blantant cash grab? What is the point if you can just watch the episode, why read about it too?
Or what do you think of books that are from a tv show. Such as the below example, Snow Falling by Jane Villanueva. Within the show we see the process of her writing the book and now readers everywhere can see what Jane “wrote” themselves.
Or for example these books that have notes written in the margins by your favorite characters? Is it to make them more ‘real’? Just greed, creating more merchendise for people to consume?
This a good starter series for kids who want to puzzle out the whodunnit while relating to the lower school protagonists, the bookish, thoughtful Dink, the whip smart Rose and goofy Josh as they figure out the small town local mysteries that pop up in their lives from missing authors to runaway raceshorses to potential zombies.
Check out the spin off on their younger siblings in The Calendar Mysteries.
The Capital Mysteries by Ron Roy
Set in the same universe, (see below there is literally a crossover book), White House mysteries has a more specific premise following KC, the first daughter of the President and her best friend, Marshall as they also solve mysteries that threaten KC’s stepdad’s presidency and the sanctity of D.C. monuments.
Lady Grace Mysteries by Jan Burchett
This one was my favorite series as it was slightly more historical, set in queen Elizabeth’s court which creates a few more limitations for the the titular Lady in waiting to solve crimes on her majesty’s behest. But she does so with aplomb because almost no one notices a lady and yet she is privvy to much of the court’s gossip. A court where everyone has their own agendas and plans for the throne. Always exciting, I quite enjoy it and wish it had continued beyond L.
Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Ah these classic books with beautiful covers, I make a point of reading them every year. While Anne is obviously the most famous and I prefer the first five books of the series, it is worth a read of all 8 books just for Montgomery’s lush descriptions of Prince Edward Island. Also, it adds a certain extra dimension if you know of her personal life. In book 7, Rainbow Valley, she has her society ladies gossip about a preacher man and his wife, an unflattering story that closely resembles the unhappy marriage she had with her own minister husband.
The Emily of New Moon trilogy also has its beautiful descriptive passages, but it is more of an ode to writerly dreams. While Anne gives up her romantic fantasies, Emily is persistant in her goals and the way she describes that intense fever speaks to the passion Montgomery herself felt for her craft. It also adds some supernatural events and interpersonal dramas that make Emily a separate heroine from Anne to root for.
Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott
This is a less well-known book than Alcott’s famous Little Women series, and it is not quite up to par to it in all honestly, but I think this is a nice short novel that would help get kids into her work. It follows Jack and Jill after they roll down the hill and break their bones. The sledding accident leaves them bedridden. It has several of Alcott’s main themes as seen in her other novels, of being a good, virtuous person, and other teenage fun. Well fun for teenagers in the 1920s.
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