Let's Talk About Books
From fantasy to realism, fiction to nonfiction, middle grade to YA, there are inspirational books out there with characters exploring their Christian faith. They aren't always easy to find, so I've done the leg work for you. Choose your genre. These are my favorites. FANTASY The Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer Four kids are swept… Continue reading Middle Grade Christian Books
There's some darn good writing going on in the books that made this list. There's something for everyone. In addition to traditional prose novels, there's also a graphic novel and a book written in verse, both Newbery winners. There's a National Book Award finalist and two Coretta Scott King honor books. My personal favorite is… Continue reading African-American Books for Boys
Who says kids can't make money? These kids did. Follow them through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. With a little creativity and smart-thinking, you might just be on your way to some hard-earned cash. Comic books. Lemonade stands. Babysitting. Baking. Repairing things. Whatever your interest. There's a way to make money doing it. Lunch… Continue reading MG Books About Kid Entrepreneurs
Ice skating. Hockey. Skiing. Grab a cozy chair and a warm drink, then settle in for some good old-fashioned winter sports competition. You don't have to be a winter athlete to thoroughly enjoy the hilarity and/or drama you'll find among these winter picks. Sometimes the competition is more than you bargained for, but just as… Continue reading Books About Winter Sports
Picking the best books of the year is always hard. Undoubtedly some great ones get missed. One thing is for sure in 2019. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart solidly beats out all the others. My favorites are those from consistent performers like Kate DiCamillo, but I've taken notice of up-and-coming talent… Continue reading Best of 2019
Drama. What's middle school without the "D" word? We hate it. We love it. Throw together some friends and enemies. Top it off with a crush or two. Voila. Instant drama. If you're looking for middle school disasters, mix-ups, and competitions, all of that is also in store for you with any of these picks.… Continue reading Friends, Enemies, and Crushes
What to do when you've outgrown early elementary series, but aren't quite ready for middle grade? Check out these excellent bridge series. Whether you like historical fiction, realistic fiction, or fantasy, there's a book for everyone on this list. Even though these are targeted for boys, girls will enjoy them as well. Danger and excitement… Continue reading Series For 4th Grade Boys
4th grade is the year when kids are moving out of elementary books (K-3) and into middle grade books (5-8). Some kids need more time to acclimate to the lengthy, descriptive, middle grade books. These series are sweetly entertaining, with characters in grades 6-8, but with reading levels for grades 3-4. Definite winners for fun… Continue reading Series For 4th Grade Girls
You don't have to look any further than AGT to know Americans love magic. Magician Shin Lim stole the show in 2018 and Americans voted him the winner. Secretly, we probably all wish we could perform magic. While you work on that, check out these fantastic stories about young magicians and the magical worlds they… Continue reading Books About Magicians and Carnivals
There's something about motels and inns. The adventure of being away from home. A place to rest after exploring new places. Interesting people. Are you with me? Whether you're more interested in the mom and pop roadside motel or the grand hotel in the country, there's an adventure waiting on the pages of these highly… Continue reading MG Books Set in Motels/Inns
Kids love to see themselves in the books they read. It's comforting to know they're not alone. Authors have become a significant force in bringing awareness of the mental challenges kids face. It's not easy dealing with or understanding ADD, OCD and anxiety, but these books help bring about some clarity and hopefully empathy. Focused… Continue reading MG Books About Kids With ADD, OCD and Anxiety
There's no doubt that team sports take top billing in real life viewership, but when it comes to books, individual sports have equal footing. Some of the best characters and plots can be found in books about golfing, gymnastics, swimming and running. Gold Medal Summer by Donna Freitas Joey is an elite gymnast who wants… Continue reading MG Books About Summer Sports
Oh, the sweet memories of summer vacation. Lazy days on the beach. Canoe rides on the lake. Summer theatre. Summer friends. Ice cream cones. Long rides in the car. Endless miles of bike riding. Puzzles and games. Sunshine. Rain. Books. Family. Nothing can quite compare to the freedom that comes with summer. Olive’s Ocean by… Continue reading Middle Grade Books About Summer Vacation
Professional soccer has been slow to catch on in the U.S., but it's finally attracting an impressive following, especially with women. It's been a mainstream youth sport for the last couple of decades, so naturally kids look for it in the books they read. Boys' Soccer Booked by Kwame Alexander Nick loves soccer and hates… Continue reading Middle Grade Soccer Stories
Is summer camp all it's cracked up to be? Depends on who you ask. These books will give you a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of camp. Crazy camp directors. Cabin raids. Dances. Friends. Enemies. Goats. And a whole lot of problem solving. Camp Average by Craig Battle Mack is back at camp for… Continue reading Books About Summer Camp
Kids like to see themselves in books, but they also crave understanding of those who are not like them. This list focuses on kids with behaviors on the autism spectrum. You're sure to walk away with a better understanding of what it's like to live with autism. The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla Charlie… Continue reading Books About Kids on the Autism Spectrum
Opening Day. The National Anthem. Throwing out the first pitch. Peanuts and Cracker Jacks. These books capture the spirit of the American pastime. From dedicated sports authors Mike Lupica, Tim Green, and John Feinstein to those branching out into new territory, every book on this list is a winner. Mascot by Antony John Noah is… Continue reading Middle Grade Baseball Stories
Oh, the wisdom of grandparents. And the idiosyncrasies. And the forgetfulness. We have so much to learn before they pass to the great beyond. This list of books captures the magic that bonds the old and the young. The things they say. The things you'll learn. Don't let these books go unread. Louisiana’s Way Home… Continue reading MG Books That Bridge the Generation Gap
It's time to hit the road with these excellent stories of adventure on four wheels. The best of the best are Kate DiCamillo's Louisiana's Way Home and Dan Gemeinhart's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Both are Newbery worthy. If you're looking for a dose of humor with your adventure then check out Dan Gutman's… Continue reading Middle Grade Road Trip Stories
Can't get to Florida? Let a book take you there. Kate DiCamillo, Jennifer Holm and Carl Hiaasen have cornered the market on Florida, the setting of most of their books. But don't miss Chris Grabenstein's Welcome to Wonderland series about a family's beach motel or Ginny Rorby's How to Speak Dolphin about dolphinariums. Tiger Rising… Continue reading Middle Grade Books Set in Florida
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