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BEST BOOKS OF THE
YEAR
Best of Year 2010
Best of Year 2008
Notables from 2007
Notables from 2006
Notables from 2005
Notables from 2004
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THEMES
Adventure
Classics
Fantasy
Fiction for the Young
Folk Literature
Friendship
Historical Fiction
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Toddlers
Preschool
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third-Fifth Grades
Upper
Grades
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Middle Grades
Reading aloud is a great idea at every age, especially
during a period when independent reading may be tapering off. In fact,
there is very little that can reinforce a lifelong habit of reading
as much as reading to children.
Most ten year olds like books with happy endings, light nonfiction,
and humorous books. Because they are comfortable with what they know,
they may be inclined to stick to familiar books and may even go back
to books they enjoyed at a younger age. This is a sign, in fact, that
the book habit is firmly in place. One way to enjoy poetry is through
anthologies, which are put together in various ways, many times by
themes or authors.
Between ten and twelve is the era of the secret club and the peer
group. Mystery and fantasy continue to be popular, but now more adult
themes and so-called "problem" books become popular. This may arise
from a need to explore life and face adult issues, however, parents
should be careful about the content of "problem" books. Many are not
appropriate for this age group.
POETRY: Children now have acquired a little background in poetry.
For many kids poetry often means humor. Both sunny ten-year-olds and
more mellow elevens and twelves may be ready for poetry of content
and seriousness. They may suddenly be open to metaphor and cadence.
Reading aloud excellent poetry cannot help but educate them to the
possibilities of language.
CONTEMPORY LIFE: Books that parallel their lives and thoughts are
always of interest to children, and probably more now as they move
toward adolescence. They may be drawn to books that are about a test
of ability of a person close to their age and trying to survive.
FANTASY: Many kids still fantasize and these books take them out of
themselves and into other times and places. Many psychologists feel
that reading fantasy to older children is one of the keys to problem-solving
skills in later life. Whether fantasy is simple or complex, historical,
contemporary, or futuristic, these books seem to be enjoyed by both
listener and reader.
MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND FOLKTALES: At this age many children are drawn
to books about the days of King Arthur, the Greek heroes and heroines,
and stories from the Bible. ANIMAL NATURE STORIES: A connection with
nature and caring about the creatures which children share the planet
with is a part of growing up. The instinct to relate to animals and
pets, or the whole outdoors is very strong in many children now, and
they should be given the opportunity to read and listen to as many
as of these stories as possible.
REMINDERS IN CHOOSING BOOKS: Whether the people children get to know
in books are miles away, in outer space or simply people from a different
background or time, books can help develop an understanding of their
lives. Help children to explore morals and values, expand their horizons
and interests, and develop creativity and problem solving. Reading
aloud as a family activity is still a great idea. Discuss books with
your children and encourage them to make wise choices.
Because of the range in maturity of this age group, we have divided
our selections of books into two sections: the 10-12 age group and
the 12-14 age group. We have found that some books that are listed
by the book industry with a Middle Grade classification may not be
suitable for the younger Middle Grade readers. |
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THE YOUNGEST
TEMPLAR: Keeper of the Grail: Book 1
written by Michael P. Spradlin, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, $17.99,
ISBN 978-0-399-24763-7), 272p, Ages 12+.
Left on the doorstep of an English Abbey as a baby and raised
by monks, fifteen-year-old Tristan dreams of seeing the world
and discovering the truth about his past. When the Templar Knights
come to the abbey on their way to fight with King Richard the
Lionheart to free the Holy Land from the Saracens, Tristan becomes
a squire to Sir Thomas, one of King Richard's most respected
and courageous knights. Thrust into political intrigue, rivalry,
and war, Sir Thomas entrusts Tristan with the Holy Grail, one
of the most sacred Christian relics, to return it safely to
Britain. Together with a King's archer from Sherwood Forest
and a dangerous Hashshashin warrior (a girl), they outwit and
outmaneuver prison guards, bandits, Saladin forces, and unscrupulous
knights, who desire to possess the Grail. Whenever in extreme
danger, the Grail becomes Tristan's protector. "The last thing
I remember was a large piece of wood from the mast catapulting
through the air, headed directly for me. I tried to dive below
the water, but I felt it slam against my head and shoulders.
After that I remember almost nothing. Nothing except a faint
humming sound coming from somewhere I could not determine. I
only knew it was familiar and comforting." Throughout the story
mystery surrounds young Tristan's real identity. Overhearing
a conversation between two sparring knights, he realizes that
there is more to his real identity and mysterious past than
he ever suspected. For those who love action-packed adventures
and historical fiction, book two cannot come too soon.
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THE PRINCESS
AND THE UNICORN
written by Carol Hughes, (Random House, $16.99, ISBN 978-0-375-85562-7),
288p, Ages 9-12.
The only witness to the departure of Swinley Forest's sole unicorn
is a young fairy, Joyce, who is given the responsibility of
retrieving the animal from Buckingham Palace. Uncertain of her
ability to fly long distances, Joyce wonders about crossing
the sky alone. "She looked up at the tiny patches of sunset
that showed through the dark leaves and remembered how terrifyingly
big the sky had looked at the edge of the forest." Ten-year-old
Princess Eleanor, only child of the British King and Queen,
discovers the unicorn during a royal hunt and takes him back
to the palace at the instigation of her evil governess, who
is interested in selling the unicorn for profit. As both the
unicorn and the forest begin to die, the two girls work together
with humans and palace fairies to thwart the greedy governess
and return the unicorn to its forest home. Overcoming hurdles
in both the human and fairy world, they encounter rigid rules,
unbending attitudes, evil adversaries, and discover loyalty
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CHILDREN
OF THE LAMP: The Eye of the Forest
written by P. B. Kerr, (Orchard Books, $17.99, ISBN 978-0-439-93215-8),
384p, Ages 10-12.
When a collection of rare Incan artifacts disappear from the
Peabody Museum, the djinn twins, Phillipa and John, their Uncle
Nimrod, his butler Groanin, and two friends travel to the Amazon
jungle to retrieve them. With their guide, Sicky, a tall Indian
with huge hands, enormous feet, strange tattoos, and a grapefruit-sized
head, they encounter Peruvian giant centipedes, a giant-giant
Anaconda, monster mosquitoes, deadly frogs, and mummy-like warriors–all
djinn-powered traps conjured by a traitor in their midst. Attempting
to regain his lost powers, their old enemy Dybbuk tries to use
the stolen artifacts to open the Eye of the Forest, a magical
and deadly doorway, guarded by powerful Incan spells, with the
potential to destroy the rainforest, Incan empire, and the Western
Hemisphere. They manage to survive in the forest, prevent the
destruction of South America, and come to realize the many environmental
threats the inhabitants of the Amazon jungle face. With uncontrollable
whirlwinds, talking boards, an ancient warlord djinn, family
subplots, and a haunted house, this latest adventure in the
popular series will have kids hooked. |
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