Curling up in bed with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate sounds really nice at a time like this. For me, it’s pretty much all I’ve been doing, in this article I’ve gathered 10 of my favorites for you to read--
- Calliope Dean, 6th Grade
Curling up in bed with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate sounds really nice at a time like this. For me, it's pretty much all I've been doing, in this article I've gathered 10 of my favorites for you to read.
The Keeper of the Lost Cities
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She's a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It's a talent she's never known how to explain. Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds.The Keeper of the Lost Cities, a book series by Shannon Messenger, currently has eight books—including book 8.5 which has information and a novella for book nine. These books are Keeper of the Lost Cities, Exile, Everblaze, Neverseen, Lodestar, Nightfall, Flashback, and Unlocked. This series kept me entertained for a long time and I eagerly await the next book, due to come out November 2021. According to Commonsensemedia.org, “The first in a new series by Shannon Messenger, this book is imaginative, well-conceived and well-written, with believable, complex characters and a fully realized fantasy world parallel to our own.” It has been recommended for ages 10+.
Of Fire and Stars
Princess Dennleia (Denna) has spent most of her life preparing for her future, as queen of Mynaria, betrothed to Prince Thandilimon, to protect her kingdom from hostile forces. Though Denna possesses a power related to fire, which is dangerous for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden. Despite her betrothal Denna soon finds herself falling for the prince’s sister, Amaranthine (Mare). When a mysterious assasination threatens war Denna and Mare must join forces to find the culprit before things become worse. Of Fire and Stars, a fantasy novel by Audrey Coulthurst is recommended for ages 13+. Though I am not 13 and enjoyed the book a lot. According to npr.org, “It's reminiscent of the kinds of fantasy books I loved when I was a young teenager, tales of princess angst, horses, and the blossoming of reluctant love.”
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Ever since he was a child Jacob Portman has been fascinated by his grandfather Abraham’s stories of surviving World War ll as a Jew, living with peculiar children and running from man eating monsters. As he grows older he starts to doubt these stories are true until his Grandfather Portman’s death. As his grandfather dies Jacob could see the figure of a monster just as his grandpa Abraham described them. Jacob begins having nightmares about these monsters and his parents, suspecting he needs help, send him to a psychiatrist named Dr. Golan.
Dr. Golan suggests that Jacob take a trip to Cairnholm, Wales, the location of his grandfather's children's home to confront the place of his trauma. Jacob starts exploring an abandoned building in Cairnholm, which according to the local people the place is haunted and a bomb killed all it’s residents on September 3rd 1940. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a novel by Ransom Riggs. According to a parent on Commonsensemedia.org, “I read this with my 11 year old son. I read it to him aloud so I edited out much of the language and adult themes. It's a great book for Harry Potter fans especially if you enjoyed Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows a.k.a. the "darker" Potter books.” They rated this book for ages 13+ but I would say as long you are able to handle language and frightening elements you should read it.
The Giver
At the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas is given the highly honored Assignment of Receiver of Memory. The Receiver is the sole keeper of the community’s collective memory. The memories from before everyone went to sameness. As Jonas receives memories from the Giver, the previous Receiver, memories of pleasure and pain, of bright colors and extreme cold and warm sun, of excitement and terror and hunger and love, he realizes how bland and empty life in his community really is. Meanwhile, Jonas is helping his family take care of a newchild, Gabriel, though to get the baby to sleep Jonas transmits memories to Gabriel. Memories of the beach, of warm sunlight, of holidays and families. But when Gabriel is threatened to be released, the Giver tells him release is just the same as death. The Giver, by Lois Lowry is one book in a series. The other books are, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. I read it for my English class and would definitely read it again. According to theguardian.com, “I thoroughly enjoyed this book because, even though it is supposed to be more of a children's book than young adult, the storyline is complex enough to hold the attention of older readers.”
Bruja Born
Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister's newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula's bruja healing powers can't fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. A bus accident soon kills all of her classmates including her boyfriend Maks. But she could heal him even if it meant defying death herself, but when things settle Maks isn’t the only one who’s been brought back. Bruja Born was written by Zoraida Cordova, it is a YA novel and I very much enjoyed reading it. According to theillustratedpage.net, “While I didn’t find Bruja Born spectacular or much of a standout, it was a decent book and I’m glad I read it. I plan to keep following the series and Córdova’s career.”
Akata Witch
Sunny, who recently moved from Nigeria to the US, is struggling to fit in. Other children will constantly make fun of her albino skin, and because she burns easily she cannot play sports. But when dozens of children have been kidnapped and murdered she must accept who she is to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, is a book recommended for ages for ages 12+. According to blackbooksmatter.com, “I would definitely recommend this book to anyone to read, both kids and adults if they enjoy books about magic.”
The Inquisitor's Tale;
One dark night two travelers from France begin to exchange stories of Jacob; a Jewish boy who fled his village when it went up in smoke. William, a Christian oblate on a mission, and Jeanne; a little peasant girl, struggling to hide her visions of the future. The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz is a book recommended for ages 10+. According to kirkusreviews.com, “A masterpiece of storytelling that is addictive and engrossing.”
The Wee Free Men
Tiffany Aching teams up with the Nac Mac Feegle, a tribe of small blue men who enjoy fighting and thievery. They together must defend her world when Tiffany’s little brother, Wentworth, is captured by the evil faerie queen. Just one in a long series of books including, I Shall Wear Midnight, A Hat Full of Stars, and this book The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchet. This book is recommended for ages 13+ due to complexity. A Parent on Commonsensemedia.org rated this book for ages 10+ “When I read this book to my girls, at ages 5 and 9, the older one loved it and the younger was often entertained (especially by the Feegle dialogue).”
Wonder
Auggie is starting fifth grade, his first year at a real school and wants to be treated as nothing other than an ordinary kid. But his classmates can’t seem to get over his extraordinary face. The book starts in Auggie’s perspective but soon moves on to his sister’s, her boyfriend’s, his classmate’s ,and more. I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio for class in fourth grade, I have always enjoyed books that change perspective. And it is a rather quick read with short chapters. A parent on Commonsensemedia.org recommended this book for ages 10+ “A brilliant book with a heartfelt story great for kids to be able to have empathy and understanding of life and form positive relationships.”
The Land of Stories
Twins Alex and Connor are transported to another realm through an old book of stories. The people there are just as their book described them. They find out the only way to return is to gather materials for the wishing spell, but they soon find out the Evil Queen wants to create the wishing spell herself and enter the human realm. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is recommended for ages 10+. A parent on Commonsensemedia.org said, “This is a perfect book for anyone who loves fairy tales, and is the first in a series of which I'm enjoying working my way through.”
For more information go to:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
https://blackbooksmatter.com/
https://www.theillustratedpage.net/
https://www.theguardian.com/us
The Keeper of the Lost Cities
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She's a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It's a talent she's never known how to explain. Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds.The Keeper of the Lost Cities, a book series by Shannon Messenger, currently has eight books—including book 8.5 which has information and a novella for book nine. These books are Keeper of the Lost Cities, Exile, Everblaze, Neverseen, Lodestar, Nightfall, Flashback, and Unlocked. This series kept me entertained for a long time and I eagerly await the next book, due to come out November 2021. According to Commonsensemedia.org, “The first in a new series by Shannon Messenger, this book is imaginative, well-conceived and well-written, with believable, complex characters and a fully realized fantasy world parallel to our own.” It has been recommended for ages 10+.
Of Fire and Stars
Princess Dennleia (Denna) has spent most of her life preparing for her future, as queen of Mynaria, betrothed to Prince Thandilimon, to protect her kingdom from hostile forces. Though Denna possesses a power related to fire, which is dangerous for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden. Despite her betrothal Denna soon finds herself falling for the prince’s sister, Amaranthine (Mare). When a mysterious assasination threatens war Denna and Mare must join forces to find the culprit before things become worse. Of Fire and Stars, a fantasy novel by Audrey Coulthurst is recommended for ages 13+. Though I am not 13 and enjoyed the book a lot. According to npr.org, “It's reminiscent of the kinds of fantasy books I loved when I was a young teenager, tales of princess angst, horses, and the blossoming of reluctant love.”
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
Ever since he was a child Jacob Portman has been fascinated by his grandfather Abraham’s stories of surviving World War ll as a Jew, living with peculiar children and running from man eating monsters. As he grows older he starts to doubt these stories are true until his Grandfather Portman’s death. As his grandfather dies Jacob could see the figure of a monster just as his grandpa Abraham described them. Jacob begins having nightmares about these monsters and his parents, suspecting he needs help, send him to a psychiatrist named Dr. Golan.
Dr. Golan suggests that Jacob take a trip to Cairnholm, Wales, the location of his grandfather's children's home to confront the place of his trauma. Jacob starts exploring an abandoned building in Cairnholm, which according to the local people the place is haunted and a bomb killed all it’s residents on September 3rd 1940. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a novel by Ransom Riggs. According to a parent on Commonsensemedia.org, “I read this with my 11 year old son. I read it to him aloud so I edited out much of the language and adult themes. It's a great book for Harry Potter fans especially if you enjoyed Half Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows a.k.a. the "darker" Potter books.” They rated this book for ages 13+ but I would say as long you are able to handle language and frightening elements you should read it.
The Giver
At the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas is given the highly honored Assignment of Receiver of Memory. The Receiver is the sole keeper of the community’s collective memory. The memories from before everyone went to sameness. As Jonas receives memories from the Giver, the previous Receiver, memories of pleasure and pain, of bright colors and extreme cold and warm sun, of excitement and terror and hunger and love, he realizes how bland and empty life in his community really is. Meanwhile, Jonas is helping his family take care of a newchild, Gabriel, though to get the baby to sleep Jonas transmits memories to Gabriel. Memories of the beach, of warm sunlight, of holidays and families. But when Gabriel is threatened to be released, the Giver tells him release is just the same as death. The Giver, by Lois Lowry is one book in a series. The other books are, Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son. I read it for my English class and would definitely read it again. According to theguardian.com, “I thoroughly enjoyed this book because, even though it is supposed to be more of a children's book than young adult, the storyline is complex enough to hold the attention of older readers.”
Bruja Born
Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister's newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula's bruja healing powers can't fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. A bus accident soon kills all of her classmates including her boyfriend Maks. But she could heal him even if it meant defying death herself, but when things settle Maks isn’t the only one who’s been brought back. Bruja Born was written by Zoraida Cordova, it is a YA novel and I very much enjoyed reading it. According to theillustratedpage.net, “While I didn’t find Bruja Born spectacular or much of a standout, it was a decent book and I’m glad I read it. I plan to keep following the series and Córdova’s career.”
Akata Witch
Sunny, who recently moved from Nigeria to the US, is struggling to fit in. Other children will constantly make fun of her albino skin, and because she burns easily she cannot play sports. But when dozens of children have been kidnapped and murdered she must accept who she is to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, is a book recommended for ages for ages 12+. According to blackbooksmatter.com, “I would definitely recommend this book to anyone to read, both kids and adults if they enjoy books about magic.”
The Inquisitor's Tale;
One dark night two travelers from France begin to exchange stories of Jacob; a Jewish boy who fled his village when it went up in smoke. William, a Christian oblate on a mission, and Jeanne; a little peasant girl, struggling to hide her visions of the future. The Inquisitor's Tale by Adam Gidwitz is a book recommended for ages 10+. According to kirkusreviews.com, “A masterpiece of storytelling that is addictive and engrossing.”
The Wee Free Men
Tiffany Aching teams up with the Nac Mac Feegle, a tribe of small blue men who enjoy fighting and thievery. They together must defend her world when Tiffany’s little brother, Wentworth, is captured by the evil faerie queen. Just one in a long series of books including, I Shall Wear Midnight, A Hat Full of Stars, and this book The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchet. This book is recommended for ages 13+ due to complexity. A Parent on Commonsensemedia.org rated this book for ages 10+ “When I read this book to my girls, at ages 5 and 9, the older one loved it and the younger was often entertained (especially by the Feegle dialogue).”
Wonder
Auggie is starting fifth grade, his first year at a real school and wants to be treated as nothing other than an ordinary kid. But his classmates can’t seem to get over his extraordinary face. The book starts in Auggie’s perspective but soon moves on to his sister’s, her boyfriend’s, his classmate’s ,and more. I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio for class in fourth grade, I have always enjoyed books that change perspective. And it is a rather quick read with short chapters. A parent on Commonsensemedia.org recommended this book for ages 10+ “A brilliant book with a heartfelt story great for kids to be able to have empathy and understanding of life and form positive relationships.”
The Land of Stories
Twins Alex and Connor are transported to another realm through an old book of stories. The people there are just as their book described them. They find out the only way to return is to gather materials for the wishing spell, but they soon find out the Evil Queen wants to create the wishing spell herself and enter the human realm. The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is recommended for ages 10+. A parent on Commonsensemedia.org said, “This is a perfect book for anyone who loves fairy tales, and is the first in a series of which I'm enjoying working my way through.”
For more information go to:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
https://blackbooksmatter.com/
https://www.theillustratedpage.net/
https://www.theguardian.com/us
