Category: Award-Winning Children’s Books
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The Labors of Hercules Beal, by Gary D. Schmidt
Have I ever mentioned that librarians are the best? Mine recommended this book to me, and it was refreshing, empowering, and enthralling. This makes two Gary D. Schmidts that have hit me in the heart and haunted my mental bookshelves. If you’ve read anything by him, read this. If you’re a teacher, read this. If…
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Keeper of the Lost Cities 2: Exile
I waited too long since reading #1. I forgot how fun the world of Eternalia is. The addition of Silveny was delightful. Fantastic series for fantasy fans!! I like Sophie, but I feel like she is a bit mature or overly bold for her age at times. Some of her insights as a 13 year…
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Dobry, by Monica Shannon
Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates vibes. Just like Hans is ostensibly about how he wants these amazing skates and the story is actually a skating tour of the Netherlands, displaying the culture, customs, and key locations like a clever tour book, Dobry romanticizes peasant life in Bulgaria in an undisclosed time setting. The book is “about” his desire to…
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The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman
It’s really too bad when a great story shipwrecks on some bad theology. This book had everything going for it. Lyra is an amazing protagonist (who, I believe, both girls and boys will enjoy reading) up against a sympathies-wrenching antagonist, destined to be the one who can possibly turn the tide of the wrong-doing—only if…
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100 Cupboards, by N.D. Wilson
I really wanted this to be awesome, but it just wasn’t. However, I think this more a sense of preference than quality. There is definitely an audience for this series—male protagonist, displaced when his parents go missing, wants to play baseball, has adventures coming into contact with other worlds. Solid bones there, supported primarily by…
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The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt
Six stars. I reveled in this book—the authentic characters; the big ideas, emotions, and events; the language, the teacher/student relationship. This would be a fun read-aloud for upper elementary or a novel study for middle school. If you are a teacher, read it. This is a fabulous reminder that what you do matters—immensely. And that…
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The House of Dies Drear, by Virginia Hamilton
Somehow I didn’t like this one as much as I thought I would, which is unfortunate because the bones of the story are solid. Great option for Historical fiction and diversity. The elements that will hook interested readers are the house itself, the mysterious tunnels, and the treasure cave. The prank in the end worked…