recommended reading
The single best thing that you can do for your child is help them love reading. Reading will automatically improve their writing. I have a theory that if a kids doesn't love reading, it's because they haven't been handed the right book yet. It can be a tricky business to find the right books for kids these days. Sometimes even the people working in Powell's haven't read the books, so it's hard to get good recommendations. If you haven't been to A Children's Place Bookstore, I highly recommend it. They will always have good recommendations and someone to help you out. I am always willing to give recommendations to you and your kid. Here is just a taste of some books that I have read and loved!
General Fiction
Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher
I just read this book this summer and thought it was one of the best science fiction books I'd read in a while. It is clever, surprising, and very well written. May be a challenge for some. Part of a trilogy.
I just read this book this summer and thought it was one of the best science fiction books I'd read in a while. It is clever, surprising, and very well written. May be a challenge for some. Part of a trilogy.
The Apothecary, by Maile Meloy
This is a fast-paced book that has elements of adventure, spy-novel, historical fiction and magical realism. The little bit of magic that does exist in this book is made somehow believable. It is fantastic!
This is a fast-paced book that has elements of adventure, spy-novel, historical fiction and magical realism. The little bit of magic that does exist in this book is made somehow believable. It is fantastic!
Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen
This is an all-time fave. It's an adventure story packed full of redemption, sorrow, finding oneself. It was surprising, touching, and raw. It's a fantastic book for boys, but as a female, I also loved it.
This is an all-time fave. It's an adventure story packed full of redemption, sorrow, finding oneself. It was surprising, touching, and raw. It's a fantastic book for boys, but as a female, I also loved it.
Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick
This is a popular book right now, for good reason. It is totally amazing. The story and the drawings meld together in such a seamless way, making it seem like it exists in it's own genre. The story is beautiful and funny. It's also a very quick read, despite the thickness of the book.
This is a popular book right now, for good reason. It is totally amazing. The story and the drawings meld together in such a seamless way, making it seem like it exists in it's own genre. The story is beautiful and funny. It's also a very quick read, despite the thickness of the book.
Divergent, Veronica Roth
All the things that kids love--action, suspense, romance. It's difficult to put this book down. Boys love it. Girls love it. It's the first in the
All the things that kids love--action, suspense, romance. It's difficult to put this book down. Boys love it. Girls love it. It's the first in the
advanced readers--some content may be mature in nature
Stick, by Andrew Smith
This is a great coming-of-age story! I highly recommend this book for boys, although, as a female I also fell in love with this book.
This is a great coming-of-age story! I highly recommend this book for boys, although, as a female I also fell in love with this book.
The Fault in our Stars, by John Green
John Green is a genius. This book is hilarious, poignant, beautiful, and at one point I found myself unable to stop crying. Just read it! It will work for boys or girls.
John Green is a genius. This book is hilarious, poignant, beautiful, and at one point I found myself unable to stop crying. Just read it! It will work for boys or girls.
The Knife of Never Letting Go, by Patrick Ness
This is an all-time fave. It is a dystopian novel that is quite different from others. It doesn't follow the mold and is full of surprises...it's both tragic and fascinating. The main characters face incredibly complex moral dilemmas. The Knife is the first book in the Chaos Walking trilogy. A fantastic book for boys, but girls also love it.
This is an all-time fave. It is a dystopian novel that is quite different from others. It doesn't follow the mold and is full of surprises...it's both tragic and fascinating. The main characters face incredibly complex moral dilemmas. The Knife is the first book in the Chaos Walking trilogy. A fantastic book for boys, but girls also love it.