I still don't know think I will come back to blogging anytime soon, but here are some books to read instead! (Besides, all of these writers are much more entertaining than I am).
Clean Reads for Kids and Teens
Picture Books
I Had a Favorite Dress – A sweet and simple story not just about dressing pretty but about innovation! Lovely colored pencil and watercolor illustrations accompany the text.
One Cool Friend – Award winning illustrator David Small adds rich detail to this story about a proper boy who brings a penguin home from the aquarium.
Press Here – An innovative idea for picture books, perfect for the iPad generation. Touch the dots and see what happens! A truly interactive picture book.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – A great read for little ones who love to say no! Each page gives the reader the opportunity to keep that pigeon away from the bus!
The Quiet Book – The sweet illustrations accompany text that shares all the different kinds of quiet. A nice fit for bedtime or anywhere a child needs something quieting.
Mirror Mirror – This great book of “reversible” poetry is a great fit for an older child. The poems are clever and the illustrations bright and fun for any fairy tale fan.
Middle Grade (8-12)
Moon Over Manifest – Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to Manifest, Kansas where he grew up. There she discovers a box that opens up secrets about his—and the town’s—past.
Savvy – Mibs is about to turn thirteen, and in her remarkable family, becoming a teenager means finally discovering your extra-special ability—your savvy. Be sure to check out the companion novel Scumble. Contemporary with a twist of magic.
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci (Book 1: Charmed Life) – In a parallel universe closer to ours than you think lives a nine-lived enchanter called the Chrestomanci, who makes sure everything is running properly. A charming fantasy series great for Harry Potter fans.
Wonderstruck – The story of Rose, a deaf girl in the 1920s and Ben, a hard of hearing boy in the 1970s, converge as the two make their way to the Museum of Natural History in New York. Beautifully illustrated.
Rapunzel’s Revenge – The story of Rapunzel with a twist! Set in the old West, Rapunzel rescues herself from the tower and uses her braids as whips and lassos to fight crime. This “comic book” style graphic novel is great for reluctant readers. Check out the sequel, too, titled Calamity Jack.
Young Adult (13+)
Paranormalcy – This tongue-in-cheek novel follows Evie, a teenager who works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, who sees the less-than-glamorous side of paranormal creatures. Fast paced, clean, laugh-out-loud funny and the first of a trilogy.
Entwined – A charming re-telling of “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” Funny and sweet, readers will fall in love with all twelve girls and their beaus in this innocent, romantic novel.
Once Was Lost – Sam, the daughter of a pastor, has had her faith tested by the problems facing her family. But when a girl in her town goes missing her faith wavers even more as she and everyone in her community deals with the tragedy. Beautifully written.
The Giver – Jonas, twelve, lives in a seemingly perfect community. But as he begins his training to be the next Giver, he realizes there is more to the world than he ever knew. Deep and poignant, this thoughtful, stunning book is a surprisingly good fit for teens.
The Maze Runner – A thrilling, futuristic book about a group of boys trapped in a maze full of terrible creatures and no memory of their lives before they were sent there. The first in a trilogy, great for teen boys and fans of The Hunger Games.
Go-to Authors for Clean Reads
Shannon Hale – Great for light fantasy, she has several books based off of fairy tales including The Goose Girl and Book of a thousand Days. Perfect books for teens and younger readers who have higher reading levels.
Jessica Day George – Another great fantasy author, Dragon Slippers and Tuesdays at the Castles are the kind of books young girls love to read and re-read, with characters they want to be!
Janette Rallison – If you’re looking for squeaky clean, innocent and incredibly funny teen literature, this is the author to pick! Thespians will love Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My To-Do List while cheerleaders will be all over All’s Fair in Love, War, and High School.
Brandon Mull – His adventurous fantasy series are incredibly appealing to young boys. Start with Fablehaven or his new series Beyonders and you’ll be amazed at how fast they’re hooked!
