Recommended Ages: 9-14

Nielsen does it again with another great historical fiction that is adventurous and wholesome for your young reader.  A deviation from her typical WWI and WWI historical fiction, Nielsen takes on another iconic event: the sinking of the Titanic. 

Recommended Ages: 8-12

The Trail by Meika Hashimoto is a timeless coming of age adventure story dealing with the processing of grief at its very core.  Toby is hiking the Appalachian Trail in order to finish “the list” he and his friend Lucas created. 

Cautionary Content: Lucas is dead, and another character is contemplating suicide.

Recommended Ages: 8-12

The Gauntlet is very reminiscent of Jumanji.  It is Farah’s birthday, and her aunt brings her a special gift.  Unfortunately, this game has a mind of its own, and it was not what her aunt had actually intended to give her.

Recommended Ages: 8-11

Once Upon a Camel is a delightful tale about a camel named Zada and her American Kestrel friends.  The story takes place in the desert of Texas as a haboob barrels through the land.  Zada is tasked with getting the baby Kestrel’s to safety. 

Recommended Ages: 10-14

Fallout is his latest non-fiction novel that reads like a narrative.

There is profanity, so please look through the review.

Recommended Ages: 8-12

Cautionary Material: Sexual content mentioned. I would personally stay away from this book -especially given the age range expected for the topics presented. Not worth the read.

Recommended Ages: 9-13

Yolen writes “Melville’s novel Moby-Dick was based on a real event.  However, my book follows those left behind in Melville’s telling —the widow Starbuck and her son Josiah.”

Recommended Ages: 9+

Highly cautionary material. I would not add this book to my child’s reading list.

Recommended Ages: 10-12

Rescue, published in 2021, is a wonderful WWII novel set in occupied France.  Meg’s father left two years to help the Allies and Resistance, but Meg isn’t sure what he is doing or where he is.  She hasn’t heard from him in over two years.

Recommended Ages: 8-11

Yonder is a beautifully written novel exploring World War II from the perspective of those left home in a small rural Appalachian town known as Foggy Gap. 

Recommended Ages: 8-12

A WWI historical fiction novel.

Recommended Ages: 10-14

Nonfiction read about two iconic American men.

Recommended Ages: 10-14

A great nonfiction read about the 20th President of the United States - James Garfield.

Recommended Ages: 10+

Northwind opens with the backdrop of an orphan boy whose misfortunes lead him to essentially be a slave on various fishing vessels until he is left with Old Carl and another young child known as Little Carl.  Lief, the orphan boy of about 13-14 years of age, must flee his village due to the death sickness that arrived on what is named the death ship.  Lief is tasked with not only fleeing North to safer air but must take care of Little Carl as well. 

Recommended Ages: 9-12

A fantastic middle-grade historical fiction that helps readers explore what exactly are they loyal to.

Looking for an adorable story with animals willing to save the day?