Best Selling Middle Grade Books | April 2015

The Children’s Book Review | April 3, 2015

This month, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Book 1, by Jeff Kinney, is The Children’s Book Review‘s best selling middle grade book from our affiliate store. And we’re very happy to add Public School Superhero, by James Patterson, to our selection of books picked from the nationwide best selling middle grade list, as they appear on The New York Times. This list also features books by super-talents R.J. Palacio and Katherine Applegate.

By Jeff Kinney

Publisher’s Synopsis: Boys don’t keep diaries?, or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, ?Just don’t expect me to be all ?Dear Diary’ this and ?Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things.

Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.

Ages 7-13 | Publisher: Amulet Books | September 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0810993136

By Katherine Applegate

Publisher’s synopsis: Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller, this stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself.

Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author’s note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0061992254

By Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher’s synopsis: Jacqueline Woodson, one of today’s finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0399252518

By James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts; Illustrated by Cory Thomas

Publisher’s Synopsis: In this story about a good kid with a great imagination struggling in a less-than-ideal world, James Patterson brings his bestselling “Middle School”-style humor and sensibility to an urban setting.

Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he’s Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he’s a chess club devotee known as a “Grandma’s Boy,” a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize his own true strength before peer pressure forces him to make the worst choice of his life?

James Patterson’s newest illustrated novel is a genuinely funny yet poignant look at middle school in a challenging urban setting, where a kid’s life can depend on the everyday decisions he makes.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0316322140

By R.J. Palacio

Publisher’s synopsis: “Wonder” is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school – and he’s dreading it. The thing is, Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all? Through the voices of Auggie, his big sister Via, and his new friends Jack and Summer, “Wonder” follows Auggie’s journey through his first year at Beecher Prep. Frank, powerful, warm and often heart-breaking, “Wonder” is a book you’ll read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0375869020

By Sharon M. Draper

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it.”—Denver Post

Publisher’s synopsis: Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers |May 1, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1416971719

This information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most up-to-date and complete list.

This is such a great list of must-read middle grade books! We know you’ll enjoy each one and we also encourage you to take your time perusing The Children’s Book Review for more Middle Grade books and Best Sellers! Which middle grade books are hits in your home?

Tags: Amulet Books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Best Books for Kids, Best Selling Books For Kids, Chris Tebbetts, Cory Thomas, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, HarperCollins, Jacqueline Woodson, James Patterson, Jeff Kinney, Katherine Applegate, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Middle Grade Books, Nancy Paulsen Books, R.J. Palacio, Sharon M. Draper, The New York Times

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Best Sellers, Book Lists, Chapter Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Beloved Books to Inspire 12-Year-Olds | Shared by Author K.E. Ormsbee

K.E. Ormsbee | The Children’s Book Review | April 19, 2015

In The Water and the Wild, twelve-year-old Lottie Fiske receives a number of birthday presents from a mysterious gift-giver. One of these presents is Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene, which Lottie finds dense and tedious.

At Lottie’s age, I too would’ve professed the same opinion of the epic sixteenth century poem. I was, however, a sucker for all things magical and otherworldly, and that affinity is evident in the following selection of my favorite books when I was Lottie’s age. These stories kept me up way past my bedtime and still hold places of honor on my bookshelf.

By Carol Kendall

Minnipins rock. And if you don’t know who Minnipins are or why they rock, you ought to pick up a copy of The Gammage Cup and jump into the brilliantly conceived fantasy world of the Land Between the Mountains. The hobbit-like residents of Slipper-on-the-Water live a tradition-bound life, but there are a few weirdos in town—Gummy, Muggles, Mingy, Curley Green, and Walter the Earl—who reject the normal way of living in favor of staying true to themselves and their ideals. Other villagers refer to these pariahs as “Them” and eventually banish them from town. And that’s just the start of a very grand adventure. The Gammage Cup is packed with imaginative details and a spellbinding plot, and it’s a thought-provoking exploration of conformity and individuality. Growing up, I kept this story close by my bedside for multiple re-reads.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | 2000 | ISBN-13: 978-0152024932

By L.M. Montgomery

Okay, maybe I was biased toward these books because Anne Shirley was an oddball ginger, just like me, but I like to think the Green Gables series has remained one of my favorites because it really is captivating storytelling. I was in love with the world of Avonlea and never tired of reading about Anne’s crazy shenanigans. My love for L.M. Montgomery’s world was only intensified by the fabulous film adaptations—still my go-to sick day movies—and the subsequent Road to Avonlea series.

Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Puffin Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0147514004

By Natalie Babbitt

Long before Hawt Vampire Boyz were popular, there was Jesse Tuck, an immortal boy with his own set of secrets. I remember first reading Tuck Everlasting on a road trip from Kentucky to North Carolina. As the car followed winding paths through Appalachia and dipped into back roads along wooded, rustic country, I could so vividly picture the story of Winnie Foster and the Tuck Family happening right outside my window. The story may be short, but it haunted me in a way few other books had before or have since. It’s a magnificent study of life and death that got me thinking about the beauty created by temporality long before I ever picked up any poems by Wallace Stevens.

Ages 10-14 | Publisher: Square Fish | 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-0312369811

By Jane Austen

Again, I have a feeling my initial love of this novel was fueled by subconscious narcissism, since the heroine’s name is Catherine. Or it could have just been because this was one of the shorter Austen novels and therefore more accessible. But whatever the reason, I adored Northanger Abbey, along with every other Jane Austen novel I devoured in my preteen and teenaged years. I may not have fully grasped the gothic parodic element Austen was going for, but darn it, that Mr. Tilney sent my heart aflutter like none other.

Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Random House UK | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0099589297

There you have it! Four beloved books that inspired, entertained, and delighted twelve-year-old me. And all of them only deepened a love of fiction that would one day lead me to write Lottie Fiske’s own story.

K. E. Ormsbee

K.E. Ormsbee was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She then went off and lived in places across the pond, like England and Spain, where she pretended she was a French ingénue. Just kidding! That only happened once. She also lived in some hotter nooks of the USA, like Birmingham, AL and Austin, TX. Now she’s back in Lexington, KY, where there is a Proper Autumn.

In her wild, early years, she taught English as a Foreign Language, interned with a film society, and did a lot of irresponsible road tripping. Her crowning achievement is that the back of her head was in an iPhone commercial, and people actually paid her money for it.

Nowadays, she teaches piano lessons, plays in a band you’ve never heard of, and runs races that she never wins. She likes clothes from the 60s, music from the 70s, and movies from the 80s. She still satiates her bone-deep wanderlust whenever she can.

KEOrmsbee.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

By K.E. Ormsbee

Publisher’s Synopsis: A green apple tree grows in the heart of Thirsby Square, and tangled up in its magical roots is the story of Lottie Fiske. For as long as Lottie can remember, the only people who seem to care about her are her best friend, Eliot, and the mysterious letter writer who sends her birthday gifts. But now strange things are happening on the island Lottie calls home, and Eliot’s getting sicker, with a disease the doctors have given up trying to cure. Lottie is helpless, useless, powerless—until a door opens in the apple tree. Follow Lottie down through the roots to another world in pursuit of the impossible: a cure for the incurable, a use for the useless, and protection against the pain of loss.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-1452113869

Available Here: 

CCSS-Aligned Discussion/Teacher’s Guide

Scribd Excerpt

Enter to win an autographed copy of The Water and the Wild, by K.E. Ormsbee. Giveaway ends May 18, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST. Enter here »

K.E. Ormsbee, author of The Water and the Wild, selected the books in this list of “Beloved Books to Inspire 12-Year-Olds.” Discover more books like The Water and the Wild by pursuing articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with “Books About Loss.”

Tags: Carol Kendall, Chronicle Books, featured, HMH Books for Young Readers, Jane Austen, K.E. Ormsbee, L.M. Montgomery, Loss, Natalie Babbitt, Puffin Books, Random House UK, Square Fish Books

Category: Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Book Lists, Books for Girls, Chapter Books, Gift Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by a guest author.

Buy Books Online

Best Non-Fiction Picture Books of 2014

The Children’s Book Review | March 21, 2015

The best non-fiction picture books of 2014, as picked by the editors and contributors of The Children’s Book Review.

By Patricia Geis

Publisher’s Synopsis: No artist can put a smile on your face quicker than Alexander Calder. A sense of playfulness animates all of his work—from his signature hanging mobiles to his endlessly creative toys, drawings, and jewelry. Alexander Calder: Meet the Artist! is an exciting hands-on introduction to this beloved American sculptor. Calder’s whimsical world is brought to life by imaginative pop-ups, pull tabs, lift-the-flaps, and cutouts. A universe of artistic possibilities opens up as young readers explore Calder’s creative evolution, play with his toy designs, and even create their own sculptural circus.

Ages 7-12 | Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1616892258

By Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Mary GrandPre

Publisher’s Synopsis: Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist.

But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music?

In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPré tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors—and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.

Backmatter includes four paintings by Kandinsky, an author’s note, sources, links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.

Read TCBR’s summary of The Noisy Paint Box in our roundup “Biographies for Young Readers: Dip into the Minds of the Greats.”

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN 978-0307978486

By Katherine Roy

Publisher’s Synopsis: Up close with the ocean’s most fearsome and famous predator and the scientists who study them–just thirty miles from the Golden Gate Bridge!

A few miles from San Francisco lives a population of the ocean’s largest and most famous predators. Each fall, while the city’s inhabitants dine on steaks, salads, and sandwiches, the great white sharks return to California’s Farallon Islands to dine on their favorite meal: the seals that live on the island’s rocky coasts. Massive, fast, and perfectly adapted to hunting after 11 million years of evolution, the great whites are among the planet’s most fearsome, fascinating, and least understood animals.

In the fall of 2012, Katherine Roy visited the Farallons with the scientists who study the islands’ shark population. She witnessed seal attacks, observed sharks being tagged in the wild, and got an up close look at the dramatic Farallons–a wildlife refuge that is strictly off-limits to all but the scientists who work there. Neighborhood Sharks is an intimate portrait of the life cycle, biology, and habitat of the great white shark, based on the latest research and an up-close visit with these amazing animals.

Ages 7-11 | Publisher: David Macaulay Studio | 2014 | ISBN 978-1596438743

By Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Rick Allen

Publisher’s Synopsis: In this outstanding picture book collection of poems by Newbery Honor-winning poet, Joyce Sidman (Song of the Water Boatman, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night), discover how animals stay alive in the wintertime and learn about their secret lives happening under the snow. Paired with stunning linoleum print illustrations by Rick Allen, that celebrate nature’s beauty and power.

Ages 6-9 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0547906508

By Patricia Geis

Publisher’s Synopsis: Pablo Picasso: Meet the Artist! takes young readers on an interactive journey through the remarkable life of the legendary Spanish painter. This engaging book uses a multitude of lift-the-flaps, cutouts, and pull tabs to explain how his art evolved over his lifetime—from his earliest painting at age seven to the great masterworks of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica. Readers are encouraged to make their own cubist collage using an enclosed sheet containing an eclectic collection of images.

Ages 7-12 | Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1616892517

By Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Publisher’s Synopsis: For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13:  978-0802853851

By Katherine Applegate

Publisher’s Synopsis: In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special gorilla. Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Clarion Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0544252301

By Luis Carlos Montalván and Bret Witter; Photographs by Dan Dion

Publisher’s Synopsis: As narrated by Tuesday, Tuesday Tucks Me In is a day in the life of this service dog extraordinaire and tail-wagging ambassador for all things positive and uplifting in the world. The book takes us through a typical day of adventures, starting with Tuesday waking Luis in the morning and greeting him with dog breath in the face, and then ending with Tuesday cuddling up to Luis on their bed, the last moment they spend together before sleep.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1596438910

By Angela Farris Watkins; Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Publisher’s Synopsis: The niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals six timeless and universal principles that encompass the civil rights leader’s greatest legacy: Love will see you through.

Growing up as the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Farris Watkins witnessed firsthand the principles and values that “Uncle M.L.” practiced and lived by throughout his fight for equality. Drawing from experiences and episodes both personal and well-known, Dr. Watkins artfully details the guiding beliefs of one of the greatest men in history. Including “have courage” and “love your enemies,” these six hallmarks of virtue and nonviolence reinforce the truth that “the universe honors love” and will inspire readers of all ages.

Ages 6-11 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1416986935

By Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus; Illustrated by Evan Turk

Publisher’s Synopsis: Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness into light in this uniquely personal and vibrantly illustrated tale that carries a message of peace.

How could he—a Gandhi—be so easy to anger?

One thick, hot day, Arun Gandhi travels with his family to Grandfather Gandhi’s village.

Silence fills the air—but peace feels far away for young Arun. When an older boy pushes him on the soccer field, his anger fills him in a way that surely a true Gandhi could never imagine. Can Arun ever live up to the Mahatma? Will he ever make his grandfather proud?

In this remarkable personal story, Arun Gandhi, with Bethany Hegedus, weaves a stunning portrait of the extraordinary man who taught him to live his life as light. Evan Turk brings the text to breathtaking life with his unique three-dimensional collage paintings.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1442423657

If you like our list of the best non-fiction picture books of 2014, see our list of all the best kids books of 2014 (Coming soon!) or check out our articles and reviews tagged with “non-fiction books.”

Tags: Alexander Calder, Angela Farris Watkins, Arun Gandhi, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Barb Rosenstock, Best Books for Kids, Bethany Hegedus, Bret Witter, Clarion Books, Dan Dion, David Macaulay Studio, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Evan Turk, Gandhi, HMH Books for Young Readers, Jen Bryant, Joyce Sidman, Katherine Applegate, Katherine Roy, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Luis Carlos Montalván, Martin Luther King Jr., Mary GrandPré, Melissa Sweet, Non-Fiction, Patricia Geis, Picasso, Picture Books, Picture Books For Children, Princeton Architectural Press, Rick Allen, Roaring Brook Press, Sally Wern Comport, Sharks, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Book Lists, Gift Books, Picture Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Best Selling Middle Grade Books | April 2015

The Children’s Book Review | April 3, 2015

This month, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Book 1, by Jeff Kinney, is The Children’s Book Review‘s best selling middle grade book from our affiliate store. And we’re very happy to add Public School Superhero, by James Patterson, to our selection of books picked from the nationwide best selling middle grade list, as they appear on The New York Times. This list also features books by super-talents R.J. Palacio and Katherine Applegate.

By Jeff Kinney

Publisher’s Synopsis: Boys don’t keep diaries?, or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, ?Just don’t expect me to be all ?Dear Diary’ this and ?Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things.

Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.

Ages 7-13 | Publisher: Amulet Books | September 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0810993136

By Katherine Applegate

Publisher’s synopsis: Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller, this stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself.

Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author’s note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0061992254

By Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher’s synopsis: Jacqueline Woodson, one of today’s finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0399252518

By James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts; Illustrated by Cory Thomas

Publisher’s Synopsis: In this story about a good kid with a great imagination struggling in a less-than-ideal world, James Patterson brings his bestselling “Middle School”-style humor and sensibility to an urban setting.

Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he’s Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he’s a chess club devotee known as a “Grandma’s Boy,” a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize his own true strength before peer pressure forces him to make the worst choice of his life?

James Patterson’s newest illustrated novel is a genuinely funny yet poignant look at middle school in a challenging urban setting, where a kid’s life can depend on the everyday decisions he makes.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0316322140

By R.J. Palacio

Publisher’s synopsis: “Wonder” is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school – and he’s dreading it. The thing is, Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all? Through the voices of Auggie, his big sister Via, and his new friends Jack and Summer, “Wonder” follows Auggie’s journey through his first year at Beecher Prep. Frank, powerful, warm and often heart-breaking, “Wonder” is a book you’ll read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0375869020

By Sharon M. Draper

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it.”—Denver Post

Publisher’s synopsis: Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers |May 1, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1416971719

This information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most up-to-date and complete list.

This is such a great list of must-read middle grade books! We know you’ll enjoy each one and we also encourage you to take your time perusing The Children’s Book Review for more Middle Grade books and Best Sellers! Which middle grade books are hits in your home?

Tags: Amulet Books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Best Books for Kids, Best Selling Books For Kids, Chris Tebbetts, Cory Thomas, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, HarperCollins, Jacqueline Woodson, James Patterson, Jeff Kinney, Katherine Applegate, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Middle Grade Books, Nancy Paulsen Books, R.J. Palacio, Sharon M. Draper, The New York Times

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Best Sellers, Book Lists, Chapter Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

4 Gorgeous Color Books Perfect for Little Hands

The Children’s Book Review | March 11, 2015

By Xavier Deneux

Touch Think Learn: Colors features simple, bold illustrations with a fun 3D format that begs to be touched by little hands. One page of each spread features a colorful raised standout shape with a color name, such as an apple, while the opposite page has the same shape scooped out with another color or pattern and the color name. The text is minimal with just the color name on each page, leaving plenty of room for parents or caregivers to expound on the story. And while the shapes are simple, there is a sense of whimsy in the embellishments such as pollen drifting from a flower or a caterpillar inside a green leaf that allows for alternate story lines beyond basic color definitions. The last spread features a paint palate of colors, offering a great chance to review the colors learned previous pages.

Well constructed and sturdy, this board book seems infinitely more durable than a lift-the-flap book while the raised and recessed pages still offer a level of interactivity. Although it is officially recommended for ages 3 and up, the textures and illustrations thoroughly enamored an almost 2-year-old. The first time reading it, he delighted in exploring each shape with not only his hands but also ran his bare feet over the ridges and valleys created by the various simple shapes. While there is a “Warning – Chocking Hazard – small parts. Not for children under 3 years.” notice on the back cover, there are no small pieces or parts in the book as-is (only if a child managed to pry the glued pieces off the pages).

Ages 0-4 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | July 23, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-1452117263

By Jennifer Adams

Alice in Wonderland offers whimsical illustrations of key plot points and characters from the beloved classic by Lewis Carroll in a drastically simplified format. Tots are introduced to the white rabbit, Alice’s black shoes (as she falls down the rabbit hole), the purple bottle, orange Cheshire cat, blue caterpillar, the mad hatter’s brown hat, pink flamingos, the queen of red hearts, green frog, and yellow teapot with just two words on the left side of each spread: the color name and object. The illustration on the right offers more details for the reader if they would like to expand on story. The opening spread introduces “white rabbit” on the left-hand page while the opposite size touts a friendly rabbit wearing a scarf, jacket and shirt with the words “don’t be late” as drifting dandelion seeds subtly imply the passage of time. In short, there is ample creativity in the illustrations for the caregiver to build a more complex storyline if desired.

The colors and patterns are on trend and make for a color primer that appeals to adults as well as little learners and looks great on a nursery shelf. The square chunky board book is well made and has a silky laminate coating making delightful texture to hold for big and little hands alike (which also means sticky fingerprints can easily be wiped off).

This is an easy, tot friendly introduction to a literary classic without the potential scariness embodied by some Carroll interpretations. While die-hard English majors may get frustrated with the brevity of the story line, it functions beautifully as a unique color primer.

Ages 1-3 | Publisher: Gibbs Smith | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1423624776

By Pantone

For creative professionals, Pantone is widely regarded as the industry standard for consistent, accurate color. They are the pros! Pantone: Colors brings their expert knowledge down to a fun, approachable level for children by assigning names from their world to each pantone swatch. The chunky and durable board book opens with “yellow” on one page while the opposite side shows 20 variations on the shade, each with their own fun interesting name such as “giraffe yellow”, “banana yellow”, and “French fry yellow”. Caregivers familiar with the Pantone system will love that each shade is in a familiar Pantone square with the accompanying Pantone code in smaller type below the name assigned for the child.

The cover of the book itself is a beautiful color deboss that will tempt many childless adults based on it’s ascetic merit alone as well as appeal to children who do choose a book based on its cover.

The entire book features nine basic colors, but the 20 accompanying shades of each color introduce the concept that many tones of each color exists and help the child identify less common variations. With this format, the book can be quickly read with just the basic color name or explored in-depth by touching and reading each of the 20 color variants on each spread. Perhaps most fun at all is the closing spread, with its whimsical animal and object illustrations in a rainbow of colors, offering the chance to review each of the 9 colors featured in the previous pages.

Ages 2-4 | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1419701801

Mix it Up!

By Herve Tullet

Both Tullet newbies and lovers of the wildly popular Press Here! will enjoy this follow up, Mix it Up! The action-oriented language speaks directly to the child, asking them questions such as “Are you ready?” and to complete tasks like “Tap that gray spot. Just a little, to see what happens.” And lo and behold, something DOES happen on the next page after each request! As implied by the title, much of the story line explores mixing colors as if they were paint to see the resulting color, which is super fun to supplement a child’s color knowledge as well as a non-messy stand in for when painting isn’t possible.

The illustrations are extremely simple—just short little paint splotches or lines on a white background, but the storyline makes those little bits of color seem quite alive. In our tech happy, interactive world it is utterly refreshing to see mere ink and paper engage a child so thoroughly. With just a few words or sentences per spread, this book is fantastic for the child who loves to turn pages in quick succession. Busy kiddos who love to point, slap, or otherwise interact with their books in a physical way will also delight in seeing results from actions.

While the cover of Mix it Up! is a stiff board, the pages themselves are not. The paper stock used is heavier than many paper books and coated, which will help it stand the test of time as the deceivingly simple and amazingly clever book gets read again, and again, and again!

Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | Sept. 16, 2014 | ISBN-13:  978-1452137353

This list of “4 Gorgeous Color Books Perfect for Little Hands” was curated by Michelle Kidd Drechsel. Based in Denver, CO, Michelle Kidd Drechsel is sometimes a graphic designer and intermittent runner, climber, baker, biker, knitter, hiker and general adventurer, but always a mommy to two wild boys. Drechsel holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Adventures blogged at www.mountainkidd.com. Follow along with our Art Books category and articles and reviews tagged with Color Books to discover more great books just like these ones.

Tags: Abrams Books, Babylit Series, Board Books, Chronicle Books, Colorful Board Books, Colors, Gibbs Smith Books, Great Board Books for Kids, Herve Tullet, Jennifer Adams, Pantone Books, Xavier Deneux

Category: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Art, Best Kids Stories, Board Books, Book Lists

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.

Buy Books Online

Best Non-Fiction Picture Books of 2014

The Children’s Book Review | March 21, 2015

The best non-fiction picture books of 2014, as picked by the editors and contributors of The Children’s Book Review.

By Patricia Geis

Publisher’s Synopsis: No artist can put a smile on your face quicker than Alexander Calder. A sense of playfulness animates all of his work—from his signature hanging mobiles to his endlessly creative toys, drawings, and jewelry. Alexander Calder: Meet the Artist! is an exciting hands-on introduction to this beloved American sculptor. Calder’s whimsical world is brought to life by imaginative pop-ups, pull tabs, lift-the-flaps, and cutouts. A universe of artistic possibilities opens up as young readers explore Calder’s creative evolution, play with his toy designs, and even create their own sculptural circus.

Ages 7-12 | Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1616892258

By Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Mary GrandPre

Publisher’s Synopsis: Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist.

But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music?

In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPré tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors—and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.

Backmatter includes four paintings by Kandinsky, an author’s note, sources, links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.

Read TCBR’s summary of The Noisy Paint Box in our roundup “Biographies for Young Readers: Dip into the Minds of the Greats.”

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN 978-0307978486

By Katherine Roy

Publisher’s Synopsis: Up close with the ocean’s most fearsome and famous predator and the scientists who study them–just thirty miles from the Golden Gate Bridge!

A few miles from San Francisco lives a population of the ocean’s largest and most famous predators. Each fall, while the city’s inhabitants dine on steaks, salads, and sandwiches, the great white sharks return to California’s Farallon Islands to dine on their favorite meal: the seals that live on the island’s rocky coasts. Massive, fast, and perfectly adapted to hunting after 11 million years of evolution, the great whites are among the planet’s most fearsome, fascinating, and least understood animals.

In the fall of 2012, Katherine Roy visited the Farallons with the scientists who study the islands’ shark population. She witnessed seal attacks, observed sharks being tagged in the wild, and got an up close look at the dramatic Farallons–a wildlife refuge that is strictly off-limits to all but the scientists who work there. Neighborhood Sharks is an intimate portrait of the life cycle, biology, and habitat of the great white shark, based on the latest research and an up-close visit with these amazing animals.

Ages 7-11 | Publisher: David Macaulay Studio | 2014 | ISBN 978-1596438743

By Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Rick Allen

Publisher’s Synopsis: In this outstanding picture book collection of poems by Newbery Honor-winning poet, Joyce Sidman (Song of the Water Boatman, Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night), discover how animals stay alive in the wintertime and learn about their secret lives happening under the snow. Paired with stunning linoleum print illustrations by Rick Allen, that celebrate nature’s beauty and power.

Ages 6-9 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0547906508

By Patricia Geis

Publisher’s Synopsis: Pablo Picasso: Meet the Artist! takes young readers on an interactive journey through the remarkable life of the legendary Spanish painter. This engaging book uses a multitude of lift-the-flaps, cutouts, and pull tabs to explain how his art evolved over his lifetime—from his earliest painting at age seven to the great masterworks of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica. Readers are encouraged to make their own cubist collage using an enclosed sheet containing an eclectic collection of images.

Ages 7-12 | Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1616892517

By Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Publisher’s Synopsis: For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13:  978-0802853851

By Katherine Applegate

Publisher’s Synopsis: In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special gorilla. Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Clarion Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0544252301

By Luis Carlos Montalván and Bret Witter; Photographs by Dan Dion

Publisher’s Synopsis: As narrated by Tuesday, Tuesday Tucks Me In is a day in the life of this service dog extraordinaire and tail-wagging ambassador for all things positive and uplifting in the world. The book takes us through a typical day of adventures, starting with Tuesday waking Luis in the morning and greeting him with dog breath in the face, and then ending with Tuesday cuddling up to Luis on their bed, the last moment they spend together before sleep.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1596438910

By Angela Farris Watkins; Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Publisher’s Synopsis: The niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals six timeless and universal principles that encompass the civil rights leader’s greatest legacy: Love will see you through.

Growing up as the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Farris Watkins witnessed firsthand the principles and values that “Uncle M.L.” practiced and lived by throughout his fight for equality. Drawing from experiences and episodes both personal and well-known, Dr. Watkins artfully details the guiding beliefs of one of the greatest men in history. Including “have courage” and “love your enemies,” these six hallmarks of virtue and nonviolence reinforce the truth that “the universe honors love” and will inspire readers of all ages.

Ages 6-11 | Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1416986935

By Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus; Illustrated by Evan Turk

Publisher’s Synopsis: Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness into light in this uniquely personal and vibrantly illustrated tale that carries a message of peace.

How could he—a Gandhi—be so easy to anger?

One thick, hot day, Arun Gandhi travels with his family to Grandfather Gandhi’s village.

Silence fills the air—but peace feels far away for young Arun. When an older boy pushes him on the soccer field, his anger fills him in a way that surely a true Gandhi could never imagine. Can Arun ever live up to the Mahatma? Will he ever make his grandfather proud?

In this remarkable personal story, Arun Gandhi, with Bethany Hegedus, weaves a stunning portrait of the extraordinary man who taught him to live his life as light. Evan Turk brings the text to breathtaking life with his unique three-dimensional collage paintings.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1442423657

If you like our list of the best non-fiction picture books of 2014, see our list of all the best kids books of 2014 (Coming soon!) or check out our articles and reviews tagged with “non-fiction books.”

Tags: Alexander Calder, Angela Farris Watkins, Arun Gandhi, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Barb Rosenstock, Best Books for Kids, Bethany Hegedus, Bret Witter, Clarion Books, Dan Dion, David Macaulay Studio, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Evan Turk, Gandhi, HMH Books for Young Readers, Jen Bryant, Joyce Sidman, Katherine Applegate, Katherine Roy, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Luis Carlos Montalván, Martin Luther King Jr., Mary GrandPré, Melissa Sweet, Non-Fiction, Patricia Geis, Picasso, Picture Books, Picture Books For Children, Princeton Architectural Press, Rick Allen, Roaring Brook Press, Sally Wern Comport, Sharks, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Book Lists, Gift Books, Picture Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Best Selling Picture Books | April 2015

The Children’s Book Review | April 2, 2015

This month our best selling picture book from our affiliate store is the gorgeously illustrated Sleep Like a Tiger, written by Mary Lougue and pictures by Pamela Zagarenski. As per usual,  we’ve shared our hand selected titles of the most popular picture books from the nationwide best selling picture books listed by The New York Times. The New York Times best selling picture books list also continues to host titles by Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, and Drew Daywalt, as well as B.J. Novak’s The Book with No Pictures.

By Mary Logue; Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Publisher’s synopsis: 2013 Randolph Caldecott Honor Award

In this magical bedtime story, the lyrical narrative echoes a Runaway Bunny – like cadence: “Does everything in the world go to sleep?” the little girl asks. In sincere and imaginative dialogue between a not-at-all sleepy child and understanding parents, the little girl decides “in a cocoon of sheets, a nest of blankets,” she is ready to sleep, warm and strong, just like a tiger. The Caldecott Honor artist Pamela Zagarenski’s rich, luminous mixed-media paintings effervesce with odd, charming details that nonsleepy children could examine for hours. A rare gem.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0547641027

By B.J. Novak

Publisher’s synopsis: A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.
You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say . . .

BLORK. Or BLUURF.

Even if the words are a preposterous song about eating ants for breakfast, or just a list of astonishingly goofy sounds like BLAGGITY BLAGGITY and GLIBBITY GLOBBITY.

Cleverly irreverent and irresistibly silly, The Book with No Pictures is one that kids will beg to hear again and again. (And parents will be happy to oblige.)

Ages 5-8 | Publisher: Dial | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0803741713

By Adam Rubin; Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri

Publisher’s synopsis: This scrumptious New York Times bestseller has a whole lot of kick!

Dragons love tacos. They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos. Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in red-hot trouble.

The award-winning team behind Those Darn Squirrels! has created an unforgettable, laugh-until-salsa-comes-out-of-your-nose tale of new friends and the perfect snack.

Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Dial | June 14, 2012 | ISBN-13:978-0803736801

By Herve Tullet

Publisher’s synopsis: Press the yellow dot on the cover of this book, follow the instructions within, and embark upon a magical journey! Each page of this surprising book instructs the reader to press the dots, shake the pages, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next! Children and adults alike will giggle with delight as the dots multiply, change direction, and grow in size! Especially remarkable because the adventure occurs on the flat surface of the simple, printed page, this unique picture book about the power of imagination and interactivity will provide read-aloud fun for all ages!

And coming this September! Watch colors splatter, mix and transform in Mix It Up!, the highly anticipated follow-up to Press Here.

Ages 2 and up | Publisher: Chronicle Books | Mar. 30, 2011 | ISBN-13: 978-0811879545

By Drew Daywalt; Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Publisher’s synopsis: Crayons have feelings, too, in this funny back-to-school story illustrated by the creator of Stuck and This Moose Belongs to Me — now a #1 New York Times bestseller!

Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers’ Stuck, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Lost and Found, and This Moose Belongs to Me.

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Philomel | June 27, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-0399255373

By Sherri Duskey Rinker, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Publisher’s synopsis: As the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they’ll be ready for another day of rough and tough construction play! With irresistible artwork by best-selling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld and sweet, rhyming text, this book will have truck lovers of all ages begging for more.

Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | May 4, 2011 | ISBN-13: 978-0811877824

The information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most current and up-to-date list.

The picture books from this crop of best selling books by Tom Lichtenheld, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Oliver Jeffers, Drew Daywalt and more, sure are a gorgeous feast for the eyes. Follow along with our Picture Book and Board Book categories for more great titles to peruse.

Tags: Adam Rubin, B.J. Novak, Best Books for Kids, Best Selling Books For Kids, Chronicle Books, Daniel Salmieri, Dial books, Drew Daywalt, Herve Tullet, HMH Books for Young Readers, Mary Logue, Oliver Jeffers, Pamela Zagarenski, Philomel Books, Picture Books, Picture Books For Children, Sherri Duskey Rinker, The New York Times, Tom Lichtenheld

Category: Ages 0-3, Ages 4-8, Best Kids Stories, Best Sellers, Book Lists, Picture Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Best Selling Young Adult Books | April 2015

The Children’s Book Review | April 4, 2015

With so many strong novels on this list, everything remains the same on our hand-picked list from the Best Selling Young Adult list—including The Children’s Book Review‘s number one best selling young adult book is The Children’s Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy, a classic must-read for all Greek mythology fans. As listed by The New York Times, best selling young adult titles include books by super-talents John Green and Ransom Riggs. Many of the books on this list have been turned into movies, so there is a bit of a book-to-movie theme going on in the Young Adult book world! The titles listed here truly are popular books for teens (and many adults, too).

By Padraic Colum; Illustrated by Willy Pogany

”Published in 1918, Colum’s stirring telling of the Greek epics is still unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths for young readers.” —Publishers Weekly 

” (Audiobook narrator) Whitfield’s (-aka- Simon Vance) distinct narration gives a clear rendition of classic myths The Iliad and The Odyssey. The reading is intelligible to children yet preserves the heroic style of the sagas. It is a treat to hear Greek words pronounced with such ease.” —Lolly Gepson

PADRAIC COLUM (1881-1972) was an Irish poet, playwright, author, a major leader of the Irish Renaissance, and a friend to James Joyce and William Yeats. Well versed in the old Gaelic myths as well as those of other cultures, he wrote a number of books for children that retell these tales. His book The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived before Achilles was a Newbery Honor Book, and he was awarded the Regina Medal for his distinguished contribution to children’s literature.

Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Simon Pulse | Oct. 1, 1982 | ISBN-13: 978-0020425205

By Gayle Forman

The critically acclaimed, bestselling novel from Gayle Forman, author of Where She Went, Just One Day, and Just One Year.

Soon to be a major motion picture, starring Chloe Moretz!

Publisher’s Synopsis: In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. Now a major motion picture starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Mia’s story will stay with you for a long, long time.

Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Speak | Apr. 6, 2010 | ISBN-13: 978-0142415436

By John Green

A Major Motion Picture!
TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012!

Publisher’s Synopsis: ?The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” ?Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Ages 14-17 | Publisher: Dutton Books | Jan. 10, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0525478812

Publisher’s Synopsis: From the #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars

Winner of the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery
New York Times bestseller
USA Today bestseller
Publishers Weekly bestseller

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night?dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge?he follows her. Margo’s always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she’s always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they’re for Q.

Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers.

Ages 14+ | Publisher: Speak | Jun. 7, 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-0142414934

By John Green

Publisher’s Synopsis: The award-winning, genre-defining debut from #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
New York Times bestseller

Before. Miles ?Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave ?the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then. . . .

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Ages 14-17 | Publisher: Dutton Books | Mar. 3, 2005 | ISBN-13: 978-0142402511

By Gayle Forman

Publisher’s Synopsis: The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed If I Stay

Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam’s point of view. Ever since Mia’s decision to stay – but not with him – Adam’s career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite – with wholly satisfying results.

And don’t miss Gayle’s newest novel, JUST ONE DAY and the forthcoming companion, JUST ONE YEAR.

Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Speak | 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0142420898

This information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most current and up-to-date list.

Gayle Forman and John Green are mainstays on the best seller list. Have you read all of their books? For more fiction Young Adult books, follow along with our Best YA tag. With so many wonderful children and teen books being turned into movies, you may also have an interest in following our tag: Books into Movies.

Tags: Best Selling Books, Best YA, Dutton Books, Gayle Forman, John Green, Padraic Colum, Simon Pulse Books, Speak Books, The New York Times, Willy Pogany, YA Books, Young Adult Fiction

Category: Best Kids Stories, Best Sellers, Book Lists, Chapter Books, Teens: Young Adults

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online

Beloved Books to Inspire 12-Year-Olds | Shared by Author K.E. Ormsbee

K.E. Ormsbee | The Children’s Book Review | April 19, 2015

 

In The Water and the Wild, twelve-year-old Lottie Fiske receives a number of birthday presents from a mysterious gift-giver. One of these presents is Edmund Spenser’s Faerie Queene, which Lottie finds dense and tedious.

At Lottie’s age, I too would’ve professed the same opinion of the epic sixteenth century poem. I was, however, a sucker for all things magical and otherworldly, and that affinity is evident in the following selection of my favorite books when I was Lottie’s age. These stories kept me up way past my bedtime and still hold places of honor on my bookshelf.

By Carol Kendall

Minnipins rock. And if you don’t know who Minnipins are or why they rock, you ought to pick up a copy of The Gammage Cup and jump into the brilliantly conceived fantasy world of the Land Between the Mountains. The hobbit-like residents of Slipper-on-the-Water live a tradition-bound life, but there are a few weirdos in town—Gummy, Muggles, Mingy, Curley Green, and Walter the Earl—who reject the normal way of living in favor of staying true to themselves and their ideals. Other villagers refer to these pariahs as “Them” and eventually banish them from town. And that’s just the start of a very grand adventure. The Gammage Cup is packed with imaginative details and a spellbinding plot, and it’s a thought-provoking exploration of conformity and individuality. Growing up, I kept this story close by my bedside for multiple re-reads.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers | 2000 | ISBN-13: 978-0152024932

By L.M. Montgomery

Okay, maybe I was biased toward these books because Anne Shirley was an oddball ginger, just like me, but I like to think the Green Gables series has remained one of my favorites because it really is captivating storytelling. I was in love with the world of Avonlea and never tired of reading about Anne’s crazy shenanigans. My love for L.M. Montgomery’s world was only intensified by the fabulous film adaptations—still my go-to sick day movies—and the subsequent Road to Avonlea series.

Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Puffin Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0147514004

By Natalie Babbitt

Long before Hawt Vampire Boyz were popular, there was Jesse Tuck, an immortal boy with his own set of secrets. I remember first reading Tuck Everlasting on a road trip from Kentucky to North Carolina. As the car followed winding paths through Appalachia and dipped into back roads along wooded, rustic country, I could so vividly picture the story of Winnie Foster and the Tuck Family happening right outside my window. The story may be short, but it haunted me in a way few other books had before or have since. It’s a magnificent study of life and death that got me thinking about the beauty created by temporality long before I ever picked up any poems by Wallace Stevens.

Ages 10-14 | Publisher: Square Fish | 2009 | ISBN-13: 978-0312369811

By Jane Austen

Again, I have a feeling my initial love of this novel was fueled by subconscious narcissism, since the heroine’s name is Catherine. Or it could have just been because this was one of the shorter Austen novels and therefore more accessible. But whatever the reason, I adored Northanger Abbey, along with every other Jane Austen novel I devoured in my preteen and teenaged years. I may not have fully grasped the gothic parodic element Austen was going for, but darn it, that Mr. Tilney sent my heart aflutter like none other.

Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Random House UK | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0099589297

There you have it! Four beloved books that inspired, entertained, and delighted twelve-year-old me. And all of them only deepened a love of fiction that would one day lead me to write Lottie Fiske’s own story.

K. E. Ormsbee

K.E. Ormsbee was born and raised in the Bluegrass State. She then went off and lived in places across the pond, like England and Spain, where she pretended she was a French ingénue. Just kidding! That only happened once. She also lived in some hotter nooks of the USA, like Birmingham, AL and Austin, TX. Now she’s back in Lexington, KY, where there is a Proper Autumn.

In her wild, early years, she taught English as a Foreign Language, interned with a film society, and did a lot of irresponsible road tripping. Her crowning achievement is that the back of her head was in an iPhone commercial, and people actually paid her money for it.

Nowadays, she teaches piano lessons, plays in a band you’ve never heard of, and runs races that she never wins. She likes clothes from the 60s, music from the 70s, and movies from the 80s. She still satiates her bone-deep wanderlust whenever she can.

KEOrmsbee.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

By K.E. Ormsbee

Publisher’s Synopsis: A green apple tree grows in the heart of Thirsby Square, and tangled up in its magical roots is the story of Lottie Fiske. For as long as Lottie can remember, the only people who seem to care about her are her best friend, Eliot, and the mysterious letter writer who sends her birthday gifts. But now strange things are happening on the island Lottie calls home, and Eliot’s getting sicker, with a disease the doctors have given up trying to cure. Lottie is helpless, useless, powerless—until a door opens in the apple tree. Follow Lottie down through the roots to another world in pursuit of the impossible: a cure for the incurable, a use for the useless, and protection against the pain of loss.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-1452113869

Available Here: 

CCSS-Aligned Discussion/Teacher’s Guide

Scribd Excerpt

Enter to win an autographed copy of The Water and the Wild, by K.E. Ormsbee. Giveaway ends May 18, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST. Enter here »

 

K.E. Ormsbee, author of The Water and the Wild, selected the books in this list of “Beloved Books to Inspire 12-Year-Olds.” Discover more books like The Water and the Wild by pursuing articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with “Books About Loss.”

Tags: Carol Kendall, Chronicle Books, featured, HMH Books for Young Readers, Jane Austen, K.E. Ormsbee, L.M. Montgomery, Loss, Natalie Babbitt, Puffin Books, Random House UK, Square Fish Books

Category: Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Book Lists, Books for Girls, Chapter Books, Gift Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by a guest author.

Buy Books Online

Best Selling Middle Grade Books | April 2015

The Children’s Book Review | April 3, 2015

This month, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Book 1, by Jeff Kinney, is The Children’s Book Review‘s best selling middle grade book from our affiliate store. And we’re very happy to add Public School Superhero, by James Patterson, to our selection of books picked from the nationwide best selling middle grade list, as they appear on The New York Times. This list also features books by super-talents R.J. Palacio and Katherine Applegate.

By Jeff Kinney

Publisher’s Synopsis: Boys don’t keep diaries?, or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, ?Just don’t expect me to be all ?Dear Diary’ this and ?Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things.

Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.

Ages 7-13 | Publisher: Amulet Books | September 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-0810993136

By Katherine Applegate

Publisher’s synopsis: Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal and a #1 New York Times bestseller, this stirring and unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendships. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself.

Having spent 27 years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes.

The One and Only Ivan was hailed as a best book of the year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Amazon, demonstrating it is a true classic in the making. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan’s unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. An author’s note depicts the differences between the fictional story and true events.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: HarperCollins | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0061992254

By Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher’s synopsis: Jacqueline Woodson, one of today’s finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0399252518

By James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts; Illustrated by Cory Thomas

Publisher’s Synopsis: In this story about a good kid with a great imagination struggling in a less-than-ideal world, James Patterson brings his bestselling “Middle School”-style humor and sensibility to an urban setting.

Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he’s Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he’s a chess club devotee known as a “Grandma’s Boy,” a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize his own true strength before peer pressure forces him to make the worst choice of his life?

James Patterson’s newest illustrated novel is a genuinely funny yet poignant look at middle school in a challenging urban setting, where a kid’s life can depend on the everyday decisions he makes.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company | 2015 | ISBN-13: 978-0316322140

By R.J. Palacio

Publisher’s synopsis: “Wonder” is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school – and he’s dreading it. The thing is, Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, underneath it all? Through the voices of Auggie, his big sister Via, and his new friends Jack and Summer, “Wonder” follows Auggie’s journey through his first year at Beecher Prep. Frank, powerful, warm and often heart-breaking, “Wonder” is a book you’ll read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | Jan. 7, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-0375869020

By Sharon M. Draper

“If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it.”—Denver Post

Publisher’s synopsis: Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers |May 1, 2012 | ISBN-13: 978-1416971719

This information for the best selling books was gathered from the New York Times Best Sellers list, which reflects the sales of books from books sold nationwide, including independent and chain stores. It is correct at the time of publication and presented in random order. Visit www.nytimes.com for their most up-to-date and complete list.

This is such a great list of must-read middle grade books! We know you’ll enjoy each one and we also encourage you to take your time perusing The Children’s Book Review for more Middle Grade books and Best Sellers! Which middle grade books are hits in your home?

Tags: Amulet Books, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Best Books for Kids, Best Selling Books For Kids, Chris Tebbetts, Cory Thomas, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, HarperCollins, Jacqueline Woodson, James Patterson, Jeff Kinney, Katherine Applegate, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, Middle Grade Books, Nancy Paulsen Books, R.J. Palacio, Sharon M. Draper, The New York Times

Category: Ages 4-8, Ages 9-12, Best Kids Stories, Best Sellers, Book Lists, Chapter Books

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is powered by Bianca Schulze. Bianca is a freelance writer, bookseller, aspiring author, and mother to two daughters. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, her goal is to grow readers by showcasing useful and inspiring books!

Buy Books Online