Last week, Parade magazine offered their summer picks for kids' readings.  These are all new books, ranging in ages from elementary to young high school.  Here's the quick list.  See their article for a little more detail.  You've got fantasy, a dog story, a Lois Lowry book and a Madeleine L'Engle first-time book.  It's a great list.  We've got so much to look forward to and I've got to get busy with these.

Title:    The Joys of Love
Author:   Madeleine L'Engle

Title:    Brett McCarthy: Work in Progress
Author:   Maria Padian's

Title:    Waggit's Tale
Author:   Peter Howe's

Title:    The Willoughbys
Author:   Lois Lowry

Title:    The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
Author:   Jeanne Birdsall

Title:    Magic in the Mirrorstone (anthology)
Author:   Steve Berman (editor)

Title:    The Missing: Found
Author:   Margaret Peterson Haddix

Title:    The Battle of the Labyrinth
Author:   Rick Riordan

 
 

Zoomii.  I just heard about it today.  If you haven't heard about it I encourage you to take a look.  It sort of makes it fun to browse online like you were really walking through a bookstore.  I've added the link to the children's section above, but you can select from the category listing on the top left for any section you wish.  Now only if they could add the aroma of brewing coffee (that I don't drink) and the soft sounds of people talking, we might be getting close to a virtual experience.

 
 

See an awesome intro to Brisingr, book 3 of Eragon and Eldest. The age of Christopher Pailini will astound you, making the books even more impressive.

 
 

Title:      Ruby Lu Brave and True.
Author:   Lenore Look
Ages:     2nd - 5th grades
Quick Review:    Cute.  Loved it.  Easy read.  Funny.  Peer into the world of Asian Americans.  Sheryl McFarlane offers a nice short review, too.

Title:      Feathers
Author:   Jacqueline Woodson
Ages:     6th - 9th  grades
Quick Review:    Beautiful story.  Deserves every award it receives.  Liked it so much, I made it into a Sunday School lesson for my 8th graders.  Prejudice comes in so many forms. Didn't like the very end so much, but the first 98% is wonderful.  Read a contrasting point of view at Jeanette's blog.

Title:      Doing Time Online
Author:   Jan Siebold
Ages:     4th - 7th grades
Quick Review:    Nice, thoughtful story.  Do-the-right-thing-kind-of story.  Check out Nancy Keane's book talks for possible lesson ideas.