It’s possible that after three months of summer reading the kids in your life aren’t looking for any more book recommendations, but today’s are different! From graphic novels to the best reviewed books of 2009, these are books kids will want to hear about. Just make sure you don’t sell any too hard, because “assigned reading” is never fun.
Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" is just one of the graphic novels that speak to teens
- In last Sunday’s New York Times, the editors of the Book Review recommended three middle-grade novels for students who have finished their assigned lists. All three selections (Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me, Mary Ann Hoberman’s Strawberry Hill, and Joanne Dahme’s The Plague) feature characters living in the past, from 1979 New York City to England during the Plague. Each book is well written, but, perhaps more importantly, the Book Review editors believe kids will actually enjoy reading them. The article gives a brief description of each book and includes excerpts.
- With so many books published every year, it’s hard to keep track of the reviews and figure out which books are worth reading. Luckily, Elizabeth Bluemle at Shelftalker has posted a list of all the 2009 middle-grade and YA titles with three or more starred reviews. The list is a quick way to pick out the year’s best based on reviews, not buzz. So far, seven books have five stars, and we bet you haven’t read them all.
- And for the 99.6% of teens who don’t care about starred reviews, British author Malorie Blackman recommends 10 graphic novels she believes will speak to young adults. Persepolis, V for Vendetta, and Watchmen all made the list, surely a refreshing change from the tiny-print classics students are usually bombarded with. The Guardian has the full list, as well as Blackman’s comments.
*************
Want to know more about us? Check out “What is Books & Authors and Why Should You Care?”
