How To Be a Baby by Me, The Big Sister by Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Big Sister in this book explains the pitfalls of babyhood, and why it’s far superior to be the big sister. For one thing, when you’re a baby, “you’re not allowed to touch anything. And a special plug goes in your mouth…to stop your scream coming out.” Life is tough for baby who has to sit in a baby-holder in the car, and doesn’t even “face the right way” — but not for our narrator who hastens to tell us that “I prefer to sit in a seat like a normal person”. As the story nears it’s end, she imagines a future when the two siblings play together and laugh about the baby days. A great read for a home with a new baby.
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
This book takes us through one week in the life of Clementine, an irrepressible 3rd grader who is true to her word that “spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain.” Clementine is good-hearted but she attracts trouble, and this sweet and hilarious story will have you laughing and cheering for Clementine as she tries again and again to explain her behavior to her parents, or to avoid showing up for something she’s anxious about (a good excuse — she has the “heartbreak of sore irises”). Kids who like Junie B. Jones and Judy Blume will love Clementine. Ages 6-10.
A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz
Maud is a spunky orphan who longs to be loved, and then is adopted by three spinster sisters. The sisters are phony spiritualists who use Maud in their staged seances. This unusual and captivating book is a fast read with a satisfying ending, as Maud eventually learns to give and receive the love she yearns for. For older children who enjoy mysteries, or character studies. Ages 10-14.
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Sal takes a journey with her grandparents to try to find her mother who abandoned her. Along the way, she tells her grandparents the story of her friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, and discovers a lot about her own self. Ages 9-12.
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
A homeless, orphaned girl finds her place in Medieval England. Ages 10-17.
Pictures of Hollis Woodsby Patricia Riley Giff
Hollis Woods has been to lots of foster homes and keeps running away. A talented artist, she captures her dreams in pictures. What happens when she finally finds a loving home? Read to find out. Ages 8-13.
Twig by Elizabeth Orton Jones
Twig befriends an elf in her backyard who shrinks her to his size, and then joins her in many adventures. Written in the 1950’s, this book is still fresh today for children who love fairies and elves and a good, old-fashioned read. Ages 8-11.
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Lucky’s deepest fear is that her Guardian, Bridgette, will leave her, just like her parents did (her mother through death, and her father by desertion). Lucky is a beautifully drawn character — child emerging as young adult, independent yet yearning for relationship, hilariously funny yet poignant in her determination to get what she needs. The 2007 Newbery Award winner. Ages 9-11.
