Tweens Book Reviews
Parents and Grandparents.....
Here you will find book reviews for Tweens, ages 8-12. The goal here is to introduce you to books that would be appropriate for kids who are between 8 and 12 and who love to read. Since I tend to look for books that are Newbury and Caldicott winners, most of the books I've read tend to be gems. But there are also some that were suggested to me by others who enjoy a good kids' book, too! If you enjoy these books, don't hesitate to send me an email and let me know! Or suggest books for me to read before you purchase it and I will review it for you. Thanks!
- In: Tweens
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is the 2nd book I've read by Spinelli. Like the first book I read, Stargirl, Maniac Magee is a unique individual, not like anyone else. The most wonderful unique quality is Magee's ability to see everyone as equals. He lives in a town that is separated by color with blacks on the East side and whites on the West side. But Magee doesn't see the differences and finds friends on both sides of town.
- In: Tweens
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - At some time in our lives, I think we all may have met a Stargirl. Or maybe it was you. Perhaps not to the extremes that Spinelli's Stargirl went, but certainly parts of her we've all met before. She is that being who I believe is in all of us. That part that early on in life gets rejected. Only because it doesn't conform to the rules that are thrust upon us at an early age. Particularly in high school, where Stargirl enters the story, told by Leo who is confused in his attraction to her and torn between wanting what all high school kids want - to be accepted for who they are, even if they aren't quite sure who that is yet.
- In: Tweens
The Meaning of Life by Bradley Trevor Greive is a wonderful little book.
I love this book. Although it can be read in about ½ hour (or less), it is full of some of the best animal photos I've ever seen. I originally had this rated under several age groups, but I think Tween fits it the best.
- In: Tweens
Everyone likes an adventure story, right? Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo certainly falls into that category. It is also an adventure that takes place in a fantasy world. Know any other stores that are adventures in a fantasy world with a teen-aged boy, living with a family that treats him only with disdain, as the main character? And, oh yea, the boy has magical powers, too. The Harry Potter series set the bar that all future adventure/fantasy world books are now measured by. And this book is just the first in the series - I found six books with the Leven Thumps character in the world of Foo.
- In: Tweens
Since I’ve never read any of the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys series of books when I was growing up, I thought it was a good idea to read at least one of them and give my personal review of it. In my forever search for new (and hopefully free) books, I happened to find a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys book called, “Process of Elimination.” But first, a little background on the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys.