Quick Reads - Because even on break, people are busy (Search the page for QR to find other quick reads in different sections.)
Picture Book: The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett
I've blogged about this one before. It's a moving story about a little girl who learns about saving and giving. And nothing's faster read than a wordless picture book.
Middle Grade Book: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
You know another easy way to find a fast read? Find a book written in free verse poetry, like this one. You can probably easily finish it in one sitting. If you're still hungry for more, there's a sequel called Hate That Cat.
Middle Grade Book (that's good for YA & Adults too): The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle
Look for this one in an upcoming revamped Biweekly Brainstorm. It's another novel written in free verse poetry, this one is a historical fiction based on the real life activities of a healer during the Cuban revolution. Very moving. And if you feel like brushing up on your Spanish, the book is bilingual, there's a version in English in the front and a version in Spanish in the back.
Animal Books - For those who love the cute and cuddly.
Picture Book: Extraordinary Jane by Hannah E. Harrison
This is a new one to ICS. Jane is a scraggly little pup who just doesn't seem as talented as the rest of her circus-performing family, but they love her just the way she is. QR
Lower Grade Book: Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel
If cats are more your thing, you should appreciate the fun and humor of this hazardous tale. (And it's one of those books disguised as a book for little kids, but is really written for adults to sneak out for a read and laugh.)
Adult Book: A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
A true story of a homeless man and his cat. I haven't read this yet, but it comes highly recommended by students. It and its sequel are frequently checked out. (But I see them on the shelves now so hurry over.)
Dystopia - End of the world as we know it, super popular genre
Middle Grade Fiction: Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This is the first book in a relatively overlooked series that's actually been around for a while. In the future 3rd children are banned after a famine, but the main character is a 3rd child hidden by his parents. Through online networks, he and other 3rd children and those concerned with human rights start working to fight for their freedom. Great pick for kids interested in the genre because of Divergent & Hunger Games, but not mature enough for those books.
Young Adult Fiction: Atlantia by Ally Condie
This YA dystopia book stands out for two reasons, 1) it is a stand alone (that's right, no series), and 2) because violence does not bring about the resolution. I can't think of another dystopian novel that has a non-violent peace solution.
Adult: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
If you're looking for something literary and deep and more cerebral, this may be up your alley. So hard to do justice to it in a few lines, just click on the title to see my full review if you want more info.
Biography - Because people are infinitely interesting
Picture Book: A Picture Book of Florence Nightingale by David A. Adler
A short but inspirational look at a woman who decided to follow God's call despite opposition. QR
Picture Book (for All Ages): Edward Hopper Paints His World by Robert Burleigh, ill. by Wendell Minor
A brief biography of a very shy man who used his talents to touch the world. Great pick for shy kids or art fans.
Adult Book: Where the Wind Leads: a Refugee Family's Story of Loss, Rescue and Redemption by Vinh Chung with Tim Downs
Autobiography of a man who was a young boy when his family escaped persecution in Vietnam, was rescued by World Vision and then moved to America and worked hard to make a life there. Eye-opening perspective of life of a refugee and TCK.
Nonfiction - For those who like real stories
Lower & Middle Grade Book: Chasing Cheetahs: the Race to Save Africa's Fastest Cats by Sy Montgomery, photography by Nic Bishop
Meet real people doing simple things to help save an ecosystem in Africa. Oh, and there's fantastic pictures of animals too.
Middle Grade/YA Book: Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood by Nathan Hale
Who says history has to be boring or complicated? Nathan Hale is able to boil down the key points of WWI into one graphic novel. I recommended this to one of the HS history bowl participants and he said it was fantastic and very helpful. This series, called Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, is one of my go-tos for reluctant readers. There's 3 more books in this graphic novel series, and another one on Harriet Tubman comes out the end of this month.
Adult Book: Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
There's tons of people on campus ranting about how good and helpful this book is. And it's short. What are you waiting for? QR
Fantasy - Let your imagination take flight
Picture Book: Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light
Want a book that will last readings and re-readings? Well, then help this little boy try and find his dragon in New York City. You might find yourself counting 1-20 along the way, enjoying the sights of New York City, and rumors are if you look up the book in the library catalog there's a link to an interview with the author about further hidden things to find in this book.
Middle Grade Book: A Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
A fantasy book that's sure to appeal to boys and girls alike, travel with the four Princes Charming as they try to save the day (or just not die), and of course there's some princesses around too who aren't just going to let the boys have all the fun. A humorous fractured fairy tale mashup that's the first in a 3 book series.
YA Book: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
In the future, something starts giving people super powers. But instead of using their powers for good, the powers seem to corrupt all who have them and the world is soon reeling under the dictatorship of supervillains. Our hero is a normal teen trying to help restore peace to the world and oust the supervillains. This and it's sequel, Firefight, are super popular with students (and I can't lie, I'm a huge Sanderson fan myself).
Realistic - For those who like real people with real problems
Picture Book: Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems
This is the third and final book in the Knuffle Bunny series, and it will take you on a roller coaster ride of all the emotions. It'll make you laugh, but it might also touch you enough to bring happy tears too. Knuffle Bunny takes a trip overseas and gets lost. QR
Middle Grade Book: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A brand new book about a girl who manages to fool everyone for years about her real issue, that she can't read, until a special teacher comes along. There's also side stories about friendship, bullies, fitting in, siblings, and more. Gonna be one of those teacher classics.
Adult Book: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, trans. by Stephen Snyder
A story about an elderly professor with memory problems, his housekeeper and her son, and how they all change each other's lives. This is another quick but good read. QR
Science Fiction - For those who like to ask, what if...
Picture Book: Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner
A worldless picture book about an epic battle between a cat and some aliens. QR
Middle Grade Book: Scavenger: Zoid by Paul Stewart, ill. by Chris Riddell
Introduce kids to a classic sci-fi plot: robots have gone evil and taking over the world.
Adult Book: Numb by John W. Otte
This book has space travel, nifty futuristic tech, and a epic good vs. evil battle. Good for those who like traditional sci-fi fare. Oh, and it's excellent Christian fiction.
Historical Fiction - Step back into the past
Middle Grade Book: The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail by Richard Peck
Through a strange series of events, Mouse Minor becomes a Yeomouse of the Guard at Buckingham Palace during Queen Victoria's reign, and finds himself doing some very important jobs.
Young Adult Book: Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson
After Hattie's homesteading experiment in Hattie Big Sky, she decides to try her hand at being a newspaper reporter and bumps into famous people of the 1920s. Great pick for those who like black and white movies of the 1930s and 40s.
Adult Book: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Alternates between a German radio operator and a blind French girl to tell the story of WWII.
Humor - Get your dose of daily laughter
Picture Book: Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, ill. by Zacharia O'Hara
The Bunny family decides to adopt the little wolf abandoned on their front door. Little Dot Bunny is not so sure this is a good idea. QR
Middle Grade Book: Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz Smedry finds he is part of a rather unusual family, a family with supernatural powers called talents. Unfortunately, the talents are things like being late or breaking things. The Smedrys must use their unique talents to keep special lenses out of the hands of the evil forces. It's hilarious. Kids love this series (and adults do too).
Adult Book: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
A short classic about three young men who decide to take a boating holiday for which they are horribly prepared in skill or temperment. QR
Mystery - Can you solve it first?
Picture Book: The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
Clues and hints hidden in the pictures will help readers figure out who stole the birthday feast. This book can entertain kids for days and days.
Middle Grade Book: The Frog Who Croaked by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
The Platypus Police Squad is trying to figure out who is smuggling illegal fish into the city. Unique animals abound in this book that reads like Dragnet or Law & Order for kids.
Adult Book: The Listerdale Mystery by Agatha Christie
For those not quite willing to commit to one of Agatha's full-length mysteries, this is a collection of short story mysteries perfect for those who want quick little mental exercises. QR
Adventure - Set out for a little fun and excitement
Picture Book: Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
Three little bears set out on an epic seafaring adventure on the hunt to right a wrong.
Middle Grade Book: Crunch by Leslie Connor
When the oil reserves threaten to dry up, the country goes into a crunch and suddenly gas is all but unavailable. The Marriss parents are stuck on vacation, and the weekend away from the kids grows while suddenly the family's bicycle repair business is booming. Dewey's and his siblings have to try and keep things going in the midst of growing craziness.
YA Book: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
This is the beginning of the Ranger's Apprentice series, a hugely popular series with our students that's set in a re-imagined old England with tiny touches of fantasy and main characters who are archers who act as law enforcement for the land and have all sorts of adventures.
Romance - For the incurable romantics
Picture Book: For the Love of Autumn by Patricia Polacco
A young class and a little cat act as matchmakers for a teacher and a lonely man. QR
YA/Adult Book: Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl
A fun newer book written as an ode to Austen. (Certain parts and characters will remind readers of Austen characters, though the plot is wholly original.)
YA Book: On the Fence by Kasie West
Between her sci-fi Pivot Point series, and her young adult realistic romances, Kasie West has shot up to one of the most popular authors with our teen girls this year. And I'm all for that because she writes good, clean fun. Good luck on trying to find this one actually on the shelves, but if you can, it's about a sporty girl raised by a bunch of guys (her mom died when she was 6) trying to figure out how to become a woman and along the way deal with some issues she's buried.
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