Novels take more than a quick perusal in a bookstore, so here are recommendations, here’s Wilde Awards for longer Books written by Susie Wilde and her team of children’s book experts.
Clementine and the Family Meeting, Sarah Pennypacker, (Hyperion, ages 7-10)
“Family Meeting” reads the sign on Clementine’s fridge. What has she done this time? For once, it’s not her fault, Clementine’s going to be a big sister for the second time and she’s not happy. This fourth installment is consistently quirky in character and humor.
Gooney Bird on the Map, Lois Lowry, (Houghton Mifflin, ages 6-9)
In the fifth book of the series, Gooney Bird, the clear leader of her 2nd grade, has a new exciting way to learn geography. Fortunately it also ends the “gloating” of three kids who are taking exotic holiday vacations. A book made for new, sophisticated novel readers.
Close to Famous, Joan Bauer, (Viking, ages 9-12)
Foster mourns her father’s death in Iraq and is afraid of Elvis impersonators like the one she and her mother are fleeing. But she can make cupcakes and muffins that make her close to famous in Culpepper, West Virgina. Humor, drama, eccentric characters and baking passion are tasty ingredients.
Dead End in Norvelt, Jack Gantos (FSG, ages 10-12)
Jack’s 11th summer in Norvelt is full of laughs—at least for the reader. Poor Jack’s always in trouble; anything exciting makes blood fly out of his nose, even becoming “the pen” for an elderly obit writer who “cooks” her arthritic arms in wax.
Inside Out & Back Again, Thanhhai Lai (Harper, ages 9-12)
Lyricism and touches of humor provide needed balance in the story of ten-year-old Ha who flees post war Vietnam for Alabama. In linked free verse poems, the author tracks a year of her difficult journey – a rough boat trip, the uncertainty of a refugee camp, and finally facing unknown customs in an unknown country and inhospitable school.
My Name Is Mina, David Almond (Delacorte, ages 9-11)
Almond's brilliant Skellig was mysterious and darker. This prequel told in journal form, is full of laughter and light. Mina writes beautiful nonsense on school tests; her mates think she's cracked, her teachers declare her unteachable, but Mina's readers know better as Mina wryly and wondrously observes everything, from the blackbird family in the nest below, to the Skellig family moving in across the street. (Clay Carmichael, author)
The Silver Bowl, Diane Stanley (HarperCollins.ages 8-11)
This exciting fantasy is loaded with adventure and well-rounded characters. Molly has a vision, of a dire future for the royal family. She must survive physical and magical dangers to rescue the young Prince Alaric from certain death. (Deb Bolas, Librarian, Carrboro Elementary School)
The Unforgotten Coat, Frank Cottrell Boyce, (Candlewick, grades 10-12)
In sixth-grader Julie feels like a misfit before she becomes a “good guide” to the two Mongolian immigrants new to her school. As she honors their request to “learn themselves ordinary”, she marvels pictures of their mysterious past and events of their curious present. This is an emotional journey from confusion to compassion.
Wildwood, Collin Melloy (Balzer+Bray, ages 9-12)
This fantasy adventure is accessible and appropriate for the intended middle grade audience. Prue watches her baby brother being carried off by crows into the magical "Impenetrable Woods" and while rescuing him meets all sorts of odd inhabitants and gets caught up in the war between the woodsfolk. Quirky, folksy illustrations (by same illustrator as Mysterious Benedict Society) add to the appeal.
Karin Michel, Youth Services Librarian, Chapel Hill Public Library
Wonder Struck, Brian Selznick, (Scholastic, ages 8-11)
Graphics interspersed with words make for another winning Selznick story. Ben Wilson struggles with his mother’s death, his deafness and images of wolves that haunt him. A young deaf girl from another time seems just as confused. The stories unite in a satisfying finale.
You’ll Like It Here, Ruth White, (Everybody Does) (Delacorte, ages 9-12)
The Blue family seek a hospitable home, but it’s difficult for disguised aliens whose hair that turns color at emotional moments. White’s messages are a tad heavy-handed, but middle grade readers will appreciate the adventure-rich story.
Around the World: Three Remarkable Journeys, Matt Phelan (Candlewick, ages 9 and up)
Three short graphic novels give representation of three 19th century adventurers who made trips around the world. Each story represents perspectives as different as their modes of transportation, all of tales are emotive, all heroes courageous.
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade, ages 10 and up)
In this innovative nonfiction the author varies the famous aviator’s biography with the chilling record of her final flight and the search to find her. As usual Fleming incorporates a wealth of historical documents, maps, and photos that add to the book’s success.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans, Kadir Nelson (Balzer and Bray, ages 9 and up)
Poignant illustrations dramatize the equally powerful voice of an unnamed elderly black woman storyteller who recounts African-American history from the American Revolution to present day. The text blends personal memories and family tales, famous people and events, and a huge emotional range, painting a profound, poetic picture of the “heart and soul” of a people.
Okay for Now, Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion)
Doug’s got a father with “fast hands” and an older brother who’s a thug and used to beat him up “before he got drafted to beat up the Vietcong”. Doug’s moved to a town where everyone looks at him like he doesn’t belong. Schmidt’s poetic prose makes readers laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time!
Strings Attached, Judy Blundell (Scholastic)
The era is 1950’s and heroine seventeen-year-old Kit Corrigan, a dancer from Providence, has left Rhode Island for the glory of New York. But there are still strings attached to the estranged boyfriend she still loves, his “helpful” father with mob connections, her poor Irish past, and a murder.
Watch That Ends the Night, Allan Wolf (Candlewick Press)
This momentous free-verse historical novel tells the gripping story of the sinking of the Titanic in fourteen moving voices, a cross-section of those on board--young and old, rich and poor, female and (more tragically) male--as well as the cold, inexorable and godlike voice of the iceberg. (Clay Carmichael, author)
Between, Jessica Warman (Walker)
Elizabeth Valchar discovers her dead body floating in the water beside the boat on which she’s been partying. Beside her is a boy who has been killed months before. What is their connection? Why haven’t they “moved on”? As they solve the many confusion puzzles, readers are propelled through this gripping read that examines truth, love and life’s meaning.
How to Save a Life, Sara Zarr (Little, Brown)
A year past her dad's death, 18 year old Jill is still angry, pushing everyone away, and a stranger even to herself. Worse, her mom has befriended and decided to adopt the unborn child of Mandy, an unwed, pregnant stranger who’s also 18. The points of view shift between these characters. Zarr makes us cringe with the characters’ human frailties even as she opens our eyes, and allows us to understand them, faults and all. (Clay Carmichael, author)
The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson (Putnam)
This book is as gripping as it is creepy! Present-day London is held hostage to a Jack-the-Ripper copycat murder and Rory Deveaux, a new boarding student from New Orleans, discovers the strange ghostly secret of the murderer. But will anyone believe her?
Where She Went, Gayle Forman, (Dutton)
Forman’s If I Stay was written from the viewpoint of Mia, a girl in a coma. This sequel gives voice to her lover, rock star Adam Wilde. His powerful, angry voice tells of Mia’s withdrawl and finally, their reunion. Forman’s as much a rock star as her fictional hero.
All These Things I’ve Done, Gabrielle Zevin, (FSG)
It’s 2083, chocolate and coffee are taboo. Sixteen-year- old Anaya Balancine, daughter of a murdered crime boss, is still adjusting to responsibility for her family when she’s accused of poisoning her creepy ex-boyfriend. This series start has wit, twists, an intriguing setting, and a feisty heroine.
Blood Red Road, Moira Young (McElderry)
Saba’s world at Silverlake is destroyed when her twin brother is kidnapped and she embarks on a quest, with her little sister in tow, to rescue him. This adventure is set in a bleak future world, filled with dangerous characters, violence in the form of revolutionaries and killer worms There’s also some humor and a bit of Romance in this absorbing first book in a new trilogy.
Beth Gerall, Juvenile Content Lead at Novelist
Legend, Marie Lu (Putnam)
This dystopian adventure series-starter has already been optioned for film! Two 15-year-olds from opposite sides of the “tracks,” are pitted against each other after the older brother of one is murdered and the other is blamed for the crime. Sparks fly, truths are revealed, and the ending is left open for next book.
Karin Michel, Youth Services Librarian, Chapel Hill Public Library
Mastiff, Tamora Pierce (Random House)
The final in the Beka Cooper trilogy follows the young detective, her partner and their animal companions in search of a kidnapped child. Wonderful world-building, sympathetic characters and plenty of magical action result in another solid series finale from this popular author.
Karin Michel, Youth Services Librarian, Chapel Hill Public Library
Outcasts (The Brotherband Chronicles; bk.1), John Flanagan (Penguin)
This prolific Australian author starts another exciting fantasy adventure series, with connections to his wildly popular ‘Ranger’s Apprentice’ series. He introduces a new cast of likeable young people and follows them through warrior training on the seas of Skandia. This title offers page-turning adventure, great character development and a coming-of-age story for strong middle grade and teen readers.
Karin Michel, Youth Services Librarian, Chapel Hill Public Library
Divergent, Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegen Books)
A future Chicago which is divided into five factions, each with a strength and area of societal control. In this world, coming-of-age means choosing forever which faction you will join-- staying with your family in the society you’ve known your whole life, or choosing another for which you are better suited, but loosing contact with everything you’ve known. The only exception are those who are Divergent who are to be found out and destroyed.
Beth Gerall, Juvenile Content Lead at Novelist
Everybody Sees the Ants, A.S. King (Little Brown)
Smart, funny, fifteen-year-old Lucky Linderman suffers from the relentless bullying of a classmate. There’s no support from his passive mother who swims endless miles, or his father still grieving his own dad who went M.I.A. in Vietnam. Lucky lives a secret, heroic life with his granddad in the jungles of Laos every night in his dreams that just might save him. Are they really dreams? A seamless blend of realism and fantasy from 2010 Printz Honor winner A.S. King. (Clay Carmichael, author)
The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson (Greenwillow)
A totally original new fantasy novel about a 16-year-old princess and prophecied "bearer" who is married off to the king of a neighboring country. Caught up in the political intrigue of her new country, she begins to discover her magical destiny. A recommended choice for fans of Graceling.
Karin Michel, Youth Services Librarian, Chapel Hill Public Library
iBoy, Kevin Brooks (Scholastic)
Tom Harvey is an ordinary 16 year old growing up in the extraordinary world of gang-ruled housing blocks until an iphone falls thirty floors and imbeds itself in his head. Suddenly he knows everything, all at once, including the fact that he’s going to clean up his world. Edgy technology, superhero actions, and life philosophy make for an engrossing story.
Icefall, Matthew J. Kirby (Scholastic)
Hidden away in a frozen fjord, the royal children and a few caretakers are protected by a few soldiers and trusted band who await the thaw and news that their King has been victorious. But the children are in danger and a traitor lurks somewhere on the island. This historical fantasy fiction with its sensory details will capture readers and hold them until the very last word.
Beth Gerall, Juvenile Content Lead at NoveList
A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness (from an idea by Siobhan Dowd) ( Candlewick Press)
Conor's mother has cancer, and if that weren't enough, each night a monster- formed of the Yew tree outside Conor's window- visits. His mother's fate, the monster and Conor’s realities intertwine in surprising and powerful ways. (Clay Carmichael, author)
The Scorpio Races, Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
This gripping fantasy has everything. A believable island world, an imaginary breed of man-eating, water-bred horses, two humans who fight unlikely odds, terrible villains, tension, non-stop adventure, and a tone that blends all of these together perfectly.
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 Amazing Authors Tell the Tales, Chris van Allsburg (Houghton Mifflin, ages 11 and up)
Twenty-seven years after the book with amazing illustrations and curious subtitled illustrations appeared, fourteen famous writers from Cory Doctorow to Stephen King imagine stories to go with them.
The Giver, Lois Lowry (Houghton Mifflin, ages 9 and up)
The 1994 Newbery-award winner tracks a young boy’s discoveries of ugly truths in his seemingly ideal utopian world. The book’s excellent text is paired with thirteen elegant illustrations by extraordinary illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline.
The Phantom Tollbooth: 50th Anniversary Edition , Norton Juster (Random House, ages 10 and up)
The original story and illustrations now include an author’s introduction, Maurice Sendak’s forward and “celebrations” by more than a dozen children’s book authors. For the scholarly, Leonard S. Marcus illuminates readers with The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth (also from Random House)