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YA Books for Boys, with giveaway

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There has been big push in recent years to get boys more interested in reading. Jon Scieszka’s Guys Read collection is a good start, but his lists are geared toward middle grade boys, and rightfully so, since that’s when boys who like reading start to lose interest. But there’s still a pretty big gap in boys for books in the Young Adult genre, and 3 new books from Scholastic make good strides in closing that gap.

Markus Zusak won awards for The Book Thief, but years before that book’s release he wrote 3 short novels about Cameron and Ruben Wolfe, teenage brothers from a working class family. After several years out of print, those novels are available in one collection, called Underdogs. The first of the three, The Underdogs, establishes the characters but doesn’t have much of a plot. But the first person narration by younger brother Cam is intelligent and insightful and his view of the world around him more than makes up for the lack of anything happening. Things get going in Fighting Ruben Wolfe, a title with multiple meanings, where Cam and Rube get involved in a fight club of sorts. In the final book, Getting the Girl, Cam falls for one of Rube’s many girlfriends, but realizes his brother is the most important person in his life. Each of the books take place during winter, a year separating each of the events chronicled by Cam, and the cold and dreary setting sets the tone for the books. Cameron grows up, both physically and emotionally, and Zusak’s writing also evolved, with Getting the Girl the best of the three books.

The reviews for The Eleventh Plague and iBoy were written by Elizabeth’s 16-year-old son, Elliot.

The Eleventh Plague The only life Stephen Quinn has ever known has been that of a forager. He and his father live in the ruins of North America, hunting, gathering and trading whatever they can to survive. After his father is injured, Stephen needs help which he finds in a small community of people trying to survive as well. Stephen learns many new things which he has previously had no experience with, things such as school and baseball, etc. But some in the community are suspicious of Stephen, thinking he is a spy for another community a little ways away. These two communities harbor a strong distrust for each other, which soon leads to war after Stephen and a friend play a prank on the strict community leaders, and make them think that the other side is responsible. The elders hire mercenaries to wipe them out, but the people of the community won’t back the elders or mercenaries and attack them. The other community arrives prepared for battle but winds up helping the people fight off the mercenaries. This book, placed in the ruins of nuclear war, sends a clear message, that though humans are capable of great evil, they are also capable of good. This is a great book for anyone who likes to read. Good plot and storyline.

iBoy is a really great book. It’s got a good plot and a fun idea to write about. Tom Harvey wakes up from a coma to find parts of an iPhone lodged in his brain, and that his best friend has been raped. He soon discovers that he can do everything an iPhone can do and more. He can hear all calls, look at all messages, etc. He can access any part of the internet whenever he wants. He decided to punish the gang that raped Lucy. He gets back at them in many ways–he beats them up, gets them in trouble with their gang bosses, etc. This is a very intriguing novel and had me hooked quite quickly; I finished it within 24 hrs of starting it. It has a good story line and the characters are well developed. The book is narrated in the first person, which gives the reader a deeper understanding of Harvey’s conflict. He struggles with what he should do with his power. He is unsure how far to go, who to tell, etc. He struggles with taking things that aren’t his from the internet, even though it is for a good cause, and he knows the people can spare it. When his grandmother needs money, he takes £1 from each of the 15,000 most richest people in the UK. They aren’t going to miss £1, but the money is not his. Once again this is a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Scholastic has graciously provided a prize package for one (1) winner, consisting of copies of Underdogs, iBoy and The Eleventh Plague, along with a $50 Visa Cash Card! Leave a comment below to enter, and the winner will be announced on December 28. The Giveaway is closed.

Though this giveaway ends after Christmas, these would make great gifts for teenage boys looking for new material. Girls would enjoy them too.

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Nancy is stockpiling lists of middle grade and YA books for boys. She writes about her 2 boys, books and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books..

On Reading: Best Books for Boys

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Don’t you just love that there’s a book called Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives. Just reading Pam Allyn’s title and subtitle inspires and encourages me.

Pam Allyn has spent years encouraging kids to read. In her writing, we can hear a special heart for the struggles that boys face, especially as they get older. She responds not with sympathy, but with a “make-it-happen” attitude that teachers and parents can benefit from. She outlines the obstacles that cause boys to perceive reading as a chore, and then gives plenty of solutions: Ritual, Environment, Access, Dialogue (READ).

Best Books for Boys: How to Engage Boys in Reading in Ways That Will Change Their Lives is written specifically for teachers, instructing them to set up their classroom libraries and reading settings in ways that will appeal to boys, but the information proved equally valuable to me as a parent. For example, she shared the ideal mix for a classroom library, and I immediately thought of the books I buy, shelve, and check out for my kids. Her ideal mix that will be attractive to all sorts of readers is at least 40% novels, 30% poetry, and 30% non-fiction. We might be a little bit low on the poetry (maybe not if you count rhyming picture books), but I was happy to be able to identify a variety in my home.

After a few chapters in which Allyn shares statistics proving that boys are struggling with reading and school, offering suggestions for improvement, and a hearty dose of encouragement and inspiration, the lists begin. Allyn offers suggestions grouped first by topic, then by reading level (for emerging, developing, and maturing readers). She includes many genres: Action and Adventure, Biographies and Memoirs, Expeditions, Fantasy, Humor, and Mystery, just to name a few.

What I liked about these book lists is that they are mostly populated with current, popular books. That means that a parent or teacher can easily find them in a bookstore or library and since I’ve seen my own bookworm of a daughter turn her nose up at an “old” or “boring” cover, I think it also insures that they’ll look interesting and thus earn a second look.

I was pleased to be able to mine a little more of Pam Allyn’s expertise with an exclusive Q&A:

  1. How did you decide on the titles recommended in the book?

    I listened to the boys! I have the pleasure of working with many boys of all ages in my role as a literacy educator and advocate. The boys tell me what they love the most. I also work closely with teaches and librarians and they too have shared their favorites with me. Best of all, I get to read all these books and peruse them. These titles were compelling to me. Of course there are so many more, so forgive me if your favorite is not there! Please come to my website PamAllyn.com and let me know what your favorites are.

  2. Given the different preferences that individuals have, do you see a common thread in books that seem to be sure-fire hits?

    Hmmm. I see a great variety in what boys love, but I think children are very sensitive to good writing. They are discerning. You can’t fool them with a great cover and a bad book. They also know when a writer is condescending to children. They seem to gravitate to books where the main character, a child or teen, is rich with complexity and faces challenges with courage.

  3. Some of us moms have great memories of being young booklovers who also loved to write, but we don’t see this in our sons as much, even if they do like books. Is there a connection between reading and creative writing, and is it stronger in girls?

    4. We do tend to encourage girls as writers more often. It seems almost like it is considered a more feminine activity.

    There is a strong connection between reading and writing. I always say reading is like breathing in and writing is like breathing out. A recent study showed that even a small amount of writing in response to reading helps build reading comprehension.

  4. Is there a typical age that reading interest tends to drop off in boys? What are some ways we can continue to encourage our boys who do enjoy books not to let the interest wane?

    Middle school teachers and parents report a steep drop in boys’ reading interests upon entering middle school. That transitional period can be very stressful for boys. The pressure in school mounts for them as the reading levels jump to a far more difficult level. It’s a crucial time to keep our eyes on the long term prize and make sure we keep reading fun for boys. Let them read what they love. Don’t let them forget why reading feels so good.


I so appreciate this book, and I appreciate that Pam Allyn took some time to answer my questions, but we are a community of moms and grandmas here, and I would love to hear what worked for you, too.

How have you encouraged your boys in particular to read?

Jennifer Donovan is the mother of two. A 12-year-old daughter who has finished half of middle school and is still reading (hooray!), and a 7-year-old son who learned to read by osmosis when he was 4, but does see other activities as more fun than reading. She blogs about their lives in the pages and out, at Snapshot.

“I Can Read!” Books for Boys

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These aren’t really just for boys. Girls can read them. Girls might want to read them. But these are two new early readers that appealed to the 6-year-old boy in my household.

In my recent Children’s Classics post, I mentioned that Kyle was getting more comfortable with the idea of reading independently, and I mentioned a certain series that he had enjoyed, because it had short chapters, short sentences, and pictures on every page. I then asked for recommendations on other similar series he might enjoy.

Then I remembered these review titles that I had sitting in my house — one of which he had already read and enjoyed. What was I thinking? In a way the whole “I Can Read!” label made me overlook them as books, because I was thinking of them more as “readers.” The leveled system is awesome. These are both level 2 “high-interest stories for developing readers,” and Kyle and I agree. There is an interesting plot, complex compound words (they are marked “reading with help,” assuming I guess that they would get help on more complicated words, but Kyle does okay reading them on his own), and bright full-color pictures. All of those features make them an absolutely perfect bridge to longer chapter books and series.

The other thing I love about these paperback “I Can Read!” books is their price — $3.99. Though we use our library a lot, I also think it’s important to have books around that they might choose to read over and over again. At this price, they are a perfect little treat (and what’s more, many of them are in amazon’s 4 for 3 promotion, so you could actually get 4 books for $16).

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude is a lovable opossom. When he goes to the beach with his family, he forgets his swim trunks. They find some that are a bit too big, but he insists on buying them, because they make him feel like a real “surfer dude.” Trouble ensues, but Gilbert and his family still have fun.

Written and illustrated by Diane Degroat, this is a beautiful book with a funny story that is sure to appeal to early readers.

Detective Dinosaur Undercover is written by James Skofield and illustrated by R. W. Alley, Detective Dinosaur has appeared in at least two other books, which makes it even more of a springboard into chapter books, since it’s a series that gives them a platform to jump into other books with the same characters!

At the ripe old age of 6, Kyle is quick to point out things that are for “little kids.” He’s feels that way about all those awesome learning shows on PBS and Nick Jr. that I love, so he hasn’t been very interested in reading the Sid the Science Kid I Can Read! books. It’s a bit surprising to me, because he likes nonfiction and science, and so these are a good combination of a story and hard facts. I like the fact that Sid is willing to go in-loco-parentis and teach our kids some things that they might not care to hear from Mom and Dad, such as Why Can’t I Have Cake for Dinner?. This is a “Let’s Read and Find Out Science” book, stage 1, targeted to preschoolers and kindergartners, and teaches solid scientific facts (in this case, about nutrition). This is a read-aloud book, not a book for early readers.

The Trouble with Germs is a level 1 I Can Read! book, featuring “simple sentences for eager new readers.”

The pictures inside and on the cover are from the TV show, so if your kid is a fan, he or she would definitely like the books. Unfortunately, the TV tie-in worked against them in our household, because though the material interested him, he thought he was a little too big for Sid the Science Kid.

Jennifer Donovan is so happy “I Can Read,” and she has the time and interest to do so, and hopes that her kids will keep up their interest in reading as well. She blogs about other hopes and dreams she has at Snapshot.

Books for Boys

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I don’t know about you, but I frequently have a hard time finding books for middle grade boys that I think they might actually find interesting. Of course, everyone’s taste in books varies but here are a few I came across that are just plain cool. The first is a new release by Candlewick Press entitled Spyology. It is the latest in their -ology series and is just fascinating. I had the privilege of going to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years back and this book reminds me very much of that visit. (If you ever get a chance to go to the museum – I highly recommend doing it!) Spyology is the complete book of spycraft. It’s full of codes to crack, clues to unravel, explanations of how spies operate and disguises they use. The intro to the book includes a top secret, classified memo giving you information to draw the reader in and presents a case for them to solve. This book is creative and exciting. The only downside is that it does include one picture of a rather scantily clad women and another in a low-cut evening gown (1940’s/50’s style illustrations) which were regrettably included and totally not necessary. However, it’s easy to “fix” the pictures if you were really interested in handing this book over to your son and you found these illustrations bothersome. They weren’t enough to turn me away from this book at all. (I just found it unfortunate as otherwise I would say that there is absolutely nothing to be forewarned about concerning this book. It IS just plain fun.) You can also comfort yourself in the fact that it is educational as well as entertaining and isn’t that the perfect combination? Check out this book. It’s a really amazing Candlewick publication.

The second book is Castle Diary and is also a delight. This is the story of young Toby, an apprentice to a nobleman in a castle, who keeps a diary of his experiences within the castle. The story itself is fictional however it is chalk full of information about everything from jousts to boar hunts. Simple diagrams and illustrations explain various parts and uses of the castle itself. The book also explains the hierarchy of the 13th century (i.e., kings and queens on top, barons, earls and dukes below and freeman offering their support at the bottom of the power triangle).

The first half of the book is Toby’s diary in which he accounts for various events that occurred within the castle walls. The second half of the book is an explanation of what things were like back in the 13th century. You learn about the life of a page, weapons of warfare, and a suit of armor. This book, written by Richard Platt and illustrated by Chris Riddell is very cleverly done. The two have also paired up for a Pirate Diary which I am curious about but have no doubts that it is quite fascinating and engaging.

I’m really impressed with both of these books. If you are a mother to a 8-12 year old, these books might just be exactly what you are looking for!

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Books on Screen: The Fabulous Beekman Boys

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The Fabulous Beekman Boys premieres on Planet Green (a part of the Discovery Channel family) on June 16. It is the story of Josh and Brent, two boys from Manhattan who are trying to grow a life and a business in New York state.

I previewed two episodes of the show, and read the book about the first year on the farm, The Bucolic Plague (click over for my review and for a giveaway). I didn’t only read the book, I loved the book.

And as is almost always the case if you fall in love with “characters” in a book, and then see them portrayed on screen, you are going to say “the book is better.” And yes, in this case, the book is better.

If you become fans of The Fabulous Beekman Boys, you must read the book. Even if you don’t care for the show, if the idea of reaching for your dreams appeals to you, read the book.

Brent actually worked for Martha Stewart, and except for the fact that it’s pretty funny (although not as funny as the book — do you see a theme?), it’s very Martha Stewart-ish. They are hosting a harvest festival, complete with costumes, making their own artisanal cheese, and having large dinner parties using the bounty of their heirloom garden.

So here’s what I want you to do. I want you to read The Bucolic Plague and fall in love with these guys and their vision of escaping the hectic life of two New York City professionals, and then tune in to Planet Green to watch The Fabulous Beekman Boys so that you don’t go into withdrawal wondering what is happening at the Beekman mansion.

Jennifer Donovan knows that reality TV isn’t really real, but she enjoys watching it anyway. She blogs at Snapshot (and maybe it’s not so real either).

On Reading: Boys and Books

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Each stage of my life can be marked and labeled by a book. My first grade reader was “Fun With Dick And Jane” and that was followed by the entire Dr. Seuss collection. I remember giggling all the way through “Red Fish, Blue Fish”. My first “grown up” book was “Alice In Wonderland” in fifth grade, and to this day I still find delight in wandering through the rabbit hole. This led naturally to Agatha Christie mysteries in middle school, and then the big stuff in high school where I discovered “Jane Eyre”, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Anne of Green Gables” and “The Bell Jar”.

When I learned I was going to give birth to Lucy my mind instantly began to map out books. I would introduce my daughter to all of my literary loves from Beatrix Potter to Jane Austen. Indeed, reading to, and with, my daughter has been one of my biggest joys of motherhood.

However, when Max was born I found myself lost. What do boys read? What kind of books do little boys enjoy? What would he like to read now? And what about when he’s in middle school? High school?

I knew for true insight into this problem I would need the assistance of the very man who introduced me to books and reading; my dad. My father was the first one to introduce me to the “classics” and indeed my whole life he has handed me books from the American canon, quietly suggesting I read this one or that one. He was always careful to suggest books that he thought would interest me, being sensitive to the fact that I was a girl. He was the one that brought me “Jane Eyre” and “Vanity Fair” and even “Alice in Wonderland”. Now, as a parent myself I want to do the same for my children. Developing their taste in books by giving them things I know they will enjoy. I called my father and asked sheepishly, “What do boys read?” Well, he quickly rattled off the following list:

1. “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson
2. “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas
3. “The Man In The Iron Mask” by Alexandre Dumas
4. “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas
5. “The Crystal Cave” by Mary Stewart
6. “Ivanhoe” by Sir Walter Scott
7. “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkein
8. “I, Robot” by Isaac Asimov
9. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
10. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson

The list seemed so obvious and yet I doubt I would have thought of them on my own. Although as a girl I delight in expansive scenery and long romantic dialogue it is common sense that a boy’s interest would trend elsewhere. Indeed each of these books are focused more on actions and deeds, and yet are rich in character and story.

Lucy and I will always have Jane and Elisabeth and Alice. But now, Max and I will have Long John Silver and D’Artagnan and King Arthur. Won’t it be nice that my son and I will have our own special adventures together? Places that only he and I know about? Secret battles, wars and treasure to be found, and that is what turns a boy into a life long reader.

Beth Morley is the writer of Blog O’ Beth, as well as a contributing editor at Blog Nosh Magazine. Beth is a full-time mom, part-time English professor, aspiring chef and secret geek. She loves old books, new technology and good tasting food.

New Kids’ Books from Laura Gehl

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5M4B disclosure

Laura Gehl is a prolific children’s author, and this spring saw the release of four new books from her for children of various ages. From toddlers to young elementary school kids, these books offer encouragement and understanding and make for lovely read alouds with the little ones in your life.

For the youngest explorers, Baby Oceanographer and Baby Astronaut are sturdy board books in the “Baby Scientist” series that give simple introductions to each career experience. Caregivers can share new vocabulary with toddlers and talk about the sky and the ocean as places that grown-ups can explore in their jobs. Both books feature adorable illustrations by Daniel Wiseman.

Kids will certainly giggle at just how far the story goes in Gehl’s Dibs!, with illustrations by Marcin Piwowarski. Big brother Julian is in the practice of calling ‘dibs’ on lots of things, from star-shaped cookies to astronaut costumes to his favorite solar system plate, and his baby brother Clancy is always paying attention. When it comes time for Clancy’s first word, it’s no surprise. “Dibs!” But when things start to get out of hand, Julian is shocked how everyone is responding to Clancy’s calling dibs on just about everything. What will Julian do when Clancy goes too far? As in to outer space?? This silly book of sibling rivalry approaches a real feeling for kids in a way that keeps them laughing.

In Except When They Don’t, with illustrations by Joshua Heinsz, many activities are described with pictures showing characters engaging in what traditionally might be seen as ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ clothing, hairstyles, and behaviors. After a few pages of this, the idea is presented that some kids don’t follow those strict rules. Perhaps boys like to wear pants with flowers on them and dance, or maybe girls like to play football. I like the encouragement here for kids to follow what they like to do, regardless of their gender, but I do wish there was less emphasis on the girl vs. boy categories to allow for the possibility of more fluid gender identities. Still, this is a good start for children who already have ingrained ideas about what girls/boys are supposed to do. The illustrations are full of diversity in characters, and they’re bright and modern, with a realistic feel.

If you’re a fan of Laura Gehl’s work, be sure to check out any of these four new releases!

Pink is for Boys

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5M4B disclosure

Very young children seem to love all colors, the brighter the better. At some point, they learn our culture’s associations of gender and color, which is a serious shame, in my opinion. I could go on a long tirade about how frustrated this practice makes me, but instead, Robb Pearlman’s new picture book Pink is for Boys gives me the opportunity to simply focus on the positive ways in which we can show children that colors are simply colors, attractive and delightful all on their own, ready to be loved by anyone, regardless of their gender identity.

Pink may be in the title, but it is just one of many colors that is presented here. Each color gets put in the spotlight with one special way it is seen in our lives. As the mom of a ten-year-old boy who has long loved the color pink and adores wearing his own pink plaid bow tie, I was thrilled to see that fancy party clothes were the example for the color pink! Other colors show boys and girls engaging together in activities that may often be thought of as primarily for one gender, such as sports uniforms for blue or yellow-golden crowns, while other colors are shown in the context of nature, such as the green grass on which boys and girls both love to run.

Eda Kaban’s illustrations are whimsical and full of joyful life, featuring children of all shades, sizes, genders, and physical abilities. All of the children are actively engaged in silly, fun, and imaginative play, which is as refreshing to see as the natural diversity that is present. The messages here are clear– gender has nothing to do with the colors you like or the activities you enjoy– and the tone is light and full of happiness, providing acceptance and celebrating the choices of all. This picture book is a must for preschool and early elementary school classrooms, school and public libraries, and group storytimes in these settings.

Sports Illustrated Kids Books on Football and Wildest Plays in Sports

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I live in Colorado, and if you follow sports at all, you’ll know that recently the Denver Broncos replaced the Dallas Cowboys as America’s team. Now, I don’t really know what that means, but I’m guessing it has to do with how many people root for the Broncos. And football is huge here — recently when the Broncos played on the Thursday and the game ended at 10pm, the entire half hour news cast was devoted to the game – replays, interviews with players and coaches, the sportscaster insisting the Broncos are going to win the Super Bowl, as he does every night.

As I’ve mentioned before, my two boys, ages 11 and 7, are both sports fanatics. They play a different sport every season, watch football every Sunday while poring over their fantasy teams, and of course, love to read about sports. Two recent offerings from Sports Illustrated Kids were immediately snapped up and read. And I have to admit, I enjoyed paging through them myself.

Football: Then to Wow! is a wonderful history of football, covering everything a fan could ever want to know. It’s broken down into sections — in the Basics section,  I learned that touchdowns started out as 4 points, the ball’s design changed as passing became more popular and the reason for the different inscriptions over the years, and how the shoulder pads and helmets changed over time in order to provide the players more protection (helmets were originally only intended to protect the players’ ears, but they couldn’t hear during games), to name a few.

The Players section describes how each position has changed over the decades, and the Strategy chapter covers how coaching, offensive formation, and defensive strategies have evolved, plus discusses how the technology we have today has improved the sport. It also talks about the draft and player scouting changes that have taken place, from ESPN making the draft into the event it is today, to the Scouting Combine where prospects take a series of tests to determine who the top players are. The final section is about the fans – how the media, video games, fantasy football, and merchandise have changed how fans enjoy the game.

To be honest, I got a little bogged down in all of the stats and info thrown at me on player positions and strategy. But that’s the kind of thing my 11 year old loves, so it didn’t bother him at all.

The other book I received is What Are the Chances? The Wildest Plays in Sports. Filled with colorful pictures and easy-to-read text, this book is good for the sports fan who likes to rattle off statistics. Showcasing plays and statistics that start from rare (50 home runs in a season, 5 goals in one hockey game) and go to really rare (14 goals credited to goalies, 22 Hail Mary touchdowns), super rare (3,000 points in one NBA season, 7 touchdown passes in one game), and almost impossible (100 points in one NBA game by one player, 1 undefeated NFL season). The bonus chapter, It’s Never Happened, highlights close-but-no-cigar record-breaking attempts.

If you have a football or statistics-loving kiddo in your family, I recommend either of these books from Sports Illustrated Kids.

5 Books to Read with Your Teenage Daughter {Friday’s Five}

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PicMonkey Collage

I’ve read some passionately written posts in which the blogger gets very upset about the fact that grown women are devouring Young Adult literature. Oh my. And many of them are mothers, no less. It’s scandalous! My teenage daughter would describe those kinds of people as ‘judgy’. We don’t like when people are judgy. We like to read what we want, and we like to share stories with each other. If she doesn’t think it’s weird to read the same novels as her already weird novelist mother, then why would I complain? I write my novels for the future adult in her, so the least I can do is read the ones she already loves right now. Here are five of our favorites:

  • Walk Two Moons: Sharon Creech books always require a tissue. Any time my daughter reads a book and says, “Mom, you have to read this,” I know it has touched her. She read this one in fifth or sixth grade and it is the ultimate in mother-daughter novels, featuring mystery, intriguing characters, and a protagonist with a big heart.
  • The Outsiders: We both follow S.E. Hinton on Twitter because we absolutely love The Outsiders. She started reading it even before she knew it was my favorite, so that makes it even more special. It is timeless and will give you much to talk about with your daughter concerning social barriers, friendship, and growing up. In fact, when my daughter connected to this book and was able to talk about its deeper themes, I knew she really was growing up.
  • Never Been Kissed: This novel is not to be confused with the movie. Author Melody Carlson knows what teenagers are thinking and my daughter is the one that told me I should read it. It’s a good one for discussing what kinds of things can happen involving teenage relationships and the dangers and mishaps of teens navigating the digital world.
  • Diary of a Teenage Girl: Becoming Me: This is another one by Melody Carlson and is a must-read for mothers and daughters. This one deals with some very grown-up choices and the price of choosing friends for the wrong reason. It could give you and your daughter a way to broach the subject of boys, because we can’t ignore this important part of our daughter’s lives.
  • The Fault In Our Stars: If you haven’t heard of it, then you really have been living under that rock your teenager might already think you live under anyway. This one has deep themes, and because it deals with cancer and some light sexuality, it’s a good one to read and discuss. Kids love this story because deep down it is a love story and it has intense moments of joy in the midst of trouble. Moms love it because what happens in the book reflects our biggest fears for our children, and you will love the mom and dad in this book. Author John Green has to be a parent to have such insight.

 

tina ann forknerGuest contributor Tina Ann Forkner is a Women’s Fiction writer and the author of the novel, Waking Up Joy, which releases October 8 and is available for preorder now. She is also the author of Rose House and Ruby Among Us. Tina makes her home in Cheyenne, Wyoming with her husband, three teenagers, and two spoiled dogs. Learn more at www.tinaannforkner.com.

 

 

The (Almost) Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys

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5M4B disclosure

almost perfect guide to imperfect boysAt first I thought The (Almost) Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys was a little too cutesy and contrived, but that feeling didn’t last long. I was immediately taken back to 8th grade (or even better, the fun fictitious version of 8th grade), as I got lost in the story of Maya and Finley.

Things are changing, like the fact that they aren’t super-close with all the girls they grew up with. Another thing has really changed, and is constantly changing, and that is the boys. Maya and Finley started classifying the boys in Finley’s science notebook, aka The Amphibian Life Cycle. The tadpoles are those boys who still burp and fart and act like 6th graders. Croakers have voices that croak, showing some sort of puberty is happening. They also might make some sort of an effort to act like human beings around girls. The most evolved 8th grade boy is a frog. Those are few and far between, but they look more mature, and actually know how to talk to girls.

When an old classmate, Zachary, returns to their school after being gone, it’s as if he skipped straight from tadpole to frog. This leads to all sorts of complications, when Maya and Finley get the unwanted attention of the Alpha girls Chloe and Sabrina, who have also noticed Zachary’s transformation.

Maya has had a boyfriend before (sort of), and she’s beginning to feel like Finley isn’t quite up to speed on boys. Can’t she just get over the nitpicking and appreciate them?

Because I was so interested in this story, I kept picking it up and finished it in just two days. Reading middle grade fiction is pure escapist pleasure for me, and Barbara Dee fits the bill. She perfectly described 8th grade friendships, school life, and family life.

This is one of those books perfect for middle grade girls (see more in the related stories links below). It’s right on point topically, but with none of that content that is in most teen YA that you wouldn’t want a tween or young teen to read.

5 Books for Back to School {Friday’s Five}

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I know just about all kids are already back to school but it’s never too late for some good back-to-school books. This list is geared for the younger set who may be nervous about starting preschool or kindergarten but are also a good refresher for those who are a little older.

Pre-School (ages 3-5):

How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague. As with the other “How Do Dinosaurs” books, this one shows what dinosaurs should and shouldn’t do at school, some of which are funny and ridiculous. These books would be preachy if they weren’t so well done.

Sea Monster’s First Day by Kate Messner, illustrated by Andy Rash. I reviewed this book, as well as “Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish,” over on 5 Minutes for Mom right around this time last year, and it’s a good reminder that anxiety and fears on the first day are normal. Kate Messner also did a guest post on using books as springboards.

Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney. It’s time for Llama Llama to go to school, but he hasn’t spent much time away from his mama. After a morning of missing her, he finally makes some friends, and before he knows it, the day is over. This is a great book for kids with separation anxiety.

Kindergarten and older:

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff. My younger son loved reading this book over and over, even after he was well into kindergarten. I don’t know if it was alliterative animals or Miss B herself, but this is a book we reached the renewal limit on because he never wanted to send it back to the library.

Berenstain Bears Go Back to School by Stan & Jan Berenstain, with Mike Berenstain. I’m not a fan of all Berenstain Bears books, as they often make Papa look like a bumbling fool and can be a bit preachy too (I’m obvious not a fan of preachy). But this is a rhyming book that shows Brother and Sister Bear nervous and excited to go back to school and is more of a tour of the school than a book that soothes fears. I would recommend it for first or second graders who’ve already got a year or two of school under their belts rather than kids who are anxious about beginning school.

What books are favorites in your house when it’s time to head back to school?

Nancy is the mother of a second grader who likes school but won’t admit it, and a sixth grader who has until now hated school but so far is actually enjoying and doing well in middle school. She writes about her boys, books, and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books.

Monkey Me books 3 and 4

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Thanks to Scholastic, I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing the first two books in the “Monkey Me” Branches series by Timothy Roland – Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey and Monkey Me and the Pet Show. Branches is “a unique line of books specifically designed for newly independent readers who are ready to make the exciting leap from leveled readers, but not quite prepared for a traditional chapter book.” My now second grader is reading on a third grade level, so he’s beyond the target audience, yet he still loves these books about a hyper boy who transforms into a monkey when he gets excited. Since I somehow misplaced the third book when I received it a few months ago, and the final book comes out September 30, I’m writing up both books in one post.

In Monkey Me and the New Neighbor, Clyde finally comes up with the perfect thing for Show-and-Tell — a prized baseball card — but bully Roz throws it into the bushes. To add insult to injury, Clyde and Claudia’s new neighbor is Principal Murphy! Imagine Clyde’s surprise when she is not only nice, but also collects baseball cards. Clyde once again saves the day in his monkey way when thieves steal her box of cards.

Monkey Me and the School Ghost comes out just in time for Halloween, and it’s Halloween for Clyde and Claudia too. When Roz the bully is blamed for Principal Murphy’s purse being stolen, Clyde has to find out who the real culprit is, even if it means Roz won’t be out of his life. The twins also find out it’s possible Clyde won’t change back into a human after being a monkey.

I don’t know if this series will stop at 4 books but I really hope it doesn’t. My sixth grader steals the books from his brother, and I have to admit I enjoy reading them as well. Clyde and Claudia are resonant of real siblings, fighting one minute but friends the next. Claudia’s frustration with her hyper brother is understandable, but he also helps her loosen up a bit.

I highly recommend these books to both boys and girls in the 6-8 age range (and their older siblings who want to borrow them).

5 Cultures #Kidlit Readers Can Explore #WeNeedDiverseBooks

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Diverse Books Collage

Spend any time in the kidlit community, and the topic of diversity is sure to come up. There’s a big focus going on these first few days of May. I hope you’ll check it out. I decided to come up with a Friday’s Five to share books that feature 5 different groups that are underrepresented in children’s literature. These are all racial or cultural designations, which don’t even take into account families that look different from the standard nuclear family, kids who are differently-abled, struggling with depression or their weight or anything else that might cause them to feel like they don’t see themselves in the media they take in, be that books, magazines, movies or TV shows.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but books that I’ve read and enjoyed which came to mind when I gave it some thought.

BiRacial

Not taking into consideration the children who look one way but self-identify another, causes me to think back to the days when anyone who was only 1/8 African American was denied the rights of a white citizen. When I was googling, I ran across this 2010 article from TIME magazine asking “Who’s White? Who’s Black? Who knows?. Chew on this:

Never mind what you’ve heard. Halle Berry was not the first black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. She was actually the 74th white one. And never mind all this talk about America electing its first black President; Barack Obama is actually the 44th white man to hold the job.

  • I know it matters, because my daughter’s best friend has said she loved seeing her specific make up featured in The Red Pyramid Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
  • I finally read some Jenny Han recently, and loved the half-Korean heroine in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Asian

This is a growing population in the U.S., and certainly here in Houston (actually all of the groups I mention here happen to be visible in our communities and lives, from the time I was growing up years ago until now). These books all prominently feature Asian characters, and I LOVE all of them:

Hispanic

This is a growing population that is starkly absent. A recent figure I saw said that less than 2% of books reflect this population.

Indian

Muslim

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

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5M4B disclosure

to all the boys I've loved beforeI’m the mother of a teenager, but I also love reading YA just for me. I love remembering what it was like to be a teen.

In Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we meet Lara Jean. She’s going to be a junior, and she knows this year is going to be different. Her sister has just left for college — in Scotland! — breaking up with her boyfriend, literally the boy next door, before she leaves. Lara Jean, Kitty, and her father have accepted Josh as a part of the family, so this changes thing for their family. The absence of Margot is even more felt in this family because she’s sort of stood in as their mother since her death years ago.

Lara Jean has never really had a boyfriend, but she’s certainly had her share of crushes. But when she decides that she’s “over” the boy or that it’s time to be over him, she writes him a letter and puts it in her special hatbox. When Peter Kavinsky — the “it” boy of her school — comes up to her with the letter, she’s dumbfounded. How did he get it? And does that mean….?? She rushes home to find all of her letters are gone.

I don’t want to give anything away, but it leads to a funny comedy of errors and misunderstandings. Lara Jean is a sweet teen with that mix of insecurity and confidence that many teens have. This was my first Jenny Han novel, though I’ve been meaning to read them, but her characters reminded me of the equally lovable Maureen Johnson’s.

CONTENT NOTES (from a mom): This book is about a high school junior, so there is definitely some content that is more suitable for older teens, such as sexual activity, drinking, etc, however this is mostly just discussed in reference to someone’s character, but not described or glorified. The swearing is probably moderate — more than just a few mild swear words, but not as prevalent as some novels.

I’m glad to see that there’s another book coming out in 2015, P.S. I Love You.

5 Books That Hooked My Non-Reader {Friday’s Five}

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To call my 10 year old son a non-reader is a bit of an exaggeration, but not much. Like many parents, especially those who love to read, I’ve read to both of my boys since birth. Board books, picture books, early readers, we’ve read them all. Bedtime has always been our time to read, and that has continued for Alex, who has been reading independently for a few years now and moved from our family reading time in the loft to his bean bag in his room. During the school year he has required reading that’s part of his homework, sometimes it’s a book they’re reading in class, but often he just has to read. If he had his way, he would read graphic novels, sports facts, or even his little brother’s picture books. But in fifth grade, reading Captain Underpants for the fiftieth time just doesn’t cut it in my book (ha – no pun intended).

Here are five books or series that he has not only agreed to read, but often flew through in only a handful of sittings.

1.  Guys Read – The Sports Pages, edited by Jon Scieszka.  My son loves sports. He loves playing, watching, and talking about sports. Why it didn’t occur to me earlier that he might like to read about sports, I have no idea. Actually that’s not true, as you’ll see in my next item, I knew he liked to read sports facts. But the Guys Read books are collections of short stories, all written by children’s and middle grade authors. He loved the bits of sports trivia (“Mom, is it true that Bill Buckner let a ball go through his legs, causing the Red Sox to lose the ’86 World Series to the Mets?”), the different authors, and well, the sports.

2. Any book of records or facts.  During my time as a reviewer here on 5M4B, I’ve had the opportunity to review a few different records books, including Guinness World Records and Sports Illustrated Kids Big Book of Why. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made for him is another one from SI Kids — Top 10 Lists of Everything in Football. And the Weird But True series by National Geographic Kids is frequently borrowed from the school library. Basically if it has facts, awesome, if it has sports facts, even better.

3. The Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger. Star Wars, Origami, realistic characters, what’s not to love? The latest in the series, Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue, continues the McQuarrie Middle School kids’ fight against the ridiculously inane standardized test videos they have to sit through instead of going to their beloved specials, this time with an unlikely ally.

4. Two-Minute Drill by Mike Lupica. This is the first in a series of sports-related books by the well-known sports writer. Each book in the Comeback Kids series features a different athlete struggling with issues that kids can relate to – making their parents proud, sportsmanship, conflicts with other kids. Alex at first balked at this book when I handed it to him, and ended up having to repeatedly tell him to turn off the light and go to bed.

5. The Big Nate novels (not graphic novels) by Lincoln Peirce. While he does enjoy the graphic novels too, he also really likes the novels. Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid looking for something similar will enjoy Big Nate.

There’s a whole world of sports-related middle grade novels that he hasn’t even tackled yet (ha – I’m full of puns in this post) and those should keep him busy for some time.

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You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About

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dave barryHeeeeee’s back! I don’t know about you, but I used to love reading Dave Barry’s weekly column in my local paper, back in the day when we got the paper. I discovered his books, collections of his columns, and avidly read those too. But in recent years, we’ve drifted apart.

So I was thrilled to see he’s back, nattering on about parenting and other topics he knows very little about, in as fine a form as ever.

This new collection is great. He takes his 13-year-old daughter to a Justin Beiber concert, he reads 50 Shades of Grey in order to find out what women really want, Mr. Language Person returns to explain grammar to us, Dave, his wife Michelle, and their daughter Sophia tour Israel, and so much more.

You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About shows that age hasn’t slowed Dave Barry down a bit! It’s a delightful read, highly recommended. Best of all, one of you can win a free copy for yourself. Click on over to my review at 5 Minutes for Mom and follow the instructions. Good luck!

Sport-themed Books Not for Sporty Kids only #Kidlit #Cybils

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I am not a sporty person. I am not raising sporty kids. I am married to a sporty guy, but apparently his genes skipped a generation. However, we do all like to read (sporty guy included). These are books that are well written and plotted, so if you are trying to encourage a sporty kid to read, they might give these a try. That said, my non-sporty self liked these a lot. The sports created a cool setting and background or plot element, but were part of the greater themes of friendship, fitting in, self-improvement, or something else.

strikethreeStrike Three, You’re Dead by Josh Berk is a mystery. I’m assuming – or hoping – that it’s the first in a series, because after the title online it says (Lenny and the Mikes). These guys made me laugh. Lenny’s two best friends are both named Mike, so one is called Other Mike, which never really got old. Lenny and the Mikes love the Phillies, but instead of playing ball, it’s Lenny’s dream to be an announcer. When he wins a contest, it seems like his dream is going to come true.

When he’s in the press box getting ready to announce his one inning, he meets the new phenom pitcher who takes the mound for the first time and then collapses and dies! Lenny and the Mikes try to figure out what happened (How else are they going to spend their summer?). Some might think the mystery is obvious, but honestly, I was so charmed by these characters that I didn’t really care. They did end up with a girl in on the action (a girl who is not named Mike), but I liked the focus of the boys’ friendship, which is somewhat rare in novels that try to reach the masses by having boy-girl best friend duos.

LosingItLosing It by Erin Fry is another book that I liked for its strong male friendship (with no token girl, except for the ones that the guys are crushing on). Bennett is also a baseball fan. He and his dad like watching the Dodgers, eating snacks, and hanging out like men. It helps them deal with or forget the death of Bennett’s mom. But when Bennett’s dad has an attack and goes to hospital, Bennett ends up living with his estranged aunt Laura.

Bennett’s dad has a long road of recovery ahead of him, so he’s stuck with Laura and her healthy ways. And to be honest, since his dad’s attack is related to being overweight and sedentary, Bennett begins to think about shedding his extra pounds and getting healthier himself. When he sees a sign-up for the cross country team — no experience needed — he decides to give it a try. He and his best friend P.G. have done it all together — hanging out, eating junk food, and being last in gym. Will Bennett’s new lifestyle put up a wall between them?

This was a great easy-to-read story of resilience with the realistic middle school setting featuring bullies, crushes and coaches who all affect Bennett in different ways.

ultraUltra by David Carroll is a Scholastic Canada book (which I received for review), so I’m not sure it’s available here in the U.S. (yet — I hope). This was a fun novel about 13-year-old ultra-marathoner Quinn Scheurmann. The book’s first page sort of gets the reader’s heart thumping with this disclosure:

Not for Publication
This is an unedited manuscript of an interview between the 13-year-old ultra-marathoner Quinn Scheurmann and Sydney Watson Walters, host of the Sydney Walters Show.

It’s always exciting to read something that you you don’t think you should be reading, right? Quinn story of running 100 miles — yes 100 miles in a row — is told by using the interview, plus Quinn’s own narrative during the race. There are also flashbacks, mostly dealing with his dad, who is absent but we don’t know why.

I don’t think you have to be a runner to appreciate this story. I think that kids will feel empowered and root for Quinn who is not competing in some race for kids, but going up against adults in such an extreme challenge that most do not finish (or even try). The book was exciting, the subject matter was intriguing, and Quinn is a likable guy. These elements combined to make this an extremely readable book.

athlete vs mathleteAthlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack features fraternal twins Owen and Russell Evans. Owen plays basketball; Russell is a brain. That’s the way it’s always been, and the brothers are happy with that. But when a new coach comes to the middle school, he asks (orders??) tall and lanky Russell to try out for the team. Russell’s dad is excited and encourages him to work on some of his skills, and Owen just wants him to keep from embarrassing him in front of his teammates.

When Russell’s height overshadows his lack of experience on the court and he makes the team, there’s a big shift. Russell is surprised that he likes the attention on the court, but will his Masters of the Mind team suffer with some of his focus on the court? And will Owen accept that Russell isn’t completely one-dimensional? For that matter, will Russell accept the fact that he can be a mathlete and an athlete?

The story is told in alternating chapters from Owen’s and Russell’s points of view. This story is as much about coming of age and figuring out who you are and how you’re going to get there as it is about shooting hoops. Of course sibling rivalry (and loyalty) looms large as well.

These reviews are linked up to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

These opinions are mine alone and not meant to represent the Cybils as a whole or the rest of the Middle Grade Panelists.

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Atta Boy: Books from a boy’s POV {MMGM #kidlit} #giveaway

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This week I’m sharing several books that are written from a boy’s point of view. I’m happy to be linking up to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. All the books except the last one are good ol’ library books, gotten in my quest to conquer the 100 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction nominees. My opinions are my own and not meant to reflect those of the committee as a whole.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephen Pastis

timmyfailureI’m not sure what I think of Timmy. He’s not as much of a ne’er do well as some of the boys prominently featured in children’s lit these days, but there’s something not quite right about him (that’s not my judgment alone. That’s how he’s portrayed and meant to be received, I believe). Timmy has a detective business, but he’s not so smart about picking up on the clues. He’s not so good at it, so that makes the fact that he has competition even worse for him, so he is always trying to stop The Weevil Bun (or evil one, or she who must not be named), Corinna. Even the fact that Timmy has a polar bear partner — a polar bear named Total – and a cool segway that he borrows from his mother to get him from place to place, does not help him with his business sense.

This is a zany book with crazy characters. In addition to Timmy and Total, we meet Rollo Tookus, whose name says it all, and Molly Moskins, a girl who crushes on Timmy and just happens to smell like tangerines, and his mother, with whom he’s always trying to teleconference. My 9-year-old son enjoyed this one and was glad to know it’s first in a series.

A Song for Bijou by Josh Farrar

a song for bijouSomething about the storytelling drew me right in. I was sort of annoyed that the whole idea is about a 7th grade romance, but I loved the male protagonist, ALex Schrader, so I kept reading. (A very long aside here — I think I’m a prude. I like to think that there’s no romance stuff going on in middle school. I wasn’t ready for all that stuff in middle school, nor was my daughter, and so I shy away from books and movies and shows that seem to promote it as “normal,” because they seem to promote it. That said, I remember that when my daughter was a 5th grader. Twilight was all the rage and her friends were reading it. I’d rather them read about romance on their level than teenaged mortals and sparkly vampires yearning and burning for each other, so I guess it’s good to give them what they want — long aside over).

Alex sees Bijou and immediately falls for her. She’s a new student who has just moved here from Haiti. The story is advanced with dual narratives from both Bijou and Alex, and the “romance” is totally on an age-appropriate level. They are intrigued by each other, and of course their friends try to encourage it (because that IS very normal, in my recollection and current observations). Bijou is a smart, thoughtful girl, and Alex is a mother’s dream — except for the fact that he sneaks around and lies to his mother, but hey, it’s all in the name of love, right? Other relevant themes that this novel explores are bullying, social status, racism, and maturing.

Books like this draw in girls because tween girls want to know what tween boys are thinking, but I think that they could also win over some boy readers. Unfortunately, this cover seems a bit juvenile to me. It somehow reminds me of the Fox and the Hound for some reason, though it does sort of sum up the sweetness of the story.

The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale

the bully bookThis book annoyed me at first (hmmm–I am sounding sort of curmudgeonly, being so annoyed). It seemed too over-the-top. Yeah, we get it, bullies should try to understand the way their targets feel. This message comes out as the pages of “The Bully Book,” a guide to the top dogs at the middle school on how to be sure they can rule the school, are interspersed with journal pages from the boy who is chosen as the target, the Grunt. There was also some strong language in the early pages that turned me off, because I feel like it pushes the limit for the age group: butt (used frequently), nuts (slang for the body part), gaywad (do kids even say that anymore?).

But then, it grew on me. The voice — of both the Grunt and the Bully Brokers — was genuine and very readable. And in the end, despite me feeling jaded and manipulated at first, I really felt like I could understand the pain that the targets of bullies feel.

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K

Follow the link for my full review of this book which posted earlier this week, which also features a story told from a boy’s POV.

Vertical by Jane Eoff Berend

verticalJosh Lowman wants a lot of things. He wants to finally go vertical on the big ramp at the skate park, he wants to figure math out, which he hopes to do with the help of his tutor, and he is hoping to figure girls out too. He skates as much as his mom lets him. But when he has a run-in with a fellow skater, and all around bully, things change in his life.

Skateboarding is a very popular sport, so I think that this book will appeal to boys in particular who are interested in it. I would recommend it for older kids, 12 and up for sure, since Josh is in high school, and some of the topics are on the mature side, such as the “slacker” nature of skateboarding in general, and in particular his friend Brendon’s inclinations to put skating over school as he struggles with his thoughts on whether or not school is a valid use of his time, but there’s nothing in it that would prevent an interested 10-year-old from enjoying it.

Josh’s voice is true, and his level of self-exploration is appropriate for a 9th grade boy, so it’s very believable. It’s a short book with an appealing cover, and all these are great for older reluctant readers looking for something they can relate to.

The publisher has offered up a copy of Vertical for one of you, so use the widget below to enter. Start off by putting in your name and email address (just used to contact you if you win), then tell me what appeals to you about this book/character.

Whether you are entering the giveaway or not, I’d love to hear if you have read any of these books, or if any of them interest you.

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