by: Alexandre Dumas translated by Roger Celestin – (Signet, 2005) 570 pages.
In the book: Edmond Dantes is a young sailor whose life is perfect for the time being. He is so lucky, and everything he wants he gets. However, his so-called friends get jealous of how perfect his life is. So they join together in planning how to get rid of him. While being completely innocent, they accuse him of treason. Dantes spends a long time in captivity, planning to escape and planning for revenge. What will happen next? Will he be able to escape and get his revenge? That’s what you’re going to know when reading this fantastic book. The writer sheds light on the themes of love, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge.
Perfect for: The youngsters interested in reading thrillers.
A Wizard of Earthsea: The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1
This masterpiece of 20th-century young adult fiction is a high fantasy genre gem. What propels the pages forward? For whatever reason, this insightful and intriguing book has been there for 40 years. Everything is detailed, the methodical creation of a different planet with unique laws, magic, and geography.
Perfect for: Children that enjoy fantasy and science fiction.
by: Gary Paulsen – (Delacorte Press, 1996) 144 pages.
Using only his hatchet, Brian Robeson, a 13-year-old boy in the Newbery Honor book Hatchet discovered how to survive on his own in the wilderness of Canada. He was eventually saved, as millions of readers are aware. In this follow-up to Hachet, Paulsen thinks of the hero of the story, as if he hadn’t been saved, returning to Brian at the start of a brutal winter in Canada and showing him enduring the winter season in the bush. It is not necessary to read Hatchet before reading this book, however, it does make it an intriguing conversation. It’s an ideal winter book for the adventurous youngster, as it is full of cliffhangers and drama.
Perfect for: Children that enjoy reading adventures.
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
by: Jennifer Armstrong, illustrated by: Frank Hurley – (Random House, 1998) 128 pages.
The guy attempted to reach the Antarctic in 1914 and is the subject of this survival story. This is history as an exhilarating adventure, better than fictitious survival stories, eloquently written, and accompanied by images that have survived the journey.
Perfect for: Kids that are into history.
Find Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance at your local library.
by: William Goldman – (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973) 512 pages.
In the book: Buttercup is one of the most beautiful women in the world. However, her life is not! She falls in love but her lover gets killed by a pirate. Later on, she is supposed to marry the prince of her kingdom but she is kidnapped. The price gathers his forces to find her. On the other hand, Buttercup discovers that one of the gangs who kidnapped her is her former lover. He is the pirate who everyone assumed that he killed her lover. A very light, uplifting fantasy book suitable for teens.
If you’re interested in watching the movies, check out the 1987 version written by Goldman, the movie plot is the same as the book but just a bit simplified at a few points.
Perfect for: Teenagers who appreciate both, the extraordinary and the silly.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
by: Erika L. Sánchez – (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2017) 352 pages.
Olga, Julia’s older sister, is what their Mexican parents refer to as the “ideal Mexican daughter.” Julia, is irate, rebellious, and always in trouble, and is the complete opposite of her. The narrative starts just after a horrible event claims Olga’s life. Julia, who wants to leave her home and attend college, battles sadness and the expectations of her family. For sensitive readers, several aspects of Julia’s narrative, such as losing her virginity and making a suicide attempt may be distressing.
Perfect for: Youngsters that feel alienated.
by: Paul Gallico – (Knopf, 1941) 64 pages.
A kid and her next-door neighbor, a reclusive artist with a hunchback, forge an unlikely bond in Paul Gallico’s timeless tale when a hurt snow goose shows up. Over time, their friendship becomes love, but then the relationship is ended when he gets killed in a fight. The Snow Goose is a great place to begin for the new generation of aficionados of traditional, star-crossed romances, despite the language and plot being a little old (it was published in 1941).
Perfect for: Children that enjoy traditional tales.
Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica
by: James A. Owen – (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006) 336 pages.
The hook: Three boys find an old atlas of all fictitious places from legend and myth after an Oxford professor is killed in 1917 London. They travel by sea to oust a wicked king while risking their lives to save the atlas. The end of the first narrative in this series exposes the three friends’ hidden literary identities, and the books are filled with illusions from fantasy and mythological literature.
Perfect for: Supporters of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
by: Gary Paulsen – (Laurel Leaf, 1989) 112 pages.
On chilly Minnesota evenings, Eldon with his Uncle David and his brother Wayne congregates in the winter room along with the rest of the family. Then they sit in front of the oven. The lads avidly listen to Uncle David’s fantastic tales of legendary loggers there. Until they learn something exceptional about him, the boys’ uncle stops spinning stories when they start to disbelieve them. Modern mythology has some amazing descriptive sequences.
Perfect for: Children interested in fantasy and science fiction.
by: Louisa May Alcott – (Roberts Brothers, 1868) 816 pages.
The hook: The four sisters are battling to become well-bred ladies during the Civil War after their family experienced financial hardship. The oldest, Pretty Meg, finds being poor the most difficult. Tomboy Jo aspires to be a published author. The peaceful existence at home with her family is all that kind Beth wants. Impish Amy also has issues with being somewhat impulsive and vain. While their father is gone at war, Marmie, their sage and independent mother, tenderly nurtures them as they transition from being girls to ladies and keeps them all together. For younger children, this family narrative makes a fantastic read-aloud, and for adolescents who desire a lengthier read, it is a nice challenge.
And the movies are also fantastic. There are many options, including the Elizabeth Taylor-starring 1949 adaption.
Perfect for: Adolescents who enjoy family-related stories.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion
by: Russell Freedman – (Clarion Books, 1999) 192 pages.
For tweens and older, this is an inspirational sports biography. Babe suffers from bias against women, which parents need to be aware of. This actual narrative, which is written with the same vivacity as Babe’s personality, will inspire young readers, particularly those who like sports. Parents who are reading the book together with their children could talk about how Babe’s focus helped her triumph when women weren’t often recognized in athletics. Why did ladies receive this treatment? What has changed, and how? Do they still need to change?
Perfect for: Youngsters who enjoy reading about real people.
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café
by Fannie Flagg – (Random House, 1987) 448 pages.
The book: The story depicts the friendship between Evelyn, a middle-aged housewife, and an old lady called Ninny Threadgoode. Evelyn meets her in a nursing home when visiting her mother-in-law. Mrs. Threadgoode is a kind-hearted, nice old lady. Evelyn feels comfortable once she meets her at starts telling her about her depression and anxiety. Mrs. Threadgoode does the same with Evelyn and tells her interesting stories from her past. This helps Evelyn to ease her mind and starts looking at her life from a different point of view.
If you’re interested in watching the movie, the 1991 adaptation is there for you. The movie stars are Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates, and Mary-Louise Parker.
Perfect for: Teenagers who appreciate motivational life-changing stories.
by: Jack London – (Dover Publication, 1990) 64 pages.
The book: The Story is about a dog named Buck. Buck is kidnapped during the Gold rush to be a sled dog. The kidnapper sells buck to a trader who mistreats Buck and teaches him to obey by using violence. Buck’s personality changes from a civilized, moral, obeying dog to a wild, dangerous one. He does everything in his power to survive in the frosty North. After Buck completely turns into a wild state, something good in his life eventually happens.
Perfect for: Youngsters who are interested in learning about the nature and behavioral patterns of dogs.
by: Judy Blume – (Bradbury Press, 1981) 256 pages.
In the book: When Davey’s father gets killed by armed robbers, his family is left alone in a state of shock. They don’t believe or want to believe that their father will no longer be in their lives. However, Davey realizes that she must move on. They move to New Mexico with their mother, hoping that this will help them move on and live properly. There, in New Mexico, Davey meets Wolf, who becomes a friend of Davey’s later on. He helps her change her life into a better one. Throughout the story, Davey is always in fear, and she wonders whether or not she’ll be able to live normally.
Want to watch a movie based on this book? It was released in 2013, directed by Blume’s son, and is a lot similar to the book.
Perfect for: Teens interested in realistic drama.
