This week’s review is filled with books that help transition readers from leveled books to chapter books. These books have stories kids enjoy reading, which helps instill in them the love of reading.  I’ll begin with the earliest chapter books and progress to books with more pages, smaller font, less pictures and more complex story-lines.  [...]

What better time to read about long dark nights than at bedtime?  Here are some new and entertaining picture books on the subject.  Each book is good for ages four through eight.

Nightsong, by Ari Berk, and richly illustrated with images of the night by Loren Long, is an exhilarating tale of overcoming one’s fears. [...]

The next few reviews will be dedicated to outstanding new books that will surely encourage kids, ages nine and up, to capture the love and joy of reading. The last book is best suited for teens and adults.
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, should be a definite candidate for the next Newbery award [...]

It’s a continual problem to find books for kids that are so good that it keeps them reading clear to the end. Here are more outstanding books for ages nine and older that will likely keep them reading deep into the night!  Only the last book is better suited for ages seven to ten. This [...]

If you are looking for fiction books to excite and instill a life long love of reading, here is a nice variety of genre that are all page-turners and that even reluctant readers will enjoy.  All are geared for ages nine and older, unless otherwise stated. This is the second of three planned reviews in [...]

Now that school’s back in session it’s time to get back into learning, listening and doing well in school. Here are several books about school as well as the upcoming Presidential election. The last book is a short chapter book about the attacks of September 11, 2001 due to the upcoming eleventh anniversary of those [...]

The long, hot days are here and what better way to cool off than by reading about all aspects of summer:  bugs and animals, the growing season and vacation?  Just cozy up under the shade of a leafy tree or while sipping a cold glass of lemonade and read these picture books and chapter books [...]

Summer’s right around the corner and so is more time to relax and read. Here are some out-standing newly published books geared for kids ages 9 and older, unless otherwise stated.
Small as an Elephant, by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, is a captivating story from the first page to the last. Jack and his mom have left [...]

Below, you’ll find more books for kids who have caught the reading bug and can read just about anything. There is a nice assortment of genre here, but I’m willing to bet kids, from ages nine and up, will like them all.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, by Frank Cottrell Boyce, reflects back to [...]

The previous three weeks I have concentrated on reviewing great books for new readers. Now it’s time for outstanding books for kids that can read just about anything. And I have found some terrific reads that kids, families and probably even parents will not want to stop reading! The great thing about this level of [...]