Newtons Book News

Childrens Book Reviews

Archive for the Fiction Category

Wonderful Reissues for 2011

Reissues are wonderful additions to anyone’s library because these classics, favorites or otherwise wonderful books might be forgotten. Here are some outstanding picture books, as well as fiction reads, that are also terrific read alouds and good for all ages.
Firebird, by Saviour Pirotta, and beautifully painted by Catherine Hyde, is an old Russian folktale that’s been retold in this [...]

Great Fiction for Those Long Nights

Here are some outstanding new publications to delve into while the days are short and the nights are long. This is an eclectic collection of historical fiction, fantasy, fairytales, science fiction, mythology, sports and mysteries that will appeal to ages nine and up (except for the last book which is geared for ages seven to [...]

Best Fiction Books for 2010

It was hard to decide which books I should include without making the list too long. But every book listed is a great read – as well as a read aloud – and best for ages 9 and up.
Wishing for Tomorrow:  The Sequel to A Little Princess, by Hilary McKay, and with illustrations sprinkled [...]

Time for Giving

Christmas time is the greatest time of year to give: a gift of love, a gift of thoughtfulness – and how about a gift to read?  Here are some wonderful new books that are perfect gift giving ideas and great for all ages.
Let’s start with some outstanding and enlightening new pop-up books. Wild Oceans: A [...]

It’s that time of year to read stories about Christmas

These wonderful books will surely help satisfy the great anticipation of this best season of the year!
The First Christmas: A Changing-Picture Book, by Sophy Williams, is the retelling of Baby Jesus with clever flaps that open and change the pictures in an over-sized book. The illustrations are beautifully painted in soft pastels.
Christmas in the Time [...]

Historical Fiction, Animals and Classic Sequels Make Great Books

If you’re looking for an interesting chapter book geared for ages nine and up, I’ve listed some new outstanding historical fictions, books about relationships with animals and even a wonderful sequel to a classic story.

See Saw Girl, by Linda Sue Park, is an eye-opening historical fiction about a young nobility-born Korean girl in the 17th [...]

Historical Fiction, Animals and Classic Sequels Make Great Books

If you’re looking for an interesting chapter book geared for ages nine and up, I’ve listed some new outstanding historical fictions, books about relationships with animals and even a wonderful sequel to a classic story.

See Saw Girl, by Linda Sue Park, is an eye-opening historical fiction about a young nobility-born Korean girl in the 17th [...]

Picture Books That Can Reach and Teach All

Books can teach young and old.  And these picture books are also most enjoyable.

The Day Ray Got Away, by Angela Johnson, and illustrated by Luke LaMarca, is a creatively picturesque book about a bright, yellow balloon as he and other large balloons get ready for a balloon parade.  But he states at the beginning [...]

Trick or Treat Halloween Books

Tricks and treats are most abundant in these chapter books for ages nine and older, making it my last installment for Halloween books for 2010.
Ghoul Strike!, by Andrew Newbound, finds twelve-year-old Alannah in the midst of searching for her parents who went missing over 3 years ago while searching for ghosts. Now, it seems that [...]

Creepy Crawly Picture Books

Halloween is the time of year for creepy, crawly, spooky – and fun picture books.    Here are some perfect books full of pumpkins, skeletons and ghosts.
Alpha Oops! H is for Halloween, by Alethea Kontis, and illustrated by Bob Kolar, is the hilarious sequel to “AlphaOops! The Day Z Went First” by the same author and [...]