I have a confession to make. I have fallen in love with cats. Well, my cat, in particular. Well, my daughter’s cat, actually. So, when I started reading McGovern’s middle grade novel written from a cat’s perspective, I loved the way she captured the characteristics of a feline.
Category: MG Animal Story
Rescue Princesses
The Rescue Princesses combines the love of animals with the fantasy of being a princess. The series also emphasizes friendship, courage, and diversity–perfect for little girls (and hey, even boys) navigating the social structure of elementary school.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia)
I always try to do a holiday post around this time of year. However, feeling a wave of nostalgia, I returned to a childhood favorite–The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The idea of walking through an enchanted wardrobe and entering another world is a concept for any reader bent on finding adventure in unassuming places.
Circus Mirandus
This middle grade work-of-art will spur the imagination of your young reader–but it may spur yours as well. As the novel follows a story set in both the past and present, you may be feeling like you want to go out and find a magical circus of your own!
Klawde
Klawde is irreverent, silly, and laugh-out-loud funny. But best of all, it has the same beautiful messages of friendship distilled in its pages that are found in my most favorite children’s novels.
CatStronauts: Mission Moon
If you ever want to see your second grader have a meltdown in Barnes and Noble, then take him to get his free copy of CatStronauts: Mission Moon for completing his reading list, and then find out the store is out of them.
Puppy Place
You know what kids love?
Puppies. They love puppies.
I dare you to say differently.
Puppy Place is a chapter book series for any child, because at one point or another, we all have a dog or know someone with a dog.
Crenshaw
I’ve already featured one of my favorite Katherine Applegate books on this blog. It’s hard to beat a book like The One and Only Ivan. But while reading Crenshaw aloud to a first and third grader, I learned these things:
Warriors
I will admit, I’m not a cat person. I had a few growing up (we had a barn), but I just like the energy of a dog, I guess. But I wasn’t sure how to tell my daughter “no” when she asked if I would read at least one of the Warrior novels.
The One and Only Ivan
This story will make you smile as quickly as it will bring you to tears. This novel with short chapters and illustrations throughout is already a timeless classic. I read it myself in an evening and completely fell in love with this very likable gorilla.
Kid List 