Not your typical post-apocalyptic world, Mortal Engines is a fast-paced read with plenty of action and adventure. The main characters have wonderful depth, the settings are intriguing, and the plot will keep any reader invested in the series.
Category: MG Fantasy
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!
Bob
The story proves magical, charming, and certainly amusing at points. Keep reading for the description of Bob, a monster in the closet like you’ve never imagined!
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin
What’s in a name? Well, quite a bit in Shurtliff’s charming and engaging Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin.
The traditional character of Rumpelstiltskin is that of villain. What else could he be as a greedy, impish baby-stealer? But Shurtliff imagines him as a misunderstood protagonist.
The Heroes Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
I was always drawn to books with classical heroes and sword play, but like most every kid alive (and as mentioned in previous posts) I loved to laugh. This book has all of this and then some. Slapstick humor and fully fleshed and (wonderfully funny) characters bring this story of down-on-their luck heroes to life.
The Night Gardener
It’s that time of year when we’re all ready for something a little spooky, right? Well, I’ve got a few scary ideas for you, but I definitely want to mention The Night Gardener.
Land of Stories: Wishing Spell
If I could credit one book with giving my daughter the bug to read, it might be this one. Or perhaps, I’d just credit the whole series. This was the first BIG series that she undertook, and the assembly of fairy tales into an exciting novel was enough to hook her for the rest of the series.
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster
Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster is a tale that made me hold my breath, laugh, and cry. Set in 1875 London, the novel will never let you think of chimney sweeps the same way. In fact, before your child digs into this story, you might have a quick conversation about what a chimney sweep did back when.
The Phantom Tower
What if you could take an elevator to visit the dead? If you’re intrigued by that idea, this book is for you. A little creepy but not too scary, The Phantom Tower will keep you on your toes as a set of twins tries to figure out the mystery behind their new Chicago apartment building.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon
I’d been hearing a lot about this novel, and it had been recommended by a dear writing friend. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The Girl Who Drank the Moon is vivid, urgent, and sometimes downright funny, although it may also be responsible for making you cry.
Echo
For any child (or adult) with a love of music (which is most of us), your heart will sing with this beautiful novel. It is a time commitment for kids. At 87,000 words (about the same as Percy Jackson novels), it’s not a quick read. But it’s one that will leave you full long after its over.
Kid List 