"My father sang me two songs every night—often long, melancholy Scottish ballads! —and I have him to thank for giving me such a rich resevoir of vocabulary a peek at wonderful narrative structures (often these are songs that tell stories) and my love of somewhat haunting, melanchoy literature and music."
—Franny Bilingsley, Children's Book Author
12
AGAIN by Sue Corbett (Dutton, 2002). This first novel is the story
of mother Bernadette and son Patrick, who are separated when Bernadette
becomes 12 again, leaving Patrick to help manage a bustling household. Via
email exchanges and mutual efforts, they must work to bring her (the 40-year-old
her) home. Infused with Irish lore and magic, 12 AGAIN is the rare hip,
funny, suspenseful, affecting, *perfect* middle grade novel. Ages 8-up.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
ALIA WAKING by Laura Williams McCaffrey (Clarion, 2003). In this debut novel, Alia, 12, hopes to be chosen as a keenteen, or warrior woman, when she turns thirteen. But then Alia and her best friend, Kay, capture two of the enemy, a boy and girl about their age, and are assigned to care for them in prison. As she gets to know the prisoners, Alia is forced to question her own assumptions and prejudices. A fast-paced adventure for fantasy fans. Ages 9-up. Recommendation by Frances Hill, author of THE BUG CEMETERY, illustrated by Vera Rosenberry (Henry Holt, 2002).
ARCHER'S QUEST by Linda Sue Park (Clarion, 2006). In this time travel fantasy, Chu-mong, the Great Archer of Ancient Korea, appears suddenly in Kevin's room, after having fallen off a tiger. Kevin has no idea how it happened, but knows that he must return Chu-mong to the past or history will be irrevocably altered. This intelligent fantasy has Kevin seamlessly drawing on a wide array of knowledge as he attempts to acclimate Chu-mong to the present day and send him home. Dramatic, fun, smart, and satisfying. Ages 9-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith. Read The Story Behind The Story from Linda Sue Park.
THE DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC by Jane Yolen (Viking, 1998). In this gripping fantasy, Hannah opens the door during Passover Seder and finds herself transported to Poland in the 1940s. Suddenly, her relatives’ stories of the Holocaust are brought back to life. The point of view and fantasy element offer a bridge for young readers to place themselves in the past. Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Association of Jewish Libraries Award. (A movie version of this book is now available in video stores — be sure to rent it soon!) Ages 8-up.
DRAGONLING by Jackie French Koller (Minstrel, 2000). Darek's initial ambition to become a hunter of dragons shifts when he befriends a dragoning and must bring it home. First in a series (all recommended). Perfect for the pre-Potter set. Ages 8-up.
ESCAPE FROM ARYLON by Jo Whittemore (Book One from the Silverskin Legacy) by Jo Whittemore (Llewellyn, 2006). A freak accident transports high school freshmen and ex-friends Megan Haney and Ainsley Minks from their sleepy suburb to the land of Arylon, where someone has stolen the powerful Staff of Lexiam. Before they can return home, they must help the wizard-king Bornias recover the Staff, or else both worlds will be in jeopardy. The author creates likeable and intriguing characters and a fun and fantastic fantasy world. Ages 12-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith. Read The Story Behind The Story from Jo Whittemore. Don't miss the other two books in the trilogy, CURSE OF ARASTOLD (Llewellyn, 2006) and ONAJ'S HORN (Llewellyn, 2007).
GOOSE CHASE by Patrice Kindl (Houghton Mifflin, 2001). In the year's most delightfully humorous fantasy, Goose Girl's spunky voice rains down from her tower prison, while facing three ogresses, and after being tossed into a dungeon. This charming novel draws from a variety of European fairy tale traditions. Ages 9-up.
THE FOLK KEEPER by Franny Billingsley (Atheneum, 1999). Strong-willed Corinna dresses as a boy for her life as the Folk Keeper — the one who placates the ravenous Folk. Unexpectedly, a lord requests her presence on his estate as both the new Folk Keeper and the latest household member. But that's only the beginning — romance, treachery, and a revelation about selkie heritage follow. This already critically acclaimed story is destined to become a classic fantasy novel of children's literature, a favorite book for generations to come. Ages 10-up.
HOLES by Louis Sachar (Farrar, 1998). The fourth generation Stanley Yelnats is unjustly sent to a bleak juvenile detention camp, in which residents are forced to dig five feet long by five feet deep holes every day in the hot Texas sun. Will the Yelnats family ever shake the curse that saddled them with so much bad luck? A sometimes dark, sometimes amusing contemporary tall tale with as much bite as energy. Ages 9-up.
THE KING OF ATTOLIA by Megan Whalen Turner (Greenwillow, 2006). Eugenides, the Thief of Eddis, is now married to the Queen of Attolia. Goofy and apparently ineffectual, he is despised by the Queen's guardsmen and courtiers. When Costis, a guard, punches him in the face, Eugenides punishes him by assigning him to be his personal lieutenant. In that office, Costis comes to realize that not all is as it seems. Political intrigue and subterfuge abound as the King and Queen attempt to unite their fractious, short-sighted barons to face the threat from the neighboring Mede Empire. KING OF ATTOLIA is a sequel to THE THIEF (HarperCollins, 1996) and QUEEN OF ATTOLIA (Greenwillow, 2000) and is probably best read after those. As in the two preceding novels, in KING OF ATTOLIA, Turner offers well-rounded, genuine characters who are much more than fantasy archetypes; a realistic pseudo-Byzantine world; and provides a fascinating plot evocative of the Great Game and the Balance of Powers. Ages 10-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan (Hyperion, 2005)(book one of the five-book PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS series). Twelve year old Percy Jackson is kicked out of his sixth school in as many years. This time, at least, it's not his fault. It's only proper and just that he should stick up for his best friend, and he didn't really mean to vaporize his algebra teacher. Fortuitously, Percy makes it to Camp Halfblood, where he finds out that he, like the heroes of Ancient Greece, is a demigod (a child of a mortal and a god). Most of them don't make it past sixth grade, though... Together with a daughter of Athena and a neurotic satyr, Percy must recover the Lightning Bolt of Zeus, to prevent a war among the gods that will make Troy look like a minor tiff. An exciting, action-packed, often funny and fresh take on Greek mythology. Ages 10-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith.Read The Story Behind The Story from Rick Riordan.
LONDON CALLING by Edward Bloor (Knopf, 2006). When he falls asleep listening to a Philco 20 Deluxe radio, Martin Conway, a miserable scholarship student at All Saints Preparatory School, begins to have amazingly realistic dreams or, as he believes, time travel adventures with another boy during the London Blitz of WWII. The story deftly explores the relationships between fathers and sons and demonstrates how history can touch and affect the present. A ghost story, a historical novel, a mystery, and a time travel adventure bundled into one book, this elegant novel defies genre classification and shows Bloor is, once again, not afraid to take chances in his writing. Ages 9-up. Recommendation by Frances Hill.
MONSTER OF THE MONTH CLUB by Dian Curtis Regan, illustrated by Laura Cornell (Scholastic, 1994). A fun story about a girl named Rilla, her New Age household, and the chaos caused by someone enrolling her in the club. (Because these monsters are extremely not scary, this listing is considered one for fantasy). Ages 8-up.
THE QUEEN OF ATTOLIA by Megan Whalen Turner (Greenwillow, 2000). Sequel to THE THIEF, Eugenides holds the fates of three kingdoms in his hand while trying to outmaneuver the Queen of Attolia. A great story of action, diplomacy, and political intrigue. Ages 9-up.
SIRENA by Donna Jo Napoli (Scholastic, 1998). Sirena is a mermaid, saddened when her sisters sing sailors to their death in search of love. Then she falls in love and wonders if it was because she was pressured to sing or because of who she is. Very romantic. Ages 9-up.
THE THIEF by Megan Whalen Turner (Greenwillow, 1996). Gen, The Thief, has been caught and can't steal himself from the king's dungeon. His chance comes when he is selected by the king's magus to steal a mysterious artifact that holds the key to the throne of the neighboring kingdom. Engaging, three dimensional characters. Ages 10-up.
THREE GOOD DEEDS by Vivian Vande Velde (Harcourt, 2005). Howard shouldn't have taunted the old witch, but he didn't know she really was a witch until she turned him into a goose! Now he's stuck that way until he does three good deeds. Meanwhile, the male geese want him away from their females. The female geese want him away from their eggs. And people--including his supposed best friends--want to eat him! Besides flapping his wings, stopping his webbed feet, and HONKing, what's Howard to do? Ages 8-up. More on this title at Cynsations; read The Story Behind The Story from Vivian Vande Velde.
TRUE TALENTS by David Lubar (Starscape, 2007). In this much-anticipated sequel to HIDDEN TALENTS (Starscape, 2003), Eddie "Trash" Thalmeyer wakes up from a drugged sleep in the custody of a shadowy quasi-governmental organization bent on harnessing his telekinetic talents for their own nefarious purposes. True Talents reunites the gang from the Edgeview Alternative School, as Torchie, Cheater, Lucky, Flinch, and Martin attempt to protect themselves and their families, while rescuing Trash from his captors. A funny, action-packed, rollicking adventure, filled with humor and drama. Ages 10-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith.
THE WALL AND THE WING by Laura Ruby (HarperCollins, 2006.) In an alternate New York City, Gurl is the only one who can't fly. What she can do, though, is become invisible, a talent which allows her to escape nightly from the Hope House for the Homeless...until she's caught by the House matron, who blackmails Gurl into stealing for her so she can maintain her extravagant lifestyle (that includes expensive plastic surgery, caviar, and other luxuries). There are a lot of twists and turns, and a lot of quirky characters, including fellow orphan Bug, gangster Sweetcheeks Grabowski, creepy mechanical monkeys, a cat who makes effective use of indoor plumbing, and a mysterious professor. It's enormously fun getting to the bottom of who's doing what to whom and why. Ages 9-up. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith. Read The Story Behind the Story from Laura Ruby.
THE WAND IN THE WORLD: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus (Candlewick, 2006). Features in-depth interviews with thirteen acclaimed fantasy authors: Lloyd Alexander; Franny Billingsley; Susan Cooper; Nancy Farmer; Brian Jacques; Diana Wynne Jones; Ursula K. Le Guin; Madeleine L'Engle; Garth Nix; Tamora Pierce; Terry Pratchett; Philip Pullman; and Jane Yolen. Offers author photos, including childhood photos, copies of marked manuscripts, etc. Ages 12-up.
WELL WISHED by Franny Billingsley (Atheneum, 1997). Nuria knows that wishes can go wrong, but she decides to go ahead and match wits with the well. A first novel from a rising star in children's fantasy; not to be missed. Ages 8-up.
THE
WISH by Gail Carson Levine (HarperCollins, 2000). When Wilma offers an old
lady her seat on the subway train, she doesn't know what she's getting herself
into. When that old lady offers her one wish in return, Wilma asks to be
the most popular girl in her middle school—still thinking nothing
will come of it. But something does. Suddenly, the most popular girls are
her friends and every guy wants to date her. But Wilma just asked to be
the most popular girl at her own school. What happens after eighth grade
graduation? Ages 8-up.
THE WIZARD, THE WITCH, AND TWO GIRLS FROM JERSEY by Lisa Papademetriou (Razorbill, 2006). Veronica Lopez is smart, an avid fantasy reader, and not altogether unattractive. Heather Simms is beautiful, shallow, selfish, vain, and not as dumb as you'd think. The evening before they have to deliver a book report on the classic The Queen of Twilight (Veronica's favorite novel), they are zapped into its pages through the good offices of a malfunctioning bookstore Universal Product Code reader. All they have to do, Veronica figures, is work their way through the plot (which she knows intimately), and then the wizard Strathorn can send them back home. Things begin to go badly from the start, when they accidentally, er, expunge the Princess Arabelle, the prophesied "One," who is supposed to save the land of Galma from the evil Queen of Twilight. Throw in a talking and lascivious squirrel, a bakery elf in exile, a magic-less wizard, a whole bunch of other stuff that's not in The Queen of Twilight, and they may not survive, let alone save Galma and get back home. Ages 12-up. This novel is hilarious — a wonderful romp that pokes fun at the conventions of high fantasy and high school. Recommendation by Greg Leitich Smith. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
A WOLF AT THE DOOR AND OTHER RETOLD FAIRY TALES edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (Simon & Schuster, 2000). A collection of retellings by Delia Sherman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Cadnum, Nancy Farmer, Tanith Lee, Janeen Webb, Kelly Link, Katherine Vaz, Garth Nix, Kathe Koja, Gregory Maguire, Patricia A. McKillip, and Jane Yolen. Worth the price of the book for Yolen's depiction of the birds in "Cinder Elephant," but many other great stories. Ages 10-up.
FLUENT IN FANTASY by Diana Tixier Herald of Genrefluent
The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination by J. K. Rowling from Harvard Magazine.
Harry Potter books are best thing to happen for kids in years by John Monk of The State. Addresses challenges to the books being in libraries.
Lore, Legends, and Magic from William G. Rogers. Subcategories include Appalachia, Aesop's Fables, Harry Potter, Narnia, Tolkien, and more.
An Interview with Debut Children's Author Coleen Paratore from Debbi Michiko Florence's Web site. Paratore is the author of HOW PRUDENCE PROOVIT PROVED THE TRUTH ABOUT FAIRY TALES (illustrated by Tamara Petrosino).
Why Harry Potter Doesn't Cast A Spell Over Me by Anthony Holden ("J.K. Rowling's new blockbuster will be a monster hit worldwide. But just how good is the Harry Potter series?") from The Observer on Sunday June 25, 2000.
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