33 Best Books in Juvenile Fiction
The Clockwork Sparrow (Sinclair's Mysteries)
Katherine Woodfine
A glamorous department store, two plucky heroines, a priceless object, a shocking crime, and a truly perplexing mystery to be solved - all of this and more awaits readers of this sumptuous mystery-adventure, set in Edwardian London. "The Clockwork Sparrow" follows the adventures of recently orphaned Sophie, a shop girl at the newly opened Sinclair's Department Store in London. Just as she's settling into her new life, a priceless object is stolen, a young man is attacked, and Sophieis implicated in the crime. Perfect for upper middle-grade readers, and fans of Chris Riddell, Diana Wynne Jones, and Eva Ibbotson.I stumbled upon The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by @followtheyellow and oh my god this fun little book is exactly what I needed.
Hilo
Judd Winick
"An action-packed page turner with heart!"--Dav Pilkey, author of DOG MAN Take off on an epic adventure with the biggest, greatest HILO box set yet! Dog Man meets Big Nate in this hilarious New York Times bestselling graphic novel series that kids love! Six times the FUN! Six times the LAUGHS! Six times the ACTION! Follow the EPIC battle between Hilo and Razorwark from BEGINNING to END in this collectible box that includes the first SIX books in the New York Times bestselling series: Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth; Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World; Hilo: The Great Big Boom; Hilo: Waking the Monsters; Hilo: Then Everything Went Wrong; and Hilo: All the Pieces Fit. And don't miss a BRAND NEW story arc starring GINA in Hilo Book 7: Gina---The Girl Who Broke the World. Coming in spring 2021! Here's what people are saying about Hilo! "Every kid would love a pal like Hilo!" --Lincoln Peirce, author of Big Nate series "Silly, tender, and most importantly: funny." --Jeff Smith, author of the Bone series "A story that can be enjoyed by the entire family." --New York TimesParents of young (age 5-10) readers: We just finished reading the “HILO” comic books - which my boy’s librarian recommended - and it’s the best we’ve ever found. GREAT writing/story/twists/everything. https://t.co/q2KqtCXWg4 If you know another this good, please let me know.
How To Raise A Feminist Son
Sonora Jha
After @bhalomanush and @tmkrishna, this is going to be another fun conversation. Her book is absolutely brilliant. https://t.co/hFqZ0BqQuL
Little Brother
Cory Doctorow
After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, California, seventeen-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, decides to use his expertise in computer hacking to set things right.@Ryan_Holdaway @nickmacco @legacybox @ramit If just one: @paulg's Hackers and Painters. Others: The "His Dark Materials" trilogy. "Little Brother" by @doctorow, the Sherlock Holmes books, Oliver Sacks' "On the Move."
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.@Joylita The book thief
The Witches
Roald Dahl
Am I the only adult who is obsessed with illustrated and pop-up books? Quentin Blake, the illustrator of this book, is as much a genius as Roald Dahl. #mustreadforeveryone https://t.co/6P0zDebRMR
Octopus's Garden
Ringo Starr
Come sing and dance around in an octupus’s garden in the shade! The classic Beatles song comes to life with colorful illustrations from bestselling illustrator Ben Cort and a CD with a new music recording and audio reading from stellar musician Ringo Starr. I’d like to be under the sea In an octopus’s garden in the shade He’d let us in, knows where we’ve been In his octopus’s garden in the shade Who wouldn’t like to visit an octopus’s garden? Well, now you can! This lively picture book, complete with a CD of the beloved song, brings Ringo Starr’s joyful underwater tale to life and is perfect for reading, sharing, and singing again and again.@fauxfleur Wow! Gorgeous. Reminds me of RIngo Starr's book for children "Octopus's Garden" https://t.co/w1jwJDYUtf
Ellen Tebbits
Beverly Cleary
My controversial take on Beverly Cleary, btw, is that her best book is the woefully underrated EllenTebbits.
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.@xhckr Reading: God Emporer of Dune Why are we Yelling by @buster The Book of Dust, Volume 2 Fav: Foundation Saga Golden Compass Ishmael How to Win Friends Surely You’re Joking Mr. Feynman But I have opinions on “favorite” books....
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E.L. Konigsburg
2017 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved classic From the Mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. In this winner of the Newbery Medal from E.L. Konigsburg, when suburban Claudia Kincaid decides to run away, she knows she doesn't just want to run from somewhere, she wants to run to somewhere—to a place that is comfortable, beautiful, and, preferably, elegant. Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away...so she decided not to run FROM somewhere, but TO somewhere. And so, after some careful planning, she and her younger brother, Jamie, escaped -- right into a mystery that made headlines!I grew up reading stories like Chasing Vermeer and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler that promised me that solving art mysteries would be a big part of my life I’m almost 25 and, to date, have solved *zero* art mysteries. I feel lied to
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis
What are your favorite Christmas/Hanukkah/New Years/Holiday/etc. books? I already reached my annual 52-book reading goal, so I think I might do themed reading in December. Gogol’s Christmas Eve. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. A Christmas Carol. What else?
Sulwe
Lupita Nyong'o
A New York Times bestseller! Recipient of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award Recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Literary Work From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty..@Lupita_Nyongo is black girl magic personified & now she’s spreading that magic to kids everywhere with her new book “Sulwe.” She came to my house to talk about this love letter to herself & her fateful Oscars night. Our convo airs this Sat 10/26 at 8PM on @owntv #OWNSpotlight https://t.co/a8OCJdsxDL
- Collection includes all seven novels in the series.
@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself 2016: all of the Chronicles of Narnia books.
The Secret of the Old Clock
Carolyn Keene
Nancy Drew's keen mind is tested when she searches for a missing will.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From 2017: The Road to Camlann, The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew), A Wrinkle in Time, The Cosmic Perspective, The Golden Compass, The Little Prince.
The Golden Compass
Philip Pullman
Accompanied by her daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From 2017: The Road to Camlann, The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew), A Wrinkle in Time, The Cosmic Perspective, The Golden Compass, The Little Prince.
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
When a pilot finds himself alone and stranded with a broken-down plane, a little prince is his only companion living on a strange deserted planet. Full of wisdom, humour and delight, this book while intended for children is also a favourite of adults for its quirkiness and insight.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From 2017: The Road to Camlann, The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew), A Wrinkle in Time, The Cosmic Perspective, The Golden Compass, The Little Prince.
Charlotte's Web (full color)
E. B. White
Beloved by generations, Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little are two of the most cherished stories of all time. Now, for the first time ever, these treasured classics are available in lavish new collectors' editions. In addition to a larger trim size, the original black-and-white art by Garth Williams has been lovingly colorized by renowned illustrator Rosemary Wells, adding another dimension to these two perfect books for young and old alike.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From the 2018 list: Charlotte’s Web, The Sword and the Circle, all of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Light Beyond the Forest.
The Sword and the Circle
Rosemary Sutcliff
A retelling of the classic Arthurian legend follows the adventures of the boy who became a king, his councillor Merlin, his beloved Guinivere, and the Knights of the Round Table. By the author of Tristan and Iseult. Reprint.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From the 2018 list: Charlotte’s Web, The Sword and the Circle, all of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Light Beyond the Forest.
A Series of Unfortunate Events Box: The Trouble Begins
Lemony Snicket
The first Series of Unfortunate Events gift/box-set of this New York Times best-selling series. The set includes The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room, and The Wide Window.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From the 2018 list: Charlotte’s Web, The Sword and the Circle, all of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Light Beyond the Forest.
The Light Beyond the Forest
Rosemary Sutcliff
A retelling of the adventures of King Arthur's knights, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Bors, and Sir Percival, as they search for the Holy Grail.@WinstonSmith327 @neilhimself From the 2018 list: Charlotte’s Web, The Sword and the Circle, all of the Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Light Beyond the Forest.
A Wizard of Earthsea
Ursula K. Le Guin
A boy grows to manhood while attempting to subdue the evil he unleashed on the world as an apprentice to the Master Wizard.@WinstonSmith327 From this year’s list, both Coraline by @neilhimself and A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin are perfect for middle-schoolers!
The Darkest Dark
Chris Hadfield
Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible. Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem--at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is--and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.The Darkest Dark is a best-seller again this week! - especially the glow-in-the-dark edition :) https://t.co/2320ZHq8JL @cbcbooks https://t.co/XEIl6ZXRry
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Crockett Johnson
Share this timeless classic with a new generation of readers! The handsome retro look and the focus on the power of imagination resonate with today's parents and children, making Harold and the Purple Crayon a joy to share. One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement. Harold and his crayon travel through woods and across seas and past dragons before returning to bed, safe and sound. Full of funny twists and surprises, this joyful story shows just how far your imagination can take you. Harold and the Purple Crayon has delighted readers of all ages for decades and has lost none of its imagination-sparking wonder.@andrewparker @webdevMason Harold and the Purple Crayon
Eragon and Eldest Omnibus
Christopher Paolini
ERAGON When Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it is a lucky discovery - perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone becomes a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? ELDEST Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and as his cousin Roran fights a new battle back home in Carvahall, Eragon is put in even graver danger. . .- Peter Parker's off to Europe with his classmates from school! How does Spider-Man stay one step ahead of the bad guys while on the road, while keeping his identity a secret? You can find that out-and a whole lot more-in this book filled with epic writings from Peter and his best friend Ned. With the help of MJ, Peter and Ned have jotted down all the exciting things they saw while traveling through Europe: favorite foods, photo ops, Spidey-secrets, and more. This ultimate travel journal has it all!
Harry Potter Books 1-7 Special Edition Boxed Set
J. K. Rowling
A new special edition boxed set of the complete Harry Potter series, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This collectible boxed set contains the complete bestselling Harry Potter series, books 1-7 by J.K. Rowling, brilliantly redesigned by Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick. A perfect gift to introduce a new reader to this beloved series, as well as a gorgeous addition to any fan's bookshelf.@PHLemos Under 5 - Duck Dodgers in Outer Space 5-15 - The Hardy Boys series 15-20 - Harry Potter
Matilda
Roald Dahl
Matilda applies her untapped mental powers to rid the school of the evil, child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and restore her nice teacher, Miss Honey, to financial security.My favorite book growing up 📚 https://t.co/yZXJZIbyfx
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Holly Black
Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave. One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.Airborn
Kenneth Oppel
Sailing toward dawn, and I was perched atop the crow's nest, being the ship's eyes. We were two nights out of Sydney, and there'd been no weather to speak of so far. I was keeping watch on a dark stack of nimbus clouds off to the northwest, but we were leaving it far behind, and it looked to be smooth going all the way back to Lionsgate City. Like riding a cloud. . . . Matt Cruse is a cabin boy on the Aurora, a huge airship that sails hundreds of feet above the ocean, ferrying wealthy passengers from city to city. It is the life Matt's always wanted; convinced he's lighter than air, he imagines himself as buoyant as the hydrium gas that powers his ship. One night he meets a dying balloonist who speaks of beautiful creatures drifting through the skies. It is only after Matt meets the balloonist's granddaughter that he realizes that the man's ravings may, in fact, have been true, and that the creatures are completely real and utterly mysterious. In a swashbuckling adventure reminiscent of Jules Verne and Robert Louis Stevenson, Kenneth Oppel, author of the best-selling Silverwing trilogy, creates an imagined world in which the air is populated by transcontinental voyagers, pirates, and beings never before dreamed of by the humans who sail the skies.There were so many for me. Chasing Vermeer (+ sequels), Airborn, Feed, basically everything by Max Barry (especially Jennifer Government), The Westing Game, Little Brother. It feels like so many of my cultural and political interests/beliefs were shaped by what I read as a kid
Feed
M. T. Anderson
In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.There were so many for me. Chasing Vermeer (+ sequels), Airborn, Feed, basically everything by Max Barry (especially Jennifer Government), The Westing Game, Little Brother. It feels like so many of my cultural and political interests/beliefs were shaped by what I read as a kid
Lost Boys
Darcey Rosenblatt
In 1982 Iran, twelve-year-old Reza is more interested in music than war, but enlists in obedience to his devout mother and soon finds himself in a prison camp in Iraq."The most important variable is hope." On the degree to which books should expose children to difficult topics. The article references a beautiful book by @Darcey_r (my cousin), "Lost Boys," focused on boys sent as cannon fodder by Iran in the war w Iraq. https://t.co/B4EIJQGjVF
Quibble and Hearty
Lucy Blackwell
Quibble sets out to build a new home, but soon he wants more and more he can own. As he becomes selfish and loses his way, let's hope his friend Hearty can still save the day. A modern rhyming fable about the importance of friendship, sharing and caring for the world around us.So excited to back up "Quibble and Hearty"–a wise and beautiful children’s book by @lucyblackwell https://t.co/RpcphSB6ct #quibbleandhearty