Children's Books discussion

We have wonderful book discussions happening in the Fiction, Newbery and Picture Book Clubs yet many of us are such voracious readers that we are reading other books, too! ;-) This is the place to discuss other children's books that you are currently reading, or recently read. Perhaps another member has recently read the very same book and you can share your mutual love/loathing of the title? Or one might be looking for the next good book to read and your review might spark his/her interest? It's fun to see what is on members' "currently reading" shelves so take it away...!

I've recently begun two books, "Meet the Austins" (vintage 1960s family story by Madeline L'Engle) and "Winterling" (a newish fantasy novel, perfect for the season, by Sarah Prineas, author of "The Magic Thief"). I'm enjoying both so far!

I'm finishing up the doorstopper His Share of Glory: The Complete Short Science Fiction of C. M. Kornbluth and looking forward to the relief of another children's book.

I'veHatching Magic put up next... but it just happened into my hands; I don't know whether I'll like it or not. Have any of you read it?

Kathryn wrote: "I've recently begun two books, "Meet the Austins" (vintage 1960s family story by Madeline L'Engle) and "Winterling" (a newish fantasy novel, perfect for the season, by Sarah Prineas, author of "The..."

I read Meet the Austins so long ago I don't remember much about it now. I just remember that I enjoyed it very much, but then I loved all of L'Engle's novels.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I'm finishing up the doorstopper His Share of Glory: The Complete Short Science Fiction of C. M. Kornbluth and looking forward to the relief of another children's book.

I've[book:Ha..."

I actually have Hatching Magic at home, but haven't read it yet.

Currently, I am working my way through The 5th Wave by Rick (or Richard) Yancey. It is a hefty volume at 457 pages, but reads pretty quickly. A teen dystopia novel, it was kind of depressing at first and I waffled about continuing it, but it started picking up, and now I am almost finished.

Love Sarah Prineas, so glad someone is reading her!

Two books that just impressed me? I finally got around to reading . Good fun, but LONG.

And . Wow, wow, wow! Magic, history, Jewish Mythology, and a dash of Kung-fu....

I am reading The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. So far the story is spot on. I can see why it is being considered for the Newbery

Aside from the Caldecott books (which I have not been able to get all of the title), I have recently read and enjoyed two time/slip fantasy novels, Saving Juliet and King of Shadows (both were interesting and fun reads).

And I have also reread The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (and am now onto the sequel, The Best School Year Ever and then want to read The Best Halloween Ever). I loved the first book and have fond memories of reading it in elementary school (I think our teacher read the book to us in grade five). The sequel (which was written decades after the original installment) is fun but not spectacular (and a bit exaggerated, but at least the author has not tried to "update" the book with modern technology).

Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite authors. I'll read anything he writes, but I'm trying not to burn through them too fast and have none to look forward to. So, I've not yet read The Year of Billy Miller.

I just finished reading an interesting sci-fi book, The Boy at the End of the World. I liked it--am wavering between 3 and 4 stars. The nature of the story lends it more to middle school than elementary school.

I'm reading a lovely novella by L. M. Boston called The Sea Egg - it's about two boys (brothers) who discover to their delight and wonder a sea egg from which hatches a triton (or a merman). Boston wrote The Children of Green Knowe and its sequels, which is one of my favorite books. She has a poetical prose style - very evocative and transporting. This is set in Cornwall - a favorite literary locale and fantasy destination of mine - and I'm enjoying it very much indeed.

After I finished Hatching Magic and got online to write the review, I found I'd read it already - just a year & a half ago. I guess it just isn't a very memorable book!

I'm reading a Star Trek novel now. The early ones, TOS, are my 'comfort' books. ;)

I will have to check out The Year of Billy Miller.

re-reading The False Prince and the next book so that I can read the third book, The Shadow Throne.

I have recently finished The Year of Billy Miller, The Witch Family, The Trouble with Magic, Ramona the Pest and The Fall of Five.

Nothing that could be considered a children's book, but Hush, Hush and Beautiful Creatures. :)

Just completed Delphie and The Magic Spell with my two daughters. They are both enjoying this series - one is a budding ballerina. I like the way famous ballets are incorporated in the story line.

I had 'hoarded' Words of Stone by Kevin Henkes on my to-read pile because I don't want to run out of stories avl. by him. But since The Year of Billy Miller is getting kudos, I can go back and get caught up on his older works. And, so far it's almost as wonderful as I dared hope.

I'm going through the stack of books I recently purchased at the New Delhi World Book Fair and among my treasures in the children's book category are Clouds and Waves by Rabindranath Tagore, Sita's Ramayana by Samhita Arni and Moyna Chitrakar and the oh-so-cool graphic novel Draupadi: The Fire-born Princess.

I'm going back to the classics. Right now I'm reading Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. I love his narrative approach to storytelling.

I have just finished reading Tiger Thief by Michaela Clarke with my granddaughter, aged 9, and we both loved it. The vocabulary is advanced so she was unable to read it herself, but with the odd prompt we could take turns reading it together. The story itself was very exciting and imaginative and we couldn't wait for the next opportunity to read each new chapter. I recommend this for children aged 10+.

I just finished North of Nowhere, by Liz Kessler. I had read about it just before the Newbery Award was given--it was a possible contender. I enjoyed it; the time travel is always a little confusing to me...
I'm reading The False Prince now--I've sure loved the way it starts out!!

This month I read:
Splendors and Glooms: really enjoyed and I think it deserved its Newbery Honor.
Letters from Father Christmas: what a wonderful dad J. R. R. Tolkien was!
The Interrupted Tale: we delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding the 3 wolf-raised children.
Sleeping Beauty's Daughters: a fun fantasy/fairy tale.
Madame Pamplemousse and the Enchanted Sweet Shop: very cute story.

I've just read Tom's Midnight Garden and enjoyed it as light relief and a lovely story. My other books for the month was Raiders from the North which is a historical fiction novel on Barbur, the first Moghul emperor and Long Walk to Freedom. They were not light reading, but I enjoyed both.

Carolien wrote: "I've just read Tom's Midnight Garden and enjoyed it as light relief and a lovely story. My other books for the month was Raiders from the North which is a historical fi..."

I have read Tom's Midnight Garden several times. I just loved it, and the ending always made me tear up.

Absolutely, I will be reading this one again.

I'm just finishing up The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. I can definitely see the influence in Tolkien's work.

It's on my iPad to read. I haven't got around to it yet. Sounds like it is worth it?

I am currently reading The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck. It has been nominated for a Texas Bluebonnet Award (for which Texas students in grades 3-6 vote). So far, very interesting and zips right along.

I am reading young Sherlock homes I ish you read it

I read "Fancy Nancy, Bonjour Butterfly" after I got it for a gift.

Just finished Handbook for Dragon Slayers.
It received the 2013 Schneider Family Award (for books that have a physically challenged protagonist).
It was very good, with an interesting plot, sympathetic characters, and lots of action.

I'm reading the Search for Wondla--the book was chosen for the middle grade group on the Scribophile website.

whenever I sub, I always end up raiding the teacher's picture books on my lunch hour... one that stood out this week was The Three Little Tamales

Chris wrote: "I'm reading the Search for Wondla--the book was chosen for the middle grade group on the Scribophile website."

Are you liking it, Chris? That one's on my TBR list!

I'm reading The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud. Wonderful! It's an upper middle grade read, I'd say--a clever ghost story/mystery suitable for ages 10+. (I always hesitate to put an age range for a book because readers differ so widely, but it's probably a bit sophisticated for the average 8- or 9-year-old.)

Claire--I really like the story. I'm not quite half-way but it kind of reminds me of the movie The Time Machine--I kinda looked at the chapter headings further on. It is very well written and the illustrations are great.

Chris wrote: "Claire--I really like the story. I'm not quite half-way but it kind of reminds me of the movie The Time Machine..."

Thanks for the recommendation!

I'm reading Fablehaven!! I LOVE IT!!!

That's one I'd like to start when I get the time. (Fablehaven).

Chris wrote: "I'm reading the Search for Wondla--the book was chosen for the middle grade group on the Scribophile website."

Great book! along with its sequel A Hero For WondLa.

We are currently really into books by Tim Egan and Arthur Geisert.

Although, Arthur Geisert illustrates picture books without words. His books are imaginative and educational. Usually about a community of pigs that create complicated and well engineered contraptions. Working with natural elements like water, volcanos, plants and tornados. His books are about problem solving, mechanical tinkering, adapting to changing environments and learning survival skills.

http://www.enchantedlionbooks.com/nod...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Gol...

Amanda wrote: "We are currently really into books by Tim Egan and Arthur Geisert.

Although, Arthur Geisert illustrates picture books without words. His books are imaginative and educational. Usually about a comm..."

Have you read the books by Arthur Geisert's wife (the first is illustrated by him) about growing up on a farm in the Mid-West?

Prairie Summer
Lessons
Prairie Winter

I highly recommend all three although Prairie Winter is my favourite (they are supposedly based on Bonnie Geisert's own childhood)

I am currently reading a time-travel historical fiction fantasy, Seven Stories Up (where a 1980s tween travels to the 1030s and meets her grandmother). I'm enjoying the boo so far, but I wish the characters were a tad more developed (although for a children's book, perhaps there is enough character development).

Also just started reading (and completely loving it so far), What the Moon Said (another book about the Depression where a young girl moves with her family, including her very superstitious mother to a farm after her father loses his job). What I especially love about this book is that the mother is of Russian descent, the father of German descent, but although this book takes place in the 30s, there are no "Germans as evil Nazis" just German (and Russian German farmers) trying to make ends meet.

I've just finished The Scarecrow and His Servant. I bought it as a present for a 9 year old, but had to read it myself before it was handed over! I enjoyed it and I think it is quite a nice read for that age.

Hi , I'm currently readingThree Men in a Boat, its a classic and I'm liking it.

I recently finished the Ugly One and I am currently reading Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate. I will read the Giver very soon.

Reading The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing and loving it!

Beverly wrote: "Reading The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing and loving it!"

I have to try this. Is it anything like Deborah Wiles in style?

I'm reading The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing also! I really enjoyed her first book: Three Times Lucky. Such a plucky heroine. :-)

I'll be interested in hearing what you think, Beverly.