My sister lives on the mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

"Ten-year-old Jamie hasn't cried since it happened. He knows he should have - Jasmine cried, Mum cried, Dad still cries. Roger didn't, but then he is just a cat and didn't know Rose that well, really.

Everyone kept saying it would get better with time, but that's just one of those lies that grown-ups tell in awkward situations. Five years on, it's worse than ever: Dad drinks, Mum's gone and Jamie's left with questions that he must answer for himself.
This is his story, an unflinchingly real yet heart-warming account of a young boy's struggle to make sense of the loss that tore his family apart." Summary from goodreads 

My sister lives on the mantelpiece is written from a ten year boy's point of view. It deals with hefty topics like death, racism, family break up, alcohol abuse, keeping secrets and bullying. It works because it uses Jamie's voice as he is telling his story. Definitely try it. Click HERE if you want more information about the author Annabel Pitcher.  

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love. From GoodReads

The Rosie Project is written in first person. Don Tillman, the genetic professor is telling his story about his mission to find a wife. It's a quick easy light-hearted read. More information about the book can be found HERE. If you want to take the quizz to see if you are "wife" material, then click HERE.

If I stay by Gayle Forman

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.  Quote from GoodReads.

Written in Mia's voice, she is trying to decide whether to stay or go. It's a good, fast, sad read.
Click HERE to go to Gayle Forman's site.

PS There is a sequel - "Where she went" I'm looking forward to reading it. 

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

The following summary & book cover is from Sally Gardner's page: - http://www.sallygardner.net/books/maggot-moon/

"Set in an alternative 1950s Britain, where Standish Treadwell and Gramps live with the rest of the undesirables in Zone 7, and all stand terrified under the brutal regime of the Motherland. But severely dyslexic Standish sees the world through different eyes to most, and through his vision and courage he has to track down his best friend Hector, who has disappeared completely, and ultimately find a way to bring down the oppressive forces of the Motherland. How can one boy stand against an all-powerful army?

MAGGOT MOON is an unforgettable story of courage, friendship and rebellion, written in a wholly original style that will have readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end."

This is a book that sticks. I couldn't stop thinking about Standish & the people who live in Zone 7. After reading it, I understand why I have been told that this book can be used when studying Nazism & Stalinism.  Click HERE to go to the Maggot Moon site. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Set in a dark vision of near future a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdee steps forward to take her younger sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. From Goodreads

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins was a series of books that I had put off reading until recently. The idea of children killing each other was just too much for me to handle. However, with all the hype about the movie Catching Fire coming out, I thought I would read the first book to see why it was so popular. Once I finished the first book, I had to read the other two. I can't even really explain why the books are great. The basic idea of the games still horrifies me but the books were compelling, fast paced and well written. Click HERE to go to the official Hunger Games site.

Holes by Louis Sachar

Holes by Louis Sachar is a 1999 Newberry Winner. This book has been around for a while but if you have never read it then you should or if you have not read it recently then you should reread it. It's more than a story about an innocent boy sent to a juvenile dentition centre for a crime he didn't commit but it cleverly weaves three stories together. 

Want to learn more, then click HERE to read Louis Sachar's answers to some questions about the book. Plus you can click HERE to read SLJ's fabulous and comprehensive blog post about the book. 

Malice by Chris Wooding

If the 3D cover doesn't attract your attention, then the format of this book might. It's a combination of a book and a graphic novel. Chris Wooding writes fantasies. However, this book is a little different as it goes between the real world and the fantasy "Malice" world. Malice is first book of two. The next book is Havoc. Children aged ten and up would enjoy these two books. 

Summary from Goodreads : 

Everyone's heard of it, but nobody's read it...Seth and Kady have heard all the stories about MALICE - a secret comic about a strange and awful world full of traps and tricks, overseen by a sinister master of ceremonies, Tall Jake. But if rumours are to be believed, the children in this comic are real...

Click HERE to learn about the book Malice, Chris Wooding and his other books. 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Recently there has been some controversy around the book Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. Rowell's book visit was cancelled because some parents believe that the book is inappropriate and obscene. Click HERE and HERE to read about what happened and reactions to the book banning. All this controversy has done is to put the book on my MUST READ list, to find out why it's so controversial. I haven't read it but the reviews are good and I think I'll enjoy it. If you want to learn more about the author Rainbow Rowell, then click HERE.   

Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

"Alcatraz is the evocative backdrop for Al Capone Does My Shirts -- a highly original novel set in 1935. Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan tells about his travails on "the Rock," where his father has taken a job. Hilarious antics are deftly interwoven with themes of isolation and imprisonment, compassion and connection." Quote from Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) - 2005 Newbery Honor Books. Click HERE to go to the ALSC site & also find out about other Newbery medal & honor books.

This book is the first in the Al Capone at Alcatraz series by Gennifer Choldenko. It's an easy read & a lot of fun. For ages 11 and up.

Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers is a phenomenal author illustrator. His books are quirky and sweet and he is frequently on the best seller list. I love them all & so do children and their parents. Click HERE to go to his site.
Enjoy the following video of Oliver Jeffers reading Stuck.

Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord

If you are looking for an action packed series then Gabrielle Lord's Conspiracy 365 is for you. Cal is in trouble. He's a 15 year old fugitive who's being hunted by the law as well as the criminals who killed his father. Each book represents one month of his life and end with a cliff hanger. I am still reading through the series but so far am enjoying the books. It's a great series for reluctant readers, ages ten and up. Interested in finding out more, then click HERE. 

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

This series is a great fun read for ages ten and up. Skulduggery Pleasant, an ace detective and a skeleton, and his trusty sidekick, Stephanie Edgley, a fabulous 12 year old girl, work together to save the world from evil. Click HERE to go to the official website with oodles of information about the books and the author Derek Landy.  

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Hannah Kent was an exchange student in Iceland when she was a teenager. During her time there, she heard about the last woman, Agnes Magnúsdóttir , to be executed in Iceland in 1892. Agnes was found guilty of murdering two men and was sentenced to death. Hannah Kent used facts to make up the story about this woman’s life. It's a fabulous read. 

Click HERE to read the summary of the book on Hannah Kent's. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

"It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement."  - This description is from GoodReads

Click HERE to read an excerpt from the book. 

The Book Thief, a best selling book by Markus Zusak, is now a movie. The book was fabulous and the movie trailer looks great! 

Books for younger readers

Penny and her doll is another lovely book for beginning readers written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Penny receives a doll from Gram. She loves her doll and wants to choose the best name for her. Click HERE to learn more about Kevin Henkes and his books. 

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Rabbit & Robot - the sleepover by Cece Bell is a 2013 Geisel Award honor book. Click HERE if you would like a peek inside the book. 

Information about the award & summary of the book is from ALA - "The Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

In “Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover,” Rabbit and Robot disagree on everything on rabbit’s “To Do” list at their sleepover, including Robot’s insistence of pizza toppings of nuts, bolts, and screws. Everything comes to a halt when Robot’s batteries run low. Humorous cartoon-style illustrations accompany four episodes, perfect for readers transitioning to easy chapter books."

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Super Amoeba (Squish No. 1) is the first book of another great graphic novel series written & illustrated by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm, the same brother & sister team who wrote the Babymouse series. Squish is a super amoeba who is just trying to make it through the school day.  

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Captain Awesome to the rescue by Stan Kirby - Summary from Goodreads: 

"Introducing an awesome new superhero series for readers ages 5 to 7. Eugene McGillicudy is Captain Awesome! He is an imaginative eight year old boy who loves comic books and superheroes. Eugene also has his very own supersecret, superhero alter ego named Captain Awesome." Click HERE to learn more about this series. 

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Fiction - picture books

A wumber is what you get when you combine a word and number. Wumbers us wri10 by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustr8ed by Tom Lichtenhel. They are the cre8ors of the another great book Duck! Rabbit!. Click HERE if you would like to read more about Wumbers.  

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It's Mr Wolf's birthday. He is busy & being bothered by recognizable fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters who ask him for the time. The illustrations are charming, full of different kinds of time pieces and lots of other details. Below is the video of Debi Gliori reading What's the time, Mr Wolf?

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Mousterpiece by Jane Breskin Zalben introduces readers to modern art & encourages young artists to develop their own style. To look inside the book, click HERE. 

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Question Boy meets Little Miss Know-it-all by Peter Catalanotto is the perfect book for children who ask lots of questions and the ones who have all the answers or for the children who don't do either. The unusual superheroes and silly facts make this a fun read.  

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Marshall Armstrong is new to our school by David Mackintosh is a book that celebrates being accepted for being different and that old message about never judging a book by it's cover. 

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Peter Brown wrote the popular picture book Children make terrible pets. Now Lucy is back in You will  be my friend. In this book, Lucy really wants to make a friend but is finding it much harder than she expects. Watch the video below to find out about the book & Peter Brown. 

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A home for bird by Philip C. Stead is an absolutely lovely book about friendship and finding a home.  

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Curious you on your way is a good graduation book alternative to Dr Seuss's Oh, the place you'll go! It features iconic scenes from many of the Curious George books.

Some fabulous nonfiction books

You are stardust by Elin Kelsey shows children how they are connected to the natural world. It also is a great book to start conversations about some big ideas. Soyeon Kim's dioramas enhance the lyrical text. Click HERE for more. 

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If you lived here: Houses of the world by Giles Laroche describes 15 houses from around the world. There is a short a paragraph describing what it would be like if you lived there.  Also accompanying each incredible relief paper collage illustration are facts about the type of home, materials, location time period and a fascinating fact.

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Island: A story of Galapagos is a celebration of the wonders of the Galapagos Islands and how they came to be. It is based on science & careful research but there is an imaginative element to interest readers. Jason Chin is the author & illustrator. 

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Helen Frost & Rick Lieder have created a gorgeous poetry book with stunning close-up photography. Step Gently Out invites readers to look closely at the natural world. Click HERE for a book trailer & more information. 

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Go, go, grapes: A fruit chant is by April Pulley Sayre. If you loved Rah, rah, radishes, then you will love this book. April Pulley Sayre is great nonfiction author. Click HERE to learn more about her books. 

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Looking for Lincoln by Maira Kalman is a great biography about the 16th president of the United States of America. Told using a child'a voice, it's full of interesting and unusual facts about Lincoln that will keep children interested. However, be aware that his assassination is in the book (see below to see what has been included about it.) 

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The introduction of Images of God for young children states - "Even though we cannot see or touch God, the Bible does describe many ways that we can still discover God in our world. This volume offers a collection of these images, presented here in language that is appropriate for children while remaining faithful to the spirit of the biblical texts." It's a lovely book written by Marie-Helene Delval, who also wrote Psalms for Young Children.

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A new ReadMe! series Fierce Fighters introduces readers to warriors. Learn about who they are, how they fought and why they are so fierce. Different titles include Aztec Warriors, Gladiators & Roman Soldiers, Greek Warriors, Medieval Knights, Ninja, Samurai & Vikings. 

Wonder by R J Palacio

A must read!

The following information is from GoodReads:

"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels."

Graphic novels

Graphic novels appeal to early readers because of the great illustrations and easy-to-follow stories. If you are looking for an introduction to graphic novels, then take a look at the following books.

My 1st graphic novels
Published by Stone Arch, this series is perfectly safe for young, beginning readers and includes an explanation about how to read a graphic novel. For more information, click HERE.

TOON Books

Click HERE for more information about this series and some great resources about graphic novels and ideas for how to use the books. One book in the series, Little Mouse Gets Ready, was a 2009 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book.

Owly

This series, by Andy Runton, is wordless and relies on icons, expressions and symbols to tell the story. The stories are sweet as Owly is a kind and sensitive little owl who cares about others. Click HERE for some free Owly comics & HERE for a cute animation. 

Tiny Titans

The main characters in this series are the world's greatest super heroes as little children. Read this series to see what happens to them at school, on field trips and on the playground. Click HERE to go to Tiny Titans official page.

DC Super Friends
This series introduces younger readers to the heroes of the DC Universe - Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash and Aquaman.

Binky Adventure 

Binky is a cat that thinks it is brave, hero cat. Even though this series, by Ashley Spires, is meant for children, adults will probably also enjoy reading about his adventures. 

Gabby and Gator
This graphic novel, by James Burke, is about an unusual friendship between a girl and an alligator. It is filled with funny sight gags that will appeal to most readers.

Babymouse 

In this series, Babymouse uses her imagination to deal with daily challenges and friendship problems. Bother and sister team - Matthew & Jennifer Holm are the brains behind this series. If you want to learn more about Babymouse, click HERE.

Stone Rabbit 
A time-travelling bunny that finds himself in all sorts of predicaments but always comes out on top and stands up for the little guy. Click HERE for more information about this funny character, created by Erik Graddock.

  

Lunch Lady
Jarrett Krosoczka has created a series about a cafeteria Lunch Lady who, in her spare time, monitors the entire school and fights crime. Click HERE to learn all about this series.

Graphic Spin - Fairy tales with a twist

This series will appeal to readers who like fairy tales with different endings & those who like creepy books. The fairy tales are usually true to the original Grimm's fairy tales.

A favorite: Nursery Rhymes Comics
This book features 50 classic nursery rhymes, each illustrated by a different cartoonist.

A surprising find: Around the World: Three remarkable journeys

This graphic novel by Matt Phelan is about three 19th century Americans' journeys around the world. One wanted to ride a bike, another wanted to beat the record of Verne's Phileas Fogg and circle the world in 74 days and the final person wanted to sail around the world. Click HERE if you would like to read more about it and listen to the author introduce and read from his graphic novel. I didn't think I would enjoy this graphic novel but I did and then wanted to find out more about each person. For me, that is always a sign of a good book! 

Finally, if you are ready to create your own graphic novel, then check out Art Panels, BAM! Speech Bubbles, POW! Writing your own graphic novel  by Trisha Shaskan for the tips and tools you need to get started.