Best Children's Abuse Books
1 Smile
What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. The dental case that Telgemeier documents in this graphic memoir was extreme: a random accident led to front tooth loss when she was 12, and over the next several years, she suffered through surgery, implants, headgear, false teeth, and a rearrangement of her remaining incisors.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"What I liked about this book is that is a comic,well not necessarily a comic, but more like a graphic novel."
"I am in middle school and this book made me feel special that I was strong."
"Great story!"
"I đthis book."
"Many students read it twice!"
"Ok I may be only 12 years old and Raina is my aunt.She is Lit the best aunt ever one time she took me to go see the elk in the mountains in California you won't believe it but I heard an elk bugle."
"My 10 year old daughter loved this book--it encouraged her to love reading."
"Smile: {A real story}. Raina's two front teeth come out, & it probably took a few monthsâŚor maybe even a year...until they were perfect."
Two semi-autobiographical graphic novels recount Riana's struggles with corrective dental techniques and her disappointing bond with her cranky younger sister following the arrival of a baby brother. "An utterly charming graphic memoir of tooth trauma, first crushes and fickle friends, sweetly reminiscent of Judy Blume's work . "A charming addition to the body of young adult literature that focuses on the trials and tribulations of the slightly nerdy girl." "I love [Telgemeier's] work, not because it is exotic or unusual, but because she writes stories we have all lived, and tells them in a way that feels uncomfortable yet transcendent.The profound thing Raina discovers is that we do not have to navigate the difficulties alone." * "Telgemeier's art complements her writing to great effect, offering a cheerful, vivid cartoon simplicity that allows readers to instantly engage even as it leaves room for deeper truths to take hold." * "Told in then-and-now narratives that are easily discernible in the graphic format, Telgemeier's tale is laugh-out-loud funny (especially the story about the snake incident) and quietly serious all at once.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love that these books have her wanting to turn off the television and her other electronics so she can read them - again."
"I got this set after one of the kids brought home Smile as the book from reading group."
"My 8 yo enjoyed reading both books (she had just gotten braces and she has a younger sister)."
"It was suggested by her teacher and I am happy I purchased them!"
"Price was a good deal for books my daughter really enjoys."
"I bought this box set because these books are read over and over again by my students."
"Arrived quickly and my daughter loves them."
"My granddaughter, who is a reluctant reader, loves this series."
From Sean Covey, the author of the international bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens , this bestselling follow-up book builds upon the legacy of the 7 Habits and shows teens how to make smart choices about the six most crucial choices theyâll face during these turbulent years. Every teen in the world should read this book. "This book will prepare teens to handle the pressure and make the right universal big decisions right now." "From one mother to another, I highly recommend that if you want a better future for your teens, you must have them read this book!"
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Time will tell if the book works for him, but after skimming a few chapters and digging into a couple more in-depth, this book will be on our preteen's must-read list."
"This is a book that everyone should read."
"Product came exactly as described."
"I can only say that everything the author addresses is almost exactly what I as a parent would want to tell my teen--but we parents know that teens don't always (OK hardly ever) want advice from us. Teen-to-teen advice.In the chapter on maintaining a good relationship with your parents, I particularly liked one teen's take on parental insight."
"Definitely a must-read for any teenager."
"My son read this in a day!"
Best Children's Nonfiction Family Life Books
Raina uses her signature humor and charm in both present-day narrative and perfectly placed flashbacks to tell the story of her relationship with her sister, which unfolds during the course of a road trip from their home in San Francisco to a family reunion in Colorado. *Starred Review* Telgemeierâs follow-up to Smile (2010)âpossibly the only universally embraced graphic novel on the planetâoffers the same thoughtful perspective while also creating a slightly more mature and complex tone. While the focus of the story explores Rainaâs combative relationship with her younger sister, Amara, it is in some sense about families themselves, the tensions they breed, the unspoken worries that swirl through households, and the ways an older generationâs unintended example echoes through younger generations. -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review. "Telgemeier is prodigiously talented at telling cheerful stories with realistic portrayals of middle-school characters."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My daughter has been a devoted fan of Raina's books for years and this one didn't disappoint."
"Granddaugher requested and loved the book."
"However, her stories (memoirs, really) are well written and really convey the nuances of being a young girl and sisterhood."
"Bought this for my 8 yr. old granddaughter and she loved it."
"When I read Smile, it really touched me because I was nervous about braces."
"A big hit with our granddaughter."
"Just read this very good book."
Best Teen & Young Adult Social Science Books
With more than five million copies in print all around the world, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is the ultimate teenage success guideânow updated for the digital age. In an entertaining style, Covey provides a simple approach to help teens improve self-image, build friendships, resist peer pressure, achieve their goals, and get along with their parents, as well as tackle the new challenges of our time, like cyberbullying and social media. As prejudiced as this may sound, this is a remarkable book, a must-read!â (Stephen R. Covey, Sean's dad, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and cofounder and former vice chairman of Franklin Covey Co.). âI wish I'd had this book when I was a teen.â (Shannon Hale, New York Times bestselling author of Newbery Honor winner Princess Academy and The Goose Girl). Whether you are a teen or not, you should read this book!â (Anson Dorrance, University of North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer coach, 22 time national collegiate champion). I have personally read it and practiced the timeless principles with my daughters.â (Diana Thomas, U.S. vice president of training, learning & development, McDonalds Corporation).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My granddaughter read this in school and recommended it for her brother."
"Great book for my high school students!"
"Excellent book for teens."
"Good habits to avoid and acquire very effective."
"Bought for kids for school."
Best Teen & Young Adult Literary Biographies
Learn all about Roald Dahl's encounters with the enemy, his worldwide travels, the life-threatening injuries he sustained in a plane accident, and the rest of his sometimes bizarre, often unnerving, and always colorful adventures. After establishing himself as a writer for adults, Roald Dahl began writing childrenâs stories in 1960 while living in England with his family. Learn more about Roald Dahl on the official Roald Dahl Web site: www.roalddahl.com.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A great easy read; unfortunately, not much has changed for the better in leaders; mostly fools and varlets."
"It's funny, tender, poignant, laugh-out-loud, and just honest."
"I didn't like him, and disliked his casual anti semitism, but this a book you pick up and don't put down till you finish."
"I read this book for a purpose."
"The sentences tumble from his pen, flowing in harmony across the pages as you see his life unfold."
"This was fun to read."
"My daughter loves this book so much she sent it to her cousin for her birthday."
"May Daughter read this for a class and loved it and is reading all of his books now !"
Best Teen & Young Adult Education & Reference
Famously packed with information on the inner workings of everything from windmills to Wi-Fi, this extraordinary and humorous book both guides readers through the fundamental principles of machines, and shows how the developments of the past are building the world of tomorrow. It is a very handsome book, a fascinating collection of riddles and a sound educational accomplishment that, while explaining in words and pictures - mostly pictures - some of the mysteries of physics, makes you smile, and often laugh. The author is honest enough to say that the book was intended for children of all ages, and brilliant enough to make all its readers feel brighter than they ever thought they could be.ââ The New York Times â The Way Things Work is not the only book that has tried to explain modern mysteries, but it's the best. âKeep the book a secret from your kids for a while and study up on the explanations of questions you're anticipating.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm unusually attached to this book: I laid my hands on the earlier edition as a very young child, and it probably shaped my interests more than anything else - ultimately setting me on a very interesting and rewarding life path."
"This book was tailor made for our young grandson who is very smart!"
"My 10 Year old friend, Loves the book, so I would say the book is an excellent one."
"I'll admit, we've been carefully enjoying it (ourselves) before we gift wrap it - hahaha!!"
"I love that it gives stories with the information."
"Great book."
"My husband LOVED this book as a child."
Best Children's Violence Books
Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do. During her first week of school, Ronald Durkin taunts Molly Lou Melon in the dull-witted but sharp-edged manner of career bullies, calling her "shrimpo" and "bucky-toothed beaver." David Catrow, illustrator of Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs , Rotten Teeth , and other popular picture books, depicts a very weird-looking, very appealing little girl with warmth and cartoonish humor.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Molly Lou Melon is a little girl who has a unique appearance when compared to those around her but it's her uniqueness that makes her stand out."
"My grand daughter just loves this book!"
"Fun reading for grandparents and grandchildren!"
"I love this book!"
"The illustrations of the book were entertaining as well."
"I love this book!"
"Adorable book."
"It has such a good message of positive thoughts and a strong female character."
Best Children's Runaways Books
With a new jacket and expanded trim size, Andrew Henry is ready to enchant the next generation of kids. Doris Burn was born in 1923 and spent most of her life in the San Juan islands, Washington.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Andrew Henry's Meadow is just such a book. A wonderful book about tolerance and understanding."
"At least, it doesn't seem like a big deal to Andrew and his friends."
"one of my favorite books as a kid... now I get to share it with my grandson :)."
"It's definitely something to read as a family before building a tree house for some good ideas to incorporate into it."
"I loved this story as a child and was delighted to have found it here too."
"Great kid's story, very different than Dr. Seuss and other mainstream kid's story books."
"Me and my brothers loved this book as kids and now that it is back in print, it is affordable."
Best Children's Illness
Over 6 million people have read the #1 New York Times bestseller WONDER and have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'm a 54 year old grandfather who served in the Marine Corps (just for a little context). Palacio...I can't believe how she so accurately and consistently pegs human nature."
"The most emotional moment for me came toward the end of the book when Auggie's father tells him that he loves the way Auggie looks, because that it exactly how my husband and I feel about our son."
"Author R.J. Palacio writes the book in multiple voices -- Auggie's, some of his friends', his sister's -- and the different points of view are mostly very well-realized and show the inner feelings of the different characters."
"I would recommend all young children to read this book and I would certainly recommend adults to read it because it will certainly change that "judgement of others" into "an acceptance of others.""
"Friends said to read the book before seeing the movie."
"Those "targets" are the brave ones, like August, who get on with their lives, but may be forever bothered by it. I believe this movie should be seen by every student in school, and every adult in every walk of life. Make the choice early in your life to choose kindness."
"She loved seeing the movie after she had finished reading the book and sheâs already the next book in the series, âAuggie and Me.â."
"This book is amazing."
Best Children's Death & Dying Books
Grand's Cooking Tips section at the back of the book is rich with wisdom and concrete recommendations. of the 2001 Theologos Book Award, presented by the Association of Theological Booksellers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've bought this book three times."
"I have bought many copies of this book to give away to grieving friends--I had to replace my own, which I guess I gave away, too."
"I would recommend giving this book as a gift to any ADULT who is grieving."
"My review is in the form of a fan letter to the authors and illustrator: Dear Pat, Chuck, and Taylor, This is just a note to say a very BIG THANK YOU for your wonderful, wonderful book, Tear Soup. And as a family member, friend, and helping professional, I am very grateful that I now own multiple copies of this amazing resource ready to pass into the hands of those in my sphere who are or come to be in need."
"The book is written almost like a kids book with large pictures and minimal words, but when one is grieving, keeping it simple is key!!"
"Very good for anyone who has suffered a loss (of any kind)... illustrations are great also... wish we had this book when our son passed unexpectedly and could have shared it with his children."
"Perfect book when someone is going through the loss of a loved one."
"It was a little simplistic for me."
Best Children's Prejudice & Racism Books
Jacqueline Woodson's National Book Award and Newbery Honor winner, now available in paperback with 7 all-new poems. "Ms. Woodson writes with a sure understanding of the thoughts of young people, offering a poetic, eloquent narrative that is not simply a story . * âThe writerâs passion for stories and storytelling permeates the memoir, explicitly addressed in her early attempts to write books and implicitly conveyed through her sharp images and poignant observations seen through the eyes of a child. Woodsonâs ability to listen and glean meaning from what she hears lead to an astute understanding of her surroundings, friends, and family.â â Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW. Her perspective on the volatile era in which she grew up is thoughtfully expressed in powerfully effective verse. * âWoodson cherishes her memories and shares them with a graceful lyricism; her lovingly wrought vignettes of country and city streets will linger long after the page is turned. Her mother cautions her not to write about her family but, happily, many years later, she has and the result is both elegant and eloquent, a haunting book about memory that is itself altogether memorable. Most notably of all, perhaps, we trace her development as a nascent writer, from her early, overarching love of stories through her struggles to learn to read through the thrill of her first blank composition book to her realization that âwords are [her] brilliance.â The poetry here sings: specific, lyrical, and full of imagery. Woodson subtly layers her focus, with history and geography the background, family the middle distance, and her younger self the foreground. Eager readers and budding writers will particularly see themselves in the young protagonist and recognize her reveling in the luxury of the library and unfettered delight in words. A story of the ongoing weaving of a family tapestry, the following of an individual thread through a gorgeous larger fabric, with the tacit implication that weâre all traversing such rich landscapes. It will make young readers consider where their own threads are taking them.â â The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, STARRED REVIEW.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There are the clever poems about her identity and wanting an afro as well as the realization of wanting to be a writer and how some might see that as not wanting enough. There are the poems I can definitely connect with about Faith and God and wanting to please Him---and not wanting to leave others that we love behind."
"As a writer who loooooves to read about other writers' love of books and writing, I was THRILLED that she wanted to be a writer from such an early age."
"BROWN GIRL DREAMING is one of those books I feel unworthy reviewing."
"My daughter loves this book."
"I want students and adults to read this and find in it the power of their own stories."
"I loved the cadence of this book."
"My only complaint would be with the title, because I do not sense that the protagonist is dreaming (so forward looking) as much as she is marveling at the taste of what she is experiencing, day by day, in here and now."
"Great book for your teenage daughter!"
Best Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books
But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California during the Great Depression, and to settle in a camp for Mexican farm workers. Praise for Esperanza Rising : *âTold in a lyrical, fairy tale-like style .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this book as Kindle+Audible (Whispersync), but ended up mostly listening to the audio, as I found the narration by Trini Alvarado excellent, and adding a lot to the atmosphere, with pronunciation of Spanish names etc with the right accent."
"It is great fictionalized story telling based on actual facts. This starts of telling the story of a happy a wealthy kind family who own a vineyard in Mexico."
"The author brings to life the story and the human spirit of the characters in such a way that reading the book was almost like watching a movie, or even like being right there in the book, reliving an important part of our nation's history."
"Arrived in a timely manner and was as described in product description."
"Arrived on time and as advertised."
"We would've never chosen this book had it not been required reading for my 10 year old son."
"Glad I got to read this book."
"Good book for preteen ages."
Best Children's Drug-related Issues
Elmo and his Sesame Street friends help teach toddlers and the adults in their lives that everyone is the same on the inside, and it's our differences that make this wonderful world, which is home to us all, an interestingâand specialâplace. Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets cavort cheerfully with people of all sizes, shapes and ethnicities in this rather humdrum effort to show the ways in which all people are the same, despite obvious physical differences.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My nice enjoys books a LOT."
"My kids love reading this book and it teaches good morals."
"My son loves this book - age 3."
"for children."
"Having grown up on Sesame Street, I wanted to share some of that messaging with my nephew, who is mixed-race."
"I absolutely love this book."
Best Children's Dysfunctional Relationships Books
#1 New York Times Bestseller. Newbery Honor Book. Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School) Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2015. New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing. An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Jeffersonâs Sons and for fans of Number the Stars . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada's stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories. * âAda's voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. Ignorance and abuse are brought to light, as are the healing powers of care, respect and love. Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada's personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration.ââ Kirkus , starred review. * "Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home. "There is much to like hereâAda's engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive. Ada's tough journey from brokenness to healing is poignantly credible in its development and emotionally satisfying outcome. The feel-good appeal of the rescue fantasy combines with the increasingly tense World War II backdrop to make this an effective page-turner. âExpertly operating on many different levels, this exquisitely written novel incorporates themes of self-discovery and self-worth, strength of family, the power of love, and the many different kinds of courage. "âPatricia MacLachlan, author of Newbery Medal winner Sarah, Plain and Tall. "I love Ada's bold heart, keen wit, and amazingly fresh point of view.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Selective in that I studiously avoided any and all works of fiction that might conceivably be considered "depressing". So when I read "The War That Saved My Life" I had to explain to her, at length, that in spite of the premise, cover (again with the kids staring out into nothingness), and time period this isn't the bleak stretch of depressingness it might appear to be. Enormously satisfying and fun to read, Bradley takes a work of historical fiction and gives the whole premise of WWII evacuees a kick in the pants. Born with a twisted foot her mother considers her an abomination and her own personal shame. Escaping to the English countryside, the two are foisted upon a woman named Susan who declares herself to be "not nice" from the start. I may have mentioned it before, but the word that kept coming to mind as I read this book was "satisfying". She has this enormous task of making Ava strong in every possible way after a lifetime of systematic, often horrific, abuse. Honestly it made me want to reread the book several times over, if only to figure out how she managed to display Ada's anger and shock in the face of kindness with such aplomb. Kids who have so little experience with the wider world that they don't know a church from a bank or vice versa. Or, perhaps worse, their inability to comprehend simple everyday objects and ideas will strike readers as funny or something to be mocked. By the same token, child readers can also pity Ada for not understanding stuff that they already do (banks, church, etc.). American born (Indiana, to be specific) she has set her novel in historical England (Kent) where any number of accents might be on display. She could have peppered the book with words that tried to replicate the sounds of Ada's London accent or Susan's Oxford educated one. Because this is a children's book and hope, in whatever form it ultimately takes, is the name of the game. Ms. Bradley understands that and in "The War That Saved My Life" she manages to concoct a real delight out of a story that in less capable hands would have been a painful read."
"Having had foster grandchildren, this book is perfect to help understand some of the behaviors that the children have had and how they couldn't communicate their feelings."
"Reading is a struggle with her she absolutely loved this book. The story line is a Great War based book in showing the trails that kids went through. But also shows that being kind to people no matter what outwards appearance you see."
"i love this book, it's amazing !"
"Dealing with many sensitive topics it informed and explained the issues and the emotions without being condescending or melodramatic."
"My son, age 9, raves about this book."
"âThe War that Saved My Lifeâ is a beautiful allegory of how love (and education) transforms wounded individuals."
"This is an incredibly beautiful book with wonderful prose and an inspiring message."
Best Children's Disaster Preparedness
Kip and the Magical Belt will leave you wondering if the magic is really in the belt or in yourself. Victoria Gracie is an author, jiu-jitsu instructor, and founder of MyKindOfMama.com, an organization that helps families create harmonious households with mindful parenting.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had been waiting for this to come out since Victoria and Ryron posted about it a few months ago, and of course I bought it once available."
"He also learned about not to ever be a bully from this book."