Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson

This teen fiction series kicks off with The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and from the very beginning, I was hooked.

Elisa is the chosen one, the bearer of the Godstone, and destined to perform an as-yet unknown act of service. But, from the outside, she seems like an unlikely choice. She grows up feeling inferior, especially to her older sister. And then, of course, circumstances come together to test her mettle and resolve.

Elisa is a likable and self-deprecating heroine – and her vulnerability endears her to the reader. Her ability to uncover and lasso her powers will truly be a matter of life and death – not just for her, but for those she loves, and for her kingdom as well. Reading about her adventures made me want to reread Elske by Cynthia Voigt.

What impresses me most about this series are its well-defined characters and thoughtfully charted plot. The author published an additional book called Girl of Fire and Thorns Stories, which was made up of three novellas. Each of the three short stories added additional context and back story – and each was an incredible stand-alone reading in their own right.

Moby Shinobi series by Luke Flowers

The Moby Shinobi series by Luke Flowers is designed for early readers, with rhyming text: "Hi-ya! Hello! Come watch me train! I love to use my ninja brain."

Who wouldn't want to be ninja quick, with super kicks, and ninja speed to help people in need?

Much like in the Picture Book Ducks to the Rescue and other such tales, Moby's help isn't always helpful.

In Ninja on the Farm, when he swoops into the coop to gather eggs, he ends up waking all the chickens, the eggs are cracked, and it's a mess. When he spins around trying to gather hay, he does it so fast that the sheep end up sneezing. Likewise, his ninja jumps when trying to feed slop to the pigs don't turn out well.

But, ya gotta love a ninja with heart. Can he persevere and figure out a ninja job that's just right for him?

A similar scenario takes place in Ninja in the Kitchen, another book in this series, when Moby discovers that a "TWIST! TOSS! SPLAT! SQUISH!" approach to cooking might be a little over the top.

Once again, the story culminates in Moby saying, "I did my ninja best you see. I wish there was a job for me" and finding a viable means to help.

Because sooner or later, a ninja is bound to get it right.

The Three Rancheros series by Kate DiCamillo

My introduction to Kate DiCamillo’s Three Rancheros series took place when I stumbled across Lousiana’s Way Home, and became mesmerized while reading it. It turns out that this is actually the second book in this series about three friends, but the books are written so well that there are no spoilers if you read them out of order. The intended order of the three books is: (1.) Raymie Nightingale, (2.) Lousiana’s Way Home, and (3.) Beverly Right Here.

Reading this series reminded me of the Tillerman series by Cynthia Voigt, and how three of the books in that series (Homecoming, A Solitary Blue, and Come a Stranger) each included that same scene of a teacher falsely accusing a student of plagiarism, but from three different points of view.

The characterization is excellent. I love Raymie’s thoughtful way of flexing and unflexing her toes, just as her swim coach taught her, when she is thinking through a problem (such as her father running away with a dental hygienist). I love Lousiana Elefante’s quirky otherworldliness, which she shares with her eccentric grandmother. I love how tough Beverly tries to be on the outside, even while she has the most enormous, humongous caring heart.

This is a great reading recommendation to parents who like to share family read-alouds of chapter books with their children, and for kids who like realistic fiction. It’s also a great pick for parents who feel protective about the content of what their children are reading, either due to the kiddo being a prolific reader who is also on the young side, or due to religious concerns.

Blackthorn Key series by Kevin Sands

The Blackthorn Key series by Kevin Sands features Christopher Rowe, and his loyal friends Tom and Sally. When the series begins, Christopher is a mischievous apprentice to an apothecary, who is always getting his friend Tom in trouble. But when Christopher’s master is murdered, he and his friends set out to try to figure out the culprit - risking their lives to do so.

This is a great series for fans of adventure stories like Riordan, and children who like to solve mysteries and codes, like Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society series. The reader has opportunities to try to solve codes (and I was totally trying in my mind to solve the mystery before Christopher and his friends did). The series is very addictive - upon reading each installment, the first thing I wanted to do was read the next one. The four books in this series are available on audio as well.

"Sometimes joy is the only defense you have, and your only weapon. Remember that."

~ Quote from Sister Bert in the book by Laura Ruby, Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All

Quotes from Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

I can relate to a character who is father hungry, and coping with a lack of mother love:

Picture Books About Foster Care, Adoption, Abuse and Homelessness

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Books About Adoption
Books About Foster Care
Books About Abuse and Complex Living Situations

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

All across the world, sunshine has been stolen from the sky. A girl is locked in an attic, mourning her father’s death. On the street below, an orphan boy serving as alchemist’s apprentice looks up at her window, longing to help her. When a ghost from the netherworld stumbles into Liesl’s attic room, the magic begins – and nothing will ever be the same.

PICTURE BOOKS TO HELP CHILDREN TALK ABOUT
ABUSE AND COMPLEX LIVING SITUATIONS

The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Be Sad by Rob Goldblatt, 2004. A boy who doesn’t want to be sad anymore decides that the best way to protect himself is to get rid of anything that could make him sad – but discovers that he is closing off his heart to many of life’s joys as well.

Edwardo: The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World by John Burningham, 2007. When a perfectly normal boy experiences verbal abuse from his caregivers, his behavior goes downhill – until the adults in his life remember to look for and recognize his positive qualities.

A Family That Fights by Sharon Chesler Bernstein, 1991. Henry's parents fight often and his father sometimes hits his mother, causing Henry to feel frightened and ashamed. This book includes a list of things children can do in situations of family violence.

Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi, 2002. Children who have been abused or witnessed abuse can mimic what they have seen. This book offers alternative solutions for dealing with anger and frustration.

Is A Worry Worrying You? by Ferida Wolff, 2005. This book acknowledges and addresses the worries of children and helps the child deal with them through problem-solving and/or telling a trusted adult.

The Magic Beads by Nancy Neilsen-Fernlund, 2007. When Lily thinks about what to bring in for Show and Tell at school, the butterflies in her stomach turn to grasshoppers, bunny rabbits, donkeys and buffaloes. She and her mother are currently staying in a homeless shelter, and she doesn't know what to share.

One of the Problems of Everett Anderson by Lucille Clifton, 2001. Everett suspects that his friend at school might be abused, and doesn’t know what to do, so he asks a trusted adult for advice.

Please Tell! A Child's Story About Sexual Abuse by Jessie Ottenweller, 1991. Nine-year-old Jennie's words and illustrations help other sexually abused children know that they're not alone, that it's okay to talk about their feelings, and that the abuse wasn't their fault.

Sometimes Bad Things Happen by Ellen Jackson, 2002. Mentions some of the bad things that happen in the world and presents some positive ways to respond to them. 

Sometimes My Mommy Gets Angry by Bebe Moore Campbell, 2003. Annie reaches out to her grandmother for help when her mother acts out due to mental illness.

A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Holmes, 2000. After Sherman sees something terrible happen, he becomes anxious and angry, but talking through those emotions with an adult proves to be helpful.

There’s a Big Beautiful World Out There by Nancy Carlson, 2002. This book acknowledges the frightening things in this world, while reminding readers of the good things they miss if they don't venture out: If you hide under your covers, you won't see the rainbow after the storm.”

What Do You Do With A Problem?  by Kobi Yamada, 2016. The story of a persistent problem and a child who isn't sure how to deal with it. 

PICTURE BOOKS TO HELP CHILDREN TALK ABOUT

THEIR FOSTER CARE EXPERIENCE

A Child is A Child by Brigette Weninger, 2004. After two young frogs are abandoned by their parents, Mama Mouse mobilizes the entire animal community to help care for them.

Aunt Minnie McGranahan by Mary Skillings Prigger, 1999. Based on a true story; when nine orphans came to live with her, Aunt Minnie came up with a solution: "The oldest looked after the youngest, the ones in the middle looked after each other, and Aunt Minnie looked after them all.”

Be Who You Are by Todd Parr (2016).

A Father Like That by Charlotte Zolotow, 2007. A boy growing up without a father lists the activities that he wishes they could share, and decides to grow up and become the type of father that he never had.

Foster Parents by Rebecca Rissman, 2011. Describes what foster families are and how they care for children who need help until they return to their original families or move on to a permanent family.

Goodbyes by Shelley Rotner, 2002. Simple text, accompanied by photos, explains that sometimes people live in more than one home, and that goodbyes might not be forever, but might be just “bye for now.”

Kids Need to be Safe by Julie Nelson, 2005. This book is designed to help foster children understand why they aren’t currently with their biological parents, and offer them hope and reassurance.

Let’s Talk About When Your Parent is in Jail by Maureen K. Wittbold, 1997. Having a parent in jail can be one of the reasons that children enter foster care. This book answers many questions that children can be harboring.

Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care by Jennifer Wilgocki and Marcia K. Wright, 2002. Provides a simple explanation for children in foster care about the processes impacting their lives, and acknowledges the questions for which there is no easy answer, such as: “When am I going home?”

A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza, 1992. A motherless bird searches for the right place to belong – and finally finds it with Mrs. Bear, who takes Choco into her loving home and introduces him to his new siblings.

Murphy’s Three Homes by Jan Levinson Gilman, 2008. A puppy who moves from home to home learns that it is not his fault, and finds a family who will love him even if he struggles to obey their rules.

My Dog Is As Smelly As Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven, 2007. During their time in foster care, children often create Life Books with pictures and stories about their biological families. This book, while not specifically geared towards foster care, suggests creative collage techniques that might work well in Life Books.

My New Mom and Me by Renata Galindo (2016)

Our Gracie Aunt by Jacqueline Woodson, 2002. Initially reluctant to open the door to a social worker asking how long their mother has been gone, two children find comfort and safety at their Aunt Gracie’s house.

When I Miss You by Cornelia Maude Spelman, 2004. Various situations can cause a child to be separated from parents – for a short or long time. This book is a tool for caregivers to assist children of all backgrounds to share what it feels like to miss someone and problem-solve what to do while waiting to be reunited.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by MaryRose Wood

When 15-year-old Penelope Lumley, recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is enlisted by Lord Ashton to serve as governess for three children who have been literally raised by wolves, she rises to the challenge. Armed only with pluck, optimism and Agatha Swanburne’s wise sayings, Penelope seeks not only to educate the children, but also untangle the mystery of their birth.