HoB icon

Children & early adolescent literature books database

 

Literature annotated database: 2010 - 2019

Overview

Database of books that readers who express interest in the books topics or genre enjoyed.

Books 2010 - 2019

Title Author Publication date Summaries & Notes Genre & themes
Are you a COW? Sandra Boynton 2010 Are you a cow coverIntroduce young readers to a boisterous chicken who impatiently wants to know: What are you? Before answering the chicken rattles off possibility after possibility. Are you a COW? DOG? DUCK? FROG? LAMB? PIG? HIPPO? BEAR? PENGUIN? … YOU! picture book animals fantasy self-awareness human

Missing: Sabotaged

Book 3

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2010 The third in the Missing series. Haddix has fortified her fast moving action packed survival adventure plot, she has used successfully in many of her books, by incorporating two challenging thought puzzles: first, is the continuation of operationalizing time travel along with the paradoxes it would create if the past could be changed and second, what happened to the real Virginia Dare and other inhabitants in and around the Virginia colony. The book includes 17 pages of author s notes about this. While I think this is a great read and I think others will enjoy the story and thinking about these ideas I would caution the book doesn't conclude the episode about Andrea. While the reader expects there will be more books about other missing children a follower of the series might believe Andrea's story would conclude. However, the book is a cliffhanger leaving this episode unresolved and a time limit of 1611 to fix things or time itself might collapse. age 12 years - seventh grade topics time travel mystery adoption Virginia Dare Roanoke Colony Virginia modern fiction time travel adopted history
Mockingjay Suzanne Collins 2010

Third in the trilogy about the future nation of Panem, who controls its 12 districts with a yearly televised Hunger Game fight to the death. Two contestants, one male and one female, are selected by lotter to compete. Katniss Everdeen, steps forward to take her sister's place in the games. Her struggle to survive begins with her questions about her existance, humanity, love, and extends into politics and fight to who controls government across the trilogy.

catchingFire

distopican society science fiction trilogy
The Last Apprentice: Rage of the Fallen. - 8 Joseph Delaney 2011

With each new book I am amazed at how Joseph Delaney continues to increase the depth of characters, intensity of plot, and supernatural dimensions of his writing style. This book takes off where the last ended. Is Tom ready for the challenge? Will he be successful in what he unknowingly has been prepared to do. The plot and all the many characters cohesively fit together and tell a story that compels the reader through a dark evil where not only life is at stake, but the lose of souls forever.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic bane thought control supernatural witches
The Last Apprentice: Grimalkin the Witch Assassin. - 9 Joseph Delaney 2011

With each new book I am amazed at how Joseph Delaney continues to increase the depth of characters, intensity of plot, and supernatural dimensions of his writing style. This book takes off where the last ended., but focuses on development of Grimalkin and the essential role she plays and will play in the series.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic bane thought control supernatural witches

Missing: Torn

Book 4

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2011 The fourth in the Missing series. modern fiction time travel adopted history

Missing: Caught

Book 5

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2012 The fifth in the Missing series. modern fiction time travel adopted history
The Last Apprentice: Lure of the Dead. - 10 Joseph Delaney 2012

Setting wise this book takes off where the last ended. However, it brings together the usual characters as they prepare to gather enough power to defeat the Fiend.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic bane thought control supernatural witches
The Last Apprentice: Slither - 11 Joseph Delany 2012

The story opens with Nessa's nightmare, then the death of her father, and introduces her to Slither, a haizda mage, from the dark that prefers human blood to feed its urges. Slither, believes it is honor bound to any trade it makes, which it combines with fear to provide its needs. Nessa's father, who has secretly protected his family with trades, makes his last trade at his death. A trade, which sets the plot of the story. A plot with Slither agreeing to take Nessa's sisters: Bryony, & Susan to their Aunt and Uncle in trade for Nessa. Of course there are many life and death situations to be over come to complete the trade.

A reader of The Last Apprentice series will wonder what this book has to do with Tom's story, and will not enlightened by the end. All characters are new, until Grimalkin enters over half way through the story. Being on the run with the fiend's head she has ventured to this far north land, where her character becomes central to the plot, climax, and conclusion.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy witches dark entities

The Last Apprentice: I Am Alice. - 12 Joseph Delaney 2012

Setting wise this book takes off where the last ended. However, the focus is on Alice as she gathers the sacred objects necessary for the ritual and she prepares herself for the part she must play in the battle to destroy the Fiend.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic bane thought control supernatural witches
The Last Apprentice: Fury of the Seventh Son. - 13 Joseph Delaney 2013

Setting wise this book takes off where the last ended. Finally the battle to destroy the Fiend.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic demons dark gods thought control supernatural witches

Missing: Risked

Book 6

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2013 The sixth in the Missing series. modern fiction time travel adopted history
The Crossover Kwame Alexander 2014

The Crossover coverJosh Bell tells the story of his seventh grade basketball season told by Josh in verse with rhythm and beat.

The plot centers on his family and their basketball life. A strong mother and father, who had a professional basketball career, and their twin sons: Josh and JB (12). Their personalities on and off the court, how they drift apart, deal with jealousy, family, making decisions, life, and death.

Series of books, graphic novel, and Disney TV series 2023

realistic fiction adolescent novel verse poem sports TV series graphic novel

The Darkness trilogy:

A New Darkness - 14

Joseph Delaney 2014

Setting and plot wise this book takes off where the last ended.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic demons dark gods thought control supernatural witches

Missing: Revealed: Rewriting the past to save the future

Book 7

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2014 The story of the missing continues with the revelation Gary and Hodge are back and continue to carry out their plan to riches by selling the babies of 36 famous parents.
Charles Lindbergh, is central to the plot as Johan Skidmore tries to unite the time streams that threaten to collapse time altogether. Katherine vanishes. Chip, Andrea, and all the other children from the plane disappear, while Jonah’s parents and the other adults in his town become thirteen again Johan and thirteen year old JB and Angela need to figure out how to stop Gary and Hodge from being successful before time ends for Johan and restarts for the 36 as babies with future parents. Interesting, and confusing, how three different time streams present different plots within the story.
modern fiction adolescent novel time travel adopted history

Missing: Redeemed

Book 8

Margaret Peterson Haddix 2012 The conclusion of the Missing series. modern fiction time travel adopted history

The Darkness trilogy:

The Dark Army - 15

Joseph Delaney 2016

Setting and plot wise this book takes off where the last ended.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic demons dark gods thought control supernatural witches
Ada Twist Scientist Andrea Beaty 2016

Ada Twist Scientist coverInspired by mathematician Ada Lovelace and physicist Marie Curie, this bestseller from author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts champions STEM, girl power, and women scientists in a rollicking celebration of curiosity, the power of perseverance, and the importance of asking "Why?"

Aslo a Netflix series

Ada Twist's head is full of questions. Like her classmates Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer, Ada has always is endlessly curious. Even when her fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don't go as planned. Ada learns the value of thinking through problems and continuing to stay curious. Ada is an inquisitive second grader who was born to be a scientist. She possesses an unusual desire to question everything she encounters: a tick-tocking clock, a pointy-stemmed rose, the hairs in her dad's nose, and much more. Ada's parents and her teacher, Miss Greer, have their hands full as the Ada's science experiments wreak day-to-day havoc. On the first day of spring, Ada notices an unpleasant odor. She sets out to discover what might have caused it. Ada uses the scientific method in developing hypotheses in her smelly pursuit. The little girl demonstrates trial and error, while appreciating her family's full support. In one experiment, she douses fragrances on her cat and attempts to place the frightened feline in the washing machine.

Other books in the Questioneers Series:

The Questioneers Picture Book Series: Iggy Peck, Architect Rosie Revere, Engineer Ada Twist, Scientist Sofia Valdez, Future Prez Aaron Slater, Illustrator Lila Greer, Teacher of the YearThe Questioneers

Chapter Book Series:

Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion Sofia Valdez and the Vanishing Vote Ada Twist and the Disappearing Dogs Aaron Slater and the Sneaky SnakeQuestioneers:

The Why Files Series:

Exploring Flight, All About Plants, The Science of Baking, Bug Bonanza, Rockin' Robots

Scientist Series:

Ghost Busted, Show Me the Bunny, Ada Twist, Scientist

The Questioneers Big Project Book Series: Iggy Peck's Big Project Book for Amazing Architects Rosie Revere's Big Project Book for Bold Engineers Ada Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists Sofia Valdez's Big Project Book for Awesome Activists Aaron Slater's Big Project Book for Astonishing Artists

Source: Thrifbooks overview

picture book science scientist minority scientist

The Darkness trilogy:

The Dark Assassin - 16

Joseph Delaney 2017

Setting and plot wise this book takes off where the last ended.

Plot summary and more

modern fantasy apprentice magic demons dark gods thought control supernatural witches
The Great Undersea Search Kate Needham 2017
Detailed illustrations of underwater scenes by Ian Jackson to engage readers to search for hidden animals, objects, and other details.
Oceans sea life nonfiction picture book seek & find
Long Way Down Jason Reynolds 2017

Long Way Down coverA story set in an elevator as Will (15) travels down from the seventh floor set on revenge for his brother's (Shawn) gun death. Stopping at each floor for another rider. Riders killed by gun violence and those involved in a chain of violent revenge related to his brother's shooting.

With a gun in his waist band he thinks … Does he know who he’s after? Does he know why? Where did the gun originate? Is the gun loaded? Will the rule of silence and revenge continue?

Jason Reynolds, ends the story as the door opens to the lobby so we aren’t told How It will END ...

As I reached the end I was thinking Will is being convinced to stop. However, seconds after turning the last page, I had the feeling that the culture of revenge, in spite of the terrible lose everyone suffers, is the compelling option. The discussion of alternatives and consequences is left for the reader and groups of readers.

Jason tell the story in short, choppy, cutting narrative verse, along with repetitive words and phrases with hard consonants that creates an appropriate unique tone to communicate the harsh reality related to teenage gun violence.

Award winning book (Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Printz Honor Book, & many more)

Also graphic novel - 2020

Realistic fiction gun violence adolescent novel graphic novel verse poem
Hello Universe Erin Entrada Kelly 2018 Hello Universe

Coming of age story about Virgil and his interactions with some of his class mates, two girls and one boy, as he learns how to accept himself and be brave [stand up for himself].

  • Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his sports centered family, except with his supporting Grandmother Lola (Philippines).
  • Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, smart, brave, secretly lonely, loves nature, and journaling.
  • Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic. Gen is her little sister, who continually follows her around.
  • Chet Bullens is a bully who thinks most others are weird and mostly losers

The author mixes the use of first and third person. Using first person when the focus is on Valencia. Some readers might benefit with a heads up to notice that when the chapter title is Valencia, she weitches from third to first peron.

As the plot develops we learn about ecah charater's strengths and differences; and their social relationships, which will develop with the plot.

The action elevates when Chet bullies Virgil, steals his backpack with Gulliver inside, (pet guinea pig), and throws it down a well.

Chet goes down the well to rescue Gulliver and gets trapped.

When Chet is late for an appointment with Kaori, she, Gen, and Valencia set out to find the missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and coincidence or universal interconnectedness, he is rescued.

During the time trapped in the well Chet suffers with self-doubt and his fears as he aruges with himself and listens to voices and recounts past events and Lola's stories. As he does so and his time in the well passes, he begins to stand up for himself and become his own Bayani (hero).

Intersting story told in a delightful tone and style that realistically communicates their unique character, their personal challenges, and how they become aware of them and what pro-social strategies will benefit them.

Realistic fiction friends diversity Filipino-American Japanese-American learning disabilities hearing impaired hearing aids bully sixth grade shy social interactions self-limiting behaviors social strategies bravery differences Newbery award winner
New Kid Jerry Craft 2019 New Kid

Jordan Banks is the new kid whose parents convince him to attend an academically prestigious private school, instead of an art academy, that Jordan wants to attend.

The plot is about Jordan’s year in seventh grade as a Black male in a predominantly White school. The subplots are often driven by cultural and experiential differences that lead to conflict through miscommunication with Jordan and several of his classmates as they grow into new kids!

Additionally, to a well written, and illustrated story, Jordan’s journal pages, created by his character as short graphic novellas, are scattered throughout the book as two page black and white comic paneled sketches.

Main characters

  • Jordan Bank (Dad - Chuck, Mom - Ellice, Grandpa, two younger sisters)
  • Drew (Andrew Ellis)
  • Liam Landers

Other students

  • Jordan
  • Drew
  • Maury - Maurice
  • Girl Alex - Alexandra
  • Ashley
  • Samira
  • Andy Peterson

Older students as protagonists

  • Eric
  • Deandre
  • Winston

Jordan's neighborhood friends

  • Kenny
  • Kirk
  • Carlos
Graphic novel realistic fiction Black experience cultural differences communication

 

 

Next - 2020 -

 

Top

 

Dr. Robert Sweetland's notes
[Home: homeofbob.com & thehob.net ]