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Seeking adventure? Life lessons? Colorful destinations, exotic dishes, and magic filled hours await! It’s not the latest Netflix special, but the best worlds your imagination can dream up; all through the magic of reading. Here are some books for your students to read over Christmas break to enjoy, contemplate, and just let the words fly out of spirited pages and into your mind.
El Deafo by Cece Bell- Best suited for upper elementary and junior high students, due to more mature language. A little girl who becomes progressively deaf learns to deal with her own shortcomings, esteem, and friendships. Her superhero alter ego guides her in this coming of age graphic novel. An honest memoir for kids as well as adults who will enjoy this unconventional story.
Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan- Perfect for middle schoolers, desirable for all ages! From Greek gods, imaginary creatures, tween friends, and adventure packed action, this series does not disappoint! Percy and his friends uncover monsters and mysteries as they take on their quest to stop a war. Enticed by mythology, you will willingly ride this fantasy and discover friendships and heroes you didn’t know you needed.
The Sisters Grimm- The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley. That’s right, the sisters. Don’t worry, this isn’t a reimagined tale of the famous brothers. Orphan sisters, Sabrina & Daphne, end up living with their grandmother. Her stories of fanciful fairy tales lead these sisters to magic, adventures, and family roots. A new twist on the family Grimm that even seasoned fairy tale fans will revel in.
Falling Leaves-The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah- Best for the mature high schooler and up. A painfully poignant memoir of a young girl who suffered through her childhood. A survivor whose determination and hope is one to be revered by girls, boys, and grown ups. Through political strife from China to Hong Kong, and her life landing in the US and UK, follow the real life protagonist’s wonderfully depicted life journey.
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas- Current, moving, and relevant to today’s society, this novel delves into real life issues. Teenage girl, Starr, vacillates between her urban home and her affluent prep school community where she deals with her identity and authentic self. When her friend is tragically killed, Starr struggles with dealing with her emotions and society’s expectations. Some major lessons in the book vary from the made for TV movie, so as always, reading the book prior to watching the story, always takes precedence. A truly thoughtful work of fiction.