This Friday Patti Abbott has asked us to write about kids books. I have no choice but to mention the Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park since my three oldest grandkids (ages 7, 7, and 6) are plowing through the nearly thirty books in the series at warp speed.
Junie is a real kid. She gets into trouble, her grammar could use some work and she can be really cranky. Mostly she is hilarious. My great joy is when one of my grandkids calls me on the phone to describe Junie’s latest escapade, like the time she was afraid of something and decided to hide in the baby’s crib. Of course the baby was in the crib at the time, so Junie moved him to the floor. Then “the stupid baby started crying” and, well, you can figure out the rest.
I have heard adults complain that she sets a bad example and that kids shouldn’t be reading books with bad grammar and spelling mistakes. (The mistakes are Junie’s not the authors.) I don’t care what kids read—just as long as they are reading. Just like the rest of us, kids will only read what they enjoy. So for children in kindergarten through third grade, I highly recommend Junie B. Jones.
If you are looking for excellent books for kids just a bit older than my grandkids, I have great news.
If you are looking for excellent books for kids just a bit older than my grandkids, I have great news.
Many of you may be addicted to Chris Grabenstein’s Ceepak mystery series set on the Jersey shore. (Trust me the books are NOTHING like the new realty series set in the same location.) Well, Chris has really topped the charts with his new children series aimed at the 9 to 12 year old crowd.
The Crossroads is a grand ghost story starring Zack Jennings and some very spooky trees. Next Zack and his stepmother Judy are confronted with a haunted theatre in The Hanging Hill.
In these young adult books Chris manages to meld suspense and humor. I am pleased that my grandkids are creeping up to the age when I can share The Crossroads and The Hanging Hill with them. Just think how impressed they’ll be when I tell them I know the guy who wrote the books and he is a not just a great writer but a really terrific person.
Patti Abbot has a really useful list of links to recommendations for children’s books from her blog buddies. Click here to take a look.
Terrie
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9 comments:
Thanks for another informative post, Terrie. My daughter read Junie B. Jones when she was the age of your grandchildren, and she enjoyed it as well. I will recommend The Crossroads and The Hanging Hill for my nephew who just turned nine (or probably buy it for him for Christmas!).
Great picks today!
Great tips, Terrie! I picked up a Junie B. just to see what the furor was about, and I laughed, too, just like my nieces.
I have this urge now to read the Junie B. Jones series.
"The Crossroads" and "The Hanging Hill" sound pretty good, too. I didn't read many books for kids when I was young so I have plenty to make up for now.
The same way adult characters should be written realistically, so should juvenile characters. Kids ain't gonna learn from ideals who never come down to earth. They will learn from characters they can relate to.
As far as Chris and his books are concerned: A resounding "Ditto!"
Hi All,
I am so glad that you like my choices. Love of reading is the most important thing we can pass along to future generations.
Terrie
Good to know kids of this age are still excited about reading. And from real books, too.
I am so envious to have girls to buy book for. I may have to find one.
I'm going to be buying lots of children's books this year as I have six nieces and nephews from 2-10. Thanks for the useful reviews!
Evan,
I have to compliment the parents who keep fun books in the house and make lots of family trips to the library and to bookstores.
Patti,
My oldest grandson loves Junie B. right along with Wolverine.
Laura,
With that age spread you can buy all sorts of great books.
Terrie
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