Princess Academy By Shannon Hale

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+

Recommended For: Girls in Reading level 4th grade and up

Genre: Fantasy
Themes: Magic, Romance, Prince and Princesses, friendship

Main Character: Female Teen

Annotation: This is a delightful book. A young girl is sent to an academy where she and all her friends are trained how to be princesses so that the Prince can choose one of them for a wife. Shannon Hale does an excellent job of sharing a story with added depth and feeling. I didn't want it to end. She is also successful in weaving a bit of magic into the story and she keeps it believable. There is a touch of romance but nothing that isn't appropriate for the younger reader. If you are looking to purchase Princess Academy, be aware that it can be found in two different covers.

Rockabye Farm By Diane Johnston Hamm

Book Type: Picture Book

Rating: A+

Recommended For: Toddlers and Early Preschool

Annotation: We have had this book ever since Anderson was a toddler and each of my kids have loved it. A farmer starts his evening by rocking his little baby. When the baby is asleep the farmer rocks the dog, then the chicken, all the way through the farm animals. Finally after everyone is sleeping the farmer rocks himself to sleep. Although the books doesn't rhyme the writing is short and catchy so children can easily repeat the lines on each page. Now, we own the first book shown on this post. I don't know why they changed illustrators (maybe it is because in our book the pig kind of resembles a cow.) This will become an instant favorite for your young child and it has been deemed a classic in our house.

The Boy With A Drum

Book Type: Little Golden Book

Rating: A+

Recommended for: Children who love rhymes and animals

Annotation: A little boy sets out one morning with his little toy drum, "Rat-a-tat-tat-a-tat Rum-a-tum-tum." Along the way various animals join him, making their specific sounds as they go. By evening there is a whole parade headed over the hill. First published in 1969, this was my favorite book when I was young. I keep my copy tucked away to protect its worn, rounded corners and well loved pages. My children have a duplicate copy that they can enjoy...it is that good. In fact...I have a copy that I found at a thrift store last week and if anyone wants to claim it...first person gets it.

Ruby Holler By Sharon Creech

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A+

Recommended For: Anyone who likes a feel-good story.

Genre: drama

Themes: Orphans, Relationships, Wilderness Living

Main Characters: Teenage brother and sister/ Older husband and Wife

Annotation: Sharon Creech is one of my favorite authors of all time and this is one of my favorite reads. While a brother and sister are planning their escape from a dead-end orphanage, an elderly husband and wife discuss leaving their cabin for a condo in the city. The four lives come together to create a touching story about love, acceptance and family.

Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins

Book Type: Young Adult

Rating: A

Recommended For: Older Grades 5/6 +

Genre: Action, Adventure

Themes: Survival, Murder, Death, Friendship

Main Character: Female with Male Supporting Role

Annotation: A young woman's land must send one person a year to participate in the Hunger Games. The whole books focuses on the Games: drawing the names for the game, preparing for the games, competing in the games and life shortly after the games. A battle to the death, the games are exciting and not too gory but I wouldn't let my 3rd grader read this book. A lot of people are murdered. I personally love the survival element in this book as each contestant tries to out last all the rest. It is well written and captivating but I have to admit that the very ending was a disappointment. The book is a series and it does leave several questions unanswered...I can't stand that.