Summer Reading for You and Your Children

Debbie’s Daily Dose of Food for Thought

“A book is a present you can open again and again. ” Garrison Keillor 

I attended an inspiring children’s writer’s conference this past weekend featuring five guest speakers, all writers of middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) novels, and would like to recommend them and their works to incorporate into your summer reading, a topic Krista Surprenant recently wrote about in her column. Also, remember that just because a book is marketed and sold as a children’s book it doesn’t mean it won’t appeal to adults. Look how J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (catch a this week at the Blackstone Library) has changed the world of reading! Here are the authors and their books. Enjoy!

Rob Buyea

Rob Buyea is receiving a lot of attention for his first book Because of Mr. Terupt, a MG novel. You and your child will be sure to identify with at least one of the seven viewpoints. This is a great read-aloud book and the sequel, Mr. Terupt Falls, will be released in the fall of 2012. To learn more about Buyea, visit www.robbuyea.com.

Adam Gidwitz

Many children already love A Tale Dark and Grim. According to Gidwitz's website, www.adamgidwitz.com, Hansel and Gretel “walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales.” You may want to cuddle up as you listen to this book.  

Ann Haywood Leal

Leal has been writing ever since she was a little girl. Her MG books, Also Known As Harper and A Finders-Keepers Place are good reads and both have been well-received. To know more about Leal and her work, visit her website at www.annhaywoodleal.com.

Michaela McColl                                                                                                                

McColl writes well-researched, engaging historical fiction. Her first novel, Prisoners in the Palace, is a YA story about Queen Victoria’s life the year before she became queen. Her second book, Promise the Night, about Beryl Markham, will be released this November. Visit www.michaelamaccoll.com to learn all about McColl, her work and what inspires her to write historical fiction.

Caragh O’Brien

Teens and adult readers have been enjoying O'Brien's work set in a dystopian world in the future. Her three-book series is called The Birthmarked Trilogy. The first book, Birthmarked, was released in 2010. The second, Prized, is due out in November and she is currently at work on the third. To learn more about O'Brien, visit www.caraghobrien.com.