Whoops!  This got away from me this month!

Each month, IFLS librarians (and any other blog readers, for that matter) are invited to read a book written for kids or teens in a certain category.  These can be recent books, or ones that have been on your list for a long time.  Then report back on your book and the rest of us can use your recommendations!   June’s goal is Historical Fiction.

Here is the compilation of May’s Reading Goal Results of

Fantasy Titles:

Primary Grades

Brown, Marcia.  Chavela and the Magic Bubble.  Illus. by Megaly Morales.  2010
Nora from New Richmond recommends for adults and families, preschoolers and primary grades
Rice, Clay.  The Stick. 2014
Nora from NR recommends for adults and families and primary grades, especially kids with a great imagination.
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse.  Uni the Unicorn.  Illus. by Brigett Barrager.  2014
Nora from NR enthusiastically recommends for preschool and primary grades, and says it has great adult appeal because of beautiful story and pictures.
Singleton, Linda Joy.  Snow Dog, Sand Dog.  Illus. by Jess Golden.  2014
Nora from NR might recommend for preschoolers and primary grades—especially if they wish for a pet.
Middle grades (grades 3-6).  * are recommended for middle grade and up (MS, HS, adults)
*Bachman, Stephan and Katherine Catmull, Claire Legrand, Emma Trevayne.  Cabinet of Curiosities:  36 Tales Brief and Sinister.  Illus. by Alexander Jansson. 2014
Patti from Durand recommends this, especially for those who like mysteries and scary stories.
*Colfer, Chris.  Land of Stories (series).
Patti from Durand recommends this brothers and sisters adventure by the former Glee star
*DiTerlizzi, Tony.  The Search for Wondla.  2010
Patti from Durand recommends this one, and thinks kids will enjoy the interactive, web-based extras
*Gaiman, Neil.  The Graveyard Book.  Illus. by Dave McKean.  2008
Howard from Chippewa Falls enthusiastically recommends this one for all ages, especially fans of Terry Pratchett, and those who like a well-written fantasy with a little horror thrown in.
*Millford, Kate.  The Greenglass House.  Illus. by Jaime Zollars.  2014
Valerie from Ladysmith enthusiastically recommends this one, and thinks adults will enjoy as much as children—she was surprised by several of the plot twists.  Kids who are adopted and those who like mysteries might especially like this book.
*Pearson, Ridley.  The Kingdom Keepers (series)
Patti from Durand recommends this series about a group of kids that get stuck in a different part of Disney World in each book.
Pratchett, Terry.  Dragons at Crumbling Castle.  Illus. by Mark Beech.  2015
Valerie from Ladysmith recommends this book of short stories and drawings to imaginative kids who like humorous stories.  She didn’t particularly enjoy it, but can imagine many kids who would.
Segel, Jason and Kirsten White.  Nightmares!  Illus. by Karl Kwasny.  2014
Cassie from Augusta recommends this one for middle grade through middle school.
Middle School.  * are recommended for High School, also

Auxier, Jonathan.  The Night Gardener:  A Scary Story.  2014
Jenna from Fall Creek would recommend this one to kids who are on the fence about fantasy, and kids who like ghosts, travel and history.  It is a fast-paced read, but also very long, so kids who aren’t put off by long books are more likely to pick it up.
*Maas, Sarah.  Court of Thorns and Roses.  2014
Monica from River Falls would recommend this one, and Cassie would recommend it enthusiastically.  Elements of fairy tales, faeries, magic, and love scenes that made Cassie blush.  Cassie would recommend for older teens, Monica for middle school and up.
*Sabaa, Tahir.  An Ember in the Ashes.  2015
Monica from River Falls would recommend this title to people who like dystopias, but want a different twist.  Set in Ancient Greece, with magic thrown in.
*Stiefvater, Maggie.  Blue Lily, Lily Blue.  2014
Valerie enthusiastically recommends this book, and the whole series it is from (Raven Boys).  Based on Welsh legends, but set in the United States.
*Wilson, Willow.  Ms. Marvel (series).
Leah from IFLS enthusiastically recommends this comic book series about a Pakistani American teenaged girl who becomes an endearing superhero.  Has heard reports of younger kids enjoying, too.
High School

Aveyard, Victoria.  Red Queen.  2015
Cassie from Augusta recommends this one.
Hartman, Rachel.  Seraphina.  2012
Cassie from Augusta enthusiastically recommends this title.  “It has dragons!  The main character is also half-dragon.”  Nuff said.
Thomas, Rhiannon.  A Wicked Thing.  2015
Cassie recommends this title.
My daughter got a copy of this coloring book “Unicorns Are Jerks” in a care package from her aunt this year