We've update our Sarah, Plain and Tall series feature with a review of GRANDFATHER'S DANCE by Patricia MacLachlan, and our Coming Soon section now includes titles from December through May. But before you look ahead, look back to answer our Question of the Month about what authors you discovered in 2006. Kidsreads.com Editorial Coordinator Marisa Emralino was all about PIRATEOLOGY by Dugald A. Steer in 2006, and Editorial Manager Tom Donadio has ARK ANGEL: Alex Rider #6 by Anthony Horowitz on his list of favorite books of 2006. We want to hear what YOUR favorites were.
It's been a great year for Kidsreads.com --- we had an average of 250,000 readers coming to the site each month --- and we have YOU, our readers, to thank for making it so special. So thanks from all of us here for making Kidsreads.com a special place on the web to visit. We'll see you next year!
We've created a special What to Give/What to Get Guide with you in mind --- it's just for kids! We have books that we know you'll love to unwrap this season, so check it out. We're sure you'll end up spotting a title or two that you can add to YOUR holiday list.
As 2006 comes to a close, we at Kidsreads.com have compiled some of our favorite books of the year for children. Of course the major highlight of 2006 was the release of THE END, the final chapter in Lemony Snicket's saga of the Baudelaire orphans. Additional standouts this year included ARK ANGEL, book six in Anthony Horowitz's series of adventures starring teen spy Alex Rider; THE LOST COLONY, the fifth installment in Eoin Colfer's blockbuster fantasy series, Artemis Fowl; THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE, in which Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo takes readers on an extraordinary journey involving a rabbit who is lost and waiting to be found; PIRATEOLOGY, the newest title in the bestselling 'Ology series; and PETER PAN IN SCARLET, the first-ever authorized sequel to J. M. Barrie's timeless masterpiece.
Kidsreads.com Founder Carol Fitzgerald and her 11-year-old son Cory, an avid reader, have compiled a list of books that Cory thinks are great reads for boys. Included are series titles and stand-alone fiction that cover a variety of genres: fantasies, mysteries, thrillers, action/adventure novels and historical fiction. While many of these selections also will appeal to girls, they especially will capture the attention of boys.
Just in time for the holidays comes the movie everyone here at Kidsreads.com has been waiting for. Charlotte's Web snorted, squealed and oinked its way into theaters on December 15th, and we were all first in line. With an all-star cast that includes Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning and Oprah (!), the film adaptation of E.B. White's classic story of friendship against all odds is a gift for all ages.
HarperCollins has made available a number of tie-in books --- many of which can be found here --- to coincide with the movie's release. For more Charlotte's Web-related fun, including a complete list of all available tie-in books, games and quizzes, and a chance to enter the Charlotte's Web sweepstakes, visit the HarperCollins children's site here.
As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to take a look at the author interviews that were featured in 2006 on Kidsreads.com. This is a great way to catch up on the discussions you may have missed --- and to re-read what some of your favorite authors had to say about their books.
THE WANDMAKER'S GUIDEBOOK written by Ed Masessa, illustrated by Daniel Jankowski Today, the word "magic" conjures more thoughts of Nimbus 2000 broomsticks, invisibility cloaks and polyjuice potions than it does of crystal balls, spells like "Hocus Pocus!" and pulling rabbits out of hats. Let's face it --- in a post-Harry Potter world, "Abracadabra!" just doesn't cut it anymore. Meeting this new standard of fantasy and feeding readers' hunger for all things magical is THE WANDMAKER'S GUIDEBOOK, a spellbinding fictional "how-to" that is fit to grace the shelves of the Hogwarts Library.
Now in Stores: MIRACLE ON 49th STREET by Mike Lupica
MIRACLE ON 49th STREET by Mike Lupica When Molly Parker has the opportunity to meet Josh Cameron, the good-guy MVP of the Boston Celtics, she decides to reveal the secret that her mother had kept hidden before her untimely death --- that Josh is Molly's biological father --- and is given a surprise of her own. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.
-Click here to read an excerpt from MIRACLE ON 49th STREET.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DRAGONS by Lisa Trumbauer This lavishly illustrated guide showcases the wide array of fantastic dragons encountered on the world of Krynn. Sindri Suncatcher --- wizard's apprentice --- opens up his personal notebooks to share his knowledge of these awe-inspiring creatures, from the life cycle of a kind copper dragon to the best way to counteract a red dragon's fiery breath. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.
Are you Devastated by The (Unfortunate) End? Pining for Almost Unbearably Exciting Victorian adventure? Then read LARKLIGHT: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Furthest Reaches of Space Chronicled by the devilishly witty Mr. Philip Reeve www.larklight.com
Series Update: Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
GRANDFATHER'S DANCE by Patricia MacLachlan Life begins as life ends in Patricia MacLachlan's warm conclusion to the series that started with SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL. As all of the characters from this memorable series join together for the wedding of Anna, even now-grownup fans can revisit some of their favorite friends. Reviewed by Patsy Side.
-Click here to read our Sarah, Plain and Tall series feature.
Coming Soon: Books Releasing in the Next Few Months
Curious about what books will be released in the months ahead? Then be sure to check out our brand new Coming Soon section on Kidsreads.com. We have titles for December through May listed. Please note that we have not included every book coming out, but rather some that caught our eye --- and that we thought should catch yours as well.
JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE by Wendy Mass One month before his 13th birthday, Jeremy Fink receives a mysterious box from his father, who passed away five years earlier, with the engraving "The Meaning of Life. For Jeremy Fink to open on his 13th birthday." When Jeremy learns that the keys to the securely-locked box are lost, he and his best friend set out across New York to find them. Reviewed by Emily Shaffer.
THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY written by Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phelan Lucky Trimble is just trying to find a little meaning in her life, whether through science (she wants to be the next Charles Darwin) or through finding her Higher Power, whatever that is. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY is a deceptively simple, bittersweet novel about coming to terms with the past and making peace with the future. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.
THE SILVER DONKEY written by Sonya Hartnett, illustrated by Don Powers One morning in the woods of World War I France, two young sisters encounter a soldier, temporarily blinded by war, who has walked away from battle longing to see his gravely ill younger brother. They are fascinated by what he holds in his hand --- a tiny silver donkey. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.
THE JADE DRAGON by Carolyn Marsden and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh When Ginny spots a new student in her second grade class, she is instantly curious and eager for friendship --- Stephanie is Chinese-American, just like Ginny! But Ginny soon learns that having one thing in common doesn't make two people instant best friends. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
LILY B. ON THE BRINK OF PARIS by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel When Lily B. become Separated from the Group and totally lost while in Paris, she encounters the secret to end all secrets. But she knows that, while blabbing would be a ton of fun, keeping a confidence is the right thing. Oh, dear. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
THE MAILBOX by Audrey Shafer When Gabe comes home from his first day of sixth grade to find his Uncle Vernon dead on the floor, he doesn't tell anyone about it. To his shock, Uncle Vernon's body vanishes the next day. A bewildering note left in the mailbox declares, "I have a secret." What is going on? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.
FINEST KIND by Lea Wait Up until recently, 12-year-old Jake's privileged world included servants and studying Latin at a private school. But in 1838, he and his family are unexpectedly thrust into the Maine wilderness to struggle for survival. Can he keep his family warm and fed, all the while hiding his secret from the neighbors? Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.
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