Maybe you like historical fiction, and maybe you don’t. But with Kevin Sands’ Blackthorn Key, it doesn’t matter, because the adventure and stakes are so grand, this book will appeal to anyone.
Author: AuthorMeganCox
M. M. (Megan) Cox is a professional writer who published the Teen Mobster Series with Bluewood Publishing. If you’ve ever wanted to try laughing while biting your fingernails, you should read her books.
Children of Blood and Bone
I’d had this on my “to read” list for a while. I love epic fantasy novels, and this one is refreshingly new and exciting with its West African influence. The landscapes and magic are a new brand from the same-old, same-old, but what really got me?
Dog Man
I will admit I was adverse to this book at first. It looked pretty goofy. But then I remembered something important:
Kids love goofy.
Prom & Prejudice
Oh, I’m a sucker for anything that even hints at Jane Austen. Even better if it has ties to my favorite novel of hers, Pride and Prejudice. I’ve read the novel, watched the BBC series (oh Colin Firth!), and have watched every movie adaptation as well.
Magic Tree House Series
The popularity of this children’s series, which began publication in the 1990s, cannot be denied. The series came out when I’d already graduated into adult novels, so until my daughter picked them up, they were just barely on my radar. Now, I’ve read many of them, and I am thrilled that this series exists for our kids.
The Haunted Library
This little gem is the first in a chapter book series that really got my daughter “hooked on books.” In the same category is Puppy Place and Magic Treehouse, but I like this because it gave her something fun and spooky…a little outside the norm. Some cute illustrations help kids who are finding their way out of picture books and into ones with narratives.
The Lonely Dead
I will admit…I’m biased. I had an exclusive interview with April Henry when she visited Edmond’s Best of Books. I had not read her work before (which is not advisable, if you are sitting down to chat with an author).
Warriors
I will admit, I’m not a cat person. I had a few growing up (we had a barn), but I just like the energy of a dog, I guess. But I wasn’t sure how to tell my daughter “no” when she asked if I would read at least one of the Warrior novels.
Skeleton Tree
Skeleton Tree takes middle grade readers on a funny, heartwarming, and even heartbreaking ride. Talking about death is never easy, but this book takes a character through grief while enchanting us with a skeleton first growing in the back yard, then leading us on a merry chase.
The One and Only Ivan
This story will make you smile as quickly as it will bring you to tears. This novel with short chapters and illustrations throughout is already a timeless classic. I read it myself in an evening and completely fell in love with this very likable gorilla.
Nightbooks
It’s creepy and funny and all things your child is going to love. A few scary stories (written by the main character himself) may have a few sensitive kiddos a little wound up, but those can be skipped if absolutely necessary (my daughter is still shivering when she talks about the “dog story”).
Echo
For any child (or adult) with a love of music (which is most of us), your heart will sing with this beautiful novel. It is a time commitment for kids. At 87,000 words (about the same as Percy Jackson novels), it’s not a quick read. But it’s one that will leave you full long after its over.
Kid List 