Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
9th Grade (Age 14)

All books suitable for children in 9th grade.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World

In 1914, the English explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 sailors attempted to cross the Antarctic continent. Their expedition came to a terrifying halt when their ship, the Endurance, ended up trapped in the pack ice. What followed was a perilous series of adventures. Despite many setbacks, Shackleton courageously led every single crew member back to safety. A gripping narrative along with actual black-and-white photographs taken by an Endurance crew member bring this icy adventure to life.


Summer

Hollywood actor Dayne Matthews and Katy Hart are married and living in Bloomington, Ind., where Dayne has found a solution to his on-camera love scenes-he wants Katy to star in his next film. Katy wins the part and is cast opposite her super-star husband. The story of a small town girl’s dream come true is too much for the press to resist, and in an effort to appease them, the couple agrees to a 12. It seems like the perfect compromise but by the time they finish filming the movie, …


Sweethearts

As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also one another’s only friend. So when Cameron disappears without warning, Jennifer thinks she’s lost the only person who will ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she’s popular, happy, and dating, everything “Jennifer” couldn’t be—but she still can’t shake the memory of her long-lost friend. When Cameron suddenly reappears, they are both confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.


Talking Peace: A Vision for the Next Generation

President Carter’s highly accessible book for teenagers helps them understand the causes and cures for conflicts. It’s helpful not only to find solutions to the large political process of peace, but to work through the daily conflicts often found in a teenager’s life. To learn more about Jimmy Carter and his projects for peace, visit www.jimmycarter.org


The Daring Book for Girls

The Daring Book for Girls is the manual for everything that girls need to know — and that doesn’t mean sewing buttonholes! Whether it’s female heroes in history, secret note-passing skills, science projects, friendship bracelets, double dutch, cats cradle, the perfect cartwheel or the eternal mystery of what boys are thinking, this book has it all. But it’s not just a guide to giggling at sleepovers — although that’s included, of course! Whether readers consider themselves tomboys, girly-girls, or a little bit of both, this book is every girl’s invitation …


The Dark Is Rising: The Complete Sequence

Will Stanton’s ordinary life is shattered with the dreadful revelation that the Dark — the source of all evil — is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. He finds that he is no ordinary boy, bit the last born of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping mankind free from the Dark. Soon Will is swept up in the great battle, along with his ageless master, Merriman; the three Drew children, who are mortal but have their own vital part to play; and a strange albino boy named Bran. These six fight fear and death in a quest through time and space interwoven with the most ancient myths of the islands of Britain — until, at last, Will and Bran find the weapon that will ultimately vanquish the Dark.


The Schwa Was Here

They say his clothes blend into the background, no matter where he stands. They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing’s for sure: no one ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano—and I was the one who realized the Schwa was “functionally invisible” and used him to make some big bucks. But I was also the one who caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I’ll tell you everything there is to know …


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Follow the adventures of Julie Jefferson and her horse Bonnie. Bruised and battered, standing in muddy water with a chain around her neck, the young horse needed a true friend. Seventeen year-old Julie had befriended many creatures. But, Julie had no idea lie ahead for her and her Bonnie.


The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963

Enter the hilarious world of 10-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There’s Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who’s 13 and an “official juvenile delinquent.” When Momma and Dad decide it’s time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amazing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on a trip like no other. They’re heading South. They’re going to Birmingham, Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America’s history.


Upstairs Room

A Life in Hiding… When the German army occupied Holland, Annie de Leeuw was eight years old. Because she was Jewish, the occupation put her in grave danger-she knew that to stay alive she would have to hide. Fortunately, a Gentile family, the Oostervelds, offered to help. For two years they hid Annie and her sister, Sini, in the cramped upstairs room of their farmhouse. Most people thought the war wouldn’t last long. But for Annie and Sini — separated from their family and confined to one tiny room — the war seemed to go on forever.