The Tallest of Smalls

Name of Book:  The Tallest of Smalls Author:  Max Lucado Illustrator:  Maria Monescillo Publisher:  Tommy Nelson: A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers Audience:  Ages 4 – 10 (but could be used with middle schoolers) Summary:  The Tallest of Smalls is the story of a young boy named Ollie.  Ollie lives in the land of Stilts.  [...]

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

Name of Book:  Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock Author: retold by Eric A. Kimmel Illustrator: Janet Stevens Publisher: Holliday House, New York Audience:  Ages 5-8 Summary:  Anansi is a master trickster.   Although Eric Kimmel does not identify the source of this story, such tales are found in West Africa and in the Caribbean.  In this [...]

A Long Way from Chicago

Name of Book:   A Long Way from Chicago Author:   Richard Peck Illustrator:   None Publisher:   Puffin Books Audience:   Ages 9-15 Summary:   Joey and his little sister Mary Alice live in Depression-era Chicago.  But they have no contact with the gangsters who reigned over the Windy City.  Instead, their great adventures happened in August each year when [...]

A Gathering of Angels

Name of Book:  A Gathering of Angels Author:  Peter Eyvindson Illustrator:  Walnes Cangas, Julner Remy, Lucson Petit-Homme Publisher:  Broken Wings Missions, Inc. Audience:  Ages 8 and up Summary:  A Gathering of Angels is a collection of prayers written by the boys who call the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Port au Prince, Haiti home. [...]

Island of the Skog

Name of Book:  Island of the Skog Author:  Steven Kellogg Illustrator:  Steven Kellogg Publisher:  Dial ISBN:  978-0803738423  (HBK)/978-0140546491   (PBK) Audience:  Ages 4-8 Summary:  Jenny and her mouse friends take to the seas in search of a more peaceful place to live. But when they arrive what at first seems the island of their dreams, turns [...]

Listen to the Wind

Name of Book:  Listen to the Wind Author:  Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth Illustrator:  Susan L. Roth Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers Audience: Age 10+ Summary: Dr. Greg became lost on one of his expeditions and ends up in Korphe, Pakistan. He was sick, cold and hungry. The people of Korphe nursed him [...]

Stepping on the Cracks

Name of Book:  Stepping on the Cracks Author:  Mary Downing Hahn Illustrator:  None Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Audience:  ages 11-15.  Other sources list the target audience as ages 9-12.  While some elements in the book (being bullied, family loyalty, having secrets, relationships with a best friend) will be accessible to younger readers, the book’s themes [...]

Whittington

Name of Book:   Whittington Author:  Alan Armstrong Illustrator:  S. D. Schindler Publisher:  Random House Children’s Books Audience:   Ages 8 and up Summary: This is a story of the animals that live in Bernie’s barn.  Bernie takes in the animals that no one else has any use for – two retired sulky horses, an overly enthusiastic [...]

The Baronet’s Song

Name of Book:   The Baronet’s Song Author:  George McDonald, edited by Michael R. Phillips Illustrator:  Cover Art by Dan Thornberg Publisher:  Bethany House Publishers Audience:   Ages 12 and up Summary:  This is the story of a young boy, Gibbie Galbraith, unable to speak but who lived a life of innocent love, goodness, and truth.  After [...]

Listen to the Wind

Name of Book: Listen to the Wind: The Story of Dr. Greg & Three Cups of Tea Author: Greg Mortenson & Susan L. Roth Illustrator: Susan L. Roth Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers Audience: Ages 3-6 Summary: A story told from the perspective of the children present in the village when changes occurred, based [...]