Tag: Kid/YA books

A Year Down Yonder

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A Year Down Yonder (2000)
by Richard Peck

In this sequel to A Long Way from Chicago, Mary Alice, now age 15, returns to Grandma Dowdel’s.  This time she is there for a year during the recession of 1937 that left her mom and dad unable to take care of her.  The book is once again set into seven (and a bonus) stories that include the wacky adventures of this fiesty, headstrong, and, yes, though she wouldn’t admit it, loving grandma.

Just as fantastic as the first book, and with the Newbery Medal beside its name, A Year Down Yonder is a must-read.  The division of stories makes it great for read-alouds or a before-bed story.

Long Live the Queen

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Long Live the Queen (2017) by Gerry Swallow

Elspeth is back in this fun and quirky comedy by Gerry Swallow.  Elspeth’s former doll, Farrah, now queen of Winkieland, has been kidnapped by the evil Mary Mary.  Viewed as a hero in this land of nursery rhymes, Elspeth isn’t so sure this time about her ability to save the day.  But with her unique gang of friends in tow, Elspeth manages once again to use her wit and tenacity to make things right.

Gerry’s clever and witty writing never ceases to amaze me. I read this one out loud (mostly) to my six-year old, and she loved it too. Now, we are eagerly waiting to see when the next book in the series will be released!

Frindle

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Frindle (1996) by Andrew Clements

Nick Allen isn’t a bad kid, but he certainly uses his clever ideas and wit to his advantage.  So, when he asks his 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Granger, about her favorite book, the dictionary, he’s really only trying to stall that day’s lessons.  But what she says in her answer leads to one of his biggest ideas yet.  In an experiment with how words are made, Nick creates his own new word for ‘pen’–‘frindle.’  What starts as a 5th grader testing his teacher, becomes something bigger than any of them could have guessed.

This is a super quick read, and I’ve read it far too many times to count.  It’s fun, sweet, and a great commentary on how change is created in our world.  And, if you’re anything like me, Frindle will leave you with some happy tears at the end.  If you haven’t read this yet, please do yourself a favor and do so.

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

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Princess Academy: Palace of Stone (2012) by Shannon Hale

(second book in the series)

Miri of Mount Eskel is traveling to the city of Danland for a year to help prepare for Britta’s royal wedding and to attend the university there.  Joining her are five other academy graduates and Peder.  Life isn’t quite as ideal as they had all imagined it would be in the big city.  The king has been demanding higher and higher tributes, the people of Danland are hungry and scared, and it seems only a matter of time before a revolution.  Miri is caught between her determination for fair change and her loyalty to her best friend, the future princess.  She also finds herself confused by feelings for a new admirer and her realization that her world has become bigger than her simple life on Mount Eskel.

As with all of Shannon Hale’s books, this novel is masterfully told.  The humanness, courage, intelligence, and humor of Hale’s characters is endearing.  Palace of Stone is definitely a weightier story than the first Princess Academy book.  Our young daughter begged me to read and tell her the first book and was giddy with excitement about hearing this second one.  This book definitely required a lot more edited summarizing, rather than reading.  It’s a wonderful book, and I love how Miri is able to find a courageous balance to hold on to all that is important and dear to her.

Princess Academy

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Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder.  Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work.  Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality.  Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves.  That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride.  Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age.  Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king.  An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball.  I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant.  I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.”  In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect.  I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite.  This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters