Book recommendations for kids

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, September 2020; written by Amie Toepfer.

At the start of each school year, I love to sit down and make a list of my new favorite books that I want to recommend to the kids. This allows me to really think about all the great books that I have read over the past year and to update my go-to recommendations, so when the kids start asking me for reading recommendations I am ready to go. Here are a few of the highlights from my ever-growing recommendation list.

The first book I want to focus on is Moon by Alson Oliver. This is a read-aloud story of a little girl with a to-do list a mile long, which she does every day but she also wonders what it would be like to not do it, to not have such a busy life. Soon Moon finds herself outside, where she meets a wolf and learns wolf ways: how to play, how to howl, how to be still, how to listen and how to feel. When Moon returns home, she is changed. She knows that life is not always about doing. Sometimes we need to take time to be still, listen, play, and appreciate the worlds around us. This picture book is a beautiful reminder for everyone to slow down. It is beautifully illustrated using minimal color and bold graphics. While the text is simple, the ideas presented are more complex, which makes it a great read for the whole family and a wonderful conversation starter.

I am really excited about this next series of books! Kitty and the Moonlight Rescue by Paula Harrison is the first book in a beginning chapter book series featuring a little girl named, you guessed it, Kitty who has cat-like superhero powers. Follow Kitty on her adventures as she learns that she does in fact have what it takes to be a superhero. These books put an emphasis on friendship, family, bravery, and building self-confidence, which makes them perfect for ages 6-8 years old. Bold two-tone graphics add to the appeal of the story and help to make the books even more accessible. Each book includes fun facts at the end of each story. These truly are the perfect books for the newly independent reader.

For middle graders who love Coco, Ghostbusters, or Stranger Things this next book is for you! Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega. Set in St. Augustine shortly before Halloween, this book follows the story of Lucely and her best friend Syd, which they try to reverse a spell that accidently awakened a malicious spirit that is wreaking havoc in order to save the town. Full of heart, pop culture references, humor, love, folklore, and Latinx food this book is sure to be please even the pickiest of readers. This truly is the perfect Halloween/Fall read.

Finally, I want to highlight my favorite book from the summer season, Mayhem by Estelle Laure. Set in the California beach town, Santa Maria, in 1987 this beach-gothic page-turner follows Mayhem Brayburn as she uncovers the truth about her estranged family and the mysteries of her own self. For as long as Mayhem can remember there has been something off about her and her mother, but it isn’t until they are forced to flee from her abusive step-father and return to her mother’s home town does she truly find out what. As Mayhem learns all about her magical legacy she becomes involved in the search for a man who has been kidnapping girls from the beach and must decide if revenge is worth cost. This is a riveting, lyrical, and beguiling page-turner about a family contending with what appears to be their destiny and finally saying when enough is enough. This book will keep you up reading late into the night. It is currently my number one pick for teens and adults!