(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best literature books for children

Fellow fan of series here! Let me see...

Young Adult
Percy Jackson series is fun (and finished, too, I think).
Artemis Fowl series isn't quite as good as Percy Jackson IMHO, but it's got a following.

Fantasy
Harry Dresden series This is one of my favorites. Harry is Chicago's only professional wizard. There are a ton of these books and they are still going strong.
Game of Thrones These are great...but unfinished. If you watch the show, reading the books does help you get even more out of the story, I think.
Wheel of Time Another good series. There is a LOT of this series and it's finished. (Thank you, Brandon Sanderson!)
Mistborn Speaking of Brandon Sanderson... This one is very good. I highly recommend reading the Mistborn books before trying the Stormlight Archive, but only because as good as Mistborn is, Stormlight Archive is even better.
Stormlight Archive Amazing. Man, these are good. The series isn't finished, but the two books that are available are some of my favorites ever.
Kingkiller Chronicles I loved the first book. I could not freakin' believe I enjoyed the second one even more. The third one is still pending.
Temeraire Dragons in Napoleonic times. Super cool premise! This one is not finished (I don't think, anyway).
Gentlemen Bastards Con men in a fantasy realm. It's pretty light on the fantasy elements. Very light, I'd say. I'd also say that it has some of the very best swearing that I've ever come across. :D

Scifi
Old Man's War I'm almost finished this one--it's amazing!

Horror/Thriller
Passage Trilogy I've heard these described as vampire books...maybe zombie books... It's apocalyptic for sure. Great books!

Mysteries
Amelia Peabody Egyptology + murder mysteries. Super fun, but trust me...go with the audiobooks for these. They are best when they are performed.
Stephanie Plum Total popcorn reads. If that's your thing, shut off your brain and just enjoy.
Walt Longmire These get particularly good as it goes along. The main character is a sheriff in modern day Wyoming. (Side note: The TV show is also great--just don't expect them to stick to the books.)

Graphic Novels (Everything recommended can be gotten in a "book" format instead of only in comic form, in case that matters. I've gotten most of these from my local library.)
Locke & Key Eerie as crap. Love the art! This one is on-going.
Y: The Last Man All the men on the planet drop dead in a day...except for Yorrick. REALLY good. This is the series that got me reading graphic novels. Plus, it's finished!
Walking Dead I am not a zombie fan...but I like these. They're not done, but I've read up through volume 22 and am still enjoying them.

Other
OutlanderI have no idea how to categorize these or even give a description that does them justice. I refused to pick it up for AGES because it sounded like a bodice-ripper romance and that's not my bag. But these are good!

I hope there's something in there that'll do for you. Have fun and read on!

Edit: Apparently, I need to practice formatting. :/
Edit 2: I forgot to add the Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentlemen Bastards #1).

xD ok this will be a long message bear with me.

1. Is there a synopsis of each story available?
   
   Yes! Every serial I write has a home page, and every home page has:
   
   

• Links to every part that is released
  
  
• A brief 'blurb' for the series, normally what I'd put on the back of the hardcopy :)
  
  
• Links to any artwork I've been sent or purchased of the series
  
  
• Links to any other media, like audio files or videos
  
  For my serials, the home pages are as follows:
  
  Flameweaver Saga
  
  Halfway to Home
  
  
  

2. I want to read other stuff
   
   From a quick browse-through of your comments I didn't see you crossing paths with any other serial authors - If you haven't read any of his stuff, I highly, highly recommend /u/Hydrael's work, over at /r/Hydrael_Writes! His Dragon's Scion and Small Worlds projects are exceptional! Small worlds is also published on Amazon!
   
   
3. I want to read traditional novels
   
   I can help with that! Some quick recommendations that I personally love - these are loosely ranked in order of how I'd recommend them, but the fact that they're here at all means they've got my support :)
   
   Fantasy novels:
   
   The October Daye series:
   
   

• Urban fantasy
  
  
• Awesome worldbuilding
  
  
• Is where I learned how to write twists, and where I picked up my penchant for chekov's guns
  
  Trickster's Choice/Trickster's Queen
  
  
• Traditional fantasy
  
  
• Wonderful politics and intrigue
  
  
• Influenced how gods are handled in Flameweaver
  
  
• Both written easily enough for young readers to understand, and complex enough for adults to enjoy
  
  Graceling
  
  
• Traditional fantasy
  
  
• A bit more well-known, but a surprisingly solid upper-YA read. Kind of a guilty pleasure book of mine haha
  
  Scifi Novels:
  
  Agent to the Stars and Old Man's War
  
  
• John Scalzi is the author I modeled my own writing style after. So if you like my style, you might like his too.
  
  
• Darkly humerous. Realistic and gritty, without being overpoweringly grim.
  
  
• Wickedly sarcastic
  
  The Ender Quartet
  
  
• A bit wordier/harder to read, after Ender's Game. The last book (Children of the Mind) is probably one of the most challenging books I've ever read. But rewarding.
  
  
• Long-running, intricate plotline
  
  The Ship Series
  
  
• Indie series I happened across a few years ago
  
  
• Upper YA. Younger characters, but dark content
  
  
• Well-written, relatable characters

Oh, I <3 looking for books for my kids!! They are 14, 13, 12, 11, and 5. Our son is the youngest, and he loves all the books that his older sisters loved when they were younger. :D

Oh my gosh...Get those kids some books!

• This is my favorite children's book.
  
  
• The Story of Ferdinand.
  
  
• This is one of my son's favorites...IronMan!.
  
  
• The Day My Mommy Quit.
  
  
• Dragons Love Tacos.
  
  
• If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.
  
  
• I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love.
  
  
• The Day The Crayons Quit.
  
  
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
  
  
• Boom Chicka Rock.
  
  
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Mama Hook Knows Best: A Pirate Parent's Favorite Fables with CD.
  
  
• Are You My Mother?.
  
  
• Love You Forever.
  
  
• I Love You, Stinky Face.
  
  
• The Runaway Bunny.
  
  
• Oh, The Places You'll Go. Cool idea I saw on Pinterest with this book: Buy a copy and have each of your kids' teachers write a little note somewhere in it at the end of every year. Give the book to your kid as a graduation gift. I am doing this with our son now, I saw the idea too late to start it for our girls.
  
  
• Ten Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed.
  
  
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
  
  
• The Velveteen Rabbit. -- A HUGE FAVORITE!!
  
  
• Locomotive.
  
  
• Sleep Like A Tiger.
  
  
• The Lion And The Mouse.
  
  
• Blueberries for Sal.
  
  
• David Gets In Trouble.
  
  
• Press Here. This is a very fun book!
  
  
• The One and Only Ivan.
  
  
• The Polar Express.
  
  
• Flotsam.
  
  
• Only One You.
  
  
• Beautiful Oops!.
  
  I would love this book for our oldest daughter if I win, please.
  
  /u/DrUsual...can you think of any?
  
  Thank you for the contest!

As hilarious as the reviews are to this book, the fact that this is a children's book teaching hate and prejudice of any kind really kind of disturbed me. Enough to push me to the point of complaining about it. As a parent, and as a fellow human being (though some argue that point with me), I don't think I could let that stand without saying something.
Here is my email to Amazon and their response:

>05/28/13 14:09:45
>Your Name: Valerie
>Other info:Product on Amazon.com
>Comments:Please visit this item on Amazon.com:
>
>http://www.amazon.com/God-Made-Dad-Amber-Parker/dp/0882708627/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
>
>How is it that Amazon.com will sell items whose sole and express goal is to brainwash little children in to
>openly hating gays and lesbians, or children whose parents are gay and lesbian? This book deliberately
>teaches hatefulness, self-righteousness, and instills a prejudice or judgmental attitude in young children.
>
>Is not amazon.com a company that celebrates diversity and the differences that make us human? Is
>prejudice, bigotry, hatred, and homphobia something that amazon.com advocates? Does amazon.com have
>within its policies and as a company held ideal, to promote and propagate this kind of intolerance and
>bigotry?
>
>I understand being neutral politically, and that amazon.com tried to cater to every person in an open and
>free market online; however, at what point do you take products off the shelf due to inappropriate content?
>If it is not okay to have a how-to book on pedaphilia, why is it okay to have a how-to book to openly
>discriminate, hate, and to be prejudiced towards gays and lesbians?
>
>The amazon.com policy for offensive products states, in no uncertain terms, the following guidelines:
>
> Examples of Prohibited Listings
> -Products that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual, or religious
> intolerance or promote organizations with such views.
> -Crime Scene Photographs
> -Morgue or autopsy photographs
> -Human Body Parts
> -Products retrieved from a disaster or tragedy site
> -Videos, sound, or other recordings taken without the subject's permission
> - Any product that does not comply with the Prohibited Content standards
>
>As you can clearly see, the referenced children's book that I am referring to obviously violates the first
>premise. I am asking that amazon.com take responsibility for the items on it's website and to follow it's own
>policy regarding offensive products and listings.
>
>Hatred, intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry; these attributes are not inherent or intrinsic - >they are taught.
>
>I support freedom of speech and I am against censorship; I even served for six years and two wars to
>protect these very freedoms in the navy. That doesn't mean amazon.com has to condone something so
>clearly disgusting and profit from it, not to mention the simple fact that you are ignoring your own rules and
>policies that specifically states such material will not be tolerated.
>
>Please remove this item from your website.
>
>I appreciate your timely action, and response, in this matter.
>
>Cheers!
>
>Valerie

and this was their reply:

> Hello,
>
>Thanks for writing to Amazon. I'm glad to help you today.
>
>I apologize for all the inconvenience you faced regarding this issue.
>
>I thank you for bringing this to our notice.
>
>I feel it’s important and hence have passed on your experience to my supervisor about this. All inquiries are
>reviewed and taken seriously, and we're working hard to ensure a positive shopping experience.
>
>I've also forwarded this to our listing department so that they get aware of this issue and remove this book
>from our website.
>
>However, It will take a bit of time to work on this issue but please be assured that we will take care of this >issue.
>
>Even you can submit a review on this book, To submit a review of an item on Amazon.com, visit the item's
>product detail page and click the "Write a customer review" link.
>
>You'll be asked to sign in to your Amazon.com account. All reviewers must have a password-protected
>Amazon.com account, used for at least one purchase from Amazon.com. Free digital downloads don't
>qualify. If your first physical order has just been shipped, there is also a 48-hour wait period for submitting >reviews.
>---------------------------------------------------------------
>
>One of our aims at Amazon.com is to provide a convenient and efficient service; in this case, we haven't
>met that standard. I'm truly sorry, and I hope you'll give us another chance in the future.
>
>If you have any more concerns regarding this issue please reply to this e-mail, we'll be happy to help!
>
>It is our privilege to have you as our valued customer & would like to thank you for your continued support.
>We look forward to a very warm and fruitful association with you.
>
>Thanks for your patience and understanding.
>
>I hope this helps!
>
>Best regards,
>Asma F

Wait and see, I guess. I do not usually complain about anything, however, in this case I felt compelled to do something. Even if the reviews were hysterical and witty!

TL;DR
I sent an email to Amazon complaining about the book, and I received an email stating that they forwarded my complaint to a supervisor, the listing department, and it seems as if it will be taken down. Maybe.

You have so much wonderful reading ahead of you! I am almost a tiny bit jealous. :-)

Try Tamora Pierce's novels for sure. They are all good, but her earlier books are geared more towards young readers than some of her newer ones. Personally, I would start with the [Protector of the Small] (http://www.amazon.com/First-Test-Protector-Small-1/dp/0375829059/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407034954&sr=1-1&keywords=first+test) series. If you like it, you can go back and read the two earlier Tortall series (the Song of the Lioness series and the Wild Magic series). If you like it but find it a little juvenile, read the [Daughter of the Lioness] (http://www.amazon.com/Tricksters-Choice-Daughter-Lioness-Book/dp/0375828796/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407035106&sr=1-1&keywords=tricksters+choice) series and the [Beka Cooper] (http://www.amazon.com/Terrier-Legend-Beka-Cooper-Book/dp/0375838163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407035135&sr=1-1&keywords=becca+cooper) series instead.

For the Arthurian element, definitely consider the Mists of Avalon, which is the Arthurian myth retold from all female POVs, including Morgaine (aka Morgan Le Fay).

However, without a shadow of a doubt, my all time favorite fantasy novel with a female POV is the Deed of Paksenarrion, by Elizabeth Moon. It's actually a trilogy published as an omnibus edition and is one of my all-time favorite books. I have read it a million times and I still feel the same sense of joy when I get ready to start reading it again. Honestly, I can't really describe the impact this book has had on me, especially as a woman who loves fantasy and sci-fi. I hope you will give it a try!

*edited to add links and fix a few embarrassing typos!

I don't read much historical fantasy, but I have read some and some more alternate history if you are in to that. I haven't read the one you spoke of in your post, so not sure exactly what balance of history and fantasy (or time period) you are looking for. However, I will list here for you many that I have read:

The Shadow of Albion - Andre Norton and Rosemary Edghill Alternate England

Black Ships - Jo Graham This one is about Troy. some romance

His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik Napoleonic War with dragons.

Daughter of the Forest - Juliet Marillier The author says it isn't historical, but it is based somewhat on history/legend. Ireland as it is being exposed to Christianity. Based on The Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale "The Wild Swans" Definitely a good bit of romance in this one.

The Wild Swans - Peg Kerr Another based on the Anderson Fairy Tale. 2 stories in one. One set in the 1800 about a curse, and the other set in the 1980s about AIDS. Not my favorite, but an interesting parallel.

Bright Sword of Ireland - Juliene Osborne-McKnight This one is more mythic and definitely has "romance". It's about Mebd's daughter. Not my personal favorite, but the ending definitely stuck with me. Also deals with interactions with Christianity

Newton's Cannon - Gregory Keyes Okay, haven't read this one yet, but I've been meaning to get around to it.

Young Adult

Sorcery and Cecilia OR The Enchanted Chocolate Pot - Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer

A Matter of Magic - Patricia C. Wrede

A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray

These above are set in London/England in 1700-1900?. They are all relatively light reading.

The Fetch - Laura Whitcomb This one is set during the Russian Revolution. Teen love.

A Certain Slant of Light - Laura Whitcomb This one is set in the present day, but one of the main characters is a ghost from the late 1800s.

There're also quite a few novels in historical fantasy romance. But most of them are definitely more on the romance side.

*edited for formatting

For younger kinds my absolute favorite picture book is Little Changes a brilliant but fun book by evolutionary biology Tiffany Taylor. This one was actually a hit with my 5-year-old daughter, and got us talking about evolution and what animals at the zoo were adapted to what things.

I also bought some of the other picture books that frequently get recommended around here, but they seem to miss the idea of being fun or engaging or having a story -- "I Wonder," for example had lovely, serene pictures, but the text was dull, and only had a girl acting as a very passive protagonist, mostly listening to her mother lecture about issue such as how we don't understand gravity. "Me & Dog" was a strained analogy at best and didn't seem to drive home its point well.

Dawkin's "Magic of Reality" is for older kids who are self-motivated enough to read a long science book, but is a brilliant gift for a tween. I got one of the fully illustrated ones and plan to share it with my daughter in 8 or 10 years.

N.K. Jemisin's Hundred Thousand Kingdoms series. I just read it and it is the most well-put-together series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Definitely fantasy, definitely YA.

I recently reorganized my books wishlist because I need some rather expensive books for school, but here's a fun book that is just over $6, with prime, or for $0.01 plus shipping used :) (Garth Nix, author of this book, is great too; I see that /u/someborderlinegirl already recommended one of his series.)

EDIT to add better description of 100K Kingdoms:
It's set in a world where gods are real. There is a ruling family that lives in a tower in the sky, and the gods are slaves to them. In the second book you meet a blind girl, a commoner, who lives in the city underneath that tower. She is friends with gods. In the third book you revisit one of the gods introduced in the first book, and see it all from his point of view.

There is more, so much more, but I don't want to give anything away :o)

I would love some art! Could you do a Harry Potter-themed painting anime style? That would be so rad.

Favourite books:

1. The Harry Potter series (counting it as one) is my absolute favourite. It's been with my ever since I was a wee one, and I'll be a fan until I die. It's just fantastic and magical and amazing.
   
   
2. Skinny which is about a girl with an eating disorder. I'm currently struggling with one, so it hits close to home. It was just incredibly well-written and sucked me in immediately. I love it.
   
   
3. The Giving Tree is amazing. I've loved this book since I was little. I'm a huge Shel fan and this book just make me feel so much. So happy, and terribly sad. I love reading it, and can over and over.
   
   Thank you so much for this contest! Someone is going to be very happy!

It is a beautiful name - it always makes me think of Robin McKinley's book Beauty - it's a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. In it the two older sisters are Grace and Hope with Honour as the youngest. When she's old enough to understand the meanings of the sisters names, she grumpily says "I'd rather be Beauty" - and the nickname sticks, much to her distress.

So, of course, her comment is the first thing I think of when I hear the name Honour. I'd have to work at reprogramming my brain before I could use it!!

The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson is a great fantasy series for YA fans branching into adult Fantasy. In fact, they are re-packaging them in PB for teens because they have such good cross-over appeal

I really liked Sorcery and Cecilia, which is Jane Austen with magic, basically.

Speaking of Jane Austen, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a great YA title that's basically a re-telling of Persuasion done in a sort-of dystopian, far future setting.

If you want a more literary contemporary YA, I would try I'll Give You the Sun. It's probably the best book I've read all year.

I've got more where that came from if you would like more titles!

You can start with the 52 series, which features some of DC's 'second string' heroes, one of whom is Booster Gold. It's a great introduction to Booster's role as a time cop and a story that sees him really shine. However, his appearance in the series isn't consistent, and some of the other storylines aren't that entertaining if you're looking for light-hearted fun.

• 52 Vol. 1
  
• 52 Vol. 2
  
• 52 Vol. 3
  
• 52 Vol. 4
  
  If you want to skip forward to his more recent exploits, there are trade paperbacks of his solo series. The early issues are awesome, if only as a romp through some of DC's most important periods and events.
  
  
• Booster Gold: 52 Pick-Up
  
• Booster Gold: Blue and Gold
  
• Booster Gold: Reality Lost
  
• Booster Gold: Day of Death
  
• Booster Gold: The Tomorrow Memory
  
• Booster Gold: Past Imperfect
  
  There's also fun to be had in some older collections, especially:
  
  
• Justice League: Formerly Known As the Justice League, and
  
• Justice League: I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League
  
  And if you want to go all the way back to the beginning, there's:
  
  
• Showcase Presents: Booster Gold
  
• Justice League International: Vol 1
  
• Justice League International: Vol 2
  
• Justice League International: Vol 3
  
• Justice League International: Vol 4
  
• Justice League International: Vol 5
  
• Justice League International: Vol 6
  
  And finally, his most recent exploits as part of DC's "New 52", where he's the leader of the Justice League International:
  
  
• Justice League International Vol 1: The Signal Masters

> Michael asks his father two questions: 1. Why does his friend have two fathers? 2. Am I adopted?

> His father sensitively addresses both of these questions with love and compassion, and he tells Michael that he needs to pray for his friend and his friend's two fathers. His dad lets him know that he is adopted and that he and his mother love him very much.

What a twist!

I would love this! We're driving from California to Texas in July to go on a cruise so we need some entertainment! And my boyfriend has NEVER played mad libs before which is blasphemy!

My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. It was one of the few books in high school that I had to read that I actually loved. I really try to emulate Atticus Finch when I do things because he is pretty much the perfect example of how people should be. That and it's just a really good story overall.

A new Book would be amazing I love reading! Or something for my kitchen would be even more wonderful. :) Thanks for the contest.

All Ages (age ratings sourced from Comixology)

• The Backstagers | James Tynion IV
  
• Fable Comics | Charise Mericle Harper
  
• Fairy Tale Comics | Telgemeier, Thompson, Mazzucchelli, et al.
  
• Guinea Pig: Pet Shop Private Eye | Colleen AF Venable
  
• Hilda and the Troll, Hilda and the Midnight Giant, Hilda and the Black Hound, Hilda and the Bird Parade, Hilda on the Stone Forest | Luke Pearson
  
• Julia's House for Lost Creatures, Little Robot, Nobody Likes a Goblin | Ben Hatke
  
• Kiki's Delivery Service, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, The Secret World of Arrietty | Yonebayashi & Miyazaki
  
• Lumberjanes | Stevenson, Watters, Ellis
  
• Marvel Age: Fantastic Four, Hulk, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Team-up | McKeever, Dezago, et al.
  
• Marvel Adventures: Fantastic Four, Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Superheroes, Super Heroes (2010), The Avengers | Sumerak, Tobin, David, Bejamin, et al.
  
• Marvel Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy, Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, Avengers Assemble Season Two | Caramagna
  
• Mighty Jack, Mighty Jack and the Goblin King | Ben Hatke
  
• Nightlights | Lorena Alvarez
  
• Nursery Rhyme Comics | Thompson, Mignola, Telgemeier, et al.
  
• Tamsin and the Deep | Brown & Cameron
  
• Thor: The Mighty Avenger | Roger Langridge
  
• TOON books: The Shark King | R. Kikuo Johnson
  
• Zita the Spacegirl, Legends of Zita the Spacegirl, The Return of Zita the Spacegirl | Ben Hatke
  
  Ages 9+
  
  
• Adventure Time | Ryan North
  
• The Adventures of Tintin | Herge
  
• Amulet | Kazu Kibuishi
  
• Asterix | Goscinny & Uderzo
  
• Atomic Robo | Brian Clevinger
  
• Bone | Jeff Smith
  
• Five Worlds | Siegel & Siegel
  
• Howl's Moving Castle, Spirited Away | Hayao Miyazaki
  
• Moomin | Tove Jansson
  
• The Nameless City, The Stone Heart | Faith Erin Hicks
  
• Power Pack | Simonson, Brigman, et al.
  
• Roller Girl | Victoria Jamieson
  
• Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts | Raina Telgemeier
  
• Usagi Yojimbo | Stan Sakai
  
• A Wrinkle in Time | Madeleine L'Engle
  
  Ages 12+
  
  
• DC: The New Frontier | Darwyn Cooke
  
• Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, Delilah Dirk and the King's Shilling | Tony Cliff
  
• Giant Days | Allison & Cogar
  
• Gotham Academy | Becky Cloonan
  
• The Legend of Wonder Woman | Renae De Liz
  
• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur | Reeder & Montclare
  
• Mouse Guard: Fall 1152, Mouse Guard: Winter 1152, Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard | David Petersen
  
• Nimona | Noelle Stevenson
  
• Star Wars | Aaron
  
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Eastman & Waltz
  
• Ultimate Spider-Man | Bendis
  
• Most superhero comics at DC and Marvel
  
  Resources:
  
  
• goodokbad
  
• comicbookresources
  
• comicsintheclassroom
  
• ilovelibraries
  
• pastemagazine
  
• /u/urko37’s [Recommendation] “What comics are good for my kids?”

Also available on Amazon with some reviews: Here

You may recognize this book from the front page of all of Reddit from a few weeks ago. The post went wild and I got a ton of great feedback, as well as a huge amount of sales in just a day. Very fun! I'd love to answer any questions you guys might have about it too!

I absolutely loved The Firebringer Trilogy. I rarely see it and nobody knows what I'm talking about when I mention it.

Another book series I absolutely love is The Gateway Trilogy. It's hard to find these books and the third one isn't out yet, but I am waiting patiently.

This third trilogy is one I used to hear a lot about, but recently I've noticed people have either completely forgotten or don't know what I'm talking about. Protector of the Small. I love this series so much and love other series by Tamora Pierce. I am really surprised these books didn't get more popular. I could read her books all day.

Do they like books? My kids got this science book and this monster-y book from a family friend for their birthdays and they loved them. while I can't help out today, add them to your list (only if your kiddos like books of course) and I'll see what I can do later on!

Edit: whoops, looks like the second one is priced at $9,000 lol. must be out of stock

The first thing that came to mind were Mad Libs! No matter what your major is, chilling with friends and having a good laugh is always fun. I am an RA at my school and I use Mad Libs to help my residents get in a good mood before I make them sit through one of my meetings. :P

If I'm chosen, surprise me! And whether I am chosen or not, thanks for the contest!


College Bound

I just went and stared at my bookshelves and realized that there was a distinct paucity of minority characters.

However, some general recommendations:

feed for the teenager uninterested in the world at large or the dystopian fiction fan.

My Date with Satan Short stories, usually from a female perspective. High schoolers would probably delight in the bad language and messed up characters.

Trickster's Choice; A young adult girl-power fantasy/spy novel with a lot to say about colonialism. My strongest recommendation on this list. Lots of major minority characters also.

Infidel; A heavy-handed memoir about triumph by a woman who "escaped" Somalia and is now a European politician. Controversial for a multitude of reasons and has nothing nice to say about Islam, but you know your students better than I do.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for the scientifically inclined.

Wicked for modern classic fans who'd appreciate deeper meanings.

The reviews on Amazon are quite entertaining too.

From Mrs Betty Bowers (America's Best Christian):

>Your Grade Schooler will Hate at a 10th Grade Level with this Bedtime Story!
>I know we all worry that our children don't hate enough - or don't feel sufficiently superior to be pompous and rude to their little classmates. Thank the Lord we now have this book to teach them that God wants them to smugly put down their friends' families. Glory! "God Made Dad & Mom [& Step-Moms 1 through 4]" is worth it for the cover illustration alone: It reminds mixed-race tots that even if your father is black, the Lord wants you to be a blond, blue-eyed Caucasian. A "Bringing Integrity To Christian Homemakers" Book Club selection for June 2013!

I know this! This is one of the fictional journals from the My Name is America series, The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty. I am super impressed you were able to remember that much about it.

As a bit of extra bonus knowledge, his sister also has a journal from the same time period in the girl's Dear America series.

Poorly worded question? Sure.

Math "as complex as a Rubik's cube"? No.

For any lower-elementary folk who want a fun way to teach the skill being assessed in the question in question, I highly recommend The Grapes of Math--it's got a lot of cute poems and illustrations that encourage kids to use different groupings to add more quickly.

My mom had a big obsession with Tomie dePaola's books when I was little, and I remember loving them, too. We loved his illustrations. Her favorite (and the main one I remember) was Strega Nona. I haven't thought about that in a while. Guess I'll have to put it on my list :)

Trenutno citam:

• Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
  
• Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy (Josef Steiff)
  
  Planiram i citati:
  
  
• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)
  
• Het Achterhuis (Anne Frank)
  
• Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
  
• Pyongyang (Guy Delisle)
  
• I bilo njesta od Alan Watts
  
  Evo moj 'library' :P
  http://i.imgur.com/Xpe7Vk5.jpg
  
  Moj tip za vas je Shantaram. //switch to English now, because it's a lot easier. It's about a guy who escapes from a prison and goes to Bombay. He starts off low and grows both spiritually and materialistically in the streets of Bombay. It's like GTA: Bombay but with more places (Indian countryside, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Africa). I've already been interested in India because of films like Darjeeling Limited, but this book sealed the deal: I want to visit that country.

Great first contest, Gridline!

The book I'm dying to get my hands on is Shel Silverstein's latest, Everything On It. I'm a huge Shel fan, and I can't wait to read (and re-re-re-read) this one!

Well I meant one of those huge fruit bowl things that could probably function as a crock pot. But I cannot stress enough how much I love chicken and rice. Maybe it's because I grew up with Maurice Sendak?

Chicken Soup with Rice - Sendak

Fox in Socks - Seuss

My kids loved all the Mercer Mayer Little Critter books.

Guess How Much I Love You

*Harold and the Purple Crayon

For any Silverstein fans out there who might not know, they released another book of his never-before-seen poems and illustrations called Every Thing On It like two years ago. I found it in a Toys 'R Us completely by chance and was ecstatic.

my favorite childhood book was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. plus, it teaches the alphabet! :D

also, congrats! ^__^

Isn't this well plowed ground?

Born With a Bang: The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story : Books 1, 2, 3

Here Comes Science CD + DVD

The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins

Bang! How We Came to Be by Michael Rubino.

Grandmother Fish: A Child's First Book of Evolution
Grandmother Fish, free in PDF form online

Little Changesby Tiffany Taylor
Teach your children about the wonders of evolution with this fun story, and get them asking questions about the world they live in.

"From Stardust to You: An Illustrated Guide to The Big Bang" by Luciano Reni

"Meet Bacteria!" by Rebecca Bielawski

Evolutionary Tales Paperback by Matt Cubberly

Coming up: TINY THINKERS is a series of books introducing popular scientists to children, by telling their stories as if the scientists themselves were kids!

GoFundMe : Tiny Thinkers

Also if you want a gorgeously illustrated book of decent length with a plot I really liked Charlotte Wander On

My mom did reading intervention when I was little, so books were pretty much where it was at. Sam' Sandwich and the sequels, Strega Nona, Flat Stanley (who has apparently turned into a Thing in the last twenty years or so, all of Babar, Caps for Sale, Tikki Tikki Tembo, The Boy Who Drew Cats... I could go on and on and on. Story time was a very big deal around these parts and you can't pick just one. Much like how being read just one story was never acceptable.

Are you reffering to the book, or the "trilogy"?

The first book is great, but the comedy does not slow down for a second through the next 4 books in the ^increasingly ^inaccurately ^named trilogy.

Here's a few we've picked up for our daughter (these also count among her favorites):

Brave Irene by William Steig

Imogene's Antlers by David Small

I like me! by Nancy Carlson

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelman

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

Percy Jackson series seems cool so far, or as I mentioned in another comment The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede, also Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli

Okay, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson is PG13. There is some violence though.

The Seventh Tower series by Garth Nix. I can't recommend this enough based on your list. It's probably in the genre of young adult fiction, but the plot is fantastic. First book is here to look at reviews and such.

Edited to add: Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn.

The King's Chessboard - Exponents

Math Curse - Word Problems.

Grandfather Tang - Tangrams.

The Grapes of Math - Number sense and multiplication. This author has lots of others as well.

The M&M Math Book - Counting, shapes, early number sense.

How much is a million? - Complex numbers. I think there's a sequel out too.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table - Geometry. There is an entire Sir Cumference series.

So many more, but those are off the top of my head. Follow the Amazon links and click through related books. You'll find a ton.

There are not monsters under your bed is kind of poorly written.

Also love: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Changes-Tiffany-Taylor/dp/1482559986

This made me realize how reading-oriented elementary schools...or maybe were when I was in school! If we finished something early, we were expected to have a book to read. Why not have a math binder to pull out if kids are done early? Anyway, got me thinking that maybe there are some math-oriented books (as in, not workbooks, but story books) out there that could interest your kiddo with some different math concepts. Here's some stuff I found (apologies for the ridiculously long links--also, I didn't look too closely at grade levels, so some may be for a few years down the road, or for you and him to read together):

Edgar Allan Poe's Pie: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=BVtKBx-i4JgC&source=productsearch&utm_source=HA_Desktop_US&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=PLA&pcampaignid=MKTAD0930BO1&gclid=CNGTu7vn5tQCFcTYMgodOiMETA&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CLzhyrvn5tQCFUI4TwodifYMVA

Marvelous Math: https://www.amazon.com/Marvelous-Math-Poems-Aladdin-Picture/dp/0689844425/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EM0RCMS3HQB5S8D0WWM2

Math Curse (by Jon Scieszka, one of my favorites!): https://www.amazon.com/Math-Curse-Jon-Scieszka/dp/0670861944/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EM0RCMS3HQB5S8D0WWM2

The Grapes of Math (this author has a series of math books): https://www.amazon.com/Grapes-Math-Greg-Tang/dp/0439598400/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EM0RCMS3HQB5S8D0WWM2

Sir Cumference (this one's a series): https://www.amazon.com/Sir-Cumference-Dragon-Math-Adventure/dp/1570911649/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1570911649&pd_rd_r=EM0RCMS3HQB5S8D0WWM2&pd_rd_w=9UJOK&pd_rd_wg=1NeuV&psc=1&refRID=EM0RCMS3HQB5S8D0WWM2

Probably not what you might be looking for, but I always thought The Journal Of Patrick Seamus Flaherty was a good read when I was younger.

Amazing.
When I was a kid we had "this little piggy had french toast" and "miso soup with rice"

Must be a HGTTG fan. :-) http://www.amazon.com/The-Hitchhiker-Trilogy-5-Books/dp/0330437569

Voting for Formerly Known as the Justice League http://www.amazon.com/Formerly-Known-As-Justice-League/dp/1401203051

That's the name of the book this is from, Formerly Known as Justice League

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Link: Formerly Known as Justice League


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Japan|amazon.co.jp|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|
|China|amazon.cn|




This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).

Sorcery and Cecelia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer? Both are established authors, and they wrote this book (and its two sequels) by playing "the letter game" - they never discussed plot in advance, only writing the story via letters in-character.

Also, the ""My Name is America" series was one of my favorites when I was that age.

WWII

Vietnam

Civil War

...[closes book] "And that son is why we must pray for our fallen brothers and sisters, who believe that homosexuality is 'good' and 'natural.' Remember: just because you believe that something is true or right does not make it so." [Lifts bible from nightstand] "That is why we must always turn to the Word of God, for it is the infallible truth. Now son, let us turn to Leviticus 18:22."

The library from Beauty by Robin McKinley. It's in a castle and it has every book that ever was and will be published. The book was originally published in the 70s, so I wouldn't be surprised if Disney got some of their inspiration for Beauty and the Beast from this novel.

Read the Giving Tree

It is impossible to not cry after reading this book.

Shel Silverstein is the man - Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, The Giving Tree

Don't eat IN the car (besides snacks). Make yourself stop and get out to eat, so that you stretch your legs and circulate the blood. Don't drive if you're overtired, or you'll find yourself nodding off.

Monster energy drinks are my friend (the red) on long ass road trips. Music and [mad libs on the road] (http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Libs-Road-Roger-Price/dp/0843174986/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458927313&sr=8-1&keywords=road+trip+mad+libs) can make a trip a lot of fun.

Number 2 sounds like this My America book.

Percy Jackson 'The Lightning Thief'

This is by far one of my favorite easy to read books that mixes a modern plot with the Olympian Gods. I have yet to hear a bad thing about this book. Though the movies didnt do the book justice!

http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/0786838655/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406100310&sr=8-3&keywords=percy+jackson

I really enjoyed the
Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind
Xanth Series by Piers Anthony (his other books are good too)
Tommyknockers by Stephen King
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Lightland by Kenny Kemp
I Hated Heaven by Kenny Kemp
The Awakened books 1-3 by Jason Tesar

The first sounds like The Seventh Tower.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hitchhiker-Trilogy-Restaurant-Everything/dp/0330437569/ref=pd_ybh_1 I would highliy recommend this bundle.

The Giving Tree

Sweet rhyming, but I was thinking about this book https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Rice-Book-Months/dp/006443253X

Anything Shel Silverstein, aside Playboy.

Goodnight Moon/ Runaway bunny always stuck with me.

I think my favorite may be, Chicken Soup with Rice

[Chica Chica Boom Boom] (http://www.amazon.com/Chicka-Boom-Bill-Martin-Jr/dp/068983568X)

[Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs] (http://www.amazon.com/Cloudy-With-Chance-Meatballs-Barrett/dp/0689306474/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334469290&sr=1-1)

Here it is on Amazon.

You can never, ever go wrong with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

My list of authors with first books:


Elizabeth Haydon: Rhapsody; Child of Blood

Elizabeth Kerner; Song in the Silence

Elizabeth Moon: The Deed of Paksenarrion

Kristian Britain: Green Rider

Sara Douglass The Wayfarer Redemption

Robin Mckinley: The Blue Sword

Robin Hobb: Assassin's Apprentice

Mercedes Lackey: Arrows of the Queen

Anne McCaffrey: The Dragonriders of Pern

Meredith Ann Pierce: Birth of the Firebringer

Katharine Kerr: Daggerspell

Because it is a Maurice Sendak poem?

Hmm, is it possibly one of the Strega Nona books?

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

This is probably not it, but if anyone ever comes upon this looking for something similar, it could be Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Percy Jackson and The Olympians

Older. Op's book was published in 2000.

Chicka chicka boom boom?

And just in case people don’t get the deeper reference:
https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Rice-Book-Months/dp/006443253X/ref=nodl_

It's a hitchhikers guide thing - there are 4 books but it is called a trilogy:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hitchhiker-Trilogy-5-Books/dp/0330437569

Tintin in America/Cigars of the Pharaoh/The Blue Lotus collected volume

Douglas Adams beat him to it. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy has five books. (The halfway decent fanfiction published a few years ago doesn't count.)

Sorcery & Cecilia is one of these but with fantasy elements, if you're into that.

wowwwww I knew this looked familiar. They used this picture for an old book I had that was supposed to be the journal of a marine named Patrick Seamus Flaherty.....weird.

Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Is-America-Flaherty/dp/0439148901

EDIT: I guess this book was fiction.... If only 8 year old me knew.....

wowwwww I knew this looked familiar. They used this picture for an old book I had that was supposed to be the journal of a marine named Patrick Seamus Flaherty.....weird.

Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Is-America-Flaherty/dp/0439148901

EDIT: I guess this book was fiction.... If only 8 year old me knew.....

These are from my childhood:

Caps For Sale

Strega Nona

Madeline

Madeline always reminds me of this hilarious video from German director Werner Herzog.

Here you go, assuming you're in the US.

They also sell the volumes individually.

My 10 year old son read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan this summer (first in the series). He couldn't put them down . I haven't read them, but scanned through the first few chapters. It appears to be fast-paced and just edgy enough to hold the attention of 10 year old boys.

Have I got the book for you...

http://www.amazon.com/God-Made-Dad-Amber-Parker/dp/0882708627/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Dem reviews

Your first photo reminded me of this that I read as a kid:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Journal-Patrick-Seamus-Flaherty/dp/0439148901

Daughter of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce?

I would use this opportunity to add on to your book explanation with an explanation of a "trilogy," but... this may not be the best trilogy to use as an example.

It's an adorable commercial. Out of morbid curiosity, though, I'd like to read the offending posts just to see how rabid the racist posts were. In the past I've read Reddit posts decrying miscegenation as moving forward the demise of whites, which, I guess, they see as impending.

As an aside, here's something that demonstrates the sliding scale of bigotry.

This is actually real. WTF.

So, I missed the original post, but it looked cool and I wanted to see about buying one. No matter what I did, all of the sites in the original post gave me strict security warnings and information vulnerability messages about stealing my identity, and since I am at work it did scare me off. But I did manage to find the amazon link for anyone with similar fears