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    The Children's Book Review

    Author Kamilla Benko’s Top Five Favorite Books for Young Readers

    Guest PostsBy Guest Posts5 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Book Lists
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    Kamilla Benko | The Children’s Book Review | February 9, 2018

    There are delicate moments of childhood when everything seems possible. A time when every wardrobe has the potential to lead to a kingdom, when the wind is just one whisper away from telling you a secret, and a letter from Hogwarts may arrive any day. For some kids, this feeling lasts a day, for others a week, and for a lucky few, years. My favorite books for young readers kindle that sense of possibility, and direct them toward the wonders of the real world.

    A Wrinkle in Time: 50th Anniversary Commemorative EditionA Wrinkle in Time

    Written by Madeleine L’Engle

    This is, of course, one of the most famous books in children’s literature, respected for its ingenuity and themes. What makes this book one of my favorites is its tacit permission to be angry. So many times, children (especially girls) are told how they should be or how they should behave, but in this book, Meg Murray is given permission to feel her feelings. And not only does the magical guardian Mrs. Whatsit tell Meg it’s okay to be angry, but that she is right to be angry…and that anger positively directed can be a catalyst for good.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 10+ | Publisher: Square Fish |2012 (Anniversary edition) | ISBN: 978-1250004673

    The Princess Academy by Shannon HaleThe Princess Academy

    Written by Shannon Hale

    A book full of fresh mountain air and bright blue skies, this story features Miri of Mount Eskel, a young girl looking to represent her village well to the rest of the kingdom. And while Miri attends the prestigious Princess Academy, learning how to read and write, she also discovers there is a quiet magic in her mountain for those who are willing to listen. This original fairy tale is the best introduction to the basic concepts of economics, and shows how communities can change and grow with new information.   

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 10-14 | Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens |2015 (New edition) | ISBN: 978-1619636132

    Book The JumbiesThe Jumbies

    Written by Tracey Baptiste

    Tracey Baptiste dives into Caribbean folklore with her brave protagonist, Corinne La Mer. For Corinne, the Jumbies that lurk in the forest and in the sea aren’t just stories, they’re real…and they’re family. Throughout the series, Corinne encounters different legends as well as flashes of her island’s history, which was influenced by the slave trade. It is a beautiful commentary of the binding nature of stories. Author Tracey Baptiste explores how legends travel around the world, and how, in her own words, “these connected stories remind us that we are more alike than different.”   

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers |2016 (Reprint) | ISBN: 978-1616205928

    Love Sugar Magic A Dash of TroubleLove Sugar Magic: A Dash Of Trouble

    Written by Anna Meriano

    Newly published, Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble, is the story of Leo, the youngest of five sisters, who discovers that her family has been keeping a secret from her: they are all actually brujas—witches of Mexican ancestry—who run a magical bakery. The book is full of humor, tasty descriptions, and a fresh magic that underscores the power of generational stories and the magic of family without once sounding cheesy or cliché. The best books are a reflection of our world, and the author’s deft blend of Texan, American, and Mexican cultures will be a familiar for some and new for others, but will resonate with all.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Walden Pond Press | January 2, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0062498465

    Writing Magic by Gail Carson LevineWriting Magic: Creating Stories That Fly

    Written by Gail Carson Levine

    While it’s fun to press favorite narratives into kids’ hands, it’s just as important to give them the tools and space to capture their own moments of wonder. Gail Carson Levine’s Writing Magic does just that. This fun, interactive guide is full of writing prompts and helpful advice, such as, writing down your thoughts, as you may think you’ll remember what it’s like to be a kid, but you won’t. And as a former child and reader of this book, I am deeply grateful for this advice, for without it, I could have never written my own. Children should be reminded that writing is more than essays—it’s about capturing a moment in time to save for a rainy day.

    Order a Copy Now: Indiebound | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

    Ages 8+ | Publisher: HarperCollins | 2014 (Reissue) | ISBN-13: 978-0062367174

    —

    Book Unicorn QuestThe Unicorn Quest

    Written by Kamilla Benko

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year. But things are back to normal as they move into Windermere Manor… until the sisters climb a strange ladder in a fireplace and enter the magical land of Arden. 

    There, they find a world in turmoil. The four guilds of magic no longer trust each other. The beloved unicorns have gone, and terrible wraiths roam freely. Scared, the girls return home. But when Sophie vanishes, it will take all of Claire’s courage to climb back up the ladder, find her sister, and uncover the unicorns’ greatest secret.

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens | 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-1681192451

    Available Here:

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    About the Author

    Karen Benko Author Photo
    Kamilla Benko

    Kamilla Benko spent most of her childhood climbing into wardrobes, trying to step through mirrors, and plotting to run away to an art museum. Now, she visits other worlds as a children’s book editor. Originally from Indiana, she currently lives in New York with her bookshelves, teapot, and hiking boots.

    Camilla Benko, author of The Unicorn Quest, selected these ‘5 Middle Grade Favorites.’ Discover more articles on The Children’s Book Review tagged with Middle Grade Books.

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    Algonquin Young Readers Anna Meriano Bloomsbury USA Childrens Gail Carson Levine HarperCollins Madeleine L'Engle Middle Grade Books Shannon Hale Square Fish Tracey Baptiste Unicorns Walden Pond Press
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    The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by a guest author.

    2 Comments

    1. Debbie on November 9, 2019 5:34 pm

      Are there any plans on making a movie about Unicorn Quest, Kamilla Benco

      Reply
      • Bianca Schulze on November 9, 2019 9:57 pm

        Not that I’m aware of! But that would be great, wouldn’t it?!

        Reply

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