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    The Children's Book Review

    Books for Mikey: Endless Summer

    TCBR ContributorBy TCBR Contributor3 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Book Lists Books with Boy Characters Chapter Books Reluctant Readers Teens: Young Adults
    Book: The Postcard
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    He won’t read it. He hates everything. #3

    By David Teague, The Children’s Book Review
    Published: July 7, 2012

    A drawing of a cartoon characterOn the first day of summer vacation when I was twelve years old, I got on my bicycle, rode three miles down the street through a tunnel of new leaves, emerged into lemon-colored sunshine in the middle of town, racked my bike, opened the front door of the library to release its peppery aroma into the juicy green afternoon, and saw a book with a fantastic cover awaiting me on the nearest wooden table: M.C. Higgins The Great.

    Middle Grade BookOn the first page, Mayo Cornelius, sporting lettuce affixed to his wrists with rubber bands (for reasons that became clear later) stared into the distance, imagining the freedom that lay in his future, wondering what to do with it. Just like me: In the deafening summertime silence made up of nobody telling me what to do, and with a bicycle I could theoretically ride until I fell into the Pacific Ocean, I’d spent the entire day thinking, “Now I’m gonna make something happen. But what?”

    So I started reading to see what M. C. had done with all his freedom. On a hot, leafy mountainside overlooking the Ohio River, he set out to explore what it meant—the freedom to stand up to his father, the freedom to forge friendships with people very different from himself, the freedom to imagine a future no one else in his family had ever imagined, and the freedom to pursue it. His life was more dramatic than mine, more dangerous, odd, fraught, and strange, because he was a character in a novel, but M. C. himself, I understood. He was on a quest to find out who M. C. really was.

    And so M. C. Higgins The Great made the summer of 1975 last forever. His story was the story of how he became himself amid trees and streams and the first hints freedom that come with growing up.

    Which makes it a perfect summer book.

    Here are a few more like it:

    Book: PostcardThe Postcard

    By Tony Abbott

    Jason travels to St. Petersburg, Florida, and goes on a quest to uncover secrets that will change everything he ever believed about himself and his family.

    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | April 2, 2008 | Ages 8-12

    Book: HatchetHatchet

    By Gary Paulsen

    Brian survives a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness and comes of age facing the challenge of survival in a thrilling, dangerous land.

    Bradbury Press | September 30, 1987 | Ages 9-11

    Young Aduly BookThe Grey King

    By Susan Cooper

    Will Stanton, in the strange and beautiful country of Wales, pursues magic that will define who he is, and possibly change the history of life on earth.

    Margaret K. McElderry Books | May 8, 2007 | Ages 9-14

    All of these books mark the beginning of imaginative journeys for their characters, journeys that continue in a readers mind long after the story ends.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Books for Mikey: Reluctant Readers’ Books
    2. 2009 Summer Reading Suggestions: Elementary
    3. Star Wars Books for Kids: The Ultimate List
    4. Holiday Gift Guide: Best Children’s Books & Toys

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Books for Mikey David Teague Gary Paulsen Summer reading Susan Cooper Tony Abbott
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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 one of TCBR's regular contributors.

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