Are you looking for some great fiction for your family to enjoy? Here are some outstanding books for families to enjoy reading together.
The Memory Bank, by Carolyn Coman, and illustrated by Rob Shepperson, is a unique blend of story and pictures that tell the tale of Hope and her search for her little sister, Honey. Her horrible parents leave Honey by the road after she disobeys them again and they drive off. The following wordless full page pencil etchings show a truck full of laughing kids picking Honey up where you see her smiling right along with them. Hope now sleeps in the garage where, one night, she is taken to the World Wide Memory Bank where dreams and memories are stored. She is about to discover what has happened to her sister and how she needs to save memories before something terrible happens to them. The story is full of creative imagination and suspense as Hope saves the day!
William S. and the Great Escape, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, reflects back on the classic tale of “The Box Car Children”. William is the oldest of his 4 siblings and they decide to leave their home on their own and begin a journey. This story is a bit different because they escape from their brutal uncle whom they live with to travel many miles away to live with their aunt. The difficult journey and the challenges along the way, as well as what happens once they arrive at their aunt’s house is both exciting and nerve-racking. The author has two other reissues that are also great adventure mysteries and Newbery Honor books: “The Witches of Worm” and “The Headless Cupid”.
Chasing Orion, by Kathryn Lasky, is an historical fiction set in the 1950’s when polio was spreading across the country. Eleven-year-old Georgie has just moved to a new neighborhood in Indiana where she meets her neighbor, beautiful Phyllis, who has polio and is living inside an iron lung. There is much to learn and enjoy in this enlightening story about the difficulties of this terrible disease.
Alchemy and Meggy Swann, by Karen Cushman, is set in 1573 with thirteen-year-old Meggy moving to London for the first time and meeting her father who is an alchemist. When he sees that not only is she a girl, but a cripple who needs canes to walk, he rejects her. This leaves her to face a city full of thievery and rogues. But she rises above it all to prove to herself and her father that she is invaluable with gifts of herself to give. This historical fiction is so beautifully written that you get a true sense of the Middle Ages in this bustling city.
Owl Ninja, by Sandy Russell, and sprinkled with illustrations throughout by Rhian James, is #2 in a series but you need not read #1 to understand and enjoy this intriguing adventure. The story is told through the eyes of one of the six outcasts that make up the samurai kids. Ryu has only one leg and uses his crutch to help him navigate life. (The other 5 have disabilities that range from blindness to albinism.) They must travel to see Japan’s emperor to hopefully stop war, and along the way their mishaps will keep you on the edge of your seat. The illustrations help keep the story moving and the simple words of advice may likely encourage you.