Handpicked by Our Editors

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Age 5+
4

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Why We Recommend It

Jackie Robinson was special on the baseball field and off. His daughter's bio of the slugger-as-dad emphasizes courage.

Read our full review
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Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson by Sharon Robinson
Parents Need to Know...

that this uplifting and personal story, told by Jackie Robinson's daughter, is about her father's bravery, outside of baseball.  read more

Age 5+
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
4
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Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose
Parents Need to Know...

that amidst this award-nominated, inspirational history lesson there are mentions of upsetting violence: stories of women being raped by men in the segregated South; several teens are arrested; a girl becomes pregnant by a much older, ... read more

Age 13+
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
5
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Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
Parents Need to Know...

that this National Book Award Finalist is an educational read more than a recreational one. Charles’ voyage on the Beagle takes place before the book begins, and the story starts when he decides to get married. A very good overview of ... read more

Age 12+
Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
3
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The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an inspiring biography about a boy who worked hard, and came up with the idea that led to the invention of the TV. read more

Age 6+
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth
5
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Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone
Parents Need to Know...

there is no bad language, sex, or violence in the book. Children may be shocked or confused by the 1960s-era sexism and racism. read more

Age 10+
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream
4
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Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, Sarah Thomson, David Relin
Parents Need to Know...

this inspirational story offers a positive message about reining in consumption in a world where many have so little. The protagonist's life is in danger in a few tense situations; he also receives hate mail from people who disagree with ... read more

Age 9+
Three Cups of Tea
4
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One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin by Kathryn Lasky
Parents Need to Know...

that this book offers an insightful, beautifully balanced introduction to Charles Darwin: what drove him to discover the things he did, and how the world received his new ideas about the order of life on Earth. read more

Age 7+
One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin
5
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The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming
Parents Need to Know...

that this book gives details of the most brutal and horrific war this country has fought. It doesn't wallow in gore, but the way it is told has a tremendous impact. read more

Age 10+
The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
4
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No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kuklin
Parents Need to Know...

that this is not a book for the faint of heart. While not overtly violent or offensive, it tackles difficult subjects and parents should be ready to discuss not only the crimes that landed these teens in jail, but the dangers of living ... read more

Age 14+
No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row
4
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Piano Starts Here by Robert Andrew Parker
Parents Need to Know...

that this book may be too long-winded for the youngest listeners, but its inspirational message makes it worth a shot. read more

Age 6+
Piano Starts Here
4
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The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle
Parents Need to Know...

that the main character, a child, is repeatedly and persistently beaten, whipped, and tortured. The level of violence and brutality in this book make it inappropriate for children below middle school, and deeply disturbing to readers of ... read more

Age 13+
The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano
3
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Your Own, Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill
Parents Need to Know...

that Sylvia Plath, the subject of this fictionalized biography, suffers from depression, possibly bipolar disorder, and commits suicide by putting her head in a gas oven while her young children sleep in the next room. read more

Age 13+
Your Own, Sylvia
4
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The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Tonya Bolden
Parents Need to Know...

that if you're not a fan of boxing, you may not love this book. Also, big issues like racism, the Vietnam War, and religious beliefs are touched on here, which may lead to some discussions. When talking about Ali's conversion to Islam, ... read more

Age 5+
The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali
4
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Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Parents Need to Know...

this bestseller was intended for adult readers, but teens may want to read it, thanks to the release of the movie adaptation directed by Sean Penn. Readers will find lots of hitchhiking, discussions of an adulterous relationship, ... read more

Age 15+
Into the Wild
4
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Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Parents Need to Know...

that this is the true story of an 11-year-old Japanese girl diagnosed with leukemia. Sadako Sasaki was just 2 when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She shares what she knows about the "thunderbolt"; what people remember seeing, and ... read more

Age 9+
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
4
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Diego by Johah Winter
Parents Need to Know...

that this reissued biography tells the simplified but true story of Diego Rivera's childhood. They should be prepared to talk about the fact that Diego's twin brother dies as an infant. Also, when he becomes ill, the young Diego is sent ... read more

Age 4+
Diego
4
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Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
Parents Need to Know...

that the topic of slavery is, and should be, disturbing, and young children will need help understanding. Harriet is in danger through much of the book. There is also a strong spiritual element to the book in Tubman's many conversations ... read more

Age 5+
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
5
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Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
Parents Need to Know...

that there is little to be concerned with in this biography, other than the possibility that kids may try to reproduce Houdini's feats. read more

Age 8+
Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini
4
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Brad Johnson: Play with Passion by Brad Johnson
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a positive book meant to inspire kids. read more

Age 8+
Brad Johnson: Play with Passion
3
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Vince Carter: Choose Your Course by Greg Brown, Vince Carter
Parents Need to Know...

that the book's focus is on Vince Carter's positive and balanced attitude toward success and defeat. read more

Age 8+
Vince Carter: Choose Your Course
3
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Eric Gagné: Break Barriers by Eric Gagné
Parents Need to Know...

that Eric Gagné faced the challenges of shyness, negative thinking, nighttime fears, an eating disorder, his parents' divorce, and being demoted in baseball. But the focus of this book is on how Gagné learned to work through stress. read more

Age 8+
Eric Gagné: Break Barriers
3

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