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
Finding great books for children makes them lifelong readers.

When you give your children books they love, you give them a gift that lasts forever. But finding books that appeal to kids when there's so much else competing for their time has become really tough. Our recommended lists by theme and topic will help you find books for children of all ages and interests, from All Things Harry Potter to the best books to share with dads.

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showing: coming of age
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Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
Parents Need to Know...

that this book has frank talk about sex and relationship issues among teens. The main character sleeps with many boys and one "hook-up" results in pregnancy. There is some swearing (including "f--k"), copious drinking ... read more

Age 14+
Jumping Off Swings
3
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Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a very intense book about an abusive lesbian relationship. The main characters, Reeve and her twin brother, live with the daily horrors of all kinds of abuse by their mother's boyfriend. Their mother is an addict and they ... read more

Age 16+
Rage: A Love Story
2
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Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Parents Need to Know...

this book is a fairly conventional portrayal of witches -- they fled Europe because of persecution, they observe Samhain and practice ancient rituals under the moon. The teen smoking and drinking is gratuitous, and the romance is gentle. ... read more

Age 14+
Once a Witch
3
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Bad Apple by Laura Ruby
Parents Need to Know...

that the scandal at the center of this book involves an alleged affair between a teen girl and her art teacher. There is some other heavy stuff: Her sister takes pills for depression and her grandfather nearly dies. Other than that, ... read more

Age 14+
Bad Apple
3
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Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Parents Need to Know...

that this realistic portrayal of teen life includes drinking, romance, and some non-graphic sex. Although these teens are just out of high school, there is a lot of beer drinking done by all. The main character's parents divorce after ... read more

Age 14+
Along for the Ride
3
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The Other Girl: A Midvale Academy Novel by Sarah Miller
Parents Need to Know...

that this book features all kinds of racy material, from the main character planning to have sex with her boyfriend in the school's chapel to a scene where an underage girl makes out with a creepy dean as part of an elaborate scheme. ... read more

Age 15+
The Other Girl: A Midvale Academy Novel
4
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Swim the Fly by Don Calame
Parents Need to Know...

that the focus of this coming-of-age novel is the main characters' goal to see a naked woman in real life, without the woman's knowledge. The boys lie to parents, girls, and a swim coach. They tease each other about masturbation and refer ... read more

Age 14+
Swim the Fly
2
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One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some serious scenes in which divorce is discussed, attempted rape is described, and some sexual situations are portrayed. There's also liberal use of swear words. read more

Age 14+
One Lonely Degree
3
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Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is rough and gritty, with much swearing, violence, delinquent behavior and attitudes, and weak parenting. Bobby and his thug friends have little concern for consequences and are void of remorse. However, the book is really ... read more

Age 15+
Creature of the Night
4
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The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart
Parents Need to Know...

that Ruby is an authentic character, and as such is obsessed with boys, uses words like "slut" and "hooters," and goes to Starbucks. In one scene, she has a pretty serious kissing session in a unoccupied school ... read more

Age 14+
The Treasure Map of Boys
4
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Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Parents Need to Know...

that this book features graphic depictions of sex. The teens in this book have sex with men and women, trade sex for money and drugs, and are forced to make pornographic movies, have threesomes, etc. One character is raped in two ... read more

Age 15+
Tricks
3
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Peace, Love and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle
Parents Need to Know...

that this book does include one teen drinking scene that ends when Carly walks in on her sister in bed with an older boy. There is some swearing, and outspoken Carly also talks about breasts, thongs, etc. read more

Age 13+
Peace, Love and Baby Ducks
4
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After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a mature book about a boy who falls in love with a very troubled girl. Maia has family problems and also is trying to recover from anorexia and self-injury. She is also raped at a party while drunk -- and another boy ... read more

Age 14+
After the Moment
4
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The Season by Sarah MacLean
Parents Need to Know...

that this is pretty clean fare. There are a few steamy kisses and a little wine drinking, but nothing that will raise modern eyebrows. The spirited protagonist questions her role in society -- which might inspire interested readers to try ... read more

Age 12+
The Season
4
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In Mike We Trust by P.E. Ryan
Parents Need to Know...

that this book features a series of con jobs where the main character and his uncle bilk people out of their money in the name of bogus charities. Garth is gay and shares a kiss with a boy he likes. Part of the novel is about Garth's ... read more

Age 14+
In Mike We Trust
4
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Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Parents Need to Know...

that the main character, Kristi, is angry, isolated, intentionally cruel, and lies to her mother. There is much swearing and cynicism, some adult and teen drinking and smoking (a mother offers her daughter tequila), as well as crude ... read more

Age 14+
Vibes
3
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Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Parents Need to Know...

that the Muslim main character, Amal, who lives in Australia, faces religious and racial prejudice, including kids on the playground who tell the "darkies" to go home. She gets frustrated trying to explain that every Muslim is ... read more

Age 13+
Does My Head Look Big in This?
3
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Chameleon by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Parents Need to Know...

that the story takes place in a tough urban neighborhood where there is always a threat of gang violence. At one point the boys are involved in a big fight with several gang members -- no one is seriously hurt. There are also several ... read more

Age 14+
Chameleon
3
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It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time by D. James Smith
Parents Need to Know...

that this book addresses racism in a small town in the 1950s. There is little historical context so young readers may be confused by why interracial relationships and Communism are such a big deal. Characters call a Chinese girl a ... read more

Age 10+
It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time
4
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Kendra by Coe Booth
Parents Need to Know...

the book features a 14-year-old who has oral and anal sex with a boy at school but still considers herself a virgin. Although she feels used by this boy (he's dating her best friend while fooling around with her), she is too ... read more

Age 15+
Kendra
3
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The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick
Parents Need to Know...

that there's not much to object to in this book. There are some examples of mean-girl attitudes and actions, but they lead to discussion and resolution of the feelings behind the aggression. read more

Age 9+
The Mother-Daughter Book Club
4

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