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: fantasy
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Ring of Fire: Century Quartet, Book 1 by Pierdomenico Baccalario
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a fast-paced and fun mystery, despite the involvement of murders and assassins. There is no bad language or sex and the violence is about on the level of the first couple Harry Potter books. It's fun to see the four diverse ... read more

Age 12+
Ring of Fire: Century Quartet, Book 1
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Fire by Kristin Cashore
Parents Need to Know...

that this book has some mature subject matter. There is some sex and some violence, including a young man who murders his father, rapes (barley described), and unplanned pregnancies. The royal family is made up of half-siblings, and Fire ... read more

Age 15+
Fire
5
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Intertwined by Gena Showalter
Parents Need to Know...

that there is some fantasy violence, like a vampire drinking blood, zombies being decapitated, and a fight between a werewolf and teen boy. Aden gets into all kinds of fights: One fistfight between Aden and a school bully ends with him ... read more

Age 14+
Intertwined
2
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My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Parents Need to Know...

that this book features both fantastical creature and murders, though violence is pretty limited. Kaylee has to deal with demons --  both real ones and symbolic ones (like accepting that her mother died so she can live).  Also, it is ... read more

Age 14+
My Soul to Take
3
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The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech
Parents Need to Know...

this is a great book to share aloud. The main character is a great role model and there are strong messages of caring, cooperation, and acceptance. read more

Age 9+
The Unfinished Angel
5
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Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block
Parents Need to Know...

that this is vampire horror on the level of Anne Rice. It features very explicit sex and exploitation of teens for vampire gratification. Horrific acts of murder and destruction are spectator sports. This book should not be marketed for ... read more

Age 16+
Pretty Dead
1
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A Taste for Red by Lewis Harris
Parents Need to Know...

that this vampire read for middle graders is pretty mild for the genre. The violence is gore-free: a kidnapping, an almost-poisoning, someone falls out a window and breaks his arm, and an attempt to kill a vampire. read more

Age 9+
A Taste for Red
3
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Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Parents Need to Know...

this mythological tale features some ugly behavior by both gods and men, but the under-appreciated, underestimated hero poignantly reveals that heart, not brawn, can win some battles. There is some drinking, trickery, greed, and brawling, ... read more

Age 9+
Odd and the Frost Giants
4
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The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Parents Need to Know...

that though this story can feel somewhat dark with mentions of death in childbirth, legs crushed, and a near-fatal fall, there are wonderful messages to discuss with kids about how honesty and forgiveness can set you free. This is ... read more

Age 8+
The Magician's Elephant
5
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Hannah: Daughters of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky
Parents Need to Know...

that there is no bodice ripping in this gothic fantasy. The most you'll find is an unsettling attraction two girls have for a young painter and some passionate kisses. There is also much discussion of the eldest daughter’s madness and ... read more

Age 12+
Hannah: Daughters of the Sea
3
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LIAR by Justine Larbalestier
Parents Need to Know...

this is an intense book for mature teens. Micah, the main character, is a compulsive liar who claims to be a werewolf (though some of the adults around her think she has psychological problems). Her secret boyfriend is murdered, and later ... read more

Age 15+
LIAR
4
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The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett
Parents Need to Know...

that this goofy fable makes a good case for settling disagreements with open-minded debate, rather than striking out with whatever you’ve got on hand. Knights react swiftly and strongly when someone accidentally crosses the line ... read more

Age 5+
The Marshmallow Incident
3
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Hannah's Winter by Kierin Meehan
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a gentle fantasy with no edgy influences. There's a lot of descriptive language and Japanese history embedded in the story, which may be new for many readers. The riddle and clues are not easily discernable, and at times ... read more

Age 10+
Hannah's Winter
3
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Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Parents Need to Know...

this wacky novel features a teenager's death, a punk angel, and plenty of edgy behavior by teens (condom-free sex, drinking, pot-smoking, and running away). Lots of salty language, too. read more

Age 15+
Going Bovine
3
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Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is heavy on the vampire lore, with some related vampire violence. There's also some mean girl-type violence, with one girl nearly being killed. Much of the violence happens without real consequences. read more

Age 13+
Glass Houses
3
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A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Parents Need to Know...

this Victorian Era-set novel involves the supernatural, including girls who visit with the dead and help spirits cross over into the afterlife. It has a few sexual moments and a fair amount of violence, including a suicide and sacrificial ... read more

Age 13+
A Great and Terrible Beauty
3
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gifted, Book 1 by Marilyn Kaye
Parents Need to Know...

that there are brief references to drinking, smoking, drugs, spousal abuse, commercial brands, and boobs, but none are more than passing references. read more

Age 9+
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Gifted, Book 1
3
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The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
Parents Need to Know...

that there's some violence here, though not as much as you might expect in a vampire story, but there's also more swearing than you might expect. read more

Age 13+
The Reformed Vampire Support Group
3
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Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen
Parents Need to Know...

that the content is mild here: a reference to boobs, to an elderly couple living in sin, and to beer. But the story, about a young woman undergoing cancer treatment, may raise some questions and concerns. read more

Age 10+
Notes from the Dog
4
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Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
Parents Need to Know...

that the author seems unable to mention an object, food, or place without attaching a brand name to it, which, of course, will date this book very quickly. There's also some mild swearing, violence, and sexual references. read more

Age 12+
Fairy Tale
3
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The Summoning: Darkest Powers, Book 1 by Kelley Armstrong
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some gruesome visions of ghosts who died violently, and a girl getting her period is a plot point. read more

Age 14+
The Summoning: Darkest Powers, Book 1
4

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