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.

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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: historical fiction
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The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi
Parents Need to Know...

that this story revolves around slavery and the slave trade. There are some scenes that are intense, sad, and suspenseful, and there's a reasonable amount of danger, but the danger and intrigue are part of any good mystery/adventure ... read more

Age 12+
The Door of No Return
4
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Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli
Parents Need to Know...

that there are discussions of lynchings, some of them rather violent. There's also frequent usage of derogative racial terms. read more

Age 12+
Alligator Bayou
4
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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Parents Need to Know...

that there is some violence here, some a bit graphic: men are whipped, and killed by knife and gun, and the young heroine is condemned to hang, though she doesn't. The story takes place in a time of racism, sexism, and rigid class ... read more

Age 9+
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
5
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What Lincoln Said by Sarah Thomson
Parents Need to Know...

that this book brushes over the issue of slavery in the actual narrative but goes into it a little further in the section written for parents. Adults can choose how much to share with their kids, but this book might be a good, careful ... read more

Age 4+
What Lincoln Said
3
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Mare's War by Tanita Davis
Parents Need to Know...

that there's an intense scene where Mare fights her mother's boyfriend; there is also some drinking of hard alcohol. The racist treatment of African-Americans during this time period is offensive (but historically accurate). Mare is an ... read more

Age 12+
Mare's War
4
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Sahwira: An African Friendship by Carolyn Marsden, Philip Matzigkeit
Parents Need to Know...

that the backdrop to this story is the Rhodesian (Zimbabwe) civil war in 1964, and as such, there is clear racism, bullying, some graphic violence, derogatory language, and discriminatory attitudes. Parents also need to know that this ... read more

Age 12+
Sahwira: An African Friendship
3
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Buffalo Music by Tracy Fern
Parents Need to Know...

that this book is about a woman who saves orphaned buffalos when hunters begin to decimate the herds. They should be ready to field questions about hunting and conservation. read more

Age 4+
Buffalo Music
4
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The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
Parents Need to Know...

that the story culminates with a lengthy and realistic portrait of the horrors of war -- in particular, the Battle of Gettysburg, including horrible injuries, amputations by saw, and many deaths. read more

Age 9+
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
4
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The Way of the Warrior: Young Samurai, Book 1 by Chris Bradford
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a story about samurai in feudal Japan, so there is much sword-fighting, and many injuries and deaths, including two boys. read more

Age 10+
The Way of the Warrior: Young Samurai, Book 1
4
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Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
Parents Need to Know...

the book addresses issues of racism and discrimination during World War II, including the internment of Japanese-Americans. There are two incidents of groups beating up individuals, descriptions of cigarette smoking by teens, and several ... read more

Age 11+
Weedflower
3
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Guardian by Julius Lester
Parents Need to Know...

that this novel is for older teens only -- it has some very rough content, including lynching, rape, murder, and teen sex. The wickedness of the subject matter -- lynching and its effect on everyone involved -- is powerfully disturbing. read more

Age 16+
Guardian
4
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The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle
Parents Need to Know...

that there are several references to cutting off slaves' ears to prove they are dead, and to a pile of ears, but nothing is described. read more

Age 11+
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom
3
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Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
Parents Need to Know...

that teens smoke, drink, get drunk, make out, and come close to having sex. The story takes place during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and there are bombings and suicidal hunger strikes. read more

Age 13+
Bog Child
4
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The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing to be concerned about here. The cover picture might scare some very young and sensitive children. read more

Age 7+
The Houdini Box
3
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Chains
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a realistic depiction of life as a slave and in a war-torn city. The main character, a young girl, is a victim of vicious and sadistic brutality, including a lengthy scene in which she is beaten into unconsciousness, her ... read more

Age 12+
Chains
4
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Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper
Parents Need to Know...

that this novel takes an open and unveiled look at slavery in America through the eyes of a young African girl. The common brutalities of the trade: rape, murder, kidnapping, beatings and other inhumane treatments are described in detail ... read more

Age 12+
Copper Sun
5
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Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve
Parents Need to Know...

that this tale of medieval warfare is quite violent, including a disturbing scene in which a man is beaten to a pulp, including knocking out all of his teeth. Also, this is a very cynical take on a classic hero tale that is usually ... read more

Age 12+
Here Lies Arthur
4
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Ivy by Julie Hearn
Parents Need to Know...

that it takes Ivy most of the book to stop being a victim (of poverty, of cruel relatives, of drug addiction) and assert herself. Set in Victorian England, the novel features seedy neighborhoods, theft, suggestions of prostitution, ... read more

Age 13+
Ivy
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The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a tale of knights and battles, with many deaths, though none are described graphically. The main character is loyal and brave. read more

Age 9+
The Squire's Tale
4
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Meet Kit: An American Girl 1934 by Valerie Tripp
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a tale of a family adapting to Dad's job loss during the Great Depression. There is a clear, age-appropriate description of why the economy is suffering and frank depictions via photographs and dialog of the effects of the ... read more

Age 8+
Meet Kit: An American Girl 1934
4
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Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Parents Need to Know...

that several violent events are referred to, though not in detail, including the story of when Maggie's dad shatters his leg on duty as a firefighter. More significant is a scene recalling an incident during the Korean War when innocent ... read more

Age 9+
Keeping Score
3

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