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.

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Diary of a Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Parents Need to Know...

that there's a lot of bullying here. There are adults who are alcoholic, absent, uninvolved, or enablers. Also, a child dies in an accident, a teen tries to commit suicide, and someone takes a gun to school. read more

Age 14+
Diary of a Witness
3
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Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish
Parents Need to Know...

there is nothing of concern in this light book. While this is about Amelia’s first day of school, it may not be a good choice for kids who haven’t yet been to class -- the word games might confuse them rather than help them learn what ... read more

Age 5+
Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School
3
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Talia Talk by Christine Hurley Deriso
Parents Need to Know...

that there's nothing to worry about in this book. It covers the topics of parental death, friendships, mean girls, and privacy. read more

Age 10+
Talia Talk
3
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Top 8 by Katie Finn
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some discussions on making out, hooking up, and underage drinking. The majority of the story, however, involves the reprecussions of gossip and Web 2.0. read more

Age 14+
Top 8
3
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Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now by Lauren Child
Parents Need to Know...

Parent's need to know that there's not much to object to in this book. There is some schoolyard bullying, sibling rivalry, and family arguments, but most things are resolved effectively. Name-calling sticks to "stupid" and ... read more

Age 8+
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now
3
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Skim by Mariko Tamaki
Parents Need to Know...

that there's quite a bit of swearing and numerous sexual references, including the main character's crush on her female teacher, which leads to them kissing. Teens smoke a lot and a teen boy commits suicide, possibly because he is gay. read more

Age 14+
Skim
4
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Almost Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some light making out/kissing scenes. A girl discusses with her friends that she's both sexually active and pregnant, and it's handled with real emotion: disbelief, horror, despair, panic, and realistic adult intervention. ... read more

Age 14+
Almost Alice
4
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Room One: a mystery or two by Andrew Clements
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing to be concerned about here, and much to admire: a main character, and an entire town (including the adults, a rarity in children's books), who are kind, thoughtful, and determined to help others with no though of ... read more

Age 8+
Room One: a mystery or two
5
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Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a sweet story that will help ease any kid's first day jitters. Though the story of a cat and his pet mouse at Cat School is somewhat implausible, it shows how the fun of unexpected lessons manages to change one cat's worry ... read more

Age 3+
Splat the Cat
3
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Off to First Grade by Louise Borden
Parents Need to Know...

that the alphabetic sequence, clever names, and simple poetic format make this book fun. Coupled with the playful images, it presents a positive message that kids, especially new first graders, will enjoy. read more

Age 4+
Off to First Grade
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Happy School Year! by Susan Milord
Parents Need to Know...

that the upbeat message of this book speaks directly to kids, with no silly frills or tricky messages. This is a good book to springboard into a discussion of first-day jitters and what kids might expect when they go to the first grade, ... read more

Age 4+
Happy School Year!
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All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a great book for reluctant readers. While there are some instances of bullying and child neglect, the overall message is a positive one. read more

Age 9+
All of the Above
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Sweet Valley High #1: Double Love by Francine Pascal
Parents Need to Know...

that this revamped series from the '80s says it's for teens, but, just like in the '80s, the simplicity and candy-coated quality of the stories will mainly interest tweens, especially those who like High School Musical. The iffiest thing ... read more

Age 10+
Sweet Valley High #1: Double Love
2
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Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing to be concerned about here, and lots of ideas to think about. read more

Age 10+
Feathers
3
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The Off Season by Catherine Murdock
Parents Need to Know...

that there is discussion of girls being lesbians, underage drinking, and dealing with a disability. There is also some teen kissing and romance. read more

Age 12+
The Off Season
4
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Miss Educated: An Upper Class Novel #2 by Hobson Brown, Taylor Materne, Caroline Says
Parents Need to Know...

this book deals with the death of a student, students having sex and using drugs, sibling rivalry, and romantic relationships. One student even deals drugs. This book has adult themes and situations that are common to the boarding ... read more

Age 15+
Miss Educated: An Upper Class Novel #2
4
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No Talking by Andrew Clements
Parents Need to Know...

that there is nothing to be concerned about here, and lots to cheer. It's a story that even reluctant readers can love about good-hearted children and adults who grow in compassion and understanding. read more

Age 8+
No Talking
5
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Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm
Parents Need to Know...

that this book has all the typical middle school angst with some bad behavior, including teen drinking and unlicensed driving. The behavior is clearly dealt with and characters are shown having remorse for their actions. A girl starts a ... read more

Age 9+
Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf
4
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Bullyville by Francine Prose
Parents Need to Know...

that there's a little swearing and some fighting. More powerful, though, is the emotional impact on a boy who loses his father in 9/11 and then a friend to disease. read more

Age 12+
Bullyville
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Off to Kindergarten by Tony Johnston
Parents Need to Know...

that most kids will enjoy this light and silly little book, especially if they are headed off to kindergarten. read more

Age 4+
Off to Kindergarten
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Parents Need to Know...

that main character Greg usually doesn't do the right thing the first time around. His cluelessness about what would keep him out of trouble and why parents, teachers, and friends are upset with him is part of the book's humor, which ... read more

Age 9+
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
4

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