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
How do I get my kid to want to read?

Social life begins to grab center stage in late elementary school. Groups form around interests -- and reading sometimes loses out to soccer practice, video games, and the Internet. But as Harry Potter proved, sometimes all it takes is the right book.

A good place to start: We recommend you find some great adventure stories like the Alex Rider books or magic books like Eragon that have a series of volumes. Then you'll have a new problem -- getting your kids to turn out the lights!

Show Reviews for:

New Book Reviews for Preteens (ages 9-11)

million_dollar_throw_book.jpg
Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica
Parents Need to Know...

that although this book will mostly satisfy sports lovers and football fanatics, it has a strong plot about Nate helping his best friend Abby deal with the onset of blindness. It also deals with how kids and parents both learn to deal ... read more

Age 10+
Million-Dollar Throw
3
FrogScientist.jpg
The Frog Scientist by Pamela S. Turner
Parents Need to Know...

that this captivating book brings kids right into the research lab. There are pictures of frogs being dissected, discussions of frogs intentionally being exposed to harmful chemicals and being killed for research, and explanations of the ... read more

Age 9+
The Frog Scientist
5
mbs3_book.jpg
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart
Parents Need to Know...

that kids who are already into the Mysterious Benedict Society series will find the third installment a little milder than the second. Armed with their briefcases filled with various weapons (but no real guns), Ten Men kidnap the four ... read more

Age 9+
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma
3
cirque_du_freak_book_series.jpg
Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series by Darren Shan
Parents Need to Know...

that the author claims in the introduction that this is a true story, which some young readers may find confusing. Also, many new fans may result from the release of the fall 2009 movie The Vampire's Assistant, which is based on the first ... read more

Age 10+
Cirque Du Freak: The Saga of Darren Shan Series
3
43170939.JPG
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Parents Need to Know...

that they'll find lots of pranks against students and teachers in this book, as well as plenty of sarcastic quips and negative words for others. But that's the brand of humor in this first kids book by one of the Daily Show executive ... read more

Age 11+
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President
4
unfinished_angel_book.jpg
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
Dog_Days_Book.jpg
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
Parents Need to Know...

this is the mildest Wimpy Kid yet. Greg still has a little trouble with honesty and good intentions, and some of his actions are those of a younger child. He has a crush on a high school senior who is a lifeguard, and he follows her ... read more

Age 9+
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
3
wild_girl_book.jpg
Wild Girl
Parents Need to Know...

that a few sad moments won’t ruin this book for girls who love horse stories. Livie's mother died when she was 7; a horse falls during a race; a young horse is taken away from its mother when it is sold. Moments of growth become moments ... read more

Age 9+
Wild Girl
3
half.jpg
Half-Minute Horrors by Holly Black, Neil Gaiman, M.T. Anderson, Pseudonymous Bosch, Libba Bray
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a book designed to creep kids out, but stays clear of adult content (bad language, sex, etc.). While there's no gore, stories are at times scary and unnerving and sometimes involve murder or the attempted murder of people. read more

Age 10+
Half-Minute Horrors
4
a_taste_for_red_cover-364x552.jpg
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
odd_and_the_frost_giants_book.jpg
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
birdie.jpg
The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book by Jan Bozarth, Andrea Burden
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some scary incidents, including a girl falling from high in the air, girls being attacked by plants, and girls being chased by a large sea creature. Also, a child has a rocky relationship with a parent. read more

Age 9+
The Fairy Godmother Academy #1: Birdie's Book
4
hannahs_winter_book.jpg
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
changeup.jpg
Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series by John Feinstein
Parents Need to Know...

that there is some discussion of drinking, drunkenness, and rehab, and the story revolves around a possible drunk driving accident in which a mother is killed. There's also a bit of mild swearing. read more

Age 9+
Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series
4
gifted1.jpg
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
littlewomen.jpg
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Parents Need to Know...

that this novel, published in 1868, contains outdated (but time-period appropriate) gender roles and many religious references. read more

Age 10+
Little Women
4
callwild.jpg
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Parents Need to Know...

that there's a great deal of brutality by and toward dogs, which may be a bit much for sensitive young animal lovers of the 21st century, when beating dogs with clubs is not considered an acceptable way of training them. Dogs fight each ... read more

Age 10+
The Call of the Wild
4
treasureisland.jpg
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a pirate adventure and, as you'd expect, has plenty of violence, though nothing excessive, overly graphic, or gratuitous. But you will never find a better model of a brave and honest hero than Jim Hawkins. read more

Age 10+
Treasure Island
5
faith hope ivy june.jpg
Faith, Hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some quarrels within families, as well as between friends, but that there isn’t too much to worry about. There are also issues of loss and grief, as each girl comes close to losing a close family member, one to sickness ... read more

Age 9+
Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
3
notesdog.jpg
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
whenyoureachme.jpg
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Parents Need to Know...

this time-traveler novel features the death of a man who is hit by a truck in front of the main character. It also addresses a girl's fear of a homeless man near her New York City apartment and touches on racism. The main character's ... read more

Age 9+
When You Reach Me
5
Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.