Mom's Bookshelf, Vol. 6, J FIC Edition

I quite like to peruse the J FIC section of the library for my own purposes. So many good books that are supposedly just for children? Such nonsense. There are many benefits to reading so-called "kid books," not least of which you can finish them rather quickly. I find that very satisfying and is probably the main reason my total book count for the year is already at 45 (or maybe I need to make more friends). It is also the reason why I have yet to crack open The Long Ships, a book I haven't opened but keep on perpetual library renewal. It's such a tome, I'm afraid of how long it will take me to finish reading it.

Middle grade fiction books on mom's bookshelf.

(Note: Book covers and titles are affiliate links)

The Great Good Thing. Admit it, you've imagined at least once what it would be like to live inside a book. Well, here's what it'd be like. Literally.

The Goose Girl. After reading this, I could not check out the rest of Hale's magical stories fast enough.

Lola and the Boy Next Door (Technically YA, not J FIC). This book is so freakin' adorable I just want to cuddle with it.

Tuesdays at the Castle. What fun would it be to live in an ever changing castle! This would also make a terrific chapter book read-aloud.

Breadcrumbs. Whoa. Literary-reference overload.

Icefall. Oh, those Vikings! I just love them to death.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow. You may have noticed I have a penchant for Nordic tales. This is one of three East of the Sun, West of the Moon retellings I've read. The others were East and Ice, but this one was my favorite.

When You Reach Me. How often does a Newbery Winner reference another Newbery Winner? I'm guessing, not often. Also: Dear 1970s, I love you.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. Move over Jane Eyre, there's a new governess in town.

And you? Do you enjoy a good J FIC title from time to time?

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Comments

Jennifer says

March 12, 2012 at 11:26 am

I've seen Breadcrumbs and repeatedly contemplated taking it home for myself. Think I'll have to, now.

Also, I'm re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia (out loud, for the kids' sake) and am astounded at how much I had forgotten. It's as if all the scenes--once created in my mind--were erased. The Silver Chair? All I recalled was "something about being underground and a froggy-type creature/creatures."

You're my NY Times book review--but not snobby or intimidating and in the right-sized text nuggets for easy consumption.

Even in Australia says

March 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm

I've been doing the same but now sometimes am surprised by the length and "difficulty" of adult fiction!! I also liked Tuesdays at the Castle and LOVED When You Reach Me, which brought back memories of my own early-80s NYC youth. I've also been enjoying Grace Lin's books - Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat - and getting a lot of pleasure out of reading Judy Blume's Fudge books out loud to my 6yo.

MaryAnne says

March 12, 2012 at 9:01 pm

I love Shannon Hale's fun stories! And I adore J FIC, so I'll be looking for the rest of these, too.

I haven't read any fiction lately, but I'm reading three non-fiction books at the moment, which is a lot for me! Trying to tear myself away from my blog reader to read proper books! "Clara's Rib", "Green Card Stories", and
"Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves".

Anonymous says

March 14, 2012 at 5:56 pm

Thanks for the recommendations. It would be great if you added a comment age appropriateness. Of course that depends on the kid, but I have an adventureous / fantasy loving 5 year old & I'm always on the look out for read-aloud chapter books.

- Mom and Kiddo says
  
  March 15, 2012 at 9:57 am
  
  None of these are really appropriate for a 5 year old. They are Middle Grade Fiction. My Mom's Bookshelf posts are about books I read for myself.
  
  I'll be posting soon about some read aloud chapter books.

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