Poppy

by Avi

Unconditional Recommendation: A little mouse discovers the truth and her courage when she defies the menacing great horned owl and journeys out of bounds to find a new home for her family.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: The Poppy Books, Book Three
Pages: 163
Published: 1995
Genre: Fantasy, Animal

Awards: Boston Globe–Horn Book Best Fiction Award (1996), New Mexico’s Children Choice Award (1999), National Christian School Association, Crown Classic (1998), Maryland’s Children’s Choice Award (1998), ALA Notable (1996)

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The Bloodstone Chronicles

by Bill Myers

Conditional Recommendation: Christian allegorical adventures involving a fantastical land with fantastical creatures where Nathan, Denise, and Joshua grow from nonbelievers to mature Christians.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: Bloodstone Chronicles, a collection of 4 books
Pages: 425
Published: 1991 (Zondervan)  

Genre: Christian Fantasy/Christian Allegory

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Reading Tips for the Sensitive Child

Does your child have vivid dreams or is prone to nightmares? Are they easily bothered by strange, disturbing or frightening images in movies? Do they get scenes or scenarios stuck in their head? If so, you probably have a sensitive child who would benefit from learning tricks and tools to help them navigate the world of entertainment.

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Kiki’s Delivery Service

by Eiko Kadono

Unconditional Recommendation: Half-witch Kiki with her black cat Jiji follow witch tradition and fly off to find a new town to make home for her 13th year in this darling coming-of-age story.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 193
Published: 2020 (U.S. Translation); 1985 (original Japanese)  

Genre: Fantasy

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Conditional Recommendation: An emotional tale of a self-centered china rabbit who learns to love despite experiencing a harsh world.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 200
Published: 2006
Genre: Fantasy

Awards: Zilveren Griffel (2007), Grand Canyon Reader Award for Intermediate Book (2008), Sunshine State Young Readers Award for Grades 3-5 (2007), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader’s Choice Award for Junior (2009), Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award (2009), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry (2006), The Magnolia Award (2010), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award Nominee (2008), Hea Lasteraamat (2019)

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The Tiger Rising

by Kate DiCamillo

Conditional Recommendation: With the help of a feisty friend and a caged tiger, a 12-year-old boy learns how to process his bottled-up grief.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 128
Published: 2001
Genre: Contemporary

Awards: Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award Nominee (2004), National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature (2001)

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The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings #1)

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Conditional Recommendation: Four hobbits, a dwarf, two men, an elf, and a wizard embark on a quest across Middle-earth with a group of friends to keep the ring of power out of evil hands and reach Mount Doom to destroy it.

Age: Young Adult
Series: The Lord of the Rings, Book One
Pages: 458
Published: 1954

Genre: Fantasy

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Dragon Rider

by Cornelia Funke

Conditional Recommendation: A dragon, a brownie, and a boy set off on a quest to find the Rim of Heaven, a safe place for dragons to live, before humans invade their home or an ancient villain catches them.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: It was a standalone until 2018 when Funke published the companion novel, Dragon Rider: The Griffin’s Feather
Pages: 523
Published: 2005 (English), 1997 (original German)

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

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