Juvenile Literature

The books in this collection navigate themes and ideas appropriate for younger readers. Whether you're looking for contemporary hits like Front Desk by Kelly Yang or beloved classics like Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, you can explore this collection to find a title that will excite the young readers in your life.

Dark Life

by Kat Falls

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Environment

Tags Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Climate Change, Children`s Literature

Dark Life (2010) is a dystopian young adult novel by American author Kat Falls. The novel is the first of a two-part series, followed by Rip Tide. Dark Life is set in post-apocalyptic East-Coast America, now ruled by a government called the Commonwealth. Water covers most of the planet’s surface in the wake of climate change and a select group of pioneers now live under the sea. Teenage protagonist Ty Townson uncovers a wide-reaching government... Read Dark Life Summary

Dash

by Kirby Larson

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Race, Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Animals, Children`s Literature, Military & War, World History

... Read Dash Summary

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

by Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Ingri d'Aulaire

Publication year 1962

Genre Anthology/Varied Collection, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Language, Appearance & Reality, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Marriage, Siblings, Colonialism, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Children`s Literature

... Read D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths Summary

Day of Tears

by Julius Lester

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History, Arts & Culture

Day of Tears: A Novel in Dialogue is a young adult book of historical fiction written by Julius Lester and published in 2005. It was the 2006 winner of the Coretta Scott King Award as well as numerous other YA awards. The book concerns the largest slave auction in American history, which took place on March 2 and 3, 1859, in Savannah, Georgia. Plantation owner Pierce Butler sells more than 400 persons to repay his... Read Day of Tears Summary

Dead End In Norvelt

by Jack Gantos

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Coming of Age, Place, Self Discovery, Good & Evil

Tags Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Humor, Life-Inspired Fiction

Jack Gantos is the author of the coming-of-age, historical fiction novel Dead End in Norvelt (2011). The story is partly autobiographical, as it is based on Gantos’s experiences growing up in the early 1960s in Pennsylvania. Gantos gives the adolescent main character his name. Gantos has published many books for children and young readers including the illustrated Rotten Ralph series (1976-2011), a chapter book series about Joey Pigza (1998-2014), and the memoir Hole in My... Read Dead End In Norvelt Summary

Dear Mr. Henshaw

by Beverly Cleary

Publication year 1983

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Family

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

Published in 1983 and winner of the 1984 Newberry Award, Beverly Cleary’s Dear Mr. Henshaw marks a departure for the novelist known for her books that celebrate the whimsy and adventurousness of childhood. Dear Mr. Henshaw is an epistolary novel, in which protagonist and aspiring author Leigh Botts narrates his story through letters and diary entries addressed to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. Leigh begins writing yearly letters to Mr. Henshaw in second grade but... Read Dear Mr. Henshaw Summary

Death Cloud

by Andrew Lane

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Self Discovery, Loneliness, Appearance & Reality, Teamwork

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, World History

... Read Death Cloud Summary

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

by Mary Downing Hahn

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Memory, Death

Tags Horror & Suspense, Relationships, Science Fiction, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

Mary Downing Hahn’s Deep and Dark and Dangerous, published in 2007 by Clarion Books, is one of numerous stories in the American artist and former librarian’s extensive catalogue. Hahn has published in the historical fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction genres, but some of her most acclaimed novels are ghost stories—including this one. Deep and Dark and Dangerous was well received by critics and was awarded Missouri’s 2010 Mark Twain Award for the best book for... Read Deep and Dark and Dangerous Summary

Deep Water

by Watt Key

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Survival Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Jeff Kinney

Publication year 2007

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Siblings, Childhood & Youth, Guilt, Shame & Pride, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Relationships, Bullying, Children`s Literature

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the first graphic novel in the titular series by Jeff Kinney. Since its initial publication in 2007, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has become a New York Times bestseller and 16 sequels have followed in the series, including Rodrick Rules (2008) and The Last Straw (2009). Diary of a Wimpy Kid is written in a diary format and documents the misadventures of middle school student Greg Heffley, who longs... Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid Summary

Discovering Wes Moore

by Wes Moore

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Coming of Age, Race, Childhood & Youth, Hate & Anger

Tags Inspirational, Coming of Age, Race & Racism, Social Class, Poverty, Incarceration, Social Justice, Trauma & Abuse, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Biography

... Read Discovering Wes Moore Summary