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.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

by Robert C. O'Brien

Publication year 1971

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, Science & Technology, Grief, Aging, Death, Place, Friendship, Safety & Danger, Mothers, Animals, Family, The Past, Future, Education, Perseverance, Conflict, Hope

Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Animals, Technology, Grief & Death, Agriculture, Parenting, Science & Nature, Philosophy, Sociology

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a children’s science fiction novel written in 1971 by Robert C. O’Brien. It tells the story of a field mouse whose son becomes ill as moving day approaches, so she enlists the help of a group of highly intelligent experimental rats for help. Robert C. O’Brien was inspired to write the Rats of NIMH after a visit to the National Institute of Mental Health’s experimental rat compound... Read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Summary

My Brother Sam Is Dead

by James Lincoln Collier, Christopher Collier

Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, War, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Historical Fiction, American Revolution, Military & War, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Classic Fiction

My Brother Sam Is Dead tells the story of the Tim Meeker and his family during the years of the American Revolutionary War. Published in 1974, the novel won many awards, including a Newbery Honor, an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book designation, and National Book Award nomination. James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier, the authors, are brothers who together wrote a series of historical novels for young adults. James, a journalist, wrote most of... Read My Brother Sam Is Dead Summary

My Father's Dragon

by Ruth Stiles Gannett

Publication year 1948

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Childhood & Youth, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Classic Fiction, Animals

In Ruth Stiles Gannett’s classic children’s adventure, My Father’s Dragon (1948), nine-year-old Elmer Elevator runs away to rescue a baby dragon held captive by the animals of Wild Island. Elmer must navigate a dense jungle and outwit fearsome adversaries, including tigers, a rhinoceros, and a lion in his expedition and, hopefully, realize his own dream of flying. As Elmer follows his quest, Gannett explores themes of courage, cleverness, and social sensitivity. My Father’s Dragon received... Read My Father's Dragon Summary

My Life as a Book

by Janet Tashjian

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Childhood & Youth, Friendship, Fathers, Mothers

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Education, Grief & Death, Parenting, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction

... Read My Life as a Book Summary

My Name Is Not Easy

by Debby Dahl Edwardson

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Education, Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Family, Siblings, Colonialism, Politics & Government, Justice, Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Historical Fiction

... Read My Name Is Not Easy Summary

My Side of the Mountain

by Jean Craighead George

Publication year 1959

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Animals, Coming of Age, Community

Tags Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Animals, Science & Nature, Realistic Fiction

My Side of the Mountain is a 1959 adventure novel by Jean Craighead George. It is the first in a five-book series, though George’s sequel, On the Far Side of the Mountain, was not published until 1990. As discussed in the Author’s Preface, My Side of the Mountain is inspired largely by George’s own experiences as a child. Growing up, George loved nature and attempted to run away from home to live in the outdoors... Read My Side of the Mountain Summary