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.

The Devil's Arithmetic

by Jane Yolen

Publication year 1988

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, World War II, Holocaust, Jewish Literature, Children`s Literature, World History

Jane Yolen is the author of The Devil’s Arithmetic, a novel for young readers (1988). The main character, Hannah Stern, is almost 13 at the start of the novel. The story begins in her present, the late 1980s, and then travels back in time to 1942. The novel straddles multiple genres: fantasy, time slip, and historical fiction. Stern experiences the tragic history of the Holocaust, and Yolen uses her knowledge of history to provide accurate... Read The Devil's Arithmetic Summary

The Dollhouse Murders

by Betty Ren Wright

Publication year 1983

Genre Novel, Fiction

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

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright is a juvenile mystery novel with supernatural elements published by Holiday House in 1983. The story follows the emotional growth of Amy Treloar and her Aunt Clare while they uncover the mystery revolving around two family murders from 30 years ago. The book won several awards, including the 1986 Bluebonnet Award and the 1987 Iowa Children’s Choice Award. It was nominated for the 1984 Edgar Allen Poe Award... Read The Dollhouse Murders Summary

The Door of No Return

by Kwame Alexander

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Place, Family, Siblings, Grandparents, Friendship, Mothers, Equality, Power & Greed, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Good & Evil, Literature, Safety & Danger, Order & Chaos, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Language, Masculinity, Race, Love, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Colonialism, Community, Death, Nation, Education, Self Discovery, Fathers

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Free Verse, Coming of Age, Race & Racism, History: African , African American Literature, World History

... Read The Door of No Return Summary

The Dreamer

by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Illustr. Peter Sis

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Literature, Justice, Childhood & Youth, Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Self Discovery, Perseverance, Conflict, Loneliness, Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Children`s Literature, World History

... Read The Dreamer Summary

The Eagle of the Ninth

by Rosemary Sutcliff

Publication year 1954

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Religion & Spirituality, Nation

Tags Historical Fiction, British Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction

First published in 1954, The Eagle of the Ninth is the first of three novels constituting English author Rosemary Sutcliff’s Roman Britain trilogy, all of which are connected through the emerald ring belonging to the family of Marcus Flavius Aquila. A work of historical fiction, The Eagle of the Ninth draws upon two historical events. One is the disappearance of the Ninth Legion of the Roman Army around the year AD 117 after they departed... Read The Eagle of the Ninth Summary

The Education of Little Tree

by Forrest Carter

Publication year 1976

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grandparents, Environment, Education

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, American Literature, Classic Fiction

Published in 1976, The Education of Little Tree is a memoir-styled work of fiction written by Forrest Carter, the pseudonym for Asa Earl Carter. The novel received some critical acclaim in the 1980s and was perceived to be the actual memoir of a child growing up in the wilds of Tennessee with his Cherokee grandparents. This premise resonated with the desire of the time to become more attuned to nature. However, the book has since... Read The Education of Little Tree Summary

The Egypt Game

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Publication year 1967

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Coming of Age, Community

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Coming of Age

The Egypt Game (1967) is a children’s book by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It is the first title in a two-book set. The sequel is entitled The Gypsy Game (1997). Snyder was a prolific author of children’s and young adult adventure and fantasy novels. An elementary school teacher by profession, she wrote 46 books between 1964 and 2011, passing away at the age of 87 in 2014. Like her protagonists in The Egypt Game, Snyder lived... Read The Egypt Game Summary

The Endless Steppe

by Esther Hautzig

Publication year 1968

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Community, Coming of Age, Family

Tags World History, World War II, Relationships, Russian Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Military & War, Historical Fiction

The Endless Steppe is a young adult memoir in which Esther Hautzig, the author, details her five-year exile in Siberia, from June 1941 to March 1946. When the American politician and diplomat Adlai E. Stevenson visited the village of Rubtsovsk and wrote about it, Esther Hautzig wrote to him to tell him about her time living there. Stevenson suggested that Esther write about her experience. Published in 1968, during the Cold War, the book resonated... Read The Endless Steppe Summary

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora

by Pablo Cartaya

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Arts & Culture

The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is a novel for middle graders by Cuban American writer Pablo Cartaya. This study guide refers to the original 2017 Viking edition.Plot SummaryIt is the beginning of summer in Canal Grove, a Cuban enclave in modern-day Miami. For 13-year-old Arturo Zamora, the novel’s narrator, this is usually a season of lazy pastimes, but surprises are in store. When he becomes lovesick over a Spanish girl named Carmen Sánchez, and... Read The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora Summary

The Ersatz Elevator

by Lemony Snicket

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Siblings, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Order & Chaos, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Love, Childhood & Youth, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Family, Teamwork

Tags Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor, Children`s Literature

... Read The Ersatz Elevator Summary

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

by Jacqueline Kelly

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Femininity, Coming of Age, Animals, Environment, Plants, Grandparents, Social Class, Science & Technology

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Science & Nature, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History

Published in 2009, Jacqueline Kelly’s The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a middle grade novel that follows the life of a young Calpurnia as she explores her love for science in the highly patriarchal society that dominated Texas in the late 19th century. The novel received praise from both readers and critics for its thematic emphasis on discovery and personal growth, earning it the Newbery Honor Award in 2010. This guide refers to the 2011... Read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Summary

The Face on the Milk Carton

by Caroline B. Cooney

Publication year 1990

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Caroline B. Cooney’s The Face on the Milk Carton is a work of young adult fiction originally published in 1990. The first of “The Janie Books,” it has sold over 4 million copies, spawned five sequels, and was adapted into a 1995 TV movie starring Kellie Martin. The novel was often challenged or banned after its publication due to its references to cults and sexual activity. This guide references the 2012 paperback edition.Plot SummaryFifteen-year-old Janie... Read The Face on the Milk Carton Summary

The False Prince

by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride

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

The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is a YA fantasy novel published in 2012 by Scholastic Books and the first book in the Ascendance Trilogy.The story opens with Bevin Conner, a powerful regent in King Eckbert of Carthya’s court, arriving at Mrs. Turbeldy’s Orphanage for Disadvantaged Boys. Conner is there to collect Sage, the narrator of the story, for a royal mission, though the exact nature of the mission is unclear. Sage is a... Read The False Prince Summary