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.

Unplugged

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Animals, Loneliness

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Unplugged Summary

Unsinkable

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Death, Fathers, Mothers, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology

Tags World History, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature

... Read Unsinkable Summary

Unstoppable

by Tim Green

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Disability, Coming of Age, Family, Teamwork, Self Discovery

Tags Sports, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Trauma & Abuse

... Read Unstoppable Summary

Uprising

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History

Uprising is a novel of historical fiction by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The story revolves around a 1911 New York fire at The Triangle shirtwaist factory that killed 146 immigrant workers. The Triangle firefollowed a citywide strike led by the shirtwaist workers that served to summon great public interest. Thus, the fire was perceived as not only a great tragedy, but an inciting symbol for the Labor Movement in the Industrial Revolution.Haddix’s narrative interweaves the perspectives of... Read Uprising Summary

Varjak Paw

by S. F. Said

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Animals, Friendship, Self Discovery, Loyalty & Betrayal

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

... Read Varjak Paw Summary

Wait Till Helen Comes

by Mary Downing Hahn

Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Shame & Pride, Family, Death

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

Mary Downing Hahn’s eerie middle grade novel Wait Till Helen Comes (1986) is a ghost story that explores themes of family, friendship, and the emotional toll of death and guilt. Wait Till Helen Comes received a starred review from Booklist and was awarded the Texas Bluebonnet Award in 1989. The novel was also adapted into a Lifetime movie titled Little Girl’s Secret (2016), with Hahn making a cameo appearance in the film as the town... Read Wait Till Helen Comes Summary

Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Coming of Age, Mothers, Family

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

Walk Two Moons is perhaps the most famous work of Sharon Creech, a celebrated author of young adult fiction. The novel blends elements of both a coming-of-age narrative and a road story, and is set in the same literary universe as several of Creech’s other works, including Absolutely Normal Chaos (1990) and Chasing Redbird (1997). Following its 1994 publication, Walk Two Moons won numerous awards, including the 1995 Newbery Medal and the 1995 Children’s Book... Read Walk Two Moons Summary

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

Publication year 1982

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Friendship, Fear, Loneliness, Death, Coming of Age

Tags Military & War, Historical Fiction, Animals, Social Class, Children`s Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

War Horse is a children’s historical fiction novel by Michael Morpurgo. The book was first published in Great Britain in 1982 by Kaye & Ward and was a runner-up for the Whitbread Book Award in the same year. The book is told from the point of view of a young horse named Joey and chronicles his journey and the relationships he builds with his various owners during World War I. The beloved novel is a... Read War Horse Summary

War Stories

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Guilt, Memory, Family

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

... Read War Stories Summary

Watership Down

by Richard Adams

Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, Conflict, Perseverance

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

Published in 1972, Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is a fantasy-adventure novel for middle-grade readers and above that follows a group of rabbits as they search for a new home and defend it against enemies. Widely considered a children’s literature classic, the book is also beloved by adults for its engaging characters, action sequences, and lyrical descriptions of landscape. Its resemblance to great human sagas such as the Trojan War, the biblical Exodus, and the... Read Watership Down Summary

Ways to Make Sunshine

by Renée Watson

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Siblings, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Childhood & Youth, Love, Food, Equality, Fathers, Perseverance, Conflict, Grandparents

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, African American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Ways to Make Sunshine Summary

We Are All Made of Molecules

by Susin Nielsen

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Siblings, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, LGBTQ+

We Are All Made of Molecules (May 2015) is by young adult and middle-grade author Susin Nielsen. Nielsen spent many years as a scriptwriter for Canadian television shows, including Degrassi Junior High. Her writing focuses humorously on the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. Like the characters in We Are All Made of Molecules, Nielsen lives in Vancouver, Canada. Her other titles include Word Nerd (2010), Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom (2010)... Read We Are All Made of Molecules Summary

Weasel

by Cynthia DeFelice

Publication year 1990

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Place, Family, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, World History

... Read Weasel Summary