BOOKS FOR CHILDREN: How do you know what's good?

While there are many places (especially on the internet) where you can read book reviews, how do you really know if it's a good book or not when a single book might receive anywhere from one to five stars?
The answer: read the reviews of a book-addicted teacher librarian.


NOTE:
** The age recommendations are guidelines only; whether or not a certain book is suitable for a particular child depends on multiple factors, including their maturity, reading level, interests, and in some cases their experiences.
** While the ratings are largely based on my own personal appreciation/enjoyment of the book, they are also influenced by my experiences as a teacher and the potential attraction for the target-aged child (acknowledging that what one child may love, another may find exceptionally boring). A rating of 5 indicates the book is likely to be popular with the majority.


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Go Ask Alice

AUTHOR: Anonymous (USA). PUBLISHED: 1970's

ISSUES: drugs, family, friendship, trust and betrayal, homelessness, running away, addiction, death.


NOTES: The diary of a drug addict. Easy to read, and gives an interesting insight into teenagers. A good book for discussion and analysis of issues of being a teenager. In particular note the fact that the girl was a "follower" and from that you can discuss how and why children need to build strength-of-character and self esteem.

AGES: Recommended for ADULTS who work with children, or have them.
For children: minimum age 12, depending on maturity.

GENRE: Non-Fiction (supposedly)/Realistic Fiction. RATING: 4 stars.

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