The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis. Bloomsbury, 2017. 247 Pages

a Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. Square Fish, 2007, 256 pages

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. 400 pages

Mouse Noses on Toast by Daren King. G. P. Putnum's Sons, 2006, 104 Pages.

Half Magic by Edward Eager. Harcourt Brace, 1954, 182 pages.

On my "classics I have to read" list. Fun and clever for 3rd and 4th graders and families.

The Ruins of Gorlon: Ranger's Apprentice Book 1, by John Flanagan. Puffin, 2006, 288 pages.

Redwall by Brian Jacques.Puffin, 2002, 386 pages

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Harper Collins, 2008, 3007 Pages.

Bod, (Nobody) Owens's entire family is killed when he is a baby. But while the killer searches in vain to complete the job, Baby Nobody wanders into a graveyard where the folk who live there raise him as their own. There is lots for a living boy raised in a graveyard to learn. I listened to the audio book-- one of the very best-- read by Gaiman himself. The story told as the author intended. FABULOUS on every level.

Artimis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. Hyperion reissue, 2009. 334 pages.

Love the audio version-- ignore the jarring music in the prologue. It stops. Love the voices and the brogue.

Alanna: the first adventure by Tamora Pierce. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1983, 249 pages.

First of Song of the Lioness series. A Librarian I know and respect once told me that Tamora Pierce was her favorite author. This is my first Tamora Pierce book. I loved it. Pierce is a wonderful writer-- and whisks us into another world full of high fantasy magic, medieval social structures and a believable characters in otherwise unbelievable situations. So well written. Recommend it freely. Strong Girls from a master of the genre.

Savvy by Ingrid Law, Dial Books for Young Readers, 2008, 342 pages.

Well written and easy reading- children's fantasy told in the voice of a soon to be 13 year old. Recommended by a rising 4th grader.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, HarperCollins, 1997.

A modern Cinderella story for girls-- A dimwitted fairy gives baby Ella the gift of "obedience"-- and now she must always do what ever anyone tells her to do-- she is compelled. What's a modern Lady to do? A fun and freshly modern tale that kids will relate to, yet still full of magic, fairies, fairy god mothers, step sisters, Lords, Ladys and a Handsome Prince.
--Newbury honor sticker is there for a reason! well done.

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. Scholastic, 1993. 151 pages

Fabulous Fantasy series-- middle grade readers-- Rodda weaves a mesmerizing and exciting tale of high fantasy-- kids will identify with young rowan, the smallest of his clan who often lacks confidence and feels different from the rest. Great character development too.

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin. A Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2006. 107 pages.

A small and beautifully written book. Rich and luscious language, dragons, danger, secrets, myth, melancholy, battle-- Martin does not disappoint. A small but deep  book for thoughtful and sophisticated kids. a short story for adults.

Fortunately The Milk by Neil Gaiman. Harper, 2013. Unpaged.

Short funny bizarre fantasy- very British and very Neil Gaiman, story about a family home one morning without mom. There is no milk for the kids cereal or for Dad's tea, so dad goes out to get some. When he finally returns home, really really late but with the milk in hand, he relates a bizarre time travel kidnapping dinosaur, alien, balloon story. The kids love it but do not believe a word. Good back and forth with hard to fool kids and a storytelling dad who thinks on his feet. lots of illustrations make this a fast fun read.

Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer. Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin, 2010, 200 Pages.

Off Shoot of a Stevermer adult series, but stands alone well. Very Harry Potterish-including the type set-- but much shorter, of course-- still, this single volume leaves lots of room for sequels. Fun, fantasy magic fiction with a historical feel and some adventure. Ending see big showy fight with evil spirit-ish thing. Good Guys win-- for now.
Rated for grades 4 -7. First choice for 4th,5th and 6th grade book club. upper elementary.

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Hyperion, 2007. 425 pages

Upper Elementary/Early Middle-- fast paced and very well written, cleverly put together this fantasy has all the right elements-- a strong orphan-ed type heroine who sets out with a good natured and misunderstood alien on a quest to save the world and her family. A long book for this age- 400 pages. Funny and well done for strong readers-- due to length, mostly.

The Dream Stealer by Sid Fleischman. Greenwillow Books, 2009. 89 pages.

Susana, a young Mexican girl, misses the best friend she left behind when her family moved to a new city. Susana is reunited with Consuelo Luisa in her dreams, until Zumpango, the Dream Stealer, tired of taking people's nightmares, steals the lovely dream for himself. Susana sets off to get it back. Short and sweet, The Dream Stealer is full of rich language and not too scary fantasy. Fleischman includes a great explanation of his inspiration for the story.

Lone Wolf (Wolves of the Beyond) by Kathryn Laskey. Scholastic Press, 2009. 250 pages.

The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle. Scholastic, 2000 112 pages.

When Mr. Mack punishes his children unfairly, he gets 'The Treatment'-- that is, tiny, gremlin like creatures called Gigglers must find a fresh dog poop and make him step in it. This is the story-- told with lots of reference to poo, bums, rudies, etc. A favorite of my own daughter Rose for several years, the book is funny and irreverant and much loved by kids. Definitely for the "The Day my Butt Went Psycho" and "Captain Underpants" crowd---which is virtually every 3-5th grader, I believe. In addition, since the author is Irish, the book comes with a glossery of the Irish/Anglo expressions used in the text. Cheeky and loads of fun!