a series of unfortunate events

Snicket, L. (1999). The bad beginning. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN: 978-0064407663

Lemony Snicket. Don't you want to read books written by a person called Lemony Snicket? Even if it is a pseudonym?

The Bad Beginning (and the subsequent 12 books in this series) chronicles the misadventures of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, three siblings whose parents have died in a mysterious, tragic fire. With no responsible adults to care for them, the Baudelaires are left to their own devices to survive--and prevail over the evil Count Olaf, a most delicious villain who is intent on claiming the Baudelaire fortune.

In The Bad Beginning, the first book of the series, the Baudelaires find themselves all of a sudden thrust into a world where adults fall into one of two groups: kind, sweet, well-meaning adults (like Mr. Poe and Justice Strauss) who are completely ignorant to the truth of any situation, or evil adults like Count Olaf and his bizarre gang of accomplices. Klaus, Violet, and Sunny quickly learn that they will have to fend for themselves. This they do, by each capitalizing on their special talents. Violet, a brilliant inventor, creates contraptions to help her siblings out of sticky situations, always pausing to tie her hair up with a ribbon first, which maximizes her creative thinking. Klaus, a bookworm, uses his knowledge of everything from trains to grammar to snakes to pasta sauce to stay one step ahead of count Olaf. And Sunny? Well, Sunny bites. She’s just a baby, after all. But her sharp teeth come in handy over and over again.

Each book involves near-misses, dangerous scrapes, inept adults, crazy inventions, bravery, and adventure. As the series progresses, the Baudelaires begin collecting clues about a mysterious group called the VFD that is connected to their parents somehow, and the second half of the series deals with this mystery in addition to the continued battles with Count Olaf.

The books follow a fairly predictable plot structure—near-misses, dangerous scrapes, inept adults, crazy inventions, bravery, and constant exhortations to stop reading (a delightful bit of reverse psychology that works). Snicket's lyrical, verbose writing is as much a character as any of the people in the series; puns and impressive vocabulary words are peppered throughout. Each book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, and readers will want to read through the whole series to see what becomes of the Baudelaires. The ending isn't happy. But you are warned at the beginning that it won't be. A fabulous read aloud selection; great also for a third or fourth grader looking to get hooked on a series.

charlie and the chocolate factory

Blake, Q., & Dahl, R. (1964). Charlie and the chocolate factory. New York: Knopf. 

ISBN: 978-0142410318

Like Oliver Twist before him, and Harry Potter since, the odds are stacked against Charlie Bucket. Poor, worried, and well aware of the injustices in the world, he goes through life quiet, lonely, and a bit sad. Unlike Oliver and Harry, however, Charlie has the support of a loving family, including four grandparents who never leave their bed (and provide comic relief). Charlie’s hometown is dominated by the presence of Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory, a place where “Nobody ever goes in—and nobody ever comes out.”

The town and the world are thrown into an excited uproar when it is announced that Wonka’s factory will open and five lucky visitors will be taken on a tour. To determine who will enter the factory, five golden tickets have been hidden inside Wonka bars. The race for golden tickets is an exciting beginning to this story, but the real fun begins when Charlie, along with his Grandpa Joe and four other children, enter the factory and meet the peculiar Willy Wonka. Readers will delight in the descriptions of the candy in the factory (eatable marshmallow pillows, fizzy lifting drinks, everlasting gobstoppers), and in the fates that befall the not so pleasant children Charlie meets.

This book was criticized when it was first published for being too nasty, and for containing unflattering portraits of children in competition with each other and meeting bad ends. That was pre-Hunger Games, of course, so those issues are perhaps less of a concern in the contemporary world of tween and YA literature. While film adaptations of books vary in quality, both Charlie movies—starring Gene Wilder (1971) and Johnny Depp (2005) are fabulous. Want to start a tween book-into-movie club? Here’s your first selection. Read, watch, enjoy.

alice's adventures in wonderland

Tenniel, J., Carroll, L., Carroll, L., & Carroll, L. (2007). Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. London: Macmillan Children's. 
ISBN: 978-0230015135

Forget Disney, or even Tim Burton: this is the wild, trippy original. With lush language and adventure at every turn, this rambling ride would be a fun choice for tweens who are good readers with a bit of patience. The writing style may elude some; for those ready for it, it's a treat.

freaky friday

Rodgers, M. (1972). Freaky Friday. New York: Harper & Row. 

ISBN: 978-0064400466 

Before it was a movie starring Lindsay Lohan, and before it was a movie starring Gabby Hoffman, and even before it was a movie starring Jodie Foster, it was a book. A book about magic, surprises, and family.

 

Thirteen-year-old Annabel is our hero—she’s smart, sassy, and outspoken, and she can’t wait to grow up. Tired of all of the injustices she experiences (annoying parents, unfair teachers, a pesky little brother), Annabel finds herself, the morning after a big fight with her mother, transformed into her mother. She now must fool everyone long enough until she can figure out how to get back into her body again.

Along the way, we meet Ben, (the aforementioned pesky younger brother, otherwise known as Ape Face), Annabel’s loving but slightly distracted father, and Boris, the upstairs neighbor who cooking specialty is meatloaf—or something like it. We meet Principal Dilk and the evil English teacher Mrs. McGurk, but mostly we watch Annabel grapple with the responsibilities and freedom of adulthood. Between picking Ben up from school, attending parent-teacher conferences, and breaking the washing machine, there’s not as much time for fun as Annabel expected.

We learn that speaking up against injustice is something that adults can do too, and that being a 13 year old can be kind of fun—especially when you’ve got your mother’s credit cards. We learn that Sugar Coated Snappy Crackles are sometimes the perfect breakfast—and that little brothers might not be so bad after all

With surprising plot twists along the way, freaky Friday is a great ride. Originally published in 1972, some of the slang and pop culture references are outdated, but the story is timelessly winning. A great selection for young tweens, especially those who have enjoyed Ramona’s antics and are ready for something more mature.

  

teens cook

Carle, J., Carle, J., Boone, J., & Carle, M. (2004). Teens cook: How to cook what you want to eat. Berkeley, Calif: Ten Speed Press.  
ISBN: 978-1580085847

With recipes like Baked French Toast, Taco Salad, and Eggplant Parmesan, Teens Cook is an appealing primer for those interested in getting into the kitchen. Recipes for breakfasts, snacks, family meals, and desserts are included, and instructions are straightforward. This book was written by two teenagers, which lends it an air of credibility.

meanwhile

Shiga, J. (2010). Meanwhile. New York, NY: Amulet Books.  
ISBN: 978-0810984233

A maze, comic book, and choose your own adventure in one, Meanwhile is a fun, innovative book that former Captain Underpants fans are sure to enjoy. Jason Shiga's innovative graphic style and inventive book format, full of puzzles and codes, are pleasing to the eye and to the mind. Full of robots, invetions, and time travel, it's great fun, perhaps especially for reluctant readers.

ella enchanted

Levine, G. C. (1997). Ella enchanted. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 
ISBN: 978-0060275112

A retold fairy tale reminiscent of Cinderella, Ella Enchanted tells the story of Ella, a girl cursed with an unusual personality trait: she is compelled to obey whatever she is told to do. This becomes a liability, and Ella begins a quest to rid herself of this spell. Full of princes, fairies, and other fantastic creatures, this Newbery honor book is a delightful read.

because of winn-dixie

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, Mass: Candlewick Press.
ISBN: 978-0763644321

"My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog."

So begins Because of Winn-Dixie, named for the dog that India finds, who she names after the grocery store where she finds him. He's big, dirty, and strange looking, but he's friendly, and he can smile. Winn-Dixie is Opal's constant companion as she comes to know her new neighbors in Naomi, Florida, the town where she and her father have just moved to. She meets Amanda Wilkinson, a girl with a pinched, sad face; Miss Franny Block, the town librarian, and Gloria Dump, and old, blind woman who the neighborhood children fear, and Otis, the clerk at the local pet store, who plays his guitar for the animals. Each person Opal meets has their own secret sadness, and it is the revelation of the shared experience of sadness that ultimately connects them all.

A Newberry honor recipient, this small, spare book is perfect for tucking in your pocket on a summer day. The subtle themes may be more appreciated be slightly older tweens.

eragon

 

Paolini, C. (2003). Eragon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 
ISBN: 978-0440240730

For those finished with Harry Potter but not quite ready for The Lord of the Rings, who are looking for another meaty series full of fantasy and adventure, then Eragon and the Inheritance trilogy might be just the thing. When Eragon finds a mysterious blue egg, it opens up a whole new world of adventure. An exciting tale of good and evil.

bad news for outlaws

Christie, R. G., & Nelson, V. M. (2009). Bad news for outlaws: The remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. marshal. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books. 
ISBN: 978-0822567646

This Coretta Scott King award winner profiles Bass Reeves, an African-American deputy U.S. marshal in the Wild West in the late 1800s. Included is a glossary of terms, a timeline of Reeves' life, and a bibliography with suggestions for further reading. A fascinating true story.

rapunzel's revenge

Hale, S., Hale, N., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge: Graphic novel. London: Bloomsbury. 
ISBN: 978-1599900704

A fun retelling of a classic tale; this Rapunzel story isn't for little kids. After using her long hair to escape from her castle tower, Rapunzel discovers a new world outside of the castle walls, wholly different from what she's experienced before. She teams up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame), to defeat an evil witch who is terrorizing the kingdom. Witty dialogue and smart illustrations make this a great read.

the strange case of origami yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books. 
ISBN:  978-0810984257

Hooray for books that are pure fun. The action here centers around a sixth grade class, Dwight, a "weird" outcast, and his paper Yoda finger puppet that is unusually wise. Is Origami Yoda real or not? A fun summer book that even reluctant readers will enjoy.

american girl magazine

American girl: Magazine. (2010). Middleton, WI: Pleasant Co. Publications.

One of my favorite Hebrew words is stam. It's a word that's a little hard to define, but essentially means "ordinary" or "for no particular reason." You can use stam to describe things that just are the way they are, things that are inexplicably unremarkable, or maybe a little boring.

To me, American Girl Magazine is sort of stam. Not terrible, just not particularly innovative. It covers general topics of interest to young tweens: friends, craft projects, quizzes, stories, and helps keep the AG empire intact. Sort of girl power lite.

the egypt game

Snyder, Zilpha Keatley, & Raible, Alton. (2007). The Egypt Game. Paw Prints. 
ISBN: 978-1435211827

A group of friends get involved in creating an elaborate game based on their fascination with ancient Egypt. This book, a 1968 Newbery Honor recipient, is full of mystery, intrigue, and adventure. A middle school English class mainstay, this one's good enough to read just for fun.

where the wild things are

 

Jonze, S., Eggers, D., Hanks, T., Goetzman, G., Carls, J., Sendak, M., Landay, V., Warner Home Video (Producers). (2010). Where the wild things are. Burbank, CA: Distributed by Warner Home Video.

This lovely, haunting movie is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic, Caldecott Award-winning picture book. Tweens may think this is a little kids' movie at first, but its themes are quite mature and deep. A less sensitive treatment of the material wouldn't have benefited this well-loved book, but this beautiful film gives new dimension to the original story.

harry potter

The Harry Potter saga (1998-2007)
J.K. Rowling

Okay, so I'm not breaking any new ground here, but no collection of tween titles would be complete without mentioning good old Harry, Hogwarts, and You-Know-Who. Readers who have already encountered this series in book or movie form may enjoy a second go-round, especially since gulping down the books to satisfy curiosity about the plot may have caused readers to miss some of the more subtle and lovely moments (or maybe that was just my experience). The expressive audiobooks are the perfect accompaniment to a family road trip.

guys read

Guys Read is a website where the goal is simple: get guys to read. The Guys Read endeavor was started by prolific children's author Jon Sczieska, and the website emphasizes reading selections that boys will enjoy. Suggested titles are organized by theme, with categories like "Scary," "Sports," "At Least One Explosion," and "Classics that Actually Hold Up." Authors are invited to share their personal recommendations, and suggestions are provided to help parents, teachers, and librarians encourage the guys in their lives to read. A valuable, accessible resource.

dairy queen

Murdock, C. G. (2006). Dairy queen: A novel. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN: 978-0618683079

D.J. is a 16 year old daughter, sister, friend, part-time dairy farmer, and football player. Dairy Queen follows D.J. as she struggles to reconcile all of these roles with each other, and within herself. The smart yet conversational tone of the writing makes it a winning read. "Officially" designated as a young adult novel, tweens who enjoy reading up will respond to this coming of age story. Read the book, then watch the episode of Glee where Kurt tries out for the football team; a perfect pairing.

the golden compass

 Pullman, P. (1996). The golden compass. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN: 978-0679879244

Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Golden Compass is suspenseful, spiritual, and exciting. The story follows Lyra through an epic adventure full of witches, talking animals, and mysterious creatures. The first in the three-volume His Dark Materials trilogy.

coraline

McKean, D., & Gaiman, N. (2002). Coraline. New York: HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0380977789

Not for the faint of heart, Coraline is a suspenseful, finely-drawn thriller. When young Coraline discovers a secret world, strangely parallel to her own, she is faced with a choice: where does she want to remain? When things go terribly wrong, it is up to Coraline to save herself and her family. Beautifully written and totally creepy, Coraline has been adapted into a graphic novel and a movie.