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.

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.

  

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.

the phantom tollbooth

Juster, Norton, & Feiffer, Jules. (2008). The Phantom Tollbooth. Paw Prints. (original publication date 1961)
ISBN: 978-0394820378

Milo, a young, bored, boy, discovers a mysterious tollbooth in his bedroom and journeys to Dictionopolis, and readers are invited along on the adventure. A whirlwind of language and puns, this book is an ideal read aloud selection, so readers can mull over the puns and puzzles together. Whimsical illustrations complete this classic.

beezus and ramona

(You thought I was going to use the Selena Gomez cover?
No ma'am. I'm old school.)

Cleary, B. (2006). Beezus and Ramona. New York: HarperTrophy. 

ISBN:  978-0380709182 

Beverly Cleary's story of delightful, mischievous Ramona and her long-suffering sister Beezus is a timeless delight. Originally published in 1955, the book spawned a series of Ramona sequels, a TV series, and a newly released movie.

In this book, we meet almost-10-year-old Beezus (neé Beatrice) and her four-year-old sister, Ramona. Like the great comedy teams of literature, Beezus and Ramona are opposites in every way. Beezus is quiet, thoughtful, methodical—a good girl who follows the rules. She colors inside the lines; she carefully unwraps gifts so as not to tear the wrapping paper. Ramona, however, is loud, accident-prone, and a daredevil. She follows Beezus everywhere, making mess after mess, wiping her paint-smeared hands on the cat, challenging authority left and right. It is up to Beezus to figure out resolutions to Ramona’s catastrophes. This book is the first of the Ramona series, and the only one that is written from Beezus’ perspective; older brothers and sisters everywhere will relate to the trials and frustrations of younger siblings.

While the reading level of this book will be most appropriate for younger tweens, children of all ages will enjoy reading about the misunderstandings, frustrations, and squabbles that these sisters encounter. Ramona is an irrepressible delight, and readers will empathize with Beezus' attempts to eke out a peaceful existence for herself. Some of the language is a bit dated (readers may wonder what a davenport is), but that doesn't detract from a simple, satisfying story, well told. 

harriet the spy

Fitzhugh, Louise. (2008). Harriet the Spy. Paw Prints.
ISBN: 978-1435273252

An oldie but goodie-- originally published in 1964. Harriet Welsch, an 11 year old New Yorker, wants to be a writer. With her kind but distant parents constantly busy, Harriet’s most trusted adult is her nanny, Ole Golly. Golly encourages Harriet in her quest to be a writer. To hone her journalism skills, Harriet spies on everyone and writes down her observations in a secret notebook. Harriet is a little odd; her favorite sandwich is tomato and mayonnaise, and while she has good friends, Sport and Janie, she has enemies at school, too.

While Harriet lives a charmed life in some ways, a string of hard events befall her. First, Ole Golly leaves her post as nanny to get married. Then, Harriet’s notebook goes missing, and falls into the hands of her rivals at school. Harriet must now fend for herself as she does battle with the “Spy Catcher Club” that forms to exact revenge for what she wrote in her notebook.

This book showcases a strong female protagonist who’s not afraid to speak her mind, an understanding adult who encourages her, and the power of words—a potentially thought-provoking topic in this age of twitter and Facebook. A great independent or read aloud selection for those who like realistic fiction.

the baby-sitter's club

Martin, A.M. (2010).  Kristy's Great Idea. New York: Scholastic.
ISBN 978-0545174756

If tween books were a carnival, The Baby-Sitters Club books would be cotton candy: fluffy, sweet, light, and fun. Orignially published in the late 80's, the series has been re-released for a new generation of tweens (the original cover, left, and updated cover are above). The themes of the book are relatable and deal with the ins and outs of life in middle school. Full disclosure: I adored these books as a tween. Meeting Ann M. Martin was the highlight of 6th grade. I do remember my parents lamenting the fact that I wasn't reading books that were more substantial, but I think a little harmless fun is great. I can imagine these appealing especially to young tweens looking to "read up" and see what life is like when you're 12.

fantastic mr. fox

Dahl, Roald, & Blake, Quentin. (2009). Fantastic Mr. Fox. Paw Prints.  

ISBN: 978-0142410349

In this slim selection from Roald Dahl’s classic repertoire, we meet Mr. Fox, who lives with his wife, Mrs. Fox, and their children in an underground burrow. The best part of their home is its location--in the middle of three farms that raise ducks, geese, and turkeys, so there’s always a ready supply of dinner. Excited at the prospect of each stealing escapade, and justifiably proud of his technique, Mr. Fox is above all concerned about feeding his family. Mr. Fox is an expert hunter; catching the birds is no problem.

But there is a problem. Three problems, in fact: Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, the three farmers who Mr. Fox steals from. Like the villains who populate other Roald Dahl books (James and the Giant Peach, The Twits, Matilda), these farmers are nasty, unpleasant, and all around horrible. As the children in the town sing:

Boggis, Bunce, and Bean

One fat, one short, one lean.

These horrible crooks

So different in looks

Were nonetheless equally mean.

Upset that Mr. Fox steals their food so brazenly, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean plot catch him in the act, but this proves a difficult task. One close call leaves Mr. Fox without a tail; this is when it dawns on Mr. and Mrs. Fox that these farmers mean business. Together, the farmers join forces to dig the fox family out of their underground home. The foxes are on the run. The farmers vow to catch Mr. Fox, no matter how much damage it does to their farms.

As Mr. Fox and his family dig for their lives, we meet other animals along the way, including a badger, a family of weasels, and a grouchy rat. All the animals have been terrorized by the farmers and are afraid of going outside. Working together, with Mr. Fox at the helm, they devise a daring plan of escape and retribution… but will it work? Read and find out.

Roald Dahl’s expressive language and Quentin Blake’s signature illustrations make this a fabulous read aloud selection for young tweens. It’s a good independent reading choice too; some words are long, but the chapters are short—even reluctant readers might want to give it a go. This small book is a terrific tale of adventure, tricks, and fun.

just as long as we're together

Blume, J. (1991). Just as long as we're together. New York: Yearling.
ISBN: 978-0440210948

"I love writing about girls' lives when they're right on the edge. One minute they act like little kids, the next they're young women. And by creating families and situations that kids have no control over, I get to see how they cope and so do my readers. " -Judy Blume

In this coming of age story, the friendship of two lifelong best friends is tested as they begin sixth grade and changes abound. A new friend joins the mix, stretching the close-knit twoesome into a more precarious triangle. Boys come into the picture, parents separate and families reconfigure. Though the book feels dated at times (due to a smattering of topical references to the late 80's and early 90's), Judy Blume once again writes with honesty and clarity about the "hot topics" of tween girls: boys, periods, friends.

Note: This is the first in a series of books I am reading specifically because I remember reading them as a tween, and am curious about how they hold up over time. The verdict on this one: eh.

from the mixed-up files...

Konigsburg, E.L. (1967). From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York: Atheneum.
ISBN: 978-1416949756

Claudia Kincaid, the 11-year old protagonist of this Newbery Award-winning classic, knows the first rule of any good tween adventure story: ditch the parents and run away. Run away she does, to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Armed with a violin case stuffed with underwear and socks, her curmudgeonly younger brother, Jamie, and $24.43 (in change), Claudia leads the reader on a romp full of mystery, close calls, and humor.

Once Claudia and Jamie make their escape to New York from suburban Connecticut, there are all sorts of logistics to figure out: where to sleep, what to eat, where to store their extra underwear and socks, and how to elude the museum’s night guards. A mysterious new acquisition is displayed at the museum, and a mysterious adventure begins as Claudia and Jamie try to figure out the origins of this piece.

A great choice for young tweens, this mainstay of school and library reading lists is funny, exciting, and clever. No sex, drugs, or rock and roll here; just a lot of good, old-fashioned adventure that withstands the test of time.