The Giver

by Lois Lowry
Rated: PG

The community Jonas lives in is extremely orderly: fifty new children birthed every year and assigned to a designated family unit - one mother, one father, one boy and one girl. At age 8, they begin volunteer assignments to identify future areas of work in which they may excel, at age 9, they get a bicycle, at age 12, they get assigned their career and start specialized training after school. Jonas was both excited and nervous about the upcoming Ceremony of the 12. Some kids had shown strong skills in one area or another and felt fairly confident about where they would be placed. But Jonas had no idea - nurturer? pilot? engineer? laborer? In his wildest dreams, Jonas would never have imagined the unique role he would be assigned, nor imagine how dramatically his life would change. "The entire ocean is affected by a pebble" (Blaise Pascal) and it turns out one small boy may change a world.

For all the fans of dystopian fiction out there, The Giver is an excellent - and clean - option. It's appropriate for tweens and teens (and it's also an enjoyable quick read for adults). There are a few mild descriptions of suffering and death, reference to the "stirring," and zero curse words. I highly recommend this book. I would have loved it as a tween and am a little sad it wasn't around then. It's deserves to become a classic because it entertains while helping to shape perspective about freedom and personal agency.

Calvin Sparks and the Crossing to Cambria

 by Rusty Anderson
Rated PG

  Calvin Sparks and the Crossing to Cambria, by new author Rusty Anderson, is the first in a series of fantasy adventure books.

Obviously, Calvin Sparks is the luckiest kid in the world. Not only does he come from a lineage full of magical powers  - powers that he has inherited - but he also has access to Cambria, a world hidden from most people, a secret land full of magical creatures, incredible powers, and loyal dragons.

As Calvin and his two best friends spend more and more time in Cambria, Calvin begins to realize that he has a crucial role to play in the intense battle of good vs. evil that is going on in the land, a battle that was fought before him by the father he never knew.

Calvin Sparks is whistle clean, the PG rating is for some mild violence. As I read the book, I kept thinking that, because it is so clean, it's a great candidate for a read-aloud with your kids. Tweens and young teens will also appreciate it.

Sisters

by Raina Telgemeier
Rated PG

This graphic novel is extremely popular in my daughter's 4th grade world, so I thought I'd check it out.

It looks and reads like a book-length comic strip, which is one of the reasons it's so appealing to kids. And, I'm delighted to say, it's clean :)

The book follows real-life sisters Raina and Amara as they embark on a family road trip. The sisters are about 14 and 9, and most kids will relate to their emotions as they worry about fitting in, and how a person can love their siblings but also want to kill them most of the time.

Sound familiar?

:)

Rated PG for some mature themes like wondering if Mom and Dad are getting divorced.

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

by Michael Scott
Rated: PG

15-year-old twins Josh and Sophie do everything together, they even work across the street from each other in San Francisco: Josh in a used book store and Sophie at a coffee shop. With their parents on an archaeological dig, Josh and Sophie are living with an elderly aunt and enjoying a perfectly ordinary summer until an ancient evil dressed in an expensive suit walks into the bookstore. Josh quickly discovers that his employer, Nick Fleming, is not just a slightly odd bookshop proprietor but is, in fact, the immortal Nicholas Flamel. In an instant, Josh and Sophie's lives are changed forever. They are swept into a world of magic, where legends are fact, mythic creatures are real, and the only chance of saving Nicholas' wife and, indeed, the human race, may be the sleeping powers of the twins themselves.

This is a truly enjoyable read. My niece, who is 13, recommended this book to me and even lent me her copy to read. I can't say enough good things about it. It has great characters, it's completely fun to see mythology come to life, the twins are likeable and real, the story is entertaining and engaging, and in general is a fine read. Best of all, it's a series and my niece assures me that at least the next two books in the series (as far as she's gotten through it) are just as good as this one! There are zero curse words and no sexual tension or inappropriate material. There are fantasy fight/battle scenes that involve violence, which is why the rating is PG rather than G. All in all, I think tweens, teens and even adults (case in point) will enjoy this book. I look forward to reading the remaining books in the series.

The First Phone Call From Heaven

by Mitch Albom
Rated PG

The small town of Coldwater, Michigan is turned upside down when residents begin receiving phone calls from the dead. Suddenly, daughters are getting calls from mothers, mothers from sons, businessmen from partners...is it real, or some sort of complex hoax?

It would seem much of the world believes the phone calls are real, as strangers from all over begin flocking to Coldwater to get a glimpse of the "chosen ones" who receive the calls. Sully Harding, however, is one man who does not believe. A single father whose wife died tragically and recently, Sully is determined that his little son not be duped into thinking his Mama might pick up the phone and call him from heaven. There's enough hurt without that.

As Sully quietly investigates the calls, he finds things he never expected. And that's the premise at the heart of this whole book - what would it mean if the unexpected happened?

A fun, clean mystery, this book is rated PG for suspense and mild references to violence and suicide. This book is really completely clean - thank you Mitch Albom!

Great choice for book club.

The Magic Half

by Annie Barrows
Rated PG

By the author of the Ivy & Bean books, this is a great little time travel book for young readers, and actually, this old reader enjoyed it too!

When Miri moves into an old house and finds a broken bit of an eyeglass, she has no idea it will transport her back to...the exact same house, but in the 1930s.

Not only does she have to find her way back to her own time and family, but she also has to try to rescue Molly, her 1930s doppelganger, who lives like a prisoner, terrorized by relatives who don't want her.

Rated PG because the relatives are kinda scary, and the suspense might get to you, too ;)

The Rent Collector

by Camron Wright
Rated PG

I've been on the waiting list at the library to read this book, and when my turn came I zipped right through it in a couple of days :)

This novel is loosely based on a real family in Cambodia, who make their living, and their home, in the dump, scavenging for metal and glass that they can exchange for barely more than enough money to feed their family each day. They are one of many families surviving in this manner.

The ornery, unsympathetic rent collector is a woman loathed by all, until one young mother, Sang Ly, finds out by accident that this woman used to be an honored university professor, a fact she has kept secret for all her drunken years collecting rent at the dump. Sang Ly manages to convince the rent collector to teach her to read, hoping that it will lead to a better future for her and her son, and her journey changes everything - and everyone.

I really enjoyed this book. It was equal parts unsettling and gratifying.

Rated PG for some gang violence that goes on in the dump, including a child gang member who is beaten to death, so if you are reading this with your children, watch for that. There is also the rent collector's fondness for alcohol.

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

By: Stephan Pastis
Rated: G

Timmy Failure owns the greatest detective agency in town, the state, and maybe even the nation. He solves high profile cases at a rate of $4/day plus expenses. With his trusty business partner, a polar bear named Total, he sets out to change the world one stolen Halloween candy basket at a time. He must overcome his mother, school, idiot study partners, and nefarious competition before his business can become the multi-billion dollar, world-famous detective agency he knows is his destiny.

This is a fun book that is absolutely squeaky clean. It's full of funny and oddball moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think kids will love it. I'm certainly recommending it to my 8-year-old niece!

The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster
Rated G

Young Milo just didn't know what to do with himself. Nothing really seemed that interesting, not even school, because after all, what's the point, really? So when he came home one day to find a mysterious parcel in his room labeled "To Milo, Who Has Plenty of Time", Milo was intrigued. Inside was a turnpike tollbooth, which he quickly assembled. After all, he didn't have anything else to do and it might turn out to be a fun toy for an afternoon. Getting in his little car, he opened the map from the package and decided to head for Dictionopolis. With a little shrug, he zoomed his little car up to the tollbooth, paid the toll and. . . suddenly found himself on an unknown country highway in a land full of strange characters. Letters, words, numbers, and senses suddenly take on all new life as he makes his way across this strange land. And a strange land it is because Rhyme and Reason, the beautiful princesses, have been banished to the Castle in the Sky. Can Milo resolve the differences between the rival kingdoms of words and numbers and rescue the princesses before the demons Trivium, Insincerity, and their cohorts capture him?

Originally published in 1961, this book has stood the test of time. It's a fun story line with some great concept visualization. It is a tad cheesy but enjoyable once you get into it. And best of all, squeaky clean!

How to Disappear Completely and Never be Found

by Sara Nickerson
Rated PG

Margaret's father died four years ago, and she still doesn't really know what happened. Her mother won't talk about it. In fact, her mother doesn't really talk about anything anymore. Margaret and her little sister Sophie are pretty much on their own, until Fate takes over and leads them to the old mansion that could hide the answer to their father's death.

With the help of Boyd, literally the boy next door, and a creepy set of comic books that seem to tell the story of her father's life, Margaret may finally be able to solve the riddle of her family's past.

Slightly spooky, this book is best for 10 and up. There is no bad language, but there are a couple instances of bullying and other danger.




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Wonder

by R.J. Palacio
Rating: PG

It's 5th grade and officially time for August's first year of school. Oh, he'd been educated previously - home schooling only - but this was his very first year at a real, live school. Although they tried to hide it, August knew he wasn't the only one nervous about this move - his parents were also scared. They were worried the other kids would be cruel to August. August knew they would be - of course they would. Kids were always mean to August. Not always on purpose, but the cruelty of children had become an expected part of his life. Because August had a terribly deformed face. There was nothing he could do about it. The many surgeries in his short life had improved, but far from fixed it. Can August survive real school? Will anybody be able to see beneath his exterior to who he is inside? What will his first year of school hold?

This book was decent. It lacked subtlety and the preachiness sometimes overpowered the story but all in all, it wasn't bad. There were a couple of instances of taking the Lord's name in vain. No other curse words were used and there are no other content concerns.

Starry River of the Sky

by Grace Lin
Rated: G

This charming story brings Rendi, a runaway boy, to the mysterious Inn of the Clear Sky where he becomes a reluctant and scowling chore boy. But there are mysteries at the Inn of the Clear Sky, not least of which is the missing moon. Nobody else seems to have noticed but every night, Rendi can hear the terrible moaning of a sky ripped apart. Where is the moon? Where is the innkeeper's missing son? And what part do Mr. Shan and Madame Chang have to play in this mystery? Resolving these questions may just help Rendi find his own true path.

This book took me a while to get into but I grew to truly enjoy this charming tale. Ms. Lin weaves modernized Chinese myths into the mystery to create a unique path for the story. Very enjoyable and squeaky clean.

An Elephant in the Garden

by Michael Morpurgo

Rating: PG

Believe it or not, Lizzie and Karl, her younger brother, have an elephant in their garden. A real, gray, young, elephant. Or they did - in Dresden, during World War II. Lizzie is old now, in an assisted living facility and while the nurse assisting her does not believe her, she listens for the sake of her son, also named Karl, who is enamoured by the tale of an elephant in a garden. Lizzie's mother was a zookeeper in Dresden after her father was conscripted into the German army and sent off to fight at the Russian front. Dresden had not yet suffered physical damage from the war but rumours of a future bombing were swirling in the cold air. Lizzie's mother was told she could care for Marlene, an orphaned baby elephant, and so every night, she walked Marlene home from the zoo to their home in Dresden to keep her safe. And because of this elephant, when the Allies did bomb Dresden, Lizzie's family - and elephant - escaped the terrible destruction that occurred. Now they had to find shelter and safety, trekking through the deep winter snows of the German countryside. 

The story is well-written and an unusual tale set during WWII. It offers important perspective as we see the people of Germany struggling to survive through the war just like those in the allied countries. We recognize that when war comes, humanity on all sides suffer, no matter the nationality. 

The book is clean, no bad language, no sexual innuendo, and violence is minimal and mild, almost muted. The story is not about the violence of war but about survival, finding unexpected friends along the road, and how something that could seem a burden can be a great blessing.

Splendors & Glooms

by Laura Amy Schlitz
Rated PG

This slightly spooky book includes:
*  A puppetmaster with magic powers
* Two orphan children
* A rich but lonely little girl, Clara
* Grief-stricken parents
* A witch on her deathbed

When the orphans suspect that the evil puppetmaster they unwillingly serve has turned Clara into a puppet, they realize they must not only save themselves, they must save her too. Fleeing London, they run straight into a trap set by the dying witch, a witch who is determined to lift a curse off herself by passing it onto someone else.

If your tweens enjoy magic, mystery or suspense, they will really enjoy this book. This book is suspenseful but not super scary, so I'd say it's appropriate for ages 9+.

There is just a small amount of language from one of the orphans. Rated PG


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Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure

by B.K. Bostick
Rated PG

14-year-old Huber Hill is cursed with a weird name and a talent for attracting bullies, which is why he spends a lot of time at his grandfather's house, listening to stories of a hidden treasure in the nearby mountains.

But when his grandfather dies and leaves him an actual map to the treasure, Huber finds himself embarking on a dangerous journey with his twin sister, and Scott McCormick - the very bully who's been tormenting Huber since the 5th grade.

With a vile criminal on their tail, the three teenagers desperately scramble to find the treasure before anyone else does. But if they do, will they have the courage to do what Huber's grandfather did decades before them?

This book is an entertaining mystery, one of a series of two (the second book is Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado). Thankfully, Bostick brings book one to a satisfying conclusion before whetting your appetite for book two, which I always appreciate.

Huber Hill is a clean read, rated PG for some violence and suspense.


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Calli Be Gold

by Michele Weber Hurwitz
Rated G

11-year-old Calli Gold is the quiet one in a family of over-achievers. It seems like all her parents care about is being the best at something, and Calli is definitely not the best at anything. In fact, sometimes it seems like she's not even good at anything.

When Calli volunteers to be paired with second grade student Noah for a Friendship Fair, life gets even more complicated. All the other kids think Noah is a little weird, and now Calli has to try to design a great booth for the Friendship Fair with a kid who hides under his desk most of the time.

But, as secrets come out and friendships are tested, Calli and Noah learn that talents come in all colors, not just Gold. Now if only Calli could figure out to make her parents understand that.

When I first picked up this book, I thought it would have a gymnastics-olympic type theme (based on the title and cover photo). But I was really pleasantly surprised by this unique, humorous, clean book with a really great message.

My 11-year-old daughter enjoyed this book very much, too! I highly recommend it, and it's totally clean.


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I Am David

by Anne Holm
Rated PG

A blog reader wrote to tell me that this is her all-time favorite book, and although it was written for 9-13 year olds, I will be posting this under our Favorites also.

David is about 12 years old when he is given the chance to escape from the concentration camp that he has lived in all his life, or at least for as long as he can remember.

With no known family and nothing but a parcel of bread and matches to sustain him, he sets out for freedom and a place where he can belong.

Imagine what the world would look like if you'd seen nothing but the dreary surroundings and deathly countenances of a concentration camp your whole life! I found myself newly discovering the truly important things in this world through the eyes of David, as he sees and feels everything for the first time.

The profound sacrifice of a friend will either propel David to live or die...I let you discover which it is for yourself.

This book is perfectly clean in language and inference. I rated it PG because the subject matter can be kind of intense - he is a boy all alone and living in constant fear of being caught by evil people. However, this book begins on the day David escapes the concentration camp, so you won't find any of the brutalities you'd expect from a book set during war-time. Great, clean book club choice - Chapter 8 will give you plenty to discuss!


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Shelve Under C: A Tale of Used Books and Cats

by Jenny Kalahar
Rated G

Guest Review by blog reader Judy:

Hi! I just finished reading a great, clean and sweet book for ages ten through adult, but it is even good for littler kids if you read it aloud to them. It is called Shelve Under C: A Tale of Used Books and Cats by Jenny Kalahar.

It's cheap, too, which is great... No rough stuff, no swearing, no tragedy, no violence or any of that. Just a cute, sweet and light story that is funny and fun and emotional and uplifting. It has a great message about being sweet to animals and about (animal) foster care.



Thanks for your guest review Judy! We always appreciate it!


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The Only Ones

by Aaron Starmer
Rated PG-13

This book climbed inside my head! It is so unusual and I kept feeling like I should be able to figure everything out, but I couldn't until the author finally tied it all up for me at the end.

Martin grows up on an isolated island with only his father for a companion. He has never known his mother, and his father doesn't talk about what happened to her. All his father ever talks about is The Machine, a giant contraption that he and Martin work on endlessly in their backyard. Martin is sure it has a significant purpose, but before he can find out what it is, his dad and every other soul on the island disappear, as if into thin air, and Martin is alone.

Eventually, Martin leaves his island, but reaching the mainland offers no solace - it, too, is deserted, save for a handful of kids who have banded together to form a small town of sorts.

If you're expecting a remake of Lord of the Flies, you can relax. Although the kids do end up making some calamitous decisions, the story is not about them, really - it's about The Machine. Martin rebuilds it from memory, knowing that somehow it will provide the answers they are all seeking.

And eventually, it does, but I can almost guarantee it won't be in the way you're expecting! I ruined this book for both my teenage sons because I had to tell someone how it all ended, but I'll control myself here and let you find out for yourself.

This book earned it's PG-13 rating mainly for blood and violence, including a severed deer's head that makes a rather gory appearance. There is also some mild romance and shades of spookiness. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone under age 11.


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Adam Canfield, Watch Your Back!

by Michael Winerip
Rated PG

Overscheduled student & newspaper co-editor Adam Canfield's life becomes more complicated than ever when he suddenly becomes his own front page story. After being mugged for a little snow shoveling money, Adam's story makes the news, and his own paper, The Slash, decides to run a story naming the top ten bullies at school.

In the meantime, Adam's to-do list includes saving a 300-year-old tree, keeping a corrupt millionaire from taking over the city, and putting the 'fair' back in science fair, all without knowing if there are any adults left that he can trust or confide in.

Watch Your Back is the second of three Adam Canfield books. If you want to read all three, the first is Adam Canfield of the Slash, and the third is Adam Canfield: The Last Reporter. I have read only book two so far, but if the other two are similar, I definitely recommend them.

Adam's life as a middle-school investigative reporter comes off as interesting, suspenseful, and sometimes funny. I think your kids age 8-13ish will enjoy the series.

This book was very clean. Zero bad language, zero inappropriate situations or references. I only rated it PG due to some suspenseful or mildly violent situations (like the mugging).



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