Ida B… and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world.

Ida B’s enthusiasm and love for life are contagious! This is not your typical paperback heroine who spends all day daydreaming about a boy asking her to a dance or worrying if her wardrobe is keeping her from being popular. Ida B. (and yes, the “B” is mandatory) embraces everyday to the fullest and takes charge of any problems she sees in her life.

Ida B. has been home-schooled since the second week of kindergarten, when both her and her parents decided she would be much happier at home with mama and daddy and the orchard and their dog, Rufus. She balances her time between her studies, listening to the wisdom of the trees (whom she affectionately gives names like Philomena and Jacques Cousteau), and sending messages on homemade sailboats down the brook on her family’s property, hoping to hear from people in Canada. Overall, it is a great life.

But when mama is diagnosed with cancer, Ida B.’s carefree spirit is crushed. It is extremely difficult for her to hear mama and daddy talking in hushed voices. Mama no longer has the energy to quiz on her spelling or to give her difficult word problems. Ida B. notices that no one in the family, even the dog, looks each other in the eye anymore.

And just when Ida B. doesn’t think life can get any more difficult, her parents decide they can no longer home school her. In the fourth grade, Ida B. must return to a brick and mortar school, which she refers to as the “Place of Slow but Sure Body-Cramping, Mind-Numbing, Fun-Killing Torture.” Although it is tough for the reader to watch their heroine navigate difficult family changes while facing a new school, classmates, and teacher, we always suspect that Ida B. always has “plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world.”

Recommending this book to children who have experienced terminal illness in their family and area dealing with the questions, anger and sadness that accompanies such life events could be tricky business. (I'll admit I shed tears thinking about a family member who battled leukemia.) But with that "warning," Katherine Hannigan’s novel is a true gem. This novel carries the timely theme of environmental awareness, with the Southern landscape becoming a character in itself. It is also great for librarians to have literature featuring a home-schooled child on-hand.

Hannigan, Katherine. (2004). Ida B… and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0-06-073024-2

Confetti Girl, by Diana López

Apolonia Flores (or “Lina”) is a star volleyball player who believes her choice of socks can affect her day. A year ago, Lina unexpectedly lost her mother from a blood infection. Her best friend, Vanessa Cantu, is dealing with the divorce of her parents. Both girls have just entered middle school in the prominently Latino community of Corpus Christi, Texas. As the girls each deal with the absence of a parent, they realize that their remaining parents’ lives have also been fractured. Lina’s dad, an English teacher, absorbs himself in his huge collection books. Ms. Cantu obsesses over making endless numbers of cascarones, hollowed out eggs filled with confetti, even when Easter has long past. Lina and Vanessa try to survive the usual middle school craziness while also helping mend their families.

I especially loved the Spanish phrases and influence within López’s novel. Mr. Flores conveys fatherly wisdom through dichos (Spanish proverbs), like Lo mismo el chile que aguja, a todos pican igual (“both the chile and the needle sting”) On El Día de los Muertos, Lina and her father visit Mrs. Flores’ grave. Corpus Christi and the Latino community essentially become characters themselves.

It is immediately evident that Lina is in the transition from child to adult – she openly admits that her sock collection is a bit immature, but makes no attempt to get rid of it- making Confetti Girl an excellent pick for tween girls who are likewise experiencing that “in between” feeling.

López, D. (2009). Confetti Girl. New York: Little, Brown & Company. ISBN 978-0-316-02955-1

All American Girl, by Meg Cabot

Much like her previous novel The Princess Diaries, Cabot’s All American Girl imagines its heroine in a somewhat fantastical, although delightful, situation. Nevermind that Sam’s family lives in Washington, D.C., her younger sister attends school with the President’s son, and she takes her dogs on walks through the grounds of the National Cathedral. Sam is an ordinary sophomore who loves Gwen Stefani, draws during class, dies her wardrobe black in protest, and both envies and loathes her popular older sister, Lucy.

That is, until she foils an assassination attempt on the President outside of the Capitol Cookie store while skipping drawing class. Suddenly, Sam finds herself wrapped up in a world of paparazzi and politicians, and she is even appointed US Teen Ambassador to the United Nations! Can Sam handle the sudden transformation from a quirky, artsy and boyfriend-less teen to the nation’s hero and the object of the first son’s affections? Cabot’s novel proves that sometimes what you have wished for most does not turn out exactly as planned.

Although the idea of a rags-to-riches storyline may sound cheesy at first, Cabot develops rich characters that set this story apart from all the other Cinderella-esque novels out there. Sure, most girls have never lived in Morocco because of their dad’s job and have never been invited for dinner with the President. But tween girls will love All American Girl’s hilarious scenarios and relatable characters, like Sam’s best friend, Catherine, whose strict, religious parents force her to stay in on Sundays and allow her to wear only knee-length skirts. For those who enjoyed The Princess Diaries, this book is a must-read!

Chabot, M. (2002). All American Girl. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-029469-8

Lily B. on the Brink of Cool, by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

This is the first year that thirteen-year-old Lily and her best friend, Charlotte, will not be attending summer camp together. While Charlotte attends Young Executive Camp for three weeks, Lily is stuck at home with her boring parents, who think visiting the Quilt Museum is fun for the whole family.

At a cousin's wedding, Lily meets distant relatives, the LeBlancs, and the summer starts to look up. The LeBlancs wear fashionable clothing, work as environmental fundraisers, and drink only green tea and water with lemon. Although Lily's parents warn her to stay away, Lily secretly becomes friends with their daughter, Karma. When Charlotte finally returns from camp, Lily must choose between her level-headed, future business woman bff, or the glamorous and worldly Karma.

Lily hopes to be a world-renowned writer someday- she even addresses readers as F.B.s or Future Biographers. Although she is keeping a journal for an English assignment, she takes the task very seriously, recording every moment of her summer days. Through the journal, the reader is given a play by play on Lily's life, and her hilarious commentary will make you lol.

Ultimately, Lily learns to make decisions independent of her parents, even if her Mom and Dad were right all along. She also learns what true friendship is all about. Lily B. on the Brink of Cool is the first in Kimmel's Lily B. series and I think it will appeal highly to girls ages 8 and up.

Kimmel, E.C. (2003). Lily B. on the Brink of Cool. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-000586-6

Heartbeat, by Sharon Creech

Some people think

we are a little bit crazy

running barefoot

through rain and mud and snow

but it doesn’t feel crazy to us

As usual, Creech’s characters are breathtaking. In Heartbeat, we meet Annie, who is surprisingly worldly for her twelve years. When asked to list her fears as part of a school assignment, Annie lists “people killing other people because our people killed their people” and is shocked to find her classmates lists filled with trivial items like algebra. Annie’s best friend, Max, is a self-described “small-town boy without a father” who runs in hopes of escaping his life and becoming a famous athlete. Grandpa, who won medals for running when he was Annie’s age, is now losing his memory and forgets that Annie’s mom is pregnant. As she anticipates the loss of her grandfather and welcomes a new sibling, Annie rediscovers the things in life that are most important to her.

Through pure coincidence, I read Heartbeat immediately after Make Lemonade. While the settings and main characters are quite different, the authors’ uses of poetic form are strikingly similar. Creech’s onomatopoeia pulls the reader right into each scene. (I bet you’ve never considered all the sources of the sound thump-thump, thump-thump!) Creech also uses footnotes to add a surprising and fun element to the story.

According to the book jacket, the book is geared toward ages 8-12, but the verse is so impressive that I recommend Heartbeat for poetry lovers well beyond that age group.

Creech, S. (2004). Heartbeat. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-054022-2

Make Lemonade, by Virginia Euwer Wolff

The lemony yellow and summery blue on the cover of this novel belie the depressed surroundings and tough circumstances faced by Wolff’s characters. Once you read the first few pages, you quickly remember that lemons, despite being the color of sunshine, are indeed sour.

In fifth grade, LaVaughn asks her single mother if she can go to college someday. After that, LaVaughn says, “COLLEGE is in my house,/ and you have to walk around it in the rooms/ like furniture.” LaVaughn’s mother will not let the dream of college die, even though they barely have enough money for food and their small apartment. When LaVaughn responds to a help-wanted ad for a babysitter, she sees a prime opportunity to start saving for her future. She quickly falls in love with baby Jilly and toddler Jeremy, and doesn’t mind helping their seventeen-year-old mother, Jolly, who is even poorer than LaVaughn and her own mother. Ultimately, LaVaughn must choose between helping herself rise out of poverty or sacrificing her own success to help Jolly, Jilly, and Jeremy, who have become her second family. Although LaVaughn is four years younger than Jolly, LaVaughn quickly exceeds the young mother in maturity and responsibility, making her quite the heroine in the reader’s eyes.

While the story line itself is amazingly powerful, it is also Wolff’s writing that sets this book apart. Imagine Shakespeare as a teen girl living in the projects in the 21^st century and you will get a taste of Make Lemonade. The beautiful but raw blank verse compliments the action within the story, making this ideal for both literary geeks and those who avoid anything referred to as a novel. An introductory page lists all of the awards that Make Lemonade has won. Read one chapter and you’ll have no doubt why this book is a winner.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for Make Lemonade:



Wolff, V.E. (1993). Make lemonade. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-0-8050-8070-4.

Shug, by Jenny Han

Shug [shoog] – noun: short for Sugar, as used in The Color Purple. Real Name: Annemarie. Twelve year old female entering middle school.

Shug’s mother thinks she should “squeeze every last drop out of life and be special.” But Annemarie Wilcox feels far too freckly, tall and flat-chested to be anything special. She finds it hard to compete with her gorgeous, Korean-American friend Elaine, who hails from New York and has amazing city style. At her friend Sherilynn’s annual back-to-school pool party, all the girls are wearing two piece bathing suits, while Shug gets teased by the guys for being as flat as the diving board. And to top it off, she recently discovered that she wants her bff, Mark, to be more than just her friend. As they have been friends since they were five, Annemarie fears he will never see past their long-standing friendship.

I loved Annemarie because despite her insecurities, she does embrace who she is, her family, and where she comes from. Unlike most teens who desperately want to get away from their hometown, Shug extrapolates on the many reasons why she loves her small town. Certainly every kid feels nervous and insecure like Shug on her first day of middle school, navigating class changes, locker combinations, and a new cafeteria hierarchy. This may not be the award-winning piece of literature like The Color Purple, but for tween girls looking nervously ahead to middle school, Shug is a perfect companion to ease some of the insecurity and elicit lots of laughs.

Han, J. (2006). Shug. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4169-0942-2.

Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman

Catherine’s mother expects her to sit with a circle of ladies day after day mending linen and gossiping. Catherine’s mean-spirited father can’t wait to send her off with a proper young man. But Catherine has no interest in the things which proper young ladies in the thirteenth century are expected to do. She would much rather put a toad in her uncle’s bed, run in the mud, or pretend that she has the worst table manners ever during visits by potential suitors. Will Catherine be forced into an arranged marriage? Read her diary, written over an entire year, to find out if she can outsmart her father and live the life she wants to lead.

It is actually Birdy’s brother, Edward, who challenges her to keep a diary – Edward is one of the few male characters in this book that the readers finds respectable, rather than repulsive. Any reader with siblings will appreciate the love and support they provide eachother, despite any physical distance between them. Tween girls will also totally sympathize with Birdy as they too try to break away from their parents and define their own lives.

I loved Cushman’s novel and believe her portrayal of medieval daily life is accurate; but it should be noted for lovers of the medieval genre that this novel doesn’t include any fairies or dragons. But for lovers of straightforward historical fiction, and in particular for girls in grades 6-8, Catherine, Called Birdy is an excellent read.

Cushman, K. (1994). Catherine, Called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0-395-68186-3.

So B. It, by Sarah Weeks

Heidi was barely a baby when her and her mentally disabled mother appear on the doorstep of their agoraphobic neighbor, Bernadette, in Reno, Nevada. Heidi’s mother has no identification and the ability to speak only 23 words. Bernadette knows the two cannot survive on their own, so takes them under her wing and deems them So B. It (the only words that came out of Mama’s mouth) and Heidi It. From that day on they form an odd family, but one that is full of love.

Agoraphobic Bernadette always says Heidi and her mother simply “fell from the sky” but when Heidi discovers old photographs in their apartment that reveal a piece of her mother’s past, she must know more. Bernadette cautions her that “there are some things in life a person just can’t know.” But Heidi insists on making a solo journey thousands of miles away to Liberty, New York, to the special home she believes her mother stayed in years ago to figure out not only her mother’s past, but her own history. So B. It is literally and figuratively a story of personal exploration and growth, with a dash of mystery and suspense. This is also an amazing portrait of unconditional love and the many definitions of family.

Because of the strong presence of a mentally challenged character, Weeks’ novel reminded me a lot of Al Capone Does My Shirts. So B. It may not have as much boy appeal as Al Capone, but it is equally as captivating and powerful and, in my opinion, a great contender for big screen adaptation.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for So B. It:



Weeks, S. (2005). So B. It. New York: Harper Collins: ISBN 978-0064410472

What every girl (except me) knows, by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Gabby Weiss is twelve. Of the three journals she keeps, one is an ongoing list titled “Things I Need to Know to Be a Woman.” Gabby has no YBF (Your Best Friend). She lost her mother when she was three. It is these disclosures that begin What every girl (except me) knows and outline the issues that Gabby deals with in sixth grade.

When Gabby’s dad gets serious with Cleo, Gabby couldn’t be more excited at the opportunity to learn things like how to pick out the perfect Winter coat. Then a new girl, Taylor, enrolls at New Paltz School and the two quickly become YBFs, with their own inside jokes and even a spot in the cafeteria. However, as Taylor laments about rarely seeing her father after her parents’ divorce, Gabby realizes she may not have come to terms with the loss of her own mother. She simply knows it was “an accident” but since she was so young when it happened, has only relied on others’ descriptions of that fateful day. The novel explores in depth the matter of establishing one’s identity as a woman without a mother figure.

Tween girls will sympathize with Gabby’s attempts to navigate the vicious middle school social strata. Gabby is also a generally admirable and kind protagonist, in that she sympathizes with girls from all circles, including Lynette (the weird girl) and Amanda, who hangs with “The Ones.” (Okay, she does use the word “asshole” when she has to stop the popular cliques from harassing the new girl.) It is worth mentioning that this library paperback was well-worn, almost falling apart in my hands, supporting my suspicion that this is a book tweens girls will secretly read in bed until one in the morning.

Baskin, N.R. (2001). What every girl (except me) knows. New York: Dell Yearling. ISBN 978-0440418528.

Forget Me Not, by Coleen Paratore

In this fourth installment of the Wedding Planner’s Daughter series, the reader spends a week with Willa Havisham on Cape Cod. Between helping her mom run the Bramblebriar Inn, practicing her skills to become a great writer, hanging with her best girlfriends, and enjoying biking and picnicking dates with her boyfriend (nicknamed JFK), Willa is quite a busy young lady. But Willa is also quite content.

Things start to fall apart when Tina, Willa’s “best friend forever,” becomes distant and JFK spends more time at baseball practice than he does with Willa. While dealing with relationship issues, Willa is also hoping to prove to her mother that she is capable enough to plan a wedding at the Inn for an aunt she has never met. The planning starts off smoothly- Willa expertly selects the location, music, and cake- but Aunt Ruthie, a free spirit and hardcore environmentalist, might be more than Willa can handle. Readers will root Willa on, since it is immediately clear to them that Willa is strong and capable, even if she doesn’t yet realize it herself.

There is a deeper literary aspect to Forget Me Not that keeps this from becoming just another superficial summer novel. Each chapter starts with a quote from Willa’s favorite writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Willa also reveals her own journal entries with us, reads excerpts from Alice Hoffman, and has JFK share the insightful rap lyrics he composes. In fact, I loved Willa’s impressive vocabulary so much that I am going to adopt a term from her: “skinny-punch books” which she defines as “short but powerful books.”

Although tween girls will probably want to start with the first book in the series, Forget Me Not is also great as a stand-alone read… for West Coast and East Coast girls alike!

Paratore, C.M. (2009). Forget Me Not. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 978-0-545-09401-6

Esperanza Rising, by Pamela Munoz Ryan

On her family’s ranch in 1920s Mexico, Esperanza Ortega has servants to help her bathe, a pile of gifts on her birthday, and never has to cook or clean. She has no idea about life “on the other side of the river.” But when a huge tragedy forces the family to travel to California and find work as field workers, Esperanza quickly learns about life for those less fortunate. Esperanza herself is forced to (gasp!) sweep, care for the younger children, and eventually join the farm laborers. Life becomes ever more difficult for Esperanza with the threat of a workers’ strike, a family illness, and raging dust storms. Can she let go of her spoiled habits to help her family get back on their feet?

My favorite part of Ryan’s novel is seeing Esperanza slowly transform from a spoiled, aloof little girl into a mature and driven young woman who consistently values her family above all. Although Esperanza is facing the start of adulthood within a very specific time period and setting, I believe most tweens will be able to relate to the acceptance of more adult roles and responsibility.

Also, even though the novel is set during the Great Depression, many of the same immigration and labor issues are still relevant today, especially in border states like California. This is great as a leisurely read or could be tied into fourth grade state history or social studies curriculum.

Please click on the screen below to view a digital trailer for Esperanza Rising.

Ryan, P.M. (2000). Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0-439-12041-1.

Knitgrrl, by Shannon Okey

This is not your grandmother’s knitting guide! In conjunction with the recent knitting resurgence, Shannon Okey’s Knitgrrl offers amazing DIY advice and proves that knitted goods can actually be stylish. From classic scarves and caps to text messaging mittens and ipod cozies, this book offers a project for every modern girl. There is even a quiz readers can take to determine which kinds of yarn (like natural fibers, eyelash yarn, or boucle) best suit their personal style.

With detailed written instructions and colorful photos and illustrations, Knitgrrl is great for all levels of knitters. It provides basic advice on selecting needles and yarn and then walks beginners through casting on and the basic two stitches. More advanced knitters can learn difficult techniques like ribbing, cables, and using double-pointed needles. Okey’s suggestion for a knitting party made me wish I had some knitting-knowledgeable friends to invite me over!

Readers can explore beyond the text at its companion site, www.knitgrrl.com. The book also provides links to online yarn suppliers and project idea sites. I would recommend this as a gift for a crafty young lady who is always looking for a new project. Librarians can use Knitgrrl and similar texts to promote a knitting programming at their library. It won’t sit on any shelf for long!

Okey, S. (2005). Knitgrrl. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. ISBN 0-8230-2618-3

A note on the final project - books for girls

For the final project in our Materials for Tweens course, we were asked to concentrate on a specific genre of books. Since I wanted to read materials I personally would enjoy, I decided to focus on books for girls. I am not always a fan of distinguishing between books for girls and books for boys, but the reality is that certain books immediately appeal to far more girls than boys, with little male crossover into this genre. There are far more girls willing to read a guy-centric book than there are guys are willing to pick up a girl-centric book.

I selected the specific final project items primarily because they either feature female lead characters or because they highlight some of the social, emotional, and physical issues that tween girls are facing. I recognize that there may be boys who have read or would like to read the books I review herein for my final project. I also recognize that some girls will find my selections completely uninteresting.

With that, I really hope you enjoy my selections for tween girls...

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

Imagine if someone told you to clean your room and you had to clean it from top to bottom, with not a speck of dust left. Imagine if your mom told you to go outside and play and you couldn’t come in until she said “Stop!” When Ella was born, she was given the gift of obedience. She tries to fight it. She tries to hide it. But until the curse is broken, Ella is doomed to be at the mercy of everyone’s orders for the rest of her life. What kid can't relate to the burden of being under their parents rules and dreaming of the day when they can do as they please?

Ella Enchanted takes place in medieval times, where ogres, fairies, and evil stepmothers are a rough reality. This could be considered a Cinderella tale with a twist – instead of resigning herself to a life of compliance, Ella runs away to find the fairy who originally bestowed the “gift.” Readers will be dying to find out if Ella eventually overcomes her lifelong burden.

Levine’s novel was also released as a movie in 2004 starring Anne Hathaway. Girls who loved Meg Cabot’s The Princess Diaries both in book and movie form would also enjoy Ella Enchanted, another excellent page-to-screen transformation. After reading Ella Enchanted, I will certainly be adding the film to my Netflix queue!

Levine, G.C. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-440705-5.

Rodzina, by Karen Cushman

After losing her siblings in a fire, her father by a runaway horse, and her mother to despair and fever, Rodzina is “alone, hungry, and miserable.” She finds herself first living on the streets of Chicago and then being taken in by the Little Wanderers’ Refuge orphanage. The orphanage can only house and feed Rodzina for so long, and as per their usual practice, puts Rodzina and dozens of other parentless children on an orphan train headed West. Although Rodzina is frightened and even imagines jumping off the train to live on the streets again, she knows there are good people in the world and continues to pray that she will be adopted by a loving mother and father. She also finds solace in caring for the younger children on the train, and especially feels for those orphans whose families are still alive but could not care for them.

Will Rodzina become a slave to a rich family, wind up homeless again, or find a loving mother and father? Rodzina’s story, as well as the rich Polish and American history woven into the novel, will hook readers and keep them guessing to the very end of this Newbery Medal Winner. Cushman also does an excellent job of detailing the American landscape in late 1800s.

Please click on the screen below to view a trailer for Rodzina:



Cushman, K. (2003). Rodzina. Dell Yearling, New York, NY. ISBN 0-440-41993-X