101 Books to Read Before you Grow Up by Bianca Schulze

If you are like me and in denial of your age, if you are on the hunt for a good book to read aloud to your class, or buy for your children or grandchildren or if you just want to reread some great books – this is the book for you. Author, Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review and flicking through this book, you know she knows what she is talking about.

101 Books to Read Before you Grow Up is a comprehensive list of new, classics, old favourites and books you may not have even heard of aimed at ages 4-11. Each book has information about the text, target rage, genre, publication dates, interesting facts and suggestions about what to read next. It is laid out in an easy to read and easy to follow manner. You can search books by target age range or genre.

I took this book home from the library, flicked through it, got in my car, went out and brought my own copy. 2017 will be the year where I read all 101 books from this list. It doesn’t matter if I have read them before, I will read them again. I am not alone in this challenge as a fellow book nerd is not only going to read all 101 books but is going to buy them for his class too.

Already, I have dug into my bookshelves, searched the libraries, downloaded e-books and had many conversations with friends and family about the books they have read, or books they think should have made the list. I have even twisted a few arms to borrow much loved editions of certain titles. I have finally read the copy of the Secret Garden my Grandma brought me when I was 8, re-read The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket and am looking forward to revisiting the first book to ever make me cry, Stargirl.

Will 2017 be the year I finally grow up? Check in with me monthly on the Hastings District Libraries Readers’ Blog to follow my journey and see what I have been reading. Between us, I think I am in a bit of trouble. It has just been announced that the next book in this series 101 TV shows to see before you grow up is coming in April.

Reviewed by Kristen

Catalogue link: 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up

Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Can twelve 12-year-olds escape from the most ridiculously brilliant library ever created?

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library plunks a dozen sixth-graders into the middle of a futuristic library for a night of nonstop fun and adventure.

In a nod to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this fast-paced new novel features an eccentric billionaire who welcomes a group of children into a fantasy setting full of weird, wondrous touches.

Lynette, one of our children's librarians, recommends Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library:

"If you love libraries, if you love board games, if you love solving riddles and puzzles then you will love this book. It is fun, it is clever, and it is intriguing. Even though the book is for kids ( junior fiction), you don’t have to be a kid to love this book."

Catalogue link: Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library

Author website/book trailer

Kristen's Young Readers' January Picks

Need a little kick to help jump start your January reading? Check out some of these titles!

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda (ages 9+)

Years ago the seven gems that make up the belt of Deltora were stolen and scattered throughout the land of Deltora, each gem guarded by creatures and challenges more dangerous than the last. The belt meant protection for the citizens of Del from the evil residing in the Shadowlands. 16 years have passed and things are looking pretty grim. On Leif’s 16th Birthday he is sent on a quest to find the gems and restore the belt to its former glory. Follow Leif and his travel companions, Barda and Jasmine, as they undertake a journey with danger, and action, at every turn.

This is a series that I have enjoyed for near on 15 years. Originally published in 2000, Leif’s journey spanned 3 series and 15 books. As of May 2015, Emily Rodda has written a new series, Star of Deltora, set in the same world, for those of you that can’t get enough!



Wonder by R.J Palacio (ages 10+)

Auggie Pullman is a regular 10 year old boy living in Manhattan. Well, at least he feels regular. Do regular 10 year old boys cause children to cry, point and stare, scream and avoid them? Due to a rare, and severe, facial deformity Auggie has always been home-schooled. The decision is made that it is time for Auggie to attend “real school” despite the fact that his family are worried about how the other children will perceive him. Wonder explores the situations that all children and teenagers find themselves in and is told from the point of view of members of his family, students from school, friends and of course, Auggie himself.

I could not put this book down, it made me laugh and cry. As someone said to me, it is a book that makes you want to hug everyone around you. On Friday, a book of short stories called Auggie and Me crossed my desk. I will let you know how it goes once it is finished!



Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene (ages 9+)

Nancy Drew stories are timeless; publishing began in the 1930’s and continues on today. With well over 100 titles and various reincarnations it is not hard to see why she is still so popular. Nancy Drew lost her mother at a young age and lived with her father growing up. Now in her teenage years, Nancy Drew is an amateur sleuth. Throughout the series Nancy must use her brains to get herself out of all sorts of situations and solve many mysteries. It is always great to read a story with a strong female lead.

Within the past year we have gotten hardback versions of the original titles and I can’t believe how popular they have been. It is great to see them getting such a workout.



Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (ages 9+)

Gregor, 11, has has a hard life since his Dad dissapeared years ealier. His family are struggling and he has to stay home from summer camp to look after his 2 year old sister, Boots. While doing the washing in the basement, Boots crawls into a hole in the wall. When Gregor follows they fall miles below New York city into the Underland.

Here starts Gregor and Boot's journey into a land where bats, rats and cockroaches are all the size of humans and their arrival has all races preparing for an all out war.

I took this book home to read on a Friday. On Saturday morning I was at the library to collect the rest of the series!

Posted by Kristen