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