Gentle Reads: Great Books to Warm Hearts and Lift Spirits, Grades 5-9

by Deanna J. McDaniel

Overview

This volume recommends some 500 positive, heart-warming stories for young readers—stories of the human spirit and what it can accomplish; stories of loving families surviving crises in positive ways; historical tales full of quick-witted people (especially girls); fairy tales with strong women; true stories of survival; and more. These gentle and uplifting reads span every genre—from science fiction and fantasy, to mysteries, realistic fiction, biographies, and nonfiction. They are Accelerated Reader titles, Reading Counts titles, and Junior Library Guild selections. Primarily intended for grades 5 to 9, this is a list of reading suggestions for the young adult who wants a great read but does not want to be offended. Grades 5-9.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591584919
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/30/2008
Series:	Children's and Young Adult Literature Reference
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Deanna J. McDaniel is a Library Media Specialist, Genoa Middle School, Westerville City Schools, Ohio, with more than 30 years' library experience and a freelance researcher for Web Feet (Thomson Gale).

Table of Contents

Preface     vii
Annotated Bibliography
Picture Books     1
Fiction     5
Historical Fiction     89
Mystery and Detective Stories     149
Fantasy     157
Science Fiction     217
Novels in Verse     227
Short Stories     231
Mythology     235
Poetry     239
Biography     241
Nonfiction     247
Indexes
Author     261
Title     269
Subject     275
Series     307
Appendix
Accelerated Reader     309
Reading Counts     313
Junior Library Guild     317

Editorial Reviews

Prompted by a New York Times Book Review articles with the title A Good Book Should Make You Cry, whose premise is that language arts teachers love depressing books and YA award winners are full of bad habits and behavior, McDaniel disproves that notion with 500 recommended titles, Here readers will find that books with divorce, drug use, attempted suicides, and more but they all meet the criteria the author has set by being either inspiring, heartwarming, or in some way uplifting. Hand this to adults who want to feel comfortable choosing a read-aloud or gift. It's also useful for book club recommendations and homeschoolers. Arranged by genres, the entries include full bibliographic information, an annotation, and a description of why the book fits the gentle criteria.” —School Library Jourbanal

“McDaniel has done an admirable job of offering readers an alternative and giving librarians a nice collection development tool.” —Booklist

“In her preface to this extremely useful source, school librarian McDaniel defines 'gentle reads' as stories that promote admirable qualities and traits such as leadership and courage…Mc Daniel's annotations are concise yet engaging, and give a good sense of what each book is about without giving away too much of the plot. This excellent reference is geared toward school librarians, and teachers, but public librarians, parents and even teens will find it to be a very helpful alternative to the widely available bibliographies of Christian fiction for youth.” —VOYA

“…Each featured book includes bibliographical information, a summary of the story, the criteria she used to include the book in the 'gentle' category, a notation of special awards, and whether or not the book is an Accelerated Reader, Reading Counts, or Junior Library Guild book. This is a fascinating book and resource to which I will refer often when choosing new titles for my shelves. Recommended.” —Choice

“Gentle Reads provides an excellent overview of a variety of books children will enjoy. . .” —Christian Library Jourbanal

“This will be a useful addition to the professional shelf.” —ARBA

From the Publisher

Prompted by a New York Times Book Review article with the title "A Good Book Should Make You Cry," whose premise is that language arts teachers love depressing books and YA award winners are full of bad habits and behavior, McDaniel disproves that notion with 500 recommended titles. Here readers will find books with divorce, drug use, attempted suicides, and more but they all meet the criteria the author has set by being either inspiring, heartwarming, or in some way uplifting. Hand this to adults who want to feel comfortable choosing a read-aloud or gift. It's also useful for book club recommendations and homeschoolers. Arranged by genres, the entries include full bibliographic information, an annotation, and a description of why the book fits the "gentle criteria."-Renee McGrath, Nassau Library System, Uniondale, NY

School Library Journal