Young Adult

Young Tim is caught between his brother's patriotism and his father's Tory sympathies, in this classic story of the American Revolution.   I stole that summary, as well as a review from “The Horn Book” that claims this book "earns a place beside our best historical fiction."

Alright, so it is technically too long to make our list.  It is written for young adults, and it is so good that I breezed through this award-winning book.  More kids would be interested in history if more teachers asked kids to read interesting books like this one.

This is just a cool book, as it is filled with tidbits for the historically-challenged like myself.  See who was technically the first President of the United States (a man by the name of Huntington), which statesmens’ homes were burnt for signing the Declaration (most) and how one representative stricken with cancer rode all night by horseback  to cast a crucial vote on independence (Caesar Rodney).  A great look at the lives of the men who served in the Continental Congress.  

A Newbery winner that fascinated me as a child, as it chronicles the adventures of a brother and sister who run away from home and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

My favorite of S.E. Hinton’s coming of age stories.  She is an amazing writer, amazing because she writes young male characters so well.

This book falls in the upper elementary category, but it is a tale that is loved by all.  The author was a WWII pilot who died a year after the book’s release, and I discovered in the Lindbergh biography that Anne Morrow Lindbergh had a crush on Antoine.  Incidentally, this is the best-selling non-religious book of the 20^th century (worldwide).

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read to students (or adults).  No matter what happens in life, there is nothing quite like friendship.  This is one of the most touching stories ever written, in my opinion.

Before having a square named after him in Oakland, Jack London wrote a few good books.  This remains one of my favorites, and I noticed that Dover Publications is offering copies for a buck on Amazon.

If you are too lazy to read this captivating tale of the man who goes from slow learner to genius, sneak a peek at Cliff Robertson’s Oscar-winning performance in the movie version Charly.

The delightful tale that inspired the movie Willy Wonka, this is a favorite of all ages.  Appropriate reading while you gorge yourself over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I also like to point out to students that Charlie wins the chocolate because the other four kids are brats.  Moral:  nice guys don’t always finish last.

Since I am sending you this month’s list a little early, you might be able to read this just in time for Halloween.  Ichabod Crane is such a poor, innocent fellow.  I thought of this book because Ichabod’s love interest, Katrina Van Tassel, reminded me to add my friend Kathy Van Tassell to our reading list.

I consider this a “must” read.  My friend Carla Salley loaned me her copy, and I admit that I read it twice in two days.  This funny tale of summers spent with grandma rivals Mark Twain and Tom Bodett.  Sweet simplicity.  You can read this book in under three hours, so grab a coffee and spend a delightful afternoon at Border’s.  This book is a treasure!

Can you believe that it was only a hundred years ago this month since the airplane was invented?  Too bad nobody asked the Wright Brothers to invent good airline food.  This is a very compelling and informative biography.

I try not to push authors too much, but Peck’s follow up to A Long Way from Chicago is every bit as good as the first (if not better).  Again, I consider this a “must” read, as Peck is today’s Twain.

A classic about a man who receives a penguin in the mail as a gift from his hero, Admiral Drake.  Mr. Popper had dreamed of exploring the arctic regions; now, he has to provide one for his hungry house guests.