This year was a doozy for youth lit. Powerhouse talents from Sharon Creech and Lemony Snicket to Kate DiCamillo and Neil Gaiman produced winners in 2013. Their new titles are among the dozen we recommend for young readers on your gift list this year.
“Wild Weather Book” by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield
Yippee – an activity book with activities that aren't lame. This sturdy guidebook with great color photographs offers 74 outdoor projects, each relating in some way to rain, wind, ice or snow. Build a cool emergency shelter using only sticks and leaves. Create an entire Noah's ark using clay, cardboard and items found after a rainstorm. When things get icy, make balloon ice baubles to hang from branches, or toffee ice sculptures. All ages. Frances Lincoln, 127 pages, $14.95
“The Boy on the Porch” by Sharon Creech
"What a strange, strange thing," remarks a neighbor about a young boy discovered sleeping on the porch of a childless couple's farmhouse. Though unusually gifted, the boy doesn't speak. A note in his pocket says: "Plees taik kair of Jacob … Wil be bak wen we can." The Newbery medalist delivers another stellar story with great depth of feeling. The pages are small, the chapters short. It's a top choice for reading aloud, as a family. Ages 8-12. Joanna Cotler/HarperCollins, 151 pages, $16.99
“Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell
The award-winning author ("The Tale of Despereaux," "Because of Winn-Dixie") tickles funny bones while warming hearts and souls with this charming tale about a squirrel that gets sucked into a vacuum cleaner and emerges with special powers. Ages 8-12. Candlewick, 233 pages, $17.99
“The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp” by Kathi Appelt
Raccoon brothers Bingo and J'miah live in a rusted-out DeSoto on the banks of a Louisiana swamp. They're among many good-guy critters inhabiting this rich and rollicking Southern-tinged tale told in 104 brisk chapters. An ancient creature of the Bigfoot sort, Sugar Man, rules the swamp – and woe to anyone who irks his ire. The swamp is threatened by feral hogs, and also by human types, Sonny Boy Beaucoup and Jaeger Stitch, who plan to develop it into the "Gator World Wrestling Arena and Theme Park." Ages 8-12. Atheneum, 327 pages, $16.99
“When Did You See Her Last?” by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Seth
Fans of Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events" always clamor for more, and Snicket has delivered with this quirky "All the Wrong Questions" series. In Book 2, the almost-13-year-old sleuth Lemony Snicket and grownup sidekick Theodora try to find a missing girl. Gasps and giggles abound. Ages 8-12. Little, Brown & Company, 277 pages, $16
“Fortunately, the Milk” by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
Dad goes out to buy milk and returns to relate his crazy adventure involving dwarves, wumpires, globby aliens, a stegosaurus, time travel – and then some. Young's busy ink drawings lend to the hilarity of this madcap story from the author of "Coraline" and "The Graveyard Book," which won the Newbery Medal. Also a fine read-aloud bedtime choice for kids as young as 5. Ages 8 and up. Harper/HarperCollins, 113 pages, $14.99
“Call of the Klondike” by David Meissner and Kim Richardson
Readers follow the amazing true story of young prospectors Stanley Pearce and Marshall Bond during the 1897-98 gold rush in Alaska's Klondike region. Historic maps, photos and actual letters from explorers greatly enhance this action-packed account. Ages 9 and up. Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills Press, 168 pages, $16.95
“What I Came To Tell You” by Tommy Hays
Twelve-year-old Grover and his younger sister Sudie struggle to adjust to the death of their mother in this superb tale by the Asheville, N.C.,-based head of the Great Smokies Writing Program. Just as Grover spends every spare moment in the Bamboo Forest weaving lovely tapestries from natural materials, Hays spins a heartfelt tale in which all the key elements blend beautifully, from memorable characters to the strong sense of a specific Southern place. Ages 10 and up. Egmont, 296 pages, $16.99
“The President Has Been Shot! The Assassination of John F. Kennedy” by James L. Swanson
Some kids dig nonfiction. Historian Swanson introduces his main players, JFK and Lee Harvey Oswald, before delving into an absorbing play-by-play of Nov. 22, 1963, and the days that followed. Enhanced by many historic black-and-white photos and some nicely detailed diagrams, this is one classy keepsake. Ages 11-16. Scholastic Press, 270 pages, $18.99
“Picture Me Gone” by Meg Rosoff
Gaining momentum as a crossover title (also enjoyed by adults) and nominated for the National Book Award, this inventive story is narrated by 12-year-old Mila, who has unique abilities to read moods and spot clues. When a family friend goes missing, Mila travels with her dad from England to upstate New York to help in the search. But the plot is secondary to Mila's original voice and perspective on life. Ages 12 and up. Putnam, 239 pages, $17.99
“Unbreakable” by Kami Garcia
Paranormal forces, demons, romance. Here's the start of Legion, the next hot new series in this red-hot genre by the co-author of the bestselling "Beautiful Creatures" novels. The Legion of the Black Dove is a small secret society of ghost hunters that protects the world from a vengeful demon. One early reader pegged it as "supernatural meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Ages 12 and up. Little, Brown & Company, 320 pages, $18
“The Hunger Games” trilogy boxed set by Suzanne Collins
This boxed set could be the gift that counts for the youngster ready to devour "The Hunger Games" trio. They're paperbacks but super-strong and handsome. Ages 13 and up. Scholastic, $40.
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