Recs for Younger Readers

It's pretty standard for me to mention what I've been reading (this week, the nonfiction collection Way Off the Road, a compilation of stories about quirky small towns--including one so small they didn't have enough blocks for a parade route). But perhaps even more important than encouraging adults to read is encouraging kids to read

(BTW, in keeping with my total adoration of actor Nathan Fillion and my lifelong love of books, I direct you to this worthy cause.)

For elementary school readers, my son currently recommends the irreverent chapter book The Pencil of Doom by Andy Griffiths, as well as multiple books in the Magic Tree House and Geronimo Stilton series. My kindergartener suggests The Pigeon Wants a Puppy (everyone in my house is in love with Mo Willems' mad genius) as well as timeless standbys Green Eggs and Ham and Go, Dogs, Go!

I've been reading quite a bit of YA lately, including Saving Juliet (contemporary fantasy with bonus Shakespeare thrown in), Notes on A Near Life Experience (I couldn't put it down until it came to an abrupt end, forcing me to. And actually, to call it abrupt is unfair of me since the concise prose and artistically disjointed style were part of its charm. I'm just pouting because I wanted more) and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, which managed to incorporate both poignant emotion and wit. And this is an excellent opportunity to remind you to look for Tricia Mills' debut YA novel, Heartbreak River, in stores this month!

Prime summer reading days are fast approaching--stock up so that you have something fun to read poolside, but make sure the kids in your life are well-stocked with great books, too.