Moving On
Check out these recommended reads to help children cope with starting over in a new community.
Relocating to another neighborhood or city can be an exciting opportunity for kids to make new friends and experience different cultures, but it can also result in anxiety over having to fit in someplace unfamiliar. The following fiction and nonfiction books touch on moving-related themes — discovering new worlds, coping with loneliness, forging unexpected relationships — that children undergoing upheaval can relate to and learn from.
For Ages 6 to 9
G Is for Golden: A California Alphabet
by David Domeniconi (Sleeping Bear Press, 2002)
This rhyming alphabet book provides young readers with facts about every facet of the state of California — its natural history, famous people and interesting landmarks. From Alcatraz to Yosemite to the 21 Spanish missions, children are introduced to the Golden State's many unique features. This book is part of the Discover America State by State series, which includes E Is for Evergreen (Washington), M Is for Mayflower (Massachusetts) and S Is for Sunshine (Florida). These books would be a wonderful read before a vacation, a visit to relatives or a move to a new home. 40 pages. Reading grade level: 3, interest grade level: K-3. Ellen Phillips
This rhyming alphabet book provides young readers with facts about every facet of the state of California — its natural history, famous people and interesting landmarks. From Alcatraz to Yosemite to the 21 Spanish missions, children are introduced to the Golden State's many unique features. This book is part of the Discover America State by State series, which includes E Is for Evergreen (Washington), M Is for Mayflower (Massachusetts) and S Is for Sunshine (Florida). These books would be a wonderful read before a vacation, a visit to relatives or a move to a new home. 40 pages. Reading grade level: 3, interest grade level: K-3. Ellen Phillips
Goldilocks and the Three Martians
by Stu Smith, illustrated by Michael Garland (Dutton Children's Books/Penguin Young Readers Group, 2004)
This fractured tale is about a girl who does not like the rules at home and decides to move to another planet. Children can relate to the story line of things not always being pleasant and the occasional desire to escape. 32 pages. Children's Choices
This fractured tale is about a girl who does not like the rules at home and decides to move to another planet. Children can relate to the story line of things not always being pleasant and the occasional desire to escape. 32 pages. Children's Choices
On the Mayflower
by Kate Waters, illustrated by Russ Kendall (Scholastic, 1996)
What would it have been like to travel to America on board the Mayflower? Why did people leave their homeland and come to the New World? The answers to these questions and more are answered in this historical account of an apprentice boy and a passenger girl as they journeyed to Plymouth, Mass. 40 pages. Jennifer Thompson
What would it have been like to travel to America on board the Mayflower? Why did people leave their homeland and come to the New World? The answers to these questions and more are answered in this historical account of an apprentice boy and a passenger girl as they journeyed to Plymouth, Mass. 40 pages. Jennifer Thompson
Paint the Wind
by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic Press, 2007)
Uniquely told by weaving together the adventures of 11-year-old Maya with those of Artemisia, a wild horse in the remote Wyoming wilderness, this is a beautiful coming-of-age story about relationships and making tough decisions. After the death of her grandmother, Maya is thrust into a totally foreign lifestyle. Accustomed to a rigid and formal urban household, Maya suddenly finds herself on a rural ranch surrounded by loving and caring people. Artemisia, who runs in a herd near Maya's new home, is also forced into a new situation when a horse round-up separates her from the rest of her herd. Discovering one another, the two develop a bond that will be tested under severe conditions. The addition of a glossary and a list of Web sites dealing with the subject of wild horses in the United States make this a must-read for any horse lover. 327 pages. Publisher's recommended reading level: ages 7-12, read aloud: 7+, read alone: 7+. Kepler's Books
Uniquely told by weaving together the adventures of 11-year-old Maya with those of Artemisia, a wild horse in the remote Wyoming wilderness, this is a beautiful coming-of-age story about relationships and making tough decisions. After the death of her grandmother, Maya is thrust into a totally foreign lifestyle. Accustomed to a rigid and formal urban household, Maya suddenly finds herself on a rural ranch surrounded by loving and caring people. Artemisia, who runs in a herd near Maya's new home, is also forced into a new situation when a horse round-up separates her from the rest of her herd. Discovering one another, the two develop a bond that will be tested under severe conditions. The addition of a glossary and a list of Web sites dealing with the subject of wild horses in the United States make this a must-read for any horse lover. 327 pages. Publisher's recommended reading level: ages 7-12, read aloud: 7+, read alone: 7+. Kepler's Books
We Are Best Friends
by Aliki (Greenwillow, 1982)
In this story, Robert and Peter struggle with how they can remain best friends after Peter moves away. Aliki's simple illustrations and text capture the boys' loneliness while sending a reassuring message that your child will appreciate. 32 pages. Reading grade level: 1, read aloud; 2, read to self. PBS Bookfinder
For Teens
In this story, Robert and Peter struggle with how they can remain best friends after Peter moves away. Aliki's simple illustrations and text capture the boys' loneliness while sending a reassuring message that your child will appreciate. 32 pages. Reading grade level: 1, read aloud; 2, read to self. PBS Bookfinder
American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang (First Second, 2006)
Told in graphic novel form, American Born Chinese juggles themes of self-image, cultural identity, peer pressure and self-acceptance. In a series of three connected tales, the central characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a socially isolated teenager who has recently moved from San Francisco's Chinatown to an exclusive white suburb; Danny, a popular, blond, blue-eyed high school jock; and the Monkey King from Chinese mythology. Their stories unite into a wonderful novel that is funny and truly poignant. Yang's amazing illustrations perfectly complement the narrative. Winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, American Born Chinese will resonate with all types of readers. 240 pages. Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at Powells.com
Told in graphic novel form, American Born Chinese juggles themes of self-image, cultural identity, peer pressure and self-acceptance. In a series of three connected tales, the central characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a socially isolated teenager who has recently moved from San Francisco's Chinatown to an exclusive white suburb; Danny, a popular, blond, blue-eyed high school jock; and the Monkey King from Chinese mythology. Their stories unite into a wonderful novel that is funny and truly poignant. Yang's amazing illustrations perfectly complement the narrative. Winner of the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, American Born Chinese will resonate with all types of readers. 240 pages. Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at Powells.com
How I Live Now
by Meg Rosoff (Wendy Lamb Books, 2006)
Daisy is a troubled New York City teenager with a distant father and a wicked stepmother she calls "Davina the Diabolical." When she is sent to London to stay with an aunt and cousins she's never met, hostile enemies invade England. Her aunt goes abroad on a peace mission, meaning that Daisy and her three cousins, with whom she forges a remarkable relationship, must survive on their own. This is a poignant story told in an honest, first-person narrative and filled with humor, love and the carnage of war. Publisher's Weekly said, "This riveting . . . novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century." What timely subject matter for today's teens. 194 pages. Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at Powells.com
Daisy is a troubled New York City teenager with a distant father and a wicked stepmother she calls "Davina the Diabolical." When she is sent to London to stay with an aunt and cousins she's never met, hostile enemies invade England. Her aunt goes abroad on a peace mission, meaning that Daisy and her three cousins, with whom she forges a remarkable relationship, must survive on their own. This is a poignant story told in an honest, first-person narrative and filled with humor, love and the carnage of war. Publisher's Weekly said, "This riveting . . . novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century." What timely subject matter for today's teens. 194 pages. Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at Powells.com
Meet Our Experts
From a Portland, Ore., storefront in 1971, Powells Books, an independent family-owned bookstore, has grown into a mecca for book lovers with six locations in the Portland area and an award-winning Web site.
Children's Choices, a project of the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council, is an annual list of favorite books chosen by children.
Located in Menlo Park, Calif., Kepler's Books has been one of the nation's premier independent bookstores for more than 50 years and is famous for its outstanding author events; knowledgeable staff; and broad selection of books, magazines and gifts.
Danielle Marshall is a former bookseller, most notably for Powell's Books in Portland, Ore. She continues her love of all things book related by working as the marketing manager for Beyond Words Publishing, best known as the publisher of The Secret. When not working or reading, Marshall can be found with a saucepan or an iPod in her hands.
PBS Parents
is a section of the PBS Web site with education and parenting resources including Bookfinder, a guide to age-appropriate books for kids.
Ellen Phillips holds a master's degree in library and information management and has been a librarian in California's Saddleback Valley Unified School District for more than 20 years. She has worked in elementary and secondary libraries, created recommended book lists for K-12 teachers and managed motivational reading programs for elementary and secondary school students. Phillips is the mother of two grown daughters, both avid readers.
Jennifer Thompson is a reading specialist for the Manassas City Public Schools district in Virginia. She received the 2005 Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
April 2009
