Movies and games and such are fun, but there’s nothing like a good book for immersive and thoughtful entertainment.
Hopefully, all you lovely Plugged In readers have been checking out our book review section. We try to pick up a cross-section of popular books in a variety of age ranges and genres. But in case you haven’t been stopping in regularly for a booky treat, here’s a tasty slice of solid reads that we reviewed this past year.
The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe
by Shannon and Dean Hale. (Early readers. Adventure.) This series of beginning reader (and parent-reading) books focuses on a little princess who takes on a secret identity and doles out good deeds. In this book, she’s given a little kitty that’s more apt to shred than purr. What should a princess do? Kid readers learn that caring for a pet takes time and some loving effort. And the princess also picks up on the fact that when you’re mean-spirited to others, it generally only hurts you.
The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found
by Jordan Lees. (Children’s fiction. Fantasy.) The Whisperwicks tells the tale of a book-loving 11-year-old who finds himself lured into a magical fantasyland that’s something of a scary and dangerous place. Through this immersive but sometimes-dark narrative, kids are challenged to think about the frightening things of our real world (such as death and divorce) and how one might navigate them.
This Again?
by Adam Borba. (Tween readers. Sci-fi.) Up for a little time travel? This Again? tells the story of a middle school guy named Noah who’s working hard at school and building friendships. But he’s not exactly thriving. However, a visit from a time traveler might change all that, especially since that time-hopping dude is … Noah’s future self. This is a fun little read that asks young readers to consider their choices and what’s most important to them.
Nothing Else But Miracles
by Kate Albus.(Tween readers. Historical fiction.) It’s the story of three siblings who are left to fend for themselves after their dad heads off to fight in World War II. Some violent things are imagined here, but none are put on display. This is a sweet read that teaches a little history while offering up some thoughts on the love of family and community. It’s a very nice, award-winning book.
Once a Queen
by Sarah Arthur. (Young Adult. Adventure fantasy.) When American Eva Joyce spends the summer at her family’s mysterious English manor house, she finds hidden secrets of a fantastic world behind magic portals. Once a Queen is an immersive tale that weaves together elements of mystery, fairy tale-like fantasy and real-world family drama. And you can’t miss its leanings toward the imaginative stuff of C.S. Lewis. The only light warnings here are for some violence and magical happenings.
We hope you enjoy Plugged In’s best books of 2024!
2 Responses
The only new book I’ve read this year is Stephen King’s You Like It Darker, another winner in my book, and way more thoughtful overall than you might expect. Many of these stories shows King in a very contemplative mood. Perhaps getting older has affected his outlook somehow. Anyway, highly recommend to teenagers and adults alike.
Ugh. Makes me uncomfortable when YA is being written by SA… seems a little tenuous, right?
I mean, how far could one go, writing about teen sex, before you’d be in the criminal realm?