Fantasy
Skellig

Michael discovers a creature in the garage and his life changes.

Humor
Skinnybones — “Skinnybones” Series

Alex’s big mouth often gets him into trouble with bully T.J. Stoner and others. He gets a taste of success …

Adventure, Fantasy
The Capture — “Guardians of Ga’Hoole” Series

Soren is a young owl that is rescued when he fails to almost certain death.

Coming-of-Age
The Secrets of Tree Taylor

A young girl wants to be kissed and to become a great writer.

Adventure, Humor
The Enormous Egg

Nate’s hen lays an egg containing a dinosaur. Scientists, salesmen and politicians all want a say in what happens to …

Christian Fiction, Historical
Life Behind the Wall

The Berlin Wall dominates a group of teens’ lives.

Coming-of-Age
A Separate Peace

This coming-of-age novel by John Knowles is published by Scribner, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. A Separate Peace is …

Adventure, Christian Fiction, Historical
Terror in the Tunnel — “The Imagination Station” Series

Cousins Beth and Patrick travel back in the Imagination Station to thwart a plot against President Lincoln on his way …

Biography, Drama, Historical
Beneath a Scarlet Sky

Based on true events of World War II, young Pino helps Jews escape over the Italian mountains and later spies …

Fantasy
Beyond the Deepwoods

When Twig turns 13, his surrogate woodtroll mother, Spelda, reveals he’s adopted and sends him away to discover his destiny.

Drama, Fairy Tale, Fantasy
The Isle of the Lost—“The Descendants Series”

The children of four Disney villains join together to find the Dragon’s Eye; each hope to earn the love of …

Contemporary
Dear Mr. Henshaw

Leigh moves to a new town and writes a letter.

Biography
Harriet Tubman – “DK Biography” Series

Harriet Tubman’s courageous efforts helped abolish slavery.

Fantasy
The Witches

Grandmamma tells about who witches really are.

illustration of make-believe boy king and dragon
10 Family-Friendly Picture Books from 2011

Listed in alphabetical order: Balloons Over Broadway Melissa Sweet (author/illustrator); published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, an imprint of …