Good Books for Tough Times 9-12 - COMING OF AGE
|
|
|
Saskia’s Journey
Author Theresa Breslin
Reading age 10+
Interest level 11+
Review When Saskia goes to visit her great-aunt Alessandra, far away on the north-east coast of Scotland, memories return of time spent there as a child, and Saskia realises that her domineering father has been keeping things from her. As the truth is gradually revealed, Saskia helps her great-aunt come to terms with her unhappy past and begins to make her own decisions about the future.
This is a gripping story in which the powerful imagery and lyrical prose bring the sea and its effect on the whole community vividly to life.
Publisher Corgi Children’s
Published 2005
Price £5.99
ISBN 9780552548656
|
|
|
Driftwood
Author Cathy Cassidy
Reading age 9+
Interest level 10+
Review Hannah has been best friends with Joey forever. When Joey acquires a foster brother, Paul, and then falls in love with Hannah’s big brother, the dynamics of their relationship begin to change and Hannah finds it hard to adjust. At the same time, she discovers that her own brother is involved in bullying Paul at school because he is ‘different’.
When Paul goes missing, the police become involved and everyone’s secrets come out into the open. Despite a rather incongruous cover, this touching and funny story would be enjoyed by both boys and girls.
Publisher Puffin Books
Published 2005
Price £5.99
ISBN 9780141320212
|
|
|
Heartbeat
Author Sharon Creech
Reading age 10+
Interest level 10+
Review At 12, Annie is being confronted by a lot of changes.
Mum is expecting a baby. Grandpa is dying. Her school wants her to join the running team, even though she is not interested in winning. Other girls think Max is cute, but to her he’s just her moody friend and running partner.
This short story, written in blank verse with footnotes, addresses some big issues – life, death, family, friends and love – and tackles them all with sensitivity.
A heartwarming, delightful book.
Publisher Bloomsbury
Published 2005
Price £5.99
ISBN 9780747571476
|
|
|
The Boy’s Body Book
Everything you need to
know for growing up YOU
Author Kelli Dunham
Reading age 9-12
Interest level 9-12
Review An ideal book for 9-12 year old boys who are getting ready to deal with changes in bodies and emotions. It’s well laid out in short, readable sections, and is easy to read without being patronising.
It gives clear, factual information on bodily changes and staying healthy, and also looks at emotional changes and relationships with family members and friends, all presented in a friendly and reassuring way.
Publisher Cider Mill Press
Published 2007
Price £5.99
ISBN 9781933662749
|
|
|
The Girl’s Body Book
Everything you need to
know for growing up YOU
Author Kelli Dunham
Reading age 9-12
Interest level 9-12
Review This excellent book is full of wise advice without being too serious. It’s a readable, reassuring illustrated guide covering all aspects of puberty, explaining both physical and emotional changes.
It also covers academic pressures, dealing with out-of-control feelings, family relations, ‘mean girls’, and stressful situations such as parents getting divorced. It’s laid out in short, clear sections, making it accessible and easy to read.
Publisher Cider Mill Press
Published 2008
Price £5.99
ISBN 9781604330045
|
|
|
Girls Only!
All about periods and
growing-up stuff
Author Vic Parker
Reading age 8+
Interest level 9+
Review An excellent book that young girls will find very ‘user-friendly’, and tackles the main worries around their physical development that they are likely to have at this age. Half of this 100-page book is about periods, and the remainder is about having ‘a beautiful bod’, and good, sensible advice about losing and keeping friends, having a first boyfriend, and getting on with one’s family.
It is written in language that a young girl will find accessible and friendly without being patronising.
Publisher Hodder Children’s Books
Published 2004
Price £4.99
ISBN 9780340878286
|
|
|
| Partnership for Children is a participant in the Amazon Europe S.à.r.l. Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk |