The Tiger Rising: What is left unsaid

Title: The Tiger Rising
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Age Range: 9-12
Genre: Realistic Fiction

One of the reasons I love this book is the restraint that Kate DicCamillo uses in the telling of it.  Rather than flooding the reader with tons of words, she chooses to use as few words as possible.  She exercises restraint and as a result, it is just as much what is unsaid that makes the language powerful.  The main character in the book, Rob Horton, is bullied at school, has no friends, and truly no hope for his life, following the death of his mother.  The book shows his transformation from that person to one at the end who is different and changed from how he has begun.  The book is beautifully written, with wonderful language and engaging characters such as Sistine, the girl who will become his friend, and Willie May, a wise woman with whom Rob discusses the more tricky points of his life.

There are many deep issues that are touched upon in the book.  One is the death of a parent, and how to recover from it.  Secondly is the issue of bullying and how to survive and possibly even avoid it.  Rob is bullied mercilessly and the taunts that he has to deal with are not easy ones. The book touches on loneliness, finding friends, being an outcast and the search for hope.  There theme of people and animals in cages, an idea that many students may not fully understand, but an important point of discussion nonetheless.  It is a book for your more mature reader, not because of the language, but because of some of the content.

B is for Betsy: If you like things simple

Title: B is for Betsy
Author: Carolyn Haywood
Age Range: 5-10
Genre: Chapter books, realistic fiction

I remember reading B is for Betsy growing up. It was one of my favorite books as a child, and I read the books over and over to my mother's dismay.  She constantly told me to try something different, something more challenging, some different genre, but I was always drawn back to Betsy and her adventures in school and her town.

I just recently remembered this book and handed it to my six year old to read.  I can usually tell if she likes a book when she starts reading and is extremely quiet.  It means the book has transported her to a place she doesn't want to leave and she can't wait to see how it turns out.  This happened with this book as she disappeared behind the sofa for an hour and appeared later saying, "I finished it Mom!"  She was thrilled to be reading it as it did chronicle Betsy in her first grade year, just like my daughter.

One of the reasons I like this book is that it focuses on relationships, conversations, and the human side of life.  There is no technology (the book was published in 1939 after all), no phones, no emails, no iphones - nothing to detract from face to face conversations among children and their parents.  It is somewhat idyllic in its tone, but it does expose some common fears and problems for young kids.  For example, the first chapter focuses on the first day of first grade for Betsy, who has never been to school.  She has not attended preschool, daycare, or kindergarten, which are modern educational methods.  Up until now she has been at home with her mother enjoying, playing and having fun.  Suddenly it is the first day of first grade, and she has a brand new dress, brand new shoes, and brand new book book, but has dread and fear in her heart.  She has heard bad things about school from someone and it has completely colored her opinion about what her school will be like.  The chapter reveals Betsy fears, and also shows how all of those fears are unfounded.  Even at the end of the chapter,  she comes home to tell her mother that she made a friend.

It is a beautiful portrayal of childhood and a timeless read.  It is a must for any little girl to read.

The first (it's a series!  YAY!)


The second....just gave it to daughter and she devoured it.  Talks about losing teeth and other fun adventures of growing up.


The third


The fourth

All of a Kind Family: Good clean fun and a window into the past

Title: All of a Kind Family
Author: Sydney Taylor, Helen John
Age Range: 7-12
Genre: Historical Fiction

I worry a lot about what my children consider to be entertainment.  In a world where there is TV, amusement parks, ipods, iphones, cable, video games and cartoons, there is never any lack of entertainment.  But I worry that this overly commercialized society will eventually stifle any creative juices in their bones and stunt their imaginations.

I spend a lot of time talking to my children about how the world is changing, and how they have so many things that I didn't have as a child.  I also really like them to read about times and places where people didn't have as much, and instead relied on their wits, their imagination, and their spunk to get them through the day.  I like them to imagine worlds where the things that they consider to be normal didn't exist and still people were very happy and enjoyed and loved their life.

I loved this book as a child.  I remember picking it up at my local library, and reading the first page and deciding to get it.  It was a heavy hardback book, but I loved reading books about lots of siblings, especially sisters since I didn't have any sisters.  There were several in the series and I know I read all of them.

The story takes place in New York, post WWII and portrays a wonderful Jewish family and the escapades of their life. There are five girls ranging in age from four years to twelve year old.  It is more a series of vignettes and isn't really one cohesive novel with a beginning, a middle and an end.  Rather it captures individual moments in the family's life and how they deal with those situations are really funny.  One such story is the one where the girls have to dust (they have chores!) and they complain about how much they hate dusting.  Their mother decides to make a game of it and hides buttons, and as the girls dust, they are supposed to try and find the buttons.  It's a cute game and one I think I may have my kids try when I want them to mop the floor or something.  It has such a sense of good clean fun and the adventures and misadventures of the girls are wonderful to read about.

This would be a great read aloud book with your child, if he or she can't read well enough yet.

The Secret Garden: The magic of the outdoors

Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrator: Inga Moore
Age Range: ages 8-12 (possibly age 6+ if read aloud and discussed)

In a world that is overflowing with technology, media, video games, and entertainment, it is hard to understand the appeal of a garden.  However, on a recent visit to my parents' house in Southern California, I've discovered that my children, all three of them enjoy a beautiful garden in a way I would have never had expected them to.  They go outside, water the plants, pick up different flowers, admire the flower petals, smell roses, pick fruit and just enjoy the beautiful space outside that my parents have created and maintain with their hard work.  Every evening, we would go outside and the kids would find something new to look at in the garden, something new to pick up, a secret corner to explore and a new flower to discover.  The backyard garden is a magical place for them and it warmed my mother's heart to see them enjoying a space that she and my father had worked so hard to create.

And it was with that vision in mind that reminded me of this book, one of my personal favorites as a child.  I'm sure I read this book at least 20 times if not more, and adored every single read I did of the book.  The book captures the experience of a young girl, Mary, who has been recently orphaned and who has not really ever received much love in her life.  Mary is then sent to live with a cold distant uncle who doesn't really have any idea how to raise and deal with children.  The house is a beautiful large home, but with no heart in it and filled with sad mysteries and pain.  Mary begins unraveling some of the mysteries, including discovering a cousin, Colin who is an invalid and unable to leave his bed. 

Mary also begins befriending some people in the house, and makes a friend with Dickon, who happens to be the most wonderful person of all, because he understands the world of living creatures and plants.  With Dickon's help, Mary begins reviving a garden that has long been locked away and neglected and with her love and devotion, she brings it back to life.  In addition, Colin also discovers his own power of his legs and begins to walk.  Through the garden and Mary's love, the house is restored to one of joy and the family is made to be whole.

This is a magical book about the healing power of the outdoors.  It also is a testament to the power of love and devotion and the amazing power of purpose and joy.  it is a wonderful read, a classic with rich vocabulary, details and wonderful narrative.  It is not a flash in the pan book, and it is rather dense in its text, but it is absolutely wonderful and a must read for any child. 

The beautiful hardback version with gorgeous illustrations


Paperback version, same text, no illustrations

Scat: Eerily appropriate in light of the BP oil debacle in the Gulf

Title: Scat
Author: Carl Hiassen
Age Range: Ages 9-12
Genre:  Fiction, environmental focus

The author of Scat, Carl Hiaasen is a native of Florida and writes both adult and children's books which focus on his native state.  He both celebrates and criticizes all the glory of his state, and concentrates his criticism on environmental issues of his state.  He creates such fascinating villains, usually a money-hungry-not-so-bright businessman.

I'm reading this book with two of my students and the environmental issues that is discussed is oil drilling and the problems it causes.  There is even a mention in the book how Floridians don't want off-shore drilling off their waters and one of my students asked what that meant.  I explained it meant drilling in deep waters off the coast, and used the current BP oil "mistake" to show what COULD happen.  Of course my students once they heard that, started really villain-izing Drake MacBride, calling him an oil-hungry idiot. 

The hero of the book is a middle school boy named Nick Waters, who unexpectedly ends up entangled in a web of mystery surrounding the disappearance of the most feared teacher at his school, the science teacher Ms. Starch.  Although she is an unpleasant teacher, he and his friend Marta take it upon themselves to figure what has happened to her.  Investigating her disappearance leads them on a trail of an endangered baby panther, unscrupulous oil people, and a radical hippie environmentalist who wants to save Florida from being destroyed by greed.

The book has multiple plot lines so there is quite a bit of bouncing back and forth.  That can be slightly confusing to readers, but eventually the rhythm gets established and it becomes clear who is whom.  In the end all the different plot lines get ironed out, wrapped up, and resolved in a most unexpected way.

Some things to watch out for - there is some violence as Nick's father, who is in the National Guard deployed in Iraq, gets his arm blown off and destroyed by an RPG.  There is the use of the word ass, dumbass, smartass, which not all parents are keen to read.  There are also images of adults drinking, smoking and getting drunk.



His 2nd book - the environmental issue is dumping waste in protected waters


The 1st book - the environmental issue is the destruction of the habitat of tiny owls that burrow into the ground.

Cobble Street Cousins - In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen: A time when life was simpler

Title: In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin
Age Range: 5-10
Genre: Early chapter books

My oldest child is just 6 years old.   I teacha wide range of students (4th grade through high school) so although I know many titles for kids to read, not everything I feel is appropriate for her.  She is a fast reader and a very good one, and I've really struggled to find the kind of book that I want her to read. Unfortunately, I'm not so into the Rainbow Fairy series, Judy Moody, or Junie B. Jones which often seems to represent the bulk of what is available to an early chapter reader.

I like books that reflect a simpler time, simpler lifestyle and no sassy kids saying obnoxious things to their parents.  I know that this may be unreasonable, but I like my daughter to read things to which she can aspire.  Having her read the stuff that she may hear from day to day does not appeal, nor do I wish her learning particular obnoxious or sassy language from a book.  She is easily influenced at this age, so my preference is to influence her in an uplifting manner.

Cynthia Rylant (Henry and Mudge series) is an author I like, for she writes a book of quality.  Her characters are lovable, the themes and ideas in the book are simple and wholesome, and generally her characters do not say the words "stupid" or "dumb" to one another.  In the Cobble Street Cousins series, three cousins, ages 9, come to live together at their Aunt Lucy's home, because their parents are off touring the world as ballet dancers.  They make Aunt Lucy's their home, and together come up with different adventures and ideas as to how they would like to spend their time.

The three cousins decide to start baking in their kitchen, and through delivery of their home baked goods make friends in the neighborhood.  Through wholesome activities and thoughtful planning the girls live out their days in activity, love, and laughter.  Great series, especially for girls.

First in the series


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


Henry and Mudge

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle: The neighbor I need right now

Title: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
Author: Betty MacDonald
Illustrator: Hillary Knight
Age Range:  6-10
Genre: Beginning Chapter Book

I grew up with Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.  I loved her, wanted to live in her neighborhood, and wanted to play at her house.  I drew great satisfaction from the fact that I was far better behaved than the children in her book, and thought that my mom would never have to go to her for advice.

These days, I wish Ms. Piggle-Wiggle lived next door to me so I could go to her for advice with my own three munchkins, for you see, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle knows EXACTLY how to handle children.  She loves having children go to her house and play there. (It doesn't hurt that her house is built upside down and she makes everything just fun for the children.)  She allows children to play with her hair, dig in her yard, serve her tea, and in other words - play.

All this time with children has made her an expert in how to handle the most common childhood ailments.  This book covers some childhood cures such as The Won't Pick Up Toys Cure.  (I could use a few doses of this myself actually.)  The cure involves no magic, but instead focuses on the child's behavior.  The cure for this particular ailment is having the boy just play with all of his toys in his room, and his mother is NOT to pick them up.  Eventually he gets stuck in his room and cannot come out. He doesn't care initially and his mom is somewhat worried about his food intake, so Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle says to hand up food to his window on a rake, which his mother dutifully does.  After a few days of being stuck in his room, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle plans a parade which goes right in front of his house, and for sure, he wants to participate.  Only he can't get out of his room.  The only solution for him to get out of his room is to clean it up, pick up all the toys, and put everything back where he belongs.  He does just this.

My favorite cure in the book is the Fighter-Quarrelers cure, which focuses on twin sisters who fight and argue over everything.  (Anyone relate?)  Their mother heads over to Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle at her wits end, and Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's advice is this - fight harder and yell louder than the kids.  The parents begin to argue more outrageously than the children, and this quickly silences them and makes them re-evaluate their behavior.  Hmm...perhaps I should try this with my own Fighter-Quarrelers.

This is a fantastic book, and there are three more in the series.  I highly recommend them all as great fun reads that your child will thoroughly enjoy. In it are the tiniest snapshots of our own children, in their own ways and all kids quickly relate and understand the book.



This one Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle uses a bit of magic to cure childhood ailments


Another fun one...including cures like The Slowpoke Cure


One where Mrs. Piggle Wiggle relocates to a farm


Note...Amazon does have a 4 books for 3 promotion - all these books apply, and I would say that these are a fantastic addition to your child's library. (they will want to read over and over.)

The Mysterious Benedict Society: Everyone's secret desire to be extraordinary at something

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author:  Trenton Lee Stewart
Age Range: 9-14
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Adventure

This is one of the newer young adult fiction novels out there, meaning that it wasn't around when I was growing up.  The number of books that has been recently published for the young adult market is mind boggling, but not all of it is excellent or even all that good.  However, I really connected to this book as an adult, I think because I connected to the idea of people wanting to be special, or set apart.  I know growing up, I always wanted to have something that made me outstanding in contrast to others and I spent sometime trying to figure out what it was.  This book explores some of those emotions and makes you feel and sympathize with the characters and their struggles.

The book starts out with Reynie, faced with the opportunity to take a special exam for gifted children.  The exam is a puzzle, which he figures out and he ends up passing it.  There are a number of small interesting little "tests" designed by the test giver that also further help figure out which kids truly are gifted and have what it takes.  In the end there are four such people - Reynie, who is incredibly good at puzzles; Sticky, who has a brain like glue and everything sticks to it (he remembers everything); Kate, who has a bucket in which she carries handy little tools and also has an incredible ability to measure distances with her eyes; and finally Constance, who no one is sure why she is gifted, except that she is incredibly contrary. (Her true gift is revealed at the end of the book and it is both amusing and endearing.)

The four are selected by the somewhat eccentric and mysterious Mr. Benedict.  He needs children to help him infiltrate an evil plot being hatched by someone who wishes to brain wash the world.  Although Mr. Benedict has figured out some of the problem, he is unable to stop the evilness without the help of children.  He gives them ample opportunity to turn down the mission, as it is one that is dangerous, but all four kids take it upon themselves to do the job.  One funny note about Mr. Benedict; he is a narcoleptic, falling asleep at sudden moments, usually triggered by a powerful emotion, like sadness, happiness or humor.

The book is filled with little puzzles along the way, allowing the reader to participate in what is going on.  It is also an incredibly story of building friendship and loyalty and sacrifice.  It is one where you cheer on the four kids as they embark on their mission, because they rely on their wits and their knowledge, they are successful.  It is a fun read and one that makes you smile at the end.

Some things to be aware of - the children in the book are all orphans or abandoned in some way shape or form.  If you want a story about an intact family, you will not find it here.  Also, the "bad guy", Mr. Curtain, is evil enough that he makes your skin crawl.  Trenton Lee Stewart does a good job of making him seem very creepy and not normal.   There is the use of stun guns here, and there is also some hints at mental torture.



The next in the series, which I have not yet read


#3 in the series, which I also have not read (but will!)

Crispin The Cross of Lead: Making history come alive!

Title: Crispin The Cross of Lead
Author: Avi
Age Range: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction

I will confess immediately, that in high school, history was one of my least favorite subjects.  I forced myself to study, but the dates, the REASONS why things happened the way they did, the cause and effects all were not my cup of tea.   I preferred thinking about other things, namely reading books.  In retrospect, I wish I had read more historical fiction while growing up as I think it would have changed how I perceived history.  The smaller stories of how history affected individuals lives is much more interesting to me, and somehow makes history that much more palatable.

I know I am not alone in this, as I talk to many of my students and many say that they do not enjoy history.  For them, this book may be a bit hard, as it is strongly detailed in historical facts, even though the story itself is fiction. In the book takes place in the 1300's, and in it,  Asta's Son, whom we later find out is Crispin, is forced to run away from the small feudal village of which he is a part.  He is framed as a criminal, and the head steward of that village is out to get him.  It is not clear why the steward needs to kill him, but it becomes clear that he is absolutely committed to getting rid of Crispin.

Crispin is forced to run away, in dirty clothes, with no money, no food, and no ability to read or write.  He runs and somehow meets a huge hulk of a man, Bear, who takes him under his wing.  Bear is a wonderful protector of Crispin, although Crispin initially does not trust Bear, nor does he want to be at all a part of Bear's life.  In the end, Crispin risks everything to save Bear, as Bear has done his utmost to save Crispin from the steward.

It is a thrilling book with lots of rich historical details.  However, there is quite a bit of violence in the book, images of men decaying in the gallows, heads cut off, and bloody wounds.  Some of the ideas may also be a bit complex - an orphan child with no parents, whom we discover is actually born out of wedlock to a noble lady who was basically taken (as in raped) without her consent.  The words rape, sex are not used in the book, but are in the background as things that will come up, because it is revealed that Crispin is actually the illegitimate bastard son of the Lord Furnival, a debauched, less-than-lovely character.

It is a wonderfully complex book to read, with rich historical details and may perhaps inspire someone to become slightly more interested in history. 

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup: Reading can make you hungry

Title: Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
Author: Sharon Creech
Age Range: 9-12
Genre: Fiction, Stream of consciousness style

Okay, so maybe this book appeals to me because almost the entire book takes place in the kitchen.  Granny Torrelli and her granddaughter Rose spend time together cooking.  I like to cook and spend time with friends so this would appeal to me for that reason.  But the book has much more than meets the eye.  The print is surprisingly large and the book is divided into very short chapters.  Initial examination would lead one to think that this is a simple, babyish book.  But that is not what is there.

The book explores several relationships.  The first relationship is between granddaughter Rose and her Granny Torrelli.  This relationship is clearly one of love, affection and respect and it is a wonderful one to watch unfold.  Granny Torrelli is very aware of Rose's needs and her heart's desires and helps Rose to grapple with tough emotional situations by sharing experiences from her own life growing up.  She speaks with a charming Italian accent, which Sharon Creech does a marvelous job incorporating into the book.  The second relationship is the relationship between Rose and her best friend Bailey, who happens to be blind.  The two have been friends forever, since babies, and are fast friends even though they go to separate schools.  For Rose, there is no one else but Bailey, so when someone new comes to the neighborhood, her "tiger self" (as she calls it) comes out and she is jealous.  She has to fight the feelings of jealousy and understand what it means to have friendships.

The final relationship is Rose's understanding of herself.  One of the wonderful things that Sharon Creech does in the book show Rose's own inner conflict and tensions with her own character and desires.  I think it is wonderful to show that people are often conflicted and that choices are not always easy.  Rose's emotions are readily open for all to see, and not all the emotions are the simple ones.  She experiences jealousy, disappointment, pain, rejection and the reader can see how Rose feels as she goes through these situations. 

I love this book.  The reading is not difficult (unless someone has a problem figuring out what all the Italian means, but Creech does a great job with this), but the stream of consciousness style may be a bit difficult for some readers to follow.  This would be a wonderful bedtime read aloud book with your child as you could talk about what Rose is going through and use it as a jumping point for some honest discussion.

The Secret School: Historical fiction that is so charming

Title: The Secret School

Author: Avi

Age Range: 8-12

Genre: Historical Fiction

I might be a pushover about this book because it is about schools, teaching, and the desire for education.  I am, after all a former teacher.  It probably does resonate with me on that level which may color why I am so keen on this book.  But it is really charming, funny to read and heart-warming.  

The story follows a 14-year girl named Ida, who is the daughter of sheep farmers in rural Colorado.  Going to school is a luxury, and going to high school is far-off dream, but one that Ida intends to pursue.  Her parents, although they want to support her, remind her that the farm must come first, as it is the farm that supports the family and puts food in their mouths.  Ida understands that she must commit to the farm, but at the same time wants to pursue education and go to high school.   She attends school in a tiny one-room school house, and is preparing for her high school entrance exams when she learns devastating news.  Her teacher has to leave to take care of her mother and the head of the school board has decided not to hire a new teacher.

Ida is extremely affected by the news, as it means that she will not be able to take her high school entrance exam.  Also affected is her friend Tom who is also planning on taking the exam.  He suggests to her that she become the teacher, teaching the class so that the school can stay open, but without telling the Board of Education that she is doing it.  Ida discusses this idea with her parents and upon hearing the plan, gently remind Ida that the farm must come first, school or no school.  Ida decides to take on the challenge and she begins the challenge of teaching the different classes, studying for her own high school entrance exam and keeping on top of her chores on the farm.

The funniest part of the book to me was how Ida gets to school each day.  As it is a five mile trip, walking would be arduous.  Fortunately she has a car (no license but it doesn't seem to make a difference) but she is unable to reach the clutch and the accelerator.  She has her brother stoop by the foot pedals and she barks out orders so that he can help her change gears.  It is hysterical and made me laugh.  (Maybe because I don't drive stick either?)

It's a wonderful book to read, for both boys and girls alike.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: A book I missed in my childhood

Title: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E.L. Konigsburg
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction

I thought I'd review this book even though it is an older classic, simply because I didn't read it as a child.  Somehow with all the extensive reading, reading under the covers with a flashlight, reading on the sofa for hours, I missed this book as a child.  It surprises me even now that somehow I didn't read this book.  I remember seeing it, and being a bit scared of it for some reason, not for any good reason, but just because I was a chicken.   I missed out.

It wasn't until about 3 years ago that one of my students wanted to read it, so I had to read it with her.  I finished the book really quickly, as it wasn't a hard read for me, but I remember being completely excited and drawn into the book, even as an adult.  In the book, a young girl, Claudia Kincaid, decides that living at home is too much of a cross to bear and decides to run away.  The only problem is that she has spent too much of her allowance and doesn't have enough of her own so she is forced to take along with her, someone who does have some disposable income, her younger brother Jamie.

She carefully plans their runaway, down to where they will run away to...the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.  They live there, hide there, sleep in there and roam the museum after it has closed.  While in the museum the fall upon a mystery, trying to figure out if a statue is actually real or a hoax.  In the investigation of this mystery they learn about themselves and meet some key people along the way.

The only minor parent warning that I have is that the Claudia runs away without even looking back.  She doesn't consider her parents' feelings and just leaves without worrying about what they will do.  It's a rather selfish gesture and one that shows that she isn't very considerate.  Some parents may find this a bit hard to swallow, but it's rather a minor detail in the book. More of the book is surrounding all the amazing things they see and learn about while at the museum.  They do take a bath in one of the museum fountains, so you may have to teach your child not to do THAT after they've read the book.

My Side of the Mountain: A book from my childhood

Title: My Side of the Mountain
Author: Jean Craighead George
Age Range: 9-12
Genre:  Fiction, Adventure

I read this book when I was a child.  Actually, I read it because my younger brother was reading it, and I figured since he said it was good, I should read it as well.  And I loved it.  I still re-read it when I'm at my parents' house as the story is one that is full of interesting ideas as well as a great story.  It is the story of a young boy named Sam, who is tired of his urban life, so decides to go and live in the Catskills Mountains, using his wits, his knowledge, and his guts to survive.  He lives in this fabulous tree and creates a life for himself in the woods.  It is fun and exciting to see what he can do with the resources he has.

It is a great book for boys and girls alike, but it is a book that is unlike modern young adult literature, in that it is not filled with a lot of dialogue, a lot of action, or a lot of drama.  It is really the thoughts and the plans of a young man who decides to live in a tree. I read it as a young person and just imagined what it would be like to live somewhere without parents and on my own, and it quickly made me think that I'd rather be at home with my family. It is slower paced compared to many of the books that I find kids reading now, but I think it is a wonderful book that should be read, even if the child may think it is boring. 

The only possible "worry" spot in this book is the idea of just leaving home and going out on your own.  Sam does it with his parents' blessing and his father even visits him at one point.  I'm pretty sure that most kids wouldn't read that and immediately think about how to do it and execute on that, but perhaps it would allow them to stretch their imagination and think of a life without the modern conveniences to which they have grown so accustomed.

There is a trilogy, but I've not read the other two yet.



Second in the series


Final, told from the perspective of a bird