My 9yo’s teacher last year read City of Ember to the class and she loved it. Anecdotal, but my kid is super picky, so I took note that it made an impression…
Okay as someone who read both City of Ember and The Maze Runner as a kid…definitely City of Ember. Yes, Maze Runner is a bit older, but I also thought it wasn’t well written on a sentence level (when I was in 8th grade lol) plus it has this “omg a GIRL is here now” thing going on (whereas Ember features a female protagonist who is much more developed). It is more of a connected series though. Also, James Dashner lost his literary agent a few years ago (though he hasn’t disappeared from the industry) due to sexual assault allegations so I personally advise not giving him money.
Oh, wow I wasn't aware of that and so glad you brought it to my attention. Also, thank you for your thoughtful perspective--it's SO important that my son read more books with strong female characters, especially as he gets older. He's always been just as open to reading books with female protagonists (I think he likes the Penderwicks sisters better than any of us!) and recently finished Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation and said she was best character he's read this year...I just want to keep reinforcing this, so thank you again!
I just listened to Leeva at Last and enjoyed it. Also, I have that mother-daughter journal in my Amazon cart for both B&C. Thanks for sharing these other recommendations - I may also snag the myths book as we are still really into myths over here. I promise I'll keep these a secret.
Okay so haven’t read City of Ember but I did watch The Maze Runner and I think the Maze Runner skews a little bit older (not sure I’d recommend it to my 11-year old niece). City of Ember gets my vote!
Here I am taking mental notes of books to bring to our shelves when—whoa!—I spy the mother daughter journal I wrote, LOVE MOM AND ME. Thanks Katie! What does your daughter think? Have you played in the pages a little?
Hi! Wow, we LOVE it! We go back and forth all the time, and I'm already grateful for the glimpse into my daughter's mind and heart:). I loved the "Journal Guidelines" section--deciding together how we should communicate, expectations, etc. The prompts and questions are so thought provoking but still easily understood by my 9-year-old. I actually have it right here at my desk and just read through my daughter's answers to "what are four things you secretly wish you could do?" and I was really surprised by some of the things she shared! We are really close, but I think this journal will help us stay connected as she starts becoming more independent. I'd love to chat with you more about your creative process--this is really a fantastic book! Thanks!
My 9yo’s teacher last year read City of Ember to the class and she loved it. Anecdotal, but my kid is super picky, so I took note that it made an impression…
Oooh, Sarah I love this insight!
My teenage/young adult girls still listen to Ella Enchanted on audio...still enchanting after all of this time :)
Okay as someone who read both City of Ember and The Maze Runner as a kid…definitely City of Ember. Yes, Maze Runner is a bit older, but I also thought it wasn’t well written on a sentence level (when I was in 8th grade lol) plus it has this “omg a GIRL is here now” thing going on (whereas Ember features a female protagonist who is much more developed). It is more of a connected series though. Also, James Dashner lost his literary agent a few years ago (though he hasn’t disappeared from the industry) due to sexual assault allegations so I personally advise not giving him money.
Oh, wow I wasn't aware of that and so glad you brought it to my attention. Also, thank you for your thoughtful perspective--it's SO important that my son read more books with strong female characters, especially as he gets older. He's always been just as open to reading books with female protagonists (I think he likes the Penderwicks sisters better than any of us!) and recently finished Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation and said she was best character he's read this year...I just want to keep reinforcing this, so thank you again!
You’re welcome! Again, I haven’t read these books in a long time and I was still a kid, but I had such strong reactions to them!
I love this approach so much! I might go in this direction for my next year's list.
Yes! Selfishly, it definitely forced me to get my act together for this year's gifts! ;)
I just listened to Leeva at Last and enjoyed it. Also, I have that mother-daughter journal in my Amazon cart for both B&C. Thanks for sharing these other recommendations - I may also snag the myths book as we are still really into myths over here. I promise I'll keep these a secret.
Yes, B might really like the Lost Kingdom Atlas too. I'll screenshot and send pics when it arrives...
Okay so haven’t read City of Ember but I did watch The Maze Runner and I think the Maze Runner skews a little bit older (not sure I’d recommend it to my 11-year old niece). City of Ember gets my vote!
Yes, it seemed more YA and there’s plenty of time for that! Thank you!
Here I am taking mental notes of books to bring to our shelves when—whoa!—I spy the mother daughter journal I wrote, LOVE MOM AND ME. Thanks Katie! What does your daughter think? Have you played in the pages a little?
Hi! Wow, we LOVE it! We go back and forth all the time, and I'm already grateful for the glimpse into my daughter's mind and heart:). I loved the "Journal Guidelines" section--deciding together how we should communicate, expectations, etc. The prompts and questions are so thought provoking but still easily understood by my 9-year-old. I actually have it right here at my desk and just read through my daughter's answers to "what are four things you secretly wish you could do?" and I was really surprised by some of the things she shared! We are really close, but I think this journal will help us stay connected as she starts becoming more independent. I'd love to chat with you more about your creative process--this is really a fantastic book! Thanks!
My son is obsessed with Norse mythology and could be convinced to explore others so will definitely add that to our list.
I'm glad! It looks like such a great browsable book.
LEEVA AT LAST is really nice, especially for a read aloud! I think MAZE RUNNER is more YA, so maybe save it for next year? Great picks!
Afoma, thank you!!!