Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. This is not your normal Peter Pan. Much darker but a great origin tale. It actually took me awhile to get into, but by the end I was "hooked." A fantastic book. There are three more in the series, I didn't love the second one, and listened to the audio of the third one and really liked that. I am really looking forward to the fourth though, because that features Wendy.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. I love these books. The girls in these stories make me want a daughter of my own so bad...but alas. And although many critics complain about these being too light and innocent for today's child, the first one did win a National Book Award. That says a lot.
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. This is one of those books that gets under your skin and you can't get it out. I don't use this phrase very often describing books but the writing it very lyrical. I just loved it. I just found out there is an audio version, if they got the right narrator it would be outstanding to listen to.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Could not put this down. I love dystopian novels. LOVE them. This one stands above the rest. So engrossing. Read the synopsis here, they say it better than I could.
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. (click on the title then scroll down a bit for a synopsis). Another one that is just so well written you cannot put it down. This will not appeal to everyone, but those that have read it have loved it. It feels like a dystopian novel, but it isn't, not really, but kind of. It surprises me that this one is marked as young adult, because it is pretty deep, but I know it's because the protagonist is young. It is just a great book.
The Big Splash by Jack Ferraiolo. One of my favorite books from the summer. This has such a good tone to it. It is a "noir" book set in middle school. I dare you to read without smiling.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. The first of the Percy Jackson books. If you at all loved Greek mythology growing up, revisit it by reading this series. These are full of adventure. And with the movie coming out in February, get it read before so you know what to expect!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. You have to read this just to see what all the fuss is about. And you will find yourself laughing out loud. The first of the series is the funniest, but the other three are pretty top notch!
There is one or two on this list you will love, I swear it!
Thanks for the suggestions! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, though, that I did not like the Barry/Pearson story. As an adventure on its own, sure. But as a prequel to Peter Pan, no.
Pan already had a backstory as per J.M. Barrie. Plus, this book totally contradicts the Barrie's original stories. A lot. And if it's supposed to be a prequel to Disney's version, it has mistakes from that, too. I just don't get it... did they read the originals?
There's a Pan novel that's faithful AND based on Barrie's idea for more. Click my name to see...
...now to see about some of the other titles you listed. :)
BELIEVE!
great list. I esp. agree on hunger games!! That's one awesome book. :-D
ReplyDelete-AMY