We have a problem in our household. A good one but still a problem. We have a 9 year old who devours books at the rate of 1 a week average. That’s why we love the staff at Parnassus. Not only do they carry great books but they also give us something new, newer or classic to read. Some of their suggestions along with our Nine Year old Below. A great list if you have a young reader in your home or on your Christmas list. We will also list the AR Reader points and levels with each book/series.
One: The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall
- The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy– While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother. This is the first in the series. BL: 4.7 – AR Pts: 8.0.
- The Penderwicks on Gardam Street– The four Penderwick sisters are faced with the unimaginable prospect of their widowed father dating, and they hatch a plot to stop him. This is the second book in the series. BL: 5.3 – AR Pts: 10.0.
- The Penderwicks at Point Mouette– When summer comes around, it’s off to the beach for Rosalind, and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. This is the third book in the series. BL: 5.6 – AR Pts: 10.0
- The Penderwicks in Spring– Batty is saving up her dog-walking money for an extra-special surprise for her family, which she plans to present on her upcoming birthday. But when some unwelcome surprises make themselves known, the best-laid plans fall apart. This is the fourth book in the series. BL: 5.5 – AR Pts: 12.0
- The Penderwicks at Last– It’s summertime and eleven-year-old Lydia is dancing at the bus stop, waiting for big sister Batty to get home from college. The two youngest sisters are about to arrive home to find out that the Penderwicks will all be returning to Arundel. This is the Final book in the series. BL: 5.5 – AR Pts: 10.0
Two: The Royal Rabbits of London By Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore
| The Royal Rabbits of London is the first in a series by Santa Montefiore & Simon Sebag Montefiore. A story where Shylo stumbles across a band of Ratzis and overhears their evil plan to take a photo of the Queen in her nightie. We’ve not read the second book “The Royal Rabbits of London: Escape From the Tower” but are excited for it as well as the movie in the works at Fox Studios. BL: 5.7 – AR Pts: 4.0 |
Three: Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks
Twelve-year-old Peter Gronkowski prides himself on being a professional businessman. Tired of the clichéd lemonade stands that line his block, he decides to start a better business with the help of an intern. BL: 3.8 – AR Pts: 7.0.
Four: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
A cursed child destined to die on her 11th birthday is rescued and whisked away to a secret realm called Nevermoor and given the chance to compete for a place in a prestigious organization called the Wundrous Society. The plot contains profanity. Book One in this series. 5.6 – AR Pts: 14.0. The second book in the series is titled “Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow” and was released in October of 2018.
Five: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street By Karina Yan Glaser
Told that they will have to move out of their Harlem brownstone just after Christmas, the five Vanderbeeker children, ages four to twelve, decide to change their reclusive landlord’s mind. BL: 5.3 – AR Pts: 7.0
Six: The Mysterious Benedict Society Series by Trenton Lee Stewart
- The Mysterious Benedict Society- After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where their mission is to stop the plan of the evil Ledroptha Curtain. Book one in the series. BL: 5.6 – AR Pts: 18.0
- The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey-Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, all graduates of the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened and members of the Benedict Society, embark on a scavenger hunt that turns into a desperate search for the missing Mr. Benedict. Book two in the series. BL: 6.1 – AR Pts: 19.0.
- The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma- Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance investigate when an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown. Book Three in the series. BL: 6.3 – AR Pts: 15.0
Hopefully this gives you enough ideas for your little readers in the 2nd-7th grade range this holiday season. One of our favorite things growing up was a fresh new book and these new books are instant classics. Don’t take it from us, ask the folks at Parnassus and our Nine Year old!
