Kids shouldn’t have all the fun. Check out these
children’s novels that are perfect for an adult to read:
The Riverman by Aaron Starmer
Details: Twelve year old Alistair gets a strange request
from his even stranger neighbor Fiona: she asks him to write her biography.
Claiming she can visit a dream world whe
re a villain called the Riverman is attacking
her friends, Alistair begins to wonder if his flaky neighbor can really visit
imaginary worlds, or if her stories are a desperate plea for help with her
real-life family.
Why adults should read it: The author knows what
he’s doing—red herrings abound and a slew of creepy neighbors keep you guessing
at the mysterious plot. The writing is sophisticated and action scenes are
laced with danger—just because it’s a kids’ book doesn’t mean someone’s not
going to get hurt.Hidden under the mystery and fantasy is a good old
fashioned coming of age story.
Excerpt: "To sell a book, you
need a description on the back. So here's mine: My name is Fiona
Loomis. I was born on August 11, 1977. I am recording this message on
the morning of October 13, 1989. Today I am thirteen years old. Not a
day older. Not a day younger."
Want to read The Riverman? Put it on hold on our online catalog
HERE.
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Details: A father waves a sad goodbye to his
family and embarks on a journey to a new country unlike anything he—or you—has
ever seen.
Why adults should read it: It’s magic. Completely
wordless, the reader must figure out the strange customs and bewildering
surroundings in much the same way the main character must. You become so invested
in this world that you are just as thankful as the main character when someone
comes along to help him figure out how life works here. The various characters
he meets tell their own stories of immigration (most are fantasy-veiled stories
referring to very real plights) and their longing to find a better and safer
place is tear-jerking.
Excerpt:
Would you like to check out The Arrival? Put it on hold in our catalog
HERE.
