Book Finder

Silvey’s years of experience reading, evaluating, and publishing children’s books combines with her passion for literature that endures over time and generations comes together in this insightful glimpses at 100 books. These are both time-tested and modern classics that have and will continue to delight children from birth to about 12 years. Intriguing stories about the books and their creators are included with each short, descriptive essay. Additional titles are suggested as is a suggestion to keep a reading journal.

Welcome to the White House! Go behind the scenes to get a 360-degree view of America’s most famous president’s residence, from how it was built in 1792 and the fire of 1812, to today’s state dinners, celebrations, celebrity pets, and more. Discover through 1,000 fun-to-read facts what it’s like to live and work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the quirky rules of the house and how the Secret Service keeps it safe. Find out how the kids who have lived there play, watch movies, and entertain friends. With a treasure trove of material from the White House Historical Association, this book presents a fascinating story of the building and the many people who have shaped its 225-year history.

In this collection of stories set on one block of 145th Street get to know the oldest resident; the cop on the beat; fine Peaches and her girl, Squeezie; Monkeyman; Benny, a fighter on the way to a knockout; Kitty, whose love for Mack pulls him back from the brink; and Big Joe, who wants a bang-up funeral while he’s still around to enjoy it. 

These beautiful poems reflect both the Middle East and the Arab-American experience. Nye is a renowned poet for young people, and this collection revolves around her heritage.

Jack’s best friends decide that the best way to get him a prom date is to put an ad in the paper. Now Jack has to evaluate all the prospects. If there were a “Romance for Guys” genre, this would be included! But the humor and male perspective make it an intriguing read for male readers and their female counterparts!

Amy and Dan continue their search for the 39 Clues, uncovering amazing mysteries and secrets along the way.

Outstanding athlete, exceptional courage AND restraint in the face of violent hatred, Jackie Robinson is a hero for all ages.

Recognizing a “golden age” of young adult literature, Silvey combines her considerable experience and a love of literature to identify and write about books for young adults. Many were written specifically for that audience; others were published as adult books but of interest to younger readers. The books are organized by subject that appeal to young adults (e.g., humor, horror, historical fiction) and that represent a level of quality. Additional titles are recommended, including audio books. Additionally, books are listed by geographic location and by suggested age ranges (up to 18).

Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved married couple, devised a daring plan to escape to freedom. Capitalizing on Ellen’s mixed race heritage and light skin, she would dress herself as a wealthy white man, while William posed as her slave.

Matt Nolan is the high school drug dealer, deadbeat, and soon-to-be dropout according to everyone at his school. What no one knows is the only reason Matt sells drugs is to take care of his uncle Jack, who is dying of cancer. Amanda. Matt gets stuck with the overly-cheerful social outcast, Amanda, as partners in school and it’s only a matter of time until Amanda discovers Matt’s secret. But Amanda is used to dealing with heartbreak, and she’s determined to help Matt find a way to give life 100 percent.

Drama abounds in what might have happened if Austin Gollaher had not pulled the young Abraham Lincoln from a swollen Kentucky creek that day in 1816. This engaging tale was inspired and expanded from a real event noted by the author.

Follow the story of Abigail and John Adams as they forge an equal and loving partnership that will last a lifetime and help shape a young republic. The Adamses were firsthand witnesses to historical events such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, and the Continental Congresses. They met revolutionary leaders and heroes including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and America’s first president, George Washington along the way. See history through the eyes of Abigail and John Adams as you learn the true story behind their powerful and influential union.

Told with verve and humor, Newbery-winner Sid Fleischman recalls his early years in San Diego during the Depression, reveals how he became captivated by magic, theater, and story — all of which influenced the man he grew into.

Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States, led the nation through its darkest hour — the Civil War. Find out about Lincoln’s childhood on a frontier farm, how a struggling small town lawyer became president, and why he is one of America’s most revered and beloved leaders.

Nerdy Colin Singleton has been dumped by Katherine. Not just any Katherine though. This is the nineteenth Katherine he’s dated and been dumped by. His friend Hassan insists a road trip is in order for his recovery, but their trip ends abruptly in Gutshot, Tennessee where Colin spends his time working on his mathematical theorem for predicting the end result of a romantic relationship with a girl not named Katherine.

While working for the Toronto subway system during the summer, Duncan finds a journal in the Lost & Found that leads him to believe a serial killer is on the loose. When the police refuse to investigate the matter, Duncan launches his own investigation, leading readers on a suspense-filled, terrifying journey to capture the killer before it is too late.

The sons of one family fight on different sides while the youngest tries to make sense of the war.

A companion to Under a War-Torn Sky finds brothers Wesley and Charles adapting to a new culture and rural farm life after being evacuated from England to America only to encounter a Nazi threat to their family in Virginia. 

The shootings at Pleasant Valley were fifty miles away, but at Central High a grief and crisis counselor is hired, security is increased, and privileges are being taken away. If you break the new rules, the punishment is severe. And the rules keep changing every day. It’s for the protection of the students, yet fifteen-year-old Tom Bishop learns that things are far more sinister than they seem. Students and teachers begin disappearing and, with few people aware of the danger lurking, Tom and his friends must make a decision that will change their lives forever.

A common love of Tupac Shakur unites three preteens: two from comfortable lives and one, D Foster, who can really relate to Tupac’s lyrics.

Three years after losing her brother Luka in a school shooting, Skye Gilchrist is moving home. But there’s no sympathy for Skye and her family because Luka wasn’t a victim; he was a shooter. Jesse Mandal knows all too well that the scars of the past don’t heal easily. The shooting cost Jesse his brother and also his best friend - Skye. Jesse and Skye are haunted by the unanswered questions of that terrible day. But the more they hunt for the truth of what really happened, the closer they get to a new killer.

Twelve-year-old Sunny Nwazue, an American-born child with albinism of Nigerian parents, moves with her family back to Nigeria, where she learns that she has latent magical powers which she and three similarly gifted friends use to catch a serial killer.

The first book in Pierce’s The Song of The Lioness quartet introduces Alanna, a young noble-born girl who dreams of becoming a knight of Tortall instead of a lady. Her twin brother Thom, who would rather become a wizard than a knight, goes to the convent in her place to study magic and Alanna, calling herself Alan, begins her adventure, facing many challenges and trials in her journey to become a warrior and a woman.

The Aleuts were dramatically affected by both Japanese and the American forces during World War II. How they were relocated from their small island in the Pacific and relocated to the coast of Alaska is hauntingly told by Vera, a young Aleutian/Caucasian girl.