The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

Our book club read this book last month for our juvenile fiction book. I fell in love with it and knew instantly my 8 year old son would love it. It is a historical fiction inspired by turn of the century film maker, Georges Melies. I would say that it is a great book for grades 3 and up to read on their own, but we read it aloud together with my 6 year old and he loved it as well. The artwork is beautiful and keeps the younger reader engaged. As with any good book a Hollywood producer has bought the rights and has made it into a movie. I suggest you read this book before Hollywood ruins it for you. You can visit here for everything about the book, author, characters and the future movie.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

My niece recommended this book as one of her "life changers". I was a little wary after reading the back cover. It seemed like it was going to be one of those typical high school angst books. But as I started reading, I just got this big grin on my face even before the first page was finished. The writing is amazing.

It is narrated by a boy who is just leaving for a boarding school to start his junior year of high school. The book is divided into two sections Before and After. The characters are so real. And they are not dumb. I love that about this. These high school kids are smart and witty and philosophical.

Now that said, I will not let my daughter read it until she's way into hs. There is bad language (typical) and other mature things. But none of it seemed gratuitous, just real. I really liked this book but be warned, it's not a "fun" read. It is a good kind of intense. I think it would be a great discussion book. And a way better coming of age book than Catcher in the Rye.