All recommendations are the secretary's own opinion - I've read every one I recommend - but parents, please check the books out before you give them to any child under high school age - age and grade levels may not match your child - some may have language or subjects you don't approve or feel comfortable having your child read.
Check back often - this page is just getting started. Please email [email protected] to submit any of your recommendations!
For EVERYONE, EVERY AGE!!!
The Arrival, by Shaun Tan
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
(2008 Caldecott Award Winner)
The Black Book of Colors, by Menena Cottin
Wabi Sabi, by Mark Reibstein
Instructions, by Neil Gaiman
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THESE ON THEIR BOOKSHELVES!!!!
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Dr. Carol Dweck
(Dr. Dweck is a professor of pschology at Stanford, and was the excellent PAGE speaker Feb. 20, 2008 - link to New York Magazine article on topic: http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/)
Dr. Dweck made an interesting presentation, but even those of you who attended will be surprised at how readable her book is! I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just dry scholarly data. Besides implications for education, her insights on business and relationships are illuminating.
Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, asperger's, depression, and Other Disorders.
Unnecessary medications are being given to gifted children. This is because our brightest, most creative children and adults are often being misdiagnosed with behavioral and emotional disorders such as ADHD, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, Bipolar, OCD, or Asperger’s.
Physicians, psychologists, and counselors are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. Six nationally prominent health care professionals describe ways parents and professionals can distinguish between gifted behaviors and pathological behaviors.
“These authors have brought to light a widespread and serious problem—the wasting of lives from the misdiagnosis of gifted children and adults and the inappropriate treatment that often follows.”
Jack G. Wiggins, Ph. D., Former President, American Psychological Association
Features include:
• Characteristics of gifted children and adults
• Diagnoses most commonly given to gifted children and adults
• Traits of diagnoses incorrectly given to gifted children and adults
• Guidelines to avoid mislabeling gifted children
• Parent-child relationship problems
• Issues for gifted adults
• Advice for selecting a counselor or health care professional
The authors, James T. Webb, Ph.D., Edward R. Amend, Psy.D., Nadia E. Webb, Psy.D., Jean Goerss, M.D., Paul Beljan, Psy.D., and F. Rich Olenchak, Ph.D.,include the President of the National Association for Gifted Children, two clinical neuropsychologists, two clinical psychologists, and a board-certified pediatrician formerly affiliated with The Mayo Clinic
"Doing School": How We are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students,by Denise Clark Pope
Acceptance: A Legendary Guidance Counselor Helps Seven Kids Find the Right Colleges - and Find Themselves, by David L. Marcus
For younger readers who read at an older level
Some of the ones for grades 5-7 are appropriate here too
Sahara Special, by Esme Codell
Ida B, by Katherine Hannigan
For Grades 4-7 :
- though my 9th grader likes a lot of these
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt (2008 Newberry Honor)
The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch
Evil Genius, by Catherine Jinks
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
Savvy, by Ingrid Law
For Grades 5-7
Though my 9th grader likes these a lot, and I love them all
The Underneath, by Kathi Appelt
The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman
The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt (2008 Newberry Honor)
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by Gary D. Schmidt
The Name of This Book is Secret, by Pseudonymous Bosch
Evil Genius, by Catherine Jinks
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
Savvy, by Ingrid Law
The True Meaning of Smekday, by Adam Rex
Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick
Max the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick
Bunker 10, by J.A. Henderson
The Wild Girls, by Pat Murphy
Non-Fiction
mostly for ages 12+
you decide - I love them
Funny and informative. See www.smartalecksguide.com
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong, by James Loewen
Not funny, but a MUST read for High School students
The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids, by Michael Pollan
I read both the adult and this version. I think this one is better, even for adults!
Constellations (a TRUE book), by F.S. Kim
Picture book with so much information kids and adults will both learn something new!
Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the dark side of American Immigration, by Ann Bausum
Fantastic National Geographic picture book about immigration - with implications for today
PG 13 - R
Should be read by all by 9th or 10th gradeSome for language, most for subject matter.
All important
Fat Kid Rules the Word, K.L.Going
My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park, Steve Kluger
Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You, Peter Cameron
The Wave, Todd Strasser
Whale Talk, Chris Crutcher
Deadline, Chris Crutcher
The Sledding Hill, Chris Crutcher
(Actually, any book by Chris Crutcher!)
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie
The Book Thief, Markus Zuzak
The Last Book in the Universe, Rodman Philbrick
Catalyst, Laurie Halse Anderson
Alt Ed, Catherine Adkins
A Northern Light, Jennifer Donnelly
