When are children old enough to begin appreciating quality art? As soon as they start looking at picture books. Note: even though this post references “picture books,” the tips below work for all ages (toddler to grown-up). Art Appreciation: Picture Books and Paintings Do you want to encourage your children to appreciate visual art, whether “high” or “low”? Ever wonder why a certain picture book is a Caldecott winner or honor? Art appreciation includes an awareness of the various artistic elements in a given work, the ways in which the artist is using those elements, the manner in which the work relates to its contemporaries, and the way in which a particular…

The Lost Library is thin on theme, but warm hearted and family-friendly. The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. Feiwel and Friends, 2023, 215 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, 8-12 for independent readers. Evan is nervous about ending 5th grade (which he enjoys) and starting middle school (which is the great unknown). The little library that pops up in his small town is a welcome distraction, because Evan loves books, and the town library that burned down years ago has never been rebuilt. But wait—why are so many books in the little library relics from the old one, with…

The Lost Library is thin on theme, but warm hearted and family-friendly. The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. Feiwel and Friends, 2023, 215 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 6-10 as a read-aloud, 8-12 for independent readers. Evan is nervous about ending 5th grade (which he enjoys) and starting middle school (which is the great unknown). The little library that pops up in his small town is a welcome distraction, because Evan loves books, and the town library that burned down years ago has never been rebuilt. But wait—why are so many books in the little library relics from the old one, with…

What Came From the Stars is mysterious, offering hope for those grieving and illuminating the strange power of art. What Came From the Stars by Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion, 2012. 304 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-15 Recommended For: Ages 10-15 What Came From the Stars alternates in perspective between the Valorim, a far-off creature group in a far-off galaxy on a far-off planet, and the very real, here-and-now, world of young Tommy Pepper, a sixth grader in Plymouth, Massachusetts. If I could boil the plot down to the bare bones, it would read something like this: gift from far, far away—another world altogether—intersects with our human world childlike faith…

A rapid fire round up of three YA graphic novels for mature teen readers. Graceling by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds. Clarion Books, 2021, 272 pages. A gorgeous, lyrical graphic novel about a girl graced with a deadly gift. In Cashore’s fantasy world some people are “gracelings,” strange-eyed and possessing a magical ability. Katsa has the rare gift of killing and as the book begins, she is the unwilling tool of her uncle. But Katsa is too independent to stay under anyone’s thumb for long. Soon she is on her own quest, accompanied by Po, a young prince with his own unique gift. While a compelling adventure…

In the tradition of Susan Cooper, a lyrical, dark fantasy for mature middle grade readers. Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023, 416 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, Ages 12-15 Recommended For: Ages 12 and up Marjan cannot remember a time she was close to her father. After her mother’s death, he lived in his own world. But now he’s been murdered, and the police have no leads. 15-year old Marjan is left with his veterinary practice to run and school to finish. Then, a stranger arrives with a commission for Marjan, and she realizes her father lived a double life. In one,…

SmART, a young-reader version of the best-seller Visual Intelligence, employs art as a way of teaching observation and interpretation. SmART: Use Your Eyes to Boost Your Brain by Amy E. Herman with Heather McLean. Simon & Schuster, 2022, 169 pages plus notes, index, and note to parents. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 In Visual Intelligence, a best-seller from 2016, Amy Herman instructed adults how to “Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life.” SmART is an adaptation for middle-graders and up. She uses “three simple steps” to truly seeing, thinking about what you see, and talking about what you see. In other words, observation, interpretation, and communication.…

Authority vs. Anarchy: Opposites? Two sides of the same coin? Romans 13 reminds us to obey our governing (civic) authorities. Exodus 20 and Ephesians 6 remind us to obey our parental authorities. Certain people in the church are given spiritual authority over those they shepherd in their congregations. We’re all to obey the Lord as our ultimate authority. Thus, we’re all under authority. Simultaneously, we’re all in authority over someone, even if that someone is only our own self. After all, self control is exerting authority over one’s own self. Anarchy is a revolt against God-given authority and authority structures. But what happens with that God-given authority structure is broken?…

A 13-year-old boy must help his large family survive an ElectroMagnetic Pulse in The Switch. The Switch by Roland Smith. Scholastic, 2022, 303 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 13-16 On the morning after his 13th birthday, Henry Carter passes up an opportunity to go to work with his father. His father happens to be head keeper of the Portland, Oregon, Zoo, so what kid would pass up such an opportunity? This one, apparently; the zoo extends to his own family compound, where Dad occasionally brings exotic animals needing extra care. Besides, his birthday party the day before had been the usual noisy, rambunctious affair, with all…

Sparrow Being Sparrow introduces a likeable heroine with some impulsive ways that are open to correction. Sparrow Being Sparrow by Gail Donovan, illustrated by Elysia Case. Atheneum, 2023, 178 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 5-8 as a read-aloud, 7-11 for independent readers Sparrow gets carried away easily—often too easily, as her parents have pointed out many times. Of course she didn’t mean to bump into her elderly neighbor so hard the lady fell down and broke her hip. But Mrs. LaRose may have got a little carried away as well, while the two were doing their butterfly dance. Anyway, the lady’s chief concern as the…