Peace Is a Chain Reaction tells a little-known story of World War II and how former enemies of opposite sides of an ocean came together in forgiveness. Peace Is a Chain Reaction: How World War II Japanese Balloon Bombs Brought People of Two Nations Together by Tanya Lee Stone. Candlewick, 2022, 143 pages plus notes, index, and bibliography. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 War Although born in California, and thus an American citizen, Yuzura Takeshita had spent some of his childhood in Japan because his parents had wanted him to appreciate his ethnic heritage. He appreciated it so much that he returned to America with…

Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure is a realistic but heartwarming animal tale of loyalty and friendship. Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Candlewick, 2022, 129 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: Ages 4-8 as a read-aloud, 7-10 for independent readers Home threatened If the kitten had not found a home with Ma Millie, she would have perished of cold or hunger or predators in the wild. But a single “mew” at the door brought rescue from “loneliness, fear, and the cold, unfriendly forest.” The elderly lady and the kitten took to each other right away, leaving Haven with a name and a…

This will be my family’s 7th year of enjoying one of our favorite bookish Christmas traditions: the Icelandic Christmas Book Flood, or Jólabókaflóðið (“Jolabokaflod”). We have no Icelandic heritage, just a shared love of books (and chocolate!). As I wrote in 2018, this is a lovely, simple tradition that my family is able to keep in the midst of the hustle and bustle this time of year: I give my children each a book along with some chocolate on Christmas Eve. They sleep under the tree and are allowed to stay up as late as they want with their new books and treats. No one has to brush their teeth.…

Editor’s Note: Is reading aloud beside the Christmas tree one of your family’s holiday traditions? If so, you’ll want to copy & paste this list of excellent Christmas-themed books from a lady who would know. Christmas Joy! Originally published on the Tumblon website December 11, 2009 under the title “Christmas Stories” I am a northerner. I love Christmas, snow, window candles, bells, Christmas carols, a fire in the fireplace and good conversation with people sitting around our table. Just after Thanksgiving I will put out my collection of children’s Christmas books and scatter them around the house, hoping to entice others to re-read some of these wonderful stories. I’ve been…