Theme: mother and daughter

My Name Is Mina

Mina loves the night. While everyone else is in a deep slumber, she gazes out the window, witness to the moon’s silvery light. In the stillness, she can even hear her own heart beating. This is when Mina feels that anything is possible and her imagination is set free. A blank notebook lies on the [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Intermediate (ages 9-14), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!

When a young girl has a series of mishaps at home one day, her mother tries not to lose her temper–and does not quite succeed.

Descriptors: Australia, Early Years (ages 2-6), Oceania, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Back into Mommy’s Tummy

On her fifth birthday, a little girl has an unusual birthday wish. She wants to go back to being a baby in her mother’s tummy. That way she’d never have to go to bed early, and she’d always be close to her mommy. But when she realizes that babies in tummies can’t go to birthday [...]

Descriptors: Belgium, Early Years (ages 2-6), Europe, Picture Book, Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Play to the Angel

In February 1938, in Vienna, twelve-year-old Greta Radky is devastated to learn that her mother plans to sell the family piano. Greta’s brother, a concert pianist, died the previous April, and her mother thinks of the piano as his. But Greta is an equally committed musician, and when she meets a mysterious piano teacher who [...]

Descriptors: Austria, Germany, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Griffin’s Castle

Lonely and friendless from constantly moving, Dinah finds herself wishing the animal statues protecting a nearby Welsh castle would keep her company. Suddenly, to Dinah’s delight, the stone animals start to magically spring from the walls and follow her home. But when the animals refuse to let Dinah leave her house, she quickly realizes that [...]

Descriptors: Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Mystery, Wales (UK) » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

River Song

Jessye has each foot in two very different worlds: her grandmothers Nana’s rural village, rooted in Maori tradition, and her irresponsible mom’s city existence. Although she loves Nana fiercely, Jessye misses her flighty mom and decides to give living with her one more chance.

Descriptors: Intermediate (ages 9-14), New Zealand, Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Roots and Wings

GRACE’S GRANDMOTHER HAS died, and she and her mother must travel back to the Cambodian community to give her a proper Cambodian funeral. But Grace wants to use the trip to solve a few mysteries, like who her father was, why her mother and grandmother moved from St. Petersburg to Pennsylvania, where they’re the only [...]

Descriptors: Cambodia, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Realistic Fiction, United States of America » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Minji’s Salon

“You have to be patient; beauty takes time.”While Minji’s mother visits her local salon, Minji creates a world of beauty all her own.An ode to the power of children’s imagination (and their parents’ patience), Minji’s Salon reminds readers that creativity and play are worldwide phenomena.

Descriptors: Korea, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Scarlet Stockings

As an infant, Daphne was abandoned on the doorstep of an all-girls school. Now, at thirteen, she longs to discover the truth about her past and to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a prima ballerina. When a book containing a tantalizing riddle and a magical pair of stockings arrive, her dreams of glory and [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Fantasy, France, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Time to Say I Love You

In this sweet, touching story, a mother tries to choose a time to tell her little girl how much she loves her. Over the course of a beautiful day at the seaside, the two roam over sandy beaches and grassy hills as the mother searches for just the right time and spot.

Descriptors: England (UK), Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment