I Wish . . .

This week, I'm sharing chapter book stories about wishes.  Here are a few of my favorite . . . .

Half Magic by Edward Eager
Faced with a dull summer in the city, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha suddenly find themselves involved in a series of extraordinary adventures after Jane discovers an ordinary-looking coin that seems to grant wishes.

The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain
When a strange little man comes to the Coven Tree Church Social promising he can give people exactly what they ask for, three young believers-in-magic each make a wish that comes true in the most unexpected way.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab
Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square and people tie wishes to it, but nobody knows where the tree comes from--but this year four children are determined to solve the mystery of the Angel Tree.


More Books --
The Bottle Imp of Bright House by Tom Llewellyn
A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese
Genuine Sweet by Faith Harkey
Granted by John David Anderson
Joplin, Wishing by Diane Stanley
One Wish by Michelle Harrison
Scare Scape by Sam Fisher
The Kazillion Wish by Nick Place
The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
The Whispers by Greg Howard
Wishing Day by Lauren Myracle
Witch's Wishes by Vivian Vande Velde

Stories for the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching.  So this week, I'm sharing some of my favorite Christmas chapter books for children . . . .

The Best Christrmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant.

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin

Although she is a sickly child, Carol Bird manages to make a decent Christmas for a poor family.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab

Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square and people tie wishes to it, but nobody knows where the tree comes from--but this year four children are determined to solve the mystery of the Angel Tree.

More Christmas Books --

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Certain Poor Shepherds: A Christmas Tale by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

The Christmas Barn by C.L. Davis

The Christmas Doll by Elvira Woodruff

The Christmas Genie by Dan Gutman

Clementine for Christmas by Daphne Benedis-Grab

Mama Had to Work on Christmas by Carolyn Marsden

On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin

Rover Saves Christmas by Roddy Doyle

The True Story of Christmas by Anne Fine

Who is Stealing the Twelve Days of Christmas? by Martha Freeman

Have a Happy Holidays!

'Tis the Season: Books for the Holidays

The holidays are quickly approaching.  And while I couldn't find a chapter book focusing on the Kwanzaa holiday, we do have several books for both Christmas and Hanukkah.  Here are some of my favorites . . . .

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
On his eleventh birthday Will Stanton discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek the six magical Signs that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark as they battle during the twelve days of Christmas.

Sam I Am by Ilene Cooper
Twelve-year-old Sam, the son of a Jewish father and Christian mother, struggles to understand religion and its role in his family's life during the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab
Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square and people tie wishes to it, but nobody knows where the tree comes from--but this year four children are determined to solve the mystery of the Angel Tree.

The Very Best Hanukkah Gift by Joanne Rocklin
During his family's eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, eight-year-old Henry learns the pleasure of giving and overcomes his fear of dogs.

Winterfrost by Michelle Houts
Left in charge of her home and infant sibling when her parents are called away at Christmastime, Bettina disregards a family custom about leaving out rice pudding for the nisse, who make their magic known when the baby disappears.


More Holiday Reads --
Certain Poor Shepherds: A Christmas Tale by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
The Christmas Barn by D.L. Davis
Clementine for Christmas by Daphne Benedis-Grab
How I Saved Hanukkah by Amy Goldman Koss
Jake by Audrey Couloumbis
Kringle by Tony Abbott
On Christmas Eve by Ann M. Martin
Rover Saves Christmas by Roddy Doyle
A Shiloh Christmas by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The True Story of Christmas by Anne Fine
Who Is Stealing the 12 Days of Christmas? by Martha Freeman


Check out these book on display at the Arnold Branch through December 30, 2015.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab


Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square -- the Angel Tree. Some people tie wishes to the tree, while others make those wishes come true. Nobody's ever known where the tree comes from, but the mystery has always been part of the tradition's charm.

This year, however, four kids who have had their wishes answered -- Lucy, Joe, Max, and Cami -- are determined to solve the mystery and find out the true identity of the town's guardian angel, so that Pine River can finally thank the person who brought the Angel Tree to their town.

This is a heartwarming Christmas mystery, full of friendship, discovery, and loads of holiday cheer!