Comfort Reads discussion

I'm so tired of hearing about vampires, and anorexia, and magic school, and cutting - and it seems that yucky stuff is being read by younger and younger children. I'm not saying quality literature, fun escapes, and dramatic themes don't have their place. I am saying that sometimes children, and the young-at-heart, want to curl up with a good wholesome book.

One of my favorite authors for 8-12 year-olds is Andrew Clements. His school stories are such good clean fun, with insights that make them not too fluffy or sappy.

I also just finished The Penderwicks on Gardam Street. This book is a sequel - and I hope there will be a series. Such sweet nostalgic joy - but updated. The girls are athletic, and each gifted in their own way, but they also (generally) like babies and cooking and thinking about boys. All the characters are real, complex, and fallible - but there's none of the yucky stuff that I don't like.

Cheryl, thanks for the recommendations. The Penderwich books look nice. I'm going to try the first one before I read The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.

Yes, do read Jeanne Birdsall's books in order. And if you have any recommendations, anybody, please add to this thread!

I agree with you totally on this one, Cheryl! Are you looking for new books specifically? What age range are you interested in? My daughter is 16 now, so we are getting further away from looking for children's books.

I really enjoyed Wild Things by Clay Carmichael. It was good and clean and uplifting and I just loved it.

What about Good Night, Mr. Tom, Fiona? Would you put that book in this category? I know you love that one too.

Thank you!

Just to clarify, I meant mostly newer than Nesbit, Estes, Eager, even older Cleary. Stuff that a child can read now without wondering every other sentence what an icebox or a surrey or a wet-nurse is.

Right, your list is great! I just don't want potential contributors to this thread to think I'm looking for books from just the last year or two. :)

I've read some Eva Ibbotson and will keep reading her based on your advice, and add some of your others to my to-read shortly.

I am surprised Return to the Hundred Acre Wood hasn't made the list yet.

This was published in 1997 and is an amazing, simply amazing children's historical novel by Guelph-based author Jean Little, The Belonging Place.

So happy to find this thread! I'll be back to make a few comments/suggestions soon :-)

Thanks for refreshing this thread, Kathryn!! Two more recent books that I definitely consider comfort reads are

The Contest by Caroline Stellings

Home Free by Sharon Jennings

Both of these feature Anne of Green Gables in the storyline, and the books are truly wonderful.

Gundula wrote: "Home Free by Sharon Jennings"

That is on my "short list" but it's probably a month off. :-( Thanks again, Gundula.

Off to check out The Contest.

Lisa wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Home Free by Sharon Jennings"

That is on my "short list" but it's probably a month off. :-( Thanks again, Gundula.

Off to check out The Contest."

I actually liked "The Contest" a tad more than "Home Free." I guess the fact that it plays in Hamilton, Ontario and that I could really see myself in Lydia made me love it a bit more (I still have to write a review, but I cannot find the words for it).

Gundula, Your reviews are worth waiting for. I'll be patient.

Lisa wrote: "Gundula, Your reviews are worth waiting for. I'll be patient."

Thanks, this is again a book that I found too moving and too wonderful to write a review (I'll get to it, but I have to find the right words).

Ann M. Martin is a great author of comfort reads for kids. I've read A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray with my 10-yr.-old granddaughter, and we've started to read the sequel to this one, Everything for a Dog. I'm listening to her book A Corner Of The Universe on my own. Great audio book!

If you are looking for a charming Children's book check outAll That the Dog Ever Wanted.