Age 12-16. 5 Stars. Burnford’s story of three beloved family pets (a Labrador retriever, bull terrier and Siamese cat) who make a cross-country trek across Canadian wilderness to reach their home has an undeniable appeal for animal lovers.

Age 12-16. 4 Stars. Most of my generation, when they think of Bambi, think of the sentimental 1942 Disney movie. But the original book was a serious work. Its one-of-a-kind conception and spectacular writing have earned it classic status… There is a clear sense that Bambi’s coming-of-age is defined by no longer needing to rely on others… In contrast to this message of isolationism, the Bible teaches that a solitary existence falls short of God’s plan… The romantic appeal of Bambi’s self-chosen exile has an especial attraction in our individualistic culture. Adults will need to use discernment about when a child is ready for this book.

Age 04-08. Little Sarah Whitcher, left in the charge of her older siblings while her parents leave their New Hampshire cabin for the day, wanders away and is lost in the woods… Although the tale ends happily, it is a “scarer,” and may not be suited to more sensitive listeners. But for those who are able to handle Sarah’s real danger, it provides a wonderful, suspenseful adventure, gives a glimpse of early New Hampshire life, and portrays a tight-knit, loving family.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Everyone should have at least one Noah’s Ark story, and Peter Spier’s version is one of the best available. It is especially well suited to children, with its wordless format and careful attention to visual detail.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. The story isn’t quite as good as A Toad for Tuesday, but it is lighthearted, funny, and suspenseful enough to hold the attention of a child transitioning into chapter books… This is not a must-read, but it’s an enjoyable fantasy adventure, rooted in positive values of friendship, kindness, and courage.

Age 04-08. 4 Stars. This delightful story situates itself somewhere between Frog and Toad and The Wind in the Willows in reading level. It has a wider vocabulary than most picture books or easy readers, and makes an excellent read-aloud for young listeners just transitioning into chapter books.

Age 04-08. This story is masterfully written, in very short chapters that each pack a punch and end with a cliffhanger. The plot points are simple enough that young children will be able to follow them, but clever enough that adults will enjoy the author’s absurd sense of humor. It’s perfect for children transitioning out of picture books. Published in 1947, it reflects mainly wholesome values of kindness, courage, and generosity, with a naivete that will appeal to children who enjoy fantasies.

Age 08-12. 4 Stars. The Wild Children is a well-written story about orphans in the Soviet Union near the time of the Bolshevik Revolution in the 1920s, who are faced with a choice between cold and hunger in an orphanage, or cold and hunger on the streets. Upon awakening in his home to find that his family has disappeared, twelve-year-old Alex flees the authorities with the help of his teacher and eventually joins a gang of street children…. This survival story is fictional, but it portrays the universal plight of orphans across the world while also capturing a period of Soviet history that is not well known. If your children are ready for this kind of story, it can help to cultivate compassion in them as well as faith in God, who is the Father to the fatherless.

Age 08-12. 5 Stars. Travis Coates is a 14-year-old boy, left alone to protect his mother and younger brother on his family’s 19th-century Texas homestead…. [He performs] an extraordinary act of moral courage, but it comes at the end of a story filled with ordinary acts of responsibility. In this outstanding coming-of-age story, Travis’s manhood is achieved at great cost, and in this cost he proves his worth as a man.

Age 08-12. 2 Stars. A combination of The Wild Children and The Westing Game, with a dash of fantasy added in the form of a magical merry-go-round that can bring either youthfulness or adulthood… One element of concern is that there is no a healthy family depicted in any part of the story… Another possible concern is that the homeless children are forced to steal in order to survive… It could be enjoyed with caution by readers who are discerning, but ought not to be introduced to children who will not recognize its playfully unreal qualities.