There’s no better way to enhance an experience with young children than by reading more about it. The next time you have grandkids around, pull one of these off the shelf to share.

>> Infant to Two Years

Buckley, Helen, and Jan Ormerod. Grandmother and I. Lothrop,Lee, & Shepard, 1994. A grandchild is never too old to think of Grandmother’s lap as the best place to sit for rocking and cuddling. Grandfather and I captures the spirit of a grandfather who never has to hurry.

Hill, Eric. Spot and His Grandparents Go to the Carnival. Puffin,1999. Even your three and four year olds will enjoy this story of Spot going to the carnival with his grandparents. Others in the series include Spot Visits His Grandparents, Spot Loves His Grandma,and Spot Loves His Grandpa.

Kunhardt, Dorothy. Pat the Puppy. Western Publishing, 1993. Fellow grandparents, this one’s written especially for us! The grand-parents in this wonderful texture book have all the pep we feel. Even better, your little ones will love fastening Grandma’s velcro jogging shoe and feeling her shiny sunglasses.

Oxenbury, Helen. Grandma and Grandpa. Dial, 1984. This is a wonderful board book featuring Oxenbury’s inimitable artwork as it depicts daily experiences with grandparents.

---

>> Three to Five Years

Bunting, Eve. The Butterfly House. Scholastic Press, 1999. You and your grandchild can create a butterfly house right along with this grandpa as he helps his granddaughter make a house for their larva. The joy of releasing the butterfly to freedom is one all ages will love!

Butterworth, Nick. My Grandma’s Wonderful. Candlewick Press, 1992. From buying the biggest ice cream cone to always carrying just what a grandchild needs in her pocketbook, this book celebrates what makes a grandma special! Check out his My Grandpa Is Amazing too.

Christian, Alayne. Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa. Blue Whale Press, 2008. This sweet story encourages your grandchild to use her imagination, memory, and nature to keep close when you must be apart.

Durkin, Adrienne. Meet Sam and Coodles. Juice Publishing, 2013.
Meet Sam and Coodles, the first in a series of books that will help your little one deal with the challenges of accepting a new baby in the house.  I wish I’d had this to read to our three oldest grandkids when they were accepting new siblings into their lives.

Lloyd-Jones, Sally. The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas. Illustrated by Michael Emberley. HarperCollins, 2008. With fun animal art and witty text, your grandkids will learn how to make their grandparents happy.

Rylant, Cynthia. When I Was Young in the Mountains. Illustrated by Diane Goode. Dutton, 1982. A young girl describes her experiences growing up in the mountains in the care of her Grandma and Grandpa. Goode’s pictures transport readers to a place where grandchildren skinny-dip gleefully in muddy swimming holes, and Grandma scares snakes with her hoe.

Stewart, Lori. If I had as Many Grandchildren as You. Palmer Press, 2012.  With colorful photographs and rhyming words, Grand Paws, the lion, imparts fun ideas for making memories with your grandchildren while passing along the message that life is for sharing!

Zolotow, Charlotte. William’s Doll. Harper & Row, 1972. Sometimes only a grandparent knows how to respond to a young grandchild’s unusual requests. In this story, William’s grandma gives him the doll he’s always wanted and in the process teaches him that “being yourself” is important and wonderful.

---

>> Six to Nine Years

Dilz, Ric. My Grandma Could Do Anything at the Zoo! Rein Designs, 2009. A whole series of books based on the premise that “My grandma could do anything…but what she does best is love me!”

Fleischman, Paul. Lost! A Story in String. Henry Holt, 2000. Grandma keeps alive the ancient tradition of storytelling with string when the electricity goes out and TV is no longer an option!

Johnson, Angela. When I Am Old with You. Illustrated by David Soman. Orchard Books, 1990. You can feel the love between the generations when a young grandson dreams out loud about what he’ll do with his grandfather when they are both old.

Say, Alan. Grandfather’s Journey. Sandpiper, 2008. In this lovely three-generational tale, Say’s grandfather travels to the West from Japan and falls in love with his new country, even if he still belongs to the first.

---

>> Ten to Twelve Years

Christensen, Bonnie. In My Grandmother’s House. HarperCollins, 2003. This is an anthology of short stories about grandmothers.

Griffis, Molly. Once in a Blue Moon. New Forums Press, 2009. We all hope Alzheimer’s won’t touch our loved ones. If it does, this book addresses it with humor, compassion, and understanding appropriate for a middle school reader.

MacLachlan, Patricia. All the Places to Love. Paintings by Mike Wimmer. HarperCollins, 1994. A treasure, this heartfelt book will help you slow down and remember to pass along to your grandchildren the essence of what is important to you and your family.

McIntyre, Connie. Flowers for Grandpa Dan. Thumbprint Press, 2005. A gentle story to help children understand Alzheimer’s.

Smith, Robert Kimmel. The War with Grandpa. Illustrations by Richard Lauter. Yearling Books, 1984. When Grandpa comes to live with Peter and his family, Peter has to move out of his room—and he isn’t happy about it! The art of giving and true understanding comes alive with humor and delightfully realistic characters.

Wood, Douglas. Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth. Illustrated by P. J. Lynch. Candlewick, 1999. A simple walk in the woods with Grandad plants in a grandson’s heart the seeds of nature, spirit, and the connection all people have to one another—seeds that help him grow when his Grandad has passed.

There’s something about reading a favorite family book to a grandchild that offers a quiet joy to almost any time of your day together (snuggled side by side or even long-distance, by video or Skype). Whether you’re looking to curl up with a snuggly grandbaby, calm and cuddle an active toddler, or engage in a thoughtful discussion with your grandteen, these books are sure to delight and surprise. Flip to this list the next time you’re looking for a super gift for your grandchild, or when you’re browsing in the library before a visit with an inquisitive little one.

>> Infant to Two Years

Barton, Byron. Building a House. Greenwillow Books, 1990.You’ll build your grandchild’s vocabulary as Byron builds a house.

Boynton, Sandra. Moo, Baa, La La La! Little Simon, 1982. Get ready for toddler belly laughs with this rhyming book demonstrating different animal sounds. There’s even an opportunity at the end to make some noises of your own.

Brown, Margaret Wise. Goodnight Moon. Illustrated by Clement Hurd. HarperCollins, 1947; 2007. We wish we had a nickel for every time we read this book to our children. Your grandchildren too will be lulled to sleep by the soothing colors and repetitive text of the little rabbit saying goodnight to everything in “the great green room.” You might also recall Brown’s Runaway Bunny. The playful dialogue between the baby bunny and its mother makes it a perfect story for times when a child feels less secure, such as after a move.

Kunhardt, Dorothy. Pat the Bunny. Western Publishing, 1940. We wore out a copy with each child, not because the quality was poor but because we read it that many times. Grandchildren will love to feel Daddy’s scratchy face and put their finger through Mommy’s ring. A great first activity book!

Martin, Jr., Bill. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Illustrated by Eric Carle. Henry Holt, 1992. Originally published in 1967, this new version has beautiful brightly colored animals to enhance the singsong text.

Martin, Jr., Bill, and John Archambault. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. Illustrated by Lois Ehlert. Simon & Schuster, 1989. A rhythmic text accompanies bright pictures of adventurous letters playing on a coconut tree.

McBratney, Sam. Guess How Much I Love You. Illustrated by Anita Jeram. Candlewick, 1996. This heartwarming love contest between child and parent will delight your little ones.

Miller, Margaret. Big and Little. Greenwillow Books, 1998. With full-page, engaging photographs, opposites come alive for little readers, such as “Big hand, little hand. Hold on tight!”

Piper, Watty. The Little Engine That Could. Platt & Munk, 1930; Philomel 2005. “I think I can, I think I can” is as good a lesson in positive thinking today as it was years ago.

Raffi. Baby Beluga. Illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Crown, 1983. Our Charlie used to pretend to be a baby beluga in the tub when we read this book. It’s specially fun if you learn the tune and can sing the words to your grandchild.

Scarry, Richard. Best Word Book Ever. Random House, 1980. Toddlers will love the detail, the jokes, and the many things to name in this classic. Don’t miss Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day? Join Huckle and all the rest as they go about their work in Busytown.

Wright, Blanche Fisher. The Real Mother Goose. Checkerboard Press, 1916. Check your attic for this treasure of timeless rhymes; it’s as fresh to little ones today as it was to your children—and you.

---

>> Three to Five Years

Burton, Virginia Lee. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Houghton Mifflin, 1974. Remember reading how Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, ended up in the cellar of the Popperville Town Hall? Burton’s Katy and the Big Snow is another fun adventure that deserves to be shared with the next generation.

Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Philomel, 1981. A tiny caterpillar with an insatiable appetite becomes a beautiful butterfly in this much loved tale. Your grandchildren will love the holey pages!

Davies, Leah. The Kelly Bear Beginning Series. JoyJoBooks, 1989.  In a simple yet powerful way, this paperback series engages young children and helps them verbalize and accept their feelings, improve their behaviors, and learn to care for their bodies. For those who fondly remember the wonderful Mr. Rogers and his Neighborhood, you'll find a kindred spirit in Leah Davies. The friendly green bear gives children a warm and fuzzy feeling of acceptance and trust. The series ends with an activity book that reinforces feelings, behaviors, and health with fun creative activities. Our young grandchildren love these books and ask to read them again and again.

Eastman, P. D. Go, Dog, Go! Random House, 1961. A classic for dog lovers and beginning readers, this book is sure to delight with its playful scenes.

Freeman, Don. Corduroy. Viking Penguin, 1968. After a night of adventures in the department store hunting for his lost button, a teddy bear named Corduroy finds a loving home. The sequel, A Pocket for Corduroy, is also worth reading, as is Freeman’s Rainbow of My Own.

Johnson, Crockett. Harold and the Purple Crayon. Harper Trophy, 1955. With his purple crayon, Harold creates his own scenes on a moonlit walk, finding his way back to bed.

Keats, Ezra Jack. The Snowy Day. Viking, 1962. Peter discovers the wonder of a snowy day. If your grandchildren like this story, read about Peter’s adventures in Keats’s Goggles, A Letter to Amy, Peter’s Chair, and another favorite of ours, Whistle for Willie.

Lionni, Leo. Frederick. Pantheon, 1967. Frederick, the daydreaming mouse who collects the rays of the sun, colors, and stories to sustain his fellow mice when winter comes, is as charming today as when you introduced him to your children. Others by Lionni include Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, Swimmy, The Biggest House in the World, Fish Is Fish, Little Blue and Little Yellow, and The Alphabet Tree.

McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. Viking Kestrel, 1965. Mrs. Mallard will win the hearts of your grandchildren as she and her ducklings (with rhyming names) stop the traffic as they head to the Boston Public Gardens. Also read his Blueberries for Sal.

Potter, Beatrix. The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Frederick Warne, 1902; 1987. Could you imagine a childhood without Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail, the good little rabbits—not to mention the mischievous Peter?

Rey, H. A. Curious George. Houghton Mifflin, 1941; 1973. This is the beginning of a series of funny stories about the curious monkey George and his many adventures.

Sendak, Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are. Harper, 1962; 1984. Max misbehaves and is transported to a land where he gives the orders—until the smell of dinner calls him home. This is a great one to read to a grandchild who’s had a mischievous day.

Seuss, Dr. Hop on Pop. Random House, 1963. Our little ones “read” this book to us first. The characters have an irresistible appeal. Another of Seuss’ early readers, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, will appeal to your younger grandchildren.

Williams, Margery. The Velveteen Rabbit. Square Fish, 2008. The classic tale of true love.

---

>> Six to Nine Years

Dahl, Roald. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Penguin, 2007. Follow the adventures of Charlie Bucket as he wins a golden ticket into Willy Wonka’s world in this tale of imagination.

De St. Exupery, Antoine. The Little Prince. Mariner Books, 2000. Best read aloud, this book is about the Little Prince, who journeys journeys to different planets, inhabited by grown-ups who symbolize the senselessness of some adult ways!

Gannett, Ruth Stiles. My Father’s Dragon. Illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannett. Yearling, 2005. Now in a 60th anniversary edition, Elmer tests his wit and will on his journey to Wild Island.

George, Jean Craighead. My Side of the Mountain. Puffin, 2000. Sam Gribley runs away from his life in New York City to survive in the Catskill Mountains with a falcon and a weasel.

MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall. Harper Trophy, 1986. A beautiful story that teaches the value of family and the importance of each other’s strengths during times of hardship. Also read the sequel, Skylark.

Milne, A. A. Winnie-the-Pooh. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. Dutton, 1961. Winnie-the-Pooh, the lovable nonsensical bear, and his friends continue to win the hearts of young children, who adore the musical quality of the words.

Osborne, Mary Pope. Magic Treehouse series. Random House, 2001. A great introduction to chapter books, these simply written and engaging tales teach history through mystery and challenge.

Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree. Harper Collins, 1964. This classic for all ages teaches about the giving and receiving of love, a message you will want to share with your grandchild. And for ages five and up, don’t miss the marvelous poems and illustrations in Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. Harper, 1974. You’ll also enjoy his Falling Up and A Light in the Attic.

Warner, Gertrude Chandler. The Boxcar Children. Albert Whitman & Co., 1990. Adventurous tales about siblings living together in an abandoned boxcar after their parents’ death. A great introduction to chapter books.

---

>> Ten to Twelve Years

Alexander, Lloyd. The Book of Three. Holt, 1964. The first in The Chronicles of Prydain series that follows a hero’s journey from unformed boyhood to a courageous young man.

Bellairs, John. House with the Clock in Its Walls. Puffin, 1993. A classic favorite for older children who enjoy scary tales. Read it to find out if Louis, and his quirky companions, can stop the clock from bringing about the end of the world.

DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. Candlewick, 2001. This Newberry Honor book packs a lot of grace and wisdom into an appealing scruffy dog story.

DuBois, William Penne. The Twenty One Balloons. Puffin Modern Classics, 2005. Set in the 1800s, this book features tales of retired Professor William Waterman Sherman’s hot air balloon adventure and time on the island of Krakatoa.

Jacques, Brian. Redwall. Philomel Books, 2002. This fascinating mouse society has it all: adventure, love, and heroes with derring-do. Discover the entire twelve-book series.

Koningsburg, E. L. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Aladdin, 2007. Almost 12-year-old Claudia Kincaid and her younger brother run away to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, and manage to survive for a week while discovering the owner of a very special statue.

Lewis, C. S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Collins, 2000. A timeless adventure and fantasy tale of a magical kingdom, called Narnia, destined to be ruled by the four humans who stumble upon it through a wardrobe. Read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series.

Montgomery, L. M. Anne of Green Gables. Putnam, 1908. The first in this classic series of books follows the humorous, sad, and always captivating adventures of an 11-year-old orphan.

O’Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. Illustrated by Zena Bernstein. Aladdin, 1986. In seeking help from her rat neighbors for her sick son, Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse, discovers a secret laboratory.

Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia. Illustrated by Donna Diamond. HarperTeen, 2004. Jess and Leslie, through their shared love of running, become friends and create a secret kingdom called Terabithia. There they find comfort from the everyday world, until
the unthinkable happens.

---

>> Thirteen Years and Older

Adams. Richard. Watership Down: A Novel. Scribner’s, 2005. A story of rabbits and human nature, this classic novel about a warren of rabbits pushed out of their home by a land developer can be read on many levels.

Cooper, Susan. The Dark Is Rising series. Simon Pulse, 1993. These fantasy novels influenced by Welsh and Celtic legends will engage readers who love mysterious quests.

Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. Penguin, 1967. Follow the trials of Ponyboy and his two older brothers as their poor “greaser” gang takes on their rich rivals, the “socs.”

Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. Random House, 1961. Just the book for lovers of language, irony, and adventure! Follow Milo’s journey with Tock through Dictionopolis as he strives to rescue twin princesses, Rhyme and Reason.

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2007. Speaking to all generations, Lee’s classic tale about a trial involving race in Alabama during the Great Depression is brilliantly told through the eyes of a child.

L’Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. Square Fish, 2007. Meg, Charles, and Calvin seek Meg’s missing father in this fantastic tale.

Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. Simon & Schuster, 2007. Twentieth anniversary ed. Thirteen-year-old Brian survives a plane crash and makes a home in the wilderness. Paulsen is the ultimate survival writer, drawing on his own experiences of life in the wild. If your grandchild likes this kind of excitement, don’t miss Brian’s Hunt, Brian’s Winter, and Brian’s Return.

Tolkein, J. R. R. The Hobbit. Del Rey, 1986. Bilbo Baggins accompanies the wizard Gandalf into the lonely mountains, and claims a ring after a riddling contest with Gollum. A great introduction to the epic tale and series: The Lord of the Rings.

All of us who love dipping into the children’s book section of our libraries have been thrilled to see the wonderful additions to children’s literature in the last few years. Our latest discoveries have the same timeless qualities of our favorite classics — true-to-life characters; warm, captivating illustrations; and themes that speak to the interests of all children. Even better, many of these new arrivals reflect a greater awareness of cultural and racial diversity and lend a generally more inclusive tone to the stories they tell. So make room on your bookshelves for these truly wonderful “new” books. Before you know it, they’ll be as love-worn as your children’s favorites.

>> Infant to Two Years

Carle, Eric. The Very Clumsy Beetle’s Favorite Words. Grosset & Dunlap, 2008. A colorful, wonderful book of beetle’s favorite words. Other Carle favorites that teach vocabulary by matching animals with words are My Very First Book of Animal Sounds and My Very First Book of Animal Homes.

Cousins, Lucy. Maisy’s Nature Walk: A Maisy First Science Book. Candlewick, 2008. Enjoy interacting with Maisy as she goes for a nature walk. Pull tabs to make flowers bloom, frogs hop, and eggs hatch. Maisy Goes to the Farm is another hands-on Maisy favorite, as is Maisy Big and Maisy Small.

Deneux, Xavier. My Animals. Walker, 2008. Follow the holes cut in each page of this black and white book to find all sorts of animals.

Hills, Tad. What’s Up, Duck? A Book of Opposites. Schwartz & Wade, 2008. Duck and Goose are irresistible in their friendly and funny demonstrations of opposites, such as front/back, near/far.

Tafuri, Nancy. Blue Goose. Simon & Schuster, 2008. A great book to teach colors, as Blue Goose and friends paint Farmer Gray’s barnyard. Spots, Feathers and Curly Tails invites little ones to guess and match verbal and visual cues, such as “Who does that tail belong to?” Another favorite in our family is I Love You, Little One. With melodic repetitions, this book lulls little ones to bed with the assurance they are loved “forever, and ever, and always.”

---

>> Three to Five Years

Ayres, Katherine. Up, Down, and Around. Candlewick, 2007. Discover the rhythmic growth of a garden—from planting to lunch table—with detailed pictures and colorful language.

Dowling, Michael. Flip Along Fun. WJ Fantasy, Inc., 2009. Your little ones will love the colorful pictures and sturdy board book pages, and your older grands will have fun matching up the animals, stories, and numbers.

Graham, Bob. How to Heal a Broken Wing. Candlewick, 2008. Follow the story of an injured bird that is rescued by a young boy and taken home for “rest, time and a little hope…”

Gravett, Emily. Monkey and Me. Simon & Schuster, 2008. Read this before and after you visit the zoo.

Seeger, Laura. First the Egg. Roaring Book Press, 2007. First the egg, then the chicken, first the word then the story, first the paint then the picture . . . brilliant!

Swanson, Susan Marie. The House in the Night. Illustrated by Beth Krommes. Houghton, 2008. A marvelous prelude to sleep, this beautiful black and white book will help you and your grandchild welcome bedtime.

Wiesner, David. Flotsam and The Three Pigs. Clarion, 2006. Two Caldecott winners – both wordless yet filled with fabulous, fantastical drawings that spark the imagination of all.

---

>> Six to Nine Years

Hesse, Karen. Spuds. Illustrated by Wendy Watson. Scholastic, 2008. A book about family love and the value of hard work.

Sierra, Judy. Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolf. Illustrated by J. Otto Seibold. Knopf, 2007. A hilarious story and gentle reminder for children still learning their manners.

Varon, Sara. Robot Dreams. Roaring Brook, 2007. A comic book-like tale of best friends, Dog and Robot, and their adventures.

Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale. Hyperion, 2004. A modern day Velveteen Rabbit. See also his The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. Hyperion, 2008. A pigeon promises to care for, and water, a puppy, but when he gets one he reconsiders!

---

>> Ten to Twelve Years

Carroll, Lewis. Jabberwocky. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. Hyperion, 2007. With vivid illustrations, a classic nonsense poem moves onto a contemporary basketball court.

Clements, Andrew. Things Not Seen. Puffin Books. 2004. A good book to read with your grandchild as he is working his way into adolescence. Don’t miss Clements’ other books — Frindle is one of our favorites.

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl. Mirimax/Hyperion, 2003. Artemis is a 12-year-old genius who makes all sorts of clever trouble. Your grandkids will dive right into this three-book series.

Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye Mystery. David Fickling, 2008. When Ted’s cousin vanishes while riding the London Eye, he devises several theories to solve the mystery, using his special brain “syndrome.”

Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot and Flush. Knopf Books, 2004 & 2005. Hiaasen is a master storyteller who weaves his tales with humor, sadness, and a sense of suspense.

Lowry, Lois. The Willoughbys. Houghton/Walter Lorraine, 2008. With humor, Lowry writes of some serious issues of orphans and neglectful parents. Also read her book The Giver.

MacLachlan, Patricia. Edward’s Eyes. Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2007. A tale of an extra-special boy and his close connection to his siblings, even after his death and organ donation.

Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. Laurel Leaf, 2007. This is an adventure series set from the point of view of Eragon, a 15-year-old boy who discovers and raises a dragon.

Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian. Disney Hyperion, 2009. If your preteen likes fantasy and adventure, don’t miss this award-winning series.

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter. Scholastic Books, 2006. You’ve heard the hype, and you’ve seen the movies, but have you read the books? The adventures of Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts are great fun.

Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events. HarperCollins, 2006. Captivating stories filled with suspense and mystery.

Stewart, Paul, and Chris Riddell. The Edge Chronicles. David Fickling Books, 2004. Start with Beyond the Deepwoods, then read more of this ten-book series from England. Your grandchild looking for heroism and adventure will love this series filled with memorable creatures and a likable hero, Twig.

---

>> Thirteen Years and Older

Buchanan, Andrea J., and Miriam Peskowitz. The Daring Book for Girls. William Morrow, 2007. The ultimate manual and how-to guide for girls. Packed with facts and helpful hints, like how to tie a sari.

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. Tor Teen, 2008. For espionage and techno-thriller fans, this story tackles issues of homeland security when seventeen-year-old Marcus is affected by a terrorist attack on San Francisco.

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Found. Simon & Schuster, 2008. In piecing together their mysterious pasts, two teenagers discover the truth about how they, and 34 other babies, landed at an airport thirteen years ago.

Iggulden, Conn, and Hal Iggulden. The Dangerous Book for Boys. William Morrow, 2007. The ultimate manual and how-to guide for boys. Packed with history, useful facts, and afternoon adventures.

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. Hyperion, 2008. Find out how Frankie infiltrates a select, secret club of boys at a prep school.

Schmidt, Gary. Trouble. Clarion, 2008. An unforgettable novel about the security of Henry Smith’s family when it is upset by a truck accident.

Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl. Random House, 2004. A freespirit wrestles with conforming at Mica High School.

Tan, Shaun. The Arrival. Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic 2007. The story of a man who explores new creatures and cityscapes is brilliantly crafted in illustrations, and no words, depicting universal themes of friendship and family.

One of our teenage friends, Davis Foster, from Wellesley, Massachusetts, introduced us to the fabulous Web site, www.shelfari.com, where readers can create an online virtual bookshelf of their favorite books. Check it out the next time you are looking for a review of a best seller or use it as another way for you and your grandchild to share your love of books.