Book Crush. For Kids and Teens Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest

Editorial Review

Parents, teachers, and librarians are often puzzled by the seemingly endless choices for reading material for young people. What’s good, what’s trash, what’s going to hold their interest? Nancy Pearl, America’s favorite librarian, has read widely in all the genres and happily points the way in Book Crush. Divided into three sections — Easy Books, Middle-Grade Readers, and Young Adult — Book Crush makes wonderful reading connections by theme, setting, voice, and ideas. For horse lovers, Pearl recalls the classics (Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague), but in a creative twist connects Mr. Revere and I to the list. For middle-grade readers, she explores updated retellings of Greek myths and the best coming-of-age stories. Young adult readers get to know chick lit and much more. For those adults who feel stuck in a rut with Caldecott and Newberry winners and the ubiquitous Harry Potters, this fun, informed book offers new ways to stimulate young readers.

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Customer Reviews

Lame and Disorganized

2007-06-13
I picked up this book because I am doing research on what young people read and what people think they should read. I heard rave reviews about Nancy Pearl's book Book Lust, so I picked this one up. It is terrible. There are far too many categories with lame titles and themes like "Dragooned by Dragons" and "Cry me a River". The bold book titles in the middle of the paragraph make it hard to find what book she is talking about and is terrible formatting. Her writing leaves something to be desired. This book is more about breadth than depth and if you actually want to know what a book is about then back away. Its just a kitschy version of the Dewey Decimal System.

So many great books!

2007-05-22
I've only read the chapter for the youngest readers. It is full of worthwhile books, and I think the categorization is very helpful. I'm sure everyone who reads this book will have his/her own favorite books that didn't get included in Pearl's long list, but still, the omission of Nancy Tafuri is inexplicable.

Book Crush reads like a novel

2008-04-29
I bought Book Crush for my 14 year old daughter after reading Book Lust in the library, and she carried it around with her and read it cover to cover like a novel. Of course, she is an avid reader, and you may not get this response from all kids, but eager readers will find it fascinating.

Disappointing

2007-08-24
As Nancy Pearl makes clear in her introduction, children's and teen books aren't her specialty, and it shows. She lumps books into only three categories (!) for ages 1-18: babies to age eight; 8-12; and 13-18. Those are huge ranges; most books for an 18-year-old are not suitable for a 13-year-old. So good luck figuring out which one is actually for your child's age and reading level. She gives little information beyond author, title, sometimes the illustrator, and a line or two about the book. She doesn't give number of pages, publisher, date of publication, etc. I assume it didn't take her long to throw this together. I know she has a lot of fans, and I find her books for adults well-informed if cluttered. But this "guide" is truly disappointing.

Excellent for teens

2007-06-26
My daughter is at that tough age for books... too old for kids books and too young for adult books. And the world of Young Adult books is a bit bewildering. This book helped her find some great summer reads - it was worth every bit we paid for it. One recommendation: 13 Little Blue Envelopes

A Must for Teachers & Librarians

2007-06-18
Professionals who work with children and teens will find Nancy Pearl's latest book a treasure. Parents, grandparents, doting aunt's will discover a bounty of books to purchase or suggest to the children in your life. Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl tells about her favorite books from childhood and today with contagious enthusiasm. Every school and public library should have a copy at hand.

Wonderful guide

2007-06-14
I'm always looking for good information on books for my granddaughters...Book Crush: for kids and teens is the best I've seen.