Here are some books that will blow your mind

Books speak to children in a way that adult conversation cannot. Books are safe, don’t judge, have a question and answer period, or tell the child directly who or how to be. Rather, through excellent storytelling, suggestions for how to live are gently demonstrated in a non-confrontational and harmless manner.

The categories of books that accomplish this pleasant journey of discovery of life are numerous. Whether it’s a serious, funny, mysterious book, an old tale or others, both fiction and non-fiction, the best of these books brings something of tangible value to various levels that the child can use, now or later in life.

What a precious and simple gift for the children in your life. Read.

Books to borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“Beowulf: A Hero’s Tale Retold” written and illustrated by James Rumford, Houghton Mifflin, 48 pages

Reading aloud: 7 – 8 years and up.

Do you read: 9 years and over.

The ogre Grendel lived in the dragon swamps of Denmark. For 12 years, Grendel terrorized the King and his men by breaking into their hall at night and eating the King’s men their fill. A young and daring man, Beowulf, took an oath to help the Danish king, and “once he said one thing, he kept his word”.

And so, “When the sleep was at its deepest, the night at its blackest, from the mist-filled swamp came Grendel lying in wait.”

Grendel did not know he would encounter Beowulf, and thus also the battle between good and evil.

The earliest known version of “Beowulf” was written around AD 800. Using only Anglo-Saxon words still present in our own language, James Rumford has masterfully told this powerful story that is sure to stir the hearts and imaginations of readers and listeners everywhere.

The librarian’s choice

Library: Boyertown Community Library, 29 E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown

Library Director: Susan Lopez

Picks this week: “Snowmen All Year Round” by Caralyn Buehner; “The Mysterious Society Benedict” by Trenton Lee Stewart; “Secrets at Sea” by Richard Peck

Books to buy

The following books are available at preferred bookstores.

“The Smartest Kid in the Universe: Genius Camp” by Chris Grabenstein, Random House, 2021, 298 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Reading aloud: 8 to 12 years old.

Do you read: 8 – 12 years old.

Jake McQuade, 12, was an average kid until he accidentally ate an entire jar of unmanageable candy. Now Jake is a genius on just about every subject. Everyone takes notice, especially Zane Zinkle, the inventor of the very rich and evil zPhone.

As a boy, Zinkle was hailed as “the smartest kid alive” and is furious that Jake is considered a child genius, replacing him in that role. Zinkle is determined to find out how this average middle schooler suddenly acquired this burst of extreme intelligence out of thin air.

When Jake is invited to Zinkle’s first-ever genius camp, Jake has no idea anything sinister is going on. But as one weird event after another surfaces, important things come into focus: Zinkle’s new zPhone app is making everyone act really weird and it becomes clear that it’s Zinkle’s intention to conquer the world. What also becomes apparent is that it’s up to Jake to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Hang on to your hat. “The Smartest Kid Alive: Genius Camp” is a hilarious, suspenseful, challenging, high-stakes puzzle game that kids won’t want to put down until the last page is read.

“The Volume” written and illustrated by Luis Camnitzer, Gregory R. Miller & Co., 2021, 72 pages, $22.95 hardcover

Reading aloud: 7 to 12 years old.

Do you read: 8 – 12 years old.

A very long time ago, on a very dark night, there was a big explosion that was eventually called the Big Bang. The blow was very messy, and a tiny bit of that mess flew off on its own.

“That was a point. And he landed on a square, which was a page.

Dot bravely explored the square space he inhabited but was alone and sad. As the dot breathed, it grew bigger and bigger and thought it best to split its size in half to make a mate.

It was satisfying at first, but the dots wanted more and multiplied again and again, eventually creating a line. Multiplication continued, eventually creating shapes, colors and patterns – the magical world of writing and art.

Exceptional on many levels, “The Volume” brings the abstract to life in a playful and engaging way that will inspire readers to apply these concepts in many ways.

Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be contacted at kendal.rautzhan27@gmail.com.