Books for the holidays: Numerous books would make great stocking stuffers for young audiences

• “Princess Academy: Palace of Stone,” by Shannon Hale (grades 5 and up)

• "Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” by Jeff Kinney (grades 5 and up)

• “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,” by Wendy Mass (grades 6-8)

• “The False Prince,” by Jennifer Nielsen (grades 4-8)

• “Inside Out and Back Again,” by Thanhha Lai (grades 4-8)

Nonfiction

Reminders:

• Are the text and illustrations accurate and authentic? Check date and credibility of author and/or editors.

• Is the subject one in which the child has expressed interest?

• Is the content within the reader’s ability?

Suggested titles:

• "Ladybug,” by Emery Bernhard, illustrated by Durga Bernhard (grades 1-4)

• “Buffalo Hunt,” by Russell Freedman (grades 3-6)

• “Book of Dinosaurs,” by Ray Bryant (grades 1-3)

• “Shadow Life: The Story of Anne Frank and Her Family,” by Barry Deneberg, (grades 6-8)

• “Nic Bishop Snakes,” by Nic Bishop (grades 1-3)

• “The Impossible Rescue: The True Story of an Amazing Arctic Adventure,” by Martin W. Sandler (grades 5-7)

• “Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller,” by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares (grades 1-4)

• “Star Wars: A Galactic Pop-Up Adventure,” by Matthew Reinhart (grades 3-7)

Adventure series

Reminders:

• Does each in the series stand on its own or must the books be read in sequence?

• Is content within the understanding level of the intended reader?

• Does each contain adventure and action enough to maintain interest?

Suggested:

• Heroes of Olympus and Kane Chronicles, by Rick Riordon (grades 5 and up)

• “Eragon” and “Inheritance,” by Christopher Paolini (grades 6 and up)

• Maze Runner, by James Dashner (grades 5 and up)

• Michael Vey, by Richard Paul Evans (grades 6 and up)

• “Pathfinder” and “Ender’s Game,” by Orson Scott Card (grades 6 and up)

• Maximum Ride and Middle School, by James Patterson (grades 6 and up)

Books “outside the box”

Reminders:

These are books for readers who like something unusual.

Suggested titles:

• “Look…Look Again!” by John O’Brien (grades 4 and up)

Thirty illustrated stories that unfold in comic-style panels telling an ongoing plot about characters that the reader must connect in some way. This is full of puns and cartoon conventions for humor and fun.

• “Hang Glider and Mud Mask,” by Jason Jagel and Brian McMullen (grades 1-4)