JCPL Kids

There’s a good chance that you and your family will be traveling at least a bit for the holidays. And if not, you may soon be on your way back and forth from school and other activities with your kids.

Below are some books the whole family might enjoy.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 

Read by Neil himself, this is a mesmerizing tale about Bod, a boy who is raised by the ghostly residents of a very old graveyard. Set in misty England, Bod grows up to learn that he is more important than he knows, and that something dark and mysterious is looking for him. This award-winning audiobook is good for around ages 8 and up – be prepared for some spooky moments!

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Maniac Magee is different. In a racially segregated town in Pennsylvania, Maniac Magee is a strange boy who, due to his lack of knowledge about segregation and his homelessness, is able to cross the tracks and interact with people on both sides. This is a heartwarming story about acceptance in an unaccepting world.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

If you have never read this amazing classic before, now is the time to give it a go – it’s narrated by Monty Python’s Eric Idle! Roald Dahl’s most famous book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows down-to-earth Charlie Bucket through Willy Wonka’s spectacular sweets family, encountering scores of strange and mysterious characters along the way.

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

This classic story is bound to enchant you and your family. Join Wendy as she struggles to grow into the social expectations of Victorian London through the lens of her fantastic adventures in Neverland.