Gentle Reads: Great Books to Warm Hearts and Lift Spirits, Grades 5-9 [Hardcover]

This volume recommends some 500 positive, heart-warming stories for young readersstories of the human spirit and what it can accomplish; stories of loving families surviving crises in positive ways; historical tales full of quick-witted people (especially girls); fairy tales with strong women; true stories of survival; and more. These gentle and uplifting reads span every genrefrom science fiction and fantasy, to mysteries, realistic fiction, biographies, and nonfiction. They are Accelerated Reader titles, Reading Counts titles, and Junior Library Guild selections. Primarily intended for grades 5 to 9, this is a list of reading suggestions for the young adult who wants a great read but does not want to be offended. Grades 5-9.Deanna J. McDanielis a Library Media Specialist, Genoa Middle School, Westerville City Schools, Ohio, with more than 30 years' library experience and a freelance researcher forWeb Feet(Thomson Gale).

Prompted by a New York Times Book Review articles with the title A Good Book Should Make You Cry, whose premise is that language arts teachers love depressing books and YA award winners are full of bad habits and behavior, McDaniel disproves that notion with 500 recommended titles, Here readers will find that books with divorce, drug use, attempted suicides, and more but they all meet the criteria the author has set by being either inspiring, heartwarming, or in some way uplifting. Hand this to adults who want to feel comfortable choosing a read-aloud or gift. It's also useful for book club recommendations and homeschoolers. Arranged by genres, the entries include full bibliographic information, an annotation, and a description of why the book fits the gentle criteria. School Library Journal

McDaniel has done an admirable job of offering readers an alternative and giving librarians a nice collection development tool. Booklist

In her preface to this extremely useful source, school librarian McDanil£Æ