CLiF presenter Simon Brooks is an award-winning British storyteller living in New Hampshire. He combines his passion for children’s literature and folklore to create fun programs, workshops, and keynotes for both children and adults. Visit him online at SimonBrooksStoryteller.com.

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As a CLiF presenter, I try to read as many of the books CLiF offers kids as I can. I have found some great writers, one of my favorites being Jason Reynolds, author of Ghost and All American Boys, among others. Katherine Applegate is another–although I sort of knew her work, it wasn’t until I sat down with the One and Only Ivan that I fell in love. It’s a poignant story about a captive gorilla who, inspired by a new friend, finds the courage to stand up for a better life for himself and other animals at a run-down mall zoo. Here are a few others I recommend:

Applegate’s sequel to Ivan—The One and Only Bob–is just as good as its predecessor. It follows Ivan’s loyal dog friend, Bob, as he embarks on a dangerous journey to find his long-lost sister and discovers his own strength, courage, and sense of belonging along the way. It’s not as dark as Ivan, but the end is equally as heartwarming, despite a splinter of sadness. It features many of the same characters, including Ivan, and his young elephant friend, Ruby; and certain storylines from Ivan are continued in Bob. But this is Bob’s tale. Where did he first come from, what was he looking for, why was he a stray? This lovable, scrappy little dog, whom I imagine as having a New York accent, tells us all, and although he says he’s a coward at heart, I am not so sure!

After meeting author Kekla Magoon at the 2024 CLiF Library Conference, where she was the keynote speaker, I wanted to read one of her books, and chose The Season of Styx Malone. It’s a coming-of-age novel about two sheltered brothers, Caleb and Bobby, whose summer is turned upside down when they befriend the mysterious Styx Malone, whose wild schemes and troubled past lead them on an unforgettable adventure, challenging their understanding of trust, freedom, and family. I like Magoon’s style and these characters. We all know, or have known, a Styx to varying degrees–a person who shows up in our life, and makes things more interesting! Thanks to Styx, Caleb and Bobby have plenty of adventures they would NEVER had had on their own. I love the way we slowly get to find out who Styx is, where he comes from, what makes him, well… Styx. This is an action-packed book, and moves at a great pace.

Sometimes a book cover will intrigue me, and I will pick it up and read the first few lines to see if I might like it. When I saw the cover of The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels by Beth Lincoln, I could not resist. And when it started: ”It was a bright, well-dressed morning in early May, and the Swifts were in the middle of a funeral…,” I couldn’t help myself. A well-dressed morning, and a funeral?! I was hooked. This book is filled with this sort of language. These wonderful images that roll around the mind, clever and fun, an ode to the love of language. The family has a dictionary from which they choose names for member at birth. The book’s protagonist is Shenanigan; there are aunts Inheritance and Schadenfreude, and Uncle Maelstrom; Fortissimo, whose voice booms, and his child, Finicky. There’s Candour, Covetous, Dither and Vendetta, and poor Cousin Findal who went missing while seeking treasure. And of course the detective in the family is Gumshoe.

This book will not be for everyone. Like a lot of mystery stories, it is a slow burn. It is not short at 338 pages of small (regular adult-sized) type. But the payoff is great as one tries to guess who did it (kill Aunt Schadenfreude), and why (you’ll have to read the book to find out). A voracious young reader who appreciates language will love both the story, and the words that dance across the pages.

Sometimes books written for kids are way better than books written for grown-ups, and if you try one of these, you might agree.