If you're looking for a good New Year's resolution this year, why not resolve to read more. You'd be surprised at how fun it can be. Kidzworld did a lot of readin' this year and we've got a list of some great books that are guaranteed to make you keep turning those pages. Check out our Top Reads of 2002!
1.) Pure Dead Magic (Random House)
Pure Dead Magic takes you on a spectacular journey following the Strega-Borgia family. You'll witness kidnappings, witchcraft, monsters and sibling rivalry. And, if you take our advice and like what you read in this book, you'll have a lot to look forward to in the future. It's part of a trilogy still in the works! The second book in the trio, Pure Dead Wicked came out in August 2002 and the third is currently a work in progress.2.) Girl Coming in for a Landing (Random House)
Girl Coming in for a Landing is a novel but instead of chapters, the whole book is a collection of poems. The fictional author of the poems is a young girl in high school and the poems chronicle a whole year of events that take place in her life. From her family, to school dances, to her first crush, the poems tell it all. And they're all short and make their point without a lot of hidden meanings, so you won't have to spend all day dissecting this poetry like you do in your English class. If you wanna plunge into something new and different, this book is it.
3.) The Bad Beginning (Harper Collins)
Lemony Snicket's The Bad Beginning introduces the Baudelaire children, three wealthy kids who have their lives changed forever when their parents are killed in a house fire. From there, things don't get much better for Violet, an inventive 14 year-old, her younger book-obsessed brother, Klaus and their younger sister, Sunny. This book made our "must-read" of the year list because it's one in a long, crazy-good Series of Unfortunate Events by the mysterious Lemony Snicket. And, if you don't do some reading on this mega-popular series now, you'll be lost when you finally see the movie!
4.) The Ultimate Nature Pack (Raincoast)
Now, with the amazing, Ultimate Nature Pack, you can have a top-secret home laboratory. Unfortunately, you can't alter the molecular structure of Poptarts or create giant raging dust bunnies. The kit comes with tweezers, magnifying glass, petri dish, the works. Face it, you may never have to go to school again! For the reason alone, we recommend this read.
5.) Caught by the Sea (Random House)
Caught by the Sea is the real-life tale about the author's first experiences sailing on the Pacific Ocean. We follow the author, Gary, through his harrowing first sailing experience where his boat almost capsized and his sleeping bag was filled with sea water, coffee grounds and oatmeal! If you don't mind sifting through a bit of technical mumbo-jumbo, then you should definitely head out to get Caught by the Sea. I was hooked within the very first sentence and I'm sure you will be too.
