Kobe Bryant: Basketball Big Shot

Savage, Jeff. Kobe Bryant: Basketball Big Shot. Learner Publishing Group, 2001. ISBN 0-8225-3680-3

Although this book is now nine years old, it is a very good description of the early years of basketball great, Kobe Bryant's, early years and rise to fame. Written in a simple context with short, concise sentences, color photographs and a glossary/sources list in the back, it is perfect for a reluctant reader.

The themes of hard work, individual responsibility and dedication, family and both the positive and negative aspects of fame are all covered. Furthermore, Bryant is such a well-known sports figure, this book will be intriguing even to tweens who do not follow basketball regularly.

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide

DiTerlizzi, T., Black, H. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide. Simon and Schuster, 2003. ISBN: 0-689-85936-8.
Perfect for the reluctant reader! This short chapter book is chock full of interesting characters, detailed and clever illustrations (mostly pen and ink, but some in full color), maps, clues, and fantasy suspense. The size of the book alone will be comforting to a tween who may be afraid of larger volumes, and the fact that it has been made into a major motion picture will give it some familiarity.

I was surprised at how enthralling this book was from the very start. Book one of five, the cliffhanger ending will leave the reader longing for more stories of the three Grace children who move to an old family estate where they encounter faeries, boggarts, and a field guide that will help them better understand the world that is "closer than you think." Nearly every page has an illustration or description of some other-worldly creature, and even the pages themselves are cut to give the book an old, weathered appearance.

A clever beginning sets the pace, as a "real" letter written to the authors from the Grace children introduce the "fantastical" world the reader is about to encounter. A superb beginner chapter book that will help introduce the fantasy genre to young readers.

For more information about the authors, see the the following websites:

http://www.blackholly.com/
http://www.diterlizzi.com/