Here are the books recommended by the wonderful Grainne Clear on Tubridy this morning (18th Dec). With some of Grainne's comments - where I caught them!
1/ Journey by Aaron Becker
A beautiful wordless picture book. (Age 4+)
2/ The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen
A picture book with edge. (Age 4+)
3/ The Powers by Kevin Powers, illustrated by Sheena Dempsey (Age 6/7+)
UNESCO City of Literature Book for Dublin in Jan 2014
4/ Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
A wonderfully funny book for readers of 8+ about wandering islands with lots of illustrations.
5/ The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas
David Almond, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (Age 8+)
About a boy with a mad uncle who runs away to the circus.
6/ The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan
Age 11+
7/ Improper Order by Deirdre Sullivan
About Prim, a brilliant character. Teen crushes and heavier things - mother has passed away and Prim is dealing with that. Age 12+
8/ After Tomorrow by Gillian Cross
Well written dystopia. About using your head and your heart.
Age 12+
8/ The Fault in the Stars by John Green
Age 13+
A 'nerdstar' of the literary scene. The story of Hazel who has terminal cancer who meets a boy with cancer and they fall in love. It's their story. Heavy but fantastic. About not defining people by their illness.
9/ More Than This by Patrick Ness
Age 13+ This will keep your teenager reading for quite some time. At the beginning of the book Seth dies and you go into the afterlife. Dystopian atmosphere but it's also a thriller. The whole book we are walking through the whole book with Seth - it's a beautiful book.
10/ Dark Satanic Mills by Marcus Sedgwick
Age 13+ - a graphic novel.