M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Books in Boxes to Delight the Reader
By Holly E. Newton

The year 2008 brings new celebrations, new birthdays, new holidays and many more books to read! Boxed sets enable the reader to continue reading and enjoying more books from the same author. Here is a list of some outstanding books packaged together for those kids on your list that will be celebrating upcoming special days!

One of my favorite books that I read when I was much younger is Over Sea Under Stone, by Susan Cooper. This book simply captivated my imagination. However, I didn’t realize at the time that this was the first of five books in her award-winning series, The Dark Is Rising.

This first book is written as a mystery but surprisingly concludes with magic. The second book, The Dark is Rising, was awarded the Newbery Medal. The third book, Greenwitch, has the same three siblings returning to Cornwall as they learn that the grail has been stolen. The fourth book, The Grey King, won the Newbery Medal and the last book, Silver on the Tree, closes this imaginative and wonderfully written Welsh series winning the powers against the Dark. This series is for ages 11 through adult.

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The next four sets of books are perfect for ages 8 and up. The Complete Alice, written by Lewis Carroll, and gloriously illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is the two-book set about a young girl who sets out on an adventure meeting the most extraordinary and life-like characters. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass were first written back in the 1800’s and were out of print for many years. This beautiful version is to be relished because not only does Mr. Carroll have an eloquent gift for storytelling, but Oxenbury brings the stories to life with her elegant paintings. Do not rely on Disney’s animated cartoon to tell the tale. This story is no exception to the fact that the book is always much, much better! Here is a perfect read-aloud. Adults will enjoy these books as well!

I began my life-long love of mysteries while reading “Nancy Drew” books. Nancy Drew Pocketbook Mysteries, by Carolyn Keene, has her first two books, The Secret of the Old Clock and The Hidden Staircase, included, which are my top favorites from my childhood. They read as well today as back when I read them. The mysteries are hard to figure out because Keene expertly placed red herrings all along the way. Both books are also cleverly packaged in a case that functions as a purse.

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Judy Blume’s Fudge Box Set has all five of her fun and funny books that made this author famous with kids all over. The set includes Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, SuperFudge and Fudge-a-Mania. The antics of 12-year-old Peter and his 4-year-old brother, Fudge, and their entanglement and engaging frolics with other family members and friends are hilarious and great fun to read!

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Here’s a tiny boxed set that you could place in your pocket to read wherever and whenever! Dragonology: Pocket Adventures, by Ernest Drake, and with pencil etchings throughout by Helen Ward, Douglas Carrel and Nicholas Lenn. The four small books are filled with detailed maps, drawings and exciting quests that involve the reader to make choices dealing with the onslaught of dangerous dragons.

The next two boxed sets are geared for ages 6 to 10. The Judy Moody Totally Awesome Collection, written by Megan McDonald, and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, is another hilarious series of popular books about third grade Judy and her relationships and funny reactions to her younger siblings, classmates and pets. This set includes Judy Moody Saves the World!, Judy Moody Gets Famous and Judy Moody Declares Independence.

Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown Series #1), written by Donald J. Sobol, and illustrated by Leonard Shortall, is the perfect quick read for the reluctant reader as the stories are short, but full of intrigue as smart Leroy Brown solves mysteries around his neighborhood. Included in the four books is Encyclopedia Brown Finds the Clues.

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The next two sets are geared for new chapter book readers. Mercy Watson: Three-Treat Collection, by Kate DiCamillo, and colorfully illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, has to be one of the most delightful series of books for new readers! This funny, and fun-loving, pig has extraordinary adventures that are not to be missed! The three books in this set includes Mercy Watson to the Rescue.

Rainbow Magic Boxed Set Books 1-7, written and illustrated by Daisy Meadows, is another quick read about Fairyland and the seven colorful sisters. Each thin book is about one of these delightful fairies.

And the last boxed set is for the toddler. All around Us, written and illustrated by Eric Carle, has the author’s signature award-winning art throughout these three board books. The beautifully bright books deal with what the toddler is most aware of — the sky, the earth and the sea.

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