Mistmantle

I've recently read a fantasy series for kids called The Mistmantle Chronicles. Written by a British author, these books are similar to many because they're about talking animals living in a medieval-like setting. But there have been lots of books like that published because kids enjoy them. This series has some unique plotlines, well-drawn characters and the magic is not the standard sort. People who don't read the series in order and some younger readers might find the multiple characters a bit confusing, but escaping to a world where life is exciting and dangerous but good always triumphs makes the series well worth reading. 

Tough Compassion

Compassion means to "feel with" someone else. Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, written by Sarah Miller, is a wonderful example of that. This book is officially fiction, but Miller did so much historical research and writes so well it's almost like the reader is actually watching through a window as Annie Sullivan struggles to reach the blind, deaf, and extremely spoiled young Helen. Readers will gain a new appreciation of their senses while experiencing this page-turner and realize the appropriateness of the beautiful cover art. I highly recommend this book.