I figured, since I seem to gravitate toward the same author eventually reading everything she writes (it’s usually a she), that I’d have a woman-only post.

Karen Cushman: She writes historical fiction. I’m not usually a historical fiction person, but I’ve enjoyed pretty much everything Ms. Cushman has written. It’s not my absolute favorite stuff, but it’s good, consistent storytelling. She picked up a Newbery for Midwife’s Apprentice; Catherine, Called Birdy picked up a Newbery Honor.

Her Books (that I’ve read, of course):

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple — a good, but not great, story of the Gold Rush in California as told by a 14-year-old girl.

Catherine, Called Birdy — It’s written as a diary of a 14th-century girl. Trite, but fascinating historical details.

Matilda Bone — A fascinating book about a medieval girl who was raised by priests and how she deals with becoming a bonesetter in the “real world”.

Rodzina –Not one of my favorite Cushman books, but still a good tale of orphans and getting along.

Sharon Creech: She’s a general fiction writer. I didn’t like Walk Two Moons, her Newbery winner, very much. But I have liked others that she’s written quite a bit.

Her Books:

Chasing Redbird — A good, fun, simple book. (Though right now, I can’t remember what it is that it’s about. I do remember liking it, though.)

The Wanderer — I liked this even better than her other ones; it was intriguingly written (in the form of journals of two teenagers) and wasn’t heavy handed in its dealings with death and difference and change.

Joan Bauer: I went through a Joan Bauer phase this summer. Her books are quick reads, mostly dealing with the lives of teen-age girls. But she writes boys pretty well, too.

Her Books:

Hope Was Here — This one has the most spunk of her books. It was a fun take on life seen through a 16-year-old trying to find a place to beling.

Rules of the Road — Fun interesting coming of age story.

Standing Tall — I could say the same here as with all her books (a fun, interesting coming of age story).This one is about a 6 foot 3 inch 12 year old boy and his dealing with being tall and his recently divorced parents.

Sticks — My favorite of her books: a great combination of acceptance, math and pool!

Gail Carson Levine: I haven’t been as impressed with her work, aside from Ella Enchanted, which I loved. It seems to me that she gets stuck in a rut, telling the same story over and over. I didn’t include here her princess-fairy tale series (of which my favorite is Cinderellis and the Glass Hill). My daughter, Megan, read them all and loved them.

Her Books:

Dave at Night — Her least “magical” book; there’s no magic in it at all! A good story about change, finding and making a home, adapting to harsh circumstances and making a difference.

Two Princesses of Bamarre — Not as good as Ella Enchanted, but still an interesting story of a princess who defies what she thinks she is and is able to save her kingdom and her sister.

Edith Nesbit: Okay, so I know women like Laura Ingalls Wilder and L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott aren’t here. I have read all of their books (well, the “big” ones anyway) and love them all. It seems silly to put them here. Anyway, Nesbit is right up there with them for me.

Her Books:

Enchanted Castle — A very fun, lighthearted story. Truly engaging. One that someday I’ll read to my girls.

The Railway Children — Her stories are always mostly sweet, with a little bitter thrown in. This was about city children in England who suddenly become poor when their father was taken away. They move to the country, and because they’re so sweet, kind and good they make friends with everyone and after a few adventures everything turns out all right in the end. Typical Nesbit, and very enjoyable.

Five Children and It — Again, a very Nesbit story: Five children on holiday discover a creature who can do magic. All about their adventures that follow their discovery.