Fiction:
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Junonia by Kevin Henkes
Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover
Almost ten-year-old Alice Rice loves the family tradition of celebrating her birthdays in a cottage on the Florida beach. This year she has the faintest sense of foreboding, however, as the rental car passes over the bridge. Who will be able to come to her party? And will she finally find the rare and highly-prized junonia shell (featured on the cover)?
In this lovely book, Henkes has perfectly captured the conflicting feelings of a young girl caught between childhood and the growing maturity of adolescence. Front matter includes illustrations of some common Florida seashells.
Highly recommended!
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Publisher: Greenwillow Books; Reprint edition (April 24, 2012)
- ISBN-10: 0061964190
- ISBN-13: 978-0061964190
Zora and Me by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | MP3 CD
Set in Eatonville, Florida, this is a fictionalized account of author Zora Neale Hurston’s childhood related from the viewpoint of her best friend Carrie.
- Age Range: 10 and up
- Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (December 27, 2011)
- ISBN-10: 0763658146
- ISBN-13: 978-0763658144
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Library Binding | Audio CD
When Turtle’s mother finds a much-needed job during the Great Depression, Turtle is sent to the Key West to stay with her aunt. Discover Florida as Turtle discovers herself. This title is a Newbery Honor Book.
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Publisher: Yearling; Dgs Rep edition (December 27, 2011)
- ISBN-10: 037583690X
- ISBN-13: 978-0375836909
The Last Wild Place by Rosa Jordan (2008)
Kindle | Hardcover | Paperback
Sixth-grader Chip’s feelings of loneliness lead him to find a family of Florida panthers. Can he save them when development threatens?
- ISBN-10 : 1554551463
- ISBN-13 : 978-1554551460
Carl Hiaasen is well-known for his books set in Florida:
Scat by Carl Hiaasen (2012)
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Audio CD
Set in the Florida Everglades, Nick and Marta are trying to find out what happened to their missing biology teacher, as well as what else is going on.
- Reading age : 10 – 13 years
- Publisher : Yearling (February 28, 2012)
- ISBN-10 : 0440421047
- ISBN-13 : 978-0440421047
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen (2005)
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Audio CD
A boy discovers new friends and burrowing owls after moving to Coconut Grove, Florida. Hiaasen has written numerous quirky books for adults and this book is also filled with unusual characters.
- Reading age : 10 – 12 years
- Publisher : Yearling; Reprint edition (December 27, 2005)
- ISBN-10 : 0440419395
- ISBN-13 : 978-0440419396
See also the rest in the series:
Chomp
Squirm
Adrian Fogelin also has written several books set in the city where she lives, Tallahassee, Florida:
Sister Spider Knows All by Adrian Fodelin (2003)
Kindle | Paperback | Hardcover
Roxanne’s life is busy because she works at the Tallahassee flea market on the weekends, but her life doesn’t feel compete because she doesn’t know who her parents are. Will the diary she finds help answer her questions?
- Reading age : 8 – 12 years
- Publisher : Peachtree Publishing Company (October 1, 2003)
- ISBN-10 : 9781561452903
- ISBN-13 : 978-1561452903
Crossing Jordan by Adrian Fogelin
Illustrated by Suzy Schultz (2002)
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover
When Jemmie moves in next door, Cassie discovers she likes the same things: running and reading. She also discovers that inter-racial friendships can be frowned-upon in her Tallahassee, Florida neighborhood.
- Reading age : 8 – 12 years
- Publisher : Peachtree Publishing Company; Illustrated edition (July 1, 2002)
- ISBN-10 : 1561452815
- ISBN-13 : 978-1561452811
Sam the Sea Cow (Reading Rainbow Books) by Francine Jacobs and illustrated by Laura Kelly (1992)
Picture book that follows the adventures of Sam the manatee (early elementary).
- Reading age : 4 – 8 years
- Publisher : Bloomsbury USA Childrens; First Edition (May 1, 1992)
- ISBN-10 : 0802773737
- ISBN-13 : 978-0802773739
The Yearling (Aladdin Classics) by Patricia Reilly Giff
Kindle | Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover
Probably best for children older than 12, this classic novel is full of the harsh realities of growing up in rural Florida.
- Age Range: 8 – 12 years
- Grade Level: 3 – 7
- Paperback: 528 pages
- Publisher: Aladdin; First Edition edition (September 1, 2001)
- ISBN-10: 0689846231
- ISBN-13: 978-0689846236
Nonfiction:
Marjory Saves the Everglades: The Story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Sandra Neil Wallace and illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon
In this picture book biography, we learn how reporter and nature lover Marjory Stoneman Douglas worked to save the Everglades from development. More thorough review and activity suggestions at Growing with Science blog.
- Grade Level : Preschool – 3
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 22, 2020)
- ISBN-10 : 1534431543
- ISBN-13 : 978-1534431546
Everglades by Jean Craighead George and illustrated by Wendell Minor (1997)
Learn about the history and nature of the Everglades.
- Reading age : 4 – 8 years
- Publisher : HarperCollins; Reprint edition (March 21, 1997)
- ISBN-10 : 0064461947
- ISBN-13 : 978-0064461948
Parrotfish and Sunken Ships: Exploring a Tropical Reef by Jim Arnosky
Exploring the coral reefs around the Florida Keys.
- Reading age : 5 – 10 years
- Publisher : HarperCollins; 1st edition (August 28, 2007)
- ISBN-10 : 0688171230
- ISBN-13 : 978-0688171230
S is for Sunshine: A Florida Alphabet by Carol Crane and illustrated by Michael Glenn Monroe
Learn about everything from Florida’s beaches to the state flower.
- Reading age : 6 – 9 years
- Publisher : Sleeping Bear Press; 1st edition (October 9, 2000)
- ISBN-10 : 1585360120
- ISBN-13 : 978-1585360123
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