War Books For 9 Year Olds

[Jenn Smotherman]

My cousin-nephew is 12 years old. He doesn't quite understand what the term Graphic design means at the yet, but he's been having a play in Photoshop and Illustrator and copied some design concepts from other places he has seen on the web. He learns very fast. He expressed interest in buying a book so he can become a good graphic designer. His teachers have been a bit of a letdown so far.

Edit: Here's something that came out recently (2013): Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd. It gets very positive reviews which tend to say that, while it's aimed at kids, the content is strong enough that it's good for adults too (I've not read it but thought it worth mentioning).

Maybe a design magazine at the lighter end of the market would be a better place to start? I don't know what's available in your region but I find Digital Arts, Computer Arts and Digital Artist all to be good, broad-ranging in focus and very accessible.

(make sure it's a magazine like those I link to that are for people who do design, illustration and digital arts, not a magazine for design connoisseurs who talk about design fashions. If it contains tutorials and hardware reviews, the adverts are for things like stock photo sites, design software, hardware and web hosting, and it has a CD stuck to the cover or a downloads section for things like fonts, stock photos and tutorials, it's for designers. If the ads are for expensive fashionable stuff and you're not even sure what the articles are about, it's for the connoisseurs).

Definitely don't get him a beginner's book focussed on a particular piece of software if he's a fast learner who has no problem learning for himself. Those are usually paced for adult learners (i.e. slow). I imagine it would take all the fun out of it. It certainly would have done for me.

(oh, and if, 4-6 years from now, he definitely wants to be a designer and is serious about it as a career plan, or for anyone else reading this question with an older and more career-set wannabe designer in mind, get them a copy of the latest edition of How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul. It's a really good guide on how to get started in the industry without getting burned out or stuck in a dead-end, how to find what inspires you, and how to get there. But it's only suitable for someone who is actually starting to make serious, immediate moves towards a career. Your cousin-nephew has the blissful freedom and great advantage of being able to experiment and find their own passions and preferences at their own pace. It's a beautiful thing and should be allowed to develop naturally)

Hmmmm, you say "He doesn't quite understand what the term Graphic design means..." but also "He expressed interest in buying a book so he can become a good graphic designer". I wonder if he wants to be a graphic designer, or you want him to be?

Seems a little early for a book on graphic design -- at that age, I think a practical approach is far more likely to be successful: producing a poster for his school event, designing a bookjacket for his favourite book or packaging for his favourite game, a website for his team/club etc, making holiday cards, etc. Get him to look at professional versions of these, and think how they work.

Have you considered video tutorials instead of a book? It may not be suitable as a formal present but I think that a selection of video tutorials could turn out to be better than a book. You may have to invest a little bit of your time to compile a list of links to suitable photoshop tutorials. I find that the learning experience tends to me more intuitive with videos compared to a book. One website that I like is 'Photoshop for Kids'.

user's comment below got me thinking. The key is really to get the kid used to the idea that art can be pursued as a career. I'm not sure where this kid is located, but in the US, for example, that's not often even seen as a career choice in a lot of schools. It wasn't until college that I even discovered 'art' could be an actual major.

I'd encourage learning about design in general. The Bauhaus, The Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, almost any book that covers aspects of design and art from the 1800s on would be a good thing to expose them too.

You may be better taking this young man to a large bookstore and letting him loose in the art and design section to pick something that appeals to him to start with - I suspect that he may surprise you on his choice and he will read it more avidly if it is his choice.

I would also suggest getting him a good set of pens and pad - get the basics down before getting online - if he finds the 'art' difficult then maybe a digital camera. I started in photography and progressed that way - coming to design from a different direction gave me a different eye so to speak.

According to ALSC policy, the current year's Newbery, Caldecott, Belpr, Sibert, Geisel, and Batchelder Award and Honor books automatically are added to the Notable Children's Books list.

While visiting an indoor waterpark, a child envisions future adventures as a series of increasingly daring scenes unfold through her fearless imagination, accompanied by vibrant illustrations and dynamic text. (A Batchelder Honor Book)

This lushly illustrated graphic novel celebrates the friendship between two friends. But how will Worm react to Caterpillar's metamorphosis? Humor and heartfelt conversations create a page-turning plot. (A Geisel Honor Book)

This tribute to Jackie Ormes, the first syndicated Black woman cartoonist in the United States, presents an exuberant child who grows into the successful creator of comic strips featuring Black characters who confront prejudice and fear. (A Sibert Honor Book)

In this graphic novel memoir, Pedro embarks on a family road trip to Mexico in a Winnebago, and shares the complexities of belonging to two cultures. (A Newbery Honor Book, the Belpr Illustrator Award book and Belpr Author Award book)

In this novel-in-verse, Laura navigates her relationship with her aunt and the foster system, befriends a stray pup, and plots to reunite with her parents in rehab. (A Belpr Children's Author Honor Book)

This novel-in-verse tells the story of twelve-year-old Aniana, her struggle with Juvenile Arthritis, and dream to become a competitive swimmer against her mother's wishes. (A Belpr Children's Author Honor Book)

In this retelling of the First Messenger Feast, a young Inupiaq boy is captured and taken to the home of the Eagle People where he is taught cultural skills that ultimately unite his people. (A Newbery Honor Book)

The book introduces more than 30 delightfully detailed dwellings and their inhabitants through intricate architectural illustrations with sidebars and descriptions that introduce residents both human and supernatural, from the past, present, and future. (The Batchelder Award Book)

April Roy, Chair, Kansas City Public Library, Missouri
Kate Carter, Multnomah County Library, Oregon
Rebecca Levitan, Baltimore County Public Library, Maryland
Jennifer Longee, Durham Academy Middle School, North Carolina
Jennifer Minehardt, Perrot Memorial Library, Connecticut
Emily Snodgrass, Rogers Public Library, Arkansas
Melissa Sokol, Dayton Metro Library, Ohio
Patrick Tierney, Barrington Public Library, Rhode Island
Cassandra Welch, Charleston County Public Library, South Carolina
Julie Williams, Sanford Middle School Library, Maine
Julia Wright, San Mateo County Libraries, California
Katy Punch, NCB Administrative Assistant, Wake County Public Libraries, North Carolina

Anton is the self-proclaimed ruler leader of Year 9 and with his friends, rules the school. But he faces a dilemma when he strikes up an unlikely friendship after a life-changing event. Will he remain loyal to his new friend or stay true to his previous reputation? Suitable for early teen readers, this compelling contemporary comedy explores themes of friendship and identity and offers relatable insights into peer pressure and personal growth. Highly recommended.

Part three of the Chaos Walking trilogy, Monsters of Men explores the effects of war. A fast-moving dystopian thriller set in a fantasy world war to end all wars. Todd and Viola have to fight, but what are they fighting for, and is it worth it? A modern classic and a great book for 13-year-olds.

In a quiet English village, everyone falls asleep unexpectedly. When they wake up a day later, all the women are inexplicably pregnant. It soon becomes apparent that the children have abilities and powers that are not normal, threatening the community. Brilliantly written, this unsettling story is ideal to spark philosophical debate and discussion. Recently adapted into a TV series by Sky, The Midwich Cuckoos is a classic work of science fiction that has renewed relevance in an age of conformity, information wars and distrust in political leadership.

Mysticism, fear and West African witchcraft are blended into this heady and lyrical potion of a modern fable that explores friendship and loyalty. When Sheba discovers her magic abilities, she uses them to uncover dark family secrets that threaten to untie all that binds her life together. Memorable and atmospheric, this novel would be a powerful and provocative read for KS3 book clubs.

A rocket-paced thriller set in a dystopian near future. The only survivor of a terrorist attack on a packed train, Cillian starts to wonder if and why he was spared. Soon he finds himself drawn into a web of deceit and mind-bending revelations. Ideal for reluctant teen readers in Year 9.

A page-turning collection of six books (separately: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner and Midnight Sun) will appeal to young adults. Teen Isabella Swan starts at a new school and quickly has to tread a fine line between romance and dangerous vampires. All six stories are addictive reads.

In the future, all society is overseen by the World Controllers. Everything is ordered and efficient. But Bernard has other ideas and wants to do more than ask questions. An ideal book for year nine book clubs.

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