2018 Best Elementary Fiction!

January 9, 2019December 19, 2018 | Tasha

Here are my picks for the top books for elementary readers that span the entirety of elementary school grades:

Baby Monkey Private Eye by Brian Selznick Bob by Wendy Mass

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin (9781338180619)

A winning new easy reader that pushes the boundaries of the format – My Review

Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Nicholas Gannon (9781250166623)

A deftly written magical tale of rain, friendship and families – My Review

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson Hi, Jack By Mac Barnett

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (9780399252525)

A book that celebrates diversity and asks deep questions about our modern society, this is a novel that so many children will see themselves reflected in and others will learn something from. – My Review

Hi, Jack! By Mac Barnett, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli (9780425289075)

Two masters take on the easy-reader format in this first in a new series. – My Review

Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelan Mallko and Dad by Gusti

Knights vs. Dinosaurs by Matt Phelan (9780062686237)

A boisterous, battle-filled book that will appeal to young knights and young dinosaur experts and anyone looking for a good read. – My Review

Mallko and Dad by Gusti (9781592702596)

An incredible book that is a picture book, but as thick as a novel thanks to the quantity of images crammed inside waiting to inspire you to love. – My Review

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake by Jeff Mack (9781534404311)

Using plenty of vaudeville-like falls, trips and hazards, the book is fast-paced and funny. – My Review

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech (9780062570734)

Creech is an amazing author. Her books are so readable by children, the length just right, the story incredibly focused. – My Review

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini Vernon Is on His Way by Philip C. Stead

Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini, illustrated by Dan Williams (9780525539094)

A devastating piece of fiction – My Review

Vernon Is on His Way: Small Stories by Philip C. Stead (9781626726550)

As always, Stead hits just the right notes with this book. – My Review

2018 Costa Children’s Book Award Winner

January 8, 2019 | Tasha

The Skylarks' War

The Skylark’s War by Hilary McKay has won the Costa Children’s Book Award. The novel was published in the United States under the title Love to Everyone.

The Costa judges said it is “As perfect a novel as you could ever want to read.”

2018 Best Youth Nonfiction!

January 8, 2019December 19, 2018 | Tasha

What a year for nonfiction! It was filled with looks at math, science, art, music and much more. Here are my picks for the best nonfiction for children and teens in 2018:

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome Carlos Santana Sound of the Heart, Song of the World by Gary Golio

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James R. Ransome (9780823420476)

An important and lovely book about Harriet Tubman that belongs in all libraries. – My Review

Carlos Santana: Sound of the Heart, Song of the World by Gary Golio (9781627795128)

A great pick for libraries looking for quality biographies of musicians. – My Review

Countdown 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak

Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez (9781682630136)

A glorious look at the Apollo missions. This belongs in every library. – My Review

Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost (9781250175366)

A smart choice for libraries looking for great STEM reads. – My Review

Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri Life Inside My Mind

Drawn from Nature by Helen Ahpornsiri (9780763698980)

Throughout there is a grace of line and delight. An organic look at nature in all of its beauty. – My Review

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles edited by Jessica Burkhart (9781481494649)

Reading this book is an exercise in opening your heart. It belongs in every public library serving teens. It will save lives. Period. – My Review

Lovely Beasts by Kate Gardner Nothing Stopped Sophie The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe

Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth by Kate Gardner, illustrated by Heidi Smith (9780062741615)

A beautiful and fresh look at some of the most misunderstood animals in the world. – My Review

Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe, illustrated by Barbara McClintock (9780316278201)

The book shows again and again the resilience and determination that it took for Sophie to succeed. – My Review

One Day a Dot by Ian Lendler Otis and Will Discover the Deep by Barb Rosenstock

One Day a Dot by Ian Lendler, illustrated by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb (9781626722446)

A great look at the science of the Big Bang and evolution for small children, this is a cleverly designed book. – My Review

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Katherine Roy (9780316393829)

A winner of a science read. – My Review

Pass Go and Collect 200 by Tanya Lee Stone So Tall Within Sojourner Truth's Long Walk Toward Freedom by Gary D. Schmidt

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Steven Salerno (9781627791687)

A very intriguing tale that is a mix of women’s rights, ingenuity and economics. – My Review

So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom by Gary D. Schmidt, illustrated by Daniel Minter (9781626728721)

This book aches with pain, loss, and grief. – My Review

The Sockeye Mother by Hetxw_ms Gyetxw Water Land Land and Water Forms around the World by Christy Hale

The Sockeye Mother by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett David Huson), illustrated by Natasha Donovan (9781553791395)

The book is deep and lovely, the tone unique and lush. – My Review

Water Land: Land and Water Forms around the World by Christy Hale (9781250152442)

A brilliant book that will have young readers looking at water and land in a new way with plenty of terms to name what they are seeing. – My Review

We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson

We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson (9780525580423)

A call to action for young people, this book is an anthology that belongs in every library in our country. – My Review

2018 Best Board Books!

January 7, 2019December 19, 2018 | Tasha

2018 was a great year for board books! Here are my picks for the ten best board books of the year:

Ciao, Baby! Ready for a Ride Holi Colors by Rina Singh

Ciao, Baby! Ready for a Ride by Carole Lexa Schaefer, illustrated by Lauren Tobia (9780763683979)

A loving and warm look at life in an urban setting with a Hispanic family at its heart. – My Review

Holi Colors by Rina Singh (9781459818491)

Joyous and bright – My Review

Little Truck by Taro Gomi Opposite Surprise by Agnese Baruzzi

Little Truck by Taro Gomi (9781452163000)

Exactly what little ones will love! – My Review

Opposite Surprise by Agnese Baruzzi (9789888341375)

The illustrations are simple and bold and will lead to discussions about how they could be interpreted. – My Review

A Pile of Leaves by Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin Shapes by Jacques Duquennoy

A Pile of Leaves by Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin (9780714877204)

Clever and a delight to explore, this board book is like breathing crisp fall air in book form. – My Review

Shapes by Jacques Duquennoy (9782747086998)

This clever mechanism makes for a dynamic book that will have children wanting to make their own shapes too. – My Review

Toesy Toes by Sarah Tsiang Wee Beasties Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard by Ame Dyckman

Toesy Toes by Sarah Tsiang (9781459813427)

The book has a simple format, bright colors and a rollicking rhythm that keeps the pace brisk and lively. – My Review

Wee Beasties: Huggy the Python Hugs Too Hard by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths (9781534410800)

One of those special board books that has a real story arc, this one is funny and filled with love. – My Review

You and Me by Rebecca Kai Dotlich You See, I See in the City by Michelle Sinclair Colman

You and Me by Rebecca Kai Dotlich (9781568463216)

These are images of a loving African-American family that celebrate being an older sibling. – My Review

You See, I See in the City by Michelle Sinclair Colman, illustrated by Paul Schmid (9781524715007)

A winning board book full of urban sights. – My Review

2018 BCCB Blue Ribbons

January 3, 2019January 2, 2019 | Tasha

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books has named their 2018 Blue Ribbons. On their website, you will find short descriptions of each book with age ranges. Here they are with covers:

FICTION

Astrid the Unstoppable Baby Monkey, Private Eye

Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin

The Book of Pearl Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)

The Book of Pearl by Timothee de Fombelle

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

Dream Country Love to Everyone

Dream Country by Shannon Gibney

Love to Everyone by Hilary McKay

Monday's Not Coming Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins

The War Outside When Light Left Us

The War Outside by Monica Hesse

When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas

The Wicked Deep

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

NONFICTION

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card Attucks!: Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team That Awakened a City

Americanized: Rebel without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Attucks!: Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team That Awakened a City by Phillip Hoose

Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend

Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Jones

Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend by Karen Blumenthal

Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science Hey, Kiddo

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

Hey, Kiddo! by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

A History of Pictures for Children: From Cave Paintings to Computer Drawings Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere

A History of Pictures for Children: From Cave Paintings to Computer Drawings by David Hockney and Martin Gayford, illustrated by Rose Blake

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock

Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and the War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America

Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow

PICTURE BOOKS

The Day You Begin Do You Believe in Unicorns?

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Do You Believe in Unicorns? by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

Drawn Together Dreamers

Drawn Together by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

The Eleventh Hour The Funeral

The Eleventh Hour by Jacques Goldstyn

The Funeral by Matt James

Julián Is a Mermaid Night Job

Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Night Job by Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

A Parade of Elephants The Patchwork Bike

A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke, illustrated by Van Thanh Rudd

Kirkus Best of Indie 2018

December 18, 2018December 17, 2018 | Tasha

Kirkus has completed their best of 2018 lists with their Best Indie list. In this list, they have two categories for youth books. Kirkus is one of the only review journals to really look at independently published titles, some from very small publishers, so this will be a list that has books you may not have discovered yet. Here are their picks for best indie youth books of the year:

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

All is Assuredly Well Everyone Is Asleep But Me

All Is Assuredly Well by Professor Gore, Maestro Wilson, illustrated by Angela F.M. Trotter

Everyone Is Asleep but Me by Diana Yacobi, Lily Safrani, illustrated by Philip L. Wohlrab

Go To Sleep! Gusto & Gecko Travel to China (The Curious Travels of Gusto & Gecko, #3)

Go to Sleep by Marion Adams, illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills

Gusto & Gecko Travel to China by Longy Han, illustrated by Elinor Hägg

IF YOU LOOK UP TO THE SKY by Angela Dalton

I Love You This Much, Nonna by James Doti, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

If You Look Up to the Sky by Angela Dalton, illustrated by Margarita Sikorskaia

One Hundred Thousand Some-Things

One Hundred Thousand Somethings by Ryan Forbes

MIDDLE GRADE and YOUNG ADULT

By a Charm and a Curse Matthew Patterson and the Wish Defenders

By a Charm & a Curse by Jaime Questell

Matthew Patterson and the Wish Defenders by Michael R. Holm and Rick Foster

The Puddle Club Ray Vs the Meaning of Life

The Puddle Club by Michael McGruther and Gregg Russell

Ray vs. the Meaning of Life by Michael F. Stewart

Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps

Where Dragonwoofs Sleep and the Fading Creeps by A. J. Massey

YALSA’s Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalists

December 13, 2018December 12, 2018 | Tasha

YALSA has announced their finalists for their 2019 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction. The award is for the best nonfiction book published for ages 12-18 during a November 1 – October 31 publishing year. Here are the finalists:

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam

The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor by Sonia Sotomayor

Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler Hey, Kiddo

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown

2019 Morris Award Finalists

December 12, 2018December 11, 2018 | Tasha

YALSA has announced the finalists for the 2019 Morris Award. The award is given to a debut author writing for teens and “celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.” Here are the finalists:

Blood Water Paint Check, Please!: #Hockey, Vol. 1

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough

Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orïsha, #1) Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

What the Night Sings

What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper

2018 Prime Minister’s Awards

December 7, 2018December 6, 2018 | Tasha

The winners of the Australian Prime Minister’s Awards have been announced. They are some of the most prestigious of the Australian book awards and carry a large monetary prize as well. Here are the winners and short listed titles for the youth categories:

CHILDREN’ S LITERATURE WINNER

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