These are my favorite books of the year. Please look into one or more!
Children’s
The Last Cuentista, Higuera. Petra’s on a ship across space with scientists who want to save humanity. But her storytelling ability is more important than ever now.
Weird Kid, Van Eekhout. Middle school makes most of us self conscious, but this feeling of being an outsider is even greater when you’re an alien!
Old Rock (isn’t boring), Pilutti. A great conversation reveals the world’s history.
Mister Invincible, Jousselin. I love books that break out of the box, and this graphic novel excels. Originally published in French.
The Blue Wings, Aerts. Unexpectedly turns from being a crazed juvenile road trip to a sensitive and emotional story of brotherhood, topped off with lovely interior art. Originally published in Dutch.
One Small Hop, Rosenberg. Life seems almost hopeless in a near future America, until Ahab and his friends find one of the last bullfrogs. A rod trip on bikes ensues.
Trouble in the Stars, Prineas. A shapeshifting blob of space goo transforms for a while into a human boy.
The Many Meanings of Meilan, Wang. Meilan struggles when her family leaves Chinatown to live in small town Ohio, wondering which meaning of her name is truest for her.
The Truth as told by Mason Buttle, Connor. Mason’s learning disabilities compound the mysteries surrounding his best friend’s death.
D-39, Latham. In a future world, described in poetry, almost all dogs have been replaced by furry robots.
Negative Cat, Blackall. Or should I have picked Mel Fell? So many great picture books…
Books For Adults
How the Word Is Passed, Smith. Thoughtful essays by a poet.
400 Souls, Kendi and Blain. Collection of imaginative essays and some poems to document the history of Blacks in America.
Hamnet, O’Farrell. Historical fiction tells a tale of grief.
I, Derricotte. Poetry that stunned and affirmed and amazed me.
The Grammarians, Schine. Sisters who loved word play; not as tragic as the rest of my list.
Matrix, Groff. Historical fiction of a woman banished to a medieval convent.
The Mercies, Hargrave. Historical fiction of an even earlier time when women had little power.
Master of Djinn, Clark. Agent Fatma worked in 1912 Cairo to fight the supernatural in this complicated and rewarding fantasy.
She Who Became the Sun, Parker-Chan. Adult Fantasy retelling of a character like Mulan.
Aetherbound, Johnston. This is young adult, but I had to have it on one of my lists!
Bookshelf Picks of a Librarian 