Juvenile Fiction
First, a disclaimer: I'm not going to talk about picture books today. Hundreds and hundreds to picture books are published every year, and I've seen so many that it's hard to keep track of them all. Perhaps I should start tracking them on Goodreads like I do the chapter books? I'll make it a goal to do better next year. But chapter books are a little easier to keep track of since one generally reads fewer of them due to their relative length. So here are my favorite chapter books of 2010!
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
One of the best examples I've ever seen of a books that really gets middle school. The kids in this book are varied and realistic, and the general premise of a geeky kid dispensing advice with an origami Yoda figure is too much fun. Go grab this one today.
Crunch by Leslie Connor
This book is definitely a product of our times. Kids can't help but hear about the rising gas prices, environmental issues, and economic constraints that all factor into the hypothetical situation presented in this novel. A gas shortage has left Dewey's parents stranded far from home, leaving him and his siblings to cope on their own. These kids are resourceful and it was great to see how the community banded together during the crisis.
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
An unusual story, but one that really made me think about the differences between childhood and adulthood. In this book, our main character is a boy stuck in the body of a grown man. Liam is constantly mistaken for an adult, which has its pros and cons. But when he decides to use his appearance to con his way onto a civilian space flight things get a little hairy.
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
This is perhaps the most unique book I've ever seen, blending sparse text and vibrant pictures with an impressive vocabulary and whimsical characters. Awesome.
Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale
This graphic novel is the sequel to 2008's delightful Rapunzel's Revenge, and it certainly did not disappoint! This time the story is told from the perspective of Jack, the boy of beanstalk fame. He tries to set things right with the giant back home, all the while desperate to hide his criminal past from Punzie. The steampunk setting makes this fractured fairy tale really stand out, and the illustrations grab you and pull you into the story. A fun adventure.
Teen Reads
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Probably the most anticipated book of the year, the conclusion to The Hunger Games Trilogy was a great success. Katniss becomes fully embroiled in the rebellion against the cruel Capitol, but quickly begins to wonder how far she's willing to go for the Districts' freedom. If you haven't read this book or its predecessors yet, do yourself a favor and track down a copy today - it's one of the most amazing series I've encountered.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
This story about two teens who share the same name is told in alternating voices. The authors' different styles blend together impressively and this quirky tale of love and friendship stands out for it's dynamic characters.
Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Another futuristic dystopia - clearly there are a number of good books being added to this genre. In this story corporate sponsorship mingles with education and social networking as teens earn prestige by impressing various businesses. Makes you think about all of the issues that social networking has brought to light in recent years.
Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu
Lucy has been keeping her mother's hording a secret for years, fearing the response that other people will have to her home situation. But when tragedy suddenly strikes, how will she clean up the mess? Lucy's emotional journey is powerful and her fears palpable.
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
I'm a big sucker for fractured fairy tales and I especially love Little Red Riding Hood, so this book was pretty much a guaranteed hit for me. Even without my own biases, I really thought that this modern retelling put a very unique spin on the story and turned it into its own animal.
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar
Alton has always been told by his parents that his great-uncle Lester Trapp is his favorite uncle as the grown-ups schmooze in the hopes of inheriting the man's fortune. But when Alton is forced to take Lester to his bridge club and act as the blind man's cardturner, he soon realizes that there's more to his uncle than meets the eye. Lots of bridge talk in this story, but you don't have to know anything about the game to appreciate the great characters and their circumstances.
What are your favorite books of 2010?
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