Graphic novels continue to be extremely popular at my library. Here are a few of my favorites from this year. Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez Published by Roaring Brook Press Alyssa Bermudez used her real diaries from seventh and […]

A few more chapter books that I enjoyed this year. These could also be Newbery contenders–one never knows. A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus Published by Margaret Ferguson Books I stand by my assertion that this funny, […]

Most of these are also part of my mock Caldecott slideshow, so don’t count them out to win some awards! The Lost Package by Richard Ho, illustrated by Jessica Lanan Published by Roaring Brook Press There’s not a lot of […]

I am grateful that there were so many diverse voices speaking in middle grade fiction this year. Here are a few of them that I’d love to see get a Newbery medal or honor. Starfish by Lisa Fipps Published by […]

A common thread I notice about these books is that each one stayed with me long after I read it. None of them has a long story, and some are almost wordless, but the illustrations were powerful enough to convey […]

Just like last year, I find myself with a pile of books that I didn’t read or that I still have on hold at the library. I am dumping them all into one big post, wrapping it up, and tying […]

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas by Mark Lee, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus Published by Candlewick The Little Owl & the Big Tree: A Christmas Story by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Jeannette Winter Published by Beach Lane Books […]

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux Summary:  12-year-old Cumba has lived all his life in Cuba, but when the Bay of Pigs invasion fails, he and his family are in danger.  Cumba is being recruited to join the Young Rebels […]

Published by Kokila Summary:  In the first poem, titled “Questions”, a girl gets an assignment to trace her roots and realizes she can only go back three generations. At home, she asks her grandmother for help.  Her grandmother gathers the […]

Published by Candlewick Summary:  The history of the Black Panther Party is divided into three parts: Kindling (1619-1965), Blaze (1966-1982), and Embers (1983-present).  Packed with photos and original sources, the story is sympathetic to the Party, but does not shy […]