My Top 10 this year is in no particular order because all of the titles below were absolutely amazing and it would have been way too difficult to rank them.
Christian Robinson is one of my all time favorite illustrators so the cover of this picture book lured me in. Matt de la Pena’s story of a young boy named Milo who imagines the life of other passengers on a long subway ride as he learns that first impressions aren’t always what they seem coupled with the books vivid art is one that tugged on my heartstrings and stuck with me all year .
Don’t let the charming illustrations fool you. As you explore Zonia’s beautiful home, you will find a powerful message about deforestation and the effect on the communities that call the rain forest home.
I’ve been struggling to find a Young Adult book that keeps my attention but this one grabbed me and didn’t let go. The blend of suspense, Ojibwe knowledge and lore, and real issues relating to drugs and racism along with well-developed characters made it impossible to put down.
Believe it or not, when the staff here make our lists each year, we try to be aware of what each other is adding to make sure we don’t have too many duplicate titles. That said, some titles are worth listing twice and this is one of them. The illustrations in this book are a feast for the eyes and made me think of what it’s like to be a child and believe in hidden worlds right under our own noses. Though each of the four stories are wonderful stand-alone tales, the final chapter makes them all come full circle.
Full disclosure, this title was actually released in 2020 but since we didn’t get it in until 2021, I’m letting it slide onto this list. The topics in this book are hard. Foster care. Sexual abuse. Tough tough stuff that is often avoided in middle grade books, but there is a need for books like this that give a voice to victims and a window to advocates. What I was most impressed by was Bradley’s ability to take such complex and heavy topics and introduce them in a way that allows a middle grade reader to know what’s going on without being overwhelmed by overly graphic information. There’s with a good dose of humor and heart sprinkled throughout that ties it all together so well. If you’re looking for a good audiobook, I highly recommend this one as it is read by Bahni Turpin who is absolutely amazing.
We are always looking for great stories that can help kids make sense of things they are experiencing in their own lives so I was so grateful to see this book come to our library. This books deals with the topic of depression, poverty, and family in a gentle way that kids can connect with regardless of their personal experience.
The vibrant illustrations of this story pulled me in, but the sweet story won me over. It’s a nice reminder that despite the differences that exist between generations, the love we share draws us together.
Losing a grandparent is so very hard, and there are many books out there about it. This one stands above because while it does talk about grief and what that looks like, the characters work through it together through stories and actions that truly honor the memory of their loved one.
Honorable Mention
Cutting my list down to just 10 titles is so hard, so here are a few titles that were soooo close to making the cut I couldn’t leave them out!
If you are looking for a scary book to spice up the end of summer, this book would be a great choice.London is being plagued with deadly ghosts, and for some reason, only children have the ability to see and eliminate them. Lockwood & Co, a team of 3 children working without adult supervision, find themselves taking on an impossible quest. They must eradicate the ghosts from an old English manor known for its screaming staircase, the red room, and the deaths of those who have tried before them. This chilling, suspenseful, fun, edge-of-your seat, fast paced story is a winner. Recommended for grades 5 and up.
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Zoe dreams of playing the piano at Carnegie Hall. She knows that this is her destiny. What she gets, however, after finally convincing her parents to let her take lessons, is a Perfectone D-60 electric organ and a chance to play at Perform-O-Rama. Playing TV show tunes was not what she had in mind but she keeps at it and discovers some unexpected benefits. This book is fun, quirky, and inspiring. Recommended for 4-6 grades.
Moline Public Library Kids 