I am often asked for book suggestions, so I am making my suggestions here. These were some of the favorite books I read in 2016. They may not all be from this year, but that's when I read them. Some of these were from friends and some were given to my by publishers, however, that does not impact my recommendation. If I don't love a book, I don't talk about it. These are my very favorite from this year and will undoubtedly grow as I realize I forgot to include some books, so check back.
Updated: December 11
Ida Always by Caron Levis and illustrated by Charles Santoro
My friend Samantha told me to buy this book and she was so so so right. Beautiful illustrations and a very sweet (and sad) story.
The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
A recommendation from my friend Samantha, this book is beautiful and perfect.
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman: A Story About Knitting and Love by Michelle Edwards and G. Brian Karas
I loved this gentle and sweet story. I think you will love it as well.
The Friend Ship by Kat Yeh and illlustrated by Chuck Groenink
A great story and really beautiful illustrations. When I read this to a first grade class, one kid said, "Awesome" another kid, looking very incredulous said, "Way better than awesome!"
Toby by Hazel Mitchell
The story of Toby, a rescue dog and his relationship with his new family. A very sweet book.
Playing From the Heart by Peter H. Reynolds
It is well known that I love Peter's books. This one is filled with heart and music....two great things.
Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
A wonderful book about what beautiful is.
The Fix It Man by Susan Hood and illustrated by Arree Chung
Let's be honest, just Arree's illustration make it worth the purchase, but Susan's words put it over the top! A super fun book.
101 Reasons Why I'm Not Taking a Bath by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joy Ang
Hilarious book. I read it to a Kindergarten class and they loved every page!!
Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Updated: December 11
Picture Books
My friend Samantha told me to buy this book and she was so so so right. Beautiful illustrations and a very sweet (and sad) story.
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Another recommendation from Samantha and a perfect addition to my collection. That sticker on the front is not wrong!
Another recommendation from Samantha and a perfect addition to my collection. That sticker on the front is not wrong!
Lucy's Lovey by Betsy Devany and illustrated by Christopher Denise
OK, it's true, Christopher Denise could illustrate the phone book and I'd buy copies, but this is a lovely story from Betsy that is sure to win over your lovey loving friends.
OK, it's true, Christopher Denise could illustrate the phone book and I'd buy copies, but this is a lovely story from Betsy that is sure to win over your lovey loving friends.
Shy by Deborah Freedman
Deborah Freedman has a style. I call it amazing. This is a sweet gentle book that needs more attention.
Deborah Freedman has a style. I call it amazing. This is a sweet gentle book that needs more attention.
A Friend for Mole by Nancy Armo
Nancy Armo is an amazingly kind person, so of course her book reflects that. I read this to a class and they absolutely loved it. It's a very sweet story about finding your way when you're lost.
Nancy Armo is an amazingly kind person, so of course her book reflects that. I read this to a class and they absolutely loved it. It's a very sweet story about finding your way when you're lost.
Monster Trucks by Anika Denise and illustrated by Nate Wragg
How many times do I have to tell you to buy this book???? It's super fun and the illustrations add to that. This is the first book that my Kindergarten class cheered, "Read it again, read it again" after I finished. My high school morning book club still mentions this book from reading it last year.
How many times do I have to tell you to buy this book???? It's super fun and the illustrations add to that. This is the first book that my Kindergarten class cheered, "Read it again, read it again" after I finished. My high school morning book club still mentions this book from reading it last year.
Hello, My Name is Tiger by Jennifer Goldfinger
I picked up this book because I loved the illustration on the cover. It's a super new perspective and I loved the inside too.
I picked up this book because I loved the illustration on the cover. It's a super new perspective and I loved the inside too.
Birdie's Happiest Halloween by Sujean Rim
Yes, of course I love Sujean and Birdie, who doesn't. However, this is such a fun sweet book that needs many more readers. Check out all of Sujean's books.
The Water Princess by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, inspired by Georgie Badiel
Peter's illustrations in this book make it worth the price. The story is simply told and amazingly powerful. It's an important book to shed light on a problem (clean water) that is found around the world.
Peter's illustrations in this book make it worth the price. The story is simply told and amazingly powerful. It's an important book to shed light on a problem (clean water) that is found around the world.
Rude Cakes by Rowboat Watkins
Another recommendation from Samantha....this one literally made me laugh out loud.
Another recommendation from Samantha....this one literally made me laugh out loud.
You're My Boo by Kate Dopirak and illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow
We read this the other day in my morning book club and a girl said that this was the cutest book ever. She was right. It's sweet.
We read this the other day in my morning book club and a girl said that this was the cutest book ever. She was right. It's sweet.
Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins
I love Bruce. This is awesome and very funny.
I love Bruce. This is awesome and very funny.
Snappsy the Alligator: Did Not Ask to Be in This Book by Julie Falatko and illustrated by Tim Miller
Snappsy is quite the character. I have a funny story about the first time I read this, but I'll give you the short version. I saw it at NCTE in the Penguin book last November. I literally laughed out loud. VERY funny book.
Snappsy is quite the character. I have a funny story about the first time I read this, but I'll give you the short version. I saw it at NCTE in the Penguin book last November. I literally laughed out loud. VERY funny book.
Before I Leave by Jessixa Bagley
I loved Boats for Papa, so I was pretty sure this book would be something I really liked. It's totally different, but yet teaches a valuable lesson. Love love love!
I loved Boats for Papa, so I was pretty sure this book would be something I really liked. It's totally different, but yet teaches a valuable lesson. Love love love!
A recommendation from my friend Samantha, this book is beautiful and perfect.
I loved this gentle and sweet story. I think you will love it as well.
A great story and really beautiful illustrations. When I read this to a first grade class, one kid said, "Awesome" another kid, looking very incredulous said, "Way better than awesome!"
The story of Toby, a rescue dog and his relationship with his new family. A very sweet book.
It is well known that I love Peter's books. This one is filled with heart and music....two great things.
A wonderful book about what beautiful is.
Let's be honest, just Arree's illustration make it worth the purchase, but Susan's words put it over the top! A super fun book.
Hilarious book. I read it to a Kindergarten class and they loved every page!!
Middle Grade and Above:
Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley
I saw this book everywhere online. My friends raved, so I bought it. So good and worthy of the praise heaped on it.
I saw this book everywhere online. My friends raved, so I bought it. So good and worthy of the praise heaped on it.
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
I love Jason Reynolds' books. Pernille Ripp told me I HAD to buy this one, so I did. I loved it. Again, worthy of all the awards it has and will receive.
Moo: a novel by Sharon Creech
There is something so warm and wonderful about the worlds that Sharon Creech spins out. Reading her books makes me happy and content. She truly is a master storyteller.
There is something so warm and wonderful about the worlds that Sharon Creech spins out. Reading her books makes me happy and content. She truly is a master storyteller.
Making Friends with Billy Wong by Augusta Scattergood
Augusta really created a beautiful story with this book. You can picture the people and the places. Just wonderful.
Augusta really created a beautiful story with this book. You can picture the people and the places. Just wonderful.
The Thing About Leftovers by C. C. Payne
Nancy Paulsen sent me this book and it sat on a pile for a while. Something about the cover didn't really speak to me. LUCKY FOR ME, I picked it up and started reading it one day. It's one of my very favorite of all time. C.C. has a unique voice and this was an excellent book to show off her skills. I have recommended it to the elementary counselor for people with blended families, and also bought a copy for my school. Check this book out!!!
Nancy Paulsen sent me this book and it sat on a pile for a while. Something about the cover didn't really speak to me. LUCKY FOR ME, I picked it up and started reading it one day. It's one of my very favorite of all time. C.C. has a unique voice and this was an excellent book to show off her skills. I have recommended it to the elementary counselor for people with blended families, and also bought a copy for my school. Check this book out!!!
Be Light Like a Bird by Monika Schröder
This is what I wrote on GoodReads,"So many great moments in this book. It will remind you of a few other books in concept, but a unique voice comes shining through that makes you forget the others. It's about the power of love and redemption and things not being as they seem. See? You've read other books like that. However, this one will captivate you and you won't want it to end."
This is what I wrote on GoodReads,"So many great moments in this book. It will remind you of a few other books in concept, but a unique voice comes shining through that makes you forget the others. It's about the power of love and redemption and things not being as they seem. See? You've read other books like that. However, this one will captivate you and you won't want it to end."
Wish by Barbara O'Connor
The power of love and hope are woven through this story. It's an important book.
Liberty by Kirby Larson
I have to be honest, my students and I were lucky enough to be able to help name some characters in this book, however, I love it independent of that. Kirby is the queen of historical fiction and this book proves why. Amazing storytelling.
Maxi's Secrets: or What you can Learn from a Dog by Lynn Plourde
I didn't cry at this book, YOU cried at this book. OK, no, really, a stray dust storm went through my house.... OK, fine, yes, it made me cry.....but it also made my heart swell. It totally is worth the tears. I loved this so much!
Counting Thyme by Melanie Conklin
This book is a love letter to kids with illnesses and the families that surround them. Love! This one has honesty and heart.
I didn't cry at this book, YOU cried at this book. OK, no, really, a stray dust storm went through my house.... OK, fine, yes, it made me cry.....but it also made my heart swell. It totally is worth the tears. I loved this so much!
This book is a love letter to kids with illnesses and the families that surround them. Love! This one has honesty and heart.
This is an exceptional book that unfolds on so many levels. I said on GoodReads, "Overcoming obstacles....overcoming fears....overcoming flawed families....it's all here. Told in verse and a very sweet style, you follow the story of a young girl forced to live with a demanding grandmother while waiting for her mother to give birth."
