Picture Book Mini-Reviews

I haven't done any sort of book reviews in a very long time! Life just got too busy, and lately I've lost touch with what's new because the little branch were I work has low circulation and doesn't get lot of new books; when we do they frequently end up going to fill a hold at one of the larger branches and we never see them again due to having a floating collection. I'd love to get rid of the floating collection, which I find to be very inequitable for communities that are already at a disadvantage, but that decision is far above my pay grade.

Fortunately, we are implementing a new procedure that will allow staff a couple of days to review new books before they go out, so now I'm getting more opportunity to see the new books and make note of them for future use. There were several books in this last shipment that caught my interest, though they may not all be brand new, but new to me and at least fairly recent.

My Tiger 
Written by Joy Crowley
Illustrated by David Barrow
Gecko Press
March 2026

A young boy has pet tiger, which shocks and frightens others, but he assures them his tiger won't hurt them because he "only eats cake". Unfortunately, as one might expect, the tiger's sweet-tooth leads to a toothache and a trip to the dentist to have the cavity filled. The dentist lectures the tiger and the boy about the tiger's inappropriate sugary diet and tells them he should eat what other tigers eat. So he does. 😉

I love dark humor so this one was right up my alley! This would be great for a slightly older crowd who would get the humor and be familiar with the dentist, so I would recommend it for ages 5 and up. It would be a humorous addition to a tooth or dental-health month themed program. 

The Zoo Inside Me

by Ruth Doyle & Yessica Baeten

Andersen Press

2022 (GB), 2024 (USA)

A child tries to describe the jumble of emotions inside of him that he is not always able to contain by comparing them to different animals. Sometimes a dragon erupts, roaring and full of fire; sometimes a mischievous monkey acting out to get attention. Sometimes he's an awkward llama, standing too close and staring with wide eyes, trying to connect. Sometimes he feels like he has to hide his true colors and blend in like a chameleon, which makes him feel small and sad. He may be a little different, but there could be a half-hidden zoo inside of you, too!

I think this book would be very relatable for kids, and perhaps make it easier for them to recognize and express their emotions, while also letting them know that everyone looses control sometimes. It would be a great jumping off point for a discussion about emotions, coping mechanisms, etc. I think it would also be a really fun read-aloud, acting out all the different animals.

Take a Breath, Big Red Monster!

by Ed Emberley

LB Kids

2025

The sequel I never expected or knew I needed, but definitely love! 

While Go Away, Big Green Monster let children take charge of their fears, Take a Breath, Big Red Monster! helps them take charge of their anger, and guides them through taking deep breaths and calming down. 

This is not only a fun book, but great for modeling self-regulation. I was so excited to see this, and shocked no one had already reserved it.

All the Dogs

by Nicola Kent

Andersen Press

2022 (GB), March, 2025 (USA)

This is a delightfully simple book with sparse text using descriptive terms, sometimes opposites or contrasting terms, but not always. While the text is sparse, it has a great rhyme and rhythm when read aloud - "Big dog, small dog, hardly there at all dog. Coming dog, going dog, always to and froing dog...." 

The illustrations, which appear to be watercolor collage, are adorable and show a wide array of different types of dogs. What I really love is the incorporation of fingerprints for ears and facial features, as I had just purchased washable ink palettes specifically for doing fingerprint art. I think this would be a great storytime book for toddlers or preschoolers. I will caution that there is one page that some caregivers might have issue with, but I'm sure children would find hysterical, that shows dogs that "really need a pee..." and doing so on the nearest tree. Many wouldn't object, but know your audience. 

A Seed in the Universe

by Elyon Liu

Post Wave Children's Books

April, 2025

Starting with a seed growing inside an apple, which is eaten by a caterpillar, this book explores how nature and people relate to each other and how we all part of the same universe. The sturdy pages feature simple, bold illustrations with a limited color palette and dark outlines and engaging die-cut shapes. 

This would also be a great storytime book for toddlers or preschoolers. The text is simple, and while it doesn't rhyme, still has a pleasant rhythm when read aloud, and the illustrations are perfect for younger kids.

I Can Count! Everyday Things from 1 to 10

Written by Pippa Goodhart, Illustrated by Emily Rand

Macmillan Children's Books

February, 2026

This boardbook features lots of familiar objects for little ones to count on each page, with short simple text naming selected items, and a countdown to a rocket launch at the end. Each spread also features a prompt for further exploration and investigation. What I really love is the back matter, with tips and benefits of reading together and suggested talking points and questions to extend and deepen the exploration of the book.

While this could certainly work as storytime book for toddlers, it really shines as a lap-sit read one-on-one with a child and caregiver, and would be a great baby shower or first birthday gift.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: POP-UP Book 

Written & Illustrated by Eric Carle

Pop-up by Threefold UK

Paper engineering by Keith Finch

World of Eric Carle

Penguin Random House

November, 2025

I spotted this at my neighborhood grocery store just the other day, and of course had to have it. It is a smaller and simplified version of the 40th Anniversary Pop-Up edition from 2009, but those are very hard to come by, especially in good condition. I was able to find a used copy, but it had a fair amount of damage, some of which I was able to repair, but not all. I'm really glad to have another pop-up version, even if it isn't as big or detailed. 

This version measures about 9"x7", and doesn't have as many or as impressive pop-ups as the 40th Anniversary. On the flip side, I think this version would hold up a little better. When I use my 40th anniversary edition, I feel like I have to guard it with my life! I'd recommend buying two of these, one to keep for yourself and one to use with children. It's a perfect size for a lap read, but also not too small to use in storytime for a smaller group. 

Know of any great new picturebooks? Especially books good for storytime? Please leave your suggestions in the comments!

Favorite Reads - 2022

 

So even though I don't get to read as much as I'd like or feel like I should, I still thought it would be fun to put together a quick list of some of my favorite reads of this year. Just keep in mind that these are just my personal favorites from a relatively small selection, I'm not by any means suggesting these are necessarily the best of the best. Most of these came out in the last year or two, but there may be a couple of older titles in the mix.

New Picture Book Mini-Reviews

 

Now that I am done with library school, finished with job hunting, and have a general idea of what I what direction I want to go in with programming for now, I am working on trying to catch up on the new books that have come out this year that I've missed. Yesterday I looked through all the newer picture books my branch had gotten in the last 6 months that were on the shelf (though some may have been published earlier), and there were a few that really stood out:

Picture Book Review - The Very Impatient Caterpillar

I have not seen very many picture books in the last year that I really liked, and even fewer that I was excited about using in storytime. I loved Stuff of Stars and Dreamers that came out in the fall, but they aren't really storytime books. I did find Misunderstood Shark and its brand new sequel very funny and full of the dark humor I love, plus interesting facts, but they are better for an older audience than I currently see.

But this week I was excited to finally come across a new picture book that I liked, and could see using with the kids I have now! We all know Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but now meet another caterpillar:

The VERY Impatient Caterpillar 
Written & illustrated by Ross Burach
February 26, 2019
Scholastic Press

This book is so funny and entertaining, with a theme everyone can relate to, being impatient.

One caterpillar sees all the other caterpillars scurrying up the tree and wants to know what is going on. One responds that they are going to metamorphosize. "Meta-WHAT-now?" he exclaims. At first he can't believe he can really turn into a butterfly, but he follows and does what everyone else does.

However, he finds that waiting to become a butterfly is a slow process, and two weeks seems like forever. He keeps asking if he's a butterfly yet, tries to occupy himself, but he can't stand it.

After emerging early only to find he is most definitely not a butterfly yet, he finally settles down and uses breathing techniques to relax and go to sleep, while mother nature does her thing. He emerges as a beautiful butterfly, and has learned a valuable lesson in patience.

Or has he?

I think older kids and adults will more fully appreciate the humor, but I think it is basic enough that even the younger kids will find it funny as well. I like the short, simple text and the bold, bright illustrations that aren't too busy and are very expressive. The middle seems to go on just a teeny bit too long, so if you have a younger audience, you might want to skip a couple of pages, or some of the dialog. The text is all dialog in the form of speech bubbles, and fans of Mo Willem's Pigeon and Elephant & Piggie books are sure to like this one!

I do love that it uses the correct word, chrysalis rather than cocoon (moths come out of cocoons, not butterflies), and contains the word "metamorphosize" to get in some great vocabulary. Besides being funny, it can lead to learning more factual information about caterpillars and butterflies, other animals that undergo metamorphosis (like tadpoles to frogs), and/or talking about learning to be patient and coping techniques to help us be patient.

I really liked this one and can't wait to use it in a "Bug" or "Butterfly" themed storytime soon, and I think I'll have to give his Truck Full of Ducks another look!

Picture Book Reviews!

Finally, new picture books!

So things have finally slowed down a bit after the busy summer and then being very short-staffed, and I've been able to start paying more attention to the picture books that come through. In the last week three new ones caught my eye and made an impression.

The Stuff of Stars, Sept 4, 2018
Written by Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Candlewick Press, 40 pages, ages 4-8

I cannot adequately describe the beautiful artwork in this book! 

The birth of the universe leading to the birth of a child are described in brief, lyrical text complemented by Holmes' gorgeous abstract collages made with marbled paper.

I rarely try to make award predictions, and am usually wrong when I do, but I'm sure there will be buzz about this one and I would not be surprised if it gets at least a Caldecott honor for the amazing illustrations. Here are a couple of the spreads; I wish I could show more! 

(click on any image for full-size view)

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Water Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World, May 22, 2018
Christy Hale, author & illustrator
Roaring Book Press, 32 pages, ages 3-8

This is a really neat little book for teaching a number of geographical terms, focusing on land areas and bodies of water. 

The pages feature cutouts, initially showing a body of water, for example the lake in the spread below. But when when the page is turned, the cutout becomes a land feature instead.

At the end of the book is a page summarizing all the features depicted, which then folds out to give even more definitions, and further unfolds into a world map with geographical features labeled.

(click on any image for full-size view)

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Cookiesaurus Christmas, Sept 4, 2018

Amy Fellner Dominy & Nate Evans, authors

A.G. Ford, illustrator

Disney-Hyperion, 40 pages, ages 3-8

One of my favorite picture book from last year, Cookiesaurus Rex, gets a sequel! Like the first, it combines two of my favorite things, cookies and dinosaurs! What could be better?

This time it is Christmas, and Cookiesaurus rex has the holiday spirit and really, really, really, wants to be the cookie on Santa's plate. Predictably, he gets an attitude when he is not chosen and decides to take matters into his own hands. Though not quite as funny as the original, it's still cute and worth a look. 

(click on any image for full-size view)

So what new picture books have caught your eye lately? I'm still on the look out for some really good new storytime reads....

Why? Why Not? What If? - Three Books to Satisfy Curious, Inquisitive Kids

We've all seen those precocious, inquisitive kids who are always asking questions, refusing to accept anything at face value just because a grown-up says so. It seems like everything you say is met with a "Why?", or conversely, "Why not?" With my daughter it was always, "What happens if....?" While this is often a sign of intelligence and analytical thinking, it can be a bit exhausting for their parents and teachers trying to come up with all the answers!

Thankfully, Nat Geo has three great books to help satisfy the most curious of kids. The most recent one just came out and caught my eye, and that led me to the other two. Check out this trio of elucidation:

Why? 1,111 Answers to Everything, by Crispin Boyer, 2015. National Geographic Books for Kids,192 pages, ages 8-12.

Children are always asking why, and this book has answers to, well maybe not everything, but to quite a lot! All kinds of questions kids might ask are answered, and grouped by category. Questions like: "Why do men have nipples?", "Why do penguins look like they're wearing tuxedos?", "Why is the Golden Gate Bridge orange?". (There are also How? and What? questions, too.) And as one would expect, it is filled with full-color photos and graphics to illustrate the information.

Why Not? 1,111 Answers to Everything by Crispin Boyer, Aug 21, 2018. National Geographic Books for Kids, 223 pages, ages 8-12.

While this wasn't the second book chronologically, it is clearly the obvious complement to the first book. This one has the same format and beautiful full-color photos and graphics with tons of interesting facts and explanations to answer questions such as "Why don't spiders get stuck in their own webs?", "Why can't I use my left hand as well as my right?", and "Why can't I eat cupcakes for dinner?" arranged by category: Animals, Our Planet, The Universe, History, Your Body, Technology, and Pop Culture.

What Would Happen? Serious Answers to Silly Questions by Crispin Boyer, 2017. National Geographic Books for Kids, 176 pages, ages 8-12.

These are the kinds of questions my daughter peppered me with from around ages 3-5: "What if you ate nothing but ice cream?", "What if mosquitoes went extinct?", "What if you stepped in lava?" Again, a fun book full of interesting facts and information about things you've always wondered, or never even though to ask, illustrated with lots of full-color photographs and graphics, organized by category.

Kids really seem to love these types of books full of random and interesting facts; they seem to circulate really well in my library system. I would recommend them for all curious kids aged 8-12, possibly even younger if an adult was helping to read and explain the information.

Non-Fiction Picture Book Review - Secrets of the Sea

Secrets of the Sea, October 3, 2017
written by Kate Baker
illustrated by Eleanor Taylor
Big Picture Press
96 pages, ages 8-12

I'm a little late on this one, as we did not get it in our library until February, and though it caught my eye immediately, I have not had a chance to sit down and write a review until now.

This is a large, beautiful coffee-table type book about sea life, that immediately brought to mind the previous year's Giant Squid by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohman. However, while both books cover things not often seen, this books focus on the small things, from microscopic plankton to tiny details or larval forms of larger creatures, brought to life with Eleanor Taylor's gorgeous mixed-media illustrations revealing minute details we would never be able to see in real life.

(click on any image to view full-size)

The book is organized by the zones of the ocean, starting with the shallows. There we see some familiar creatures, such as crabs, lobster, and sea stars along with some unfamiliar ones like the tiny daphnia, or water flea.

From there we head into the kelp forest that shelters many kinds of fish, as well as being home to sea urchins, nudibranch, and microscopic cyanobacteria and diatoms. Then the coral reef, where we find coral polyps, the pygmy seahorse, various zooplankton, giant clams, and more. After that, we head to the open sea, where we find the toxic Man-of-War and Blue Dragon, as well as the harmless moon jelly and "sea butterfly" snail pictured on the cover. Finally, we reach the deepest part of the ocean with it's most unusual and seldom seen creatures like the giant tube worms, bioluminescent jellies, squid, and octopus.

The full-page, full-color illustrations are accompanied by text that includes both the scientific and common names, size, and a description with interesting facts and significant characteristics. At the end of the book is a bibliography that includes print materials as well as several websites.

This book is intended for an older audience that Giant Squid, but I think younger kids would still enjoy looking at the pictures and having an adult tell them a little bit about them, though not the entire text. As a former microbiologist I really appreciate the inclusion of all the various microscopic plankton, larvae, and single-celled organisms, showing their intricate patterns and geometric shapes.

A really beautiful book that I encourage you to check out! (And if you haven't seen Giant Squid yet, be sure to check it out, too!)

My Favorite Reads In 2017, Part 3: Picture Books

Here is the final installment of my "favorite books" list for the past year: picture books. 

Unfortunately, I'm sure I missed a number of good picture books this year, because I am out of the building most of the time now doing outreach, so I often don't get a chance to look through the new books as they come in. There are also probably some I saw, but didn't get a chance to use in storytime, so forgot about. So if you know of some great ones I missed, please leave me a comment! 

Again, most of these came out in late 2016 or 2017, but there are a couple that I only discovered this year that are a little older. Most of these make good storytime books for either preschool or K-2nd grade, with one exception.

Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown (2017) is definitely my favorite picture book of the year. While mentioning underwear in storytime always guarantees laughs and snickers, the humor in this book is actually very clever, and the illustrations do a fantastic job of conveying a really spooky mood.

My daughter had a similar experience with a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt freaking her out in the middle of the night, so I especially appreciated this story. I bought a copy that was already signed by Peter Brown, and I'm hoping to get Aaron Reynolds to sign it at a conference in the spring.

Cookiesaurus Rex by Amy Fellner Dominy, Nate Evans, and AG Ford (2017) is a very, very close second favorite. Again, very clever humor that was not as predictable as kids' books often are, and I literally laughed out loud as I read it the first time. 

The dinosaur cookie is being very bossy and demanding about how he thinks he should be decorated, and the baker decides to teach him a lesson. The artwork is very impressive and is the perfect combination of realism and cartooning, and I love the before and after pictures of the kitchen in the endpapers. So cute and clever!

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt (of The Day the Crayons Quit fame) and Adam Rex (2017) is obviously based on the childhood game for deciding who gets their way, and shows Rock, Paper, and Scissors battling it out. The illustrations are fabulous, and the text truly conveys the mood; you can just hear it said in the style of a WWE announcer.

My favorite line is where one of them (I think it was Rock) tells Apricot he looks like a fuzzy butt 😂. I have not had a chance to use this in storytime as I only do preschool storytime, and this would be better for school-aged kids who know what "Rock-Paper-Scissors" is and can get the humor.

Read the Book, Lemmings! by Amy Dyckman and Zachariah OHora (2017) is another book that made me laugh, and I'm a fan of OHora's work. First Mate Foxy (of the S.S. Cliff) is is reading a book about lemmings, which says they don't actually jump off cliffs. But, every time he says the word "jump" his three lemming deck hands do just that! After having to repeatedly rescue them, he tells them to "Read the book!".

This is a purely silly, fun book, but would be great to pair with a non-fiction book to talk more about lemmings, an animal most kids probably aren't familiar with, and also an opportunity to talk about thinking before you do something. I haven't used it in storytime yet, but I'm hoping to soon.

Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins (2017) is a GREAT book for preschool storytime! First of all, this illustration style with brightly colored, simple pictures with heavy black outlines is perfect for this age. But, not only does the book show several different kinds of birds, it is very interactive and gives the kids a chance to imitate their sounds and movements.

They get to say "cock-a-doodle-doo", flap their wings, stand on one leg, waddle, and more. This is a must-have for a bird-themed storytime, and great for a movement program as well.

Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher and Mark Fearing (2016) is a great storytime book! I'm always on the lookout for books that help promote the library and reading that I can use in my outreach storytimes, and this is perfect! A very fun read.

A chicken joins storytime one day, then brings more chickens the next week, and even more friends the following week, which causes storytime to be in chaos. What's a harried librarian to do? The kids love discussing whether they would like to have chickens join our storytime (about 50-50), and whether they think their teachers would like chickens to join their class (a definite "No").

I have Jbrary to thank for bringing Still A Gorilla by Kim Norman and Chad Geran (2016) to my attention. Willy the Gorilla wants to be something else, and tries to become other animals by attempting to look and act like them, but he is "Still a gorilla!"

This book is simple enough for 2-3 year olds, but still funny and interactive enough for the 4-5 year olds. The kids can join Willy in trying to imitate other animals, and delight in telling him he is "Still a gorilla!" They really find Willy's attempts to be other animals quite hilarious.

The Not So Quiet Library by Zacharah OHora (2016) is another book that promotes reading and going to the library that works well in storytime. Oskar and Theodore go to the library every Saturday with their father. But this time, a many-headed monster invades the library, and is eating all the books! Can they convince the monster that books are for reading, not eating?

I like how this book shows going to the library as a regular family activity, and it has just the right amount of humor and drama to keep the kids very engaged. I love seeing how horrified they are at the mistreatment of the books by the monster. This was the favorite book from my library-themed storytime.

If You're A Robot and You Know It by David A. Carter (2015) is a fun pop-up book based on "If You're Happy and You Know It" that is very interactive as it is meant to be sung and acted out. It will have you stomping feet, clapping hands, shooting laser beams out of your eyes, among others.

The kids absolutely loved this book in storytime, and wanted to do it 2 or 3 times. David A. Carter also did one with animals doing the original song called If You're Happy and You Know It much earlier that the kids also really like, if you can find a copy still in good shape.

I was thrilled to discover Circle, Square, Moose by Kelly Bingham and Paul Zelinsky (2014) earlier this year, because it is so hard to find books that cover basic concepts that really have a story and are engaging for the kids, and this was just the addition I needed to my shapes unit.

This starts out as a simple, straightforward book about shapes, showing everyday objects to illustrate various shapes, until Moose decides to insert himself into the story, and hijinks and chaos ensue. The kids find this very funny and really enjoy it. This was preceded by an alphabet book called Z is for Moose.

So I actually first discovered Count the Monkeys by Mac Barnett and Kevin Cornell (2014) last year, but I'm including it because I love it so much, and it is still one of my absolute favorite books to do in storytime because the kids have so much fun with it.

The first page explains we are going to count the monkeys, so be ready as soon as we turn the page....but then, we find a cobra has scared all the monkeys away! Each page has more unexpected characters, and by the end we realize we never did get to count any monkeys, how sad. But wait, some observant child is sure to spot the monkeys on the endpapers as you close the book! It is very interactive as there is not only counting involved, but each spread prompts some type of action, including voting on whether the plural of "mongoose" is "mongooses" or "mongeese". So much silly fun!

This last one is the exception, in that it is not really a book I would use for storytime, though I could see it used with school-aged kids. A Poem for Peter by Angela Davis Pinkney (2016) is a tribute to Ezra Jack Keats and his book A Snowy Day, and tells the story of Keats' life and how the character of Peter and A Snowy Day came to be in a beautiful, lyrical free verse. The illustrations are taken from Keats' original artwork.

I'm really not a poetry person, but I loved this book so much and found it to be so beautiful I ordered my own personal copy immediately after finishing it, and the page with Peter holding hands with Keats actually made me tear up a little. If you are a fan of Keats' work, particularly A Snowy Day, this is a must-read! 💗

Please let me know about all the great picture books (especially storytime books) I missed this year in the comments!

And in case you missed them in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I also put together lists of my favorite books for middle-grade through teen (plus a couple of adult) from the past year:

• My Favorite Reads in 2017, Part 2: Middle Grade and Tweens
• My Favorite Reads in 2017, Part 1: Teen and Adult

My Favorite Reads In 2017, Part 2: Middle-Grade and Tweens

Now for the second part in my series of favorite books I read during the past year, books geared for the middle-grade and tween audiences. 

Again, this is not meant to be a comprehensive "best of 2017" list by any means; these are just my favorites out of the books I had a chance to read this year. I'll give a short description, with links to any full reviews I may have written. Most were published in 2017, but there are one or two older ones, and an ARC for a March 2018 release I just read.

Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher (2017) is a story about overcoming obstacles, friendship and camaraderie. Seventh-grader Joseph is not your typical athlete. He is small, skinny, and weak, and he also has ADHD, sensory issues, and anxiety. But, somehow his teacher convinces him to join the cross-country team she coaches. He soon finds himself making friends, getting stronger both mentally and physically, and learning to stand up for himself.

I loved, loved, loved this book, and highly recommend it for all middle-schoolers. It is really a great story with a strong, positive message, and truly captures that special camaraderie among runners. This book is very inspiring and empowering, but I really liked that it had a very realistic ending, encouraging kids to set achievable goals and work towards them. I can't say enough about this book! (Realistic fiction, sports-themed)

All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson (2017) is all about the angst of trying to fit in during those awkward tween years. Remember how difficult middle school can be? Imagine how scary it would be for someone who had been homeschooled up until then. Then, on top of that, you come from a very unconventional family and lifestyle. That's how it is for Imogene, whose family is part of the local Renaissance Faire and is starting public school for the first time.

I am not really a graphic novel person, but I loved this one! I could readily identify with Imogene's struggles with fitting in, not having the "right" kind of shoes and clothes, and feeling like an outsider. I loved Jamieson's first book, Roller Girl, but this one is even better! I highly recommend it. (Graphic novel, tween angst)

Amina's Voice by Hena Kahn (2107) tells the story of Amina, the child of Pakistani immigrants, who loves to sing but is too shy to perform, and is dealing with all the changes that middle school brings. Her best friend Soojin is thinking of changing her name to something more "American" and has suddenly started acting chummy with their former "enemy". She also has to adjust to her much more conservative uncle visiting from Pakistan, and their community mosque being vandalized.

This is a great story that shows the plurality of the Muslim religion, and how people from various religions and cultures can be friends and pull together to support each other as a community. I also like that for once immigrant parents are not portrayed as being too "old world" and restrictive or close-minded, and there is no conflict between Amina and her parents. I highly recommend! (Realistic fiction, multicultural, community)

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk (2017) 

"When I was a baby, someone tucked me into an old boat and pushed me out to sea. I washed up on a tiny island, like a seed riding the tide. It was Osh who found me and took me in...."  And so Crow begins her story of growing up on an isolated island off the coast of Massachusetts after being abandoned as a baby, culminating in finally discovering her history and her inheritance.

This is a wonderful story that explores the meaning of love and family, but also includes a fair share of mystery, adventure, and pirate's treasure, told in a poetic 1st person narrative from the author of Newbery honor book, Wolf Hollow. Unlike the bleak ending of Wolf Hollow, this is a much lighter coming-of-age story, full of hope and adventure, and I enjoyed it so much more! This story has a little bit of something for everyone! (Historical fiction, mystery, adventure, non-traditional family)

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (2017) is the sequel to Newbery honor book The War That Saved My Life, which told the story of how the evacuation of children from London during WWII rescued Ada and her younger brother from their abusive mother. I was a little afraid to read the sequel, as they so often fail to live up to the first book, but this one did not disappoint at all! If you loved the first, you'll want to read the second.

In this story, Ada has had surgery to correct her clubbed foot and can now walk and even run, and she and Jamie have been adopted by their guardian, Susan. Ada continues to struggle with her complicated feelings about her mother, and to learn to love and accept love. We also see more about how the horrors of the war affect their community, and how fear gives rise to unfounded suspicion and prejudices. (Historical fiction, WWII, recovering from abuse, prejudice).

Laura Ingalls is Ruining My Life by Shelley Tougas (2017) caught my attention immediately because of the title. Having read all the "Little House" books as a child, and again to my own child, I was intrigued. It turned out to be the story of Charlotte, whose loving-but-flaky-and-self-centered mother has once again uprooted the family on a whim, this time to Walnut Grove, believing the spirit of Laura will inspire her writing. When Charlotte's twin brother makes new friends, she feels abandoned, betrayed, and angry at everyone, especially Laura Ingalls!

This is a great story filled with typical tween angst of fitting in, sibling relationships, and feeling helpless, with the extra drama of being accused of a crime she didn't commit. There is enough drama to make it interesting without being dark or trite, and I really empathized with Charlotte. (Realistic fiction, tween angst, unconventional childhood, starting over)

My Brigadista Year by Katherine Paterson (2017) is the fictitious memoir of 13-year old Lora, a volunteer in Fidel Castro's massive literacy campaign following the Cuban revolution. Follow Lora as she travels to the countryside and spends several months living with a rural family and teaching them to read, at great personal risk.

I found this to be a very interesting and enjoyable read. Since historical fiction does not do very well with the kids in my community, I would play up the revolution and adventure aspects of the story, but I personally liked the historical aspect. This would appeal particularly to those readers interested in social causes, mission trips, volunteering, and teaching. (Historical fiction, adventure, literacy)

Tucket's Travels by Gary Paulsen (2007) is actually a fairly old series of five separate books published between 1995 and 2002, then later published together in this single volume. The first book tells the story of 14-year old Francis Tucket, who became separated from his family's wagon train as they traveled the Oregon trail in 1847, and the rest of the series follows his adventures over the next two years as he tries to reunite with his family.

I normally wouldn't include something this old in such a list, but I bought it for my nephew and was surprised by how much I really enjoyed it! Paulsen also includes notes at the end giving more historical context and dispelling myths about the Old West and Native Americans perpetuated by the television and film industries. (Historical fiction, Western, adventure)

Now I'll do a complete 180 and go from something old, to something that is so new, it hasn't been released yet! I received this book as a digital ARC about a month ago, and finally got a chance to read it, and I was so glad I did! This book is amazing, and is something we need more of, a well-written children's book with diverse characters, written by a new author who is a POC, with a great story and positive message.

Like Vanessa by Tami Charles (March 13, 2018) is set in 1983, in the housing projects of Newark, NJ. Vanessa Williams has just been crowned the first black Miss America, prompting 13-year old Vanessa Martin to dare to dream of being in the Miss America pageant herself one day.

The main theme of this book is being comfortable in your own skin and appreciating your natural inner and outer beauty, and will prompt readers to reconsider their own definitions of beauty. Other serious issues facing Nessy's family are addressed as well, such as gang violence, addiction, poverty, dysfunctional families, intolerance, and fear, but in an age appropriate way, and the overall tone is inspiring and hopeful.

I LOVE this book, and strongly recommend you put it on your "to read" list and hope it gets the attention it deserves and finds its way onto many library shelves. It reminds me very much of Rita Williams-Garcia's Gaither sisters series, which I loved, and Rita even supplied a quote for the cover. I could see it as a CSK award finalist, IF it can get noticed by the right people; it is definitely as good as previous winners, in my opinion. (Realistic fiction, multicultural, self-acceptance)

So, there you have it. Please be sure to mention any really great middle-grade to tween books that you read this year in the comments!

Stay tuned for my favorite picture books from this year, and don't forget to check out last week's post for my favorite teen and adult reads from 2017!