As the year winds down, I am looking back at the books I read that were published in 2015 and sharing a few of my favorites. Check out My Favorite Poetry Books of 2015 here.
This year, I read 20 novels in-and-around the "middle grade" reading and interest level. I had several favorites, a few of which I think could be strong Newbery contenders for this year. Others, I simply enjoyed for my own reasons. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about these books too.
Listen, Slowly (2015) by Thanhhà Lại. This book is incredible, and I love how different it is in style and feeling from her first book. In this story, our main character is a Vietnamese-American girl, raised in California, and she typifies the ongoing conflict between recent immigrants and their Americanized children. Mai/Mia is surprised to find herself in Vietnam for the summer with her grandmother, attempting to help uncover the mysteries about what actually happened to her prisoner of war grandfather back in Vietnam. An incredible story of family, heritage, and belonging. Highly recommended.
Paper Things (2015) by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. This is such a powerful and important story and one that so rarely is told. Orphans may be over-represented in children's literature, but homeless kids are often invisible. This is a tug-at-the-heartstrings story, for sure, but I appreciate that the author also kept in real, especially moving towards the end of the book. Well worth the read.
Echo (2015) by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This lovely, lyrical novel weaves together three individual stories into its powerful conclusion. I have had this one sitting on my TBR stack, eagerly awaiting the end of the school year. I will admit to quickly skimming past the reviews of others recently, as I didn't want anything to spoil my reading of this book! So I will leave my review at this ... it was well worth the wait!
Nightbird by Alice Hoffman. Nightbird is an incredibly bewitching tale of a novel that draws readers in through the intimate and unique voice of the narrator, 12 year-old Teresa, better known as Twig. The story begins as a simple tale, but it does not take long for the deeper secrets and mysteries to begin to surface. Every town and every family has a history, and even events from hundreds of years ago can have impacts and resonate into our present day. Twig must learn to navigate an ever-changing landscape of small-town intrigues and unusual happenings. This middle grade treasure is a must-have for upper elementary and middle school libraries and classrooms and is likely to become a classic.
What were YOUR favorite books published this year?
This year, I read 20 novels in-and-around the "middle grade" reading and interest level. I had several favorites, a few of which I think could be strong Newbery contenders for this year. Others, I simply enjoyed for my own reasons. I look forward to hearing your thoughts about these books too.
Possible Newbery Contenders
Listen, Slowly (2015) by Thanhhà Lại. This book is incredible, and I love how different it is in style and feeling from her first book. In this story, our main character is a Vietnamese-American girl, raised in California, and she typifies the ongoing conflict between recent immigrants and their Americanized children. Mai/Mia is surprised to find herself in Vietnam for the summer with her grandmother, attempting to help uncover the mysteries about what actually happened to her prisoner of war grandfather back in Vietnam. An incredible story of family, heritage, and belonging. Highly recommended.
Paper Things (2015) by Jennifer Richard Jacobson. This is such a powerful and important story and one that so rarely is told. Orphans may be over-represented in children's literature, but homeless kids are often invisible. This is a tug-at-the-heartstrings story, for sure, but I appreciate that the author also kept in real, especially moving towards the end of the book. Well worth the read.
Echo (2015) by Pam Muñoz Ryan. This lovely, lyrical novel weaves together three individual stories into its powerful conclusion. I have had this one sitting on my TBR stack, eagerly awaiting the end of the school year. I will admit to quickly skimming past the reviews of others recently, as I didn't want anything to spoil my reading of this book! So I will leave my review at this ... it was well worth the wait!
Nightbird by Alice Hoffman. Nightbird is an incredibly bewitching tale of a novel that draws readers in through the intimate and unique voice of the narrator, 12 year-old Teresa, better known as Twig. The story begins as a simple tale, but it does not take long for the deeper secrets and mysteries to begin to surface. Every town and every family has a history, and even events from hundreds of years ago can have impacts and resonate into our present day. Twig must learn to navigate an ever-changing landscape of small-town intrigues and unusual happenings. This middle grade treasure is a must-have for upper elementary and middle school libraries and classrooms and is likely to become a classic.
Other favorites, pitched a bit on the younger side
- Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail (2015) by Kate Messner. Read the full review here.
- Ranger in Time 2: Danger in Ancient Rome (2015) by Kate Messner. Read the full review here.
- Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer (2015) by Kelly Jones and illustrated by Katie Kath. Read the full review here.
Other Great Middle Grade books published in 2015
- The Marvels (2015) by Brian Selznick. Read the review here.
- The Shepherd's Crown (2015) by Terry Pratchett. Read the full review here.
- Five, Six, Seven, Nate! (2015) by Tim Federle and read by Tim Federle. Read the full review here.
- The Sign of the Cat (2015) by Lynne Jonell. Read the full review here.
- Crenshaw (2015) by Katherine Applegate. Read the full review here.
- Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11 (2015) by N. Griffin and illustrated by Kate Hindley. Read the full review here.
- The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate (coming July 7th, 2015) by Jacqueline Kelly. Read the full review here.
- Jack: the true story of Jack and the beanstalk (2015) by Liesl Shurtliff. Read the full review here.
- Circus Mirandus (2015) by Cassie Beasley. Read the full review here.
- Moonpenny Island (2015) by Tricia Springstubb. Read the full review here.
- A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans (2015) by Laurence Yep and Joanna Ryder, with illustrations by Marie GrandPré. Read the full review here.
- Fish in a Tree (2015) by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Read the full review here.
- All the Answers (2015) by Kate Messner. Read the full review here.
What were YOUR favorite books published this year?
Wasn't a fan of Echo, but liked most of your other choices. Haven't seen much attention for Paper Things, but it's circulated well. Lots of good books here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving me a sneak peek into what might be Newberry Contenders!
ReplyDeleteI am going to find Paper Things, it looks good.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your list.
Thanks for helping to host KLBH!
Naila Moon