Book Stall Children's Staff

Best Books of the Year

LIZ MOORE

Bats at the Beach written and illustrated by Brian Lies. The beach belongs to bats at night, and these critters know how to live it up! With "moon-tan lotion" on hand, they set out to party in the sand, snacking on "Beetles, ants, and milkweed bugs, crickets, moths and pickled slugs". The winning illustrations­–delightfully dark and fantastically fun (think bats playing the banjo and lying in lounge chairs)–make this totally original book a rocking good time! 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.  The horror of the Holocaust seen through the eyes of innocence, this haunting allegory tells the story of a 9-year-old boy whose father is a commandant in Hitler's army. When he befriends a boy of the same age on the other side of the fence, an utterly unforgettable story unfolds.

BETSY BALYEAT

Library Lion by Michele Knudson is an affectionate tribute to one of my favorite places, the library.  In this case a lion is the hero and lessons about rules and rule-breaking take center stage.  The disarming story is beautifully illustrated by Kevin Hawkes and it is guaranteed to win the hearts of children and parents everywhere.  It is my picture book choice of the year.

Hit the Road by Caroline Cooney, a story about a teenager and her grandmother, is my choice for best young adult book of the year.  It is rare to find a story about a teen and her grandmother and this is a good one.  Sixteen-year-old Brit and her grandmother and grandmother’s three best friends have an adventure that is much more than planned.  Each generation learns from the other—the impatience and warmth of teenagers as well as the audacity, courage and support of old friends that comes with age.

COLLEEN LUXEM

The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood by Barb Bentler Ullman.  This is a great story about a young girl, Willa, who moves to the country with her mother after her parents divorce.  After meeting her next-door neighbor, Hazel, Willa begins to hear the magical stories of the fairies that are rumored to live right in the woods near her house.  Are the stories real or just tales?  This is a definite "feel good" book for kids ages 8 -11 with a great happy ending.

The Fetch by Chris Humphreys.  When Sky and his cousin Kristen find an old chest of their deceased Norse grandfather's filled with old journals and runes, they think they are only going to learn about their heritage.  What they do not expect is to be time-traveling back to  the Viking warriors, being stalked by demons, and learning how to use the magic of the runes. 

This is a book that you cannot wait to read and has two more in the series yet to come that I am trying to wait for patiently.

AMY TROGDON

Flotsam, wordless picture book by Caldecott medal winner David Weisner, is a one-of-a-kind.  Flotsam is defined as something that floats—in this case a camera.  Through the camera’s eye, and that of a young boy, we are able to share in a very special journey.  This is a lovely book for ages 5 and up.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline.  Once upon a time there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane, whose owner was a very well-to-do little girl.  All was well until Edward was lost.  Here the journey  begins as Edward is repeatedly lost and found again and again by people of all ages and walks of life.  Through his journey, Edward learns the meaning of love.

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