With thousands of terrific children’s books published every month from 2010-2019, I clearly could create these lists many times over. I tried not to second guess myself and just wrote down the 10 books that had stayed with me over a decade of reading and reviewing (and buying for school libraries) from the three age-groups. I won’t expand on the lists though I am sure the themes reflect much of my own personal story over the last ten years! If you want to know more about them, do a search here on the blog as I have reviewed all but a couple here.
PICTURE BOOKS
MIDDLE GRADE
YOUNG ADULT
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories. I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Love your picks! And so many I haven’t read. Haven’t read 4 of the PBs. I’ve read only 2 of the MGs, and 2 of the YAs. Sooo many books! So tough to read widely.
I read all the time and yet I still feel I read so little! 🙂 Which four PB’s have you not read?
Red Sled, Nana in the City, The Storm Whale, and Maple. Gotta get crackin’…..
Terrific lists! Thanks for sharing! I’ve read all of the picture books, except Red Sled. Love them all! I think my top picture book of the decade must be When I Coloured in the World. But I think you’re inspiring me to do one last post for 2019 – of my top ten picture books of the decade. Happy holidays!
Please do your list. I love reading them.
I haven’t read all of the books on your list — and really need to read The One and Only Ivan and the Penderwicks. Of the ones you listed I loved ECHO, BROWN GIRL DREAMING, NANA IN THE CITY. I have fallen behind in YA books — just finished one last night.
Some favorites on my list would include MG: Refugee and The Last Cherry Blossom, Echo, Amal Unbound, and Wolf Hollow. YA: Copper Sun, Every Falling Star, The Hate U Give, Never Fall Down and the Recompense series PB: Mama Miti, Nelson Mandela, Rain School, Word Collector, and a Stone for Sascha, to name just a few.
Happy Holidays!