Welcome to the Top 10s of 2024 Week 4!
This week’s Brainstorm features the favorite reads of the year from the wonderful Elementary librarian I have the privilege of working with, Mrs Nat Cho. Click the links to see Mrs Nat’s full reviews for each book. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Top 10s of 2024. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Part 1: Nov 29 – Nonfiction, Leveled Readers, and Artwork
Part 2: Dec 7 – Contemporary & Historical Fiction, Lower Grade, YA & Adult Graphic Novels/Manga/Comics
Part 3: Dec 13 – Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asian
Part 4: Dec 20 – Guest post
Top 10 Fiction Picture Books
(excluding Asian & Christian picture books)
The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson, ill. by Kazu Kibuishi
Bad Drawer by Seth Fishman (and friends)
What Do You Do with a Problem? (What Do You Do with….) by Kobi Yamada, ill. by Mae Besom
They Came by Mark Tatulli
You Don't Want a Unicorn! (You Don’t Want a…) by Ame Dyckman, ill. by Liz Climo
If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson
Journey (Journey, #1) by Aaron Becker
Take a Chance by Sujean Rim
The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! (Pigeon) by Mo Willems
Top 10 Asian Fiction Picture Books
Built to Last by Minh Lê, ill. by Dan Santat
Father's Chinese Opera by Rich Lo
Building a Dream: How the Boys of Koh Panyee Became Champions by Darshana Khiani, ill. by Dow Phumiruk
Sari-Sari Summers by Lynnor Bontiago
Masala Chai, Fast and Slow by Rajani LaRocca, ill. by Neha Rawat
Spicy Spicy Hot! by Lenny Wen
The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland, ill. by Tatsuro Kiuchi
Where's Halmoni? (Halmoni & Family, #1) by Julie Kim
Scroll by Hui Li
That's Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed
Top 10 Easy Christian Picture Books
His Grace Is Enough: How God Makes It Right When We’ve Got It Wrong by Melissa Kruger, ill. by Isobel Lundie
The Man in the Tree and the Brand New Start: a True Story about Zacchaeus and the Difference Knowing Jesus Makes (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Carl Laferton, ill. by Catalina Echeverri
The Big Wide Welcome: a True Story about Jesus, James, and a Church That Learned to Love All Sorts of People (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Trillia Newbell, ill. by Catalina Echeverri
Seek and Find: Old Testament Bible Stories (Seek and Find) by Sarah Parker, ill. by André Parker
Susannah Spurgeon: The Pastor's Wife Who Didn't Let Sickness Stop Her (Do Great Things for God) by Mary Mohler, ill. by Cecilia Messina
One Perfect Plan: the Bible’s Story in Tiny Poems by Nancy Tupper Ling, ill. by Alina Chau
Big Feeling Days: a Book about Hard Things, Heavy Emotions, and Jesus' Love by Aubrey Sampson, ill. by Natalia Vasilica
God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God by Michelle Nietert & Tama Fortner, ill. by Nomar Perez
Any Time, Any Place, Any Prayer: a True Story of How You Can Talk with God (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Laura Wifler, ill. by Catalina Echeverri
The Heart Who Wanted to be Whole (StrongHeart Stories) by Beth Guckenberger, ill. by Irina Mileo
Top 10 Lower Grade Fiction Books
Jasmine Toguchi, Peace-Maker (Jasmine Toguchi, #6) by Debbi Michiko Florence, ill. by Eilzabet Vukovic
Best Friends Fur-Ever (Waffles and Pancake, #4) by Drew Brockington
Mindy Kim and the Mid-Autumn Festival (Mindy Kim, #10) by Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho
Anne Dares (Anne Chapter Book, #5) by Kallie George, adapted from the novel by L.M. Montgomery, ill. by Abigail Halpin
Super Happy Magic Forest (Super Happy Magic Forest, #1) by Matty Long
The Harmonica by Tony Johnston, ill. by Ron Mazellan
Burt the Beetle Lives Here (Burt the Beetle, #2) by Ashley Spires
Catch That Wave (Magic Bone, #2) by Nancy Krulik, ill. by Sebastien Braun
Bink & Gollie (Bink & Gollie, #1) by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee, ill. by Tony Fucile
Jasper & Scruff (Jasper & Scruff, #1) by Nicola Colton
Top 10 Lower Grade Nonfiction Books
(includes folklore)
Moving the Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion by Dave Eggers, ill. by Júlia Sardà
The Story of the Saxophone by Lesa Cline-Ransome, ill. by James E. Ransome
Tsunami! by Kimiko Kajikawa, ill. by Ed Young
Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray (Do Great Things for God) by Hunter Beless, ill. by Heloïse Mab
10 Days of the Easter Story: A Family Experience Through the Feelings of the Holy Week by Josh & Christi Straub, ill. by Angelika Scudamore
Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang, ill. by Kana Urbanowicz
The Empty Pot by Demi
Paper Son: the Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung, ill. by Chris Sasaki
Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca, ill. by Lauren Paige Conrad
C.S. Lewis: The Writer Who Found Joy (Here I Am!) by Dan DeWitt, ill. by Marcin Piwowarski
Top 10 Middle Grade Fiction Books
Running out of Time (Running out of Time, #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden (Vanderbeekers, #2) by Karina Yan Glaser
The Van Gogh Deception (Lost Art Mystery, #1) by Deron Hicks
The Penderwicks: a Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (The Penderwicks, #1) by Jeanne Birdsall
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Palace of Stone (Princess Academy, #2) by Shannon Hale
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Rats of NIMH, #1) by Robert C. O’Brien
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Echo by Pam Muñez Ryan
War Horse (War Horse, #1) by Michael Morpurgo
