Thursday, December 16, 2021

Brainstorm 258: Top 10s of 2021 Part 3: Graphic Novels & Asian Lit

Welcome back for the final week of the Top 10s of 2021!

This week I’ve got my favorite graphic novels and books by authors of Asian descent about people/characters of Asian descent I read in the past 12 months. If you are looking for a good read for yourself or someone you love, these are some of my top recommendations! 

We have our books organized by genre in the Secondary Media Center I oversee, and the graphic novel/manga/comics section is by far THE most popular area. So over the course of a year I read a ton of graphic novels, manga, and comics trying to pick which new ones to add to satisfy the ravenous graphic novel devourers. I’m also always on the hunt for great Asian lit since we are in Asia and a huge chunk of our student population is of Asian descent.

In general, I’ve put my favorite book(s) on top and then in descending order, but considering many of these books beat out 100s of others in the same category, that’s a minor thing at this point. They are all amazing in my opinion if they’ve made these lists. I’ve set limiters for certain lists to help myself narrow things down, and all of these are books I've read in the past 12 months. I've also limited it to books that are already in our libraries at ICS, or books that are coming soon to our shelves.

You can click on the titles to read my full review of each book and any content notes/trigger warnings.

Here’s the Top 10s of 2021s Schedule for this year:

Dec 3: Nonfiction books

Dec 10: Fiction books

Dec 17: Graphic novels & Asian Lit


Some notes on terms:

Lower Grade (LG) books are aimed at Pre-K-3 grade readers

Middle Grade (MG) books are aimed at 3rd-8th grade readers

Young Adult (YA) books are aimed at teen readers


Top 10 Lower Grade Fiction Graphic Novels, Comics, Manga

(limited to 1 per author)

Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation (Bad Kitty, #14) by Nick Bruel

Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse (Brownstone’s Mythical Collection, #4) by Joe Todd-Stanton

Built for Speed (Layla and the Bots, #2) by Vicky Fang, ill. by Christine Nishiyama

Doggo and Pupper by Katherine Applegate, ill. by Charlie Alder

Kitty Sweet Tooth by Abby Denson, ill. by Utomaru

The Lost Camera (Bots, #8) by Russ Bolts, ill. by Jay Cooper

The Goblin Princess (Unicorn Diaries, #4) by Rebecca Elliott

Dinosaurs before Dark (Magic Tree House Graphic Novel, #1) based on the novel by Mary Pope Osborne, adapted by Jenny Laird, ill. by Kelly & Nichole Matthews

Let’s Go Swimming! (Hello, Hedgehog, #4) by Norm Feuti

Fair and Square (Unicorn and Yeti, #4) by Heather Ayris Burnell, ill. by Hazel Quintanilla


Top 10 Middle Grade Fantasy and Science Fiction Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga

(limited to 1 per author)

The Girl & the Galdurian (Lightfall, #1) by Tim Probert

Katie the Catsitter (Katie the Catsitter, #1) by Colleen A.F. Venable, ill. by Stephanie Yue, color by Braden Lamb

Pepper Page Saves the Universe by Landry Q. Walker, ill. by Eric Jones

Flood-a-Geddon (Agent 9, #1) by James Burks

Shortcuts (Sanity & Tallulah, #3) by Molly Brooks

Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau

Mellybean and the Giant Monster (Mellybean, #1) by Mike White

Perfectly Normal (Ozy and Millie, #2) by Dana Simpson

The Sinister Substitute (Marvel Avengers Assembly, #2) by Preeti Chhibber, ill. by James Lancett

The Invasion: a graphic novel (Animorphs graphic novels, #1) based on the novel by K.A. Applegate, adapted by Michael Grant, ill. by Chris Grine


Top 10 Middle Grade Contemporary and Historical Fiction Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga

(limited to 1 per author)

Yotsuba&! 15 (Yotsuba&!, #15) by Kiyohiko Azuma

Jacky Ha-Ha: a graphic novel (Jacky Ha-Ha graphic novels, #1) based on the novel by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein, adapted by Adam Rau, ill. by Betty C. Tang

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, ill. by Ann Xu

Wicked Epic Adventures (Wallace the Brave, #3) by Will Henry

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, ill. by Michelle Mee Nutter

Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer (Shirley & Jamila, #1) by Gillian Goerz

Class Act (New Kid, #2) by Jerry Craft

Yuzu the Pet Vet 2 (Yuzu the Pet Vet, #2) by Mingo Ito

I Survived the Nazi Invasion: the graphic novel (I Survived graphic novels, #3) based on the novel by Tarshis

Twins by Varian Johnson, ill. by Shannon Wright


Top 10 YA & Adult Fiction Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga

(limited to 1 per author)

Stranger Planet (Strange Planet, #2) by Nathan W. Pyle

Space Boy 10 (Space Boy, #10) by Stephen McCranie

Deliciously FoxTrot (FoxTrot, #43) by Bill Amend

Silver Spoon 15 (Silver Spoon, #15) by Hiromu Arakawa, translated by Amanda Haley

The Promised Neverland 7 (The Promised Neverland, #7) by Kaiu Shirai, ill. by Posuka Demizu

To All the Squirrels I’ve Loved Before (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 12) by Ryan North, ill. by Derek Charm

I Love You More Than My Phone (Slothilda) by Dante Fabiero

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear 4 (Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear Manga, Vol. 4) based on the novels by Kumanano, ill. by Sergei

Cats Are People, Too (Speed Bump) by Dave Coverly

Kakuriyo Bed & Breakfast for Spirits 5 (Kakuriyo Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 5) original story by Midori Yuma, adapted & ill. by Waco Ioka


Top 10 Middle Grade, YA, & Adult Nonfiction Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga

Friends Forever (Real Friends, #3) by Shannon Hale, ill by LeUyen Pham

The Digestive System: a Tour Through Your Guts (Science Comics) by Jason Viola, ill. by Andy Ristaino

Big Apple Diaries by Alyssa Bermudez

Cold War Correspondent: a Korean War Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, #11) by Nathan Hale

Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money (Unsolved Case Files, #1) by Tom Sullivan

A Shot in the Arm! (Big Ideas That Changed the World, #3) by Don Brown

Blades of Freedom: a Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, #10) by Nathan Hale

The American Bison: the Buffalo’s Survival Tale (History Comics) by Andy Hirsch

Spiders: Worldwide Webs (Science Comics) by Tait Howard

Jailbreak at Alcatraz (Unsolved Case Files, #2) by Tom Sullivan


Top 10 Asian MG/YA/Adult Fiction Books (about a character of Asian descent, written by an author of Asian descent)

(limited to 1 per author)

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter by Debbi Michiko Florence

The House on Silat Road (House on Palmer Road, #2) by Si-Hoe S.S. & Sim Ee Waun, ill. by Lim An-Ling

Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte, ill. by Ann Xu

K-Pop Confidential (K-Pop Confidential, #1) by Stephan Lee

Marshmallow & Jordan by Alina Chau

This Light Between Us by Andrew Fukuda

Rogue Heart (Rebel Seoul, #2) by Axie Oh


Top 10 Asian Fiction Picture Books & Lower Grade Fiction Chapter Books (about a character of Asian descent, written by an author of Asian descent)

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon (Amy Wu, #2) by Kat Zhang, ill. by Charlene Chua

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, ill. by Dung Ho

The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane ; illustrated by Jiu Er ; translated by Helen Mixter

Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy (Mindy Kim, #3) by Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho

A New Year’s Reunion by Yu Li-Qiong, ill. by Zhu Cheng Liang

Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca, ill. by Archana Sreenivasan

My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee, ill. by Elaine Chen

Watercress by Andrea Wang, ill. by Jason Chin

Sunday Funday in Koreatown by Aram Kim


Top 10 Asian Nonfiction Books (about a person/people of Asian descent, written by an author of Asian descent)

How (Not) to Save the World: the Truth about Revealing God’s Love to the People Right Next to You by Hosanna Wong

All Thirteen: the Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang, ill. by Khoa Le

The Sakura Obsession: the Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms by Naoko Abe

While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown

When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons

The House of Yan: a Family at the Heart of a Century of Chinese History by Lan Yan, translated by Sam Taylor

A Village with My Name: a Family History of China’s Opening to the World by Scott Tong

Journey of Heroes: the Story of the 100th Infantry Batallion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team by Stacey T. Hayashi, ill. by Damon Wong

Tiny Moons: a Year of Eating in Shanghai by Nina Mingya Powles




Friday, December 10, 2021

Brainstorm 257: Top 10s of 2021 Part 2: Fiction Books

Welcome back for week 2 of the Top 10s of 2021!

This week I’ve got my favorite fiction titles I read in the past 12 months. If you are looking for a good read for yourself or someone you love, these are some of my top recommendations! 

I read quite a lot of middle grade fiction and fiction picture books, so I’ve further divided those by genre to share a few more of my favorites since they make up a huge percentage of the 700+ books I read a year. You’ll also notice that graphic novels are excluded from all of these lists today. That’s not because I think they are any less important, it’s because my students and I love graphic novels, so they get their own special day next week. 

In general, I’ve put my favorite book(s) on top and then in descending order, but considering many of these books beat out 100s of others in the same category, that’s a minor thing at this point. They are all amazing in my opinion if they’ve made these lists. I’ve set limiters for certain lists to help myself narrow things down, and all of these are books I've read in the past 12 months. I've also limited it to books that are already in our libraries at ICS, or books that are coming soon to our shelves.

You can click on the titles to read my full review of each book.

Here’s the Top 10s of 2021s Schedule for this year:

Dec 3: Nonfiction books

Dec 10: Fiction books

Dec 17: Graphic novels & Asian Lit

Some notes on terms:

Lower Grade books are aimed at Pre-K-3 grade readers

Middle Grade books are aimed at 3rd-8th grade readers

Young Adult books are aimed at teen readers


Top 10 Adult Fiction Books

(Limited to one per author; excludes graphic novels)

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

A Match of Wits (Ladies of Distinction, #4) by Jen Turano

Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive, #4) by Brandon Sanderson

Yours Cheerfully (The Emmy Lake Chronicles, #2) by AJ Pearce

A Natural History of Dragons (The Memoirs of Lady Trent, #1) by Marie Brennan

The Mother Code by Carole Stivers

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Prince of Spies (Hope and Glory, #3) by Elizabeth Camden

Egg Drop Dead (A Noodle Shop Mystery, #5) by Vivien Chien


Top 10 Young Adult Fiction Books

(Excludes graphic novels)

The Blood Spell (Ravenspire, #4) by C.J. Redwine

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

When She Reigns (Fallen Isles, #3) by Jodi Meadows

Woven in Moonlight (Woven in Moonlight, #1) by Isabel Ibañez

Rogue Heart (Rebel Seoul, #2) by Axie Oh

Love & Olives (Love & Gelato, #3) by Jenna Evans Welch

A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1) by Naomi Novik

K-Pop Confidential (K-Pop Confidential, #1) by Stephan Lee

This Light Between Us by Andrew Fukuda

Jackaby (Jackaby, #1) by William Ritter


Top 10 Middle Grade Science Fiction Books

(Includes dystopias, steampunk, superhero stories, and time travel; limited to 1 per series; excludes graphic novels)

The Mutant Mushroom Takeover (Maggie and Nate Mysteries, #1) by Summer Rachel Short

June’s Wild Flight (The Last Kids on Earth, #5.5) by Max Brallier, ill. by Douglas Holgate

Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage

The Countdown Conspiracy by Katie Slivensky

Jonesy Flux and the Gray Legion by James Pray

Alone by Megan E. Freeman

The Smartest Kid in the Universe (The Smartest Kid in the Universe, #1) by Chris Grabenstein

The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

Quest for the Nautilus (Young Captain Nemo, #1) by Jason Henderson

Nikki Tesla and the Ferret-Proof Death Ray (Elements of Genius, #1) by Jess Keating


Top 10 Middle Grade Fantasy Fiction Books

(Includes mythology-based adventures and talking animal stories; limited to 1 per series; excludes graphic novels)

Dog Squad by Chris Grabenstein

The Accidental Apprentice (Wildlore, #1) by Amanda Foody

Once upon a Unicorn by Lou Anders

Much Ado about Baseball by Rajani LaRocco

The Shadow Crosser (Storm Runner, #3) by J.C. Cervantes


Voyage on the Eversteel Sea (Snared, #3) by Adam Jay Epstein

Fowl Twins Deny All Charges (The Fowl Twins, #2) by Eoin Colfer

Escaping Ordinary (Talespinners, #2) by Scott Reintgen

Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School, #1) by Jen Calonita

Aru Shah and the City of Gold (Pandava, #4) by Roshani Chokshi


Top 10 Middle Grade Contemporary Fiction Books

(Limited to 1 per series; excludes graphic novels)

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter by Debbi Michiko Florence

Super Puzzletastic Mysteries: Short Stories for Young Sleuths from Mystery Writers of America by Chris Grabenstein, et al

Spy School at Sea (Spy School, #9) by Stuart Gibbs

Out of My Mind (Out of My Mind, #1) by Sharon M. Draper

Golden Gate (City Spies, #2) by James Ponti

Bear Bottom (FunJungle, #7) by Stuart Gibbs

Unplugged by Gordon Korman

The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling

The Girl Who Ruined Christmas by Cindy Callaghan

A Dog-Friendly Town by Josephine Cameron


Top 10 Middle Grade Historical Fiction Books

(Limited to 1 per series; excludes graphic novels)

Peril at Owl Park (Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen, #2) by Marthe Jocelyn 

Lizard’s Tale by Weng Wai Chan

Broken Strings by Eric Walters & Kathy Kacer

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

The House on Silat Road (House on Palmer Road, #2) by Si-Hoe S.S. & Sim Ee Waun, ill. by Lim An-Ling

Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries, #1) by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Which Way Is Home? by Maria Kiely

The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley

Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee


Lower Grade Fiction

(Limited to 1 per author; graphic novels excluded)

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem (Tales from Deckawoo Drive, #5) by Kate DiCamillo, ill. by Chris VanDusen

The Wall of Doom (Creature Campers, #3) by Joe McGee, ill. by Bea Tormo

A Bad King Is a Sad Thing (Rabbit & Bear, #5) by Julian Gough, ill. by Jim Field

Mood Science (Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist, #10) by Jim Benton

Mindy Kim and the Birthday Puppy (Mindy Kim, #3) by Lyla Lee, ill. by Dung Ho

How to Promenade with a Python (and Not Get Eaten) (Polite Predators, #1) by Rachel Poliquin, ill. by Kathryn Durst

King & Kayla and the Case of the Gold Ring (King & Kayla, #7) by Dori Hillestad Butler, ill. by Nancy Meyers

The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem (The Princess in Black, #8) by Shannon & Dean Hale, ill. by LeUyen Pham

Mystery on the Ostrich Express (Fabio, the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective, #2) by Laura James, ill. by Emily Fox

Dragons and Marshmallows (Zoey and Sassafras, #1) by Asia Citro, ill. by Marion Lindsay


Top 10 Animal, Fantasy, and Science Fiction Picture Books

(Limited to 1 per author)

Norman Didn’t Do It (Yes, He Did) by Ryan T. Higgins

ABC Cats by Lesléa Newman, ill. by Isabella Kung

The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane ; illustrated by Jiu Er ; translated by Helen Mixter

A Bear Is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman, ill. by Dan Santat

The Space Train by Maudie Powell-Tuck, ill. by Karl James Mountford

Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon (Amy Wu, #2) by Kat Zhang, ill. by Charlene Chua

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex

The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature (Strange Planet) by Nathan W. Pyle

It Fell from the Sky by the Fan Brothers

Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger


Top 10 Contemporary and Historical Fiction Picture Books

(Limited to 1 per author)

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, ill. by Dung Ho

The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, ill. by Bagram Ibatoulline

Hurricane by John Rocco

On Account of the Gum by Adam Rex

Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca, ill. by Archana Sreenivasan

Watercress by Andrea Wang, ill. by Jason Chin

Gittel’s Journey: an Ellis Island Story by Lesléa Newman, ill. by Amy June Bates

Ohana Means Family by Ilina Loomis, ill. by Kenard Pak

Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi, ill. by Juana Martinez-Neal

Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon (Molly Lou Melon, #3) by Patty Lovell, ill. by David Catrow


Top 10 Fiction Leveled Readers/Beginning Readers

(Limited to 1 per author, graphic novels excluded)

Charlie & Mouse Lost and Found (Charlie & Mouse, #5) by Laurel Snyder, ill. by Emily Hughes

Play Ball (Pete the Cat: I Can Read) by James Dean

Flubby will Not Take a Bath (Flubby, #4) by J.E. Morris

Dot & Jabber and the Big Bug Mystery (Dot & Jabber) by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Pool Party! (Farmer Brown’s Barnyard Tales) by Doreen Cronin, ill. by Betsy Lewin

Zip, Zoom (Ty’s Travels) by Kelly Starling Lyons, ill. by Nina Mata

Uni the Unicorn Bakes a Cake an Amy Krouse Rosenthal book in the style of Brigette Barrager, by Candice Ransom, ill. by Sue DiCicco

Happy Go Ducky based on the books by Jackie Urbanovic, by Lori Haskins Houran, ill. by Joe Mathieu

Fun, Fun, Fun! (Croc and Ally) by Derek Anderson

Bug Dipping, Bug Sipping by Marilyn Singer, ill. by Lucy Semple


Thursday, December 2, 2021

Brainstorm 256: Top 10s of 2021 Part 1: Nonfiction Books

It’s time for this year’s Top 10s of 2021! 

For the next 3 weeks I will be sharing with you my favorite reads of the year. If you are looking for a good read for yourself or someone you love, these are some of my top recommendations! 

In general, I’ve put my favorite book(s) on top and then in descending order, but considering many of these books beat out 100s of others in the same category, that’s a minor thing at this point. They are all amazing in my opinion if they’ve made these lists. I’ve set limiters for certain lists to help myself narrow things down, and all of these are books I've read in the past 12 months. I've also limited it to books that are already in our libraries at ICS, or books that are coming soon to our shelves.

You can click on the titles to read my full review of each book.

Here’s the Top 10s of 2021s Schedule for this year:

Dec 3: Nonfiction books

Dec 10: Fiction books

Dec 17: Graphic novels & Asian Lit


Some notes on terms:

Lower Grade (LG) books are aimed at Pre-K-3 grade readers

Middle Grade (MG) books are aimed at 3rd-8th grade readers

Young Adult (YA) books are aimed at teen readers


Top 10 Middle Grade and/or YA Nonfiction

All Thirteen: the Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

Gidget the Surfing Dog: Catching Waves with a Small But Mighty Pug by Elizabeth Rusch

While I Was Away by Waka T. Brown

Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer

A Thousand Sisters: the Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II by Elizabeth Wein

The Light of Days: the Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler’s Ghettos Young Readers’ Edition by Judy Batalion

The Impossible First Young Readers’ Edition by Colin O’Brady

Games of Deception: the True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany by Andrew Maraniss

How We Got to the Moon: the People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco

This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges


Top 10 Adult Nonfiction

An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the Herd Taught Me about Love, Courage and Survival by Françoise Malby-Anthony with Katja Willemsen

The Queens of Animation: the Untold Story of the Women Who Transformed the World of Disney and Made Cinematic History by Nathalia Holt

Becoming by Michelle Obama

The Sakura Obsession: the Incredible Story of the Plant Hunter Who Saved Japan’s Cherry Blossoms by Naoko Abe

New on Earth: Baby Animals in the Wild by Suzi Eszterhas

The House of Yan: a Family at the Heart of a Century of Chinese History by Lan Yan, translated by Sam Taylor

A Village with My Name: a Family History of China’s Opening to the World by Scott Tong

The Riddle of the Labyrinth: the Quest to Crack an Ancient Code by Margalit Fox

The Perfect Predator: a Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug: a Memoir by Steffanie Strathdee & Thomas Patterson

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens by Christopher Skaife


Top 10 MG, YA, or Adult Christian Nonfiction

How (Not) to Save the World: the Truth about Revealing God’s Love to the People Right Next to You by Hosanna Wong

When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons

Turning of Days: Lessons from Nature, Season, and Spirit by Hannah Anderson, ill. by Nathan Anderson

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You by Holly Gerth

Gentle and Lowly: the Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane C. Ortlund

How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment, and Unmet Expectations by Max Lucado

A Kid’s Guide to the Names of Jesus (A Kid’s Guide to) by Tony Evans

Sacred Endurance: Finding Grace and Strength for a Lasting Faith by Trillia J. Newbell

Singing in the Dark: Finding Hope in the Songs of Scripture by Ginny Owens

Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship by N.T. Wright


Top 10 Christian Picture Books 

(Mostly nonfiction books, though the last 2 are fiction. Christian leveled readers in the leveled reader list.)

The Bright Light and the Super Scary Darkness by Dan DeWitt, ill. by Rhea Zai

Jesus and the Lions’ Den: a True Story about How Daniel Points Us to Jesus (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Alison Mitchell, ill. by Catalina Echeverri

Go and Do Likewise!: the Parables and Wisdom of Jesus by John Hendrix

The Prisoners, the Earthquake, and the Midnight Song: a True Story about How God Uses People to Save People (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Bob Hartman, ill. by Catalina Echeverri

Christmas Is Coming! by Tama Fortner, ill. by Wazza Pink

The God Contest: a True Story of Elijah, Jesus, and the Greatest Victory (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Carl Laferton, ill. by Catalina Echeverri

Near: Psalm 139 by Sally Lloyd-Jones, ill. by Jago

Goodbye to Goodbyes: a True Story about Jesus, Lazarus, and an Empty Tomb (Tales That Tell the Truth) by Lauren Chandler, ill. by Catalina Echeverri

A Hero’s Prayer by Sheri Rose Shepherd, ill. by Jennifer Zivoin

Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat by Andrew Wilson, ill. by Helena Perez Garcia


Top 10 Lower Grade Nonfiction 

(Limited to 1 per author; picture book biographies in their own category.)

The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal by Nick Seluk

Swish!: the Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globe Trotters by Suzanne Slade, ill. by Don Tate

Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

Do You Know Dewey?: Exploring the Dewey Decimal System by Brian P. Cleary, ill. by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Play in the Wild: How Baby Animals Like to Have Fun by Lita Judge

Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho, ill. by Katherine Roy

Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant by Allan Drummond

You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: a Nighttime Insect Celebration by Loree Griffin Burns, photos by Ellen Harasimowicz

Follow the Recipe: Poems about Imagination, Celebration, & Cake by Marilyn Singer, ill. by Marjorie Priceman

The Frog Book by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page


Top 10 Picture Book Biographies

(Leveled reader picture book biographies excluded and in leveled reader list.)

The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang, ill. by Khoa Le

Monument Maker: Daniel Chester French and the Lincoln Memorial by Linda Booth Sweeney, ill. by Shawn Fields

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill. by Frank Morrison

Flight for Freedom: the Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany by Kristen Fulton, ill. by Torben Kuhlmann

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha, ill. by Yuko Shimizu

The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine by Linda Elovitz Marshall, ill. by Lisa Anchin

Thank You, Sarah: the Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, ill. by Matt Faulkner

Just Like Rube Goldberg: the Incredible True Story of the Man Behind the Machines by Sarah Aronson, ill. by Robert Neubecker

Cézanne’s Parrot by Amy Guglielmo, ill. by Brett Helquist

Anna & Samia: the True Story of Saving a Black Rhino by Paul Meisel


Top 10 Nonfiction Leveled Readers/Beginning Readers

(An * indicates a Christian title.)

A Pony with Her Writer: the Story of Marguerite Henry and Misty (Tails from History) by Thea Feldman, ill. by Rachel Sanson

All about Bears by Jennifer Szymanski

A Zebra’s Day by Aubre Andrus

Forest Friends by Mary Hassinger*

Where We Live by Brenda Stones & Thea Feldman

Jesus Saves the World by Kelly Pulley*

Lucy Maud Montgomery by Sarah Howden, ill. by Nick Craine

Animals That Change Color by Libby Romero

The Bravest Cat: the True Story of Scarlett by Laura Driscoll, ill. by DyAnne DiSalvo

Animal Survivors by Clive Gifford, ill. by Sarah Horne