Brainstorm 334: International Day Reads

It is International Day at our school, a day to celebrate all the cultures and countries featured among our school body, and I thought it would be the perfect time to share some books that compare and contrast various things from everyday life in different countries and cultures around the world. Since I have a few more books than normal, I’m just going to share the nutshell and target readers for each book. To read my full review with a longer summary plus review and any content notes/trigger warnings, click on the titles.

Homes & Living Habits

This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World by Matt LaMothe

In a nutshell: Readers get to compare and contrast what school, meals, and free time are like for these kids from Japan, Peru, Iran, Russia, India, Italy, and Uganda.

Target Readers: Culture Studiers, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche

In a nutshell: A survey of 15 different homes from all over the world that feature a wide variety of styles and building materials. 

Target Readers: Culture Studiers, Curious Readers, Architecture Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Random Fact Sponges, Form & Function Contemplators, Middle Grade Readers (though approachable to Lower Grade) 

Transportation

Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students from around the World by Baptiste Paul & Miranda Paul, ill. by Isabel Muñoz

In a nutshell: Shares real transportation methods children around the world use to get to school.

Target Readers: Transportation Story Fans, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Underground: Subway Systems around the World by Uijung Kim

In a nutshell: A survey of ten cities' subway systems with a page of infographics followed by a seek-and-find page that includes items unique to that location's people and culture.

Target Readers: Seek-and-Find Fans, Curious Readers, Random Fact Sponges, Math/Stats Fans/Studiers, Transportation Story Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Languages

Hello World!: Greetings in 42 Languages around the Globe by Manya Stojic

In a nutshell: A simple read featuring kids saying hello in 42 languages.

Target Readers: Curious Readers, World Travelers, Random Fact Sponges, Language Studiers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

What a Wonderful Word: A Collection of Untranslatable Words from Around the World by Nicola Edwards, ill. by Luisa Uribe

In a nutshell: An illustrated survey of words from around the world that convey thoughts that often just don't translate into one single word in any other language.

Target Readers: Word Collectors, Language Studiers, Random Fact Sponges, Art Lovers, Curious Readers, Middle Grade/Young Adult/Adult Readers

Food

Ultimate Food Atlas by Nancy Castaldo & Christy Mihaly

In a nutshell: Travel around the world continent by continent (and Oceania) and learn 5 dishes from the region in each of the following categories: farming food, veggies/roots/shoots, fruits/nuts/peas, foodie festivals and feasts, great grains, livestock and more, dairy delights, and food from the water. Between each continent section is a page featuring 5 dishes of a food that is popular all over the world in different forms.

Target Readers: Culture Studiers, Food Production Studiers, Food Habit Studiers, Curious Readers, Foodies, Nonfiction Fans, Middle Grade/Young Adult Readers

Pancakes to Parathas: Breakfast around the World by Alice B. McGinty, ill. by Tomoko Suzuki

In a nutshell: A survey of what kids would typically eat for breakfast from 12 different cultures, in an order that follows the sunrise around the Earth.

Target Readers: Foodies, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

This is the Way We Eat Our Lunch by Edith Baer, ill. by Steve Bjorkman

In a nutshell: Take a tour around the world and see what kids are having for lunch.

Target Readers: Foodies, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Delicious!: Poems Celebrating Street Food around the World by Julie Larios, ill. by Julie Paschkis

In a nutshell: A poetic tour around the world to sample street food from many nations and cultures.

Target Readers: Poetry Fans, Foodies, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Noodles, Please! (A to Z Foods of the World) by Cheryl Yau Chepusova, ill. by Rebecca Hollingsworth

In a nutshell: Learn about different noodle dishes from all around the world A to Z.

Target Readers: Noodle Lovers, Foodies, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Board Book Fans, Picture Book Readers

Games/Sports

Game on! (Kids around the World) by Maria Le, ill. by Clarice Elliott

In a nutshell: A tour of ball sports, board games, and playground/backyard games kids play all over the world and where they originated.

Target Readers: Game Fans, Sports Fans, Curious Readers, Leveled Reader Fans, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Celebrations/Holidays

Birthdays around the World by Margriet Ruurs, ill. by Ashley Barron

In a nutshell: A survey of 15 different cultures around the world and how a child there would celebrate their birthday including any special traditions and foods.

Target Readers: Culture Studiers, Multicultural Classrooms, Curious Readers, Nonfiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

What Do You Celebrate?: Holidays and Festivals around the World by Whitney Stewart, ill. by Christiane Engel

In a nutshell: A look at cultural, religious, national, and seasonal celebrations from around the world with accompanying activity ideas.

Target Readers: Culture Studiers, Curious Readers, Random Fact Collectors, Nonfiction Fans, Lower Grade Readers

Every Month Is a New Year: Celebrations around the World by Marilyn Singer, ill. by Susan L. Roth

In a nutshell: A collection of poems that look at different New Year's celebrations around the world, arranged by the month of the year in which they most frequently occur.

Target Readers: Poetry Fans, Culture Studiers, Curious Readers, Random Fact Collectors, Nonfiction Fans, Middle Grade Readers (though approachable to Lower Grade)

Brainstorm 333: Cute & Humorous Snake Books

As the Lunar New Year a few weeks ago ushered in the Year of the Snake, I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce some cute and funny snake characters to you. It is easy to find the scary snake character, but as one of my nieces would love to tell you, snakes can be cool and cute too. (I may not always share her opinion, but I know others do. So this post is for her and her fellow snake enthusiasts.)  To see my full review of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings, click on the title. 

Cat’s Café (Cat’s Café, #1) by Matt Tarpley

In a nutshell: Cute comics about mental health and supportive friendship.

More info: A collection of comics about Cat who runs a café, provides for the caffeine needs of others, but more importantly provides a safe place where everyone can be real, get emotional support, and connect with others. 

Extra thoughts: As you can see in the middle of the cover, one of the regulars at the café is a cute snake.

Target readers: Animal Lovers, Comic Fans, Feel Good Story Fans, Cute Art Fans, Friendship Story Fans, Mental Health Story Fans, Middle Grade/Young Adult/Adult Readers 

Crictor by Tomi Ungerer

In a nutshell: An unusual gift of a pet proves to be just what an elderly woman needs.

More info: When Madame Bodot receives a rather unusual gift from her explorer son...a rather large snake to be her pet. She is wary at first, but when thieves break in, Crictor proves his worth and devotion.

Extra thoughts: I may not love snakes, but it is hard not to love and cheer for Crictor. He may be approaching 70 now, but he’s still enchanting readers and has aged very well.

Target readers: Pet Story Fans, Surprising Hero Story Fans, Boa Constrictor Fans, Animal Story Fans, Humorous & Exciting Story Fans, Modern Classic Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Picture Book Readers

Don’t Take Your Snake for a Stroll by Karin Ireland, ill. by David Catrow

In a nutshell: A humorous picture book about why you shouldn't take your various pets on outings with you.

More info: There are certain pets you shouldn’t take on outings. For example, your skunk might stink up the airplane or the waiter at the restaurant may think your frogs escaped from the chef. And you snake, well, you’ll just have to read to find out.

Extra thoughts: The imaginative situations plus the way the illustrator depicted them makes this a cute and funny read.

Target readers: Humor Fans, Animal Lovers, Imaginative Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

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

In a nutshell: An advisor suggests ways to avoid being eaten by an overly friendly python and dispenses a wealth of python facts in the process.

More info: Celeste the cockroach is here to help a young man who has been invited to go on a moonlight promenade with a python. Celeste knows all about pythons, and has loads of ideas about how to avoid getting eaten by them. But will her ideas work?

Extra thoughts: A goofy book with a hilarious premise (and hilarious illustrations) that ends up being sneakily super educational too. You learn so much about pythons without even realizing it.

Target readers: Humor Fans, Silly Story Fans, Random Fact Sponges, Python Studiers, Animal Lovers, Educational Fiction Fans, Science Nerds, Lower Grade Readers

Brainstorm 332: Never Forget, Auschwitz Liberation 80th Anniversary

This past Monday, Jan 27, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of prisoners from the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. I thought this would be an appropriate time to share some stories of incredible courage set in Auschwitz. Two of them are biographies/autobiographies of actual survivors, and two are fictional stories based on extensive research. Click on the titles to see my full review of each book including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Broken Strings by Eric Walters & Kathy Kacer

In a nutshell: A school production of Fiddler on the Roof leads middle school students and their families into unexpected growth and connections, learning to become better people, addressing incidents of racism, and processing the recent 9/11 attacks nearby.

More info: Shirli is hunting in her grandfather's attic for costumes and props for her middle school's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Shirli has mixed feelings about landing the role of Golde. On the one hand, it is the most important female role and her stage husband is the super popular Ben Morgan. But she really had her heart set on singing Hodel's solo. As she wrestles with her feelings, she sorts through her Zayde's attic and hits gold. Which isn't too surprising. Her family is Jewish, and her Zayde's mother actually lived the time period Fiddler is about. But at the bottom of one of the trunks Shirli finds something startling. An old violin and a poster in a foreign language showing a group of musicians and she thinks her Zayde is one of the kids holding a violin. Shirli knows her father never got to develop his musical skills like he could have because Zayde banned music from the house. When she brings down the poster and violin, Zayde reacts in surprising ways. She knew he lived through the Holocaust, but what could cause a person to react like that? Will Zayde open up, and when the production hits rocky times, who can save the show?

Extra thoughts: This is a beautiful story that will leave you with feel good tingles. It's about an old man learning to let go of past anger by sharing with his family what he experienced. It's a story of a girl connecting with her grandfather in even deeper ways. And it's a story of how an old man who lived through Auschwitz can teach some very important lessons to some middle school kids shook by 9/11 just months prior. There are also lots of great details about the musical production, and how an unlikely hero swoops in to save it when it seems destined for failure. 

Target readers: Musical Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, Grandfather/Granddaughter Story Fans, Theater Story Fans, Intergenerational Friendship Story Fans, Middle School Story Fans, Feel Good Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers

The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece, #1) by Kristy Cambron

In a nutshell: The hunt for an original copy of a painting of a bald woman playing a violin uncovers the story of a professional violinist sent to Auschwitz and has people contemplating life choices.

More info: In the present, Sera is somewhat consumed with finding the original painting of an Auschwitz prisoner playing the violin. Her search has led her to the Hanover estate, but she has no idea what her inquiry will set off there. It seems finding the painting is at the core of a messy inheritance settlement. She also finds herself attracted to the head of the Hanover estate, William. But she doesn't know if she can risk trusting someone with her heart again. 

In early WWII Europe, Adele is Austria's sweetheart. Her amazing musical talent on the violin has landed her many appearances with the Vienna Philharmonic, and she's become somewhat of a celebrity, something her parents are thrilled with. Her father is high up in the Third Reich and he's using her to entertain at state functions, while her mother is set on her catching the eye of a nice Nazi officer. Adele, however, finds her heart leading her in other directions. A path that may have dire consequences.

As Sera and William search for the current location of the painting, they also start uncovering the history of Adele, how she ended up in Auschwitz, and what happened to her there. And the search for the painting may well teach them a thing or two about the trajectory of their lives.

Extra thoughts: The chapters in this alternate between the present, Adele's time in Auschwitz, and Adele's years leading up to that. It's a beautiful tale, and both Adele in the past and Sera and William in the present go through a lot of important personal and spiritual growth through the story. This is the first WWII story I’ve read about a musician who ended up in Auschwitz and was forced to play in the orchestra there. It was definitely a different perspective of life in the death camp.

Target readers: Dual Time Setting Fans, WWII Story Fans, Character Growth Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Musician Story Fans, Love Story Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)

Impossible Escape: a True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin

In a nutshell: A biography of the first man to successfully escape from Auschwitz and make it to the Allies to report what was really going on there.

More info: A biography of Rudolf "Rudi" Vrba and Gerta Sidonová who were Jewish teens in Slovakia. Rudi was caught trying to sneak his way to Britain and is eventually sent to Auschwitz. Once he learns what is really going on there, he makes it his duty to try and escape to let the world know what is really going on. The Nazis are telling Jews they are just relocating them, they aren't telling anyone they are murdering Jews by the thousands in gas chambers. But escape from Auschwitz is well nigh impossible. Rudi himself has witnessed numerous escapees get hauled back to camp and murdered in front of the prisoners as warnings.

Gerta and her family have snuck over the border into Hungary which so far isn't under Hitler's rule. But as the days of WWII go on, the situation becomes more dangerous and Gerta may also be headed for deportation to Auschwitz.

Extra thoughts: This is a crazy true story, and it is shocking to think that without Rudi’s escape, the Nazis would have likely continued to fool the wider world even longer about what they were doing to the Jews.

Target readers: WWII Story Fans, Prison Break Story Fans, Biography Fans, Well-Written Nonfiction Fans, Crazy True Story Fans, YA Readers (though definitely of interest to adult readers too).

The Twins of Auschwitz: the Inspiring True Story of a Young Girl Surviving Mengele's Hell by Eva Mozes Kor with Lisa Rojany Buccieri

In a nutshell: An autobiography of a girl who with her twin survived Dr. Mengele’s horrible experiments in Auschwitz.

More info: Eva Mozes Kor had a charmed childhood until the Nazis came. Her father ran a big farm that produced many fruits and vegetables. Their mother doted on her girls, especially her youngest twins, Eva and Miriam. The arrival of Nazi propaganda started making their life in Romania progressively more unbearable until the day they were forced into a train car and taken to Auschwitz. Upon their arrival, Dr. Mengele noticed the twins and saved them from the gas chambers that the rest of their family were sent to. But their lives were spared only for Dr. Mengele's twisted medical experiments. Eva shares how she survived that experience.

Extra thoughts: This is a moving story of sisterly love and tenacity of spirit in the face of horrible circumstances. It is told from a child-like voice, so it isn’t as awful as it could have been. It is moving and sobering without being overly grotesque. The larger font size also means it is a fairly quick read. I imagine it would have been difficult for Eva to tell her story, but it sounds like she wanted her story out, even early on so it wouldn't be repeated. (I recommend reading the notes at the back.)

Target readers: Autobiography Fans, WWII Story Fans, Quick Read Fans, Sisterly Love Story Fans, Middle Grade Readers/YA Readers

Brainstorm 331: More Lunar New Year Reads

Welcome back to the Brainstorm! With the final day of Lunar New Year coming up this next Wednesday, I thought I would share some more Lunar New Year stories. You can find more reading ideas for this holiday in Brainstorm 310 and Brainstorm 100. As always, click the title of the book to see my full review including any content notes/trigger warnings.

Amy Wu and the Lantern Festival (Amy Wu, #5) by Kat Zhang, ill. by Charlene Chua

In a nutshell: When a family heirloom is damaged, Amy is worried their Lantern Festival celebration is ruined.

More info: Amy Wu, her family and her friends are getting ready to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the last night of Lunar New Year. Amy is excited to pull out her family's special lantern that her dad got from his mom, but when an accident happens, Amy is afraid the Lantern Festival will be ruined.

Extra thoughts: Amy’s Dad model’s an honest but overall positive response to the accident, and I love how they work together to find a positive solution to the minor crisis. The book also includes some nice details on Lunar New Year traditions for those learning about the holiday.

Target Readers: Lunar New Year celebrators/studiers, Family Story Fans, Chinese American Character Fans, Picture Book Readers

Friends Are Friends, Forever by Dane Liu, ill. by Lynn Scurfield

In a nutshell: A holiday story about holding friends far away close, while also making new friends.

More info: On Lunar New Year's Eve, two friends in China share a final night together before one of them moves to America. In her new home, Dandan struggles to learn the language and make a friend. But on her birthday, a girl at school says something nice and Dandan finds a new friend who she eventually shares her Lunar New Year's Eve tradition with as her Chinese friend requested her to do.

Extra thoughts: This is the first LNY story I’ve read that highlighted the tradition of making paper cut outs and freezing them in ice to make snowflake decorations. I also liked the way this showed the struggle of adjusting to a new place and culture and finding a good friend who is willing to learn about your roots.

Target readers: Friendship Story Fans, Lunar New Year’s Celebrators/Studiers, Readers Who Have Moved, Readers with New Friends Who Moved, Picture Book Readers

Hybrid series by Candace Kade

In a nutshell: An adopted girl with no genetic enhancement struggles to find her place in a futuristic Beijing where she has to hide her genetics, up her social point score, while also balancing university life and searching for answers about her past.

More info: Enhanced (book 1 summary): In future Beijing, pretty much everyone whose anyone has genetic enhancements from birth. Some people can breathe underwater, some can fly, some are really smart, and pretty much all are good looking and free from disease. Lee Urban may be part of one of the wealthy families of Beijing, but she doesn't have any of those enhancements, and she has to hide the truth or her family's social ranking and chances at future success will take a huge hit. It isn't a secret she was adopted along with her sister, but while her sister was enhanced, Urban wasn't. She's about to face the challenge of her life as she enters university and lives off campus. Urban wants to go for the artisan track but her family doesn't believe it is a good choice. They will only allow her to go that route if she can achieve a ridiculously high social standing, something pretty much impossible for anyone without enhancements. She's also trying to balance school life, boosting her social standing, and a boyfriend in the outskirts. Oh, and someone has been hacking her personal files, even altering her memory files. Who could it be and why are they after her? Hybrid (book 2) picks off where this one leaves off and sees Lee Urban joining her family for a big Lunar New Year party where the action picks up and takes off sprinting.

Extra thoughts: I really like the world building of these books and the ethical questions of genetic enhancements, social rankings, and more that arise throughout. The author spent many years in China and it shows in how she weaves Chinese culture into the book. There’s also a team that Lee Urban joins that competes in some crazy games, so dystopia fans who like the competitions in Hunger Games should pick this up. 

Target readers: Dystopia Fans, Science Fiction Fans, Thought-Provoking Read Fans, Action/Thriller Fans, Asian Setting & Character Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Young Adult/Adult Readers

Pedro and the Dragon (Pedro) by Fran Manushkin, ill. by Tammie Lyon

In a nutshell: Pedro’s friend Katie teaches him about Chinese New Year and takes him to a dragon parade.

More info: It's Chinese New Year, and Pedro's friend Katie teaches him about some of her family's traditions and invites him and JoJo to join her family at the Chinese New Year dragon parade. But when Katie gets lost, can Pedro help find her?

Extra thoughts: A quick little CNY read with a multicultural cast that provides Chinese New Year facts and a good opportunity to talk to little readers about what to do if they get lost in a big public event.

Target readers: Leveled Reader Fans, Multicultural Friendship Story Fans, Chinese New Year Celebrators/Studiers, Lost & Found Kid Story Fans, Picture Book Readers

Two New Years by Richard Ho, ill. by Lynn Scurfield

In a nutshell: A family that celebrates both Rosh-Hashanah and Lunar New Year shares how the two new years celebrations are similar.

More info: A family with a Chinese American dad and Jewish American mom shares about the two cultural new years they celebrate, Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year, and some of the similarities between the two. In the back of the book Richard Ho shares about how this book is autobiographical fiction, and elaborates on each of the new year customs, foods, and more cultural elements he included in the book and the commonalities he's found between the two celebrations.

Extra thoughts: Do not miss the back matter in this book. It is very informative about both Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year traditions.

Target readers: Global New Year Celebration Studiers, Multiethnic Family Story Fans, Jewish Culture Story Fans, Chinese Culture Story Fans, Autobiographical Fiction Fans, Award Winner Fans, Picture Book Readers/Lower Grade Readers/Middle Grade Readers

Brainstorm 330: Top 10s of 2024 Part 4: Guest Post

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