Each month we post an annotated bibliography of books that were rated ‘Outstanding’ at our previous meeting and nominated for our year-end Distinguished List. You can see full reviews of these books and many more in our BayViews blog. Interested in becoming a member? Join, come to our monthly meetings, and hear about these Outstanding books in person!
Fiction
Iveliz Explains It All, by Andrea Beatriz Arango, illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez, Random House, 2022.
This novel in verse presents an intimate portrait of a middle school girl’s struggles with mental health. Through masterful collaboration, author and illustrator artfully reflect the power of human connection and the value of finding your own voice. (Grades 5-9)
Icebreaker, by A.L. Graziadei, Godwin, 2022.
This YA novel revolves around the emotional struggles of a college-aged hockey player and his fellow teammates as they navigate bro sports culture on and off the ice. It skillfully and touchingly portrays sensitive issues that contemporary teens face in their real lives every day. (Grades 10-12)
The Superteacher Project, by Gordon Korman, Balzer + Bray, 2023.
Mr. Aidact is a new teacher at Brightling Middle School, but there is something different about this teacher. Korman’s alternating first-person chapters explore what is going on in the school and what eventually emerges about this teacher. (Grades 4-7)
When the Angels Left the Old Country, by Sacha Lamb, Levine Querido, 2022.
The angel, Uriel, and demon, Little Ash, set out from their shtetl to go to America. Along the way they make friends with a human, Rose, and face problems common to the Jewish immigrant experience. It is a complicated yet joyful tale with Jewish and queer experiences at its heart. (Grades 8 – Adult)
The Notorious Scarlett and Browne, by Jonathan Stroud, Knopf, 2023.
When old adversaries hold Scarlett and Albert’s loved ones hostage, the partners must undertake their most impossible heist yet. Set in post-apocalyptic Britain with fast-paced action, crackling repartee and well-defined characters. All main characters present as white. (Grades 6-10)
Non-Fiction
Stars of the Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport, by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Selina Alko, Carolrhoda, 2023.
Using the collective voice of 669 children evacuated from Czechoslovakia during World War II, Stelson delivers a powerful account of the young people saved by British businessman Nicholas Winton. Stelson masterfully provides background context, while keeping the focus on the children’s experience. (Grades 3-6)
Picture Books
The Three Billy Goats Gruff, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, Orchard/Scholastic, 2022.
Dynamic storytelling team Barnett and Klassen retell this classic tale with their own signature style. (Grades PK-2)
A Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree, by Daniel Bernstrom, illustrated by Brandon James Scott, Hippo Park, 2022.
Humor, action and playful rhymes will have young audiences laughing, as they relate to the angry bees and have sympathy for the frustrated, hungry bear. Well suited as a read aloud or a picture book for developing readers. (Grades PK – 1)
A Crown for Corina, by Laekan Zea Kemp, illustrated by Eliza Chavarri, Little, Brown, 2023.
On Corina’s birthday, her abuela guides her in making a Mexican flower crown, an activity full of tradition and love. Corina is a fat child with an adorably illustrated double chin just like her abuela. This positive representation of fat kids is so rare and so needed. (Grades K-4)
Still This Love Goes On, by Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated by Julie Flett, Greystone, 2022.
Wonderfully charming and soothing, Sainte-Marie’s book has garnered many positive reviews. A love song to the Cree people as well as to love in general, enhanced by Métis-Cree Flett’s pastel and pencil drawings, composited digitally, swoop and soar in warm, earthy tones. Sheet music included. (Grades PK-2)
Yellow Butterfly, by Oleksandr Shatokhin, illustrated by Oleksandr Shatokhin, Red Comet, 2023.
This powerful wordless book by a Ukrainian artist explores both the horror of war and the belief in a brighter future from the dream-like perspective of a young girl. Endnotes offer helpful tips on how to share wordless picture books and guide conversations on difficult subjects. (Grades 3-8)
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual, by Carol Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison, Crown, 2022.
This stunningly-illustrated book takes readers on an emotional and enlightening journey of chronicling pivotal moments in American Black History. Ample back matter consisting of references, online resources, and author’s notes add profundity to the lyrical text, echoing hope for the future. (Grades 1-4)
Love, Violet, by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, illustrated by Charlene Chua, Straus and Giroux, 2022.
Violet dreams of going on adventures with Mira, but always gets nervous when Mira is around. With gorgeous watercolor illustrations and expressive text, this book shows how things can turn out when we are brave. (Grades PK-3)
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