We here at Powell’s Books love books. Guess what we love even more than books? Books! Because books are the best kinds of books in the whole wide book!
Sorry. We got a little excited. That tends to happen when we’re talking about books. Especially kids’ books. Especially when we get to tell you all about the books Powell’s thinks are the best kids’ books of the year! Starting with…
FOR THE OLDER KIDS:
Beyond the Bright Sea
by Lauren Wolk
This story, which takes place on an island, is one of sadness, hope, searching, friendship, love, and three people — Crow, Osh, and Maggie — who will stay with the reader for a long time. This is a stunning achievement with writing that flows like the sea.
– Richard C.
Thornhill
by Pam Smy
This is a fantastic read for any kid craving something creepy. Like Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick, Thornhill is told in alternating prose and illustrations, which work together to build a sinister tension as we follow two orphans connected across time by loneliness. It's dark and thrilling, and mature middle grade readers will eat it up.
– Emily F.
Zinnia and the Bees
by Danielle Davis and Laura K. Horton
Danielle Davis's debut has everything you could ever want in a middle grade read: embracing your creativity; being an understanding friend; communication and handling your emotions healthily; and feeling lost, but finding your home. There's a wide-ranging cast of eccentric characters too, and it brims with both humor and heart — the total package that I find reminiscent to the great Kate DiCamillo.
– Jordan S.
And in keeping with the bees theme...
Bees: A Honeyed History
by Piotr Socha
This heavily illustrated nonfiction book explores the role of bees in our ecosystem throughout the world — wonderfully done and extremely important.
– Kim T.
The First Rule of Punk
by Celia C. Pérez
Malu loves hanging out at her dad’s record store, listening to punk rock and making zines. She does not love moving to Chicago with her mom, leaving behind her home and everything she knows. In order to adjust to her new life she needs to follow the first rule of punk: Be yourself. I love Malu’s spunk and individuality; she is a super cool heroine. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story about finding your people while figuring out who you are.
– Jen H.
Wishtree
by Katherine Applegate
Told from the viewpoint of a tree, this is a unique, touching, small, gentle book of great importance, telling the true meaning of welcome, the power of wishes, and friendship. With powerful writing, this is a story that needs to be told and shared.
– Richard C.
All's Faire in Middle School
by Victoria Jamieson
This might be blasphemy, but... I think All's Faire is even better than Roller Girl. Impy has grown up at the renaissance faire. She quickly sees the nobility she's developed and continues to uphold fly out the window when she's thrown into the ruthlessness of middle school. Soon, she's falling into the wrong crowd, needing to buy certain brands, and the stress of it all is affecting her family and faire life. Can Impy right this ship? A tale of growing up, kids are going to fall in love with Jamieson's newest and greatest.
– Jordan S.
FOR THE YOUNGER KIDS:
Silent Days, Silent Dreams
by Allen Say
A beautifully illustrated story that introduces the life and work of James Castle, an artist who deserves to be a household name. Say’s illustrations do a fantastic job of showing off Castle’s work while letting his own artistic talent shine through.
– Elizabeth H.
Here We Are
by Oliver Jeffers
I don't believe that I've read a picture book as affecting as Here We Are. Oliver Jeffers was inspired to write this book for his son, and Here We Are — both poignant and heartfelt — offers the gentle reminder that we are not alone, and that taking care of each other, as well as the planet, is the best way to honor humanity. I treasure sharing this sage picture book with my own children.
– Kate L.
Chirri and Chirra, The Snowy Day
by Kaya Doi
The third in a series of adorable picture books by Kaya Doi. This one finds Chirri and Chirra in a winter wonderland of cuteness — frolicking, snacking, and biking with their animal friends!
– Kim T.
Creepy Pair of Underwear!
by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown
Jasper Rabbit is afraid of the glowing green underwear he begged for. He tries multiple ways of getting rid of the monstrous briefs, but they keep coming back. This picture book is odd and hilarious.
– Jen H.
On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
by Beatrice Alemagna
A lonely kid who loves video games is forced to go outside to play, and ends up having an incredible time in the wilderness and rain. Not only does it turn out to be a lovely story, but Alemagna is doing a lot of interesting and progressive things within it. Her main character is gender neutral (which I noticed one other instance of this year, in Kate Berube's illustrations for My Little Half Moon), and her illustrations of the character morph with the situation or experience at hand. Also, there's a sense that the parents are going through a separation (or at the very least are busy), and while that lives mostly in the background, our protagonist is treated with a level of wisdom and maturity that's rarely seen in picture books.
– Jordan S.
The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse
by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Oh no! The mouse was swallowed by the wolf! But what happens when that mouse encounters someone else living inside? Actually, the mouse and the duck have it pretty good in the wolf’s belly, with a comfy bed, a kitchen full of yummy food, even a record player (“You’d be surprised what you find inside of a wolf,” says the duck) — until the hunter comes along! With their signature wit, whimsy, and imagination, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen hilariously turn the classic fairy tale inside out — or make that right-side in.
– Gigi L.