Best Books of 2017

Here are my official picks for the best books of 2017. Ever since a picture book won the Newbery I have given up making predictions for that particular award, but I do like to stay on top of what is new and these are some of my favorites for the year.

Picture Books:


The Antlered Ship
Written by Dashka Slater
Illustrated by Terry & Eric Fan
Simply stunning illustrations make this title an immediate classic.

Blue Skies White Stars

Written by Sarvinder Naberhaus

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

When I opened this book I simply said, "Wow!". The pictures blew me away and made me proud to be an American. 

When's My Birthday?
Written by Julie Fogliana
Illustrated by Christian Robinson
I dare you to try to read this book out loud and have it not stick in your head all day.


Middle Grade:

Invisible Emmie
Terri Libenson
A graphic novel with a twist, this book addresses the dichotomy living within many young readers.

Orphan Island
Laurel Snyder
Highly original and thought provoking. This title screams for a sequel.


Refugee
Adam Gratz
Timely and relevant this story, told by three narrators, weaves together separate journeys at different times that merge together in unexpected ways.

See You in the Cosmos, Carl Sagan
Jack Cheng
If I WAS to make a Newbery prediction, this would be it. Well written, fresh, with an unreliable narrator and interesting supporting characters, this was delicious to read.


Thorn Hill
Pam Smy
Maybe my favorite book of the year. Wonderfully creepy and a great example of a very successful graphic/fiction hybrid, this book is British and, therefore not eligible for the Newbery.



Tumble & Blue
Cassie Beasley
Written in layers with a fully realized setting, quirky characters, and a touch of folkloric magic, this was my kind of book.

Wish Tree
Katherine Applegate
A tree narrates the tale of a changing neighborhood and the community's reaction to an emerging immigrant community.




Teen Books:

American Street
Ibi Zoboi
Edgy, surprising, and timely, this book had me nervous for the main character all the way through and helped me to see the world a little differently.

The Hate U Give

Angie Thomas

The teen book of the year, this first time author contributes a great story with themes straight from  the news.

Landscape with Invisible Hand

M.T. Anderson

Beautifully written and thought provoking, Anderson carefully pens a cautionary tale as his hero recreates his near-futuristic world with a paintbrush.

Long Way Down
Jason Reynolds
Poignant and innovative, Reynolds puts his considerable talent to current urban issues. Also my favorite cover of the year.

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team
Steve Sheinkin
My favorite non-fiction book of the year. This book demonstrates the hideous practice of reconditioning Native Americans in the turn of the century, traces the early days of football, and offers a biography of celebrated American Jim Thorpe, all within the context of a highly readable story.