The past decade has brought a huge selection of children’s literature to bookstore and library shelves. Check out these not-to-be-missed titles, authors, and illustrators, selected by the children’s librarians at Brighton Memorial Library for your family’s reading pleasure!
2004
The Truth About Forever
By Sarah Dessen, Viking, paperback, $9.99, Ages 14-18
After her father’s death, Macy spends the summer working at a catering company where she meets cool people, experiences new things, and changes her ideas about herself. Dessen consistently creates realistic characters and settings that teen readers can depend on book after book.
2005
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
By Suzanne Bloom, Boyds Mill Press, paperback, $8.99, Ages birth-3
Bear wants to read, and write, and think. Goose wants to talk, and talk, and talk. Can the two ever be friends? Sparse prose plus expressive characters equals a hit in this Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor winning picture book.
2006
Rules
By Cynthia Lord, Scholastic, paperback, $6.99, Ages 8-12
Catherine both loves and resents her younger brother with autism, but a new friendship with a paraplegic boy helps her to understand how they all fit into each other’s lives. This Newbery Honor winning middle-grade novel is full of humor and heart.
2007
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
By Brian Selznick, Scholastic, hardcover, $24.99, Ages 8-12
Hugo lives inside the walls of a Paris train station, searching for a way to bring a secret-keeping automaton to life. Selznick’s blend of pencil drawings and prose creates a uniquely styled novel deserving of its Caldecott Medal.
2008
Rapunzel’s Revenge
Written by Shannon and Dean Hale & Illustrated by Nathan Hale, Bloomsbury, paperback, $15.99, Ages 10-14
In this fractured fairy tale, Rapunzel uses her long locks not only to escape her prison tower but to battle villains and beasts as she searches for her mother. This graphic novel by the acclaimed author of Princess Academy whips up a winner with her co-author and husband, as well as the unrelated illustrator.
2009
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors
Written by Chris Barton & Illustrated by Tony Persiani, Charlesbridge, hardcover, $19.95, Ages 7-10
In 1934, brothers Bob and Joe became fascinated with glow-in-the-dark substances while playing around with a black light, and eventually created the world changing Day-Glo products. Non-fiction for kids comes alive in this neon-colored volume by the picture book author of Shark vs. Train.
2010
Disappearing Desmond
By Anna Alter, Knopf, hardcover, $17.99, Ages 3-6
Desmond does not want to be noticed…until Gloria says hello. Maybe making friends is not so bad after all. Shyness is compassionately addressed in these pages where readers will enjoy searching for Desmond in the colorful illustrations.
2011
Between Shades of Gray
By Ruta Sepetys, Philomel, paperback, $8.99, Ages 12-16
Lina, her mother, and her brother are banished from Lithuania to Siberia by the Soviet secret police where she fights daily to survive. Based on her own family research, Sepetys weaves a heartbreaking novel of a lesser known annihilation during World War II.
2012
Creepy Carrots
Written by Aaron Reynolds & Illustrated by Peter Brown, Simon & Schuster, hardcover, $16.99, Ages 4-8
Jasper Rabbit sure loves chomping on the fat, juicy carrots in Crackenhopper Field…until he’s sure they want to bite back. This Caldecott Honor book is a little bit funny, a little bit scary, and a lot fun.
2013
The Tortoise and the Hare
By Jerry Pinkney, Little, Brown, hardcover, $18.00, Ages 2-6
Hare challenges Tortoise to a race that he knows he will win – until a crop of lettuce lures Hare off track. Pinkney produces award-winning work time and time again, and this fable adaptation is a solid addition to his body of work.
Deena Viviani is a Rochester-based Young Adult Services Librarian who writes reviews for VOYA and the RACWI Newsletter. Read more reviews on her blog www.deenaml.livejournal.com or send her a note at
De**********@ho*****.com
– she loves to hear from readers!
more reads
Some beloved household names got their starts in the last ten years. How many has your family read?
Picture Books
Fancy Nancy Written by Jane O’Connor & Illustrated by Robin Preiss-Glasser
2006-present
Scaredy Squirrel By Mélanie Watts
2006-present
Pete the Cat Written by Eric Litwin & Illustrated by James Dean
2008-present
early reader
Fly Guy By Tedd Arnold
2005-present
Babymouse By Jennifer and Matthew Holm
2005-present
Elephant & Piggie By Mo Willems
2007-present
Middle Grade
Percy Jackson By Rick Riordan
2005-2009
Ivy & Bean Written by Annie Barrows & Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
2006-present
Diary of a Wimpy Kid By Jeff Kinney
2007-present
Young Adult
The Twilight Saga By Stephenie Meyer
2005-2008
Maximum Ride By James Patterson
2005-2012
The Mortal Instruments By Cassandra Clare
2007-2012
The Hunger Games Trilogy By Suzanne Collins
2008-2010
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