To go along with the blog posted earlier about the best novels I’ve read in the year 2006, I’m sharing with you a list of books for children and young adults that I particularly enjoyed. Again, it was difficult to determine an order; I happened across some wonderful books this year. Click on the book title to read the full review.
1. “Ashes of Roses” by Mary Jane Auch. The story of the Triangle Factory Fire in New York City, I learned a great deal about the young immigrant workers who perished in the fire and the labor laws that incident inspired. (Young Adult)
2. “My Grandma, My Penpal” by Jan Dale Koutsky. A grandmother and granddaughter exchange letters throughout the year and keep their relationship strong in the process. (Picture book)
3. “Make Me a Memory” by Tamra Norton. A young girl goes to live with her grandmother and great-grandmother while her father is serving in Iraq, and she learns how important it is that we create memories together and treasure them. (Middle Grade)
4. “A Name on the Quilt” by Jeaninne Atkins. A young man has died of AIDS and his family gathers to celebrate his life by making a quilt of all the things he loved to be added to the Memorial Quilt in Washington, D.C. (Picture book)
5. “There’s a House Inside My Mommy” by Giles Andreae. A celebration of pregnancy and anticipation for all the fun a new little brother or sister can bring into the family. (Picture Book)
6. “This Place in the Snow” by Rebecca Bond. This book paints beautiful word pictures and creates for the reader a magical place where snow sparkles like crystal and anything is possible. (Picture Book)
7. “Cha Cha Chimps” by Julia Durango. I can’t help it – just saying the name of the book makes me want to dance. A family of little chimps sneaks out in the middle of the night to go dancing at a nearby pub. (Picture Book)
8. “Punk Farm” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. You never knew farm animals could be so cool as they pull out their band instruments and get ready to rock the joint. (Picture Book)
9. “Olivia” by Ian Falconer. Full of spunk, this little pig with the fertile imagination and limitless energy will tap dance her way into your heart. (Picture Book)
10. “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting. As a family tradition each year, the main characters go out in the woods and decorate a tree with edible treats for the wild animals to enjoy. (Picture Book)
Honorable mention is given to the following books, not included on the 2006 list simply because I read them in 2005:
“Rilla of Ingleside” by L.M. Montgomery (Young Adult)
“Hug” by Jez Alborough (Picture Book)
“A Mouse Told His Mother” by Bethany Roberts (Picture Book)