Favorite Books of 2017

I've read a lot of children's literature this year and it was not easy to choose my favorites. I narrowed it down to a manageable number, but there are many other fantastic books that are not on my list. If you or your students haven't read any of these, definitely check them out.

Fifteen Favorite Middle Grade Books

• Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
• A Boy Called Bat by Elana Arnold
• Bird & Squirrel On Fire by James Burks
• Family Game Night and Other Catastrophes by Mary Lambert
• The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff
• Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
• Kat Greene Comes Clean by Melissa Roske
• One Mixed-Up Night by Catherine Newman
• The Losers Club by Andrew Clements
• Superstar by Mandy Davis 
• The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City by Jodi Kendall
• Things That Surprise You by Jennifer Maschari
• The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
• The Worst Fairy Godmother Ever! (The Wish List #1) by Sarah Aronson
• Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Six Favorite Early/Transitional Readers

• Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes
• Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder 
• Fergus and Zeke by Kate Messner
• The Good for Nothing Button by Charise Mericle Harper
• The Infamous Ratsos Are Not Afraid by Kara LaReau
• Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence

Ten Favorite Picture Books

• After the Fall by Dan Santat
• The Banana-Leaf Ball: How Plan Can Change the World by Katie Smith Milway
• The Book of Gold by Bob Staake
• Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
• It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk
• Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
• The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt
• Pax and Blue by Lori Richmond
• Super Manny Stands Up by Kelly DiPucchio
• The Teacher's Pet by Anica Mrose Rissi

I hope you find some good reads in 2018. Happy New Year!