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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

My 2020 Reading Update

At the beginning of 2020, I made a list of books that I wanted to read in the year ahead (see this post). Now that the year is more than half over, I thought this would be a good time to give an update on my progress. In one sense, the first half of this year has flown by, but in another sense it has felt like an eternity. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of life and work, my reading included. At times throughout the pandemic, focusing on the words within a book has made reading a challenge, but at other times reading has been just the escape I needed. Even with the ups and downs, I have read some fantastic books throughout the first half of this year.

Picture Books


These are the picture books on my Must-Read list for 2020.

Read in 2020


  • Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex
  • The Heart of a Whale by Anna Pignataro
  • Hike by Pete Oswald
  • In a Jar by Deborah Marcero
  • Nesting by Henry Cole
  • A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story by Sharon Langley and Amy Nathan and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
  • The Society of Distinguished Lemmings by Julie Combert

Still Need to Read


  • Bear Goes Sugaring by Maxwell Eaton III
  • The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa
  • Dandelion's Dream by Yoko Tanaka
  • Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage by Jerdine Nolen and illustrated by James E. Ransome 
  • 'Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis and illustrated by Kenard Pak 
  • Story Boat by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh 
  • The Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade
  • A Way With Wild Things by Larissa Theule and illustrated by Sara Palacios


Middle Grade Books


These are the middle grade books on my Must-Read list for 2020.

Read in 2020


  • The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington 
  • History Smashers: The Mayflower by Kate Messner and illustrated by Dylan Meconis
  • Isaiah Dunn is My Hero by Kelly J. Baptist
  • Mañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
  • Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn 
  • The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-Mcginnis 
  • Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
  • Thank You for Coming to My TED Talk: A Teen Guide to Great Public Speaking by Chris Anderson and Lorin Oberweger 
  • Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson and illustrated by Nina Mata 
  • Wrong Way Summer by Heidi Lang

Still Need to Read


  • Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 
  • A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan


Favorites of 2020

In addition to these books, there are many others I have read throughout the year. The following lists include my favorites as of now (they will continue to be updated, I am sure):

Favorite Picture Books
Favorite Middle Grade Books

I have curated my lists at Bookshop.org which is an online bookstore that provides support for local, independent bookstores. As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I earn a commission for any books purchased through my links.

1 comment:

  1. I love that you included picture books as part of your #mustreadin2020. We share 4 middle grade reads on our lists. You will love A Place at the Table!

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