Favs of 2013

SO many great books released in 2013.  Here are my favorites of the year:



Picture Books


The Day the Crayons Quit
by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
Hilarious collection of letters from the crayons who have had enough!  Overworked, ignored, or misunderstood, they quit!  This clever story is perfectly drawn with Jeffers' charming artwork and lettering.  Innovative and witty, The Day the Crayons Quit is a must for every picture book shelf.   



Exclamation Mark
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Ted Lichtenheld
Exclamation Mark is different and is trying to find his place in the world.  Funny and perfectly PUN-ny, this little book has a simple but important message for readers of all ages. Particularly for those who appreciate humor, word play, and a brilliant blend of text and illustration.   

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
written & illustrated by Peter Brown
Mr. Tiger doesn't really like his prim, proper world and goes a little ... wild.  He learns some things in the wilderness as do his prim friends while he is away.  Another riotous romp from Peter Brown, complete with his detailed, whimsical, perfectly hand-crafted illustrations. His use of line and color (ORANGE!) are pure genius. 

Paul Meets Bernadette
written & illustrated by Rosy Lamb 
Paul swims around and around in circles in his fish bowl ... until Bernadette arrives. Bernadette sees things differently and shows Paul a whole new way to view the world.  The artwork, created with broad strokes reminiscent of Monet or Matisse, adds to the charm and beauty of this gentle book celebrating the impact one individual can make on the world ... even one as small as a fish bowl. 

Flora and the Flamingo 
written & illustrated by Molly Idle
This wordless interactive book is a pure delight.  Plump little Flora, in a pink swimsuit and bathing cap, imitates the moves of her friend the flamingo.  Although not quite as graceful, her efforts result in pure fun.  Young readers will want to flip the pages again and again ... and likely mimic the dance!  Created by a former DreamWorks animator, this duo begs to star in an animated short, whether it's on the screen or in the reader's mind.   


Middle Grade

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures 
by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K.G. Campbell 
Another Flora! ... and equally as endearing.  Flora Belle Buckman, a self-described cynic, steps in to help a squirrel in a tangle with a vacuum cleaner.  The squirrel (AKA Ulysses) survives and emerges a superhero with special powers and a penchant for poetry.  DiCamillo has woven another quietly brilliant tale with her exquisite word choice, endearing characters, and trademark charm.

Counting by 7s
by Holly Goldberg Sloan 
Willow Chance is a 12-year-old genius.  She has an amazing knowledge of nature and medical conditions, but knows very little about getting along with others.  When tragedy hits, Willow must learn to exist in a new reality and makes an unexpected impact on those around her.  The writing is impeccable, and Willow a true gem.  This tragic, but ultimately hopeful tale is one-in-a-million.  


P.S. Be Eleven 
by Rita Williams-Garcia 
Delphine and her sisters are back!  Returning home from time spent with her estranged mother, Delphine must reconcile what she has experienced and her newly found independence with her grandmother's old ways, the changes happening in her family (her father is dating!), and the trials of 6th grade. Rita Williams-Garcia has created an excellent sequel to an excellent book.   I can't wait for #3! 

Star Wars: Jedi Academy 
by Jeffrey Brown 
This little book completely surprised and delighted me!  Roan dreamed of entering the Pilot Academy, like his father and older brother before him.  He doesn't get in, but instead is invited to the mysterious Jedi Academy.  Told through journal entries, clippings, report cards, doodles, and letters, Star Wars: Jedi Academy tells the ups and downs of Roan's first year at the Academy.  The book is clever and entertaining, but also surprisingly perceptive as it addresses topics such as bullying, making friends, not giving up, and handling new situations. It has huge reader appeal and makes you want to pull out your old collection of Star Wars action figures (yes, I've got 'em.. even the Land Rover!) and maybe even start your own journal.  Read it you must, love it you will. ;





Young Adult

One Came Home  
by Amy Timberlake 
It's 1871 in Wisconsin, and Georgie's sister has disappeared.  The town assumes the worst, but Georgie, armed with only her sharpshooting skills and pure determination, sets out insistent on finding her.  Part adventure, part mystery and wholly original, One Came Home is a True Grit for tweens & teens (and 40-somethings!), immediately transporting readers to a different time and into the heart of a plucky unforgettable heroine.  Funny, smart, and insightful. 


The Fire Horse Girl 
by Kay Honeyman 
Jade Moon is born under the worst sign of the Zodiac for Chinese girls ensuring that she is willful and stubborn, traits not desirable in young girls.  While her grandfather worries about marrying her off, she dreams of a different future.  Her chance comes when a distant adopted cousin arrives with an opportunity to go to America.  But, admittance to this new country is not easy for the Chinese in 1923 and detainment at Angel Island is almost unbearable.  Jade Moon's strength and will turn out to be just what she needs to survive. This well-researched novel gives readers an authentic view into Chinese immigration as well as a strong, feisty teen to root for as she navigates her new world.  

Going Vintage 
by Lindsey Leavitt 
I am a sucker for romance, quirky, loveable characters, and books that make me laugh... Lindsey Leavitt creates all three superbly!  When Mallory's boyfriend "cheats" on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off all technology.  Armed with a to-do list her grandmother made as a teen in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage," to return to a simpler time, and to try to accomplish her grandmother's goals.  The challenge proves to be a little more than she expected (How does she run for pep club secretary when her school doesn't even have a pep club??).  Through it all, Mallory makes many new discoveries about herself, her family, and those around her.  Reviewers have claimed Linsdsey Leavitt's books have "humor and heart." I wholeheartedly agree and can't wait for the next one!   



Winger

by Andrew Smith
Ryan Dean West is the youngest in his junior class at an elite boarding school on the West Coast. He is a frequent target for bullies, but his wits, determination, and prowess on the rugby field help him rise above.  This year he is set on making Annie, his best friend and love of his life, see him as more than a friend and a younger boy.  But the year brings more than anyone anticipated.  This honest look into the mind and heart of an insecure, hormonally-charged 14-year-old boy is a true achievement. It's wickedly funny, intelligent, surprising, and absolutely heartbreaking.  



And my two very favorites of the year ...  

All the Truth that's In Me
by Julie Berry 
Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared.  Her friend's body was found in the river; Judith returns to town two years later, mutilated and unable to speak.  Viewed as cursed and ignored by the town and her family, Judith silently pours her heart out to Lucas, the boy she has loved since childhood.  With echoes of The Scarlet Letter and Speak, All the Truth That's in Me is an exquisite, completely captivating novel.  Readers are immediately pulled into Judith's silent world and compelled by the mystery surrounding her disappearance.  This quiet but determined girl grabs hold of your heart as she searches for answers, for hope, and for her lost voice.  References to Joan of Arc, emphasizing sacrifices for love, and the use of the Psalms as a mode of healing are brilliant.  This rich, beautifully executed story stays with the reader long after the final page is turned.



Fangirl 
by Rainbow Rowell 
Cath and twin sister Wren have been inseparable for years.  They share a love for the fantasy series Simon Snow and the world of fanfiction surrounding the beloved stories.  But, as they prepare to go away to college, Wren seems to be pulling away from Simon and from Cath.  Wren has always been the more confident, extroverted sister and trying to navigate college without her is a big challenge for reserved, socially-awkward Cath.  But, the year is full of surprises, new friendships, trials and triumphs, and unexpected love. Is it possible for Cath to leave the boy wizard's magical world behind and fully embrace her own reality?  This novel is simply outstanding.  The characters are real, complicated, and funny; the dialogue quick and unforgettable (I have read the conversations over and over, treasuring the humor, originality, and emotion). This is a story that wedges into your heart and never leaves. It is pure magic.  

NOTE:  I LOVED Rowell's Eleanor & Park, also released this year; but I decided to select just one to spotlight in this list and Fangirl won out. The deciding factor? Levi ;) I am head-over-heels for this guy! 

These were the standouts for me from a year of many excellent reads. What were your 2013 favs?   

Jillicious Menu: Dystopian Novels

Since The Hunger Games hit the shelves, readers have been clamoring for dystopian novels.  If you are looking for more in this captivating genre, here are several to consider.  Some are well-known and already quite popular; others are quieter, appealing to a smaller audience.  But, all are worth a look by fans of dystopia!

Article 5 series 
by Kristen Simmons
Ember remembers what life used to be ... before people were arrested for reading romance novels or for staying out too late.  She manages in the new government controlled world until her mother is arrested for violation of Article 5 ... and one of the arresting officers is Ember's first love, Chase Jennings.



Blood Red Road series 
by Moria Young
(optioned for a movie by Ridley Scott) 
When Saba's twin Lugh is kidnapped, she sets out with her little sister Emmi to find him; the two endure a tough, gritty world as they seek to reunite their family.  Saba eventually finds hope in the handsome, daredevil Jack and the Free Hawks, a group of female vigilantes.  But, will she ever find Lugh?  

Delirium trilogy 
by Lauren Oliver
(in development as a TV movie)
Lena is looking forward to her 18th birthday when she will receive the cure.  Provided by the government, this remedy ensures a safe, predictable life not threatened by emotion.  But then, unexpectedly, she falls in love. Lena now wonders if a life without emotion is really worth living.



Divergent trilogy 
by Veronica Roth
(movie in filming, set to release in March 2014; final book in the trilogy, Allegiant, just released)
As her 16th birthday approaches, Beatrice ponders which faction of society she will choose; the choice determines her future identity and could also permanently separate her from her family.  Her decision becomes even more complicated when she discovers she is "divergent," the first of many surprising discoveries about herself, her government, and her future.  

The Eleventh Plague  
by Jeff Hirsch 
After the Collapse of America, Stephen, his father, and his grandfather are doing their best to survive by scavenging and staying on the move.  But, a sudden tragedy and a risky decision put Stephen on a completely unexpected path.





Enclave series 
by Ann Aquirre   
After the world is decimated, most of civilization has moved underground into the enclaves.  Deuce turns 15 and, as expected, takes her role as hunter, but is unexpectedly paired with the elusive Fade, a former Topsider.  The discovery they make changes everything.
  

Epitaph Road 
by David Patneaude 
It's 2097. Thirty years ago 97% of the male population was wiped out by a mysterious plague.  Kellen, a 14-year-old boy, now exists in the minority in this female-dominated society.  The ruling women have eliminated the world's most pressing problems - poverty, hunger, war - but this utopia has come at a cost.  




Gone series 
by Michael Grant 
In the blink of an eye, everyone over the age of 14 suddenly disappears ... gone.  When the teens are left in control, sides are drawn, bullies rule, and a frightening new world emerges that no one expected. 

 Incarceron series 
by Catherine Fisher
(in movie development)
Finn has been a prisoner in the vast Incarceron as long as he can remember.  But, he is certain he is an Outsider.  His only tie to the Outside is Claudia, the daughter of the Warden.  Finn is determined to escape the prison, Claudia is determined to escape an arranged marriage.  Do either have a chance?



Legend trilogy 
by Marie Lu
(optioned for a movie: final book in the trilogy, Champion, releases this week!)
What used to be the US is now the Republic.  June, born into an elite family, is the  golden girl of the government.  Day, a son of the slums, seeks to thwart to the government at every turn.  When these two cross paths, an unlikely alliance is made and truths are discovered that neither expected.

 
Matched trilogy 
by Ally Condie
(optioned for a movie)
Cassie trusts the decisions the government makes for her.  When she is Matched with her longtime friend, Xander, she trusts that he is her perfect mate.  But, then another Match flashes momentarily on the screen ... the mysterious outsider Ky.  The government says it was a glitch.  But was it? 



The Maze Runner series 
by James Dashner
(movie in filming, set to release September 2014)
When Thomas awakens, he is in an elevator with no memory of how he arrived there.  The doors open, and he is greeted by a group of boys who welcome him to The Glade.  Like Thomas, they don't remember how they arrived; all they know is that the doors to the Maze open every morning and close every night and that a new boy arrives every month.  All are surprised when the next arrival is a girl with a message.  

The Neptune Project  
by Polly Holyoke
(just named to the 2014-2015 Texas Bluebonnet Award List)
Nere has always felt most comfortable in the water with her beloved dolphins.  But, she is shocked to learn that she has been genetically engineered to live in the sea.  When the government makes a sudden proclamation, her mother tells Nere the truth and insists that she immediately escape in the sea with two others like her.  She doesn't have time to think; she is now on the run from the government officials and the dangers that lurk beneath the water's surface. 


Partials series 
by Dan Wells
Only a small human population remains after a decimating war and a weaponized virus.  The end seems to be in sight for the human race as no babies can survive the plagued new world.  Kira, a medic-in-training, is on the front lines; she makes a discovery that might lead to ultimate survival, but she must battle the government to see it through and time is running out.

 The Testing  
by Joelle Charbonneau 
(nominated for the 2014 Texas Lone Star List)
It's graduation day for Cia.  Against all odds she hopes she will be selected for the Testing; she is not the very top of her class, none of her brothers were chosen, and few have gone from her region.  But, Cia desperately wants to be among those taken to the capital to compete for the chance to lead and to study at the university.  Then she learns more about what the Testing truly involves.



Under the Never Sky 
 by Veronica Rossi 
(optioned for a movie)
Aria lives safely in a domed city where most time is spent in a virtual world.  Perry lives on the outside in a world where life is dangerous and very real.  When Aria's mother disappears, she seeks answers that take her beyond the domed walls and into immediate danger.  Suddenly thrust into this frightening world, she has no one to depend upon but the savage Perry.  

Jillicious Dessert Menu: Adult Summer Reading

Need some adult reading ideas for the rest of the summer? Try any of these great titles or series you might have missed!  






The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
It is 1946 and author Juliet is looking for a new writing project.  Inspiration comes when she receives a letter from a member of "The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society", a special book club formed on the island of Guernsey during the Nazi occupation.  The tales of the author and the Guernsey inhabitants are shared in this charming epistolary novel that celebrates the power of books and the human spirit. 


The Flavia de Luce Mysteries
by Alan Bradley
(1st in the series: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie)
Flavia de Luce is the hilarious young sleuth at the heart of this series.  Flavia, a spunky 11-yr-old with a love for science, lives in a small town in the British countryside in the 1950s. Her curiosity constantly leads her into the middle of a local mystery and her smarts lead her to the clues necessary to unravel the crime.  Flavia is an absolute delight!  Her constant scheming and attempts to outwit her older sisters, the criminals, and the police are laugh-out-loud funny.  Going on a road trip this summer?  Pop one of these in the CD player; these stories are wonderful on audio.       


Maisie Dobbs 
by Jacqueline Winspear
Maisie Dobbs runs a private investigation agency in England in the 1920s and 30s.  This first installment in the series tells of how Maisie, a bright, steadfast young lady, worked her way up from service to running her own business with the help of a wealthy benefactor and a mentor.  She takes on her first case which begins as a simple investigation into infidelity that leads to something much more.   
           
Any thriller by Harlan Coben
Looking for more complex, edge-of-your-seat, plot-twisting mysteries?  Try a novel by Harlan Coben such as Tell No One, Hold Tight, The Woods or any of the Myron Bolitar Mysteries.  They are fast-paced, entertaining and always keep the reader guessing.         

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett
If you haven't read The Help, you've just got to do it before the movie comes out August 10!  This novel tells the story of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan who returns home to Jackson, Mississippi in 1962 after graduating college.  A budding writer, Skeeter decides to pen a daring book that sheds light on the lives of the African-American help that run the white households and raise the children but are treated like second-class citizens.  A must-read.   

American Wife

by Curtis Sittenfeld 

This fictionalized account of a life strikingly similar to Laura Bush's imagines what might motivate the reserved former First Lady.  A touching, compelling look at life within a political family. 

Loving Frank
by Nancy Horan
This fascinating novel describes the love affair between the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and the wife of one of his clients, Mamah Cheney.  The story successfully blends historical facts, scandalous love, an early 20th-century woman's desire for an intellectual life, and insight into the brilliant architecture of the eccentric Frank Lloyd Wright.  A huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, I really enjoyed an inside look at this fascinating man.   


Bossypants
by Tina Fey 
Tina Fey talks about her nerdy childhood, improv comedy, marriage, and parenting in this hilarious autobiography.  Her observations, told with her trademark wit and self-deprecating humor, are laugh-out-loud funny.  If you are a Tina Fey fan, definitely check this one out (preferably the audio book read by the author)!       


Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind 
(and others in the Miss Julia series) 
by Ann B. Ross
Wealthy widow Miss Julia is shocked when a blonde bombshell shows up on her doorstep with a 9-year-old son claiming that the boy's father is Miss Julia's late husband of over 40 years.  This is quite a shock for the spunky Southern, Presbyterian lady, but Julia Springer takes this on as she takes on everything, in her own unique (and hilarious!) way.  This delightful series pokes fun at the church, small towns, and Southern customs in an amusing, charming way.  Great summer reads!   

Twenties Girl
(and anything else ... )  
by Sophie Kinsella
Lara starts receiving visits from her great-aunt Sadie who has recently passed away.  Is it her overactive imagination again?  Or, is there more to these visions of Sadie, the feisty flapper asking Lara for help in finding her treasured necklace?  Twenties Girl is a heart-warming, hilarious romp.  


These are a few books on my "to read" list.  They might be of interest to you too: 
  
Untold Story 
by Monica Ali
What if Princess Di had not died in that awful car crash in Paris?  Where might she be today?  This novel imagines a possible different ending.  
  
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
by Helen Simonsen
The story of Major Ernest Pettigrew, an honor-bound British widower who is struggling to get along with his changing family and falls for a local shop owner, a very unlikely match. 


Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford
Set in the 1940s in Seattle during the Japanese internment period and alternately in the same area in the 1980s, Hotel of the Corner of Bitter Sweet is the story of Henry a Chinese-American widower and Keiko, the Japanese-American girl he loved in grade school.

Check out USA Today's summer reading lists for more ideas.   

Jillicious Menu: Historical Fiction

Historical Heroes & Heroines

Although not the most popular genre with today's teens, historical fiction novels have a lot to offer for those willing to give them a try.  The following titles are stand-outs in the genre because of their interesting, spunky, often hilarious main characters.  These heroes and heroines are ahead of their time and willing to travel a different path than those who went before them, both of which make for some great reading!  

Catherine, Called Birdy
by Karen Cushman
Feisty Catherine ("Birdy") journals about the dreadful suitors her father has chosen for her and her constant struggles to avoid the typical life of a medieval "lady."

Countdown 
by Deborah Wiles
Franny deals with family, friend, and school issues at the same time the United States holds its breath during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Elijah of Buxton
by Curtis Paul Chapman
Elijah, now 11, was the first free-born baby in Buxton, Canada, a haven for former slaves.  Thought of as a "fragile" child by his overprotective mother, Elijah does a lot of growing up when faced with some difficult (and sometimes hilarious!) situations.   

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Jacqueline Kelly
"Callie" is not a girl drawn to cooking and sewing; she would much rather spend her time outside exploring.  Her love for nature and science is shared by her grandfather and leads to a new bond between them one special summer.   

A Long Way from Chicago
by Richard Peck (and sequel A Year Down Yonder)
Joey and Mary Alice never know what to expect during their annual summer visits to their one-of-a-kind Grandma Dowdel.

Okay for Now
by Gary D. Schmidt (companion novel to The Wednesday Wars)
Doug can't believe when his father loses his job and moves the family to the "stupid" town of Marysville, New York.  But, the people he meets in this tiny town will make a big impact on his life that he never expected.

The Teacher's Funeral
by Richard Peck
Russell thinks his dreams are coming true when the local school teacher dies.... but, things take a turn when his older sister is hired as the replacement! 

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle 
by Avi
Through a strange series of events, Charlotte ends up as the only passenger on a voyage from England to America.  And, the last thing this 13-year-old expects is to be accused of murder on this disastous journey!

If you want to understand today,
you have to search yesterday. 

- Pearl Buck