Best Books of 2008

Here it is, just in time for any last minute holiday book shopping for the kids on your list. . . the Best Books of 2008 Blog Round-Up.  Thanks to all you wonderful bloggers for submitting reviews of your favorite children's books published in 2008.

Picture Books

The Blue Stone by Jimmy Liao
In her review, 4th grade teacher Angela Bunyi includes an anchor chart, mini-lesson idea, and student writing inspired by Liao's work.
 

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
Jen Robinson positively gushes about this sweet book, giving it what I would consider the highest possible praise by comparing Mouse and Bear with Anne and Marilla from Anne of Green Gables.

South by Patrick McDonnell
Though it distressed him to have to choose just one favorite book this year, Jeremy played along and made his choice.

Middle Grade Books

White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages
Apparently this was not the year for middle grade books. But Sarah at Readers' Rants recommends this sequel to Green Glass Sea.

Young Adult Books

Love Me Tender by Audrey Couloumbis
In her review, Sherry at Semicolon compares this book to the TV show Roseanne, which may or may not seem like high praise to you, but this book sure does sound funny.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
I haven't read this book yet, but it moved to the top of my to-be-read pile after reading the first paragraph of Shelf Elf's gush-fest. I love it when a book makes me press it to my heart and think wistfully about its world for hours!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Several people, myself included, mentioned this as their favorite book of 2008. Both Jen and Tyler from On Our Minds@Scholastic rave about it. Jen Robinson calls it one of the best books she's read, "not just for the year, but ever." Those are strong words for a book lover, but I couldn't agree more. Kelly Fineman expressed many of my own sentiments about this book in her review. I definitely felt like a different person after reading it; I felt as Kelly beautifully says, "as if there's been a palpable shift, and that the world has, in some real way, been altered."

Lamplighter by D.M. Cornish
Sarah at Readers' Rants recommends the sequel to Foundling for "those who like to savor a complex, layered, and fully realized setting."

Nonfiction

The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists by Sean Connolly
Anastasia Suen says, "I wish I had this book when I was teaching 5th grade! What fun!"

The Family Book: Amazing Things to Do Together
And finally, here is Mir's family favorite from among her Kitchen Table Reviews.

Thank you all for your suggestions and reviews. Happy holidays to all, and I wish you all  the best in 2009, including a new crop of exciting books to inspire and delight you and the children in your lives!

Comments

[Jen Robinson]

You have some great books here, Sonja. This post is a lovely resource for people. Thanks for including me.

[Dana Smith]

I really enjoyed the series starting with Chasing Vermeer. What a way to add to an art, math, or literature curriculum!

Dana

[Deborah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Deborah

Term Life Insurance

[ana20]

I have to say that "Clementine's Letter" -- the latest Clementine book, was definitely a favorite from the year. I also LOVED the final in the Ink trilogy -- Inkdeath. Though, I was not satisfied with the ending and hope Cornelia Funke comes to her senses and writes more from the Inkworld.

[Resham Mumtaz]

Dear SCHOLASTIC,

I am preparing a list of Books to be procured for school liabrary.
Please mail Best Books of 2008 Blog Round-Up.
Regards

[cciik]

diary of a wimpy kid

[Josh Hedgepeth]

My favorite book in 2008 eight would have to be Wolf Island, by Darren Shan!!! His books are fast paced, which i love, it keeps coming and coming. This is a must read!! I read his books, and its like i'm watching a movie in my head, but better. He is the best author of all time, this is his best book of this series, which is called The demonata, truthfuly, i had doubts of this book, i mean wolf island... how cheesy is that??? But i read the book, I was wrong, which when i have doubts about his books i always am! I was wrong, i read the book, and Wolf Island was the perfect name, it fit the story great. The story wrapped around "wolf island!" Which I no longer think its cheesy. Read it, and most of all enjoy it!