From: Marti Anderson <marti>
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 10:52:25 -0600

I've been postponing sending in my list of favorite books from 2004 until I'd read more from my impossibly long to-read list, but the time has come when I can delay no longer and still meet the deadline. What a lot of truly superb books were published in 2004! This is my current top ten list in three categories: picture books, midgrades (many of which might be considered the lower end of YA), and young adult.

Picture books (please note: With the exception of the Scieszka/Smith title, these were all tested with enthusiastic response upon my class of three to six year olds and sometimes also visiting classes of K4 or K5 students.)

_Rooster Can't Cock-a-Doodle-Doo_, written by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, illustrated by Paul Ratz de Tagyos (The hilarious illustrations had the children -- and their teacher, who generally manages to keep a straight face while sharing even the funniest books -- in stitches. Every time I look at this book, I discover something new.)

_Tanka, Tanka, Skunk_ by Steve Webb (This absolutely has to be read out loud for the rhythmic cadences. We did it as an echo book in my classroom, and the kids wanted to read it over and over and over again. We even ended up putting the words with the tune of a song, but I can't remember what the tune was anymore.)

_The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog_ by Mo Willems (This is my favorite -- and my class' favorite -- Mo Willems book so far. _Knuffle Bunny_ fell flat with my kids, but we've fallen in love with the pigeon, and we hope there will be more books in that series.)

_Superdog: The Heart of a Hero_ written by Caralyn Buehner & illustrated by Mark Buehner

__Wallace's Lists_ written by Barbara Bottner & Gerald Kruglik, & illustrated by Olaf Landstrom

__Mr. Maxwell's Mouse_ written by Frank Asch & illustrated by Devin Asch

_Actual Size_ by Steve Jenkins (The recommendations have been for older kids, but my kids were mesmerized and wanted more!)

_Halibut Jackson_ by David Lucas

_Kitten's First Full Moon_ by Kevin Henkes (so different from his other picture books, yet equally wonderful!)

_Science Verse_ written by Jon Scieszka & illustrated by Lane Smith (I hope these two collaborate forever.)

Midgrade favorites:

_No Laughter Here_ by Rita Williams-Garcia (Absolutely my favorite book this year in any genre, for any age group. I'll never forget this heartbreaking and haunting book or the two beautiful girls who came to life within its pages.)

_Heck Superhero_ by Martine Leavitt

_Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy_ by Gary D. Schmidt

_Millions_ by Frank Cottrell Boyce

_Ida B... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World_ by Katherine Hannigan

_So B. It_ by Sarah Weeks

_The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place_ by E. L Konigsburg

_The Schwa Was Here_ by Neal Schusterman

_Story Time_ by Edward Bloor

_Art Against the Odds: From Slave Quilts to Prison Paintings_ by Susan Goldman Rubin

Young Adult Favorites:

_Saving Francesca_ by Melina Marchetta

_No Shame, No Fear_ by Ann Turnbull

_Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood_ by Benjamin Alire Saenz

_Can't Get There From Here_ by Todd Strasser

_Last Chance Texaco_ by Brent Hartinger

_Bucking the Sarge_ by Christopher Paul Curtis

_Under the Wolf, Under the Dog_ by Adam Rapp

_Double Helix_ by Nancy Werlin

_Playing in Traffic_ by Gail Giles

_The Legend of Buddy Bush_ by Sheila P. Moses

And I hope I'm not out-of-line to also mention a title for adults that I think would have great appeal to many on this list -- anyone who cares about children, is interested in the writing process, and enjoys well-written books. I highly recommend _I Am a Pencil_ by Sam Swopes.

Wish I had time to write more comments about the books listed above, but other parts of life are calling. Best wishes for all of you for 2005!

:-) Marti Anderson mailto:marti at execpc.com Early Childhood Special Needs Teacher Sherman Multicultural Arts School, Milwaukee, WI
Received on Fri 31 Dec 2004 10:52:25 AM CST