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December 16, 2010 by Travis Jonker

Top 20 Children’s Books of 2010 (#5-1)

December 16, 2010 by Travis Jonker   12 comments

#20-16 | #15-11 | #10-6 | #5-1

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5. Beaver is Lost by Elisha Cooper [Schwartz & Wade]

What a year for Elisha Cooper. While his very deserving Farm has received more attention (including some from this list, where it landed at #15), he has created another book, Beaver is Lost, that quietly reaches even greater heights. And I do mean quietly. This nearly-wordless gem tells a story any child can relate to – getting lost in the big world. The story of a beaver’s round-trip journey to the city – from log to crane to truck to town and back – is as unlikely as it is charming, with Cooper’s gracefully understated watercolor illustrations carrying the adventure. Most children’s lit creators are four-leaf-clover-lucky to craft one great book in a year; in 2010, Elisha Cooper went two for two. –Travis Jonker

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4. Smile by Raina Telgemeier [Graphix]

Smile rarely takes a nap on the shelf. Hardcore fans browse libraries and bookshops, waiting to tell unsuspecting patrons about Telgemeier’s graphic memoir. I recently witnessed a 5th grader put it in a friend’s hand, guide her toward the circulation desk, and, in a loving manner, yell: YOU MUST CHECK THIS OUT NOW AND TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE MORNING!

The uniqueness of Smile is its ability to be two different books to two different readers. To those who choose Smile knowing it is a memoir, it’s a riveting tale of Raina Telgemeier’s life. To those who do not realize it is a memoir, Smile is a fascinating tale of Raina, written by an author who, coincidentally, shares the same name. A perfect, well-crafted story. –John Schumacher

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3. One Crazy Summer by Rita Willams-Garcia [Amistad]

No singular element of writing can connect reader to story as much as voice, and Once Crazy Summer‘s protagonist, 11-year-old Delphine, is the voice of the year. This is a testament to the skill of author Rita Willliams-Garcia, who endows Delphine with humor, honest emotion, and authentic perspective. Readers will never question her credibility as a kid. The story ain’t too shabby either. It’s 1968 and Delphine and her two sisters have been sent to Oakland, California to spend the summer with their estranged mother, Cecile, who may have ties to the Black Panther party. Upon arrival it is apparent that Cecile is not happy to see her children. Delphine and her sisters struggle to find their way (and their mother’s acceptance) during this volatile time in American history. With a crystal-clear voice, One Crazy Summer announces itself as one of the year’s best. –Travis Jonker

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2. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead [Roaring Brook]

Amos McGee, a gentle zookeeper, arrives promptly at work every day. The animals enjoy his company and depend on him. He plays chess with the elephant, runs races with the tortoise, sits with the penguin, lends a handkerchief to the rhino, and reads stories to owl. What will the animals do when Amos wakes up sick? Take care of him, of course! Erin Stead’s awe-inspiring illustrations convey the importance of friendship and have a calming effect. Let’s hope Philip and Erin Stead continue to make books together. Add this future classic to your must-read list. –John Schumacher

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1. Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile [Candlewick]

It’s only three chapters – three short stories – but over the course of those pages readers will come to love Bink and Gollie. These spunky gals turn even the most mundane tasks, such as sock shopping, into amusing experiences. The book itself mirrors the characters. The refined Gollie would approve of the sophisticated vocabulary and depth of emotion on display. Boisterous Bink would give a hearty thumbs-up to the subtle rule-breaking of the format, which is longer than most easy readers, yet more picture book-like in layout. Don’t be fooled – although it may appear short, Bink and Gollie’s banter keeps even the advanced reader engaged and entertained.

Tony Fucile’s expressive illustrations depict a quiet, whimscal world, while providing humor when the story calls for it. Students, children, grandchildren, nieces, mail carriers, and, most importantly, YOU, need to read Bink & Gollie – our top title of 2010. –Travis Jonker & John Schumacher

#20-16 | #15-11 | #10-6 | #5-1

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AmistadCandlewick PressGraphixRoaring BrookScholasticSchwartz and Wade

About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Comments

  1. Simone says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:38 am

    Excellent list – thanks! Your top 3 were mine as well.

  2. jules says

    December 16, 2010 at 8:41 am

    I, personally, give seven cheers to these picture book choices. And seven WOOTs. (And I’m only commenting on the picture books, since that’s what I tend to post about. I trust the novels are great, too.)

    • Travis says

      December 16, 2010 at 10:53 am

      Thanks for your support!

  3. Laura W. says

    December 16, 2010 at 9:08 am

    All three of my kids (age 11, 8, 6) loved Smile. They’ve each read it multiple times and now make references to “Raina” whenever we discuss my son’s braces and their upcoming dental appointments. Definitely a win!

    • Travis says

      December 16, 2010 at 10:53 am

      So many kids get braces, yet there are so few books that address the topic. Smile certainly takes it to the next level, with Raina’s freak dental accident, but it is a subject that tons of young people can relate to.

  4. Terry D says

    December 16, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    Holy Cow, guys! I’ve STILL only read two … and I LOVED LOVED LOVED Amos McGee. [the other is Bink & Gollie.] Can I get half a point for at least having One Crazy Summer on my TBR pile?

    • Travis says

      December 16, 2010 at 2:57 pm

      Half-point awarded!

  5. Meredith says

    December 16, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I’d never even heard of smile before, but I just read it this afternoon based on this recommendation. Thanks! I loved it!

    • Travis says

      December 16, 2010 at 7:50 pm

      Good to hear! Smile just continues to grow in my estimation. I enjoyed it plenty when I read it, but upon reflection, it gets better and better.

  6. Lisa says

    December 19, 2010 at 12:11 am

    Thanks for the excellent list! Smile is THE favorite book for 3rd – 5th grade girls in my library. Never, ever on the shelf! The kids talk about it, argue over who gets the next copy, read it over and over, and can’t wait for the next book by Raina Telgemeier.

    One Crazy Summer is my personal favorite. Crossing my fingers for a Newbery and hoping more of my Oakland students read this amazing book!

  7. Jess says

    December 20, 2010 at 2:14 pm

    I adore Bink & Gollie! I’ve been gushing about it to all kinds of people and can’t wait to press a copy into my goddaughter’s hands on Christmas.

    Your other choices are fantastic, too – Smile is the only one I haven’t read yet, probably because it’s never on the shelf long enough.

Trackbacks

  1. Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast » Blog Archive » I Love It When An Illustrator Surprises Me says:
    December 16, 2010 at 10:14 am

    […] Schumacher? It begins here, and you may have just heard me cheering loudly over today’s post, numbers 5 to 1. I can enthusiastically get behind the picture book titles on that short […]

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