Top 20 Books of 2016: 5-1
#20-16 | #15-11 | #10-6 | #5-1
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5. Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson [Walden Pond Press | Grades 4-7]
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Because it’s the sadhappiest book of 2016.
4. Ghost by Jason Reynolds [Simon & Schuster | Grades 5-9]
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Because it’s heartbreaking and funny and authentic.
3. We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen [Candlewick Press | Grades K-3]
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Because dreams are more perfect than reality.
2. Dory, Dory Black Sheep by Abby Hanlon [Dial Books | Grades 1-3]
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Because it has the best last page of 2016.
1. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo [Candlewick Press | Grades 3-6]
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Because every sentence is spring-loaded.
Filed under: Best of, Best of 2016
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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When I read Raymie Nightingale I was so blown away by the story and the writing that I started reading it again the next day.
DiCamillo is such an amazing writer. Each of her books for older readers are so completely different from one another and yet they’re each so engrossing and filled with such hope and spirit. (Can you tell I’m a huge fan?)
I am a huge fan of Dory! I’m ecstatic to see her here in your #2 spot and hope this will help to spread the love!
I told my children last night that, if I were independently wealthy, I’d fly over the country, dropping copies of the Dory books to all elementary students.
My children would just be happy if I didn’t immediately give our copies of the Dory books away to any parent or teacher or librarian I meet who has never read them. I always hear from the next room, “Mom, you gave Dory away AGAIN?” (I always replenish.)