Top 20 Books of 2019: 10-6
20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1


10. Truman by Jean Reidy, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins [Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) | Grades K-3]
Because a small journey can still be epic. -Travis
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9. Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds [Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster) | Grades 5-9]
Because Jason Reynolds reels you in on the first page and keeps you glued to the book until the last page. -John
Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.


8. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal [Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan) | Grades K-2]
Because it contains the best endpapers and author’s note of 2019. -John
Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.


7. Stargazing by Jen Wang [First Second (Macmillan) | Grades 3-7]
Because friendship can come in unexpected ways. -Travis
Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.

6. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga [Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins) | Grades 3-7]
Because Jude’s poetic voice is powerful, memorable, and stays with you forever. -John
Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.
20-16 | 15-11 | 10-6 | 5-1
Filed under: Best of, Best of 2019
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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Just for the fun of it, I’m predicting your top 5:
1. Another – Christian Robinson 2. Saturday – Oge Mora 3. The New Kid – Jerry Craft
4 & 5 A bit uncertain — could include, The Undefeated, Little In the City, Tristan Strong (dark horse)
You’re very close!
Small in the City, for sure.
FYI, the link to 5 through 1 is broken. Instead of https://100scopenotes.com/2019/12/11/top-20-books-of-2019-5-1/ it should be https://100scopenotes.com/2019/12/12/top-20-books-of-2019-5-1/ (Note the date in the path is 2019/12/11 instead of 2019/12/12)
Thank you! I went in and fixed it.