Top 20 Books of 2019: The Full List
Well, that was fun. This week Mr. Schu and I counted down our Top 20 Books of 2019. Here’s the whole list in one place.
20. Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers by Celia C. Pérez
[Kokila (Penguin) | Grades 4-7]
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Because Ofelia Castillo, Aster Douglas, Cat Garcia, and Lane DiSanti are four memorable and distinct characters. -John
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19. The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison
[little bee books (Simon & Schuster) | Grades K and Up]
Because the roots of rap are deep. -Travis
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18. Why? by Adam Rex, illustrated by Claire Keane
[Chronicle Books | Grades K-3]
Because one little question can change everything. -Travis
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17. Noodlephant by Jacob Kramer, illustrated by K-Fai Steele
[Enchanted Lion | Grades K-4]
Because justice can can be delicious. -Travis
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16. Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman
[Viking (Penguin) | Grades K-2]
Because Carl has five capacious and caring hearts. -John
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15. Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace by Ashley Bryan
[Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster) | Grades 5 and Up]
Because love, creativity, and art can overcome the darkness of war. -Travis
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14. My Heart by Corinna Luyken
[Dial Books (Penguin) | Grades K-2]
Because my heart wants to give a copy to your heart. -John
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13. Guts by Raina Telgemeier
[Graphix (Scholastic) | Grades 3-7]
Because it talks about a topic that few comics are willing to talk about. -Travis
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12. Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson
[Bloomsbury | Grades 4-8]
Because Amara takes us on an interesting and inspiring tour of Harlem. -John
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11. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
[Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster) | Grades 4-8]
Because self love can be the hardest to find. -Travis
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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
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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
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7. Stargazing by Jen Wang
[First Second (Macmillan) | Grades 3-7]
Because friendship can come in unexpected ways. -Travis
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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
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5. Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo
[Candlewick Press | Grades 5 and Up]
Because even Beverly Tapinski can open up the suitcase of her heart.
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4. Saturday by Oge Mora
[Little, Brown | Grades K-2]
Because love is bigger than disappointment.
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3. Small in the City by Sydney Smith
[Neal Porter Books/Holiday House | Grades K-2]
Because as soon as you finish this book, you’ll want to begin it again.
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2. New Kid by Jerry Craft
[HarperCollins | Grades 3-7]
Because it’s honest and it’s hilarious – what else does a reader need? -Travis
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1. Another by Christian Robinson
[Atheneum (Simon & Schuster) | Grades K-2]
Because Christian Robinson has created a cinematic experience full of cosmic questions. -Travis & John
Click here for additional resources from Watch. Connect. Read.
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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