Top 20 Books of 2021: The Full List

Thanks for following along as John Schu and shared our Top 20 Books of 2021 this week. Here’s the list in its entirety.

20. The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino [Astra | Grades K-2]

Because, as much as the pandemic is a story about science, it’s also a story about families. -Travis

19. Circle Under Berry by Carter Higgins [Chronicle | Grades PreK-1]

Because it is colorful and clever and clearly created to be read aloud over and over and over again. -John

18. Bad Sister by Charise Mericle Harper, illustrated by Rory Lucey [First Second | Grades 2-6]

Because, let’s admit it, at some point we’ve all been bad. -Travis

17. Bright Star by Yuyi Morales [Neal Porter Books (Holiday House) | Grades K-2]

Because it’s a soothing lullaby everyone needs to experience and share. -John

16. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper [Carolrhoda Books (Lerner) | Grades 3-6]

Because it takes on a challenging subject with truth and beauty. -Travis

15: Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff [Dial (Penguin Random House) | Grades 5 and Up]

Because Bug and Moira have been on my mind and heart ever since I finished reading it months ago–the writing is so, so, so exquisite. -John

14: The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen [Candlewick Press | Grades K-3]

Because almost nothing happens, yet everything happens. -Travis

13: Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin [Neal Porter Books (Holiday House) | Grades 1-5]

Because it is a poignant slice-of-life memoir that’s beautifully illustrated and designed. -John

12: Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, illustrated by Raul the Third and Elaine Bay [Little, Brown | Grades K-2]

Because we all need to get out of the house sometimes. -Travis

11: The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art by Cynthia Levinson, illustrated by Evan Turk [Abrams | Grades K-4]

Because it shows how Ben Shahn used his passion for art to tell the story of people in difficult circumstances and help make their struggles known. -John

10: How To Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani [Kokila (Penguin Random House) | Grades 3-7]

Because Newbery Honor author Veera Hiranandani tells Ariel Goldberg’s story from a second-person point of view in a captivating, nuanced, and brilliant way that I hadn’t experienced before. -John

9: Wishes by Muon Thi Van, illustrated by Victo Ngai [Orchard Books (Scholastic) | Grades K-3]

Because it’s the perfect combination of poetry and story. -Travis

8: Willowdeen by Katherine Applegate [Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan) | Grades 3-6]

Because Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate poetically reminds us The earth is old and we are not, and that is all you must remember… -John

7: Stuntboy, In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raul the Third [Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster) | Grades 2-7]

Because Stuntboy is the hero we all need. -Travis

6: Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor [Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins) | Grades PreK-2]

Because it’s the most satisfyingly inventive book of 2021. -Travis

5: Born Behind Bars by Padma Venkatraman [Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House) | Grades 5-9

Because Dr. Padma Venkatraman puts her compassionate heart on the page and makes every sentence sing. -John

4: Starfish by Lisa Fipps [Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House) | Grades 5 and Up]

Because it helps heal hearts and gives us an opportunity to think about and discuss our personal feelings about body image and bullying. -John

3: Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca [Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins) | Grades 3-7]

Because it examines and explains the mechanics of the human heart in the most poetic way. -John

2: The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Eugene Yelchin [Candlewick Press | Grades 5 and Up]

Because Eugene Yelchin’s story of growing up behind the iron curtain is funny, sad, and hopeful. -Travis

1: The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall [Candlewick Press | Grades 3-7]

Because, in difficult times, a girl and a (literally) hard-headed goat bring hope and light. -John & Travis

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Filed under: Reviews