A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits)
Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat
Random House Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: aquafortis
Lisa Yee’s A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits) is accompanied by fabulous illustrations and cover art by Dan Santat. This powerhouse duo tells the story of Olivia Zang and her misfit classmates/teammates/friends as they learn to become secret agents in order to save their school, RASCH, and some priceless jewels. Equal parts crime caper and hilarious romp, The Misfits has these former misfit kids traveling all over San Francisco to prevent the heist of the century. They learn about themselves, teamwork, and advocacy while also becoming friends and finding their place in the world. It’s a delightful book with a lot of kid-appeal and would be a great family read aloud.
Grow Up, Luchy Zapata
Alexandra Alessandri
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Joana Pastro
What happens when middle school starts and everything changes? Luchy Zapata was excited for her 6th grade year with her best friends Mateo and Cami. Unfortunately, Cami seems more interested in makeup, crushes, and popularity than she does in being Luchy’s friend. When Luchy’s cleats go missing before soccer tryouts and she suspects Cami of taking them, these former BFFs turn rivals. A diverse story featuring two Colombian-American leads and Spanish sprinkled throughout, Grow Up, Luchy Zapata expertly tackles that tricky transition to middle school, friendship drama, and being yourself.
Not Nothing
Gayle Forman
Aladdin
Nominated by: Jennifer Rummel
Can you be forgiven for doing a terrible thing? What if it’s the worst thing you’ve ever done? Alex has had to endure a lot in his 12 years, and now, after doing something truly awful, he’s been sentenced to community service at the Shady Glen Retirement Village all summer. That’s where he meets Josey, a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor who hasn’t spoken to anyone in years. Josey decides Alex needs to hear his story, and they form an unlikely friendship. Narrated by Josey, you slowly unfold their stories and learn where forgiveness and compassion can lead. Gayle Forman expertly weaves their stories together in an unforgettable intergenerational tale about second chances and redemption.
The Bletchley Riddle
Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Viking Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Susan (Bloggin’ ’bout Books)
It is summer 1940, 14-year-old Lizzie is desperate to find information about her missing mother. Meanwhile, her older brother, Jakob has joined the code breakers at Bletchley Park working to crack the enigma cipher. They embark on a mission full of codes and riddles and bring you as the reader along for the wild ride. Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother’s disappearance be somehow connected? While you meet WWII heroes like Alan Turning and others famously known for their time at Bletchley Park and follow the events of the war, the book is really about relationships, trusting each other, and following your gut when it comes to life. It is nothing less than what you would expect from two powerhouse historical fiction authors like Sepetys and Sheinkin.
The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices
Hena Khan (Editor), Vera Hiranandani, Supriya Kelkar, Maulik Pancholy, Simran Jeet Singh, Aisha Saeed, Reem Faruqi, Rajani LaRocca, Naheed Hasnat, Sayantani DasGupta, Mitali Perkins
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Deborah K
The Door is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices is a delightful collection of interconnected stories from South Asian American authors. It all centers around a community center where lots of different events happen—basketball games, chess tournaments, a boy who learns to appreciate his family’s special dishes after he takes a cooking class. There is also an element of the community coming together when it looks like the community center may be bought by an outside group and turned into something that does not benefit this community. There are funny moments, touching moments, and a great look into a culture and community the reader may not be familiar with.
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
Gennifer Choldenko
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: GRgenius
When 11-year-old Hank and his 3-year-old sister Boo run out of food after a week alone in their apartment after their mother doesn’t come home, they make their way across town to a stranger listed on an emergency form. She is none too happy to see them but as a friend of their late grandmother she takes them in temporarily. Hank starts school, makes friends, and has people around him who he can depend on, but it can’t be forever. What happens when the person a kid news and loves lets them down again and again? You’ll be rooting for Hank and Boo and a happy ending that is anything but guaranteed. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko will provide hope for kids facing difficult times or uncertain futures.
Tig
Heather Smith
Tundra
Publisher/ Author Submission
Tig and her brother, Peter, have lived alone in their house without power for months. They are used to fending for themselves until their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny, take them in. After overhearing her uncle criticizing her deadbeat mother for never setting goals, Tig decides to set some goals of her own. These goals include becoming a cheese-rolling champion, owning a bull terrier named Egghead, and causing trouble for her new guardians. Author Heather Smith has written an unforgettable character with Tig who will make you laugh aloud at her brazenness and break your heart with her resilience while learning about what it means to be a family.