What’s your favorite book?
What are your top 5 books for [insert year]?
Who is your favorite [genre] author?
As a reader, you already know how hard it is to answer these questions. Now, imagine being in a group with six avid readers like yourself, having to lift up 5-7 books from hundreds of titles each of you just finished reading. Sounds easy? Not to us either.
The Ones that Got Away is our annual collection of books considered for #CYBILS2024 that are much loved and stand out as CYBILS worthy, but collectively, didn’t make the finalist list for their respective panels.
Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars
Category: Elementary Nonfiction
Loved by Katlyn @ Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love when a book finds a special piece of history to share with the world...but particularly when it's done in a way that adds emotion, suspense, & adventure. Anyone can pull together facts, but Roth's talents are showcased brilliantly with this one.
We love how Roth mixes archival photographs with emotive comic-style drawings bringing such an injection of life & relatability. The cover & title really didn't prepare us for the awe-inspiring nature of this true story...and yet its playfulness pulls us through this entire book (spanning over a century: 1903-post present) with a huge smile.
We love how, following the lead of his imagery, Roth's text juxtaposes the science & imagination necessary of the true pioneers this book honors (alongside the humble cloth that continues to represent them). He uniquely & sweetly gives this truly historic piece of cloth main character status, allowing us to feel the magnitude of the events described with such a depth of involvement.
Loved by Katlyn @ Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love when a book finds a special piece of history to share with the world...but particularly when it's done in a way that adds emotion, suspense, & adventure. Anyone can pull together facts, but Roth's talents are showcased brilliantly with this one.
We love how Roth mixes archival photographs with emotive comic-style drawings bringing such an injection of life & relatability. The cover & title really didn't prepare us for the awe-inspiring nature of this true story...and yet its playfulness pulls us through this entire book (spanning over a century: 1903-post present) with a huge smile.
We love how, following the lead of his imagery, Roth's text juxtaposes the science & imagination necessary of the true pioneers this book honors (alongside the humble cloth that continues to represent them). He uniquely & sweetly gives this truly historic piece of cloth main character status, allowing us to feel the magnitude of the events described with such a depth of involvement.
Camp Prodigy
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good With Books
During the course of camp, two non-binary kids strike up a friendship over their love of the viola while also learning how to step out on their own and how to live with anxiety. There were so many great thematic elements in this book and Palmer’s illustrations really helped bring those elements as well as the story to life. Additionally, both of our main characters, Tate and Eli, were really well-developed and there was a nice balance between them and the other cast of campers in the book.
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good With Books
During the course of camp, two non-binary kids strike up a friendship over their love of the viola while also learning how to step out on their own and how to live with anxiety. There were so many great thematic elements in this book and Palmer’s illustrations really helped bring those elements as well as the story to life. Additionally, both of our main characters, Tate and Eli, were really well-developed and there was a nice balance between them and the other cast of campers in the book.
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This eerie story with a confused but courageous protagonist charms as much as it haunts, with a sweet and understated sapphic romance.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This eerie story with a confused but courageous protagonist charms as much as it haunts, with a sweet and understated sapphic romance.
Dancing through Space: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights
Category: Elementary Nonfiction
Loved by Kalyn @ Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love the contrasting side-by-side portraits of Mae the budding scientist/thinker & Mae the flowing dancer/creative. Her unflappable delight & curiosity is contagious, and thoroughly inspiring. Sawyer Cloud💗 does the perfect job capturing this. We love how Lydia doesn't shy away from the reality of doubting & stifling reactions. It helps make concrete Mae's confidence & fire to continue to value her own inner voice.
We love that the story is created in a way to show her courage & determination growing from her commitment to BOTH✨ passions. She not only excelled academically through hard work & consistent effort...she also never lets go of her devotion to dance.
We love that Lydia shows that Mae's dedication to dance allowed her to succeed in the rigorous physical demands of what it takes to be an astronaut. This book feels like an homage to the mind/body connection & a whole-brained approach to a full life.
Loved by Kalyn @ Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love the contrasting side-by-side portraits of Mae the budding scientist/thinker & Mae the flowing dancer/creative. Her unflappable delight & curiosity is contagious, and thoroughly inspiring. Sawyer Cloud💗 does the perfect job capturing this. We love how Lydia doesn't shy away from the reality of doubting & stifling reactions. It helps make concrete Mae's confidence & fire to continue to value her own inner voice.
We love that the story is created in a way to show her courage & determination growing from her commitment to BOTH✨ passions. She not only excelled academically through hard work & consistent effort...she also never lets go of her devotion to dance.
We love that Lydia shows that Mae's dedication to dance allowed her to succeed in the rigorous physical demands of what it takes to be an astronaut. This book feels like an homage to the mind/body connection & a whole-brained approach to a full life.
Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Two boys from very different families, both celebrating their bar mitzvahs in the same hotel on the same weekend, find themselves repeating the same weekend over and over again in this zany and heartfelt adventure.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Two boys from very different families, both celebrating their bar mitzvahs in the same hotel on the same weekend, find themselves repeating the same weekend over and over again in this zany and heartfelt adventure.
The First State of Being
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This book contains potentially history-altering time travel – but also the individually life-changing musing of a boy terrified about the upcoming potential apocalypse of Y2K. It’s a gorgeous book filled with small details that make all the difference even as they rock Michael and his world. It left me feeling like I had been touched by something beautiful.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This book contains potentially history-altering time travel – but also the individually life-changing musing of a boy terrified about the upcoming potential apocalypse of Y2K. It’s a gorgeous book filled with small details that make all the difference even as they rock Michael and his world. It left me feeling like I had been touched by something beautiful.
The Flicker
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This is a tense but hopeful dystopian story of self-discovery, found family, and survival. This is an excellent choice for those worried about where our current climate crisis and the distribution of power in the US might lead us.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This is a tense but hopeful dystopian story of self-discovery, found family, and survival. This is an excellent choice for those worried about where our current climate crisis and the distribution of power in the US might lead us.
A Game of Noctis
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
In an Venetian-inspired fantasy world where everything runs on games won or lost, Pia Paro needs to win big-time to earn enough to save her grandfather from exile. In addition to an appealingly high-stakes game with a team of strong characters, Pia asks the reader to look at injustices built into systems that we’ve always taken for granted.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
In an Venetian-inspired fantasy world where everything runs on games won or lost, Pia Paro needs to win big-time to earn enough to save her grandfather from exile. In addition to an appealingly high-stakes game with a team of strong characters, Pia asks the reader to look at injustices built into systems that we’ve always taken for granted.
Girlmode
Category: YA Graphic Novel
Loved by Rachael @ Do Good with Books
Girlmode was quite an interesting book, both for its look into exploring girlhood through the perspective of a recently out trans girl and for navigating the complexities of being a girl in the 21st century.
There are some dark subjects that Vissagio tackles in the book and, like I said earlier, please check out content warnings before deciding to read this book. Nevertheless, I felt that Vissagio uses these tough themes to serve the purpose they were there to do and that this book could be a really good resource for teens who need a book like Girlmode.
Loved by Rachael @ Do Good with Books
Girlmode was quite an interesting book, both for its look into exploring girlhood through the perspective of a recently out trans girl and for navigating the complexities of being a girl in the 21st century.
There are some dark subjects that Vissagio tackles in the book and, like I said earlier, please check out content warnings before deciding to read this book. Nevertheless, I felt that Vissagio uses these tough themes to serve the purpose they were there to do and that this book could be a really good resource for teens who need a book like Girlmode.
Indiginerds
Category: YA Graphic Novel
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
Indiginerds edited by Alina Pete was perhaps the only comic/graphic novel anthology nominated out of all the books nominated in graphic novels, but it is sure to leave a mark. Spanning across various interests and walks of life, Indiginerds provides a fresh perspective of indigenous representation in YA lit and the authors featured in this book bring an authentic storytelling ability to the lives of Indigenous teens.
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
Indiginerds edited by Alina Pete was perhaps the only comic/graphic novel anthology nominated out of all the books nominated in graphic novels, but it is sure to leave a mark. Spanning across various interests and walks of life, Indiginerds provides a fresh perspective of indigenous representation in YA lit and the authors featured in this book bring an authentic storytelling ability to the lives of Indigenous teens.
It Came from the Trees
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Nobody believes Jenna when her best friend is kidnapped from their tent by a Cryptid on a Scout campout – but Jenna is willing to face her fear and do whatever it takes to find Reese again. This is a shivery-scary book with a pleasing view of the perils and promises of Scouting specifically for self-confidence and building relationships.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Nobody believes Jenna when her best friend is kidnapped from their tent by a Cryptid on a Scout campout – but Jenna is willing to face her fear and do whatever it takes to find Reese again. This is a shivery-scary book with a pleasing view of the perils and promises of Scouting specifically for self-confidence and building relationships.
It Happened to Anna
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This is probably scarier than most of the middle grade books I read. Sadie has never dared to make friends since the ghost haunting her got her best friend killed. Now in a new school, she’s afraid to open up to people in case the same thing happens. It seems like she might have a chance with a new girl – but things in ghost stories are rarely as happy as they seem. I loved the combination of horror with the real look at identifying and recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This is probably scarier than most of the middle grade books I read. Sadie has never dared to make friends since the ghost haunting her got her best friend killed. Now in a new school, she’s afraid to open up to people in case the same thing happens. It seems like she might have a chance with a new girl – but things in ghost stories are rarely as happy as they seem. I loved the combination of horror with the real look at identifying and recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship.
José Feeds the World: How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions …
Category: Elementary Nonfiction
Loved by: Katlyn at Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love how David shows José's robust values- where they come from & how he continuously imbues his actions with them. His upbringing created empathy & room for others that stuck with him & "gave him so many good ideas." We love how it shows José's passion for food & innovation is tempered & grounded…his father teaching him the important lesson of being able to tend the fire before cooking. (Sometimes in life we mistakenly think we can make the cookies without cleaning the dishes.)
We absolutely love all the discussable moments this book allows us to share, especially when the story starts to dive into his humanitarian work. With each and every new cause, he had to expand his mind & heart to problem-solve & learn new lessons, including building community with those he was helping & finding ways "to get people who were in trouble to feel their own power."
We LOVE how value is given to marginalized & under-served communities like the Navajo Nation Elders & the field workers/food pickers during COVID. We love how each spread shows so much movement, expansion, evolution, growth. Marta's imagery gives us so much warmth & stability, even while providing us with scenes of disaster.
We love how the end directly addresses the child saying one day they too will find their calling & make the world a better place. This book showcases the uncomplicated nature of José's heart & drive- "I cook and I feed...I boil water..." making it clear that he is no Superman, just someone taking the skills he has, and allowing himself to be placed in situations that cultivate expansion of those skills to further see how he can affect others, simply & in a way we can all feel the slow & steady trajectory that we all might be able to achieve in our own worlds.
Loved by: Katlyn at Two Grey Kittens Book Club
We love how David shows José's robust values- where they come from & how he continuously imbues his actions with them. His upbringing created empathy & room for others that stuck with him & "gave him so many good ideas." We love how it shows José's passion for food & innovation is tempered & grounded…his father teaching him the important lesson of being able to tend the fire before cooking. (Sometimes in life we mistakenly think we can make the cookies without cleaning the dishes.)
We absolutely love all the discussable moments this book allows us to share, especially when the story starts to dive into his humanitarian work. With each and every new cause, he had to expand his mind & heart to problem-solve & learn new lessons, including building community with those he was helping & finding ways "to get people who were in trouble to feel their own power."
We LOVE how value is given to marginalized & under-served communities like the Navajo Nation Elders & the field workers/food pickers during COVID. We love how each spread shows so much movement, expansion, evolution, growth. Marta's imagery gives us so much warmth & stability, even while providing us with scenes of disaster.
We love how the end directly addresses the child saying one day they too will find their calling & make the world a better place. This book showcases the uncomplicated nature of José's heart & drive- "I cook and I feed...I boil water..." making it clear that he is no Superman, just someone taking the skills he has, and allowing himself to be placed in situations that cultivate expansion of those skills to further see how he can affect others, simply & in a way we can all feel the slow & steady trajectory that we all might be able to achieve in our own worlds.
The Last Rhee Witch (The Last Rhee Witch #1)
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This just-right scary book muses on friendship, family, heritage, with an unexpected twist and a prickly main character.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This just-right scary book muses on friendship, family, heritage, with an unexpected twist and a prickly main character.
The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Jerry’s used to being left alone during the day while her mom works at motels. After all, they always live in the same motel, too. But at their new place, Jerry’s mom keeps staying out all night, leaving Jerry alone with mysterious radio broadcasts that don’t play during the day. When her mom doesn’t come back one morning, Jerry sets out with fellow child motel resident Chapel Bell to find her – even though rolling through the woods on a wheelchair is incredibly difficult. I loved the wheelchair rep from an author who uses one herself, as well as the adventure as a whole, and that it covers adventure and some deeper themes in under 200 pages.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Jerry’s used to being left alone during the day while her mom works at motels. After all, they always live in the same motel, too. But at their new place, Jerry’s mom keeps staying out all night, leaving Jerry alone with mysterious radio broadcasts that don’t play during the day. When her mom doesn’t come back one morning, Jerry sets out with fellow child motel resident Chapel Bell to find her – even though rolling through the woods on a wheelchair is incredibly difficult. I loved the wheelchair rep from an author who uses one herself, as well as the adventure as a whole, and that it covers adventure and some deeper themes in under 200 pages.
Navigating With You
Category: YA Graphic Novel
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
With strong and positive disability representation as well as an utterly adorable YA romance, Navigating with You centers on two girls trying to find the volumes of their favorite manga that went out of print. Whitley creates the same kind of compelling characters you would in a traditional YA romance and the book being a graphic novel really works well with the story that Whitley is trying to tell in Navigating with You.
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
With strong and positive disability representation as well as an utterly adorable YA romance, Navigating with You centers on two girls trying to find the volumes of their favorite manga that went out of print. Whitley creates the same kind of compelling characters you would in a traditional YA romance and the book being a graphic novel really works well with the story that Whitley is trying to tell in Navigating with You.
Next Stop
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
While the cover might look unassuming, Debbie Fong’s Next Stop grapples with family tragedy and how to ultimately move forward towards a new normal. Next Stop deals with a lot of dark and sensitive subjects, and I encourage folks to check out content warnings before deciding whether or not this book is for you, but the message behind this book is so necessary for kids dealing with the loss of a loved one and I felt that Fong takes a compassionate and accessible approach while addressing these tough subject matters.
Plus, if you’re fan of books that have setting as character, this book really embodies that.
Loved by: Rachael @ Do Good with Books
While the cover might look unassuming, Debbie Fong’s Next Stop grapples with family tragedy and how to ultimately move forward towards a new normal. Next Stop deals with a lot of dark and sensitive subjects, and I encourage folks to check out content warnings before deciding whether or not this book is for you, but the message behind this book is so necessary for kids dealing with the loss of a loved one and I felt that Fong takes a compassionate and accessible approach while addressing these tough subject matters.
Plus, if you’re fan of books that have setting as character, this book really embodies that.
Not Quite a Ghost
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Violet’s mysterious, undiagnosible illness braids together and parallels the mysterious and malevolent presence in the attic bedroom of her new house. Though the title and the cover focus on the shadow in the room, Violet’s friend and family relationships are also shifting and very important, with plenty to appeal to readers of realistic fiction, and very satisfying conclusions to the multiple plotlines. It shines a light on the insidiousness of invisible illnesses – as well as making it seem like there might be something lurking in the older house around the corner from you.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Violet’s mysterious, undiagnosible illness braids together and parallels the mysterious and malevolent presence in the attic bedroom of her new house. Though the title and the cover focus on the shadow in the room, Violet’s friend and family relationships are also shifting and very important, with plenty to appeal to readers of realistic fiction, and very satisfying conclusions to the multiple plotlines. It shines a light on the insidiousness of invisible illnesses – as well as making it seem like there might be something lurking in the older house around the corner from you.
Nox Winters and the Midnight Wolf (Nox Winters Chronicl…
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This mystical, mind-bending adventure looks at sibling bonds, friendships, and the blurring boundaries between magic and non-magical, good and evil.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
This mystical, mind-bending adventure looks at sibling bonds, friendships, and the blurring boundaries between magic and non-magical, good and evil.
Olivetti
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
A magical typewriter helps an introverted and insecure boy find out what happened to his missing mother in this quirky and moving story. Olivetti’s voice keeps the story from being too heavy, while Ernest gives it plenty of depth. At just under 250 pages and with a story firmly grounded in reality, this is one that could make a good classroom read-aloud as well. Highly recommended.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
A magical typewriter helps an introverted and insecure boy find out what happened to his missing mother in this quirky and moving story. Olivetti’s voice keeps the story from being too heavy, while Ernest gives it plenty of depth. At just under 250 pages and with a story firmly grounded in reality, this is one that could make a good classroom read-aloud as well. Highly recommended.
Puzzleheart
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Nonbinary Peri and their father go to visit Peri’s grandmother for the first time, in the changeable puzzle house both grandparents built together. After tragedy, the house was never used – and it wants that to change. I really enjoyed the puzzles in the house and Peri’s resourcefulness, as well as having a story with an nonbinary main character where that isn’t a point of conflict.
There is so, so much to love about this book! I loved Perigee’s earnestness, and the way their being nonbinary is just a casual fact through the book, not a source of big trauma or discussion. The puzzles – and the house’s efforts to up the game to meet its own goals – were great fun. Perigee’s journey includes learning both how to be a better friend to Lily and the limits of their responsibilities towards their father, without ever feeling like the puzzle-solving part is just metaphor or allegory. And while I’ve never been to an escape room, visiting a historic bed and breakfast with beautifully designed and shifting puzzles sounds entrancing.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Nonbinary Peri and their father go to visit Peri’s grandmother for the first time, in the changeable puzzle house both grandparents built together. After tragedy, the house was never used – and it wants that to change. I really enjoyed the puzzles in the house and Peri’s resourcefulness, as well as having a story with an nonbinary main character where that isn’t a point of conflict.
There is so, so much to love about this book! I loved Perigee’s earnestness, and the way their being nonbinary is just a casual fact through the book, not a source of big trauma or discussion. The puzzles – and the house’s efforts to up the game to meet its own goals – were great fun. Perigee’s journey includes learning both how to be a better friend to Lily and the limits of their responsibilities towards their father, without ever feeling like the puzzle-solving part is just metaphor or allegory. And while I’ve never been to an escape room, visiting a historic bed and breakfast with beautifully designed and shifting puzzles sounds entrancing.
The Sky Over Rebecca
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
A modern-day Swedish girl meets and befriends a Jewish girl from WWII. To quote my own review, “This is a lyrical and moving story of friendship, courage, love, loss, and hope, both beautiful and anchored in reality.” This is a book I find myself wanting to re-read.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
A modern-day Swedish girl meets and befriends a Jewish girl from WWII. To quote my own review, “This is a lyrical and moving story of friendship, courage, love, loss, and hope, both beautiful and anchored in reality.” This is a book I find myself wanting to re-read.
Westfallen
Category: Elementary/Middle-Grade Speculative Fiction
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Three children from our time find an old radio and are able to contact three children living in the same place during World War II. It takes them longer to figure out that they can change things in the past – but once they do, it isn’t long before they change the entire outcome of the war. I really enjoyed the different dynamics between the children in their different times, and the look at how the two diverse groups were treated in their different times and between realities. Also just a good solid adventure story.
Loved by: Katy Kramp @ A Library Mama
Three children from our time find an old radio and are able to contact three children living in the same place during World War II. It takes them longer to figure out that they can change things in the past – but once they do, it isn’t long before they change the entire outcome of the war. I really enjoyed the different dynamics between the children in their different times, and the look at how the two diverse groups were treated in their different times and between realities. Also just a good solid adventure story.