#MaybeYouMissed

Maybe You Missed 2021… Young Adult and Graphic Novels

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Today is the last day of a series of posts on books revolving around the theme Maybe You Missed rather than a “best” or a “favourite” list. Readers need different things at different times. I do not feel that there are any best or favourites – there are just too many phenomenal books to read, talk about and share with others.
As I said in my post on Thursday, I seem to be continually reducing the number of YA books I read. I am hoping to change that in 2022. I will start to change this by making sure that I make a bigger dent in the #ProjectLit2022 books. As you can see, I only have three books in the middle-grade category to read and plenty of choices to read from the young adult section.

Young Adult

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

  • Stevie, our anxiety battling, cold-case sleuth, is back in a stronger, stand-alone addition to the Truly Devious series with a well-crafted whodunnit mystery from a summer camp in 1978 

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

  • the backstory to The Hate U Give is just as powerful and superbly narrated by Dion Graham, who makes Mav a character who will reside in your soul long after you finish the book  

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Bouley

  • a slow burn with backstories and teachings that come together to inform and engage readers not just of Ojibwe culture and ways of learning, but also sensitive issues of abuse physical, sexual and drug told through the eyes of 18-year-old Daunis 

Game Changer by Neal Shusterman

  • a unique premise to engage readers in topics of misogamy, homosexuality, racism and poverty using football that will make you reflect and think about the issues presented

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

  • I cannot think of a book that has more memorable and breathtaking lines than this one – I bought the audio first and listened to Michael Crouch do a stellar performance and then had to have the hard copy to see those lines in print -his best book for now in my opinion because I have said that before

You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow.

  • gut-wrenching and yet an absolute must-read as you see so many characters spiral down and create the circumstances for the spiral

Graphic Novels

I also didn’t read enough graphic novels to complete a post so hope to change that next year. It’s not a format I typically pick up despite admiring the many talents and skills of creating a graphic novel. So here are the graphic novels listed in alphabetical order that Maybe You Missed with the usual bullet as to why I enjoyed it.

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

  • first time I’ve seen allergies and the daily consequences and disappointments that can result from said allergies – and that alone means this graphic novel needs to be a part of your collection

Between the Shades of Gray by Andrew Donkin and Ruta Sepetys, illustrated by Dave Kopka

  • very detailed illustrations covering a book that was never on the shelf sharing the effects of WWII on the Baltic states and will have readers moving towards the novel 

Escape at 10 000 Feet by Tom Sullivan

  • presented as a file – an engaging way to introduce readers to unsolved cases that will pique their interest and have them looking for more information

Fifth Quarter by Mike Dawson

  • realistic coming of age story using basketball as the venue with a fourth-grader named Lori who learns to pursue her passions even if they are different from her friends 

Garlic and Vampire by Bree Paulsen

  • delightful anthropomorphic veggies and fruits with a variety of personalities live and work on a farm run by Witch Agnes send a reluctant anxious Garlic along with a very grumpy Celery to slay the vampire who has returned to the castle on the hill 

The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

  • a boys passion for photography and a group project with the right people help him to overcome a traumatic event and PTSD – stark black and white photos reveal the flashbacks and are tremendously effective

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue 

  • the colourful Raina Telegmeier style had me hooked along with 200 cats wreaking havoc – a fun one that is the start of a series

Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor

  • historical spin on Paul Bunyan that informs readers of the Chinese Exclusion Act with LGBTQIA+ representation woven in 

Power Up by Sam Nisson, illustrated by Darnell Johnson

  • graphic novels and video games combine to send a message about being true to yourself – was pleasantly surprised by this GN

As always, I welcome your thoughts or books that Maybe I Missed in the comments.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed 2021… Middle Grade Part 2

/ Laurie / 2 Comments

I have done a significant reading flip in the last two years; before, I primarily read a lot more young-adult books than I did middle-grade books. I know this was partly due to when #2jennsbookclub created by Jennifer LaGarde (@jenniferlagarde) and Jennifer Northrop (@candidlibrarian) was up and running (and yes, I still miss that Twitter chat -my first). But that is not the case today. I seem to have drifted away from YA and reading more middle-grade books that have taken off! I cannot keep up with all the fabulous books written this year, and the debut authors, in particular, this year knocked it out of the park. There were books after stellar books that kept me up at night with no end in sight. 

This time I have placed them into some very loose categories. I do recognize that many books from one category could go into another. Books in categories are listed in alphabetical order.

Debuts

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

  • a feel-good story, reminding us that family, no matter how that may look, is what makes life worth living.

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

  • Black fantasy protagonist coming into her own to find her brother with plot twists that will keep you reading well into the wee hours of the morning and will engage readers of all ages

Glitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark

  • a modern-day story dealing with grief, with the two settings being stars, and you will never look at paint chips and glitter the same

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

  • a powerful message from a book that E V E R Y O N E should read about acceptance and body shaming

Novels in Verse

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

  • a coming of age story giving you all the feels as 11-year-old Stevie deals with new fizzy feelings for her friend Chloe while managing her anxiety, and no surprise, the library and librarian come to her aid

Much Ado About Baseball by Rajani LaRocca

  • lots to draw upon for a variety of readers, whether it be the action of the baseball games, solving the puzzles, figuring out friendships or the magic that spins the story itself, all while providing a gentle introduction to a Shakespearean

Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocco

  • a mother-daughter relationship enveloped by how the connections from two cultures can make you whole – have tissues nearby

Unsettled by Reem Faruqi

  • lyrical beauty drawing on the author’s personal experiences and using a gardening metaphor to share what it is like to immigrate 

Sensitive Issues

Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt

  • Just Like That, bad things happen, and the main character Meryl struggles until she rises and discovers her Accomplished Self amidst the social injustices of the ’60s

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

  • a current and relevant story, Ms. Warga once again has left us with lots to think about and left us with characters imprinted on our hearts.

Summer of Brave by Amy Noelle Parks

  • a powerful read for our older middle-grade readers, dealing with parental pressure to be high achievers, friendships, crushes, and sexual harassment

Taking Up Space by Alyson Gerber

  • a unique approach to eating disorders by taking the issue a step further, breaking new ground by writing about a mother who has a distorted view leading to the daughter having issues

Series

Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody  (Wilderlore #1)

  • twist with the main character inadvertently becoming part of a group he wants nothing to do with and has excellent world-building 

Charlie Thorne and the Lost Cities by Stuart Gibb (Charlie Thorne #2)

  • a character who has plenty of smarts to outwit and outplay opponents, and the author cleverly sets up how this series could include numerous adventures 

Crown Heist by Deron Hicks (The Lost Art #3)

  • the bond between Arthur and Camille, reinforcing friendships do not need to be of the same gender, and the continued clever additions of the QR codes to view what Arthur and Camille experience

Golden Gate by James Ponti (City Spies #2)

  • action-packed with a cast of characters that are diverse in many ways but are becoming their own family

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker (Pax #2)

  • a phenomenal mentor text to look at tension and characterizations along with the devasting effects of war on ourselves, but also the environmental impact that sometimes can be overlooked

Room to Dream by Kelly Yang (Front Desk 3#)

  • another relatable adventure building on the previous books with Mia taking on the big corporations versus local independent businesses – significant character growth from the first to this latest in the series

Surprise, Three Book Bonuses!

The Best Worst Summer by Elizabeth Eulberg

  • reliving the eighties, a mystery and a character strong enough to stand up for another in a mean girl situation, modelling for readers a possible solution should they find themselves in a similar circumstance makes this a great back to school read

The Last Super Chef by Chris Negron

  • coming of age story where the main character Curtis learns truths via a cooking competition and introduces readers to new cultural cuisines and collaboration 

The Monster Missions by Laura Martin

  • action and adventures galore with an underlying message of the effect on climate change and a possible future living on the water

As always, I know I can be adding to my TBR/Options pile, so please let me know in the comments what I Maybe Missed. Next week is the last post in this series when I share Graphic Novels and Young Adult books that Maybe You Missed.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed 2021… Middle Grade Part 1

/ Laurie / 3 Comments

What could be more fitting than to talk about CANADIAN Middle-Grade books on Winter Solstice? So if it is a wee bit on the chilly side where you happen to be or are still on the lookout for a gift for someone who enjoys middle-grade reads, then I know the perfect suggestion (actually twelve), and these titles will warm you and your heart.

Today’s post focuses on middle-grade books written by Canadian authors, and on Thursday, I will non-Canadian middle-grade titles. 

So here are some Canadian Middle-Grade books in alphabetical order that Maybe You Missed with a quick bullet as to why I enjoyed it.

The Dead Body in the Garden by Marthe Jocelyn
  • intelligent, realistic mystery in a series that keeps getting better and better because of the relationship between Aggie and Hector
Burying the Moon by Andrée Poulin
  • novel in verse that tackles the inequalities and realities surrounding sanitation for females in India and one girl’s courage to act and change that, more learning for me
Dragon Assassin by Arthur Slade, Narrated by Clare Corbett
  • lots of age connections for me, set in the ’70s, but this is a short and powerful read this story had me in tears in some parts and full of joy at others – a stunning debut
The Fabulous Zed Watson by Kevin Sylvester &
Basil Sylvester

  • a well-written, engaging story is fun (what Kevin Sylvester’s book doesn’t have fun?) has a mystery, a road trip and at the heart of it all, a story of friendship
Houston, Is there a Problem? by Eric Walters
  • new space series with teens auditioning for a space mission disguised as a space camp – realistic scenarios that look to lead the successful applicants being empowered in space
Peter Lee’s Notes From the Field by Angela Ahn
  • always been a fan of intergenerational stories and sharing another culture and this one does both while tackling the many challenges families face dealing with ageing
Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson
  • younger middle-grade novel appealing to readers curious about animal rescues and reminded me of my younger days when we were allowed to explore more and discover nature around us
Spell Sweeper
by Lee Födi
  • a well-developed magical world told with wry humour, twists and turns with creative plot twists had me turning pages quickly
Thanks A Lot Universe by Chad Lucas
  • well written full of positive emotional male middle-grade voices with perhaps the strongest supporting character cast I have read in a long time – another stunning debut
Thrive by Kenneth Oppel
  • persistent tension wondering if Earth will triumph over the aliens -a satisfying end to a creepy borderline horror sci-fi trilogy; a genre where more books are needed
The Undercover Book List by Colleen Nelson
  • celebrates readers and books, but more importantly, celebrates being true to yourself and recognizes that everyone has a path to become a reader

In addition I have two books that I am hoping to get to before the end of the month. Phillips Dowding’s Firefly, which just won the Governor General’s Literary Award, and Joanne Levy’s Sorry for Your Loss.

Let me know in the comments what Canadian books you enjoyed this year! Stay tuned for the rest of the Maybe You Missed Middle Grades…

Laurie

Maybe You Missed 2021… Picture Books Part 2

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On Tuesday’s post, I talked about how hard it was to narrow down Canadian picture books and today was not any easier. It is a thrilling time in children’s literature with so many marvellous stories that young and old can enjoy.

If you are thinking, wait a second, some titles undeniably should be on this list, know because there are so many titles that could be here, I tried to include books that were not on many of the “best” lists. 

A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbot

  • nails the feelings and the perseverance of a struggling reader not only with the story but the illustrations that beautifully accompanies the efforts of the author recounting his experiences of learning to read

Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder

  • people we see every day represented and celebrated in the many ways our bodies are diverse and beautiful and, yes, cool

Circle Under Berry by Carter Higgins

  • a clever look at various concepts from different perspectives

Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman.

  • the perfect book to talk about consent, personal space and contact dealt in a humourous but respectful way. 

Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate

  • a rare and needed story celebrating an older gay couple and their relationship

Hurricane by John Rocco

  • a story about rebuilding and the community that comes together to rebuild a boy’s favourite spot with the stunning illustrations we know and love from John Rocco

The Little Wood Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld

  • perhaps the perfect modern twist on a fairytale where there are no villains, just adventures and family love

Longest LetsGoBoy by Derrick Wilder

  • death and grief of a dog that will give you tears, BUT it is the vocabulary and perspective that gives a sad and familiar theme a fresh new look

Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor

  • a clever story about Mel the kingfisher – the format is perfect, and pay attention to Mel’s neighbours as he takes his first flight

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson

  • a story within a story that once again provides a surprise and a necessary representative story

My Day With the Panye by Tami Charles, illustrated by Sara Palacios 

  • a story about a young girl going with her mother to market with a panye – lovely Haitian story

My First Day by Phùng Nguyên Quang, illustrated by Huỳnh Kim Liên

  • building suspense readers experience the first day of a young boy living in Vietnam – and yes, the ending will open up a discussion

The Mysterious Sea Bunny by Peter Raymundo

  • a fun fact informational book on an unfamiliar underwater creature that is a delight to read

We Want a Dog by Lo Cole

  • the opening, “We want a dog. What kind of dog?” shares an entertaining rhyme sharing the different characteristics of various types of dog, with a great twist at the end

Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer

  • inquiry questioning and the sense of wonder they spark (Are shells the shore’s necklace?) I love the questions and the tissue collage illustrations that beautifully accompany them

So what books would you add that Maybe Others Missed after scouring the many “best” and “favourite” books lists? Next week I share the Middle Grade versions of Maybe You Missed.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed 2021… Canadian Picture Books

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As usual, narrowing picture books today is incredibly difficult with so many talented authors and illustrators. That’s a problem that is worth having! As always, I encourage ALL of you to spend time reading picture books – E is for E V E R Y O N E ! Young or old picture books offer so much. Design, vocabulary, illustrations, layout, and sharing a message, whether it be funny or inspirational all are packed in 32/40 pagesAs usual, narrowing picture books today is incredibly difficult with so many talented authors and illustrators. That’s a problem that is worth having! As always, I encourage ALL of you to spend time reading picture books – E is for E V E R Y O N E ! Young or old picture books offer so much. The design, vocabulary, illustrations, layout, and sharing a message, whether it be funny or inspirational, are all packed into thirty-two or forty pages!

Below are some Canadian picture books that Maybe You Missed, and fingers crossed, please, pretty please, share the ones I missed in the comments!

The Canadian Dozen +

Below are the Canadian picture books that Maybe You Missed in alphabetical order.

A Kid is A Kid is A Kid by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Qin Leng 

  • these are great discussion starters about the questions kids get and not just their responses and reactions, but the questions they wished they were asked

Are You a Cheeseburger by Monica Arnaldo

  • when a raccoon and seed wonder what it will grow into, the result is friendship

Arnold the Superish Hero  by Heather Tekavec, illustrated by Guillaume Perreault 

  • a graphic novel format where Arnold discovers his superish hero quality

The Big Bad Wolf In My House by Valérie Fontaine, illustrated by Nathalie Dion, translated by Shelley Tanaka

  • gut-wrenching read, but necessary on the topic of domestic violence

The Cow Said Boo by Lana Button, illustrated by Alice Carter

  • a story that BEGS you to read aloud, and may seem to be seasonal, it doesn’t have to be

The Midnight Club by Shane Goth, illustrated by Yong Ling Kang

  • the secret sign alone makes this sibling get together after their parents go to sleep worth it

No More Plastic by Alma Fullerton

  • another way to show activism and persistence and using plastic waste for the illustrations will have you looking closely

On the Trapline by David Alex Robertson, illustrated by Julie Flett

  • connections to family, community and ways of knowing celebrating the relationship of an Indigenous boy and his grandfather

Out Into the Big Wide Lake by Paul Harbridge, illustrated by Josée Bisaillon

  • representation matters in all forms, and here we see how a young girl is empowered – then read the author’s note

Over the Shop by JonArno Lawson, illustrated by Qin Leng

  • wordless wonder that shares how compassion, generousity and kindness can change a community

Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Julie McLaughlin

  • what appears to be an A -B- C book but has many layers that include the history and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ while looking for a lost puppy

Roger and Matthew by Michel Theriault, illustrated by Magali Ben 

  • a lovely story of how two boys fall in love and age in love together 

The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen

  • wry humour is back, and be sure to check out the eyes!

Thao by Thao Lam

  • another crucial reminder about honouring names and pronunciations

Time is a Flower by Julie Morstad

  • a unique look at how we can measure time and how our perspective on time can change

Tough Like Mum by Lana Button illustrated by Carmen Mok

  • SEL book dealing with poverty and parental depression and a close mother-daughter relationship

I am hoping, fingers crossed, please, pretty please, share the ones I missed in the comments! On Thursday I will share more picture books that are not from Canadian authors and illustrators.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed 2021…Nonfiction Books

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So I am starting my MAYBE YOU MISSED posts with the category of nonfiction. I have enjoyed numerous titles of what I term “everyone nonfiction” and had a tremendously hard time narrowing it down to twelve. I need to read longer nonfiction books and will look at that to be a potential goal for 2022. 

As stated earlier, the goal was to have 12 books representing one for each month, and maybe a way to track in 2022. So below are seven books I would say are middle-grade, 12 everyone nonfiction along with 13 narrative biographies which have been so strong this last couple of years. I have also included two professional adult books. Again not a “best list,” but rather a maybe you missed these books and want to add to your TBR/Options pile or purchase for your libraries and classrooms.

I have linked to Goodreads for summaries and limited my thoughts to 1-2 bullets why I enjoyed the title.  

Escape at 10,000 Feet: D.B. Cooper and the Missing Money by Tom Sullivan

  • a graphic novel format that will be engaging for readers and is a series
  • a mystery that could lead to further inquiry

Escape: One Day We Had to Run by Ming & Wah, illustrated by Carmen Vela   

  • a unique way to describe various reasons for someone needing to escape or leave his/her/their country by using a verb that is crucial to the story
  • true stories that also highlight how individuals can make a difference 

Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown by Steve Sheinkin

  • reads like fiction and fast-paced – readers may not realize it is nonfiction
  • well researched and an extensive bibliography to spur further inquiry

 Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

  • discover a deeper insight into Gary Paulsen’s survivor stories (be aware some may not be emotionally ready to experience some of these details and may act as a trigger)
  • the library provides a safe space, and the librarian acts as a mentor and a caregiver

Mad for Ads: How Advertising Gets (and Stays) in Our Heads by Erica Fyvie, illustrated by Ian Turner (Illustrations) 

  • relevant information regarding advertising in 64 pages
  • browseable nonfiction book provides readers with information and skills to practice how advertising uses words, design, colour and marketing to influence our thinking

Race to the Bottom of the Earth: Surviving Antarctica by Rebecca E.F. Barone

  • alternating the different eras, trips and types of explorations is appealing
  • divided the book into three sections; The Set-Up, The Race, and Epilogue followed by bibliography and endnotes, making it easy to keep track and be able to compare and contrast 

Rhinos in Nebraska: The Amazing Discovery of the Ashfall Fossil Beds by Alison Pearce Stevens

  • uses fossils of various animals and plants to speculate and hypothesize how they lived, modelling curiosity and scientific thinking in an easy to understand format
  • builds upon an interest that many have in younger grades without being overwhelming in length 

Everyone Nonfiction

A Peek at Beaks: Tools Birds Use by Sara Levine, and illustrated by Kate Slater 

  • silhouette illustration of a bird with a different human tool (straw, strainer, needle-nosed pliers) and asks who would use the tool
  • a short descriptive paragraph focuses on one bird and how they use their beak while listing others

The Beak Book by Robin Page

  • unique format: an explanation of how the bird uses its beak in one sentence using a colour in the bird followed by a verb in bold and smaller black font, giving further details 
  • bright colours highlight the birds in a similar style to Steve Jenkins, with a comparison chart for size and a map to show the location of the birds mentioned. 

Battle of the Butts The Science Behind Animal Behinds by Jocelyn Rish, and illustrated by David Creighton-Peste

  • challenges the reader to decide the rating of the animal butts VERY ENGAGING and tons of alliteration that readers will love
  • format two, two-page spreads – the first uses a table with the challenger name, basic facts and its Posterior Power along with an illustration, second-page paragraph style with the details of the posterior power and another picture with the ranking choices

Horse Power: How Horses Changed the World by Jennifer Thermes

  • loads of information about horses from types, to appearance, to locations, domestication and existing wild horses today
  • very appealing layout allowing readers to take in the paragraph information (maps, smaller inserts, two-page spreads, panels etc.)

If the World Were 100 People: A Visual Guide to Our Global Village by Jackie McCann and illustrated by Aaron Cushley 

  • springboard for further inquiry and even fact-checking 
  • variety of topics (hair and eye colour, ability to read and write, have a home, food and water access, wealth) along with big questions to think about the future

Inside Animals by Barbara Taylor and illustrated by Margaux Carpentier

  • cross-section of all main animal groups with common and uncommon animal choices (snake to a jellyfish) and categorizing using body systems 
  • two-page spreads have a large colourful picture with smaller paragraphs detailing unique and common body parts

Kaleidoscope of Creatures: The Colors of Nature Explained by Cath Ard and illustrated by Greer Stothers 

  • Organized by colour, two-page spreads depict different colour schemes; solid colours, stripes, babies to grownups
  • provides readers with factual information about how colour plays a role in animal lives. 

Me and the World: An Infographic Exploration by Mireia Trius and illustrated by Joana Casals.

  • addresses visual literacy that we tend to forget
  • focuses on high-interest topics (sports, the food we eat, pets, names)

Strange Nature: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss by Gregory Mone and illustrated by Levon Biss

  • detail to the photographs of insects showing off their magnificent colours and body details
  • short one-page bullet facts about unusual insects

Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by 

  • an unusual topic that not many know a lot about – I certainly learned a lot
  •  each page features a different animal or creature and has a fact file and how they estivate

What’s Inside a Flower?: And Other Questions about Science & Nature by Rachel Ignotofsky 

  • stunning illustrations
  • loaded with information in language that younger readers will understand

The Wisdom of Trees: How Trees Work Together to Form a Natural Kingdom by Lita Judge. 

  • gorgeous watercolour and pencil illustrations, full of detail from two-page spreads to smaller inserts for further learning
  •  uses poetry to serve as topic headings allowing us to see the beauty of words, followed by nonfictional information 

Narrative Nonfiction and Informational Fiction Biographies 

Also, there were many excellent narrative biographies in the world of nonfiction published this year. Below are is a slide show of some I enjoyed this year. 

Professional Books 

5 Kinds of Nonfiction Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children’s Books by Melissa Stewart, Marlene P Correia 

  • expands our knowledge of what nonfiction is to help promote it for readers – going to be a work in progress (at least for me)
  • lots of examples to help you think about what books may fit where

Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the ‘Fake News’ Era by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins. 

  • lots of practical lessons and examples applicable to K-12 but also adults and a digital locker for continuing learning
  • four lenses to help understand mis-dis-mal information and move our thinking from checklists and vertical thinking to lateral thinking

There you have it, 35 titles that Maybe You Missed and I am sure that you are not surprised that I have gone over my dozen. What books did I miss and need to put on my TBR/Options pile? Please leave my omissions in the comments. On Thursday I will share Chapter Books and Early Graphic Novels of Maybe You Missed. See you then.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed… Young Adult

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Today is the last day of a series of posts on books revolving around the theme Maybe You Missed rather than a “best” or a “favourite” list. Readers need different things at different times. I do not feel that there are any best or favourites – there are just too many phenomenal books to read, talk about and share with others. So, here are 12 young adult books that perhaps you read, or maybe you missed.

Mystery Series

As always, I welcome your thoughts or books that Maybe I Missed in the comments.

Laurie

Maybe You Missed… Middle Grade Part 2

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On Tuesday, I continued with my Maybe You Missed posts by sharing and highlighting Canadian Titles. Today I will share part two, middle-grade books that I enjoyed that perhaps you missed. This was incredibly difficult to narrow down to just twelve non-Canadian books. Each year I see the middle-grade books becoming stronger and stronger. Looking at my list, I am happy to include four debut authors (top row), eight what I would term #ownvoice authors, and several that dealt with unique topics for me. I know I need to continue to broaden my horizons and have already read some excellent 2021 debut books that I will be excited to share.
I am going to follow Kathie’s lead when she posted the twelve books that impacted her. Below are the twelve books that resonated and have stayed with me from this past year.

As always, I know I can be adding to my TBR/Options pile, so please let me know in the comments what I Maybe Missed. Next week is the last post in this series when I share Young Adult books that Maybe You Missed. 

Laurie

Maybe You Missed…Picture Books

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I get a wee bit passionate when I talk about books – emotional may be more like it, especially with picture books. When working, I was a picture book pusher, if you will, doing drivebys for teachers and students, dropping books into their classrooms and in their hands. When teaching senior students, I always tried to share a picture book tied to what we were learning. My mantra was and will ALWAYS be, E is for Everyone.  

So I am sure it will come as no surprise that it was tough to narrow down this group to twelve. So guess what I didn’t! Instead, I am sharing twelve+ Canadian and twelve+ other picture books that maybe you missed, and fingers crossed, please, pretty please, share the ones I missed in the comments!

The Canadian Dozen +

Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan and illustrated by Anna Bron

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith

Bobby Orr and the Hand-Me-Down Skates by Kara Kootstra and Bobby Orr and illustrated by Jennifer Phelan

A Stopwatch from Grampa by Loretta Garbutt and illustrated by Carmen Mok

William’s Getaway by Annika Dunklee and illustrated by Yong Ling Kang

The Paper Boat: A Refugee Story by Thao Pao

Our Little Kitchen by Jillian Tamaki

Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino and illustrated by Carmen Mok

The Baranbus Project by Eric Fan and Terry Fan and illustrated by Devin Fan

My Day with Gong Gong by Sennah Yee and illustrated by Elaine Chen

Terry Fox and Me by Mary Beth Leatherdale and illustrated by Milan Pavolić

The One With the Scraggly Beard by Elizabeth Withey and illustrated by Lynn Scurfield

Find Fergus by Mike Boldt

Other Reader’s Dozen

The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee and illustrated by Pascal Campion

An Ordinary Day by Elana K. Arnold and illustrated by Elizabet Vukovic

Outside In by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Cindy Derby

Me and Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Evelynn del Rey is Moving Away by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

Lone Wolf by Sarah Kurpiel

Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

The Box Turtle by Vanessa Roeder

In A Jar by Deborah Marcero

Old Rock (is not boring) by Deb Pilutti

The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Uzúa Kramer

Hike by Pete Oswald

Ten Ways to Hear Snow by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Kenneth Pak

The Invisible Alphabet by Joshua David Stein and illustrated by Ron Barrett

Maybe You Missed…Nonfiction Books

/ Laurie / Leave a comment

Ever since I attended NeRDCaMP back in 2018 and had the chance to listen and learn from Melissa Stewart and her trailblazing way of reading and categorizing nonfiction, I have been trying to see nonfiction books through that lens.

When Kathie and I started this blog, I wanted to practice this, and again @MStewartScience has been very gracious in sharing her expertise, slides and opinions. Many of these books were part of my Noteworthy and Nourishing posts, as I wanted to increase the number of nonfiction books I read.

As promised, from yesterday’s post, below are 12 nonfiction books that I recommend and would purchase for a library. Again not a “best list,” but rather a maybe you missed these books and want to add to your TBR/Options pile or purchase for your libraries and classrooms.

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Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen by Heather Ferranti Kinser  Millbrook Press

A Bowl Full of Peace: A True Story by Caren Stelson, illustrated by Akira Kusaka 

On A Snow-Melting Day by Buffy Silverman

Honeybee The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann 

You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nightime Insect Celebration by Loree Griffin Burns, photography by Ellen Harasimowicz 

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl by Rina Singh, illustrations by Marianne Ferrer

All Thirteen: The Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat

The Talk: Conversations About Race Love & Truth: edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

This is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious Bias by Tanya Lloyd Kyi , illustrations by Drew Shannon

Bringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella, illustrated by Kim Smith

A Dictionary for a Better World by Irene Lathan & Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini 

Two books that I have yet to read, but waiting patiently for them to arrive from my library are Crossings:Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield , illustrations by Mike Orodan and Tiny Monsters: The Strange Creatures That Live on Us, In Us and Around Us by Steve Jenkins, illustrated by Robin Page. I have heard nothing but good things about these book, so be sure to add these as a bonus.

I am sure that you are not surprised that I have gone over my dozen. What books did I miss and need to put on my TBR/Options pile? Please leave my omissions in the comments. On Thursday I will share a picture book edition of Maybe You Missed. See you then.

Laurie