Do you have books like this? You know, ones you look at or have a quick glance at the blurb, & think – Books I Am Sure I Will Love Reading!
I am yet to read more than half the books on my most anticipated books of the first half of this year; but I have added so many more books to my TBR since. And then there are those that have been there for a while that I need to get to. So for this week’s Top Ten over at That Artsy Reader Girl, I decided to pick only a few of those books.
One way of wilting down that list was to share those for young readers. Well, it is a rather broad range as I have included with everything from picture books to YA reads. And though I did not include all the books even in that set, I still could not keep it down to ten. So the Top Ten would have been a misnomer! Hence, the blog post title says simply …
Books I Am Sure I Will Love Reading
From Picture Books
I Am Every Good Thing
Title: I Am Every Good Thing
Author: Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Length: 32 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Self-Esteem, Poetry (3 – 5 years, and up)
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books(September 1st 2020)
This has been on my TBR since I first saw it last year; and then repeatedly during the Cybils readathon as it first got nominated in the fiction picture books category and finally was the winner there! I don’t know why I have not picked it up yet but I assure you of a review later this week as I am getting on it right after this post.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
Title: Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
Author: Joanna Ho
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Length: 40 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Self-Esteem, Asian (4 – 8 years, and up)
Publisher: HarperCollins (January 5, 2021)
How adorable is this cover? And the title of the book too? Very, right?! I wanted to read the book simply because of the title (although it already hints at what it is about). And it is a highly relevant read – even more so currently – with all the hate crimes I am unfortunately reading about (in the Bay Area and many elsewheres as well).
William Still and His Freedom Stories
Title: William Still and His Freedom Stories
Author/Illustrator: Don Tate
Length: 40 pages
Genre: Children’s Non-fiction/History, Biography (6 – 10 years, and up)
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company (November 1, 2020)
I have this book in my digital library and somehow never got to it. For some time, many want-to-read books like this one got lost in the frenzy of the Cybils readathon late last year. And then they got forgotten in the many new books that were right in front of me, and like that proverbial kid in a candy store, I forgot the one I already had. So I will be remedying that and reading this book soon.
and More For Beginning Readers
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls – The Chapter Book Collection
Title: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls – The Chapter Book Collection
Author: Rebel Girls
Length: 640 pages
Genre: Children’s Non-fiction/Women’s Biographies (6 – 9 years, and up)
Publisher: Rebel Girls (Sept 15, 202)
I do LOVE the Rebel Girls series so I need to read this one soon. This collection, as the title says, is a set of chapter books about amazing women. Each of the five books is devoted to one woman, including Ada Lovelace, Madam C. J. Walker, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Junko Tabei, and Alicia Alonso.
As you can see from that esteemed list, a must-have and must-read indeed!
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Title: From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Author: Derrick Barnes
Illustrator: Gordon C. James
Length: 32 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Self-Esteem, (8 – 12 years, and up)
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books(September 1st 2020)
Another Cybils awards nominee-to-winner that has been on my to-read list. Baking competitions, solving mysteries, working on mending relationships – all of this make twelve year old Zoe’s life rather much. And based on the description as well as reviews, I am ready for a heartwarming read.
Land of the Cranes
Title: Land of the Cranes
Author: Aida Salazar
Length: 256 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Poetry, Social Situations(8 – 12 years, and up)
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 15, 2020)
Novels in verse are a favorite type of read for me. And based on all I have read about this book, it is one that is sure to tug at all the heartstrings constantly.
Here is the excerpted GoodReads description: From the prolific author of The Moon Within comes the heart-wrenchingly beautiful story in verse of a young Latinx girl who learns to hold on to hope and love even in the darkest of places: a family detention center for migrants and refugees.
When You Trap a Tiger
Title: When You Trap a Tiger
Author: Tae Keller
Length: 297 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Asian Literature, Illness (8 – 12 years, and up)
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers(January 28th 2020)
Oh, how I need to read this magical read.. First, the cover and the title trap you, and then the wondrous description further ensnares you. So yes, I am ensnared already and am yet to open the book!! Deals with magical tigers, and handling realities of life – this and more in the same wonderful book!
to Middle Grade Reads
Before the Ever After
Title: Before the Ever After
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Length: 176 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Football, Poetry (10- 14 years, and up)
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (September 1, 2020)
As mentioned earlier, a novel-in-verse is sure to tempt me to get reading it. And this one is by Jacqueline Woodson. Her Brown Girl Dreaming is a book I have loved reading but failed to review.
Excerpt from description: This novel-in-verse explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed and the cost of professional sports on Black bodies.
Vasilisa
Title: Vasilisa (Old Rus #1)
Author: Julie Mathison
Length: 261 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/Multicultural, Fantasy (10 – 14 years, and up)
Publisher: Starr Creek Press (February 23, 2021)
I grew up on a steady diet of Russian folk tales; Vasilisa and Baba Yaga made countless appearances during my childhood. And of course, I was intrigued by this retelling of Vasilisa. I look forward to reading this and sharing my thoughts with you here.
Teen and YA Reads
Everything Sad is Untrue
Title: Everything Sad is Untrue
Author: Daniel Nayeri
Length: 368 pages
Genre: Teen and YA Biographical Fiction (12 – 18 years, and up)
Publisher: Levine Querido (August 25th 2020)
Even if we keep all the accolades and awards this book has won over the past few months aside, this book is one that would have drawn me in from its blurb. It is definitely going to be a powerful, powerful read.
Instructions for Dancing
Title: Instructions for Dancing
Author: Nicola Yoon
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Teen and YA Fiction/Family Issues (11 – 17 years, and up)
Publisher: Penguin; 1st edition (June 3, 2021)
I have been wanting to read Nicola Yoon’s books since Everything, Everything. But somehow I have not yet done so. With this one having the right touch of magic, romance, family, friendships, and heart-tugging moments, and of course, dancing, I know I will love reading it.
Clap When You Land
Title: Clap When You Land
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Length: 40 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction/ (8 – 12 years, and up)
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 15, 2020)
Considering I waxed poetic (pun intended) about Acevedo’s The Poet X, I should have already devoured her next books. Sadly, I have not. I am yet to read With The Fire on High (I know, I know!) and of course, Clap When You Land, as well. I hope – nay – I know I will be reading these in the next few weeks.
Firekeeper’s Daughter
Title: Firekeeper’s Daughter
Author: Angeline Boulley
Length: 496 pages
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | OwnVoices | Teens & YA (14 – 18 years, and up)
Publisher: Henry, Holt and Co. (BYR)(March 16th 2021)
- A Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick
- Coming soon on Netflix with the Obama’s production company
- On many more best-reads lists
- And then the description of the story itself
- Oh, and don’t forget, this gorgeous cover!!
Of course I am going to love reading it!
Dearest Josephine
Title: Dearest Josephine
Author: Caroline George
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Teen and YA/Historical Romance, Fantasy (13 years and up)
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 2nd 2021 )
Dual timelines, historical fiction, romance, teen-angst, an epistolary novel: all of this make this book a tempting must-read; one I am sure I will love reading What about you?
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And Now, the End of This Post
Dear readers, have you read any of these books? Your thoughts on them? And any recommendations for similar books are always welcome!
Okay, first I must say that I am in love with these titles: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, Everything Sad is Untrue and Instructions for Dancing! And the book represented by the first one seems timely, as you suggested. I haven’t read any of them, but so many of them seem like really good reads. The more books you suggest and review, the more I understand why so many of your TBRs go unread!
I haven’t read any of these books but I like how you have them listed in age categories. I can’t wait for Lia to get old enough to read, she loves her picture books so hoping she will enjoy reading.
We have one of the Rebel Girls books and love it. I really want to add Eyes That Kiss in the Corners to my daughter’s collection as she is a quarter Asian.
I’m on a long waitlist to borrow Eyes That Kiss in the Corners from my local library. I hope we both love it!
Thanks for stopping by earlier.
These all sound like wonderful books to read. Thank-you for sharing your list.
I really want to read “Everything Sad is True.” Thanks for sharing this list.
I had not heard of many of these titles, but I am intrigued!
I don’t usually read a lot of fiction books but some on these selections sound good! ❤️
You always have the best list of books
I am totally enamored with the title of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners.
I am part way through Firekeepers Daughter. It is slow going and quite a tough read, so I am having to take it easy. It is a beautiful story though, just one you need to saviour. I’ve not read the others.
Those sound like some amazing books!! Makes me wish I still had a child at home. I’m going to keep an eye on your posts and maybe build a library for my future grandchildren though!
Great list of books , they all look great
I can vouch for the amazing ness of I Am Every Good Thing and The Land of the Cranes.