Best of 2014

Younger Readers

Agee, Jon. Little Santa.
What was Santa like as a child? This clever and inventive origin tale depicts how he grew from a tot in his little red onesie into the jolly fellow we know and love.

Barnett, Mac. Count the Monkeys.
This interactive counting book invites readers to count 10 monkeys - provided the reader can find said monkeys. A clever and engaging concept book.

Bean, Jonathan. Building Our House.
An inspiring account of a resourceful family determined to raise roof and rafters. Detailed watercolors show the entire family working together to accomplish their goal.

Berne, Jennifer. On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein.
Whimsical illustrations capture the untraditional imagination of one of the greatest minds of modern times, Albert Einstein.

Brown, Monica. Tito Puente: Mambo King/Rey del Mambo.
This vibrant, bilingual portrayal of Tito Puente, the King of Mambo, conveys the rhythm and movement of the musical legend through the use of bold colors, swirly lines, and carefully placed word art. (A 2014 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)

Brown, Peter. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild.
Mr. Tiger is tired of his proper clothing and gentlemanly manner. Venturing into the wild, he learns it's not all that he expected. Lush illustrations celebrate this expression of individuality and freedom.

Coudray, Philippe. Benjamin Bear in “Bright Ideas!”
Benjamin Bear does some creative thinking when he tries to walk on water, build a house in the woods and shed his fleas, in this ingenious comic book full of visual gags and puns.

Cunnane, Kelly. Deep in the Sahara.
Lalla wants to wear a malafa but first must understand its true meaning. Jewel-toned illustrations introduce a West African culture in this unusual, universal story of emerging maturity.

Daywalt, Drew. The Day the Crayons Quit.
Duncan just wants to color but his crayons have minds of their own. The imaginative humor and quirky illustrations will encourage creative youngsters to think outside the box.

Dominguez, Angela. Maria Had a Little Llama/María tenía una Ilamita pequeña. Maria and her llamita will delight young audiences in this adaptation of the traditional rhyme. (A 2014 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)

Durand, Hallie. Mitchell Goes Bowling.
Mitchell likes knocking things down! Dad wisely decides to take him bowling. Animated digital art depicts the ups and downs of this father-son outing -- with the highs celebrated with a steamin'-hot-potato dance!

Floca, Brian. Locomotive.
Dramatic illustrations document a family’s unforgettable weeklong train trip from Omaha to Sacramento in 1869, including meticulously-researched portraits of train, travelers, and crew. (The 2014 Caldecott Medal Book and a Sibert Honor Book)

Franceschelli, Christopher. Alphablock.
Each spread of this playful abecediary presents a die-cut letter revealing a few clues about the hidden object -- some expected, some unusual. A visually appealing and engaging guessing game for tots and parents alike.

Heder, Thyra. Fraidyzoo.
Little T and her family romp through the alphabet creating zoo animals from paper, scissors and glue. This bursts with energy and encourages creativity.

Henkes, Kevin. Penny and Her Marble.
After Penny finds a beautiful marble in her neighbor’s yard, she is faced with a moral dilemma, explored with emotional truth in four brief chapters. (A 2014 Geisel Honor Book)

Henkes, Kevin. The Year of Billy Miller.
Seven-year-old Billy starts second grade with a bump on his head and a lot of worries, but as the school year unfolds, he grows and shines. (A 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

Huber, Raymond. Flight of the Honey Bee.
A day in the life of a honey bee scout is full of drama, excitement and danger as it zig zags from flower to flower, spreading pollen all around.

Idle, Molly Schaar. Flora and the Flamingo.
The budding relationship between an awkward girl and a graceful flamingo is revealed through carefully orchestrated flaps in a minimalist setting and a limited color palette. (A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book)

Isadora, Rachel. Old Mikamba Had a Farm.
The children's classic gets new life on the African plain. Kids will love the handsome illustrations as they sing EIEIO with spring boks, baboons, and wart hogs.

Lagercrantz, Rose. My Happy Life.
In this simple chapter book translated from the Swedish, Dani starts school and finds a best friend, who then sadly moves away; a portrait of an optimistic child working her way through a broken heart.

LaRochelle, David. Moo!
Using just the word "Moo!" to express his excitement, glee, fear, consternation, and embarassment, an adventuresome cow has the adventure of a lifetime when he steals the farmer's car.

Lehrhaupt, Adam. Warning: Do Not Open This Book!
This inventive presentation shows the importance of heeding warnings as mischievous monkeys, toucans, and alligators have fun breaking the rules.

Lunde, Stein Erik. My Father’s Arms Are a Boat.
During one long Norwegian night, a father and son explore their powerful emotions of love and loss, but also hope and healing. Grief and loss are explored through a simple plot and complex characters. (A 2014 Batchelder Honor Book)

McKay, Hilary. Lulu and the Dog from the Sea.
While Lulu, her family, and Sam the dog are enjoying a vacation in a seaside cottage, Lulu befriends a stray dog living in the dunes. Simple text, charming illustrations, and fully-realized characters, including the dogs.

Meshon, Aaron. Take Me Out to the Yakyu.
This colorful picture book playfully explores the similarities and differences between baseball games played in the U.S. and Japan as seen through the eyes of a young boy.

Morales, Yuyi. Niño Wrestles the World.
Niño, lucha libre hero, defeats almost all comers. Clever use of fonts, text bubbles, word art, and vibrant illustrations energizes this world-class wrestling match. (The 2014 Belpré Illustrator Medal Book)

Moundlic, Charlotte. The Bathing Costume, or, the Worst Vacation of My Life.
Almost eight-year-old Myron faces a momentous summer vacation in the French countryside with his three cousins and a bathing suit that doesn’t fit. (A 2014 Batchelder Honor Book)

Nelson, Kadir. Nelson Mandela.
Kadir Nelson's rich paintings and lyrical text pay homage to the life of Nelson Mandela. (The 2014 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book)

Park, Linda Sue. Xander's Panda Party.
Party planning has never been so fun. The jaunty rhymes and lively illustrations capture Xander's zeal to create the perfect guest list in this playful picture book.

Pizzoli, Greg. The Watermelon Seed.
A watermelon-loving crocodile becomes distraught after swallowing a seed, believing it will grow inside of him. An innovative look at a childhood fear with color illustrations fresh as a cool slice of watermelon. (The 2014 Geisel Medal Book)

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song.
The synergistic influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson, on the Civil Rights movement -one with his words and the other with her powerful voice - is breathtakingly described in word and picture.

Pinkney, Jerry. The Tortoise & the Hare.
The familiar Aesop's fable, here set in the American southwest, features a nearly wordless text and sunny, earthy, and luminous watercolors.

Rau, Dana Meachen. Robot, Go Bot!
A girl bosses around her homemade robot using words that contain the long O sound and all its myriad spellings in this easy comic book-format reader.

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. Exclamation Mark.
In this simple, charming picture book, an exclamation mark learns a little bit about punctuation and a lot about being himself as a pesky question mark helps him discover his talent for emphasis.

Roth, Susan L. and Trumbore, Cindy. Parrots Over Puerto Rico.
A story of the rescue and return of the Puerto Rican parrot, a species once so abundant it blotted out the sun. (The 2014 Sibert Medal Book)

Savage, Stephen. Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book.
A little bit scary and a whole lot of fun, ten orange pumpkins disappear one by one in this Halloween-themed picture book.

Sayre, April Pulley. Eat Like a Bear.
Strong illustrations portray a hungry grizzly bear as it wakes up in the spring and begins its determined search for food.

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. Bully.
Bull becomes larger and more threatening with each animal encounter until a fed-up goat calls Bull on being a bully. Simple text and clever art make for a powerful tale.

Snicket, Lemony. The Dark.
Laszlo, frightened by the dark,must face his fears when his night light goes out. A little scary, a lot of fun.

Sullivan, Mary. Ball.
A ball-obsessed pup desperately waits for his owner to return to continue their play. (A 2014 Geisel Honor Book)

Wiesner, David. Mr. Wuffles!
In a nearly wordless science fiction tale of epic and miniature proportions, a cat finds a new toy that is a tiny spaceship. Illustrations shine in this innovative picture book-graphic novel hybrid. (A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book)

Willems, Mo. A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Gerald the elephant comes to Piggie’s aid when a big guy takes away the ball she found. A classic schoolyard encounter with a wry twist. (A 2014 Geisel Honor Book)

Middle Readers

Angus, Sam. Soldier Dog.
During World War I, 14-year old Stanley becomes one of the first “keepers” of Britain’s Messenger Dog Service, training two beloved dogs with whom he endures the horrors of trench warfare.

Appelt, Kathi. The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp.
In this comical tall tale, the swamp is threatened by developers and an unlikely crew of characters including the Swamp Man, the raccoon brothers, and 12-year-old Chap set out to save it.

Beatty, Daniel. Knock Knock : My Dad's Dream for Me.
Beatty conveys loss and hope through poignant text and illustrations as a boy struggles to understand the absence of his father and their daily game of "Knock, Knock." (The 2014 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book)

Black, Holly. Doll Bones.
In a distinctive coming-of-age tale, three friends set out on a life-altering quest driven by the presence of a sinister china doll that haunts their dreams and waking hours. (A 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

Brown, Don. The Great American Dust Bowl.
Employing graphic novel format, Don Brown paints a vivid and startling picture of the 10-year span of dust storms that devastated the Midwest, and explores the human causes of this environmental disaster.

Bryant, Jen. A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin.
This engaging picture book biography of artist Horace Pippin captures the essence of his life and work through tightly woven narrative and vibrant illustrations. (A 2014 Sibert Honor Book and Schneider Family Book Award Book)

Burg, Ann E. Serafina's Promise: A Novel in Verse.
Set in Haiti and told in verse, 11-year-old Seraphina and her poor but loving family endure hunger, floods, and earthquakes while the determined girl never gives up her dreams of going to school and becoming a doctor.

Cate, Annette LeBlanc. Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard.
This spirited, accessible introduction to the art and science of birding features immersive, fact-filled cartoon art punctuated with tongue-in-beak bird commentary via word bubbles and humorous asides. (A 2014 Sibert Honor Book)

DiCamillo, Kate. Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures.
In this homage to comic books, natural-born cynic Flora Belle Buckman and Ulysses, a flying, poetry-writing squirrel, join forces to overcome Ulysses’ arch-nemesis, encountering a cast of quirky characters. (The 2014 Newbery Medal Book)

Engle, Margarita. The Lightning Dreamer: Cuba's Greatest Abolitionist.
Tula fights for freedom and education for herself, and ultimately for women, slaves, and dissenters, in a poetic story of nineteenth-century Cuban abolitionist and writer Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda. (A 2014 Belpré Author Honor Book)

Federle, Tim. Better Nate Than Ever.
Having run away from home, exuberant Nate experiences a variety of catastrophes and revelations on his way to becoming a Broadway star. Fresh, funny, and hopeful. (A 2014 Stonewall Honor Book)

Grabenstein, Chris. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
After notorious gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello designs the town library, Kyle and 11 kids are locked inside overnight and won’t be free until they solve a series of puzzles based on famous books. Quirky and fun.

Greenberg, Jan and Jordan, Sandra.The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius.
This fascinating account of the life and work of eccentric and inventive ceramic artist George E. Ohr is enhanced by photographs and information about where to see his art today. (A 2014 Sibert Honor Book)

Grimes, Nikki. Words with Wings.
Gabriella journeys from daydreamer to writer thanks to the intervention of an empathetic teacher. An engaging novel told in verse. (A 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book)

Harrell, Rob. Monster on the Hill.
In this witty graphic novel set in an alternative 1860s England, towns are proud to have scary monsters; when Rayburn disappoints his villagers, they help him reach his full potential of terror.

Heiligman, Deborah. The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdös.
Readers will gain insight into the life of a genius in this colorful introductory biography of an brilliant unconventional mathematician.

Hill, Kirkpatrick. Bo at Ballard Creek.
Set during the Alaska 1920s gold rush, orphaned Bo is adopted by two tough but loving gold miners; she experiences plenty of adventure, charmingly illustrated.

Hill, Laban Carrick. When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop.
Vibrant illustrations and brief text introduce DJ Clive Campbell, who took popular dance music, stretched the breaks in the songs, and turned basic rhythms into hip-hop. (The 2014 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award Book)

Jenkins, Steve.The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest--and Most Surprising--Animals on Earth.
Readers will lose themselves in this compendium of animals living and extinct, chock full of interesting facts and beautiful illustrations.

Jinks, Catherine. How to Catch a Bogle.
In rough Victorian England, 10-year-old Birdie proudly works as an apprentice to a bogler, luring out the scary monsters that are eating children. Fast-paced, lots of historical detail, and starring a resourceful young heroine.

Leyson, Leon. The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible...on Schindler's List.
Leon Leyson, the youngest person saved by Oskar Schindler, memorably describes the Krakow ghetto, the Nazi factory where he worked, and his life in the U.S. after the war.

Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table.
Farmer Will Allen and his Genius Project to encourage people to grow food for their own table, are introduced in this lively and engaging tale.

Matti, Truus. Mister Orange.
When his older brother enlists in 1943, Linus Muller assumes family responsibilities that introduce him to “Mister Orange,” Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. A coming of age story and a celebration of the power of art. (The 2014 Batchelder Award Book)

Moss, Marissa. Barbed Wire Baseball.
Set in the internment camps of WWII, beautiful Japanese-style ink-and-calligraphy illustrations bring to life the story of Kenichi Zenimura, the father of Japanese-American baseball.

Napoli, Donna Jo. Treasury of Egyptian Mythology.
In this exemplary book of folklore, Napoli introduces young readers to Egyptian mythology with vivid language and illustration and anchors the tales in intriging and research-supported interpretation.

Phelan, Matt. Bluffton: My Summers with Buster.
In this distinctively-visual,nostalgic graphic novel, Henry is resigned to spending a boring summer in Muskegon, Michigan, until young Buster Keaton arrives in town to spend the summer with his vaudeville troupe.

Pope, Paul. Battling Boy.
In this explosive homage to superhero stories of yesteryear, the children of godlike beings are Acropolis's best hope for defeating supervillain Sinestro. The start of a trilogy.

Rhodes, Jewell Parker. Sugar.
After Emancipation, young Sugar's forbidden friendship with the plantation owner’s son and her connection with Chinese immigrant workers advances her dream of a better life far from the plantation.

Rundell, Katherine. Rooftoppers.
In a tale that soars with hope and humanity, Sophie has fled Victorian London to go mother-hunting in Paris. Bounding above the streets, a pack of homeless young “rooftoppers” assist in her search. Lyrical and poetic.

Rusch, Elizabeth. Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives.
Compelling writing and informative photographs and maps explore the inner workings of volcanoes and highlights the work of a group of scientists dedicated to preventing the human tragedy caused by eruptions around the world.

Sax, Aline. The War within These Walls.
With powerful text and stark illustrations, this novella provides a harrowing account of Jewish suffering in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. (A 2014 Batchelder Honor Book)

Scieszka, Jon and Barnett, Mac. Battle Bunny.
Not at all interested in his tame birthday gift, Alex remakes Birthday Bunny explode with chainsaws, megaton bombs, and pro-wrestling moves. An irreverent tale.

Sheinkin, Steve. Lincoln's Grave Robbers.
A thrilling account of a brazen plan by desperate counterfeiters to steal the body of Abraham Lincoln and use it as ransom for the release of a fellow felon.

Stringer, Lauren. When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky: Two Artists, Their Ballet, and One Extraordinary Riot.
Illustrations dance across the page as Russian composer Stravinsky and choreographer Nijinsky collaborate on “The Rite of Spring,” creating a modern ballet that polarized their artistic world.

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant's Tale.
An emotional story of the effects of undocumented immigration on those who leave and those who stay behind. Through traditional folk elements, readers follow young Pancho Rabbit in his arduous journey across the border in search of his father. (A 2014 Belpré Author Honor Book and Illustrator Honor Book)

Williams-Garcia, Rita. P. S. Be Eleven.
In this riveting sequel to One Crazy Summer, the Gaither sisters return to their grandmother's house in New York City, where they struggle with the chaos of turbulent times and changing family relationships. (The 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Award Book)

Wissinger, Tamera Will. Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse.
Laugh-out-loud verse and humorous line drawings capture an older brother’s frustration and a little sister’s exuberance when they spend the day fishing with dad.

Older Readers

Bolden, Tonya. Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty.
Bolden scrutinizes with clarity and flawless research the many paths that led to Lincoln's famous proclamation, reviewing its historical impact on the war-torn United States during a turbulent and bitter period.

Carriger, Gail. Etiquette & Espionage.
In this madcap, steampunk-mystery, Sophronia Temminnick learns that etiquette and espionage go hand-in-glove when she is covertly recruited from Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. A paranormal mashup set in Victorian England.

de la Peña, Matt. The Living.
In a thrilling survival story, Shy’s summer job on a cruise ship becomes a fight for his life. (A 2014 Belpré Author Honor Book)

Freedman, Russell. Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker's Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty.
Beginning with an independent young man arriving in Philadelphia, this informative and well-paced book shines a light on one of America's most interesting Founding Fathers.

Kidd, Chip. Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design.
Graphic design rock star Chip Kidd introduces his world and encourages readers to new ways of looking and creating. (A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Honor Book)

Lewis, John and Aydin, Andrew. March: Book One.
Using the inauguration of President Obama as a framing device, Congressman John Lewis and graphic novelist Powell tell the story of Lewis's life and his participation in America's civil rights movement. (A 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book)

McNeal, Tom. Far Far Away.
An insidious predator has been abducting innocent children. Jeremy, the only one who can hear narrator Jacob Grimm, must save himself and his friends with the storyteller’s help.

Medina, Meg. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass.
Piddy Sanchez’s life is turned upside down when she finds out that Yaqui Delgado wants to kick her ass. While struggling to deal with the threat on her own, Piddy explores her identity, her culture, and the role of others in her life. A powerful story about bullying and resilience. (The 2014 Belpré Author Medal Book)

Myers, Walter Dean. Darius & Twig.
Two best friends make a pact to succeed as they struggle to escape their inner-city lives. Strong writing realizes vivid characters in this gritty novel. (A 2014 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book)

Rubin, Susan Goldman. Diego Rivera: An Artist for the People.
A visually appealing and engaging introduction to the life and the work of an important figure in modern art, muralist Diego Rivera.

Sloan, Holly Goldberg. Counting by 7s.
After the death of her parents, genius outsider Willow begins to bloom again and becomes an agent for change for the diverse group of people she meets. A surprising and inspiring story about family and friendship.

Stone, Tanya Lee. Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers.
Bolden introduces the unsung story of the U.S. Army's first African-American paratroopers unit, moving gracefully among portraits of individual paratroopers, the history of the unit, and the complex social issues of the time. (A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Honor Book)

Timberlake, Amy. One Came Home.
In 1871 Wisconsin, 13-year-old Georgie tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s disappearance, pulling readers along on her journey of self-discovery. (A 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

Vanderpool, Clare. Navigating Early.
Sent to Morton Hill Academy after the death of his mother, Jack meets the unusual Early Auden. They set off on a quest that forces them to confront pirates, bears, doubt, loss and grief. (A 2014 Printz Honor Book)

Vawter, Vince. Paperboy.
A sensitive and resilient 11-year-old boy who stutters, ventures beyond the familiar and finds his voice while taking over his best friend’s paper route in the Memphis summer of 1959. (A 2014 Newbery Honor Book)

All Ages

Becker, Aaron. Journey.
Finding a magical red crayon, a bored and lonely girl draws a door on her bedroom wall that leads her to a wondrous but perilous new world. (A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book)

Kennedy, Caroline. Poems to Learn by Heart.
Warm and humorous water color paintings accompany this collection of more than 100 familiar and imaginative poems, suitable for families to read aloud and recite from memory.