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What Shall I Review? Readers’ Choice 2010

January 4, 2011 by Betsy Bird   216 comments

Hear ye, hear ye!  I give you, my readers, until midnight tonight (12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) to vote in the comments on this post on the one last 2010 book I review.  Just list the title you prefer.  At the stroke of midnight tonight (Tuesday) I will close down the comments and whatever has the most write-ins wins.  Easy peasy.  I’ve done this kind of thing with fancy online polls in the past, but my energy has significantly decreased as of late.

Please note that these are not all the books I read in 2010 and haven’t reviewed.  Just the ones of which I might have something interesting to say.

They are thrown here in an indiscriminate pile, regardless of subject matter or genre, solely in order by the author’s last name.  I don’t usually review YA, but in this particular case I can make an exception. So what say you, readers?  Tell me what amongst these books is the most worthy.

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THE 2010 UNREVIEWED

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

House of Dolls by Francesca Lia Block

The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe by Loree Griffin Burns

Tower of Treasure by Scott Chantler

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Ian Edginton, illustrated by I.N.J. Culbard

Falling In by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Salem Brownstone: All Along the Watchtowers by John Harris Dunning

The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier

Once by Morris Gleitzman

Sophie Simon Solves Them All by Lisa Graff

The Call (The Magnificent Twelve, #1) by Michael Grant

Boom! by Mark Haddon

Black Pioneers: Home is With Our Family by Joyce Hansen

Babymouse #13: Cupcake Tycoon by Jennifer L. Holm, illustrated by Matthew Holm

Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol by Jim Krieg

Gandhi: His Life, His Struggles, His Words by Elisabeth de Lambilly

Archvillan by Barry Lyga

The Death-Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean

Benjamin Franklinstein Lives by Matthew McElligott

Claude Monet: The Painter Who Stopped the Trains by P.I. Maltbie

Windblowne by Stephen Messer

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery, photography by Nic Bishop

The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O’Connor

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins

The Adventures of Ook an Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Crogan’s March by Chris Schweizer

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth

Scrawl by Mark Shulman

Tall Tales by Thomas E. Sniegoski, illustrated by Jeff Smith

The Mourning Wars by Karen Steinmetz

The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie: A Doll’s History and Her Impact on Us by Tanya Lee Stone

Under the Green Hill by Laura L. Sullivan

Nothing by Janne Teller

Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel

Night Owls, Vol. 1 by Peter Timothy

The Wish Stealers by Tracy Trivas

Kid Vs. Squid by Greg Van Eekhout

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

Palace Beautiful by Sarah Deford Williams

Twin Spica, Vol. 1 by Kou Yaginuma

Doodlebug: My Book in Drawing and Writing by Karen Romano Young

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About Betsy Bird

Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I’m in love with As Easy As Falling Off the Face of the Earth (and everything else Lynne Rae Perkins wrote). My vote’s for that one.

  4. I’m going to say “The Good, the Bad and the Barbie” because I think you will find it really interesting. It’s rather crazy how this toy ended up being an accidental icon – I’m not sure what that says about us as a country but it’s certainly full of food for thought.

    Plus nonfiction is always awesome!

  6. I vote for Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol. There can’t be enough reviews of humorous books,
    and it makes a five way tie for first place.

  11. You’ve got some interesting books up there. Just one? I will (for now) break the tie for David. Griff Carver was a hoot and I didn’t see too much written about it.

    bk

  14. Falling In by France O Roark Dowell. It didn’t live up to my expectations and I’d love to know what you think!

  15. Ghostopolis…

    His comics walk a fine line with me, but I’ve heard some really good things about this one. I feel like a thumbs up from you would push me over to the definitely read side of the line.

  16. The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe by Loree Griffin Burns – I adore this one and haven’t heard much from you on nonfiction for the middle grade crew so would love to hear your thoughts.

    • That makes (so far) for a three-way tie between Barbie, Griff, and Perkins. In the event of a tie, by the way, I’ll cast the deciding vote. I’d love to review any of these, though. It’d be tough to choose.

  18. I’m with Lenore. I know it’s not on your list, but the Cardturner is wonderful. If I must pick from the list, I’d vote for Lynn Rae Perkins book.

    • Actually, Jody, The Cardturner is on my list. And garnering love at that. Interesting that the most votes are generally falling on the YA material, eh?

  19. Have you reviewed/seen I KNOW HERE by Laurel Croza and Matt James?

    If we may only use your list titles, I would suggest either of THE CROWFIELD CURSE or FALLING IN, both of which are excellent in a very strong year for fantasy.

  21. I Shall Wear Midnight– interested to hear your thoughts on the end of the Tiffany Aching series!

  26. I loved Mark Shulman’s SCRAWL. It was honest and funny and original all at the same time. I’m very happy to see it on your list, because I really hope it will get its much-deserved attention. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this terrific debut novel.

  27. I really love ” Under the Green Hill “by Laura Sullivan
    The story took me to a remote part of England, the adventure took me under the
    Green hill into the realm of Fairy’s and the challenge of the Midsummer Battle!
    The imagery and story kept me thrilled to the last page!

  28. Though I never really had or played with a Barbie (honest!) I’d love to see your review of THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE BARBIE. Plus, I think Colleen was on the mark when she said, “Plus nonfiction is always awesome!” Maybe Colleen should do a blog about the wide world of children’s nonfiction titles available; so many very good and valuable books never get the attention they deserve.

  31. I’d love to see your review of Shooting Kabul. I read it last spring as I was doing a focused reading of children’s and young adult books that dealt with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq for a public radio interview, and I think it’s a really valuable snapshot of 2001 as we approach the 10th anniversary. Not enough people have talked about the book, and it’s fusion of the political and the personal.

  42. The Death-Defying Pepper Roux …maybe you can explain the appeal of this one…It’s the only book i started but didn’t finish this year.

    Can we choose the first 2011 ARC you read/review as well?

  44. Griff Carver, The Hallway Patrol. It’s very funny, with a little Black Noir mystery feel to it, middle grade style.

  52. Windblown was the most unique book I have read in a long time. It went from action scene to action scene and I could not tell what was coming next. I liked being held in suspense. I cannot wait for the next book that Stephen Messer writes.

  60. Doodlebug: My Book in Drawing and Writing by Karen Romano Young. This is a great book – innovative in thought and design.

  69. I vote for Stephen Messer’s WINDBLOWNE. I don’t review YA, either, but this one was a startling exception for its originality, multi-faceted content, and new approach to environmentalism.

  70. Windblowne, by Stephen Messer
    My students, my own children, and I really enjoyed this book!

    • Fascinating! The Windblowne contingent is really pulling ahead.

      For those of you who mention more than one book, I must warn you that I’m only going to take the first one you mention. Be warned! Mwah-ha-ha!

  81. Hi, Elizabeth: I guess WINDBLOWNE fans have the wind at their backs? (rim shot) But, really, as others have said, it’s not category YA, but a novel for all ages. Even curmudgeons who resist fantasy (like me) are charmed.

  84. Windblowne by Stephen Messer…

    Suspenseful enough for younger readers, quirky enough to hold the interest of the older ones…even the really older ones! Delightful!

  85. I vote for Under the Green Hill by Laura Sullivan. I absolutely loved this book! The characters are so well developed and the folklore so interesting. I haven’t read some of the others mentioned on the list, but I certainly would recommend this one.

  90. Review Windblowne as a favor to all who have not read it. Some books should not be overlooked and this is one of them. Merle B.

  91. I think Under the Green Hill by Laura Sullivan should be chosen, It’s a great book for all ages, really enjoyed it, so did my little sister!

  96. Windblowne has my vote as well.A great read for me as an adult and a great read aloud for4th/5th graders!

  104. Windblowne by Stephen Messer, because in addition to being wildly creative and innovative, it’s about kite flying, something any child or anyone who remembers being a child, can relate too.

  111. Kid vs Squid is one I’ve only heard of once and would like to hear more of…

    …but for the record, I think I’d most like to hear about Falling In, but since I’m probably going to read it myself later this week whether you review it or not, it’s not so important. Likewise I Shall Wear Midnight, which I’m going to BUY for myself whether or not you review it. Also want to hear more about this oft-raved-about Pepper Roux. But oh well. One book it shall be.

  121. A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park

    Park tends to surprise with her books. I vote for this one!

  129. Windblowne is my pick. My class of second graders loved it as much as me. I hope there will be a sequel.

  139. Dear Elizabeth, I wanted to apologize for my multiple entries with Daniel but my computer was telling me they were not being posted. So please only count 1 I used the same email address so if you can only count one vote for my email address. Thank You! Good Luck to the other authors too!!!

  146. I would say Windblowne it seems that the passionate readers need more help in spreading the word at least based on the holdings in my library consortium.

  147. I think you should review “Under the Green Hill” by Laura L. Sullivan. It was a delightful read!

  152. I vote for Under the Green Hill by Laura L. Sullivan — an amazing book with a deep mythic tone, intriguing characters and a rich, layered plot. It has an old-fashioned feel — and I mean that in the best possible way. Classic, I suppose, sounds better!

  155. Do we only get one vote? I just read Palace Beautiful, and loved it, so that’s my vote, but if we get more than one vote, I would also like to see your reviews of Scrawl and Tall Tales. And thanks!

  157. Windblowne by Stephen Messer is fascinating, gripping and beautifully written. It interweaves so many

    traits in ways that only a masterful storyteller could accomplish.

  160. This is a hard choice, there are some great books listed here, but I will vote for Palace Beautiful.

  171. *Messer (For ‘Gerard’ who typed Messe… I’m assuming on accident) Windblowne by Stephen Messer. ^_^

  181. NOTHING! (That is, please review the book NOTHING. I do want you to review something). It looks majorly depressing. Perhaps you can find some pep in it…

  182. Palace beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams.

    I know a few boys, and older men like myself, who read it after our daughters were done with it. It a good book with excellent writing

  183. Boys without Names by Kashmira Sheth. Not only is it a great story and beautifully written, but it also addresses a serious topic.

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