It’s already the end of the year! A time to look back on the accomplishments and achievements earned in 2019. We have a lot to celebrate including the new titles that hit the shelves this year as well as the new authors who are putting their voices and stories to the forefront. For this blog post, we wanted to take the time to recognize some of our top-awarded titles of the year!
When Aidan Became a Brother
written by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Grades PreK – 3
This sweet #ownvoices picture book celebrates the many changes in a transgender boy’s life, from his initial coming-out to becoming a big brother.
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, Booklist
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Best Books of 2019, Kirkus Reviews
Best Books of 2019, School Library Journal
Book Links Lasting Connection Title, Booklist
Best of the Best Books of 2019, Chicago Public Library
Editors’ Choices for Books for Youth, Booklist
2020 Charlotte Huck Honor, NCTE
Best Books of 2019, Multnomah County Library
Todos iguales/All Equal
by Christy Hale
Grades 3 – 7
The empowering true story of the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident, in which Mexican families in southern California won the first school desegregation case in United States history.
Starred Review, Booklist
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
2020 Orbis Pictus Recommended Title, NCTE
Best Books for Children 2019, New York Public Library
Best of the Best Books in 2019, Chicago Public Library
Indian No More
by Charlene Willing McManis with Traci Sorell
Grades 3 – 8
When Regina’s Umpqua tribe is legally terminated and her family must relocate from Oregon to Los Angeles, she goes on a quest to understand her identity as an Indian despite being so far from home.
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Booklist
Best of the Best Books of 2019, Chicago Public Library
Editors’ Choices for Books for Youth, Booklist
Best Books of 2019, Multnomah County Library
Best Books of 2019, American Indians in Children’s Literature
I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage
compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Grades 3 and up
An outstanding celebration of diversity and family: fourteen poets and sixteen illustrators of diverse backgrounds share memorable childhood experiences and reflect upon their different heritages, traditions, and beliefs.
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Best Books of 2019, Kirkus Reviews
Under My Hijab
written by Hena Khan, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Grades PreK – 3
This lovely book from the author of Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns invites readers to understand and appreciate the hijab and the modern Muslim women who decide to wear it.
Starred Review, Foreword Reviews
Starred Review, School Library Journal
2019 Book Concierge List, NPR
Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies!
created by Megan and Jorge Lacera
Grades PreK – 5
In this delightful debut by a talented husband-and-wife team, Mo Romero is a zombie with a deep, dark secret…
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Best Books of 2019, Kirkus Reviews
Best Books for Children in Spanish (Spanish edition), NYPL