2018 Staff Picks for Kids

So many amazing books came out this year, and we wanted to share our favorites with you! Library staff are excited to share their #1 reads for children, teens, and adults this week.

Whether you are young or old, children’s books are always a delight. Enjoy the beautiful illustrations and stories, learn something new, or just go on an adventure!

Here are our favorite children’s books from 2018:

Picture Books
Appropriate for preschool through third grade.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora – Recommended by Pam M.
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love – Recommended by Kendall H.
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales – Recommended by Gay Lynn V.
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrated by Rafael López – Recommended by Chris D.
Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Ebony Glenn – Recommended by Rachel S.
Drawn Together by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Dan Santat – Recommended by Ame H.
Hawk Rising by Maria Gianferrari, Illustrated by Brian Floca – Recommended by Rick S.
Poe Won't Go by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by Zachariah OHora – Recommended by Amy C.
Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens by John Patrick Green – Recommended by Brooke P.
Mustafa by Marie-Louise Gay – Recommended by Julia B.
How to Be a Lion by Ed Vere – Recommended by Aimee H.
Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies by Christian Trimmer, Illustrated by Jessie Sima – Recommended by Hayley D.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld – Recommended by Elizabeth P.
Truck Full of Ducks by Ross Burach – Recommended by Mary B.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, Illustrated by Gordon C. James – Recommended by Tracey B. and Alicia A.

Easy Books
Appropriate for second through fifth grade.

Love by Matt de la Pena, Illustrated by Loren Long – Recommended by Courtney M.
Narwhal and Jelly: Book 3 Peanut Butter and Jelly by Ben Clanton – Recommended by Lisa K.
Dear Sister by Alison McGhee, Illustrated by Joe Bluhm – Recommended by Awnali M. and Courtney M.

Middlegrade Books
Appropriate for fourth through sixth grade.

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed – Recommended by Trisha K.
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson – Recommended by Pam M. and Julia B.
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown – Recommended by Kendall H.
Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell – Recommended by Rachel S.
The Darkdeep by Ally Condie & Brendan Reichs – Recommended by Rick S.
Heartseeker by Melinda Beatty – Recommended by Lindsey H.
Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina – Recommended by Amy C.
Front Desk by Kelly Yang – Recommended by Aimee H.
Breakout by Kate Messner – Recommended by Tomeka B.
Sanity and Tallulah by Molly Brooks – Recommended by Alicia A.

Appropriate for fifth through eighth grade. Some titles located in the teen collection.

Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman – Recommended by Gay Lynn V.
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes – Recommended by Chris D.
Crush by Svetlana Chmakova – Recommended by Drew C.
Drum Roll Please by Lisa Jenn Bigelow – Recommended by Amy B. and Jamie C.
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend – Recommended by Elizabeth P.
Rebound by Kwame Alexander – Recommended by Tracey B.

The lists for teen and adult books will be out later this week!