Boswell Staff Top 5 Picks for 2016 Part the Last

Here we are--days away from holiday season wrapping up. Below is the last of our staff's Top 5 selections for 2016. The theme this week is children's books, as the selections are almost all for the younger audience. Perhaps you have a last minute item to add to a niece or nephew's reading list for 2017--perhaps, it is one of the books below...

 Barbara’s Top 5 Picks for 2016:

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

“When Roz, a robot, washes up on a remote island, she has to survive. Roz must seek help from those animals who fear her. The short chapters chronicle Roz’s many adventures where she often is in a perilous situation. Using her logic, and most of all, kindness, Roz is a heroic character. Many stylized black and white illustrations enhance the story, which would be great to read out loud. When the Wild Robot ends with a cliff-hanging, readers will clamor for a sequel NOW!!”  $16.99

The Plot to Kill Hitler by Patricia McCormick

“This remarkable book tells the true story of a German minister, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was part of the conspiracy to kill Adolph Hitler. In short engrossing chapters, Dietrich grows from a dreamy and sometimes fearful child to an amazing man who risked his life to secretly alert other countries about Hitler’s evil deeds and to ask for help against him. Photographs and short sidebars in each chapter effectively highlight historical facts. This well researched book paints a stunning portrait of a courageous man.”  $18.99 $15.19 in the shop

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

“Ghost is an emotional book about a 13 year old boy nicknamed “Ghost,” who becomes a good runner while running away from his gun-toting dad. Filled with anger and rage, Ghost gets into many altercations at school. When Coach offers him a chance to run on a special track team, can Ghost stay out of trouble? Well drawn characters and suspenseful situations combine with a very readable text and dashes of humor. Ghost will leave an impact on readers long after the last page.”  $16.99 $13.59 in the shop

Rounding out Barbara’s Top 5: Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley ($16.99) and When Mischief Came to Town by Katrina Nannestad ($16.99)

Todd’s Top 5 Picks for 2016:

Ogres Awake! By James Sturm

“A Wizard of Id for today's younger set, Ogres Awake! contrasts the violent strategy of a knight with the much more peaceful, forward-thinking plans of the king and his staff. It's not that the knight isn't heroic; it's that there are ways to address a scary threat that do not involve pouring boiling oil on said threat. It's one part graphic novel, one part picture book, and kids will love the gallantry of the knight and the king's revealed solution for the pending ogre problem." $14.99

The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey

“As I shed tears through the end of this book, I was thinking how necessary stories like 12-year-old Shane Woods's are for all ages to know. Baseball star Shane Woods has a new sorta-girlfriend, a great best friend, and is finally getting along with his dad -- and then his entire school finds out he's transgender. While he's always really been a boy, Shane's biology has needed some help with hormone injections and other therapies to match who he really is. Unfortunately, the truth is complex and kids can be cruel. With bullying rising around him, Shane worries he's lost his friends and his favorite pastime, all for being his true self. What a heartfelt story!” $16.99 $13.59 in the shop

Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide World by Judd Winick

“Winick improves upon his charming formula from Hilo book one by allowing DJ and Hilo to question the basis of their friendship in this adventurous new installment. Planting hints about what may happen in the harrowing last pages, visuals entice throughout -- the reader is left to wonder how DJ, Hilo, and friends will survive this time around. The conclusion sets up for a third installment -- but nothing feels forced. Learning about the compounding effects of more and more people becoming aware of and affected by Hilo's existence is natural and future reads are welcome." $13.99 

Rounding out Todd’s Top 5: The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley ($25.00 $20.00 in the shop) and I Used to Be a Fish by Tom Sullivan ($17.99).

Olivia V’s Top 5 Picks for 2016:

Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke

“If ever there was a more appropriate time to exclaim ‘Cool beans!’ it would be when discussing the awesomeness of Ben Hatke's latest graphic novel twist on Jack and the Beanstalk, Mighty Jack. Hatke is a master storyteller, having a magical talent to take life's everyday adventures and imbue them with the mysterious, the amazing, and the fantastical. Hatke artfully manages to take a classic story of a boy and beanstalk and have it resonate more as a modern tale. "$14.99 $11.99 in the shop

The Answer by Rebecca Sugar

“A lovely picture book detailing the relationship between Ruby and Sapphire from the children’s TV show, Steven Universe. A sweet reminder that the answer to some of life’s new and difficult questions is a little flexibility, trust and love.”  $9.99

 

Rounding out Olivia V’s Top 5: Saga Volume 6 by Brian K. Vaughn ($14.99), She Changed Comics by Betsy Gomez ($14.99) and Art of the Pie by Kate McDermott ($35.00 $28.00 in the shop).

That's it--have a safe and happy holiday!