Our children's and young adult book specialists have gotten together and worked out Readings' best books of 2010 for kids and young adults, including the best picture books, junior fiction, middle fiction, non-fiction and young adult fiction.
Best Picture Books of 2010
Mirror
Jeannie Baker
These collages tell the everyday stories of two Australian families living vastly different lifestyles. Our reviewer said, ‘A new Jeannie Baker is cause for excitement, and her stunning latest shows an artist and storyteller at her masterful best … the cultural respect and humanity in this book make it shine.’
Seasons
Blexbolex
Our reviewer said, ‘Everything about Seasons is
enticing. It’s a gorgeously presented book with thick art-paper
pages, rich colour and superb illustrations. One for artists, book
designers and oh yeah, I forgot, children!’
I’m the
Best
Lucy Cousins
A boastful Dog gets his comeuppance from his friends in this characteristically charming and picture book from Lucy Cousins. Our reviewer said, ‘With bold lines and vivid colours, the creator of Maisy shows how everyone has strengths and weaknesses.’
All
Through the Year
Jane Godwin & Anna Walker
A heart-warming journey through an Australian year, showing one family celebrating our months, seasons and holidays. Our reviewer said, ‘The delights of each month are depicted with evocative, lilting verse; this is a nurturing, sparkling world that children can explore and will happily identify with and be inspired by.’
A Bit
Lost
Chris Haughton
With heart-melting illustrations, this is a timeless story of separation and reunion. While Little Owl is sleeping, he rolls out of his nest and lands with a bump. His new friend Squirrel helps him look for his mummy, and they meet other animals on their journey.
Up and
Down
Oliver Jeffers
A heart-warming story about friendship and attempting the
impossible. A penguin runs away in a huff after his best friend
tells him his dream of flying is impossible. He manages to fly, but
misses his friend – and wonders if he misses him, too.
Yumi
Annelore Parot
Quirky, cute and original, these gorgeous little books follow
the adventures of kimono-wearing Japanese girl Yumi, the youngest
of the Kokeshi – a family of traditional Japanese dolls.
There Are no Cats in This Book
Viviane Schwartz
Tiny, Moonpie and André are back – and off an adventure that will need the help of the reader – in this fun, charming sequel to There Are Cats in This Book. Includes amazing pop-up features that will delight children.
Leo the Littlest Seahorse
Margaret Wild & Terry Denton
This impressive author-illustrator team tell the story of the littlest of 101 baby seahorses. Leo’s always a bit behind on fluttering his fins and other seahorse skills, but when a hungry groper approaches, Leo proves that he, too, is capable of big things.
April
Underhill Tooth Fairy
Bob Graham
It’s fairy April and her sister Esme’s first delivery, and their parents are worried they’re not up to it. Our reviewer said, ‘Such adventure, such heart-stopping tension, and such parental pride when the mission is accomplished. A book to share again and again.’
Best Junior Fiction Books of 2010
Little Else series
Julie Hunt & Beth Norling
Our reviewer said, ‘Little Else is a Pippi Longstocking of the Australian bush. Seven years old, feisty and brave-hearted, she defies injustice and creates adventure.’ She joins the circus as a stunt rider and horse whisperer, forms her own gang of bushrangers, and searches for mythical treasure.
Mr Badger and the Missing Ape and
Mr Badger and the Big Surprise
Leigh Hobbs
Mr Badger, special events manager of London’s Grand Boubles Hotel, is a new creation from the fabulous Leigh Hobbs, creator of Old Tom. In these enticing books, Mr Badger solves the mystery of the missing ape and prepares for an eventful seventh birthday party.
Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot
Anna Branford
Violet Mackerel thinks she would QUITE LIKE to own the blue china bird at the Saturday markets. This is not just a SILLY WISH. It is instead the start of a VERY IMPORTANT idea. But what she needs is a PLOT. A BRILLIANT plot.
Astroblast
Code Blue
Bob Kolar
Our reviewer said, ‘A brilliant early reader with nifty rhyming text and fun activities that sneakily involve simple literacy and numeracy, as well as shape matching and the always fun maze puzzle ... children will love Radar and his space mates’ world.’
Lulu and the Brontosaurus
Judith Viorst & Lane Smith
Lulu wants a pet brontosaurus for her birthday, but her parents say it’s not possible. So she takes matters into her hands ... and finds a brontosaurus who agrees that having a pet is a great idea. The problem? He wants Lulu to be his pet.
Best Middle Fiction of 2010
The Three Loves of Persimmon
Cassandra Golds
Our reviewer said, ‘Quite literally enchanting. I read it almost holding my breath as an ordinary, grubby railway station and neighbouring park in a big city seemed to shimmer with light and meaning.’
When
You Reach Me
Rebecca Stead
This Newbery Medal winning novel is set in 1970s New York. When Miranda receives a strange note in a library book, tragedy seems to loom ... Our reviewer said, ‘Rebecca Stead manages to be nostalgic and fresh all at once ... the final few pages are world-shatteringly good.’
The Red
Pyramid: The Kane Chronicles Book One
Rick Riordan
Our reviewer said, ‘Riordan wrote the Percy Jackson series, which is one of the funniest, most thrilling series I have ever read. The Kane Chronicles veer off into the world of Egyptian mythology and start with a certain character accidentally blowing up the British Museum. Wowser.’
Grimsdon
Deborah Abela
Grimsdon is in ruins. Three years ago a massive wave broke its barriers and the sea flooded this grand city. Isabella Charm and friends have clung on, living together in an opulent castle, but a thrill-seeking newcomer, prowling bounty hunters and other threats loom large.
The Keepers:
Museum of Thieves
Lian Tanner
Street urchin Goldie Roth discovers the mysterious Museum of
Dunt, a strange, secretive place that requires the only the most
courageous of thieves to stop its powers being used for all kinds
of evil. Part thrilling adventure, part fantasy and part
mystery.
Mortal Coil:
Skulduggery Pleasant Book Five
Derek Landy
A ripping dark adventure series with gothic overtones.
Skulduggery has been reunited with his head, but his troubles are
far from over. There’s a conspiracy brewing between foreign powers,
the Midnight Hotel remnants have escaped, and Valkyrie is off on
her own quest.
The Red Wind:
The Kingdom of the Lost Book One
Isabelle Carmody
Two brothers are threatened by an unnatural storm. Our reviewer
said, ‘Carmody relentlessly builds the sense of foreboding with her
wonderful storytelling, and – as in the Little Fur series –with her
ethereal illustrations. This lovely little hardback is a perfect
gift for children eight and up.’
Halo
Zizou Corder
Washed ashore as a baby in ancient Greece, Halo is discovered by a family of centaurs. Although her true identity remains a mystery, she is loved as one of their own. But when Halo is dragged away by fishermen, her wild adventure begins.
The Very
Bad Book
Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
The irrepressible Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton have been
longtime collaborators – but they delighted kids and shocked the
odd parent with the controversial smash-hit
The Bad Book. This follow-up is just as deliciously bad –
so bad it’s very, very good indeed.
The Midnight
Zoo
Sonya Hartnett
Two young Romany gypsy brothers, escaping war, find themselves in a zoo, at night, amid a war-ravaged village. The starving, woebegone animals tell the story of what has happened. Our reviewer said, ‘As always, Hartnett’s prose weaves its magical, poignant spell.’
Best Young Adult Books of 2010
Six
Impossible Things
Fiona Wood
Fourteen-year-old Dan’s life is a mess, but he’s concentrating on six impossible things, including new school hell and a crush on the girl next door. Our reviewer said, ‘One of the stand-out young adult novels of this year ... I didn’t want it to end.’
Monsters
of Men
Patrick Ness
Our reviewer said, ‘Following on from the events in The Ask and the Answer, Monsters is a gripping read that sees Todd and Viola forced into a war they never wanted ... Ness never flinches away from how horrific war is, and how frustratingly slow progress can be.’
Mockingjay:
The Hunger Games Book Three
Suzanne Collins
This gripping adventure series about a deadly reality game show has been a word-of-mouth bestseller – and this final instalment doesn’t disappoint. Twice, Katniss has been forced to participate in the brutal Hunger Games. Twice, she’s survived against the odds. But the Capitol are looking for revenge.
This is
Shyness
Leanne Hall
Shyness is a suburb where it’s always night. Wildgirl is a
visitor from across the border. And the charismatic Wolfboy is her
guide for a night they’ll never forget. Our reviewer said, ‘It’s
easy to see why This is Shyness won the 2009 Text Prize.
In a word, it’s amazing .’
Will
Grayson, Will Grayson
John Green & David Levithan
This fabulously schizophrenic novel tells the story of two Will Graysons, exploring the dichotomy we all struggle with within ourselves. Our reviewer said, ‘A laugh-out-loud, cry-out-loud story about love and connection in all its forms: romantic, platonic, gay, straight and most importantly, musical.’
The Sky
is Everywhere
Jandy Nelson
Seventeen-year-old Lennie’s older sister has suddenly died, leaving her with her Gram and pothead uncle Big. Our reviewer said, ‘Lennie narrates in spirited, sprawling, idiosyncratic prose that speaks perfectly of her age and her highly unconventional family life ... I can't recommend this book highly enough.’
White
Cat
Holly Black
Cassell is uncursed – a straight kid in a crooked family of magicians and mobsters. Our reviewer said, ‘Nothing is as it seems in White Cat. Black edges towards perfection with this uncanny tale that’s part Harry Potter, part Sopranos. Full of a slimy, creeping kind of magic.’
Lips Touch
Three Times
Laini Taylor
Our reviewer said, ‘One of those books that turns people who
don’t like short stories into believers. This gorgeous book
contains three short stories complete with goblins, a curse and
lifelong secrets, and all revolving around a kiss.’
Ash
Malinda Lo
Our reviewer said, ‘Malinda Lo has taken the familiar tale of Cinderella and retold it with the weight of its original intention as a cautionary tale and the added evocation of the grief of a young girl who loses her family and way of life.’
The Piper’s
Son
Melina Marchetta
Saving Francesca’s Tom Mackee has been damaged by the past five years, and wants to leave the friends and family who tie him to grief. Our reviewer said, ‘There is darkness in this book: the darkness of real life, real pain. But there is warmth and light too.’
Best Novelty & Non-Fiction Books of 2010
In the
Garden: Life for Beginners
DVD & flashcards boxed set
Our reviewer said, ‘A rare and lovely thing. A DVD that encourages children to turn off the box and go out and explore their own backyard! Set to music and animal sounds – almost no words are used, but the graphics tell it all.’
And Picasso
Painted Guernica
Alain Serres
A fascinating account of Picasso’s life and career, with a particular focus on the painting of Guernica, Picasso’s response to the bombing of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. Our reviewer said, ‘Sensitive, detailed, and beautiful to look at.’
Greek Myths
Ann Turnbull & Sarah Young
The Bookseller said, ‘This beautiful and lavish collection is a wonderful introduction to Greek mythology. Turnbull retells the carefully selected stories in a clear and simple style. The myths range from the gentle to those featuring battles and monsters.’
I Love Ollie
Activity Book
Anna Walker
Ollie is a gorgeous, lively zebra who loves to make and do. In this book, award-winning author and illustrator Anna Walker has created wonderful activities for children aged three and up, from colouring-in to craft.
Movie
Maker
Tim Grabham & Gary Parsons
This dynamic little kit contains all any aspiring film director might want (well, apart from the camera). There’s a director’s handbook with shooting techniques, special effects and storyboard book, a sound effects CD, stickers and press-outs. A terrific way to encourage creativity.
Check out all our kids and young adult books and our suggested reads for boys and girls of different age groups too.
