Favourite Books of 2019
The Booksfortopics Best of 2019
2019 has been another fantastic year for children's books and this year the choice of 'favourite book' seems harder than ever!
We asked our community of teachers, TAs, authors, librarians and book lovers to nominate their favourite children's books published in 2019.
This is what they told us...
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell
Nominated by: Jo Clarke (@bookloverjo), School Librarian & blogger at bookloverjo.wordpress.com
Jo says: " A new book by Katherine Rundell is always a joy to behold and ‘The Good Thieves,’ is no exception. Katherine has surpassed my expectations by creating a nail-biting heist that is extraordinarily compelling. Packed with action, thrills, spills and the unexpected it keeps the reader firmly on the edge of their seat. I just adored every page of this gorgeous story. Exquisite characterisation meets sublime storytelling in this spectacular ride of an adventure."
Also featured on:
Land of Roar
Jenny McLachlan & Ben Mantle
Nominated by: Katie (@wishesandstars), Year 5 Class Teacher and also by Emily Weston (@primaryteachew), Year 6 Teacher & Reading Lead
Katie says: "An instantly gripping adventure where childhood games become reality for two twins. A fantastic portal story where you can't help but be dragged into this magical land of make-believe."
Emily says: "This book is full of imagination, adventure and excitement! It grips you from the first page to the last and keeps you wanting more...so it’s a good thing there’s a sequel coming!"
The Girl who Speaks Bear
Sophie Anderson & Kathrin Honesta
Nominated by: Louise Cross (@lcrossreads), teaching assistant in Year 5/6; Nia Talbot (@niatalbot), assistant headteacher; Jo Young, librarian and TA
Louise says: "A beautifully told story of family, friendship and acceptance. Utterly bewitching."
Nia says: "This breath-taking book is full of magic, adventure but, most importantly, the importance of belonging. I love the mythical edge to the story and how it enchants its readers."
Jo says: "A magical story of discovery, friendship and self-discovery. A perfect story for KS2 up. Loved it!"
Also featured on:
Ghost
Jason Reynolds
Nominated by: Dean Boddington (@misterbodd), Class Teacher
Dean says: "A phenomenal read. I wanted to run down to the book shop buy 180 copies and give them to all the Year 5s and 6s at my school. Why did I love it? Well it’s not your usual rags to riches story - there is so much more to this even though it’s just over 200 pages long. I’d imagine that this will help with its popularity! When you finish it, you know that you’re holding something special in your hands. Throughout the book we see the part of Ghost’s journey; how he makes the wrong choices and the consequences that they bring. You are shouting at him in your head (or out loud if that’s your thing) and you’re waiting for everything to come crashing down. Your heart will leap and be crushed from one page to the next! I have warned you."
North Child
Edith Pattou
Nominated by: Sophie Anderson (@sophieinspace), children's author of The House With Chicken Legs (available here) & The Girl Who Speaks Bear (available here)
Sophie says: "An unforgettable, glittering, epic fairytale that held me and my children entranced as winter closed around us!"
Also featured on:
The Middler
Kirsty Applebaum
Nominated by: Hana Tooke (@hannekewrites), author of upcoming children's book The Unadoptables (available to pre-order here)
Hana says: "A stunning and magical story. A fabulous sequel. Beautifully written, filled with rich and vivid descriptions. Well rounded and engaging characters with a hint of darkness to engage older readers and keep them on their toes. A remarkable piece of writing. Loved it!"
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No Ballet Shoes in Syria
Catherine Bruton
Nominated by: Alison (@booksfortopics), Founder of BooksForTopics and also by Sarah Atherton (@missatherton97), trainee teacher
Alison says: "A gripping and thought-provoking story exploring the experience of an eleven-year-old girl called Aya as she flees conflict in Syria and attempts to seek asylum in the UK. No Ballet Shoes in Syria is an important story that is beautifully told with warmth and compassion. A superb read suitable for upper KS2."
Sarah says: " Absolutely perfect! No more words needed."
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The Creakers (The Musical Edition)
Tom Fletcher & Shane Devries
Nominated by: Lisa Davies (@singinglisajo), Deputy Head
Lisa says: "I read this book to the whole school for a half term. When we got to the end of the time, they insisted that I read it for another half term so that they could hear the end. That’s a ringing endorsement from 300 children! They loved the music that came with it as well."
The Wall in the Middle of the Book
Jon Agee
Nominated by: Alison (@booksfortopics), Founder of BooksForTopics
Alison says; "The Wall in the Middle of the Book is a story about overcoming preconceptions and breaking through barriers and divisions between different groups of characters. Jon Agee cleverly uses the ‘gutter’ space that runs down the middle of the picture book spread as the wall between the two opposing sides and the main character is surprised to find that the other side of the wall is a much friendlier place than he imagined. A brilliantly witty book that also gives pause for thought."
Also featured on:
The Umbrella Mouse
Anna Fargher & Sam Usher
Nominated by: Sarah Salmon (@norfolkbookworm), Library Assistant
Sarah says: "A book given to me by my 9-year-old nephew and one that held him, me (42) and his 70 year-old grandparents gripped! Lots to talk about and brilliantly written."
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The Titanic Detective Agency
Lindsay Littleson
Nominated by: Barbara Henderson (@scattyscribbler), Drama teacher & children's author of books including including Wilderness Wars (available here)
Barbara says: "A really well-researched and interesting take on the Titanic topic. The key characters are real passengers whose photos are included at the end of the book and Bertha is a heroine everyone will love! Loads of historical detail is cleverly woven in and the publisher's website has teaching resources. Excellent!"
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She Wolf
Dan Smith
Nominated by: Claire Webb, Year 3 Class Teacher
Claire says: "A book about trusting the unknown, friendship and loyalty; about loss and suspicion. A strong female main character is on a mission to seek the truth and finds herself on the way. This book is full of adventure and suspense and would suit boys and girls alike. Lots of action and tension recreated by the use of wonderful language. A rollercoaster of action and reflection and some unexpected surprises thrown in. I absolutely loved it!!
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Lights on Cotton Rock
David Lichfield
Nominated by: : Melissa Jordan (@melissacreate15), Book seller and Reading Advocate
Melissa says: "Another stunningly illustrated book. For anyone who has ever wondered what may lie beyond earth. I love that the young girl who wishes she could travel with an Alien grows old in the story. Will she get her wish and what might she learn about what makes 'home' special in the process? A book you will want to revisit many times."
The Dragon in the Library
Louie Stowell & Davide Ortu