Patricia Castelli, the Children's Librarian at the Orem Public Library in Utah has put together her top picks of the last six years. I'm super impressed. I haven't even been able to put together a list of my faves from last year.
As with any list, I enthusiastically agree with some of the picks*, violently disagree with some**, have been shamed into finally reading others***, and wonder how others didn't make the cut****.
*Hooray for Shannon Hale and Hilary McKay!
**I must be the only person out there who hated Ida B. Not just a little, but a lot. It was just so TREACLY. Does that make me a bad person? Probably. Maybe I was just in a bad mood.
Hmmm. After re-reading my write-up, I guess I didn't hate it as much as I remember. Just the first third. And, wow, I had a bad attitude that day. Regardless, it definitely wouldn't have made my personal cut. I know, I know. Get your own list, right?
***Okay, OKAY. I will read I, Coriander. Also, I just ordered Black Juice. I will read it as soon as it arrives. Sheesh.
****What about An Abundance of Katherines? And Saving Francesca? And Millicent and Stanford?
I'm with you on Ida B. I was kind of stunned by that book and the response to it. But that often happens to me with those kinds of books.
Posted by: Gail | 05 January 2007 at 09:58 AM
Same here about Ida B. I was enchanted by the audio clip the publisher sent and then when I finished the book I felt so blah.
Posted by: Anna Marie | 05 January 2007 at 11:32 AM
Oh, good. I feel better.
Posted by: Leila | 05 January 2007 at 01:24 PM
I swear I'm trying to catch up. Yep there are a couple on that list that I actually read and forgot about because well, they were forgettable.
And I still don't like Knuffle Bunny.
Yeah, yeah, make my own list, shush.
Posted by: Chrissy | 05 January 2007 at 02:02 PM
Shocking. Knuffle Bunny rules.
Posted by: Leila | 05 January 2007 at 02:04 PM
I HATE "Ida B". With a passion unbeknownst to man or beast. I also routinely shock fellow librarians and book lovers when I get confused and tell people I hate "So B It".
Oh, like you've never done it.
Posted by: Fuse #8 | 05 January 2007 at 02:44 PM
Oh, HOORAY. I love it when we are united in our hatred.
I still haven't read So B It. I'm scared that it'll be too sad for me. I'm such a loser.
Posted by: Leila | 05 January 2007 at 03:05 PM
I have to disagree with you...I loved Ida B. I'm a big fan of trees...have been since I was a kid climbing ridiculously high in them and sitting for hours. I enjoyed every part of it, one of my favorite children's books that year (think I read it in '05).
Posted by: Carl V. | 05 January 2007 at 04:13 PM
When people ask me about Ida B, I tell them So B. It is much B-etter. Ooh! I have to go add that to my If Then kidlit list now!
Saving Francesca is FANTASTIC.
Posted by: Little Willow | 06 January 2007 at 06:37 PM
So I'm reading thru the comments thinking I loved Ida B....
And then realized no, Liz, you love So B It. You've never read Ida B.
Sigh. This is why I have a lot of patience with the "I'm looking for a red book on a high shelf" patrons. Cause I'm one of them.
Posted by: Liz B | 06 January 2007 at 09:03 PM
I was glad to see that Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books (now with Wintersmith as a 3rd) made the list though. A good gateway series into DW for someone who enjoys them as well.
Posted by: Richard | 08 January 2007 at 10:10 AM
What's the big deal with Whittington? I was SHOCKED when it got a Newbery honor - it was shoddily written, in my opinion.
I'm in the pro-Knuffle Bunny camp.
I love that all four Casson books are on there - they really belong together.
I was kind of bored by Wee Free Men. Okay, but not particularly memorable.
Saving Francesca rocks.
I've got to read both Ida B and So B It so I can weigh in on this (confusing) debate.
Posted by: jess | 08 January 2007 at 03:24 PM