Ann Thompson | There's a Book for That

Once again, I am thrilled to participate in Top Ten Tuesday, a meme created by The Broke and Bookish.

This week’s theme? Top Ten Titles I’ve read so far in 2015

I read widely so this will be a mix of picture books (fiction and non) and middle grade and young adult reads. I am curious to see which of these titles will remain on my final top 2015 books list in December.

For this list, not all titles are published in 2015 but are titles I have read since January.

Which books made this list? Titles I keep thinking about . . .

My Pen by Christopher Myers

I always say there is power in the pencil (or pen, or marker, etc) – this book celebrates the creativity on the page. But on the page is so much more. I want to share it with each group of children I teach for forever . . .

Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson and Sydney Smith

Wordless perfection. I love everything about this book. How it is about little things, being in the moment, noticing, kindness . . .

Wish by Matthew Cordell

This is a book I have fallen hard for. I had a long journey to motherhood. This book honours this. But it is also a book to share anytime with any group of children you adore. I read it to my class on our last day of school. I told them I had been waiting for them and now that they had been my students, all is just better. So very true.

The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond

Explore just how enormous a blue whale really is. Gorgeous.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah written by Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls

A fantastic nonfiction picture book biography. True inspiration.

The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

So much grief and challenge but the humanity shines bright. Highly recommended.

Going Over by Beth Kephart

This is a story and a piece of art. I can see reading this book over and over because it is so very, very rich in imagery and emotion. It is painful. It is beautiful. It is haunting

We Were Here by Matt de la Peña

These characters, sigh. I feel like I could go for a walk and I might find them standing on a corner, watching people go by. I would want to run up and talk about courage and honesty and deep morals and true loyalty. I would want to buy them a sandwich. I would want to know that their worlds are all going to be okay

Listen, Slowly by Thanhhà Lai

A powerful story about the pull of home, the strength of family, the importance of culture and the complexities of personal and family histories.

Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin

Beautifully written. Loftin manages to leave her readers always a little on edge yet completely attached to the emotional story line she shares. It’s almost as if the magic suggested in the story floats off the page and whispers quietly, “Come in. Immerse yourself. Feel.”