Reads to Wrap 2015
December 2015
Holiday gift book recommendations and Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season from the Youth Services Committee of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System!
Board Books
My First Book of Superpowers designed by Georgia Rucker
Introduces young readers to beloved DC super heroes and their awesome powers.
Even Super Heroes Sleep by David Bar Katz
Super heroes in training will definitely relate to this charming bedtime book.
Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
A small blue truck finds his way out of a jam, with a little help from his friends.
Picture Books
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson
A young boy and his grandmother take the bus together through the city.
Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
A picture book adventure of the toys from the "Toys" chapter book series. 4 very different friends experience the great outdoors.
Fetch by Jorey Hurley
A lovely simple tale of a dog playing with a ball on the beach told in muted sand and beach tones for young toddlers.
Papa's Backpack by James Christopher Carroll
An intricately illustrated book of a soldier bear and his boy and about the bond that keeps them connected.
Pool by Chi-hyŏn Yi
A story of swimming, imagination, and friendship told completely with a delicate and calming colored-pencil illustrations without words. None needed.
Kyle Goes Alone by Jan Thornhill
An engaging sweet story of a little sloth who finds his limits and goes beyond them. Lovely illustrations engage and let children imagine they are there in the trees with the little sloth.
The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara
A sweet bedtime tale of a library that opens at midnight and is run by a little librarian and her owl assistants.
Goodnight Already! by Jory John
This book brings fresh humor to a familiar scenario. Wanting nothing more than to go to sleep, an exhausted and grumpy Bear is pestered by wide-awake neighbor Duck, who makes endless and increasingly riotous requests.
I Don't Like Koala by Sean Ferrell
Adam does not like his stuffed koala because of its terrible eyes, terrible face, and terrible paws, but each time he tries to get rid of it, Koala comes back until Adam realizes that maybe, just maybe... Koala is on his side.
Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert
In this quiet, reverent story Mummy Cat awakes from his slumber to reminisce about and wait for the return of his beloved Queen and companion. Detailed artwork and introduction to hieroglyphics will ensure this one gets more than just a second look.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Dragons love tacos of all kinds. So if you want to have dragons at your party, you must serve tacos. But be sure to keep them away from the spicy salsa or you’ll have a fiery, dragon-sized problem on your hands! This is a fun and funny tale for any lover of dragons (or tacos).
The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton
It’s hard to prove yourself when you are the littlest warrior in the clan. What Princess Pinecone needs is a real warhorse to give her an edge in battle. What she gets is anything but a warhorse. This is an entertaining story in which a little warrior princess learns to make the best of any situation!
Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood
In this new take on the old classic, Cinderella is a wiz at space ship mechanics. Rollicking rhymes and a strong “girl power” tone set this book apart from other Cinderella rewrites!
If You’re a Robot and You Know It by David A. Carter
This adorable pop-up has a familiar rhythm with fun changes like “Shoot Laser Beams Out of Your Eyes”.
Chapter Books
The Racketty Packetty House by Frances Hodgson Burnett, illustrated by Tasha Tudor 100th anniversary edition.
A classic illustrated story about the world of dolls and fairies when people aren't around. For young fans of Doll People series. Age 7 and up
Star Wars: A New Hope: the Princess, the Scoundrel and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken
An illustrated re-telling of the first Star Wars film in which the galaxy's fate lies in the hands of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to be a Jedi by Adam Gidwitz
Luke Skywalker trains with Yoda to become a Jedi after a rebel defeat on the ice planet Hoth and battles Darth Vader, who reveals a startling secret to Luke during their duel.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side! by Tom Angleberger
A retelling of the third Star Wars movie, featuring Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia as they battle the Empire.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
The story about a homeless boy and his imaginary friend that proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary. Ages 9-12
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
A graphic novel adventure about a girl who discovers roller derby right as she and her best friend are growing apart. Ages 9-12
Firstborn by Tor Seidler
An animal adventure story narrated by Maggie, a most unusual magpie, who befriends a wolf who also doesn't fit in with his pack. Grades 4-6
Shadows of Sherwood: a Robyn Hoodlum adventure by Kekla Magoon
First in an exciting new adventure series that combines fantasy, folklore and dystopia for a futuristic reboot of the Robin Hood story. Includes action, adventure, evil villains, and those fighting the good fight. Grades 5-8
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible by Ursula Vernon
Not-so-average Princess Harriet was cursed to fall asleep on her 12th birthday, but finds a loophole in the spell that makes her invincible before the Curse Day. That means, she can do anything before she turns twelve!
Young Adult
The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe
An aspiring NYU film student meets a most unusual girl after a seance but only he can see her? A book that is a mix of historical fiction, romance, and the supernatural brings to life two very different New Yorks.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Sixteen-year-old Willowdean wants to prove to everyone in her small Texas town that she is more than just a fat girl, so, while grappling with her feelings for a co-worker who is clearly attracted to her, Will and some other misfits prepare to compete in the beauty pageant her mother runs.
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
A special, lovely insightful coming of age, mysterious journey for young Maddy as she discovers who she is both inside her bubble and out in the world.
I Am the Weapon by Adam Zadoff
A shadowy government organization needed the perfect assassin--a teen Jason Bourne. Great for reluctant readers and boy approved.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once? A New York Times Bestseller and chosen by Teens as one of the best books of 2015.
The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen
War is coming. . . .Join Jaron as he embarks on his final adventure in the conclusion to the Ascendance Trilogy.
List created by:
2015 BCCLS Youth Services Committee
