Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.
Today’s Topic: Unique Books I Recommend
Check out our 2014 post on the same topic: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2639
Kellee
Some of these books are unique in story, others are unique in format, but they are all great reads.
1. Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The combination of unique science fiction setting and story and the character’s ability to hear thoughts that cloud their mind makes this one of the most unique and brilliant books I’ve read.
2. Inquisitor’s Tale by Adam Gidwitz
Adam Gidwitz’s story is not only unique (with magical god dogs and farting dragons) but he set it up as a story that is being told to a character. Each chapter gives a different point of view.
3. Brad Meltzer’s Ordinary People Who Change the World Biographies
I love nonfiction that switches it up and helps students find interest in our history. Meltzer’s series mixes graphic novel and narrative nonfiction to give kids a wonderful introduction to such a diverse group of people.
Review of I Am Lucille Ball
Review of I am Jackie Robinson
4. Meatloaf is Worth than Middle School by Jennifer Holm
Jenni Holm tells the story of middle school with so much truth in this book yet it isn’t told in prose–it is told in stuff. All the stuff that a middle schooler accumulates. But that stuff shows one of the most truthful depictions of middle school of any book.
5. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
The book begins with the end- Min and Ed have broken up and Min delivers (threw actually) a box onto Ed’s door with all of the “treasures” from their whirlwind relationship. Each section begins with an illustration of the object painted beautifully by Maira Kalman and then the story of the object within their relationship unfolds.
6. History News books
These nonfiction texts are set up as newspapers making history news again!
7. Color Monster by Anna Llenas
This pop-up book is one of our favorite picture books here at UR because of its message and its beautiful artwork. The personification (monsterfication?) of the emotions were so well done. Llenas did a beautiful job making entire scenes and monsters that embodied the emotions. I also liked the uniqueness of the pop ups. They were multimedia with collage and rope.
8. The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
There are a couple of books out there that make the narrator say funny things (We’re in a Book by Mo Willems for example), but this one is unique in that the whole premise revolves around that idea. It is hilarious!
9. Hervé Tullet books
Hervé Tullet is the original when it comes to interactive (using your imagination) books!
10. Oliver Jeffers books
Um, if you have not read any Oliver Jeffers books, do so now. His picture books are some of my favorites because they are not stereotypical in any way. He just has these amazing ideas that are brilliant and smart and well executed. I also love his illustration style–just a bit funky 🙂
Review of Once Upon an Alphabet
Which unique books do you love?
Great list! I haven’t read most of these, but all of us here LOVED the Patrick Ness trilogy – sooo good!
Sue
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