Top Ten Tuesday

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: Top Ten Debut Novels (EVER!)

We strayed from the assigned topic a bit today, but we really wanted to share our favorite debut novels ever.

Ricki

1. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

This is one of my favorite young adult novels, and I can’t believe it is Ruta’s first! I will admit that I stole it from Kellee’s list (see below). It is hard to believe that Ruta worked in the music industry before she started writing because this novel seems to be authored by a seasoned  writer. Amazing (as I shake my head in disbelief).

2. Looking for Alaska by John Green

Who wins the Printz Award on his/her debut novel? This guy. Looking for Alaska is an incredible book that offers invaluable lessons to teens. Years after reading this book, I still find myself comparing other books and characters to it. I imagine that many of the readers of this blog have read this book, but if you haven’t—read it. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

3. Ball Don’t Lie by Matt de la Peña

I received this book in my first ALAN Workshop box. When I got home from the conference, I picked it up to read it and fell in love. I immediately searched for his other books and was disappointed to find that this was the only one that existed! Since then, I have read every book by this man. He is an incredible author. (I should add that he sent me ten personalized books to my students who were most at-risk of dropping out. Isn’t he wonderful?)

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I have been trying very hard to keep this book off of my TTT lists to show variety. I can’t help myself this time. Even if you don’t love fantasy, you will fall in love with this book. It is accessible to people of all ages (and both genders, I might add). I see that Kellee includes it on her list below. We are both addicted to Kristin Cashore.

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

I still can’t believe Veronica Roth wrote this book when she was a senior in college. It shows her innate talent at writing. After The Hunger Games came out, I had difficulty getting students to find other books they would enjoy. When this came out, it was a perfect choice. I found it to be intellectually more complex and a great next book on the ladder after The Hunger Games. (By the way, if you don’t know the term “ladder,” you should check out Teri Lesesne’s Reading Ladders—an excellent book for teachers of reading.)

Kellee

This was a tough one to determine as I wasn’t always sure when a book was a debut novel. These 5 are ones I know are debut novels and are just wonderful–you would never know they are debuts!

1. Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby

Portia is looking for her family, but ends up finding a place in the least likely places- a “freak show” touring around the midwest during Depression-era America. The author seamlessly intertwines Portia’s story with the story of the traveling show even mixing up points of views and narrators during the story. Although it sounds like it should definitely not work, it does. And it does beautifully. This book is mostly about heart, family, and home. Portia’s story is so enthralling and her transformation is amazing to be part of.

2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

This is such a powerful story with characters that you grow to love as they are put through hell. What makes the hell even more grotesque is that it is based off of stories that really happened during a time of history that does not get spoken of too often. Like Holocaust books, this book is one that will rip you apart as you read it. And all of it is based off of Ruta Sepetys’s family history!

3. Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

This book is a beautiful book in verse that not only has a touching narrative, but has exquisite verse. The narrative deals with a topic that many readers will have some sort of connection with, cancer, as well has coming of age in a household where the disease has struck. But what makes this book different than other stories about the effects of cancer is that it also tells the story of growing up as a Mexican-American here in America.

4. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

High fantasy can be intimidating because of having to completely immerse yourself in an invented world and sometimes I find it hard to imagine somewhere that doesn’t exist; however, with Graceling, the characters are so strong that the original confusion with the setting didn’t even bother me and then by the time I thought about it, I’d lost all confusion and was in Katsa’s world.

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

What can you say about this one?! Harry Potter was J.K. Rowling’s first try at a novel. Wow.

Which are your favorite debut novels?

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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: Top Ten Books I Read in 2013

Kellee and I had difficulty splitting our top ten for this one, so she is going to share hers on Friday and Saturday, and I get to hog today all to myself! Wohoo!

1. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein

This ranks in my all-time favorite YA books. The story is powerful, and I can’t stop thinking about the characters.

2. Into that Forest by Louis Nowra

I loved this beautiful story because it made me contemplate what it truly means to be human. This is one of my favorite survival stories that I have read.

3. Black Ants and Buddhists by Mary Cowhey

Even though this book is directed to teachers of grades K-6, I find I am using its lessons and ideas in all of my doctoral classes. This book does an incredible job teaching readers about how to enact social justice in the classroom.

4. When Kids Can’t Read by Kylene Beers

When a student used to come to me and say he/she “didn’t get” the reading, I often wanted to just tell him/her to read it again. But when that doesn’t work, what do we do? This book does a great job detailing how to diagnose and work with struggling readers (and all readers!).

5. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

 This beautiful story took me back to Europe. Often, love stories can feel generic and typical, but this tells a story that is much different. I loved it!

6. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I was sucked into the story, and I don’t feel as if I’ve fully left. Kellee and I are in love with this book, so if you’ve seen our blog, you know our feelings toward it. 🙂

7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I used to only read high school YA books. When I read this one at the very beginning of this world, it opened my world to the wonders (get it? wonders?) of middle grade YA books. I haven’t been able to stop reading them since. Thus far, this is my favorite middle grade YA book of all time. I think readers of all ages and levels with love it (my high schoolers did!).

8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I loved this book because it took me back to college. I was thrown into the whirlwind of emotions I felt as a beginning college student. Rowell is an incredible author. I fell in love with this story.

9. Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It by Kelly Gallagher

This book was certainly worth the hype. Kelly Gallagher is eloquent, direct, and articulate. I found myself quietly whispering, “YES!” as I read this one.

10. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

This is a beautiful identity and survival story that would pair well with many classics. Readers will contemplate humanity and practices in our modern world as these girls come to learn about it. I liked this book because it really made me think!

What were your favorite books in 2013?

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: Top Ten Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Us

You hearing us, husbands?

Ricki

I’ve decided to go with books for my new baby because he is more important than I am! These are books that Henry wants Santa to bring him so he can read them with his mommy.

1. The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Illustrated by Jon Klassen

I was always afraid of the dark growing up, and I think Henry would love to hear this story so he won’t be afraid!

2. On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

I really want Henry to be a huge dork like his parents, so this story of Albert Einstein’s childhood looks awesome.

3. Boy and Bot by Ame Dyckman and Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Henry’s daddy (my husband) is an engineer. I thought this would be a great story for them to read together!

 4. Press Here by Herve Tullet and Illustrated by Christopher Franceschelli

I hear that this book is fantastic. It is interactive and very fun, so I thought Henry might enjoy it!

5. Little Red Writing by Joan Holub and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

I thought this humorous take on Little Red Riding Hood would be fun for us to read together!

Kellee

I am going to do a mix. The first book is one I really want while the other four are picture books I really want Baby Boy Moye to own (any of the ones Ricki listed would be great as well!) though much like his Mommy, Baby Boy Moye’s bookshelf is overflowing! We may have to rethink our organization of his books…

1. The Living by Matt De La Pena

Matt has tried something new with The Living and I cannot wait to read it!

2. Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

I actually own Tacky the Penguin, but it is my school copy and I really want Baby Boy Moye to have his own. Tacky is such a great role model and his books are just so funny!

3. The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

I want to put Baby Boy Moye’s footprints in The Foot Book, but I need to own a copy first.

4. Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems

I love these two best friends and I only own one of the series right now.

5. Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell

I want Baby Boy Moye to know that possibilities are endless and Me…Jane is a great picture book for that.

Which books would you like most this holiday season?

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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: Top Ten Books on Our Winter TBR Lists

We really need to get to these books!

Ricki

1. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I absolutely loved the first two books in this series, so I am very eager to get to the third! I haven’t read it yet because I have too many other library books that are at-risk of giving me overdue fines!

2. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

I have heard such wonderful things about this book. I am waiting for my library to get it in!

3. Unsouled by Neal Shusterman

The first two books in the series are fantastic, and I will probably hear a few spoilers before I get my hands on it.

4. The Real Boy by Anne Ursu

I don’t usually crave middle grade books as much as I crave high school books, but everyone is raving about this book, so now I NEED to get it!

5. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

 I wanted to read this book so badly that I put it on my baby registry. I have it in hand, but my husband says I can’t read it until the baby is born. BOO!

Kellee

1. Mira’s Diary: Home Sweet Rome by Marissa Moss

I really , really loved the first one of this series and am so excited to have the newest to read. I loved the way Marissa Moss combines time travel, history, and art in Mira’s stories.

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This book is being raved about and since I liked Eleanor and Park I am so very looking forward to Fangirl.

3. Period 8 by Chris Crutcher

I haven’t read enough Chris Crutcher and after hearing him speak at ALAN I know I need to read more.

4. Two Boys Kissing by David Leviathan

This is on so many people’s BEST OF lists for 2013 and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

5. Explorer: The Lost Islands edited by Kazu Kibuishi

This one I need to read ASAP so I can get it into the hands of my students. They LOVE Kazu Kibuishi and I know they will love this one as well.

Which are the top books on your winter TBR lists?

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