Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2015

When I first began the nonfiction picture book challenge, I simply wanted to close up a personal book gap I had. I read very little nonfiction for children and knew that needed to change. By starting the challenge in 2012, I was excited to read 60 or 70 nonfiction picture books in a year. However, this year (2014), I made an even bigger push to read more and to fill in some of my nonfiction book gaps.

Here are my stats for this year...

I read 140 nonfiction books published in 2014.
I read 5 nonfiction books that will come out in 2015.
I read 8 nonfiction books from 2012.
I read 24 nonfiction books from 2013.
I read 85 nonfiction books from pre-2012.
Grand Total: 262 nonfiction titles

As I look to 2015, I am looking at my fourth year of hosting the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.  Reading nonfiction has become a wonderful habit and one that I do not see myself giving up anytime soon.  Additionally, the community of readers who are participating in the challenge have become a wonderful source of information and new titles, as well as, on-line friends & even in person friends.

For 2015, there are somethings that I will continue, such as, reading as many new releases from 2015 that I can find. Though I squeezed in some MG/YA nonfiction books towards the end of the year, I would like to do better and read at least one to two per month.

Of course, I will continue posting each month the upcoming new releases as I find out about them. As I have been thinking about next year, I also would like to feature interviews with and guest post by children's nonfiction authors. Finally, I would like to include more ways to have fun with nonfiction in the classroom.

If you would like to participate in the challenge in 2015, here are the details:

 1. Set a goal as to how many nonfiction picture books (or nonfiction MG or YA books)  you would like to read over the course of 2015. Maybe you want to read one a month or one a week. Will they all be from 2015 or will you be reading ones previously published? Do you have a gap with a particular area of nonfiction? The important part is to set a goal that will be fun and not stressful.

2.  My nonfiction book reviews and posts will be on Wednesdays but I may start posting on a second day in order to fit everything in.  There will be a link if you want to connect up one of your reviews or progress towards your goal. If you post on Mondays (Nonfiction Mondays) or Fridays (STEM Fridays), please feel free to link up on Wednesdays with us, we would love to get to know more bloggers talking about nonfiction.

3. There will be interviews, guest posts, giveaways, and new release posts.

4. If you would like to participate in this challenge, please link up your blog or GoodReads Shelf using the Widget below. Please know that you can join in at anytime throughout the year.

5. If you tweet about what you are reading as part of this challenge, please use the twitter hashtag #nfpb2015.

6. You are welcome to grab the image at the top of the post to use in your weekly posts.

Don't forget to link up your Blog or GoodReads Shelf below:

Favorite Miscellaneous Book Picks of 2014

For my last favorite book picks of 2014, I am doing a miscellaneous grouping of books. I have decided to feature favorites that may not have ended up on everyone's lists. It doesn't mean that I don't like those other books that you have seen on the Nerdy Awards or on the myriad of Best of Lists, but instead of duplicating lists, here are some of my quiet favorites.

Favorite Early Readers:

Pigsticks and Harold and the Incredible Journey by Alex Milway (Candlewick Press) - Odd couple friendships, adventure and humor - this one has it all.

Drop it, Rocket by Tad Hill (Schwartz & Wade) - Rocket has been a character I love in picture books and now he has joined the early reader books. Rocket works well as an early reader.

Monkey Goes Bananas by C.P. Bloom (Harry N. Abrams) - Though almost a wordless book, this early reader is simply a fun story.

Favorite Graphic Novels:

Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust by Loic Dauvillier (First Second) - A serious topic for a graphic novel but one that is well done.

Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (First Second) - Zita is one of my favorite space heroes and this one did not disappoint.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll (Margaret K. McElderry) - A series of short stories that are perfectly creepy.

Other Favorites:

The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer (Putnam Juvenile) - This is a heartprint book and one that is beautifully written.

Nightingale's Nest by Nikki Loftin (Razorbill) - A twist on a Hans Christen Andersen story that touched me emotionally as I read it.

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm (Random House) - Just an enjoyable read with some thought provoking questions.

The River by Alessandro Sanno (Enchanted Lion Books) - A book that I don't know what category to put it into but one that has beautiful illustrations and minimal text.  So lovely.

What a wonderful year in books and I look forward to even more amazing books in 2015.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 12/29/14

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

I have continued to track down some of the 2014 picture books on my TBR pile and went through a stack of graphic novels and some other books. I am trying to squeeze in another 20+ books before December 31st.

Here is what stood out in the pile this week:

Hansel and Gretel retold by Neil Gaiman; Illustrated by Lorenzo Mattoti (Toon Books, October 2014) - Gaiman has retold Hansel and Gretel in his own dark style accompanied by black ink illustrations.

Amulet, Vol. 6: Escape from Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi (Graphix, August 2014) - The story continues and I finally sat down and read it. So glad that I did. The action and adventure and journey continues in book 6 and sets up readers for a book 7.

Bird and Squirrel On Ice by James Burks (Graphix, September 2014) - The hilarious odd couple of bird and squirrel are back with an encounter with penguins and a giant whale.

We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song by Debbie Levy (Jump at the Sun, December 2013) - A look at the song We Shall Overcome and it's influences over the decades.

At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasure of Mawangdui by Christine Liu-Perkins (Charlesbridge, April 2014) - If you like mummy stories and history, this one is a must read.

Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Houghton (Candlewick, September 2014) - Just a delightful picture book that I have somehow missed earlier in the year.

The History of Money: From Bartering to Banking by Martin Jenkins; Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura (Candlewick Press, August 2014) - An engaging look at the history of money.

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #1) by Kate DiCamillo; Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Candlewick, August 2014) - Leroy, and his horse Maybelline end up on Deckawoo Drive. For fans of Mercy Watson.

So, what are you reading?

Favorite Fiction Picture Books of 2014

Each year, I pour over stacks of picture books. I love looking at the illustrations and enjoying the storytelling. I use stacks of picture books to unwind and find a place of calm when all else is crazy. Some picture books make me smile and some make me laugh and some make me think long after I finish them. Some picture books are amazing works of art and others are just my personal favorites for reasons all my own. The list below include books that may not fit the criteria for a Caldecott and may or may not have landed on any best of list; however, they made my list.

Here are my top 14 picture books of 2014 in no particular order...

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spire (Kids Can Press) - I loved everything about this book - the characters, the message, and more.

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio; Illustrated by Christian Robinson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) - Some books just make you smile, and this was one of those books.

Quest by Aaron Becker (Candlewick) - The art in this book is amazing and the details within the illustration used to tell the story are incredible.

Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato (Henry Holt & Co) - What a sweet friendship story and it has cupcakes.

The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (Enchanted Lion Books) - This is another friendship story that just seemed special and the illustrations are gorgeous.

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea; Illustrated by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press) - Some books just do it all - text and illustration work together and make for a great read.

The Troublemaker by Lauren Castillo (Clarion Books) - The racoon in this book made me love it even more.

Three Little Peas by Marine Rivoal (Enchanted Lion Books) - There is something about these two little peas and Rivoal's artistic style that makes this story so very special.

Vanilla Ice Cream by Bob Graham (Candlewick Press) - It is Bob Graham. Do I need to say more?

Found by Salina Yoon (Walker Children's) - Yoon has special magic with storytelling and emotions. This is such a charming book.

Hug Machine by Scott Campbell (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) - Hugs are wonderful and Campbell catches all of the wonderful of hugs with his story and illustrations.

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke (First Second) - Hatke's illustrations are charming and I love how Julia handles all of the lost creatures. It makes you want to visit.

Flight School by Lita Judge (Atheneum Books for Young Children) - A penguin with the soul of an eagle? And we all need friends like he has.

Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston; Illustrated by Jim LaMarche (Simon & Schuster) - I could feel winter coming in LaMarche's illustrations.

So, what picture books are on your list?

Favorite YA Picks of 2014

As the New Year is quickly approaching, Kid Lit Frenzy will go through some of their favorite picks from 2014.  You can check out Alyson's best nonfiction for Kids: Part I and Part II.  Today, Carolyn is taking this opportunity to list some of her favorite YA books from this year. 

Here are Carolyn's top YA Picks for 2014, in no particular order:

Let the Storm Break by Shannon Messenger (Simon Pulse, March 2014)

This fantasy novel is the perfect sequel, thrusting Vane (the main character deeper) into the secret world of sylphs and captivating the reader more and more as the book goes on. 

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson (Simon & Schuster, May 2014)

At first appearing nothing more than a simple but enjoyable summer read, Since You've Been Gone surprised me with its interesting plot and covertly-stirring thematic ideas. The book chronicles the summer of one teenage girl as she attempts to navigate her life without the presence of her seemingly-constant best friend.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (Simon & Schuster, April 2014)

A poignantly hilarious book, To All the Boys I've Loved Before explores the life of a teenager forced to confront the boys she's ever secretly fallen in love with when her private letters are suddenly mailed to every single one. I'm usually not a huge fan of realistic fiction, but this novel was simultaneously funny and touching; overall, a deeply satisfying read.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May (Chronicle Books, May 2014)

The Falconer is the thrilling tale of the young Lady Aileana Kameron, a Victorian debutant by day and a faerie-killer at night. An excellent read for those who enjoy both fantasy and historical fiction.

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne (Disney-Hyperion, July 2014)

Livia Blackburne's debut novel is an intriguing book filled with assassins, mysterious barbarians, and the troubling politics the protagonist must navigate while dealing with all the different groups; Midnight Thief is a complex and worthwhile read. 

Cress by Marissa Meyer (Feiwel & Friends, February 2014)

As a huge fan of the Lunar Chronicles, I had been looking forward to Cress for quite some time. Marissa Meyer managed to create an even more complex plot in this third book, as the book artfully weaves together the story of several different characters in the futuristic world of the Lunar Chronicles.

A Girl Called Fearless by Catherine Linka (St. Martin's Griffin, May 2014)

Definitely one of my favorite books this entire year, Catherine Linka's debut novel A Girl Called Fearless is a brilliant and thought-provoking book that uses the backdrop of an alternate history (in which massive amounts of women were tragically killed) to explore ideas of patriarchy and oppressive societies. 

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (Henry Holt & Co. June 2014)

Ruin and Rising is the perfect end to the Grisha Trilogy and a superb read (which eases the too-familiar pain that comes when any great series ends).

The Spiritglass Charade by Colleen Gleason (Chronicle Books, October 2014)

This year was full of great fantasy releases, and the second installment in the Stoker and Holmes novels does not disappoint. Exploring the more supernatural elements of the alternate Victorian world that serves as the setting, the Spiritglass Charade is a thrilling mystery that's sure to please. 

I hope you enjoy this holiday season and have a lovely year (full of books) to come.

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Carolyn has been posting on Fridays since the summer. She is an avid consumer of BBC programming, a self-proclaimed nerd, and amateur foodie. She is a competitive archer, and one day hopes to be a book editor. Carolyn is currently a honors student in high school. You can follow her on twitter @yalitfrenzy