Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Since all the cool kids are doing it...

...I'm also going to tell you which books I'm most looking forward to in 2008.



In absolutely no order whatsoever, BOOKS I WANT:



Peeled
by Joan Bauer

Joan Bauer! What else do you want me to say?




Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart
by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Well, duh. How could I not?




Sweethearts

by Sara Zarr

Ok, I read Story of a Girl and liked it. Not quite as much as other people, but I liked it. I want to see more of what Sara can do. Plus, look at that cover. I haven't had breakfast yet, and that pink icing is KILLING me.




Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker

Okay fine. I'm a Clementine fan-girl. (I'm also a little nervous that Clementine is going to start getting not-so-good one of these days. Please, please, please don't "series" it to death!)




She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer
by Sally Hobart-Alexander

Another "duh." I'm itchin' for this one. Laura Bridgman's been missing from children's lit since Child of the Silent Night.




100 Days and 99 Nights
by Alan Madison

Doesn't it look sweet? Plus, I read an excerpt from the LB catalog and got hooked.



The Floating Circus
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

I have a thing for circuses. Not to mention authors who write readers guides for MY books and then go and win Schneider Family Book Awards. (Woo, Tracie!)



The Fortunes of Ingido Skye
by Deb Caletti

Deb rocks, and Little Willow says this is a good'un. Need I say more?




Greetings from Nowhere
by Barbara O'Connor

By my cyber-bud!




I Am Scout: The Biography of Harper Lee
by Charles J. Shields

This feeds right into my Mockingbird kick -- I can't resist.




The Humming of Numbers
by Joni Sensel

I sorta kinda know Joni through the blue boards. I'm curious.




Bird Lake Moon
by Kevin Henkes

I refuse to miss anything by anyone who can write for such an array of audiences.



The as-yet-unnamed biography of Abe Lincoln that I'd never heard of until Fuse mentioned it this morning
by Kadir Nelson

Because I love what he did for Carole Boston Weatherford's Moses.



And now...

Books I've already read that I'm going to wave under your pretty little noses one more time. (I like to buzz. Sue me.)



Princess Ben
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Terrific voice, surprising twists on the fairy tale standards, and completely different from Murdock's other books.




A Curse Dark as Gold
by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Am I being overly boastful if I claim I started the buzz for this little beauty?




Ever
by Gail Carson Levine

Her best fantasy since Ella Enchanted, hands down. My favorite is still Dave at Night, but this is a hummer.




Helen's Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan

by Marfe Delano Ferguson

Super, super, super. The best children's bio on Annie Sullivan yet. If you love me, you'll read this and make me happy.




How to Build a House
by Dana Reinhardt

As far as I can tell, Dana Reinhardt just doesn't make mistakes.




The Willoughbys

by Lois Lowry

Refreshingly sharp and snarky. Prepare to giggle maniacally.




Trouble

by Gary D. Schmidt

What Gary Schmidt writes, I read. You should, too. Period.



Thanks to Fuse #8 and the rest of the gang for grabbing this trend-of-the-day (which apparently started on Chasing Ray) and running with it. I sure couldn't resist.

********************
Currently reading:

The Off Season
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

11 comments:

Becky said...

I've been thinking about compiling a list like this one. It is so much fun to look ahead. I love Joan Bauer, but I keep forgetting she has a new book coming. So each time I stumble across the news I get a thrill. I need to just write it down and let it soak in :) I also am excited about Clementine's Letter. The Clementine books are just so much fun. I look forward to your reviews. :)

Sarah Rettger said...

I'll second the recommendation for Trouble. It's just amazing. I think I've read The Wednesday Wars three or four times now, but I have a feeling Trouble's going to beat that.

I'm planning to add my own list (thanks to Colleen for keeping track of them all) later today.

Jackie Parker said...

100 Days and 99 Nights is illustrated by Julia Denos, and if you recall, I looooves her. So that's Definitely on my to-read pile. I also want the Lowry & the Schmidt.

You are such a good crack dealer, Sarah! You SO don't need to get another day job!

Casey Leigh said...

I can't wait to read the Harper Lee biography, either! That sassy lady.

As for the rest of them, I implicitly trust your taste! You have yet to lead me wrong.

Maggie P. said...

The first three you've read look awesome. So is Off Season- my school library had it on display and I was the first to take it out. Dairy Queen was good, Off Season matched it IMHO.

traciezimmer said...

THANKS, Sarah!

Hope you like The Floating Circus half as much as I liked MISS SPITFIRE!!!

I wrote the guide for TROUBLE- I think it is one of Schmidt's best!

Can't wait to read the BAuer either!

Sarah Miller said...

My God, Tracie, you're like a readers guide machine! I'm totally lusting after FLOATING CIRCUS. Have you seen cover art yet?

Elizabeth Bunce said...

Thanks, Sarah!

I am happy to give you complete credit for being CURSE's very first fan!

I am so not organized enough to make a list like this, so it's a darn good thing everyone else is doing it for me! :D

Sarah Miller said...

I love to buzz -- especially on Elizabeth's behalf.

It's like being a bookseller all over again!

lookbooks said...

PEELED is fab. I hope you enjoy it!

Sarah Miller said...

I'm sure I will, if I can ever get my greedy paws on it!