Ruth Allard's 2011 Favorite Picks for Gift Giving

What a year it's been for good books! If only I had more time to read, I'm sure I would have discovered many more. Starting with the very young and concluding with adult nonfiction, these are my favorites, including a few that were published in 2010. This turned out to be a bigger project than originally anticipated, and in the interest of time, I have written some annotations and imported others. I hope this helps you find some gems for the people on your gift list.
 

Babies and Toddlers

The House in the Night

by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes. This lovely bedtime story in board book format features a cumulative poetic text and stunning scratchboard illustrations with glowing golden touches.

Flutter! Fly!

by Kaaren Pixton. A hummingbird graces the cover of a wordless book about creatures that fly, just one of five books in an inviting series that's "indestructible, chew proof, nontoxic, and 100% washable."

What Do You See?

by Martine Perrin. This visually stunning board book features abstract designs and die-cuts that open up to reveal a variety of animals in their natural environments.

Orange Pear Apple Bear

by Emily Gravett. Five words in different arrangements tell a story that little ones will return to again and again. New in board book format, and destined to become a contemporary classic.

Picture Book Aficionados

The Red Sled

by Lita Judge. In an almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child's sled for a nighttime joy ride. Onomatopoeic words and delightfully expressive animals rendered in pencil and watercolor result in a joyous adventure that will be in high demand.

Nothing Like a Puffin

by Sue Soltis, illustrated by Bob Kolar. The puffin is an amazing, one-of-a-kind creature--or is it? Striking art, lively text and a very cute puffin will have both children and adults rethinking what they know about creatures, objects, and their similarities and differences.

Grandpa Green

by Lane Smith. A young boy takes us on a tour of his beloved (and forgetful) great-grandfather's topiary garden, where the past remains vibrantly alive. Filled with layers of meaning and intriguing visual connections, this is a book to pore over and discuss.

Boy Wonders

by Calef Green. Is water scared of waterfalls? Are phones annoyed when no one calls? Each question is wackier than the last in a book sure to elicit some good laughs. Both sublime and provocative-- though the questions are aplenty, readers must provide the answers!

I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen. Bear's hat is missing and no one seems to know what's become of it. This gem of a book is deliberately understated and told completely in dialogue; its joy lies in figuring out the explicit plot from the implicit details in Klassen's unique illustrations.

Same, Same But Different

by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw. Pen pals Elliot and Kailash exchange letters and photos, and though great distance separates them, they become the best of friends. Exuberant multimedia illustrations enhance a thoughtful story about inclusivity.

Early Readers

Boy, Bird, and Dog

by David McPhail. Employing ingenuity and determination, Boy and Bird find a way to get Dog up in a treehouse for a happy day of play. An appealing story, told with just forty-seven words and illustrated with charming watercolor-and-ink paintings.

See Me Run

by Paul Meisel. A dog that is set free to run in a dog park uncovers an archeological surprise! This winning early reader features minimal, patterned text, cartoon-like drawings of dogs frolicking, and an unexpected twist at the end.

The Lion and the Mice

by Rebecca and Ed Emberly. Aesop's lion and mouse (and her friends) look decidedly stylish in a kaleidoscopically colorful version of an old fable. A wonderful redo that's just right for beginning readers.

Frog and Friends

by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Josee Masse. Frog appreciates the simpler things in life, and enjoys nothing better than floating in his pond. If only things would stay just the way they are!

Chapter Books

Bink & Gollie

by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile. Bink and Gollie can always agree to put on their roller skates, but in other matters, compromise is often required. Three hilarious chapters with inspired digital illustrations portray the delightful and exasperating ups and downs of an enduring friendship. An ideal first chapter book.

Marty Maguire

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Floca. When Marty is unwillingly cast as the princess in her school play, she takes matters into her own hands, redefining the concept of female royalty. Marty's voice is fresh, funny and strong, and she is a champion for girls who like to play in the mud, catch frogs, and climb trees.

Squish, Super Amoeba

by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm. Okay, I confess I haven't read this, but it's a top Kirkus Reviews pick and it has great boy appeal. From the sister and brother team who create Babymouse, here are the hilarious misadventures of a young amoeba who is determined to emulate his revered comics hero and do what's right.

Young Fredle

by Cynthia Voigt, illustrated by Louise Yates. Unexpectedly tossed outside after breaking an important survival rule, an inquisitive house mouse contends with snakes, cats, owls and raccoons, gazes at the stars, and he discovers that the world's an amazing place.

Middle Grade Fiction

Liesl & Po

by Lauren Oliver. Liesl lives in the tiny attic bedroom where she has been locked away by her stepmother. Her only companions are the shadows and the mice--until one night a ghost appears. A magical novel about a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places.

The Search for WondLa

by Tony DiTerlizzi. Eva Nine is twelve years old, but she's never seen another person or been outdoors. When a huntsman destroys her underground home, she and the robot who cares for her must flee for their lives. This illustrated novel is the first in a promising trilogy.

The Flint Heart

by Katherine and John Paterson, illustrated by John Rocco. A stone- age talisman turns up thousands of years later to transform decent people, animals and fairies into corrupt and power-hungry leaders. This skillful adaptation of a book originally written over 100 years ago has it all--humor, adventure, fantasy, and beautiful illustrations.

One Crazy Summer

by Rita Williams-Garcia. Three young sisters are sent to Oakland by their father to visit the mother who abandoned them. There they uncover the missing pieces of their past and receive a radical education at a summer camp run by the Black Panthers. Don't miss this illuminating, thoughtful and enjoyable book.

Wonderstruck

by Brian Selznick. Set 50 years apart, two independent stories--Ben's told in words and Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. Once again this Caldecott Medalist sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey.

Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine. Caitlin, a young girl with Asperger's, has always relied on her older brother Devon to help her understand the world. When he dies, she loses her interpreter, teacher, protector, and only friend. When Caitlin's extremely literal mind fixes on the need to "find closure," her search for this elusive concept yields surprising results.

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman

by Meg Wolitzer. Word nerds rejoice! You're about to meet a boy with Scrabble superpowers, and he is on his way to the national Youth Scrabble tournament. Shrewd observations, wry humor, and a touch of whimsy and magic result in a book that will delight readers of all ages. Pair with a Scrabble game and/or dictionary for a stellar gift.

Nonfiction Lovers

Me... Jane

by Patrick McDonnell. When Jane Goodall was a child, she had a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee, and she dreamed of a life living with and helping animals. This beautifully illustrated and unique biography shows how Jane's curiosity helped her become the world renowned animal activist and environmentalist we know today.

Swirl by Swirl

by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes. Spirals are everywhere in nature, from a snail's shell to a breaking ocean wave. Lyrical text and luminous illustrations explore the many manifestations of this significant shape, challenging readers of all ages to look at their environment with fresh eyes.

Heart and Soul

by Kadir Nelson. Subtitled The Story of America and African Americans, this richly illustrated narrative history is presented as a series of stories told by a kindly African-American grandmother. Stunning full-color portraits accompany tales of small victories and transformative events in a book filled with hope, inspiration, and unwavering courage.

Treasury of Greek Mythology

by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Christina Balit. I've never been sure why mythology is classified as nonfiction, but I do know that young readers fascinated with tales of gods and goddesses will treasure this book. Lively and accessible storytelling and beautiful art make this a must-have addition for any family library.

Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships

by Catherine Thimmesh. What makes a camel befriend a Vietnamese pig? Or a cat curl up to nap with a tortoise? These stories and the accompanying photographs of unusual friendships challenge our preconceived notions about compatibility in both the animal and the human world.

Young Adults

The Scorpio Races

by Maggie Steifvater. Every November, riders attempt to keep hold of their mercurial and extremely dangerous water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. This year, loner Sean Kendrick is the returning champion, and orphan Puck Connolly is the first girl to break with centuries-old tradition and compete. Excellent fantasy!

Stuck On Earth

by David Klass. Tom Filbur, a fourteen-year-old outcast with a dismal family life, is also the unwilling host of Ketchvar II, an alien who has crawled up his nostril and into his brain in order to determine whether the human race is worth saving. At once poignant, hilariously funny, and thought-provoking, this is also a great book to read out loud.

Steampunk!

edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant. Fourteen storytellers share tales that combine science fiction, fantasy, history, adventure and romance in a celebration of a new fiction genre called Steampunk. Filled with intergalactic bandits, utopian revolutionaries, intrepid orphans, tinkerers, dreamers, and wonders that never were.

Blink & Caution

by Tim Wynne-Jones. Two street kids are in way over their heads as they forge a blackmail scheme in an attempt to address some very real wrongs. Their cautious and tender partnership offers each of them a rare chance for redemption, provided they can survive the extreme dangers they are facing.

Ship Breaker

by Paolo Bacigalupi. Grounded oil tankers are broken down for parts along the Gulf Coast, and Nailer, a teenage boy, scavenges for copper wiring. One day he discovers an exquisite ship, and soon must make the most important decision of his life: strip the ship or rescue its lone survivor.

Ashfall

by Mike Mullen. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, Alex and Daria are stretched beyond their limits as they try to navigate a transformed world and find Alex's family. There is indeed a dangerous supervolcano under Yellowstone, and this novel combines realistic science with nonstop action and just enough romance.

Revolution

by Jennifer Donnelly. Though not as flawlessly conceived and written as A Northern Light, her previous young adult novel, this compelling and complex story about time travel to France during the French Revolution will appeal to readers of historical fiction and of fantasy.

Adult Fiction

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern. A mysterious and endlessly fascinating circus (which arrives and disappears without notice) is the magical setting for the story of two young illusionists whose masters have irrevocably bound them to compete in a contest where only one will survive. The author's prodigious imagination and fine writing elevate this debut novel above every fantasy I've read in recent years.

Annabel

by Kathleen Winter. Born in a remote village in Labrador, Wayne has discovered a secret that only three other people know--he is also a girl. Winter's powerful and sensitively written novel about a child with mixed gender was a finalist for the Orange Prize for Fiction and for all three of Canada's literary awards.

The Tiger's Wife

by Tea Obreht. In her elegantly written, multiple prize-winning debut novel, Obreht blends historical fiction, myth, and magical realism as she examines the nature of memory, the power of stories, and the ways in which both can sustain us. This is my top pick of the year.

A Trick of the Light

by Louise Penny. The seventh in Penny's New York Times best-selling series featuring philosophical Chief Inspector Gamache dives headlong into the art world, where shadow and light obscure and reveal the secrets of the human heart. A real work of art!

Caleb's Crossing

by Geraldine Brooks. Brooks has a talent for taking a shard of little- known history and bringing it fully to life. Caleb, the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College, and Bethia, the unconventional daughter of a Calvinist minister, struggle to navigate the shoals that divide their cultures and limit their personal freedoms.

The Dovekeepers

by Alice Hoffman. The lives of four bold, resourceful, and sensuous women intersect in C.E. 70 on Masada, the Judean mountain where nine hundred Jews held out for many months against the Roman army. Each dovekeeper's personal history, secrets, and dreams are gradually revealed as the siege relentlessly progresses.

Tag Man

by Archer Mayor. An unusual burglar is at work in Brattleboro, VT. He observes rich people while they are sleeping, eats something from the refrigerator, and leaves a post-it note on the bedside table--hence the moniker of Tag Man. In the process, though, he uncovers some secrets that soon have him and his daughter running for their lives.

Open City

by Teju Cole. A young Nigerian graduate student spends his free time walking all over Manhattan, observing city life and relating it to his memories and to his African boyhood. Yet memories can be slippery things, as he discovers when someone from his past re-enters his life.

Walking to Gatlinburg

by Howard Frank Mosher. Mosher is a master at spinning magical and wonderfully strange stories, and this one is truly exceptional. In the midst of the Civil War, young Vermont sharpshooter Morgan Kinneson walks south to find his missing brother, while a group of escaped convicts hunts him in pursuit of the mysterious stone he carries.

Adult Nonfiction

Knocking on Heaven's Door

by Lisa Randall. From one of Time magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World," here is an exhilarating and accessible overview of the latest ideas in physics, and a rousing defense of the role of science in our lives.

Rin Tin Tin

by Susan Orlean. A war orphan found on a battlefield in 1918, Rin Tin Tin became a movie and TV star, and an American icon whose most devoted human friend believed he was immortal. The story of this amazing dog explores his life, his legend, entertainment in the 20th century, and the significance of the human/canine bond.

Midnight Rising

by Tony Horwitz. Potent prose by this Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist brings the riveting story of John Brown and his ill-fated abolitionist raid on Harper's Ferry to vivid life. A fascinating look at the leading activist/freedom fighter/terrorist in the cause of ending slavery.

Charles Dickens: A Life

by Claire Tomlinson. Award-winning literary biographer Tomlinson presents an engaging and clear-eyed account of a man of extraordinary contradictions, whose vices and virtues were intertwined as surely as his life and his writing.

Moonwalking With Einstein

by Joshua Foer. On average, people squander forty days annually compensating for things they've forgotten. Foer used to be one of those people, but after a year of memory training, he found himself in the finals of the U.S. Memory Championship. Even more important, he discovered a vital truth: we are the sum of our memories.

The Swerve

by Stephen Greenblatt. This innovative work of history is also a thrilling story of discovery, in which one manuscript, plucked from 1,000 years of neglect, changed the course of human thought. Winner of the 2011 National Book Award for Nonfiction.

Naturally Curious

by Mary Holland. Gorgeous photographs, descriptive narrative, and informative sidebars comprise this useful and beautiful month-by- month look at the natural world of New England. There is something fascinating to learn on every page.