January 7, 2009

SLJ Best Books of 2008

School Library Journal's December 2008 issue features their choice for the Best Books of 2008. Included within their rankings are picture books, non-fiction, and fiction. The review editors introduce their choices:

"Of the more than 5000 books reviewed in SLJ’s pages in 2008, the 67 books listed below stood out as having distinctive voices, singular vision, and/or innovative approaches. They include books for toddlers and preschoolers, terrific picture books and easy readers, and some highly original novels. Fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, humor, mystery, affecting family stories, and adventure all make an appearance. It was an amazingly strong year for YA novels, several with hard-hitting, powerful themes. There’s also some spectacular science and history. Deciding among all of the books about Lincoln published this year was not easy; we selected two that we felt were the most unusual and creative. The arts fared well also, with lively titles aboutAlexander Calder, Mark Twain, Billie Holiday, and William Carlos Williams. We believe that there are some stellar choices here so read, enjoy, and recommend.-T.J." - SLJ, December 2008, v. 54, no. 12

Of the nineteen picture books selected by the SLJ editorial staff, the following titles are currently part of the library's juvenile collection. View the entire SLJ Best Books 2008 list online at School Library Journal, or via Academic Search Complete (login to view from off-campus).

Picture books link to AU catalog: