Best Books For Kids Selected by Kids
The Children’s Choice Book Awards is the only national book awards program where the winning titles are selected by children and teens of all ages. Did you vote for them? Are you curious about last year’s winners? I also have the Top 100 Kids’ Favorite Books which might make a great summer reading list to choose from.
KINDERGARTEN TO SECOND GRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Henry Cole
Nothing unusual ever happened on the Tuckers farm. Until the day that peacock showed up…
When a glamorous visitor lands unexpectedly in their midst and begins attracting customers, three hardworking hens protest: How come we do all the hard work and he gets all the attention? To keep the peace, the wise old hound dog suggests a swap. The hens and the peacock soon find out that other jobs aren’t always as easy as they seem. What will happen when three gussied-up hens spend the day prancing and parading at passing cars? And will that peacock ever figure out how to lay an egg?
THIRD GRADE TO FOURTH GRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR
Bad Kitty Meets the Baby by Nick Bruel
Kitty’s owners are home with a big surprise for Kitty. But what is it? Kitty, reeling in horror, thinks it’s a . . . dog. The neighbor cats are convinced it’s a cat. But we all know that it’s really a BABY! With Nick Bruel’s trademark mix of antic humor (this time involving a Kitty game show and the Kitty Olympics—which the baby wins hands down), riotous illustrations, total mayhem, and Uncle Murray Fun Facts, this may be the funniest Kitty book yet, and the one that hits closest to home.
FIFTH GRADE TO SIXTH GRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal parts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt. As Doug struggles to be more than the “skinny thug” that his teachers and the police think him to be, he finds an unlikely ally in Lil Spicer—a fiery young lady who “smelled like daisies would smell if they were growing in a big field under a clearing sky after a rain.” In Lil, Doug finds the strength to endure an abusive father, the suspicions of a whole town, and the return of his oldest brother, forever scarred, from Vietnam. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage. In this stunning novel, Schmidt expertly weaves multiple themes of loss and recovery in a story teeming with distinctive, unusual characters and invaluable lessons about love, creativity, and survival.
TEEN BOOK OF THE YEAR
Clockwork Prince: The Infernal Devices, Book Two by Cassandra Clare
This title is second in the “New York Times” bestselling urban fantasy series set in Victorian London. Love and lies can corrupt even the purest heart…In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, while her desire for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will – the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? As their dangerous search for the truth leads the three friends into peril, Tessa’s heart is ever more torn, especially when one of their own betrays them…The first book in the series, “Clockwork Angel”, debuted at number one on the “New York Times” Bestseller list and spent ten weeks in the charts. Casting has begun for Cassandra Clare’s first bestselling urban fantasy series, “The Mortal Instruments”, and filming is expected to begin shortly.
AUTHOR OF THE YEAR
Jeff Kinney for Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever
Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of.
The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he’s going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?
ILLUSTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Brian Selznick for Wonderstruck
From Brian Selznick, the creator of the Caldecott Medal winner THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET comes another breathtaking tour de force.
Playing with the form he created in his trailblazing debut novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick once again sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey. Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother’s room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing. Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories–Ben’s told in words, Rose’s in pictures–weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful–with over 460 pages of original artwork–Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka makes a mockery of Jon Scieszka on YouTube, and Jon wants revenge. Now, Jon will stop at nothing to keep Jarrett from hosting the 2012 Children’s Choice Book Awards Gala in New York City. He rounds up all his children’s book author friends and they do their absolute darndest to keep Jarrett away from the Gala, but Jarrett is determined to be there! Will he make it in time?!?!
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My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
My daughter gobbled up those Bad Kitty books and must have read them all 84 trillion times. And you know I’m gonna check out Wonderstruck. It sounds amazing!
Hi Artchoo,
I haven’t read the Bad Kitty books but now I am curious. I need to read Wonderstuck too. I have it here but it’s on my huge pile of books to be read soon!
Sheesh, that guys reads fast! Kid’s Choice, brilliant! I am of course going to check out the picture book but also Okay for Now sounds good!
Hi Ann,
These books were voted by kids and it’s the only children’s book award selected by kids. Fun stuff!