MLC Staff Favorite Reads in 2017: Juvenile Edition

There are some very enthusiastic readers on the staff of the Mississippi Library Commission. Not only do we read a lot of books geared toward adults, but we read a lot of children's books too. We read children's books to and with our children for both their benefit and ours. We read children's books because we serve on children's book award committees that help select awesome books that will instill a love of reading and learning. Most importantly, we read children's books because of our deep appreciation for books that spark imaginations, enrich minds, and inspire generations to come. Check out our diverse list of favorite juvenile reads from 2017 below, and remember: you don't have to be a child to appreciate the beauty of a children's book!

(Books available at MLC are linked. Check the statewide catalog to see if your local public library owns a staff pick that you'd like to read.)

Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Volume 1
Jeffrey Brown
2013
(middle grade)
Recommended by Bonita H.

Brave
Svetlana Chmakova
2017
(middle grade)
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

All's Faire in Middle School
Victoria Jamieson
2017
(middle grade)
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

America, Volume 1: The Life and Times of America Chavez
Gabby Rivera and Joe Quinones
2017
(young adult)
Recommended by Ally W.









Young Adult

Ship Breaker
Paolo Bacigalupi
2010
Recommended by Annie W. 

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women
Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
2017
Recommended by Ally W. 

We Are Okay
Nina LaCour
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.and Ally W.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Mackenzi Lee
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

The Astrologer's Daughter
Rebecca Lim
2014
Recommended by Ally W.

Moxie
Jennifer Mathieu
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Seanan McGuire
2017
Recommended by Ally W. 

Radio Silence
Alice Oseman
2016
Recommended by Amanda R.

 

The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
2017
Recommended by Natalie D.

Pivot Point
Kasie West
2013
Recommended by Mary Rodgers B.









Middle Grade

The War I Finally Won
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

Midnight Without a Moon
Linda Williams Jackson
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

Ahimsa
Supriya Kelkar
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

Auma's Long Run
Eucabeth A. Odhiambo
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

The First Rule of Punk
Celia C. Perez
2017
Recommended by Ally W.

Ratpunzel (Hamster Princess, Volume 3)
Ursula Vernon
2016
Recommended by Ally W. 









Picture Books

Big Cat, Little Cat
Elisha Cooper
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.







Jabari Jumps
Gaia Cornwall
2017
Recommended by Curtis Sene C. 

The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling
Timothy Basil Ering
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.

Little Blue and Little Yellow
Leo Lionni
1959
Recommended by Curtis Sene C.

Maple
Lori Nichols
2014
Recommended by Bonita H.

Potatoes at Turtle Rock
Susan Schnur
2016
Recommended by Curtis Sene C.

Not Quite Narwhal
Jessie Sima
2017
Recommended by Elisabeth S.









Until next time, happy reading!