Favorite books from 2020 and Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2021 written by the Elf and Ent on 12/28/2020 This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Recycling in 2020
I did something I have NEVER done with books this year. And I’ve been thinking about it a lot as a big milestone of this year. I recycled books this year. And not like, sell or give them to a second hand store or friend recycle, we love doing that and highly encourage it! THROW them in the trash bin recycled. I just don’t do that with books as a teacher and book lover. Even the ones that are falling apart can be used for projects and art before the bones are recycled. But there were some authors that I decided to part ways with this year. For lots of reasons- abysmal leadership, harmful writings, false information, and misrepresentation to name a few. And I’ve learned so much over the past few years about harmful concepts I’ve bought into in the past.
Know better, do better.
These were mostly picture books, theology books and marriage books. If you know of fiction books I should be trashing- wait until 2021 to tell me please!
Can you get something out of a book that’s written by someone you disagree with?! ABSOLUTELY!! I will still intentionally read books by people and about concepts I disagree with. But there is a large difference between disagreeing and teaching/behavior that I consider harmful. It’s a boundary line I’ve decided to shore up. And it doesn’t mean that I did not learn something from the book or authors, but that I don’t want to take them forward. My favorite Biblical commentary series is written by a team that I don’t always agree with. But the commentaries are reasonably priced, accessible, and great for discussion. And it’s good to be able to explain and re-learn why I disagree with certain ideas. I consider that to be healthy- but harmful is where I’m drawing the line.
Book Audit Time!
I can’t tell you where exactly that line in the sand is- and I’m not telling you to trash your own books. But I do REALLY encourage a bookshelf audit going into the new year. (& Recycling, thrifting and gifting books too!!)
Consider what’s helpful that you want to take forward and maybe lend out? What makes you happy, what teaches you, what motivates you, what makes you feel deeply, and what needs to go?!
A few points to consider:
-How many diverse authors do you own books by? (race/gender/ethnicity/disabilities)
-What books make you happy?
-What’s been sitting on your shelf for years that you’ve never picked up?
-For picture books, is history represented in an appropriate and accurate way? With diverse pictures? Do you own picture books that feature wheel chairs, hearing aids, lead characters that aren’t white, books written by kids, with children of different diversities?
-How many genres of books do you have? Is it time to branch out?
-How often are you utilizing the library? (Did you know that you can rent e-books and audiobooks?)
My book count was abnormally low this year. And it’s not like I didn’t have the time. It was a nice mix of anxiety and not being intentional about prioritizing it. It’s not going to be any easier to read this year, but I have a shelf of books that I’m excited to read and space to add more for the first time in a long time!
Keep reading for our 5 most read book reviews this year & 5 books we are looking forward to reading in 2021!
Our 5 Most Read Book Reviews of 2020
*Click on the linked title to read the full review!*
1) Dog Man: Grime and Punishment
Author and Illustrator: Dav Pilkey
Genre: Superhero; Graphic novel
Pages: 226 (234 with extra material on drawing)
Published: September, 2020
Quick Summary: These books are so popular for good reason, they’re clever and fun! In this one we find out that the mayor has fired Dog Man! And Petey’s dad has come up with a new evil invention! Will Dog Man redeem himself and save the day again?
2) New Kid
Author and Illustrator: Jerry Craft (Color by Callahan)
Genre: Youth, Graphic Novel, Drama Fiction
Pages: 249
Published: 2019 (we just did not read or review until 2020)
Age Suggestion: 8+
Quick Summary: Jordan’s parents have enrolled him at a prep school known for its academics. He would really have preferred art school – but instead he leaves his neighborhood school behind to begin seventh grade. Will Jordan be able to handle all of the problems that come with being the new kid?
3) Stamped: Remix
Author: Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Genre: Non-Fiction Historical
Pages: 321
Published: March 10th, 2020
Age Suggestion: 12 and up
Quick Summary: This is on our MUST READ list! It was really engaging, entertaining, important and educational. Jason Reynolds has taken the original book Stamped from the beginning written by Ibram X. Kendi and adapted it for a younger audience. They discuss the history of slavery and racism in America and how that continues to impact society today. It was shocking to dive into how pop culture has played into this so much!
4) Look Both Ways
Author and Illustrator: Jason Reynolds
Pages: 188
Genre: Middle School Drama; Fiction
Published: 2019
Age Suggestion: 4th-8th grade
Quick Summary: In Look Both Ways, Jason Reynolds beautifully weaves together 10 short stories featuring 10 middle school students who each face their own roadblocks in the unsupervised minutes between school and home, and reveal the heartwarming and heartbreaking motivations behind their at-school personas.
5) The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao
Pages: 336
Genre: Fiction based on a True Story
Published: 2012 (Movie released in 2020 on Disney Plus)
Quick Summary: Ivan is a silverback gorilla who lives in a mall. Aside from a daily performance, the mall also makes money off of his drawings. Ivan has always been an artist, and so has his human friend Julia. Determined to make things better for the new mall animals- Ivan uses his art to make a big difference.
Check out some of our other favorites from the year:
– Cat Kid (Dogman spin off)
– Diana, Princess of the Amazons Wonder Woman Graphic Novel
– Kimber The first book in a new sci-fi series
– Becoming Brave: Finding the courage to pursue racial reconciliation
– Authentic Conversations: Unlocking your ability to connect with others
– Girls Take the Lead in these books!
**OUR FREE ACTIVITY BOOK (Max and AJ)
5 Books We are Looking Forward to in 2021
1) Concrete Rose
Author: Angie Thomas
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Expected age suggestion: 13 and up
Brief Description: This is the prequel to The Hate U Give (You can find our review and curriculum for The Hate U Give through the links). This story will follow Starr’s father, Maverick Carter, as he tries to navigating being a seventeen year old in the complexities of Garden Heights.
2) Milo Imagines the World
Author: Matt De La Pena
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Expected age suggestion: Any age
Brief Description: In this children’s picture book, Milo, a little boy with a very complicated life, continuously reimagines what the world around him could look like.
3) Space Boy Volume 9
Author: Stephen McCranie
Release Date: March 9, 2021
Expected age suggestion: 12 and up
Brief Description: In this YA sci-fi drama, the story continues with a girl who belongs in a different time as well as murder and romance. Check out our reviews for Space Boy Vol 1 and Space Boy Vol 2.
4) The Secret of the Himalayas (The Unicorn Rescue Society Book 6)
Author: Adam Gidwitz and Hena Khan
Release Date: May 4th, 2021
Expected age suggestion: 8 and up
Brief Description: The Unicorn Rescue Society is back and this time they find themselves in the Himalayas of Northern Pakistan. Check out our review of Unicorn Rescue Society Book 1)
5) Your Life Has Been Delayed
Author: Michelle Mason
Release Date: August 24, 2021
Expected age suggestion: 13 and up
Brief Description: In this Young Adult coming of age story, a girl named Jenny who is trying to be a journalist gets on a place in 1995, just like usual. When she lands, she finds herself in 2020.
BONUS) Dog Man: Mothering Heights
Author: Dav Pilkey
Release Date: March 23, 2021
Expected age suggestion: 6 and up
Brief Description: In this 10th installment of the Dog Man series, Dav Pilkey creates a story parody of Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. We here love the Dog Man series and you can check out our previous reviews below!
–Grime and Punishment
–Brawl of the Wild
–Lord of the Fleas
–Fetch 22
–For Whom the Ball Rolls
Have you ever recycled or audited your bookshelf before??
What was your favorite 2020 read??
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