Kirkus Best Children's Books 2006.

I really hate PDFs.  Anyway. 

The ones I've read:

The Pox Party:  The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Vol. 1, by M. T. Anderson -- Yes, yes.  It's a disturbing read and there are lots of big words.  Not everyone will like it.  But it's a fantabulous book.

The American Story:  100 True Tales from American History, by Jennifer Armstrong -- I've started using this book the same way I use my Durant books -- as a starting point for future reading.  Love the illustrations, too.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn -- Yum.  It made me feel all mushy without BEING mushy.  How did they do that?

An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green -- Another yum book, and one that spawned a new literary crush.  I'm even thinking about making an "I Heart Hassan" t-shirt.

Black Duck, by Janet Taylor Lisle -- Bootleggers, dead bodies and a story that bounces back and forth in time.  Of course I loved it. 

Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan -- Hugely enjoyable, but now that some time has passed, I find it a bit lacking in comparison to Iris, Messenger.

King of Attolia, by Megan Whalen Turner -- Complex and nuanced and romantic.  I'm not going to say this again (well, until I get around to doing my personal best-of list).  If you haven't read this series, you're missing out in a big, big way.  And no, it isn't necessary to read the others first, but you should.

Dairy Queen, by Catherine Murdock -- Hooray, Dairy Queen!  Smart and funny and spirited.  Loved it.  Only thing it needs is a new cover.

King Dork, by Frank Portman -- Excellent crossover title to get adults reading teen lit.  Still of the opinion that it will become a cult classic.

Larklight, by Philip Reeve -- Victorian Space Opera.  Do you really need to know more?

Just in Case, by Meg Rosoff -- What if?  What if, what if, what if?  I dug it.  Made me think of Holden, and not in a bad way.

Rules of Survival, by Nancy Werlin -- Nikki takes the cake when it comes to Scary Abusive Parents.  She was so unpredictable that I shared the apprehension and fear that the kids did.  Nancy Werlin didn't allow me to simply be an observer.  Excellent.

There are loads more here.

(link via Fuse#8)