Each year the ALSC Notable Children’s Books Committee identifies the best of the best in children’s books. According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.
This year the 2023 Notable Children’s Book Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, July 12, from 2 – 5 pm EST for its July 2022 discussion. Register to watch the discussion here.
Here is the list of titles which will be discussed:
Picture books
- A History of Me. By Adrea Theodore. Illus. by Erin K. Robinson. Neal Porter/Holiday House
- John’s Turn. By Mac Barnett. Illus. by Kate Berube. Candlewick
- Love in the Library. By Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Illus. by Yas Imamura. Candlewick
- Once Upon a Forest. By Pam Fong. Random House Studio
- Out of a Jar. By Deborah Marcero. Putnam
- Powwow Day. By Traci Sorrell. Illus. by Madelyn Goodnight. Charlesbridge
Fiction
- Aviva vs the Dybbuk. By Mari Lowe. Levine Querido
- I Must Betray You. By Ruta Sepetys. Philomel
- The Last Mapmaker. By Christina Soontornvat. Candlewick
- Northwind. By Gary Paulsen. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
- The Ogress and the Orphans. By Kelly Barnhill. Algonquin
Nonfiction
- The Gardener of Alcatraz. By Emma Bland Smith. Charlesbridge
- Hello, Puddle! By Anita Sanchez. Clarion
- Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler. By Ibi Zoboi. Dutton
Poetry
- Ain’t Burned All the Bright. By Jason Reynolds. Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum
- On the Move: Home Is Where You Find It. By Michael Rosen. Candlewick
Madeline Tyner, chair, and the entire 2023 Notable Children’s Books Committee, are excited to share this opportunity to learn more about critical evaluation of children’s books and listen to their summer discussions; all are welcome.