A Sampling of 2010 Youth Nonfiction and Poetry and Books for Adults

Poetry

*Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman; 

illustrated by Rick Allen, Grades 1 - 5.

"Intricately detailed spreads and nighttime-themed poetry celebrate the natural world after dark and describe such subjects as silk-weaving spiders, oak trees that recover from their time in the sun and a raspberry-leaf-eating porcupette that coos to its mother. By the author of the Caldecott Honor-winning Red Sings from Treetops."

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman; 

illustrated by Beckie Prange, Grades 1 - 5.

"From the creators of the Caldecott Honor book, Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems comes a tribute to the living creatures who have survived millions of years of evolution by developing unique characteristics, from the beetle's sturdy wings to the gecko's sticky toe pads."

*Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer; 

illustrated by Josee Massee, Grades 1 - 6. 

"An irreverent volume of versed fairy tales invites children to read each in its classic form and then to re-read the lines in a reversed order that gives the tales whimsical and modern twists."


Nonfiction

*The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley; illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, Grades 2 - 6.

"Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens wants the world to know that her papa, Mark Twain, is more than just a humorist and sets out to write a comprehensive biography of the American icon. By the creators of the Sibert Award Honor Book What To Do About Alice?"

Lizards by Nic Bishop, Grades K - 5.

"The award-winning biologist photographer and author of Nic Bishop Frogs introduces young nature enthusiasts to the beauty and diversity of lizards, in a volume that combines engaging facts with full-page images and a double-gatefold spread."

Built to Last by David Macaulay, Grades 4 and up.

"A revised compilation of three award-winning classics incorporates new research and full-color drawings while revealing the architectural principles behind some of history's most enduring structures. By the Caldecott Medal-winning author of The Way We Work."

Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World by Sid Fleischman, 

Grades 6 and up.

"Documents the rags-to-riches story of the legendary comic actor, describing how he rose from poverty in the slums of London to become one of Hollywood's wealthiest entertainers. By the Newbery-winning author of The Whipping Boy."

*Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption 

by Laura Hillenbrand, Grades 10 and up.

"Tells the gripping true story of a U.S. airman who was the soul surviver when his bomber crashed into the sea during World War II and had to face thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. By the #1 best-selling author of Seabiscuit."

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void 

by Mary Roach, Grades 10 and up.

"Describes the weirdness of space travel, answers questions about the long-term effects of living in zero gravity on the human body, and explains how space simulations on Earth can provide a preview to life in space."

The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us 

by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, Grades 10 and up.

"The creators of the famous "gorilla experiment" that demonstrated people's inattention to obvious facts draw on hundreds of creative experiments to whimsically reveal how the human race overrates its mental capacity."
Adult Fiction

*Room by Emma Donoghue

"A five-year-old narrates a story about his life growing up in a single room where his mother aims to protect him from the man who has held her prisoner for seven years since she was a teenager."

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray

"After 14-year-old Skippy ends up dead on the floor of a local donut shop, a number of suspects emerge at Skippy's school in Dublin, including Skippy's drug-dealing rival in love; a ruthless smooth-talking headmaster; Skippy's friend, who is determined to open a portal into another dimension; and more, in a hilarious portrait of the pain, joy and occasional beauty of adolescence."

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

"The idyllic lives of civic-minded environmentalists Patty and Walter Berglund come into question when their son moves in with aggressive Republican neighbors, green lawyer Walter takes a job in the coal industry, and go-getter Patty becomes increasingly unstable and enraged."