Best children's books of 2008

The Underneath
By Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum, 320 pp., $16.99)
This tale of a lonely, loving dog who watches over twin kittens is an old-fashioned parable of good overcoming evil and of the consequences of breaking the rules. The book’s hauntingly dark themes and lyrical language make it most appropriate for readers ages 10 and up. (8/15/08)

Masterpiece
By Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Christy Ottaviano Books,
292 pp., $16.95)
Elise Broach offers readers ages 9 to 12 a lively mystery about great art, a boy, and his unlikely helper (a beetle). As James (the boy) and Marvin (the
beetle) find themselves unwittingly involved in the world of forgeries, art heists, and FBI operatives, there are both thrilling moments of suspense as well as places where young readers will just plain laugh out loud. (11/24/08)

A River of Words
By Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
(Eerdmans Books, 34 pp., $17)
This poignant biography introduces readers from ages 8 to 12 to poet William Carlos Williams through a marvelous combination of collage-style illustrations, period paraphernalia, and excerpts of Williams’s poetry. (11/26/08)

Something Wicked
By Alan Gratz (Dial Books, 272 pp., $16.99)
Alan Gratz follows up the success of “Something Rotten” (based on Hamlet) with this smart, droll remake of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. “Something Wicked” has a snarky narrator  who will speak perfectly to older teen readers as they become involved in a mystery that threatens damage to the environment. (11/22/08)

Chalice
By Robin McKinley (Putnam, 272 pp., $18.99)
“Chalice,” by Newbery Medal-winner Robin McKinley, is a contemplative story geared toward readers of high fantasy ages 8 to 12. The book’s unlikely heroine is a beekeeper and its plot is both compelling and a delightful change from formulaic fantasy. (11/25/08)

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