I always stress over choosing the best books of the year. And in 2013 there were so many! Choosing best books always begins with my annual gift book column for NoveList . Years ago my editor and I decided on categories that would bring all ages joy of conversation, reflection, and read-aloud fun.
This year my mission had a funny twist. At the same time I was contacting publishers to get a line on soon-to-be-published books, I was gathering packages for a teacher workshop. Our examination of Common Core Standards was scheduled to begin with a festive evening as we tore through envelopes, ripped open boxes, cut packing straps to reveal the recent riches of the marketplace.
Books waiting to be opened
Pre-class, stressing about my gift book deadline, I curiously returned to my childhood holiday habits as I shook boxes, felt envelopes and tried to guess which books I needed to open for review. Sigh…if only those books could have spoken through layers of bubble wrap and cardboard!
At any rate…Ta-da! Here’s a link to a sampling of my list for 2013 Gift Books http://www.ebscohost.com/
