A whole new century! This time I will look at the 2000s, the second half of my childhood is contained here. This decade, though not as nostalgic as the 90s, is still written in a way very accessible to me.
Books that I read longer ago I may wish to give a different number of stars to because in the early days I had a tendency to give books 5 stars no matter if I liked them or adored them.
Crispin: Cross of Lead (2003) - 5 Stars - I rated this the best book I read in 2012 and I still thick highly of it years later. Let's also recognize that this kicked off a reading trend for me going strong a decade later. M to the E to the D to the I E V A L, what does it spell? MEDIEVAL!
Bud, Not Buddy (2000) - 5 Stars - Another absolute gem, Christopher Paul Curtis has proven to me multiple times that he is not only phenomenal at creating a scene but also crafting believable child characters.
The Tale of Despereaux (2004) - 5 Stars - A charming little tale. Certainly fits the mold of a classic fairy tale better than the other books. I believe this may be the best bedtime story from the list.
Kira-Kira (2005) - 5 Stars - This is such an emotional book, here we have another classic example of Death by Newbery. The familial relationships depicted in this story are so realistic and form the the strength of the story.
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village (2008) - 5 Stars - These monologues are fun and perhaps the best 'outside the box' Newbery. Written by a teacher whose students all wanted an important role in a play this collection provides a look into the life of Medieval peasants and royalty alike.
A Single Shard (2002) - 4 Stars - This book feels like it was written in the 80s or early 90s. I thought it when I read it, and I think it now. It is always great to add books set in new times or places to the reading line-up. (That's how I discovered Medieval England after all!)
The Graveyard Book (2009) - 5 Stars - I should really only have given this 4 stars. The themes were interesting and Gaiman's world creative. But I find that years later I'm still confused as to the antagonist's motive.
A Year Down Yonder (2001) - 3 Stars - Very much like books from 20s - 50s in that it is very vignettey - but the modern writing moves it along for me. Peck also manages to avoid falling into tropes with his characters that would have been all too easy.
The Higher Power of Lucky (2007) - 3 Stars - Here we find a delve into the question of 'what makes a family?' The eventual resolution is predictable enough but then again - I'm above the target age range.
Criss Cross (2006) - 2 Stars - The only thing I remember about this one is wanting it to be over. Even the professional reviews make me want to roll my eyes: "A tenderly existential work that will reward more thoughtful readers in this age of the ubiquitous action saga." - Kirkus Reviews, "In idiosyncratic, wistful prose, Perkins mines every moment of missed connection and near-change with a hypnotic hyperawareness reminiscent of adolescence itself." - The Horn Book.
Recommendation of the Decade
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