Best of 2022

I read 86 books this year, and I decided to choose my top 20 to share with y'all! From short story anthologies to graphic novels, I read a lot of awesome books this year, but these are my absolute favorites (listed in the order I read them). I hope you enjoy!

 

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Ever since their father disappeared five years ago, the forest where Mila lives with her siblings has been cursed to dwell in an eternal winter. But when Mila's brother Oskar goes missing too, Mila is determined to find him--no matter what her older sister says about Oskar's running away to have a more exciting life. Mila and her little sister Pípa set out on a harrowing journey north with a not-so-trustworthy mage, facing bloodthirsty wolves and a dark and ancient magic. Mila is determined to find her brother, and to find a way past the neverending winter.

I read The Way Past Winter about a year ago while staying in a cabin in the forest while a blizzard raged outside, which was honestly the perfect way to experience the novel. Winter is a chilling thing in this book, and yet it is beautiful. This is a fairy tale has a marvelous protagonist who will have you rooting for her until the end. Beautifully written, with an intriguing plot and unique story. 

 

Marshmallow and Jordan by Alina Chau  

When Jordan meets Marshmallow, an orphaned baby white elephant, she finds a new friend...and a new chance in her beloved world of sports. After an accident that left her permanently in a wheelchair, Jordan can no longer be the star player of her school's basketball team, though she still stays as the captain to pass on her skills to the other girls. But she misses the feeling of adrenaline on the court--until Marshmallow leads her to discover water polo, which she can play even while paralyzed from the waist down. But will Jordan's new love of water polo interfere with her friendships on the basketball court? And as the Indonesian island she lives on enters a water crisis, Marshmallow seems to be hiding something...

This graphic novel is full of beautiful watercolor illustrations that make Indonesian life come alive on the page. Marshmallow is just the cutest little elephant ever, and Jordan is a wonderful protagonist whose kind heart and determination will win over any reader. A great book for anyone who likes reading about girls in sports--or adorable baby elephants. 

 

The Skylarks' War by Hilary McKay (also published as Love to Everyone)

Clarry Penrose is used to her less-than-perfect life: with a father who never wanted children and a brother who is determined to see everything in a negative light, Clarry has learned to look on the bright side. The most exciting thing in her life is her cousin Rupert, and the summers she and her brother spend with him in Cornwall. 

When war breaks out in England, Clarry is distraught to learn that Rupert has enlisted in the army. However, she continues with her life. She convinces her father to let her attend school, and spends many happy years there; she makes new friends, and even softens up her brother; and she learns things about the world around her. But when Rupert is declared missing, Clarry is determined to do everything in her power to find him, even if it means disrupting the stable life she has built for herself.

I love the feminist message throughout The Skylarks' War--Clarry wants nothing more than to learn and become something marvelous, but her father is not enthusiastic about a girl getting an education. However, Clarry persists, and with her strong personality and determined mind, she carves out a path for herself in a world that tries to push her to the side. This book also a wonderful cast of characters; Hilary McKay is a master at creating loveable and complex characters to brave the difficult times they face during World War I. 

 

This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Him, Her, Them, and Us edited by Nicole Melleby and Katherine Locke

A charming, heartwarming, and inclusive anthology of middle grade short stories and comics centered around LGBTQIA+ kids, with stories from much-loved authors such as Molly Knox Ostertag, Alex Gino, Shing Yin Khor, and Justina Ireland. 

A non-binary kid discovers their unique sense of style--and some new friends along the way. An animated gollem thinks she can't feel human emotions--but ends up falling for the princess she is charged with rescuing. A witch girl transforms into a dog to find a way to form a deep friendship with her new neighbor. In these amazing stories, sixteen queer kids find a place for themselves to belong, find joy, and live their lives to the fullest.

I absolutely loved all the stories in this book; many of my favorite authors contributed, which is part of what drew me to it in the first place, but I also discovered new authors who have their own novels that I now want to read. I don't think I'd ever read a middle grade short story anthology before this one, but this genre is emerging and there are a lot of great new anthologies coming out! Each of the stories is so unique and heartfelt, and each shares a fresh perspective on life as a queer kid, whether it's in this world or in a fantasy realm. I definitely recommend this anthology to any middle grade reader; with a wide range of genres, there's something for everyone in This Is Our Rainbow. 

 

New from Here by Kelly Yang

When Knox Wei-Evans's mom makes the last-minute decision to uproot their family from Hong Kong, where the coronavirus is beginning to take hold, and move back to California, Knox has no idea what to expect: when will he see his dad, who has to stay in Hong Kong for work, again? Will they really be safe from the coronavirus in California? And is the move temporary, or permanent?

When the Wei-Evanses reach California, where COVID-19 cases are already starting to pop up, they encounter more problems than they could have anticipated. Knox's mom is fired from her job in Hong Kong because she can't work in-person, and now she's searching frantically for work so that the family can have health care. The Wei-Evans kids all have to start at new schools, where the other students are suspicious of them because they're from China. Knox doesn't know if he'll be able to fit in here, what with his impulse problems and lack of talent for making friends. Not only that, racism against Asians is shooting up all over American. Will Knox be able to stand up to hate while trying to keep his family together? 

This book deals with many serious topics, such as Asian hate, moving overseas, and surviving the COVID-19 pandemic; but it's also hilarious, heartwarming, and generally really enjoyable! I think this is a book that almost any kid who had to go through the pandemic can relate to, even if their situation was very different from that of Knox (the protagonist).

 

The Girl and the Ghost by Hanna Alkaf

Suraya is delighted when her dead grandmother's pelesit becomes her first friend. Pink, as she names the ghost, is equally content with Suraya, who is the first person he has ever cared for. For many years, Suraya and Pink are inseparable...but Suraya still longs for human friends, as other children always try their best to avoid her. 

When Suraya starts at a new school and meets Jing, her first human friend, Pink is happy for her...at first. However, his pride soon turns into envy, and then to malice, as Suraya spends more and more time with Jing. Suraya and Pink must learn to control Pink's dark side before it's too late.

This is probably one of the best books I've read this year. It has been added to the list of Books that Made Me Cry (which includes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Séance Tea Party, and Red, White and Whole), because the way that Hanna Alkaf makes you love the characters is so well done! It's a beautiful combination of spooky, heartbreaking, and funny, and it's the kind of book that you hug when you're done reading it.

 

 

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

Nina is a Lipan girl growing up above her dad's bookstore in Texas. She's fascinated by the stories about the Joined Era, a time when humans and animal spirits lived together on earth. When Nina's great-great-grandmother died, she left behind a story...and Nina is determined to unravel it. 

Oli is a cottonmouth spirit from the Reflecting World of animal spirits and monsters. He's found a home on the banks of the bottomless lake, sunbathing and meeting new friends among the animal spirits that live there. 

Though the time when the human world and the Reflecting World were connected is over, earth still has affects on Oli's home. A climate disaster on earth leaves one of Oli's best friends dying, and sends Oli, along with two coyote girls and a hawk, on a journey to earth to find a cure. 

The way Nina and Oli's stories connect will change both of their lives forever...but though Oli has left the land of monsters, that doesn't mean that he or Nina is safe from them.

This book was incredible! The storytelling is amazingly well done, and there's just enough conflict to create tension but not enough to make you frustrated or stressed out. It was overall just a really enjoyable read, but also fascinating, especially since I didn't know anything about Lipan legends and stories beforehand. It's set in a slightly futuristic world--there's some inconsequential new technology, and climate change has an even larger grip on the earth. But Nina's time is very similar to our own, so it doesn't have a strong sci-fi vibe. Definitely recommend!

 

 

Spindlefish and Stars by Christiane M. Andrews

Clothilde is content with her nomadic life following her father from village to village. It was lonely, to be sure, but she always has her father with her. Until one morning she doesn't. When her father fails to turn up at their rendezvous, instead sending her an unreadable note and a boat ticket for "half-paffage," Clo follows the clues to a ship that takes her to a mysterious, gray island in the sea. There she will wait, however long it takes, for her father to meet her. 

The island, however, is a dark and silent place and not at all pleasant. Its somber, quiet inhabitants shuffle through their daily routines, all part of a working system involving the silvery fish of the island. Soon Clo is swept up in their tasks, spending hours in the house of an old woman who uses Clo's work to weave a seemingly unending gray tapestry. Clearly there is more to this island than meets the eye--and if Clo is ever to be reunited with her father, she must unravel the island's mysteries or risk being trapped there forever. 

This book took me a minute to get into, but once I did it was totally worth it. Spindlefish and Stars is loosely based on Greek mythology, but with a very unique and spooky atmosphere. It is mysterious, cold, and wraps you in a tangled thread that you will not be able to escape from until you figure out what happens at the end. I loved the weirdness of it; it was unlike any book I'd ever read. 

 

Healer and Witch by Nancy Werlin

Sylvie is content with her life as the village healer's daughter, learning her mother and grandmother's trade and trying to ignore the strange powers that surfaced after she got her first bleeding. But when her beloved grand-mére dies, Sylvie tries to use those powers to heal her mother's grief...and fails disastrously. The consequence? She leaves her village to try to find someone, anyone, who can help her master her powers before she hurts someone else. On the journey she will meet new friends...and new enemies. Sylvie's powers may be only part of who she is, but in the end, she has to make a choice: will she be a healer...or a witch? 

This medieval fantasy is magical, feminist, and intriguing. Sylvie is a brave and complex protagonist, setting out on a journey to find something she's not even sure she wants. What she does know is that she doesn't want to hurt anyone. You'll root for her as she discovers who she is, and travels across the land to fix her mistakes. I was drawn to this book by the amazing cover (the green! the details! the creepy shadowed figure!) but I loved it for the story. 

Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange

The six Fernsby sisters spend their days working on their father's farm, with their father's obsession with the Curse of the Six Daughters controlling their lives--especially that the eldest, Grace, who is to be married off by next spring. But the sisters find their joy in each other, and in their Grammy, whose secret stash of forbidden books gives the girls dreams of the world beyond the small marsh village where they live. When the mysterious Full Moon Fayre arrives in town, Willa, Grace, and Freya anticipate a rare night of revelry--but when Grace disappears the morning after the Fayre, Willa goes after her, beginning a journey of peril through the murky waters of the Lost Marsh. If she wants to save her sister, and the rest of her family, she will have to face not only the dangers of the mire, but her own father and village as well...

An unputdownable fairy tale, full of dark mystery and haunting detail. The world Strange creates is at once vague in a fairy tale sense and thrillingly detailed. Willa is a strong, well-rounded female character, which I love, and the story has feminist messages about living your own life without letting a man control you. Basically everything I need in a fantasy book! 

 

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Sophia and her grandmother spend their summers on a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. Though they are different and sometimes it's impossible to understand one another, a deep love runs between them and through the island. Grandmother has lived her life; now she is a part of Sophia's, and what she lacks in softness she makes up in a quiet, unsentimental kind of wisdom. Sophia learns to love and grow on the island, throughout all the adventures and sunlit days. She and her grandmother row out to other islands for a picnic, but meet with a storm. They get an absolutely unloveable cat, and yet Sophia cannot imagine any other cat replacing it. They build a miniature Venice in the enchanted wood, and carve boats from bark. Sophia tries to camp outside, but the noises of the island seem so much closer and more frightening there. She and her grandmother speak of things dark and grim, and of simple matters of life; but throughout it all the island is always there.

This book is written in twenty-two vignettes, little stories that seem without real plot, and yet an undercurrent of truth runs throughout each story. In this book, life is simply that: life, meant to be lived and contemplated, and made one's own. I can't really describe this book in my own words; those words are meant to be Tove Jansson's, as she is the only one who could write a novel that is somehow so simple and complex. Within each word lives the turbulent waters of the sea, smooth rocks warmed by sunlight, enchanted forests and deadly storms. This book is written by the author who created the beloved world of the Moomins, and it has the same quiet wisdom to it that marks Jansson's style. 

The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone

Mary Kate Murphy is excited about her school's new climate class, where she will join eight other students and focus on scientific solutions to climate change. But the new school year brings lots of other challenges for Mary Kate: her best friend Lucy is really sick, and nobody knows what's wrong with her. Mary Kate realizes that not everyone in her community is as accepting as she thought--especially towards the Black and brown students who come to her school from Hartford. And it's hard to feel optimistic when it feels like nobody in her town wants to make any changes--especially the mayor. Will Mary Kate be able to join forces with her fellow students to solve some of these problems?

This is the sequel to Dress Coded, as it follows some of the same characters, but it has a different protagonist and can be read independently. 

I loved this book! I often find that books that are focused on a topic or issue like climate change get too involved in the topic and leave out the story; but just like Dress Coded, Carrie Firestone creates a well-rounded story that is both hopeful and inspiring, despite its serious subject. 

 

Anne of West Philly Ivy Noelle Weir and Myisha Haynes

Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are a bit nervous about fostering a thirteen-year-old girl for the first time. And at first, it seems like the redheaded and impulsive Anne Shirley might be more trouble than she's worth. But as Anne's stay at Green Gables in West Philedelphia lengthens, she proves herself to be a girl with a big personality and a passion for the creativity and beauty in the world. In West Philly, Anne meets a new best friend, Diana, and a new rival, Gilbert. She joins the school robotics team, and though she makes mistakes along the way (such as accidentally intoxicating Diana with a box of liquor chocolates), she finds that she loves it in her newest home. But will she be able to stay at Green Gables forever?

I absolutely loved this modern graphic novel adaptation of my favorite classic, Anne of Green Gables. The author and illustrator do a wonderful job staying true to Anne Shirley's iconic and loveable personality while adding much-needed diversity to the story.

Those Kids from Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly

Nothing every changes in Fawn Creek, Louisiana; that is, until Orchid Mason shows up. Orchid is unlike anyone the kids of Fawn Creek have every seen before. She wears flowers in her hair. She tells the other kids tales of all the marvellous places she's lived: Venice, Paris, New York. Some people don't believe her, but Greyson and Dorothy are fascinated by her stories. They dream of a world outside of their tiny backwards town, and Orchid is their link to that world.

But every day, Orchid goes into the woods after school. Nobody knows where she lives, in a town where everyone knows where everyone lives. What is Orchid hiding? And is their more to her stories than meets the eye?

This book tells the story of one person who changes the life of the small town around her, and of the people she changes. I'd recommend it to fans of Kate DiCamillo, because it has a similarly simple-yet-complex story and a cast of beautifully flawed characters. Some of those characters will seem odious, some will seem kind, and yet they all have something in common in the end. I really liked Erin Entrada Kelly's writing style in this book; she's always been one of my favorite authors, but this book really stood out to me. 

 

The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Sai dreams of escaping her home in the slums with her con-man father. In Mangkon, your worth in society is determined by your ancestry--and Sai's ancestry isn't exactly respectable. Sai has a position as Assistant to Mangkon's best mapmaker, Paiyoon, but her future still has little prospect. So when Paiyoon is asked to join an expedition to chart the treacherous southern seas, and Sai is offered a spot aboard ship, she jumps at the prospect of leaving Mangkon once and for all. 

But month at sea is plenty of time time to learn that some of Sai's fellow crewmembers have secrets, secrets more dangerous than Sai's secret of her background. One of those secrets involves the legendary Sunderlands of myth--an island so far south that no one has ever returned to prove its existence. And Sai's ship might be heading right into that myth--for the Sunderlands are said to contain great riches, which the rulers of Mangkon could only dream of. Will Sai keep quiet to save her position--or stand up for the truth she believes in?

This Thai-inspired ocean fantasy has a strong independent protagonist who will risk everything to create a better life for herself. Both Sai and the world she lives in are wonderful and yet flawed, and each unveiled secret reveals their complexities. Through plot twists and dangerous storms, Christina Soontornvat weaves a page-turning fantasy in The Last Mapmaker. Also, yet again I will say that I absolutely love the cover--the colors are beautiful, and the art has a windswept, adventurous feel. 

Key Player by Kelly Yang

Mia Tang is a lot of things: a writer, a journalist, a follower of her dreams, a proud Chinese American. But she is not a sports person. So when she tanks in PE, she's desperate for a chance to fix her grade so that she can apply to journalism camp. 

Meanwhile, Anaheim is going wild for the Women's World Cup--the final of which is going to be in Pasadena, right next door to Anaheim. And not only that, it's going to be China vs. USA--which makes Mia feel like the two halves of herself are finally coming together. 

This gives Mia a great idea: track down both of the teams and interview them to prove herself in PE. But it's not so easy finding the two soccer teams; and when national pride runs high in Anaheim, Mia's dedication to not only the USA but also the China team causes problems. Are Mia's two halves really coming together, or is everyone trying to push them apart?

Kelly Yang's fourth addition to the Front Desk books is just as fun and empowering as the rest of the series. Mia's trademark determination shines in Key Player as she fights nationalism and sexism while tracking down two national soccer teams. Kelly Yang scores again!

 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

Young Adult, 12+

Starr Carter divides her life between a rich prep school where she's one of the only Black students, the poor neighborhood where she lives. She's constantly struggling to find which side of herself is the true Starr--why does she feel like a different person among her friends at school and her family at home?

But one night changes everything. Starr is in the car with her friend Khalil when he is pulled over and shot by the police. Khalil, unarmed, dies instantly.

Soon, the city is at war with itself over Khalil's death. Some call for the police officer's arrest, but many say that Khalil's death was justified, accusing him of being a drug dealer or a thug. And Starr is the only one who saw his death; she's the only one who can speak up on his behalf. But doing so could endanger her life, and her community.

This novel is a powerful depiction of the reality of police brutality and systemic racism. I'd recommend it to literally anyone--this book is so important in a country where the police basically have the right to kill any citizen they decide is "dangerous." It's incredibly well-written; the family dynamics, friendships, and community tension in The Hate U Give give the novel a complexity beyond its message, and Starr is a wonderful protagonist who leads the reader through the story with compassion and a deep desire for justice. Because when justice seems impossible, it's up to the people to raise our voices.

 

Merci Suárez Plays it Cool by Meg Medina

Merci's starting eighth grade at Seaward Pines: her last year of middle school. Finally, she feels like she has real friends, even if one of those friends is the sometimes-snobby Edna Santos. She's also great friends with her crush, Wilson, and has a solid spot on her school soccer team. But when she starts to become friends with popular Avery Sanders on her team, she has to decide whether hanging out with Avery is worth sacrificing time with her other friends. On top of that, her grandpa Lolo's Alzheimers seems to be worsening, and her cousins' absent father has suddenly taken an interest in getting to know his sons. With her family and friend dynamics changing, will Merci be able to stay true to herself while trying to play it cool?

This is the finale to the trilogy that began with Newbery-medal-winning Merci Suárez Changes Gears. I loved this series because each book lets you into Merci's life in a satisfying way that is hard to accomplish in less than 400 pages. Merci is a funny, complicated protagonist, and it's fun to watch her character development throughout the trilogy. I also love Merci's family; she lives in a little three-house complex with her parents, brother, aunt, cousins, and grandparents, and their relationships are very well-rounded and realistic. Overall, this book is warm (literally, as it’s set in Florida) and a joy to read.

 

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

Marlene dreads Sundays, when her mom drags her to the salon to "fix" her curly hair. Marlene doesn't see herself when she looks in the mirror afterwards--this straight-haired girl isn't the Marlene she wants to be. Marlene is tired of everyone around her criticizing her natural hair, and telling her that there's a specific way she has to look to be "beautiful." Does beauty even matter that much, anyway?

One day, Marlene decides she's had enough--she's going to wear her hair the way she wants. The result of her first attempt to wear curly hair doesn't exactly work--but luckily she has her best friend Camila and favorite Tía Ruby to help her out. With their help, she slowly learns to love her curly hair and finds a way to wear it that feels right.

I loved this graphic novel--it has an amazing message about embracing your natural appearance and the harmful effects of colonial beauty standards. Rose Bousamra's illustrations are also so fun, as you can probably tell from the cover; all the hair in the book is so detailed, as though the strands are practically jumping off the page. The dynamics between Marlene and her mom are very realistic and well-rounded, and Tía Ruby is basically a perfect cool aunt.

Hollow Chest by Brita Sandstrom

Ever since his brother Theo went off to fight in World War II, Charlie has been trying hard to look after his family: take on more responsibilities so his overworked mum doesn't get more stressed out, have patience with Grandpa Fitz when he starts forgetting things, and of course look after his cat Biscuits. But the hole Theo left in the family has been aching more and more. So Charlie is overjoyed when the war is finally over and Theo can come home. 

But when Theo does return, he's not the same laughing boy he was when he left. He's cold and distant, and sometimes he screams in the middle of the night. Charlie wants to help Theo return to who he was before the war, but then he discovers the true cause of Theo's change: war wolves. These ancient beasts feed upon the hearts of soldiers in wars, and they've eaten Theo's heart. 

Charlie has to follow the wolves and convince them to give Theo's heart back if he wants to save Theo. But can his brother ever truly be the same person he was before? 

I read this book based on Anne Ursu's recommendation, which convinced me that it would be good before I even read it. And it didn't disappoint. Not only is it a combination of two of my favorite genres (low fantasy and WWII fiction), Charlie is such a sweet, empathetic protagonist that I couldn't help but follow him to the end. The war wolves are deliciously sinister, but with a hint of something almost human in them. And of course there's the cat, Biscuits, who follows Charlie everywhere and even protects him against the wolves. This is such a beautiful novel. 

I hope you found a few intriguing books on this list to read in 2023. Do you have any reading goals for the new year? What books are you excited to read?

 

Cover images from Goodreads.