Best Books 2010

This article presents the 62 books chosen by "School Library Journal's" editors as the best of the year. While novels include some historical settings and contemporary concerns, it is fantasy that continues to reign supreme. More original, and more creative than ever, it includes selections that are frightening, edgy, wildly funny, electrifying, and magical, with protagonists fighting evil in brilliantly created new landscapes, realms, and kingdoms, as well as in the world. This year's humor is found mainly in the fantasy; most of the realistic books revolve around more serious events--children surviving Hurricane Katrina, a teen trying to understand what his ex-Marine brother is going through, three boys who survive by shifting through trash mounds. In the picture-book selections, the art ranges from glorious, ingenious, breath-taking, and innovative to downright hilarious. These imaginative titles span a variety of ages and interests, from preschoolers to middle grade audiences. Nonfiction wasn't as strong in the categories of nature and science this year, but the authors found some history and biographies that are outstanding in terms of clarity of writing, presentation, and offering fresh takes on topics for today's readers.