2020 Holiday Titles
Staff Picks
American Royals II: Majesty By Katharine McGee
This is book 2 in the American Royals series, and it’s the perfect escapist fiction to read in this crazy year we’ve been having. The glitz and glamour, drama, and romance in American Royals are all packaged in a well-crafted what-if premise. It fits perfectly with everything I’ll be binge watching over the holiday season, from The Crown to hallmark Christmas movies (the royal ones, of course).
—Emily DuVal, Manager, Library Marketing
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If you are like me and loved Mae Respicio’s first novel, The House That Lou Built, what better time to read her second novel, Any Day with You, than during the holidays? It is a warm family story of a young girl using the filmmaking contest she enters at camp to try and keep her beloved great-grandfather from moving back to the Philippines.
—Adrienne Waintraub, Executive Director, School & Library Marketing
The Blue House By Phoebe Wahl
For me, the holidays represent coming home and coming together with family and friends. This gorgeously illustrated story about a child and father accepting change in the form of a new home due to gentrification in their neighborhood will simultaneously bring tears to your eyes while helping you appreciate all that you have. You will pore over the watercolor and multimedia artwork endlessly and delight in finding small details across the pages. You might also want to peruse author-illustrator Phoebe Wahl’s store for delightful gifts to give, along with this book, of course!
—Shaughnessy Miller, Coordinator, Library Marketing
The Christmasaurus By Tom Fletcher; illustrated by Shane Devries
The Christmasaurus is a fun, hilarious, lighthearted Christmas adventure that the whole family will love to read together! William Trundle loves two things: dinosaurs and Christmas. When he writes a letter to Santa asking for a dinosaur, he never expects Santa to actually deliver! This tale (pun intended) comes to life with tons of magic and lots of illustrations. You won’t be able to resist falling in love with this sweet story!
—Erica Stone, Coordinator, School Marketing
The Cousins By Karen M. McManus
Because many of us will not be able to spend the holiday break with our family, this thriller from mastermind Karen M. McManus will certainly help fill the void. Cousins Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are invited to their grandmother’s island resort for the summer, and their parents are all thrilled at the possibility of getting back into her good graces, aka her will. But, of course, not all goes according to plan. Without giving too much away—it’s a thriller!—just know that Kirkus Reviews is right when they say “every twist is gasp-inducing.” You’ll never feel the same about family again!
—Kristin Schulz, Senior Manager, School Marketing
What Is Given from the Heart By Patricia C. McKissack; illustrated by April Harrison
It’s been a rough couple of months for James Otis and Mama. When the Temples, another family in their congregation, lose everything in a fire, James wonders what he and Mama could possibly have to contribute to the Temples’ donation box. He finds that compassion and creativity are exactly what he needs to reach another person’s heart. From three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honoree Patricia McKissack comes a celebration of generosity perfect for the holiday season.
—Natalie Capogrossi, Assistant Manager, School Marketing
New Holiday Titles!
