Anna Staniszewski

As we near the end of a decade (when did that happen??) I’ve been realizing how many amazing books have been published in the past ten years. At a time when people fear for the future of publishing, it’s startling to think how much quality literature continues to be written.

I’ve also realized how many books from the past ten years have really made an impact on me, challenging me to think and inspiring me in my own writing. Here are some of the books (for children and teens, of course) that have most impacted me over the past ten years.

Feed by MT Anderson (2002) – This was my first introduction to MT Anderson’s work. I’ve loved science fiction since I was young, but I’d never read anything with such a strong voice that wasn’t afraid to be downright dark. It was funny and devastating at the same time, a rare combination. YA tends to age very quickly, but Feed seems even more pertinent today than it did when it first came out.

The City of Ember by Jeanne Dupreau (2003) – This books (and series) helped lead me toward the kinds of stories I wanted to write. I’d loved dystopian fantasy for years, but I hadn’t come across much of it for middle grade readers. I was inspired by Dupreau’s ability to convey such a complex world and history in such a short book; armed with this inspiration, I wrote the kind of book that I would have liked when I was young, and that book landed me an agent.

The Red Book by Barbara Lehman (2004) – This was one of the first wordless picture books I ever encountered and I was blown away. Not only does it tell a complete story without words, its metafictional elements add even more depth to the reading experience. For anyone who says picture books are simple and easy, I say read this book.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008) – This is the embodiment of what people mean when they talk about a “strong voice.” It’s dark and action-packed and unlike anything I’ve read before. People tend to have a very love or hate  reaction to this book because of the strong voice and its dark subject matter, but it gripped me from the first page and didn’t let go.

The Lightning Thief (and the rest of the Percy Jackson series) by Rick Riordan (2005) – When I first read The Lightning Thief, I thought it was a great premise and a fun read. But when I saw Rick Riordan speak a couple years later, I was amazed by the impact of his books. Thanks to his series, ten-year-olds knew more about Greek  mythology than most adults. I realized that not only had Riordan written an engaging series, he’d also managed to create an amazing teaching tool.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis (2007) – This well-crafted story shows just how strongly characters can come across, even in third person. The first time I read this short book, I was amazed by how simple yet rich it was. Emma-Jean is a truly memorable character whose view of the world is all her own.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (2004) – Not being a picture book writer myself, I don’t often talk about picture books here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t value them. To me, Mo Willems is one of the greats. Knuffle Bunny was the first book I read by him and it remains my favorite. The story is funny and heartfelt and the illustrations are engaging but also unexpected. It makes me laugh every time I read it.

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2006) – This was one of the first graphic novels I ever read and I was sold. This story could not have been told in any other way. Everything from the illustrations, to the text, to the intertwining plotlines works in perfect harmony. I love giving this book to skeptics and seeing it win them over.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2005) – The writing is amazing but the sheer scope of this book is even more so. What narrator can truly do the Holocaust justice? Death, of course. While the subject matter is heavy, the story is strangely uplifting and certainly thought-provoking. It’s a bit of a hefty read, but well worth the effort.

I could keep going, but I think this list is actually a pretty good representation of the past ten years. I hope the next ten will have just as many, if not more, amazing reads in store.

What have been your most influential books of the decade?

• Categories: Books, Random Fun