Fantasy and Science Fiction
Experts keep predicting that the fantasy genre has run its course, but, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of the death of fantasy are an exaggeration. Instead, the genre has grown and diversified, and today we have an incredibly varied menu to choose from.
Science Fiction, while not as popular, has also matured into a deep, thought-provoking, literary genre. Fantasy and science fiction take us on a journey to places we can only visit in our minds. They ignite the imagination and allow us to ask, “What if?” They expand the boundaries of our world to include the improbable, the possible and the impossible.
Help us to choose the very best children’s and YA fantasy and science fiction books of 2006 by submitting your nomination below. We are looking for books that have BOTH kid appeal and literary merit.
--Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds
Leave nomination for this category in the comments below. Nominations close Nov. 20.
I've been waiting for this! "The Tide Knot," by Helen Dunmore. The only one title I'm sure of so far this year.
Posted by: Kelly | October 18, 2006 at 12:10 PM
The Wall and the Wing by Laura Ruby (HarperCollins, 2006).
Posted by: Cynthia Leitich Smith of Cynsations | October 18, 2006 at 01:54 PM
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (sci-fi, but very realistic)
Posted by: Jennifer Smith | October 18, 2006 at 07:18 PM
"The King of Attolia" by Megan Whalen Turner. It blew me away. And I'm a pretty sturdy person, so that's really saying something.
Posted by: Brooke | October 18, 2006 at 07:26 PM
Oh, here we go - one of my favorite genres, and everything that comes to mind is a sequel, the last volume of a trilogy, or otherwise part of an ongoing series. In other words, the book doesn't stand on its own as strongly as it would with the previous book(s) being read first - and those books came out prior to 2006. Example: May Bird by Jodi Lynn Anderson, a trilogy, book one last year, book two last month, book three next year.
Posted by: Little Willow | October 18, 2006 at 08:24 PM
. . . unless you'll allow The Book Thief by Markus Zusak in this category. Depends on how you view the use of the narrator.
Posted by: Little Willow | October 18, 2006 at 08:28 PM
Do the nominating committee get more than one nomination ? If not, I'm going to have to think long and hard before I make my nomination...
Posted by: Michele | October 19, 2006 at 01:05 AM
Fairest, by Gail Carson Levine.
Posted by: Laura | October 19, 2006 at 06:15 AM
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor. Cannot wait for the next book. Suspense, some romance, Victorian London, a kingdom in chaos-what more could you ask for?
Posted by: Jennifer Schultz | October 19, 2006 at 06:56 AM
Little Willow: I haven't read The Book Thief, but from what I've heard, it does sound like it's a gray area. But since it's already been nominated in YA, let's leave it there.
I think that sequels are ok to nominate; those of us on the committee so far are fairly widely read in the genre and may have read the earlier book(s).
Michele: My understanding is that it is really one book per person, including the nominating committee. :-( I'm going to have a hard time choosing which one to nominate, also!
Posted by: Sheila Ruth | October 19, 2006 at 07:05 AM
I would like to nominate "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer. This book is a mix between Realistic Fiction and Fantasy for Young Adults.
Posted by: Bee | October 19, 2006 at 08:07 AM
The Sisters Grimm: The Problem Child (Amulet, 2006) by Michael Buckley.
Posted by: Ellen Scordato | October 19, 2006 at 12:28 PM
I would like to nominate "Larklight" by Philip Reeve. A Victorian melodrama set in space? Fabulous!
Posted by: Nixie Knox | October 19, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Devilish by Maureen Johnson
Posted by: holly | October 19, 2006 at 06:26 PM
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan is my nominee for top fantasty of 2006. And it doesn't have vampires, wizards or even a garden troll.
Posted by: Paul Acampora | October 19, 2006 at 09:09 PM
"River Secrets" by Shannon Hale
It is third in a series but stands on its own.
Posted by: Laura | October 19, 2006 at 10:26 PM
Cosdarnit ! I thought I'd get more nominations being on the nominating committe! OK then: Charles Butler - "The Lurkers".
Posted by: Michele | October 20, 2006 at 03:59 AM
A Darkling Plain by Philip Reeve (which I preferred to Larklight, personally).
Posted by: Laura Atkins | October 20, 2006 at 04:42 AM
I's like to nominate The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar, with an introduction by Neil Gaiman
Posted by: Richard Nash | October 20, 2006 at 07:18 AM
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Posted by: Judy Freeman | October 20, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow. Funny, oddly touching, and just so out-and-out original that it deserves a LOT more attention.
Posted by: Elizabeth Bird | October 20, 2006 at 09:42 AM
The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan. This book turned my son into a serious reading machine and that is a wonderful accomplishment.
Posted by: Melba | October 20, 2006 at 09:54 AM
Since KING OF ATTOLIA has already been mentioned, I'm going to nominate PTOLEMY'S GATE by Jonathan Stroud.
Posted by: Jonathan Hunt | October 20, 2006 at 10:34 AM
"The Shadow Thieves" by Anne Ursu.
Posted by: Kurtis Scaletta | October 20, 2006 at 11:03 AM
Angie Sage
Septimus Heap #2: Flyte
Posted by: Beverly Bixler | October 20, 2006 at 11:30 AM
The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup.
Posted by: Beverly Archer | October 20, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Not one of my usual categories (we all have our foibles!), but The Beasts of Clawstone Castle by Eva Ibbotson.
Posted by: Becky | October 20, 2006 at 07:59 PM
"Voices" by Ursula Le Guin. It's about a ravaged civilization where reading is prohibited, and a 17-yr-old girl risks her life for a library. A great book for us bibliophiles.
Posted by: Anne | October 21, 2006 at 05:42 AM
The Beast of Noor by Janet Lee Carey. I was completely absorbed!
Posted by: Donell | October 21, 2006 at 09:19 AM
Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | October 21, 2006 at 10:06 AM
I'd like to nominate Monster Blood Tattoo: The Foundling by DM Cornish.
Posted by: Tasha | October 21, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Sheila: Thank you for the response. I am going to wait a few more weeks to see if a new book smacks of fantastic, just in case.
Posted by: Little Willow | October 21, 2006 at 06:49 PM
The best fantasy/sci-fi/ action-adventure/coming of age/emotional book of 2006: PUCKER by Melanie Gideon
Posted by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" | October 21, 2006 at 07:18 PM
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
Posted by: | October 21, 2006 at 07:44 PM
Horse Passages by Jennifer Macaire
Coolest book I read all year.
Found this link through a friends blog. Thanks for posting.
Posted by: Alex | October 22, 2006 at 01:30 AM
De Mari, THE LAST DRAGON
Posted by: | October 22, 2006 at 06:54 AM
I want to nominate Stones of Abraxas by K Osborn Sullivan.
Posted by: Annmarie Ortega | October 22, 2006 at 10:05 AM
I want to nominate The Fetch by Chris Humphreys. Dark, sensational and thrilling!
Posted by: Margaret | October 22, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Gideon: The Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer
Posted by: Rachael | October 22, 2006 at 08:32 PM
Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
Posted by: Heather | October 23, 2006 at 08:36 AM
Peter Pan in Scarlet-Geraldine McCaughrean
Posted by: Alkelda the Gleeful | October 23, 2006 at 09:10 AM
I don't read a ton of fantasy and science fiction, but I'd like to add Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | October 23, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner, definitely YA
Posted by: GraceAnne | October 23, 2006 at 12:54 PM
Corbenic by Catherine Fisher. It's a modern day retelling of the Grail Kings and has been horribly overlooked. I love love loved this book -
Is that too much gushing?
Posted by: Colleen | October 23, 2006 at 05:24 PM
Horns & Wrinkles by Joseph Helgerson
You'll never look at the Mississippi River the same way again! A great read!
Posted by: Jenny Williams | October 24, 2006 at 12:48 PM
Shadow in the Deep by L.B. Graham
Posted by: Sherry Early | October 24, 2006 at 02:16 PM
River Secrets and Princess Academy by Shannon Hale.
AMAZING!
And New Moon by Stephenie Meyer.
Posted by: Rebel14 (From Squeetus) | October 27, 2006 at 06:18 PM
Sorry, Rebel14, only one nomination per person allowed. Luckily for you, River secrets and New Moon have already been nominated, so I'll take Princess Academy as your nomination.
Posted by: Sheila Ruth | October 28, 2006 at 07:49 AM
Oops, my bad. Princess Academy was published in 2005, so it's not eligible. So Rebel14, would you like to nominate another book? Just one, please!
Posted by: Sheila Ruth | October 28, 2006 at 08:28 AM
THE PINHOE EGG by Diana Wynne Jones
Posted by: Melissa | October 30, 2006 at 11:55 AM