Best Children’s Books of 2016

by Karen Harrington. Little, Brown, 352 pp., $16.99.
After 12-year-old Wayne Kovok’s uncle dies in combat in Iraq, Wayne and his mother travel to Arlington National Cemetery for his burial. When their airplane crashes on the trip home, Kovok’s injuries leave him temporarily mute. This exceptional coming-of-age story highlights the importance of finding your own voice. Don’t be put off by the book’s grim storyline; Kovok is an appealing protagonist, and this heartwarming story is an absolute winner. Ages 8-12.