This Month's Children's And Young Adult Book Recommendations: January 2013

HuffPost blogger Devon Corneal has made exactly one New Year's resolution. "I am only going to read books I like this year. If I don't like a book, I will not finish it. I will put it aside and offer it to someone else, after fair warning that I refused to waste my time to see it through to the end," she says. "This is blasphemy to some, I know, but life is too short to waste on books that don't captivate me. I'm too old to slog through something because someone else thinks it is important or fascinating."

The upside of her decision, for us, is that she has more time to find -- and recommend -- great kids' books. So far, 2013 is looking good. Corneal says there are fabulous sequels, first time authors with unexpected adventures and established writers continuing to surprise and enchant. Below are her eight picks to start your family's reading year off right, including new releases and a couple of vintage gems.

Here's to a happy new year filled with delicious hours of bedtime reading, leisurely days in the sun with good books and stories to remember!