Bookworm for Kids: Ages 8-12

Books for Ages 8–12
Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades

The Lost Island of Tamarind
by Nadia Aguiar
Ages 10–14
When a sudden storm hits the Nelson’s research boat, the parents are swept overboard. Maya (13) sails the boat to Tamarind, the island setting for her father’s fantastic tales. Stranded on the island, Maya, her brother Peter, and baby sister Penny, find themselves surrounded by pirates and involved in one exciting adventure after another in this high-energy fantasy.

Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages 10–up
As the Revolutionary War begins, 13-year-old Isabel and her 5-year-old sister Ruth are about to be freed from slavery by the will of their Rhode Island mistress. However, the unscrupulous heir prevents the reading of the will and the girls are soon the property of an abusive Loyalist couple in New York. Isabel agrees to spy for the Patriots in exchange for passage back to Rhode Island for herself and her sister. This well researched exploration of the treatment of slaves is contained in a gripping story.

M Is for Mischief: An A to Z of Naughty Children
by Linda Ashman & Nancy Carpenter
Ages 6–10
Packed with assonance and alliteration, twenty-six naughty children romp through this book, illustrated by Carpenter’s energetic digital collages.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead
by Avi
Newbery Medal 2003
Ages 10–14
Set in 14th century England, Crispin is a 13-year-old illiterate peasant who flees his village after being accused of a crime he did not commit on the day of his mother’s death. He hopes that the words on his mother’s lead cross will provide a clue to his unknown father. He falls in with Bear, a huge traveling juggler, and their relationship is the heart of the book.

The Seer of Shadows
by Avi
Ages 9–12
This scary ghost story, set in 19th century New York City, is narrated by 14-year-old Horace Carpentine, apprentice to a photographer intent on duping a wealthy client.

Chasing Vermeer
by Blue Balliett
Ages 9–12
Petra and Calder, two bright sixth-graders, join together to find a missing Vermeer painting. This mystery sends them on a quest full of patterns, puzzles, as they investigate the meaning of art. (1st in series)

The Wright 3
by Blue Balliett
Ages 9–12
Sixth-graders Petra and Calder are joined by Tommy in this architectural mystery as they try to prevent the destruction that threatens Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House. (2nd in series)

The Calder Game
by Blue Balliett
Ages 9–12
Now in 7th grade, series heroes Petra, Tommy, and Calder participate in the Calder Game, trying to join five ideas or things that move in relationship to each other. This provocative mix of mystery, art concepts, and philosophy will appeal to motivated readers. (3rd in series)

Enigma
by Graeme Base
Ages 5–10
Bertie Badger arrives at his grandfather’s house expecting a magic show, but the magic props have all disappeared. Readers are encouraged to crack codes and find hidden pictures to solve the mystery, told in rhyming quatrains. A set of bonus challenges will keep kids, and their relatives, glued to the pages for weeks.

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go
by Dale E. Basye, Bob Dob
Ages 9–12
Milton, an innocent 11-year-old bookworm, and his 13-year-old rebellious sister Margo, meet their end in a ludicrous accident at the mall. Unfortunately Margo has been shoplifting and hid her loot in Milton’s backpack, so they are both sent to Heck, purgatory for children. Clever allusions (Heck’s ruler is Bea Elsa Bubb) make this funny book sparkle.

Raucous Royals:
Test your Royal Wits: Crack Codes, Solve Mysteries, and Deduce Which Royal Rumors are True
by Carlyn Beccia
Ages 9–12
This fascinating mix of costumed caricatures, interactive text, and quizzes encourages the reader to participate in history rather than just read about it. The combination picture book/graphic novel is sure to appeal to middle grade kids.

The Amaranth Enchantment
by Julie Berry
Ages 10–14
Lucinda is a 15-year-old orphan who lives a life of miserable servitude in her evil aunt’s jewelry store until the day she finds an unusual gemstone belonging to Beryl, who just might be a witch. The stone is stolen and sold to a prince and Lucinda sets out to get it back. A clever twist on the Cinderella story, this funny and suspenseful fantasy is also a fast-paced adventure.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages 8–12
The four appealing soccer-playing Penderwick sisters (Rosalind, 12; Sky, 11; Jane, 10; Batty, 4) hatch the Save Daddy plan and orchestrate a series of disastrous dates to convince him that widowed life is far preferable to remarriage. This cozy book is the sequel to The Penderwicks.

Whitefoot: A Story from the Center of the World
by Wendell Berry, Davis Te Selle
Ages 8–12
The tiny mouse, Whitefoot, is comfortable in her nest in the woods, which she knows is the center of the world. When a flood carries her far from home, she must use all her skills to survive. David Te Selle’s beautifully detailed realistic drawings highlight Whitefoot’s exploration of a whole new world.

Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior
by Chris Bradford
Ages 10–up
A British merchant ship is attacked by Japanese ninja pirates who murder the entire crew, including Jack Fletcher’s father. Young Jack is rescued by a powerful Samurai who adopts him and trains him to join the warrior class. Since he is a foreigner, Jack is treated as an outcast at Samurai school and must use all his wit and skill to survive and succeed. First in a projected trilogy, this fast-paced adventure set in medieval Japan is full of spellbinding bits of history, culture, and martial arts.

3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows
by Ann Brashares
Ages 12–up
Ama, Polly, and Jo live in the same town as the famed Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. They decide to share a scarf, but worry that their rituals are lame in comparison. This start of a new series follows the three girls in the summer before they begin high school as each faces unexpected challenges.

A Gathering of Days:
A New England Girl’s Journal, 1830-32
by Joan W. Blos
Newbery Medal 1980
Ages 9–12
This novel is written in the form of a diary kept for a year by Catherine Cabot Hill, a 13-year-old girl in New Hampshire. Catherine’s mother has died, and she must keep house for her father and younger sister. During the year, Catherine undergoes school discipline, encounters runaway slaves, loses a friend, and faces new relationships when her father remarries a woman with children of her own.

Masterpiece
by Elise Broach, Kelly Murphy
Ages 8–12
Two very different families share a Manhattan apartment. Marvin the beetle follows his family’s rules about staying hidden from the humans, though he worries that the human family does not appreciate their 11-year-old son James. Tempted by the pen and ink set James receives for his birthday, Martin draws an intricate picture for James and then reveals himself as the artist. Before James can hide the drawing, his parents have discovered it and proclaim him a talented artist. Soon a museum curator is asking James to forge a Dürer miniature to catch a thief. The fast moving story and wonderfully detailed drawings will captivate young readers.

Let It Begin Here!
April 19, 1775: The Day the American Revolution Began
by Don Brown
Ages 6–10
This book begins as King George III wins the Seven Years’ War and realizes his country needs money. The taxes imposed on the American colonies eventually lead to the Revolutionary War. Told in a clear and interesting style, young readers will enjoy reading about this time in history.

All Stations! Distress!
April 15, 1912: The Day the Titanic Sank
by Don Brown
Ages 6–10
This gripping account captures the grandeur of the Titanic, the terror of the disaster, and the rescue the survivors. The watercolor and pencil illustrations capture telling details of of actions and facial expressions. The causes of the disaster are clearly explained and gripping first-hand accounts are included.

Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life’s Song
by Ashley Bryan
All Ages
This powerful autobiography tells a story of a creative life. Illustrations and memories show a boy finding art materials during the Depression, storing art supplies in his gas mask during WWII, losing an art scholarship because of his race, and an award-winning art career. A book for parents and children to enjoy together, this book will inspire artists of all ages.

Kaleidoscope Eyes
by Jen Bryant
Ages 9–13
In the summer of 1968, 13-year-old Lyza and her friends search for Captain Kidd’s lost treasure in their New Jersey neighborhood. Narrated in verse, this novel has a strong sense of place and vividly portrays a teenager’s conflicting emotions about the onset of adulthood.

Smoky Night
text by Eve Bunting, illustrations by David Diaz
Caldecott Medal 1995
Ages 5–10
Daniel’s cat doesn’t get along with Mrs. Kim’s cat and Daniel’s mother doesn’t shop at Mrs. Kim’s store, preferring to patronize African-American stores. But when Daniel’s apartment building goes up in flames, all the neighbors, including the cats, learn the importance of working together and accepting differences. Inspired by the Los Angeles riots, this book delivers a message about racism with a light touch supported by dazzling mixed-media collage illustrations.

All The Broken Pieces
by Ann E. Burg
Ages 11–up
Two years ago Matt Pin was airlifted from war-torn Vietnam. Now 12, and living with his loving adoptive American family, Matt is still haunted by memories of the family he left behind. Told in first person free verse, Matt’s present and past are slowly revealed as he begins to come to terms with the guilt of being the only survivor.

A Thousand Never Evers
by Shana Burg
Ages 9–12
Set in rural Mississippi during the civil rights movement, this emotionally compelling novel shows the racism and violence endured by the African-American community through Addie Ann Pickett, a junior high school girl. Caught between her mother’s rule to stay away from trouble and her brother and minister who argue that there comes a time when dignity is worth more than life, Addie has to make some difficult decisions.

Happenstance Found
by P.W. Catanese
Ages 8–12
Happenstance, a boy with weird green eyes, wakes up in a cave with no memories of his past life or his present surroundings. He meets Lord Umber, who seems to know as much about our world as his own. They discover that Hap has strange powers—he can see in the dark, speak many languages, and leap high in the air. First in a new series (Books of Umber), this strange tale is action-packed and surprising.

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming
by Lynne Cherry & Gary Braasch
Ages 10–14
Hopeful tone and comprehensive resource list.

Dear Mr. Henshaw
by Beverly Cleary
Newbery Medal 1984
Ages 8–12
Leigh begins writing to Mr. Henshaw, an author, when he is in 2nd grade as a school assignment. Leigh is lonely and unhappy. He’s the new kid in town with recently divorced parents, his lunch is stolen every day, and he doesn’t even have a dog. Mr. Henshaw writes back and encourages Leigh to keep a journal to express his feelings. This outlet allows Leigh to slowly develop confidence in himself. The reader will enjoy watching Leigh’s writing improve over the four years covered in the book.

The Black Book of Colors
by Menena Cottin & Rosana Faria
Ages 5–10
This book attempts to convey the experience of blindness. White text on black pages, with braille above, explain how Thomas tastes, feels, and hears about color words. Raised black lines on black paper, decodable by touch alone, illustrate Thomas’s color images. This amazing book allows young readers to experience the world in a new way.

Love Me Tender
by Audrey Couloumbis
Ages 8–12
Elvira (13) is horrified when her father leaves home for an Elvis convention and then her pregnant mother takes the rest of the family to stay with grandmother. Perceptive and lively portrayal of family dynamics.

Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Newbery Medal 1995
Ages 10–14
Salamanca Tree Hiddle’s mother leaves home on a spiritual quests, but promises to return. She doesn’t, and Sal and her father move from Kentucky to Idaho. Her new friend Phoebe is also 13 and also has a mother who vanished. Sal convinces her grandparents to drive to Idaho in search of her mother while telling the story of Phoebe. Sal’s journey through the grieving process of denial, anger, and acceptance is presented realistically and with compassion.

Bud, Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Newbery Medal 2000
Ages 9–12
Bud is a 10-year-old orphan in Depression-era Michigan. He runs away to Grand Rapids, searching for the man he believes might be his father, jazz musician Herman E. Calloway. Along the way Bud has all sorts of exciting adventures, narrated in his own authentic and often hilarious voice. Calloway is less than thrilled to meet Bud, but the other members of his band make Bud feel at home.

The Midwife’s Apprentice
by Karen Cushman
Newbery Medal 1996
Ages 10–up
In medieval England, a young girl rises from dire poverty by becoming the apprentice to Jane Sharp, a cranky and bossy midwife. First known as Beetle, since she was found living in a dung heap, the girl struggles to learn the skills of her new profession. As she grows in knowledge and self-confidence, the girl finally respects herself enough to choose a real name: Alyce.

The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
Newbery Medal 2004
Ages 8–up
When Despereaux is born within the walls of the castle, he is such tiny mouse with such huge ears that his parents fear he won’t live long. Despereaux falls in love with the beautiful human Princess Pea and is banished to the dungeon. Chiaroscuro is a rat who hates the dark dungeon and longs to live in the light above. Miggery Sow is a peasant servant who dreams of wearing a princess crown herself. These four characters interact in unexpected ways in this delightful and suspenseful fairy tale.

The London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd
Ages 8–12
Ted and Kat take their cousin Salim to ride on the London Eye. While waiting in a long line, a stranger gives them a free ticket and Salim boards the ride. When his pod arrives back in half an hour, Salim is missing. Ted and Kat overcome their usual sibling friction to work together to solve the mystery. Ted, the endearing narrator, has an unnamed Asberger’s-like syndrome which adds an intriguing dimension to this clever puzzle.

Dessert First
by Hallie Durand, Christine Davenier
Ages 7–10
When 3rd grader Dessert’s teacher tells her class to march to their own drummers, Dessert decides that means eating dessert before the meal. But eating all the chocolate in the refrigerator gets Dessert into trouble at home. Her teacher encourages Dessert to find her own way to make amends. The humorous black and white illustrations add to the fun of this book.

The Girl Who Wanted to Dance
by Amy Ehrlich
Ages 6–10
Clara, who longs to dance, lives with her sad father and loving grandmother who tells her that her absent mother also loved music and dance. When a traveling dance troupe visits the village, Clara’s father recognizes Clara’s mother, and forgives her for leaving the family. This haunting fairy tale compassionately addresses the irresistible artistic urge and the pain of those left behind.

The Problem with the Puddles
by Kate Feiffer, Tricia Tusa
Ages 8–12
Mr. and Mrs. Puddles disagree on everything. One daughter is called Baby because they couldn’t agree on a name. They have two dogs, both named Sally, because they couldn’t agree on a breed. And for some reason the family attracts clouds. Told from both the human and canine perspectives, this lively and funny novel is full of quirky characters that enchant and amuse.

The Big Splash
by Jack D. Ferraiolo
Ages 10–14
Seventh grader Matt Stevens walks the mean hallways of Franklin Middle School in this clever and funny middle school noir. Tough guy Vinny Biggio and his gang of trigger girls and boys armed with squirt guns rule the campus until Matt decides to figure out who took down Nikki Fingers in this exciting mystery.

Once Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris
Ages 9–12
Chris runs away from home when he is six and is raised in the forest by trolls. After spotting Marigold in her castle through his telescope, he sends a p-mail (pigeon mail) and they become friends. When he learns her life may be in danger, he heads off to save her. This fast-paced fantasy, romance, comedy, and coming-of-age novel is a lot of fun.

Twice Upon a Marigold
by Jean Ferris
Ages 9–12
This hilarious warping of fairy-tail conventions continues the story of Marigold, her new husband, her father the king, and her evil step-mother who is not as dead as they hoped.

The Dunderheads
by Paul Fleischman, David Roberts
Ages 6–10
Miss Breakbone hates kids and is convinced that her class are all dunderheads. She insults them until they have no choice but to fight back, despite the fact that she owns her own electric chair and subscribes to Guard Dog Lovers Monthly. The class full of underdogs unites under the leadership of Einstein, the class genius, who brings out the hidden talents of each student. The vivid narration is brought to life by Robert’s quirky and hilarious illustrations.

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
by Paul Fleischman
Newbery Medal 1989
Ages 8–up
These poems about insects are designed to be read aloud by two voices, bring the words to life. Eric Beddows’s black-and-white drawings echo the realism and fanciful nature of the poems.

The Whipping Boy
by Sid Fleischman
Newbery Medal 1987
Ages 8–12
Jemmy is an orphan whose job is to take the whippings for Prince Brat since it is forbidden to punish the royal heir. When Brat decides to see life outside the castle, he forces Jemmy to come with him, and Jemmy is accused of kidnapping the prince. The boys are captured by Hold-Your-Nose Billy, a notorious outlaw, and Jemmy must use all his cleverness to keep them both alive in this funny and adventurous book.

Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings
by Douglas Florian
Ages 6–up
These humorous and witty poems and illustrations will appeal to dinosaur and word lovers alike. The facts are accurate, and the combination of poem and collage make them unforgettable.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
by Marla Frazee
Ages 6–9
Frazee’s hilarious cartoon drawings illustrate this delightful celebration of summer, best friends, and grandparents.

Lincoln: A Photobiography
by Russell Freedman
Newbery Medal 1988
Ages 8–12
This comprehensive and accessible biography of Abraham Lincoln is enhanced by period photographs and drawings.

The Graveyard Book
by Neil Gaiman
Ages 10–up
When a murderer kills the rest of his family, the toddler escapes to the graveyard next door where the ghosts take him in and raise him as their own. The boy, called Bod (short for Nobody) grows up fairly normal despite his ghoulish guardians and the fact that the killer is still stalking him. This gothic fantasy is downright terrifying at times.

I Wanna Be Your Shoebox
by Cristina Garcia
Ages 8–12
Yumi Ruíz-Hirsch, an 8th grader in Southern California, comes from a mixed Cuban, Jewish, Japanese family. Three events force her to face the loss of something she loves: her school plans to cut the orchestra, her mother wants to marry and move, and her grandfather is diagnosed with cancer. Each character in this moving novel has a powerful voice in helping Yumi cope with change.

Optical Illusion Play Pack
by Martin Gardner
Ages 10–up
Packaged with 40+ punch-out pieces, readers are challenged to re-create optical illusions, experiencing rather than simply observing these illusions aptly explained by puzzle master and mathematician Gardner.

The Diamond of Drury Lane
by Julia Golding
Ages 10–14
Cat has lived in the Drury Lane Theater Royal ever since she was abandoned as a baby and taken in by Mr. Sheridan, the owner of the theater. After Cat sees Mr. Sheridan hiding a valuable diamond, she and her friends decide to help safeguard the treasure. Set in 1790s London, England, this thrilling mystery will keep readers glued to the pages. (first in a projected quartet)

The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos
by Lucia González, Lulu Delacre
Ages 4–9
This bilingual book set in 1929 tells the story of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian hired by the New York Public Library, through the eyes of two children who are inspired by her to enter the Library for the first time.

Found
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Ages 8–12
Jonah has always known he was adopted, and at age 13 he and his friends begin receiving mysterious messages. The kids track down other adoptees and learn the FBI is involved. The first in a new series: The Missing.

Rapunzel’s Revenge
by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Nathan Hale
Ages 9–up
In this graphic novel version of the fairy tale, Rapunzel lives in a fabulous walled garden Wild West. Defying orders, Rapunzel scales the walls to see the rest of the world and is shocked to find a wasteland of mines and factories. Banished to a forest tree house, Rapunzel uses her long braids to escape and fight against the villains.

Well Witched
by Frances Hardinge
Ages 8–12
Stranded in a forbidden place, three friends steal coins from a wishing well for bus fare. To their horror, they find themselves possessed by powers they cannot control: Chelle voices the thoughts of others, Josh conducts electrical currents, Ryan grows warts with eyes. Told from Ryan’s point of view, this chilling supernatural thriller is distinguished by the vivid imagery of its language.

Twenty Heartbeats
by Dennis Haseley, Ed Young
Ages 5–9
Set in the Far East long ago, a rich man hires an artist to paint his beloved horse. After years of waiting, the artists paints the horse in little more than 20 heartbeats. The rich man is furious until he sees thousands of drawings of his horse in the artist’s studio. Ed Young’s incredible illustrations bring the story to life.

Bird Lake Moon
by Kevin Henkes
Ages 10–14
Mitch (12) is brooding about his parents’ upcoming divorce when he meets Spencer (10) who has been shaken by a drowning at Bird Lake. Told in alternating chapters from both viewpoints, this novel explores secrets, loss, and acceptance of what cannot be changed.

Brooklyn Bridge
by Karen Hesse, Chris Sheban
Ages 10–14
It’s 1903 in Brooklyn and all 14-year-old Joseph Michtom wants to do is go to the brand-new amusement park at Coney Island. But his Russian immigrant parents have just invented the stuffed teddy bear, and Joseph is too busy working to have fun. Meanwhile the street children living under the Brooklyn Bridge are haunted by a ghost they call the Radiant Boy.

Out of the Dust
by Karen Hesse
Newbery Medal 1998
Ages 11–up
Billie Jo (14) records the grim realities of living in the Oklahoma dust bowl during the Depression. In her free verse journal, she reveals her mother’s death and her own burns in a fire and her father’s grief. Billie Jo’s hope for a better future shines through all the pain and struggle to survive.

Katie Loves the Kittens
by John Himmelman
Ages 3–8
Katie the dog loves the new kittens but they are frightened by her barking and leaping. Katie eventually learns that sometimes it is best to let others take the initiative in this heart-warming book.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
by Phillip Hoose
Ages 10–up
In March 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger, 15-year old Claudette Colvin was dragged from a bus and arrested for the same reason. This book introduces readers to the courageous teenager who was overshadowed by Rosa Parks as the center of the bus boycott. Young readers are encouraged to empathize with young Claudette, at first dismissed as too “emotional” to withstand public scrutiny, but later a key witness in the federal lawsuit that would end discrimination on public transportation.

Mao and Me
by Chen Jiang Hong
Ages 8–12
Chen’s direct and honest picture book memoir of growing up during the Cultural Revolution is an excellent representation of political upheaval seen through the eyes of a child. Ink and wash paintings document both beautiful moments and unpleasant events.

My One Hundred Adventures
by Polly Horvath
Ages 8–12
Restless with her family’s comfortable routine, 12-year-old Jane longs for adventures. Over the course of the summer, Jane finds plenty of adventures thanks to the other residents of her small Massachusetts beach town, eventually realizing that it’s not what you do that matters, but rather what you learn about yourself.

When Royals Wore Ruffles:
A Funny and Fashionable Alphabet!
by Pamela Jaber, Chesley Mclaren
Ages 5–9
This A–Z of fashion history uses witty text and charming illustrations to demonstrate that the desire to look fabulous can push humans to often hilarious extremes.

A Foot in the Mouth:
Poems to Speak, Sing and Shout
edited by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Ages 8–12
The poems in this book beg to be read aloud. Included are rhyming poems, tongue twisters, bilingual poems, dual voice poems, and poems that will inspire kids to memorize and recite them.

Kira-Kira
by Cynthia Kadohata
Newbery Medal 2005
Ages 11–14
In the 1950s, when Katie is five, her family moves from Iowa to Georgia, where there are few Japanese-Americans. Katie’s older sister Lynn takes care of her while their parents work long hours in the chicken-processing plant. Their roles reverse when Lynn develops lymphoma. Through the illness and Lynn’s death, Katie struggles to remember her sister as kira-kira, glittering and shining. Narrated by Katie, this beautifully written book tells a poignant story of love and loss.

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show
by Laurie Keller
Ages 4–10
The 50 states are gathered for a talent show, and what a bunch of hams! Snappy dialog and energetic illustrations help kids absorb the state and geographic information.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by Jacqueline Kelly
Ages 10–up
Eleven-year old Calpurnia (Callie) Tate is a middle child with six brothers in isolated 1899 Fentress, Texas. To her family’s distress, Callie isn’t interested in normal girl occupations and would rather learn about the natural world with her grandfather. As Callie grows through the year of this book, she gradually defines for herself what it means to be a girl.

Melonhead
by Katy Kelly
Ages 9–12
Adam Melon is an active nine-year-old with a knack for finding trouble and a goofy sense of humor. Along with his friend Sam, Melonhead is busy dreaming up plans for the invention fair when he isn’t trying to hide his secret pet snake from his parents. This engaging book is perfectly geared for its target audience and a good recommendation for reluctant readers. (Adam was introduced in the Lucy Rose series: Lucy Rose: Here’s the Thing About Me, etc.)

The Green Glass Sea
by Ellen Klages
Ages 10–14
It’s 1943 and 10-year-old budding inventor Dewey Kerrigan sets off with her father to do secret war work in New Mexico. As the adults work on “the gadget,” the kids at Los Alamos are often left to their own devices. When the atomic bomb tests are finally successful, both children and adults grapple with the ethical implications as they realize how “the gadget” will be used. The unique atmosphere of the secretive scientific community is clearly presented in this excellent historical novel, but the true nature of “the gadget” may not be understood by kids who don’t know it already.

White Sands, Red Menace
by Ellen Klages
Ages 10–14
It’s 1946, and Suze and Dewey are living near Los Alamos with Suze’s parents who helped build the atom bomb with Dewey’s late father. Suze’s father is working on rockets to maintain the US edge over the Soviets while her mother organizes scientists against the war. This excellent historical fiction helps middle graders grapple with moral dilemmas while creating strong characters with realistic emotional issues. (sequel to The Green Glass Sea)

The View From Saturday
by E.L. Konigsburg
Newbery Medal 1997
Ages 8–12
Four brilliant but shy 12-year-olds meet every Saturday for tea and preparation for their Academic Bowl competitions. First person narrations from each character reveal their offbeat personalities and the characteristics that help their individual differences unite into a cohesive whole. This compassionate and imaginative novel is a humorous look at friendship and the power of small deeds to make big changes.

The Last Invisible Boy
by Evan Kuhlman
Ages 10–14
In his notebook, Finn Garrett (12) explains that after his father died unexpectedly a few months ago, an eraser fell from the sky and has gradually been erasing him day by day. This painful yet funny novel explores coping with loss in a way middle schoolers can empathize with.

One Beetle Too Many:
The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin
by Kathryn Lasky, Matthew Trueman
Ages 7–12
This friendly biography introduces middle-graders to Charles Darwin. We see young Charles and his brother exploding things in their home-made lab, his failures in school, his consuming curiosity, and finally the voyage aboard the Beagle. Readers are invited to follow the reasoning and questioning that let to Darwin’s theory of evolution. Matthew Trueman’s incredible mixed-media illustrations help the reader feel Darwin’s fascination with the natural world.

Savvy
by Ingrid Law
Ages 9–12
In Mississippi Beaumont’s family turning 13 means your savvy kicks in—like causing a hurricane. With her father in a coma after a car accident and her birthday only two days away, Mississippi is sure her savvy will be waking people up. This vibrant novel explores finding your own voice in a book that should appeal to both girls and boys.

Ever
by Gail Carson Levine
Ages 10–up
In this mythological tale, Kezi is the only daughter of a wealthy and devout family in an ancient vaguely Middle Eastern city. When her mother falls deathly ill, her father promises to sacrifice the first person who congratulates him if the god Admat will let her live. Another god tries to help Keri, who is the first to congratulate her father.

The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had
by Kristin Levine
Ages 10–up
It’s 1917 in a small town in Alabama and 12-year-old Dit has been looking forward to the arrival of the new postmaster who is said to have a son his age. But when the new family arrives, the son turns out to be a girl called Emma. And everyone is surprised that the new family is “colored.” But Dit is impressed with Emma’s intelligence and determination and he begins to reconsider his views about race and justice.

Fables
by Arnold Lobel
Caldecott Medal 1981
Ages 6–10
These short original fables have unexpected morals. The humorous illustrations add to the fun.

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things
by Lenore Look, Leuyen Pham
Ages 6–10
Alvin Ho, a Chinese-American 2nd grader, is afraid of just about everything: elevators, tunnels, girls, wasabi, and speaking out in school most of all. The comic exaggeration of a small boy’s emotions will appeal to young readers facing many of the same fears.

Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Newbery Medal 1990
Ages 10–up
It’s 1943 in Nazi-occupied Denmark, and the Jews are about to be rounded up and sent to the death camps. Annemarie Johannesen’s best friend Ellen Rosen is Jewish. The Johannesen family helps Ellen’s parents go into hiding and take Ellen into their own home, pretending she is part of their family. Narrated by 10-year-old Annemarie, this book vividly portrays the Nazi threat and the courage it takes to help friends while possibly endangering your own family. This moving and suspenseful book is based on true events.

Black and White
by David Macaulay
Caldecott Medal 1991
Ages 4–10
Four stories, that at first seem unrelated, each occupy a fourth of each two-page spread. The interactions between the four stories creates a fifth. There is no resolution, challenging readers to discover new meaning with each reading.

The Way We Work
by David Macaulay
Ages 10–up
This comprehensive and entertaining illustrated guide to the workings of the human body is the result of years of research. Seven sections move from the structure of a cell through the systems of the body. The full color drawings present information in a friendly way, but the language is often highly technical. Motivated teens will love this book.

Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia Maclachlan
Newbery Medal 1986
Ages 8–12
In the late 19th century, a widowed midwestern farmer with two children, Anna and Caleb, advertises for a wife. Sarah responds, saying that she is plain and tall. When Sarah arrives she is homesick for Maine, and especially for her beloved ocean. The children fear she will not stay. Narrated by Anna, this short book gently explores abandonment, loss, and love.

Boys Are Dogs
by Leslie Margolis
Ages 8–12
When sixth-grader Annabelle returns from summer camp she finds her mother and boyfriend have set up house together. The surprise bribe gift of a puppy helps, but her new school is awful. It’s Annabelle’s first experience with coed education and the boys drive her crazy until she decides to try her puppy training manual on them.

The Night Tourist
by Katherine Marsh
Ages 10–up
Jack Perdu is a 9th grade classics prodigy. One evening Jack goes to New York City, a place he has not visited since his mother died there eight years ago. In Grand Central Station he meets Euri, a mysterious girl who offers to show him the train station’s secret places. Eight flights below, Jack realizes he is in New York’s ghostly underworld and hopes to meet his mother. The ghosts are suspicious of Jack, who becomes increasingly uncertain if he himself is dead or alive. This intricate adventure is a magical combination of modern characters, New York history, and classical mythology.

The Twilight Prisoner
by Katherine Marsh
Ages 10–up
Jack Perdu takes his friend Carla to visit the New York City underworld, but once inside they realize that their escape route has been blocked. A beguiling mix of mystery, humor, historical ghosts, and Greek myths, this book continues the story begun in The Night Tourist.

The Doll People
Doll People #1
by Ann M. Martin, Laura Godwin, Brian Selznick
Ages 8–12
Annabelle Doll has been eight years old for over 100 years. Not much has changed in that time, except for the disappearance of Aunt Sarah Doll 45 years ago. When Annabelle discovers Aunt Sarah’s diary she is determined to solve the mystery, though her ultra-cautious antique china family tries to discourage her. Then Tiffany and the rest of the totally modern “Real Pink Plastic” Funcraft family move in next door and Annabelle’s world is totally shaken up. This witty and intriguing tale will appeal to those who like action and suspence mixed with their fantasy.

The Meanest Doll in the World
Doll People #2
by Ann M. Martin, Laura Godwin, Brian Selznick
Ages 8–12
Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft end up in the wrong backpack at school and end up in a house where the rest of the dolls live in fear of Mimi, a princess doll who is convinced she should be the queen of all dolls. Mimi smuggles herself back home with Annabelle and Tiffany and is soon at work causing discord between the Doll and Funcraft families. (sequel to The Doll People)

The Runaway Dolls
Doll People #3
by Ann M. Martin, Laura Godwin, Brian Selznick
Ages 8–12
Annabelle Doll and Tiffany Funcraft are convinced that the new doll that arrives in a mysterious package is Annabelle’s long lost baby sister. When the package containing Tilly May is at risk of being returned, the dolls run away and have all sorts of exciting adventures. Told solidly from the doll point of view, this is the 3rd in the series following The Doll People and The Meanest Doll in the World.

11 Birthdays
by Wendy Mass
Ages 9–12
It’s Amanda’s 11th birthday, and everything seems to go wrong. She doesn’t make the gymnastics team, her mother is fired, and her former best friend and birthday-twin Leo hosts a separate party for the first time ever. And worst of all, Amanda is trapped and has to relive the awful day again, and again, and again… until finally she begins to resolve the misunderstandings that lead to the repeating day.

Forever Rose
by Hilary McKay
Ages 9–14
This fifth and final book in the delightfully daffy Casson family series is narrated by the youngest child, Rose, now 11. Rose is coping with her separated parents, talented siblings and their friends, and wondering if she is brilliant herself, or simply daft. (Previous books in the series: Saffy’s Angel, Indigo’s Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After)

What the World Eats
by Peter Menzel, Faith D’Aluisio
All Ages
Twenty-five families in 21 countries around the world are photographed surrounded by a week’s worth of food. The multi-generational portraits provide an avenue for exploring each family’s hopes and struggles while gently raising issues about global food supplies. Family recipes, maps, and county information reveal provocative statistics. (adapted from Hungry Planet)

Ashanti to Zulu:
African Traditions
text by Margaret Musgrove, illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon
Caldecott Medal 1977
Ages 6–12
Incredible pictures illustrate the traditions and customs of 26 African tribes beginning with letters from A to Z. Most paintings include a man, woman, child, artifact, living quarters, and a local animal.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out
by National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance
Ages 10–up
An all-star roster of 108 children’s authors and illustrators plus scholars and former White House employees and residents combine to make up this multifaceted view of the White House from the inside as well as the outside, a personal and ongoing history from 1792 to the present.

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Ages 9–12
Ivy June lives with her grandparents in a remote mountain hollow with no indoor bathroom and no phone. Catherine lives in a big house in Lexington and goes to a private school. Both Kentucky girls participate in a 7th grade exchange program, and spend two weeks with each family. First person journal entries and third person chapters tell the story of two very different girls and settings and two unexpectedly similar lives.

Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Newbery Medal 1992
Ages 8–12
Marty Preston (11) rescues a mistreated beagle pup. He knows the pup should be returned to its owner, but fears it will be abused. So he hides it from his parents and then has to steal food to feed it. Marty’s struggles to do the right thing form the heart of this heartwarming story.

Lost Boy
by Linda Newbery
Ages 8–12
Just after moving to Wales, Matt imagines a car crash and finds himself next to the grave of a boy with his initials. Soon he is involved in trying to solve the mystery of three lost boys while trying to fit into a village with well-kept secrets.

Ways To Live Forever
by Sally Nicholls
Ages 9–12
Eleven-year old Sam is in the final stages of leukemia. In his journal he keeps facts, questions, and lists. As the book progresses, Sam’s friend Felix dies and Sam begins to decline. Sam and his family face death with humor and grace in this moving novel.

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman
by Marc Tyler Nobleman, Ross Macdonald
Ages 10–up
This colorful picture book biography introduces the youthful creators of Superman: writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster, two mild-mannered misfit teens in depression-era Cleveland who escaped into fantasy worlds of science fiction and adventure. In 1934, at age 20, they created Superman, who was everything they were not. Four years later they convinced a publisher to take a chance on their character in a brand new format—the comic book.

Keeping Score
by Linda Sue Park
Ages 9–12
Jim teaches Maggie the art of scoring a baseball game, and she believes her extra involvement in the game helps support her beloved Dodgers. When Jim is drafted and sent to Korea, she searches for a way to support him, too.

A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
Newbery Medal 2002
Ages 10–14
In a potter’s village in 12th century Korea, the orphan Tree Ear is raised by a lame straw weaver. One day Tree Ear breaks a piece of Min’s pottery and pays his debt by working for the potter and dreaming of making beautiful pots himself. Tree Ear is sent by Min to the king’s court, carrying an example of Min’s new celadon ware. After robbers shatter the pot, Tree Ear continues the dangerous journey, now carrying only one precious single shard.

The Higher Power of Lucky
by Susan Patron
Newbery Medal 2007
Ages 8–12
Lucky (10) lives in a small town in the middle of the California desert with her French guardian, who has been caring for her since her mother died two years ago. Fearing that her guardian will leave her and return to France, Lucky stocks her survival backpack and searches for her Higher Power.

A Year Down Yonder
by Richard Peck
Newbery Medal 2001
Ages 10–up
It’s 1937 and Mary Alice (15) is banished from Chicago to spend a year with Grandma Dowdel in rural Illinois while her parents struggle to make ends meet and her brother Joey heads west with the Civilian Conservation Corps. Mary Alice knows it won’t be easy being the new city kid in a country school, especially with an outrageous relative like Grandma. This hilarious and touching book is the sequel to A Long Way to Chicago.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick
Ages 9–12
When Uncle Squinton sells off Homer P. Figg’s older brother Harold to take the place of a rich man’s son in the Union army, Homer sets off to rescue him. Told in the form of a rip-roaring yarn, Homer’s adventures are exciting and funny, but the horror of war and injustice of slavery aren’t ignored.

Six Innings
by James Preller
Ages 9–14
Perceptive portrait of a group of boys who play Little League baseball. Each character is unique and realistic.

The Magic Thief
by Sarah Prineas
Ages 10–up
Connwaer, a preteen pickpocket, steals a magical stone from Nevery, the most powerful wizard in Wellmet. Surprised that the boy was not killed by the strong magic, the wizard takes Conn on as an apprentice and enrolls him in magic school. Nevery’s journal entries offer an intriguing counterpoint to Conn’s candid perspective in this first of a trilogy.

Bird, Butterfly, Eel
by James Prosek
Ages 6–10
A barn swallow, monarch, and American eel spend their summer at the same coastal farm in New England. In the fall, they migrate to three distant and different places. The beautifully detailed watercolors complement the simple text.

Eleanor, Quiet No More
by Doreen Rappaport, Gary Kelley
Ages 6–10
Written in short, accessible paragraphs, this biography honestly presents Eleanor’s unhappy childhood. Each page spread includes a quote from Eleanor that expresses her growing sense of confidence and moral conviction. The beautiful paintings capture Eleanor’s intelligence and compassionate heart.

Wanda Gág: The Girl Who Lived to Draw
by Deborah Kogan Ray
Ages 6–9
Best known for her classic picture book Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág loved to draw. This well-researched biography incorporates entries from Wanda’s childhood diaries into a compelling picture book format.

Creepy Crawly Crime
by Aaron Reynolds, Neil Numberman
Ages 8–12
Joey Fly is an experienced private investigator with an eager young apprentice named Sammy Stingtail. The pair are hired by a clueless butterfly to find her missing diamond pencil box. Full of insect humor, puns, and nifty similes, this classic mystery will keep young readers glued to the pages. A graphic novel with a film noir look, this is the first in the Joey Fly, Private Eye series.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
by Adam Rex
Ages 5–10
This hilarious collection of illustrated poems describes the lives of famous monsters. Kids will love the effortless rhymes and the different art styles, individually tailored for each creature. Great read-aloud.

Frankenstein Takes the Cake
by Adam Rex
Ages 5–10
Frankenstein and his bride are planning the wedding, but his best man, Dracula, is worried about the garlic bread, and other B-movie monsters have similar woes in this hilarious book of poems.

The 39 Clues: A Maze of Bones
by Rick Riordan
Ages 9–14
In this first of 10 books, orphans Amy and Dan Cahill take on the challenge of winning a fortune by collecting all 39 clues. They also hope to find their parents along the way. Unfortunately they are competing against the rest of the Cahill clan, many of whom are less than honorable. Riordan created the story arc for the series; authors will write also for the series. This fast-paced book has plenty of suspense, danger, and puzzles. Readers between the age of 6–14 can also create online accounts to play the online game and compete for $100,000 in prizes.

The Cuckoo’s Haiku:
and Other Birding Poems
by Michael J. Rosen, Stan Fellows
Ages 6–10
Poet and birder Rosen captures the essence of more than 20 common North American birds. Designed like a birding notebook, each haiku is accompanied by Fellows’s beautiful watercolors of the birds in their habitats plus notes about their behavior and traits.

The Cabinet of Wonders:
The Kronos Chronicles: Book I
by Marie Rutkoski
Ages 10–up
In 16th century Bohemia Prince Rodolfo commissions Kronos, a gifted metalworker, to build a magical clock. When the clock is finished, the evil prince steals the metalworker’s eyes and wears them himself. When the blinded Kronos returns home, his 12-yearoild daughter Petra sneaks off to Prague to recover her father’s eyes with her pet tin spider Astrophil. An astonishing mix of history and enchantment will entrance readers.

Missing May
by Cynthia Rylant
Newbery Medal 1993
Ages 9–12
When Summer’s foster mother Aunt May dies suddenly she is overcome with grief. But her foster father Uncle Ob is so sorrowful that Summer fears he will not be able to go on living without May. In a quest to find closure, Summer, Ob, and Cletus, a classmate of Summer’s, search for a spiritualist who may be able to communicate with May. They can’t find the spiritualist, but somehow the quest helps them to heal.

Peter Pan:
A Classic Collectible Pop-Up
by Robert Sabuda
Ages 4–10
Amazing pop-up illustrations bring characters from J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan to 3-D life.

Holes
by Louis Sachar
Newbery Medal 1999
Ages 10–up
Stanley Yelnats has been sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility in the desert. Each day the boys are required to did a hole five feet deep and five feet in diameter, and then fill it in again. Stanley suspects that this is not a character-building exercise—the warden is searching for something. This strange book will keep kids glued to the pages, eager to find out what will happen next.

A Perfect Season for Dreaming
Una temporada perfecta para soñar
by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Esau Andrade Valencia
Ages 7–12
In this bilingual book 92-year old Octavio Rivera shares his beautiful and fantastic dreams with his young granddaughter. The combination of Sáenz’s lyrical prose and Valencia’s incredible illustrations is mesmerizing.

Erika-san
by Allen Say
Ages 6–10
Erika always loved her Grandmother’s print of a small Japanese teahouse with lighted windows, and dreamed of traveling to Japan one day. After college she travels to Japan to teach and finally finds exactly the right spot. The beautiful watercolors are the perfect match for the tranquil text.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
Voices from a Medieval Village
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Newbery Medal 2008
Ages 10–up
Written to be performed by a classroom of students, these 23 short monologues in prose and verse bring to life an English village in 1255.

Gully’s Travels
by Tor Seidler, Brock Cole
Ages 8–12
Gulliver the pampered Lhasa apso is banished from his ritzy Manhattan apartment to the doorman’s overcrowded apartment in Queens when his master proposes marriage to a woman allergic to dogs. Believing he has been kidnapped, Gulliver cleverly finds his way back to Manhattan and then to Paris as he comes to understand the true nature of loyalty.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznick
Caldecott Medal 2008
Ages 9–12
Hugo, a 12-year-old-orphan lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, trying to finish an invention his father left. Black and white pencil illustrations pay homage to flickering silent movies.

My So-Called Family
by Courtney Sheinmel
Ages 9–12
When Leah Hoffman-Ross’s family moves to New York shortly before the start of the 8th grade year, she decides to try and pass as normal, instead of the child of Donor 730 from a Maryland sperm back. Her mother thinks her new stepfather and little brother should be all the family she needs, but Leah finds the database of the sperm registry and discovers she has a half-sister her own age. This thought-provoking book encourages readers to think about what really makes a family.

I’ll Pass For Your Comrade:
Women Soldiers in the Civil War
by Anita Silvey
Ages 10–14
This non-fiction book tells the fascinating story of the women who risked their lives and reputations to fight in the Civil War. Vintage photographs, etchings, and memoirs illuminate the adventures and struggles of the women who cut their hair and disguised themselves as men to join the fight. Highly accessible language helps to put these unconventional women in historic context.

The Composer Is Dead
by Lemony Snicket, Carson Ellis
Ages 5–up
This introduction to the instruments of the orchestra is cloaked in a murder investigation. When the composer is found dead (“This is called decomposing.”), the Inspector begins interrogating the sections of the orchestra. The accompanying CD features Snicket (Daniel Handler) narrating the performance with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra of Nathaniel Stookey’s original score. A national tour begins March 7, 2009, in New York City.

Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
Newbery Medal 1991
Ages 8–12
After being orphaned as a baby, Jerry Magee is brought up by his aunt and uncle, who fight all the time. He runs away at age eight to Two Mills, Pennsylvania and becomes a folk hero—Maniac Magee, the boy who can outrun any dog, hit any pitch, untie any knot. He is taken in by a black family but that causes problems in the racially divided town. Maniac keeps searching for the perfect family and eventually helps the town bridge the gap between racial and cultural differences.

Smiles to Go
by Jerry Spinelli
Ages 9–12
Ninth grader Will Tuppance plays chess, gazes at stars, makes plans, and is in love with baffling Mi-Su.

Julian Rodriguez #1: Trash Crisis on Earth
by Alexander Stadler
Ages 7–10
Julian complains to the Mothership that he has endured eight years of mistreatment in an Earthling home in this hilarious hybrid of fiction and graphic novel.

Spyology:
The Complete Book of Spycraft
by Dugald A. Steer
Ages 8–12
It's 1958 and Agent K, a British spy, reveals his secret techniques in a manual for new recruits. As he pursues the evil Operation Codex, Agent K sets challenges and reveals clues. Included are a magnifying glass, a code-breaker, and a secret compartment in the spine.

So You Want to Be President?
text by Judith St. George, illustrations by David Small
Caldecott Medal 2001
Ages 8–12
This lighthearted book uses anecdotes and trivia to convey the message that anyone can be president. The humorous caricatures highlight each president’s best known qualities.

Heroes of the Valley
by Jonathan Stroud
Ages 10–up
Halli Sveinsson isn’t handsome or tall or blonde like his siblings. He’s short and dark and loves playing practical jokes. When one of his jokes back-fires, Halli is forced to set out on a quest where he encounters robbers and monsters and a girl who may have as quick a mind as his own. This coming-of-age-novel is a surprising look at what bravery really is.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree
by Lauren Tarshis
Ages 10–14
Seventh-grader Emma-Jean is extremely bright but doesn’t connect socially with her classmates. In fact, she observes their interactions with a scientific detachment. Then Colleen asks Emma-Jean’s help in dealing with the class bully, and Emma-Jean applies the principles of logic to the situation. Narrated in alternating chapters by two very different girls, this humorous book makes a great read-aloud.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love
by Lauren Tarshis
Ages 10–14
The intensely analytical Emma-Jean is beginning to appreciate emotions that logic can’t explain. Emma-Jean has made friends some friends in her 7th grade class, and is even considering asking a boy to the Spring Fling. This funny and heart-warming sequel to Emma-Jean Lasarus Fell Out of a Tree is sure to please.

A Mirror to Nature:
Poems About Reflection
by Jane Yolen, Jason Stemple
Ages 9–12
Water acts as a mirror for Stemple’s beautiful color nature photographs. Yolen’s perfectly matched poems echo the mood of each photograph, encouraging the reader to see things in a new way.

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
by Nahoko Uehashi
Ages 10–up
Balsa was a wandering warrior for hire until the day she rescued a boy, Chagum, from the river. She is then hired by the boy’s mother to protect him since Chagum is host to a mythical creature that threatens the rulers. An engaging combination of martial arts, magic, heroic quest, and a totally unique heroine, this quick-paced book will appeal to both boys and girls.

Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness
by Nahoko Uehashi
Ages 10–up
Balsa, a spear-wielding warrior, returns to her homeland of Kanbal in this sequel to Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. Balsa rescues a pair of siblings from the Guardian of the Darkness and fights a plot to attack the underground kingdom of the Mountain King. Powerful and loyal, Balsa is a compelling character set against a rich background of an imaginary culture.

Jumanji
by Chris Van Allsburg
Caldecott Medal 1982
Ages 8–12
When Judy and Peter find a board game in the park, they take it home and begin to play. Soon the jungle adventure comes to life and chimps and rhinos are roaming through the house. Incredibly detailed illustrations bring the perilous predicaments to life.

Dr. Frankenstein’s Human Body Book
by Richard Walker
Ages 10–up
Dr. Frankenstein invites readers to join him as he creates a human being. From atoms and the skeleton to tissues and muscles, this anatomy book is as fascinating as science fiction. Gothic fonts and illustrations blend with state of the art images from gamma scans and other advanced technology.

Yankee at the Seder
by Elka Weber, Adam Gustavson
Ages 7–10
Jacob is horrified when his mother invites a Union soldier to join their Confederate family for Passover just one day after Lee’s surrender. But his mother reminds him that Jews are commanded to welcome “all who are hungry… all who are in need” to their seder table. At first all are awkward, but the Jewish tradition of debate allow all views to be heard, and a tenuous connection begins the postwar healing process.

Lincoln and His Boys
by Rosemary Wells, P.J. Lynch
Ages 8–12
This accessible biography presents Lincoln from the perspective of his two youngest sons, Willie and Tad. Willie goes with his father to Chicago where it is decided that Lincoln will run for president, the two boys tear through Cabinet Meetings, and Tad goes with his father to Richmond at the end of the war. A playful and loving father, Lincoln comes to life in this book which was inspired by a fragment written by one of his sons.

A Visit to William Blake’s Inn:
Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers
by Nancy Willard
Newbery Medal 1982
Ages 10–up
In this fanciful book of poems, William Blake runs an inn populated with guests and staff from his famous poems. Imaginative illustrations by Martin Provensen complement the catchy poems.

You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!
by Jonah Winter, Andre Carrilho
Ages 4–9
In this striking picture book, an anonymous former teammate tells what made Sandy Koufax, the 1960s pitcher for the Dodgers, so amazing. We learn about his shyness, his physical limitations, and the anti-Semitism he faced. But in the end it’s Sandy Koufax in action, boldly portrayed by Andre Carrilho, that captures the mysterious power of the great pitcher.

Golem
by David Wisniewski
Caldecott Medal 1997
Ages 6–10
Elaborate cut-paper collage illustrations provide dramatic visuals for this retelling of a Jewish legend of Rabbi Loew who used his powers to create a gigantic Golem from clay to protect his people from persecution in the ghettos of 16th-century Prague.

Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages 9–12
In 60 poems, 11-year-old Lonnie Collins Motion tells his story as he explores different forms of poetry. Called Locomotion because of his constant activity, Lonnie and his sister were orphaned four years earlier. His younger sister Lili was adopted, and Lonnie struggles to stay in touch with her. The poignant poems tell a complex story of loss, grief, and poverty, while also demonstrating Lonnie’s creativity and optimism.

Peace, Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
Ages 9–12
Now 12, Lonnie Collins Motion, called Locomotion, writes letters to maintain a bond with his younger sister Lili who was adopted after the death of their parents. Miss Edna, Lonnie’s foster mother, has a son who returns home from the Iraq war, disabled and traumatized. Though his letters, the kind and sensitive Lonnie struggles to make sense of his life and to achieve a sense of peace. (sequel to Locomotion)

The Dragon’s Child:
A Story of Angel Island
by Laurence Yep with Kathleen S. Yep
Ages 8–12
Based on transcripts of Laurence Yep’s father’s 1922 immigration interview, this short novel relates the harrowing experiences of ten-year-old Gim Lew, who is interned on Angel Island in San Francisco Bay, where he must submit to lengthy detailed interviews about his home, village and neighbors, in order to prove he is who he claims to be.

Brenda Berman, Wedding Expert
by Jane Breskin Zalben, Victoria Chess
Ages 6–9
Headstrong Brenda is crushed when her favorite uncle announces that he is getting married, especially when she learns that the bride does not intend to attire the flower girl in gold lamé. And worst of all, Brenda will have to share that starring role with the golden-curled niece of the bride. This early chapter book pairs lively text with amusing watercolor illustrations that perfectly capture our heroine’s facial expressions.

Rapunzel
by Paul O. Zelinsky
Caldecott Medal 1998
Ages 4–10
The beautiful Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations with warm golden tones bring the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale to life.

Steady Hands:
Poems About Work
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, Megan Halsey and Sean Addy
Ages 9–12
Walt Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” these free-verse poems celebrate workers and the work they do. Many different jobs are featured: baker, dog-walker, exterminator, film maker. The collages by Halsey and Addy highlight the active nature of work and workers.