 Lunch-Box
Dream
by Tony Abbott
Ages 10–14
It’s the summer of 1959 and
Bobby is on a trip to visit Civil War battlefields
with his mother, older brother, and recently widowed
grandmother. Bobby is not comfortable around “chocolate
colored” people or death, so the trip from Ohio
to Florida is difficult for him. Interwoven with Bobby’s
narration is the story of a black family in Georgia,
told from a variety of first-person viewpoints. This
beautifully written books deals with the uncomfortable
subjects of racial conflict, sibling rivalry, and marital
discord. |
|
 Roots
and Blues: A Celebration
by Arnold Adoff, R. Gregory Christie
Ages 8–12
Poems, poetic prose, and vibrant
paintings honor the legacy of blues music, from the slave
ships, to plantation fields, to chain gang labor, to
the energy of the juke joints. Words and illustrations
work together to portray the pain and misery and memories
and hope that was transformed by rhythm and harmony into
the music called the blues. |
|
 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. |
|
 Odetta:
The Queen of Folk
by Stephen Alcorn
Ages 8–12
This accessible biography introduces
young readers to the influential folk singer who began
to sing in childhood and never stopped. Blessed with
a magnificent voice, Odetta uses her talents to inspire
others to support the civil rights movement. Lyrical
text and rich paintings tell the story of the queen
of folk music. |
|
 How
Lamar’s Bad Prank Won a Bubba-Sized Trophy
by Crystal Allen
Ages 8–12
Lamar Washington (13) is a
spectacular bowler, a sport he enjoyed with his mother
before she died of cancer. But Lamar is helpless around
girls. And Lamar’s father doesn’t admire bowling talent
nearly as much as his older brother Xavier’s basketball
talent. Lamar is busy hustling bowling games to earn
some money to attract a girl and buy a new bowling
ball before his hero, bowling champ Bubba Sanders,
comes to town. But when Xavier forgets to take his
anger control medicine and beats up Lamar, he retaliates
by pulling the fire alarm in the middle of Xavier’s
big game. The fast talking Lamar will have readers
on his side from the first page. |
|
 My
Name Is Mina
by David Almond
Ages 10–up
Mina, a home-schooled girl, loves
the night when she feels totally free. One night she
begins writing in a blank journal, and begins a journey
of self discovery. Mina’s imagination soars in the pages
of her journal, and she gradually breaks free from her
isolation to befriend a boy named Michael, the protagonist
of Skellig,
in this absorbing prequel. |
|
 Slog’s
Dad
by David Almond, Dave McKean
Ages 7–up
This eerie graphic novel, narrated
by Slog’s friend Davie, tells the story of a grieving
boy who believes that his father has kept his promise
to come back and visit him after his death. Slog is
positive that the scruffy man outside the butcher’s
shop is his dad, but Davie isn’t convinced. Hauntingly
beautiful images accompany this vision of the hopeful
fantasy world Slog lives in as he mourns the loss of
his father. |
|
 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. |
|
 Forge
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Ages 10–up
This sequel to Chains is
narrated by Curzon, the young slave Isabel freed from prison
while escaping from New York City in 1777. After staying for
a few months in New Jersey, Isabel runs away to find her sister,
a quest Curzon feels is futile. Curzon joins the army, passing
as a freed slave, and suffers through the harsh winter at Valley
Forge. His fragile acceptance is threatened when his owner
arrives. Readers will be anxious to read the final book in
the trilogy to learn the fate of Curzon and Isabel. |
|
 Keeper
by Kathi Appelt, August Hall
Ages 8–12
Since her mother swam away and never
returned seven years ago, 10-year-old Keeper, convinced that
her mother is a mermaid, has lived on the Texas coast with
her guardian Signe. Keeper has waited all summer for the blue
moon, when Signe will make a special gumbo, but she accidentally
spoils everything. So Keeper sets out in a small boat into
the sea to find her mother and set everything right. Mermaid
lore, local legends, Cajun superstitions, and natural history
enliven this magical tale. |
|
 Trapped:
How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the
Chilean Desert
by Marc Aronson
Ages 8–12
In 2010, 33 miners were trapped
in a Chilean copper mine 2000 feet below the surface
for more than two months. This riveting book tells
the story of those 69 days in 12 short chapters. Photos
and diagrams illustrate both above- and below-ground
scenes, showing the struggles of the trapped men to
stay alive deep inside the mine as their rescuers work
frantically from above. This well-researched and positive
book highlights the amazing technology and the helping
hands from around the world that transformed what could
have been a horrendous tragedy into an amazing story
of survival. |
|
 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. |
|
 City
of Orphans
by Avi, Greg Ruth
Ages 10–14
Maks Geless, a 13-year-old Danish
immigrant, makes 8¢ a day selling newspapers on the street
corners of 1893 Manhattan to help support his family.
Things aren’t easy for the Geless family: the shoe factory
where Mr. Geless works is closing, Maks’s sister Agnes
has tuberculosis and his sister Emma, a maid at the Waldorf
Hotel, is accused of stealing. But the Geless family
finds room in their humble home for Willa, a homeless
girl who saves Maks from a street gang. Maks and Willa
join forces to clear Emma’s name and rescue her from
the Tombs, the city’s infamous prison. The stark contrast
between the struggles of the Geless family to survive
and the easy splendor of the Waldorf make this historical
fiction come alive. |
|
 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) |
|
 The
Mostly True Story of Jack
by Kelly Barnhill
Ages 9–12
Jack’s parents are too caught
up in the emotions of their divorce to pay attention
to their son, so Jack is sent to spend the summer with
his eccentric aunt and uncle in Hazelwood, Ohio. Used
to feeling invisible and playing with imaginary friends,
Jack is amazed to suddenly be the center of attention.
He makes some real friends, is beaten up by the town
bully, and fears the town’s richest man wants to see
him dead. On top of all that, his aunt and uncle’s
house seems to be possessed. This suspenseful mystery
explores themes of the struggle between good and evil,
and the power of love and sacrifice. |
|
 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. |
|
 Come
Fall
by A.C.E. Bauer
Ages 9–12
This mix of reality and magic
expands on a plot line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
a foundling who disrupts the harmony of fairyland. Salman,
a perpetual foster-child new to school, Lu-Ellen, the
buddy assigned to help Salman adjust to 7th grade, and
Blos, a socially-challenged boy who befriends them both,
are just beginning to bond when Salman becomes the target
of the school bully. Then Lu-Ellen’s pregnant mother
develops complications and the three begin to wonder
why bad luck seems to follow them around. Through no
fault of their own, the three have become pawns in a
power struggle between Oberon and Titania, King and Queen
of Faery, when they have more than enough problems in
their own reality. This magically realistic story celebrates
the power of friendship while portraying the dark hazards
of middle school. |
|
 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. |
|
 Alicia
Alonso: Prima Ballerina
by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand, Raul
Colon
Ages 10–up
This biography in free verse
tells the story of Alicia Alonso, the famous Cuban
ballerina. From her childhood, to her climb to achieve
the rank of prima ballerina, and her fight to keep
dancing when she begins to lose her sight, Alicia’s
grace and strength are celebrated. The physical trials
of ballet dancing, and Alicia’s complex relationship
with the Cuban government give this biography depth. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Penderwicks at Point Mouette
by Jeanne Birdsall
Ages 8–12
In this third Penderwick adventure,
the three youngest sisters head off to Maine with Aunt
Claire and friend Jeffrey while their father is honeymooning
in England and oldest sister Rosalind is visiting a
friend in New Jersey. This leaves Skye as OAP (oldest
available Penderwick), in charge of Batty and Jane,
a frightening notion for everyone, but especially for
Skye herself. This humorous and nostalgic summer adventure
follows The
Penderwicks and The
Penderwicks on Gardam Street. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Unforgettable Season: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and the
Record-Setting Summer of 1941
by Phil Bildner, S.D. Schindler
Ages 6–9
In 1941, neither Joe DiMaggio
of the New York Yankees nor Ted Williams of the Boston
Red Sox were big stars. This book is the story of the
season that changed all that, telling of DiMaggio’s
56-game hitting streak and Williams’s season batting
average of .406, amazing records that still stand today.
Bright illustrations featuring period details capture
the energy and excitement of this amazing baseball
season. |
|
 People
by Blexbolex
All Ages
People of all ages and from all walks
of life are linked together in this creative book. A homeless
person sleeping in a box is juxtaposed with a camper, a contortionist
with a plumber striving to complete a job. Stunning 1960s style
silk screen illustrations contrast different people in intriguing
ways. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Steel Pan Man of Harlem
by Colin Bootman
Ages 5–9
In this retelling of the Pied
Piper of Hamelin folk tale, a steel pan playing man
appears and offers to rid Harlem of a plague of rats.
Set during the Harlem Renaissance and featuring a mysterious
magician from the Caribbean, this spell-binding tale
is illustrated with beautifully detailed oil paintings. |
|
 Small
Persons With Wings
by Ellen Booraem
Ages 10–up
When Mellie was five, she told
her Kindergarten class about the fairy living in her
bedroom. Her classmates teased her unmercifully, and
the Parvi Pennati (a Small Person with Wings who hates
to be called a fairy) moved out. Now 13, Mellie and
her family move into an inn inherited from her grandfather.
Before long Mellie finds that she has not left her
problems behind. The inn is infested with Parvi, and
Mellie learns that her family must honor a thousand-year
old agreement to provide a home for the Parvi. Themes
of bullying and alcoholism are explored in this clever
and humorous fairy story. |
|
 Cosmic
by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Ages 8–12
Over the summer 12-year-old Liam grows
7 inches and develops facial hair. It’s frustrating being a
kid and looking like an adult, though sometimes fun, like when
his new principal mistakes him for a teacher on the first day
of school. Then Liam passes himself off as his own father and
wins a trip to a new theme park in China that includes new
ride: The Rocket. The Rocket turns out to be just that and
Liam finds himself the adult chaperone on a trip to outer space.
Who knew all those hours honing his spaceship piloting skills
while playing World of Warcraft would come in handy after all? |
|
 The
Unforgotten Coat
by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Ages 8–12
When Chingis and Nergui, two
Mongolian boys wearing fur coats, appear in Julie’s
Year Six class in England, no one knows what to make
of them. The teacher asks Nergui to remove the hat
pulled low over his eyes but he refuses, and Chingis
explains that “When you need your eagle to be
calm you cover its eyes with a hood.” He then
selects Julie to be their “Good Guide” and
she accepts the task of helping the boys learn slang
and the rules of football. This moving story of illegal
immigration is told with humor. |
|
 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. |
|
 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. |
|
 Missing
on Superstition Mountain
by Elise Broach, Antonio Javier
Caparo
Ages 8–12
Simon, Henry, and Jack Barker
have just moved from Illinois to Arizona, and their
parents have warned them that Superstition Mountain
is totally off limits. But when their cat goes missing,
the three brothers chase after her and discover three
human skulls. Joining up with their neighbor Delilah,
the children research local history and folklore,
preparing for a secret return to Superstition Mountain
to solve the mystery of the skulls. This exciting
novel is the first in a new series. |
|
 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. |
|
 Mouse & Lion
by Rand Burkert, Nancy Ekholm Burkert
All ages
This beautiful book is a retelling
of Aesop’s fable of the mouse who stumbles into a lion and
pleads for his freedom, promising to help the lion if he is
ever in need. Burkert’s illustrations celebrate the beauty
of the African savannah, often from a mouse point of view. |
|
 The
Adventures of Mark Twain by Huckleberry Finn
by Robert Burleigh, Barry Blitt
Ages 7–10
This clever biography of Mark
Twain is narrated by Huckleberry Finn in a folksy style
that begs to be read aloud. Cartoon-like pen and ink
illustrations and a variety of typefaces add to the
exaggerated tall tale style of this delightful book. |
|
 Discovering
Nature’s Alphabet
by Krystina Castella, Brian Boyl
Ages 6–12
Created by a husband and wife team, this unique
book presents letters of the alphabet found in the natural world. The
92 color photographs are neither staged nor retouched, and are spectacular
examples of the wonders of nature waiting for the careful observer. Not
intended for those just learning the alphabet, this beautiful book may
inspire older children to search out letters in their own natural surroundings. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Nest for Celeste
A
Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home
by Henry Cole
Ages 8–12
Celeste, a quiet mouse who weaves
baskets from grass, forages for food in Oakley Plantation
near New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1821. Tormented by rats
and chased by a cat, she is rescued by Joseph, the young
assistant to John James Audubon. Joseph carries Celeste
in his pocket as he helps Audubon find plants and birds
to serve as models for their illustrations. Beautifully
natural pencil drawings capture Celeste’s bravery, resourcefulness,
and overwhelming need for a home to call her own. A compelling
mix of fantasy and fact, this book full of art captures
the nature of art and artists. Audubon’s time-appropriate
habit of hiring hunters to shoot the birds he paints may
be unsettling for modern readers. |
|
 Crouching
Tiger
by Ying Chang Compestine, Yan Nascimbene
Ages 6–10
Vinson considers himself
completely American, and is uncomfortable when
his grandfather comes to visit from China, speaking
to him in Chinese and calling him Ming Da, his
Chinese name. When his grandfather practices tai
chi in the garden, Ming Da is at first fascinated,
hoping to learn kung fu kicks and punches, and
then bored by tai chi’s slow pace. Reluctantly
donning a Chinese jacket for the Chinese New Year
parade, Ming Da notices the respect given to his
grandfather and the lion dancers he trained. As
Ming Da allows himself to enter his grandfather’s
world, their friendship deepens and he realizes
it’s pretty cool to be Chinese after all. |
|
 Words
Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
by Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E.
Ransome
Ages 5–9
Powerful first person narration
tells the story of Frederick Douglass’s early life
as a plantation slave. Learning to read was the
catalyst for Frederick’s determination to escape
from slavery. “I bought my first newspaper
and learned new words—liberty, justice, and
freedom.” Eventually Frederick uses his writing
skills to forge a letter from his master releasing
him. Though not avoiding the cruel realities of
slavery, this accessible biography celebrates determination
and hope. |
|
 The
Gates
by John Connolly
Ages 12–up
While doing some early trick-or-treating
with his dog Boswell in Biddlecombe, England, 11-year-old
Samuel Johnson witnesses a strange happening at 666 Crowley
Road. Experimenting with one of the spells in a old book,
Mrs. Abernathy inadvertently opens the Gates of Hell
and allows a powerful demon through. Horrified, Samuel
tries to convince various adults of the mounting danger,
but finds they don’t believe him. Billed as an “adult
book for children,” this whimsical fantasy features
a quirky and imaginative hero, an amusingly incompetent
subdemon named Nurd, and accessible explanations of quantum
mechanics, wormholes, and black holes. |
|
 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. |
|
 Yummy:
Eight Favorite Fairy Tales
by Lucy Cousins
Ages 4–10
In the retelling of these fairy
tales, the villains are scary and eager to eat their
tasty prey. Bold and vibrant illustrations complement
the slyly humorous text. |
|
 The
Unfinished Angel
by Sharon Creech
Ages 8–12
Zola, an imaginary and determined
child in a small village in the Swiss Alps, discovers
an endearing angel who has trouble with “peoples” language.
Zola knows about all sorts of problems that need fixing — lonely
people, orphan children — and the two work together
to create small miracles that are really ordinary acts
of kindness. The angel’s narration adds a hilarious
touch to this uplifting novel. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Trouble with Chickens: A J.J. Tully Mystery
by Doreen Cronin, Kevin Cornell
Ages 8–12
After seven years working as
a search-and-rescue dog, J.J. Tully and retired to
the country. Despite his considerable ego, J.J. agrees
to help a mother hen find her missing chicks, in exchange
for a cheeseburger. Working against J.J. is Vince the
Funnel, who looks like a cross between a dachshund
and a lamp because of the collar he is forced to wear.
Fast-paced and funny, this illustrated book is perfect
for readers making the transition between picture and
chapter books. |
|
 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
Mighty Miss Malone
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Ages 10–14
In 1936 Gary, Indiana, the
Great Depression causes Roscoe Malone to lose his job.
He leaves for Flint hoping to find another job, leaving
his wife, son Jimmy, and daughter Deza (12) behind.
When Deza’s mother also loses her job, the family becomes
homeless and sets off to Flint. In a camp on the journey,
Jimmy’s beautiful voice is recognized, and he leaves
to pursue a career as a performer. Deza and her mother
find a new home and cling to the hope that they will
find her father. (Deza makes an appearance as a minor
character in Bud,
Not Buddy.) |
|
 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
Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm
edited by Noel Daniel
All ages
This collection includes new
translations of 27 of Grimm brothers’ fairy tales with
vintage illustrations from the 1920s to 1950s. Classic
tales like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping
Beauty, and Hansel and Gretel, have a
more modern feel while brief introductions describe
the themes, symbolism, and contemporary relevance of
the stories. This beautiful book will appeal to readers
of all ages. |
|
 The
Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale
by Carmen Agra Deedy, Randall
Wright, Barry Moser
Ages 8–12
Skilley is an alley cat who
longs for a comfortable life at the Cheshire Cheese
Inn, the pub where Charles Dickens is struggling to
write the opening of his new novel. When given the
job of mouser, Skilley strikes a bargain with Pip,
the lead mouse: Skilley will protect the mice if they
supply him with the tasty Cheshire cheese produced
by the inn. The unlikely pair work together to restore
Maldwyn, a wounded raven, to his rightful place serving
Queen Victoria in The Tower. This delightful book is
beautifully illustrated. |
|
 Titanic
Sinks!
by Barry Denenberg
Ages 10–up
This intriguing mix of fact
and fiction gives a “you are there” feeling
to the infamous disaster, commemorating 100th anniversary
of the sinking of the Titanic. Fictional characters
supplement the recollections of actual survivors, presented
in the pages of a fictional magazine. Period photographs
add to the dramatic effect. |
|
 Hereville:
How Mirka Got Her Sword
by Barry Deutsch
Ages 8–12
Mirka (11) wants to be a dragon-slayer,
but the entire population of her small Orthodox Jewish
community opposes her, especially her brother, seven
sisters, and stepmother. But when a witch and a talking
pig appear in the woods next to her home, Mirka can’t
help getting involved. The expressive illustrations
and strong story line of this graphic novel (a perfect
mix of fantasy, adventure, cultural traditions, and
the universal quest to find one’s place in the world)
will captivate readers. |
|
 Bink
and Gollie
by Kate Dicamillo and Alison Mcghee,
Tony Fucile
Ages 6–9
Bink is tall, thin, self-confident,
strong-willed, and a bit judgmental. Gollie is small,
rumpled, strong-willed, and down-to-earth. Like many
best friends, the two squabble about just about anything
in this early readers series debut. Three connected stories
present conflicts about appearance (wild socks), personal
boundaries (a trek to the Andes), and pets (jealousy).
Friendship triumphs in all three adventures, highlighted
by sparkling dialog and supported by Tony Fucile’s humorous
illustrations. |
|
 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. |
|
 Under
the Mambo Moon
by Julia Durango, Fabricio Vanden
Broeck
Ages 8–11
Marisol explores the role
music plays in her Latino community by introducing
the people who visit her father’s music store.
Beautiful melding of poetry, narration, and art
bring the love of music to life. |
|
 Mary
Mae and the Gospel Truth
by Sandra Dutton
Ages 8–12
Mary Mae (10) loves to sing
hymns, go to church, and learn about trilobites in
school. Her 5th grade teacher encourages Mary Mae’s
inquiring mind, but her mother, who believes in the
Bible version of creation, is horrified by Mary Mae’s
questions about how the earth looked millions of years
ago. Mary Mae’s mother threatens home schooling and
Mary Mae has to decide if she will side with science
and her teacher, with God and her mother, or somewhere
in between. All the caring adults in Mary Mae’s life
try to provide truthful guidance in this book that
respects both viewpoints as well as those in the middle. |
|
 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.
|
|
 Mockingbird
by Kathryn Erskine
Ages 10–up
Caitlin Smith (10) has Asperger’s syndrome.
She hates recess with all the noise and confusion, and meets
with her counselor, Mrs. Brook, who helps her to understand
the reasons behind her discomfort, while offering advice about
how to make friends and deal with her grief over her older
brother Devon’s death in a recent school shooting. Devon had
always been Caitlin’s interpreter, explaining the grey areas
in the world she sees as black and white. Without him, Caitlin
struggles more than ever. When she hears the term “closure” Caitlin
turns to her dictionary for help and decides to find closure
for both herself and her grieving father. Caitlin’s first person
narration provides insight into her incredible intelligence
and conscientiousness paired with her limited social skills
and her struggles to comprehend figurative language. |
|
 The Sea of Trolls
by Nancy Farmer
Ages 9–up
Jack (11) is a scrawny medieval Saxon
boy who has never been much good at anything until the Bard
of his village makes him an apprentice. Jack is slowly learning
to call on magical powers when the Bard realizes that Viking
berserkers are about to attack the village. They raise a fog
to hide the village, but Jack and his sister Lucy (5) are kidnapped
by by Ivan One-Brow and his crew. Jack impresses Ivan with
his ability to control the weather and things aren’t nearly
as bad as they could be until Lucy is given to King Ivan the
Boneless and Frith, his evil half-troll wife. By mistake, Jack
detaches Frith’s hair and is sent on a quest with Ivan and
Thorgil to the Troll kingdom to find Mimir’s Well and the
secret to restore Frith’s hair. This skillful amalgam of history,
myth, and humor will appeal to fantasy lovers of all ages. |
|
 The Land of Silver Apples
by Nancy Farmer
Ages 9–up
Jack (13)
and his sister Lucy (7) are safely back home with their parents,
and Lucy is even more spoiled than ever. When her behavior
grows too bad to ignore, the family takes her to a monastery
for an exorcism. Jack’s
father admits that their real baby was stolen at birth, and
Lucy left in her place. Lucy is
stolen by the Lady of the Lake and Jack’s mother insists that
her real daughter be found, and Jack is off on another quest.
Assisted by Pega, a slave girl,
and Thorgil, the ex-berserker, Jack journeys through the lands
of hobgoblins, kelpies, yarthkins, and elves in this thoroughly
satisfying sequel to The
Sea of Trolls. |
|
 The
Island of the Blessed
by Nancy Farmer
Ages 9–up
Jack, 14-year old apprentice
bard, is now living with Thorgil, shield maiden, and
the Bard. A draugr, the undead spirit of a wronged
mermaid, is roused by the village priest’s mystical
bell, sending Jack and his friends to the kingdom of
the fin folk seeking a way to bring the draugr peace.
(conclusion to The
Sea of Trolls and The
Land of Silver Apples) |
|
 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. |
|
 Sidekicks
by Jack D. Ferraiolo
Ages 10–14
Scott “Bright Boy” Hutchinson
is an ordinary school boy by day, and the intrepid sidekick
to the grim avenger Phantom Justice by night. Scott is content
with his life, until he and another sidekick accidentally discover
each other’s secret identities. Though the superheroes they
support are arch-enemies, the two sidekicks realize that they
have much in common. When Scott realizes that Phantom Justice
may not be the good guy he pretends to be, Scott is forced
to make a choice about which side to support. |
|
 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. |
|
 Miss
Etta and Dr. Claribel: Bringing Matisse to America
by Susan Fillion
Ages 10–up
Miss Etta and Dr. Claribel
Cone were two unmarried sisters from Baltimore who
fell in love with modern art in Paris. The two sisters,
encouraged Leo Stein, supported beginning artists like
Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, bought their paintings,
and brought them back to America. Without professional
advice or counsel, trusting their eyes and instincts,
the two sisters concentrate on the avant-garde. Few
were aware of the extent of their collection until
Etta published a catalog in 1934, revealing one of
the foremost collections of Matisse’s work in the world,
bequeathed to The Baltimore Museum of Art in 1949.
This touching story is lavishly illustrated with reproductions
of the Cone Collection and the colorful Matisse-inspired
paintings by the author. |
|
 Saint
Training
by Elizabeth Fixmer
Ages 9–12
It’s the late 1960s, and sixth-grader
Mary Clare longs for the quiet orderly life of the
convent. The fourth of nine children in a Catholic
family in a small town in Wisconsin, Mary Clare works
hard to help her mother maintain some sort of order
in their chaotic household, while writing letters to
a Mother Superior, describing her daily life and hopes
for the future. Mary Clare’s older brothers argue about
the Vietnam War (one wants to enlist, the other applies
for conscientious objector status), her mother is depressed
with yet another pregnancy, and Mary Clare struggles
for acceptance among her Protestant neighbors and at
school where she feels ashamed of her poverty. This
painfully honest novel is both funny and hopeful. |
|
 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. |
|
 Sir
Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World
by Sid Fleischman
Ages 9–12
Photographs and newspaper clippings
enliven this sympathetic biography of the great silent
film star whose career ended with the introduction
of sound to movies. Chaplin was one of Fleischman’s
idols, and his admiration for Chaplin’s humor will
motivate young readers to seek out some of the silent
film gems listed in the filmography. |
|
 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. |
|
 Lafayette
and the American Revolution
by Russell Freedman
Ages 10–up
In this accessible biography,
we first meet the Marquis de Lafayette as a strong-willed
19-year-old defying the King of France to run off and
join the American Revolution. Though young Lafayette
had never set foot on a battlefield before, he soon
earned the respect of the Americans because of his
bravery and drive to succeed. The text is enlivened
by quotations and anecdotes from Lafayette’s unconventional
life, while drawings and portraits help to keep the
large cast of characters straight. |
|
 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. |
|
 French
Ducks in Venice
by Garret Freymann-Weyr, Erin
McGuire
Ages 5–10
Polina Panova, a dressmaker
in Venice, California, is heart-broken when her boyfriend
leaves her. Georges and Cécile, the two French ducks
who live in the canal behind her house, are determined
to cheer her up. Luminous digital illustrations accompany
this tale of grief, friendship, and the healing power
of time. |
|
 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. |
|
 Dead
End in Norvelt
by Jack Gantos
Newbery
Medal 2012
Ages 10–up
Jack Gantos’s summer 1962 vacation
plans take an unexpected turn when he is grounded “for
life” by his bickering parents. But then his mother
loans him out to a neighbor, and Jack finds himself typing
obituaries of the strange and wonderful people who founded
his small town. This funny and mysterious semi-autobiographic
mix of fact and fiction is fast-paced and immensely entertaining. |
|
 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. |
|
 Emma
Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
by Kristine O’Connell George,
Nancy Carpenter
Ages 6–9
Jess, a 4th grader, is often
frustrated by her pre-school aged sister Emma, who
copies everything Jess does and embarrasses her in
front of her friends. Jess has trouble accepting
that she is always expected to be a good big sister,
while Emma runs rampant over her life and privacy.
Vivid and frank poems present the pains and joys
of having a little sister. |
|
 A
Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Ages 10–up
In this irreverent and retelling
of eight Grimm inspired fairy tales, Hansel and Gretel
take their fate into their own capable hands, and walk
out of their own story and into the other tales. Avoiding
the modern trend of softening the original tales, these
instead revel in bloodthirsty scariness, sure to delight
readers ready for some wickedly funny terror. |
|
 Storyteller
by Patricia Reilly Giff
Ages 8–14
While staying with her aunt, Elizabeth
finds a portrait of Eliza, known as Zee, an ancestor who looks
just like her. Zee’s father died in the American Revolution,
and her mother when their cabin was ambushed. A map on the
back of the sketch helps Elizabeth puzzle out the story of
Zee’s life. As Elizabeth follows in Zee’s footsteps, the stories
of the two girls intertwine as each searches for inner strength
and a sense of belonging. |
|
 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
Museum of Mary Child
by Cassandra Golds
Ages 11–up
Heloise is kept secluded by
her stern god mother. When the lonely girl discovers
a beautiful doll, Maria, hidden under the floorboards,
she hides the doll from her godmother who prohibits
play, beautiful things, and talk of love. When Maria
is discovered, Heloise learns the dreadful truth about
the museum adjoining her godmother’s cottage. This
mysterious and creepy novel is enthralling. |
|
 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. |
|
 Ballet
for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring
by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan,
Brian Floca
Ages 6–10
This inspired book manages
to capture the excitement of dance, music, and stage
design while celebrating the collaboration between
dancer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Cop,and, and
set designer Isamu Noguchi. The book follows the
creation of a ballet from Martha’s original idea
to the opening night, highlighting the vital contributions
from each of the artists. |
|
 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. |
|
 Fly
Trap
by Frances Hardinge
Ages 10–up
Mosca Mye, her con man friend
Eponymous Clent, and her fierce goose Saracen have
barely escaped from the revolution, which they helped
start, in the city of Mandelion. But the new town they
find themselves in isn’t much safer. Toll is a wealthy
town, but transforms into a dangerous place after dark,
known as Toll-by-Night. Mosca and her companions are
soon involved in a plot to kidnap the Mayor’s beloved
daughter while trying to escape the clutches of Goshawk,
who wants vengeance for their deeds in Mandelion. This
humorous and inventive fantasy novel is the sequel
to Fly
by Night. |
|
 The
Lost Conspiracy
by Frances Hardinge
Ages 10–up
On the enchanted island of
Gullstrick, Arilou is proclaimed to be a mystic, the
next Lady Lost of the Lace people. Her younger sister
Hathin acts as her translator and guardian. But neither
sister is exactly what she seems, and when a Lost Inspector
arrives to authenticate Arilou’s claim, the sisters
and the Lace people are in danger. This complex tale
is an entrancing story. |
|
 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. |
|
 13
Treasures
by Michelle Harrison
Ages 8–12
Tanya (13) is tormented by
evil fairies that no one else can see. Tanya’s mother
blames Tanya for the fairies’ pranks, and sends Tanya
off to visit her unloving grandmother at the isolated
Elvesden Manor on the edge of a mysterious wilderness.
In partnership with Fabian, the son of the groundskeeper,
and Red, a girl wanted by the police for kidnapping
a changeling, Tanya becomes involved in the decades
old mystery of the disappearance of children from the
nearby town. This appealing modern-day fairy tale will
keep readers enthralled. |
|
 The
Midnight Zoo
by Sonya Hartnett, Andrea Offermann
Ages 10–up
When German soldiers attack
their Romany encampment and arrest their relatives,
Andrej (12) and Tomas (9) flee to hide in the woods
with their baby sister. They discover a bombed out
town with an intact zoo filled with creatures in need
of hope. Like the children, the animals have stories
to tell and a burning desire to reclaim their lives.
This somber fable explores themes of responsibility
and freedom. |
|
 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. |
|
 Junonia
by Kevin Henkes
Ages 8–12
Every year Alice Rice (9) looks forward
to celebrating her birthday during her family’s vacation to
the beach cottage named Scallop on Sanibel Island, Florida.
But this year things aren’t the same: some of her favorite
people are missing a new and disruptive six-year-old has arrived.
Alice spends more time than usual on the beach, hoping this
will be the summer she finally finds the rare junonia shell.
Alice’s discoveries aren’t what she expects, but she does learn
new things about old and new friends. |
|
 John
Brown: His Fight for Freedom
by John Hendrix
Ages 8–12
In the late 1850s, John Brown,
the infamous white abolitionist, backed his beliefs
with action. This unflinching biography presents Brown’s
transformation from a supporter of the underground
railroad into an activist prepared to use violence
to support his beliefs. The violent raid in Harper’s
Ferry, Virginia, that led to Brown’s arrest and execution
provides an exciting climax to this compelling biography. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Black Book of Secrets
by F.E. Higgins
Ages 10–14
Young Ludlow Fitch, fleeing a terrible
past, arrives in a peaceful village. Ludlow becomes the assistant
to the mysterious pawnbroker who trades cash for people’s deepest,
darkest secrets. It’s Ludlow’s job to record the secrets in
the leather bound Black Book of Secrets. The vaguely
Dickensian late 1800s atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for
this historical fantasy. |
|
 The
Bone Magician
by F.E. Higgins
Ages 10–14
Young Pin Carpue is left to survive
on his own in the crime-ridden city of Urbs Umida when his
father, a suspected murderer, disappears. Pin gets a job as
a corpse watcher, standing guard in the morgue for three days
to ensure that the deceased really are dead and not just sleeping.
There he meets the Bone Magician who claims to be able to reanimate
the dead to answer last questions from the living. This dark
and funny fantasy is a companion volume to The
Black Book of Secrets. |
|
 The
Eyeball Collector
by F.E. Higgins
Ages 10–14
Young Hector finds himself alone,
homeless, and penniless when his father dies after being
blackmailed and disgraced. Hector sets out to find revenge
against the man he thinks is responsible for the blackmail—Gulliver
Truepin, a one-eyed con artist who steals jewels to make
a different jeweled eyeball for each day of the week.
The two end up at Withypitts Hall, home of the cruel
Lady Mandible and all plots come together on the night
of an extravagant feast. (Companion volume to The
Black Book of Secrets and The
Bone Magician) |
|
 The
Whole Story of Half a Girl
by Veera Hiranandani
Ages 9–12
Sonia Nadhamuni, half Indian
and half Jewish American, loves her private school.
But when her father loses his job at the end of her
5th grade year, Sonia enters a racially divided public
school. For the first time her mixed heritage is an
issue, and she begins to think about who she really
is. Even harder to deal with is the depression that
overtakes her father when he can’t find another job.
Sonia’s struggles to cope with new family problems
and to fit into her new school without losing her own
individuality are beautifully portrayed. |
|
 The
Last Best Days of Summer
by Valerie Hobbs
Ages 10–14
Lucy (12) is highly influenced
by her friend Megan, who gives her tips about how to
be popular in junior high, including not being friendly
with Eddie, a boy with Down syndrome. Lucy eagerly heads
off to her annual trip to her grandmother’s lake cabin,
anxious to escape her over-protective parents and enjoy
doing all her favorite summer things with Grams. But
Grams isn’t acting like herself (early Alzheimer’s) and
Eddie shows up expecting Lucy to be the friend she’s
always been. This thoughtful coming-of-age story is simply
and effectively told. |
|
 The
Trouble with May Amelia
by Jennifer L. Holm, Adam Gustavson
Ages 8–10
May Amelia (12) lives on a farm
in Washington state in 1900 with her parents, Finnish
immigrants, and seven brothers. Life is hard, especially
when your father doesn’t think girls are worth much,
but May Amelia manages to have plenty of fun as she defends
her beloved teacher from persistent suitors. When Pappa
asks May Amelia to translate for a gentleman who is interested
in buying their land, she thinks she has finally earned
her father’s respect, until the gentleman turns out to
be a scoundrel. A salting of Finnish phrases and accurate
historical details spice up this historical fiction,
a sequel to Our
Only May Amelia. |
|
 Turtle
in Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm
Ages 8–12
Turtle (11) knows that life isn’t
like the happy Hollywood movies her mother adores. It’s
1935 and jobs are scarce, so when her mother gets a job
as a live-in housekeeper with a woman who doesn’t like
children, Turtle heads off without complaint to stay
with relatives she’s never met in Key West, Florida.
Turtle’s dreamy mother insists that Turtle is going to
live in paradise, but down-to-earth Turtle doesn’t expect
much. Eventually Turtle warms to her eccentric relatives
and begins to see the natural beauty hidden under the
trash. Turtle’s amusing first-person narration brings
the Depression era to vivid life. |
|
 The
Water Seeker
by Kimberly Willis Holt
Ages 10–14
Jake Kincaid is a skilled dowser,
a finder of water, but leaves that calling behind to
become a trapper in 1833. He returns a year later to
find that his wife has died, leaving him a baby named
Amos. Jake leaves Amos to be raised by his relatives
in Nebraska, returning each summer to visit. In 1841,
Jake brings his new Shoshone wife with him and they take
Amos with them to Missouri. When Amos is 13, the family
joins a wagon train headed west on the Oregon Trail.
The hardships of the journey are beautifully portrayed
in this historical coming-of-age novel. |
|
 Brains
For Lunch: A Zombie Novel in Haiku?!
by K.A. Holt, Gahan Wilson
Ages 9–14
Loeb, a zombie, has a problem—the
object of his affection is a lifer (human) girl named
Siobhan. Narrated entirely in haiku, this clever novel
highlights the self-doubt and uncertainity all pre-teens
suffer through whether they are human or zombie. Delightfully
gruesome illustrations are the perfect match for the
funny and unconventional haiku, sure to appeal to teachers
of poetry and reluctant readers alike. |
|
 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. (2010 Newbery Honor Book) |
|
 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. |
|
 Amazing
Faces
poems selected by Lee Bennett
Hopkins, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet
Ages 6–up
This collection of poems includes
character sketches and descriptions of multi-cultural
people from all over the United States. Soentpiet’s beautifully
lifelike and detailed watercolor illustrations zoom in
on the faces of the wide variety of people and scenes
depicted in the poems. |
|
 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. |
|
 Northward
to the Moon
by Polly Horvath
Ages 10–13
Jane and her family have moved
to Saskatchewan, where her new stepfather Ned has a
job as a French teacher. Unfortunately Ned doesn’t
speak French, and the family heads west to visit a
friend of Ned’s, and then to Vegas to find Ned’s brother.
At first it’s fun for Jane to imagine they are outlaws
on the run, but when they settle with Ned’s mother
on her remote horse ranch Jane longs to be back home
in Massachusetts before Ned joined the family. Jane’s
changing moods and her ambivalent feelings about her
unpredictable yet endearing family members are beautifully
portrayed. (sequel to My
One Hundred Adventures) |
|
 Addie
on the Inside
by James Howe
Ages 10–14
Seventh grader Addie is outspoken,
and often a target of ridicule from her classmates.
Though confident on the outside, Addie is riddled with
self-doubt on the inside, especially about her relationship
with her boyfriend DuShawn and her former friend Becca.
Addie’s plan to organize a school Day of Silence doesn’t
turn out the way she planned, but her self-imposed
silence has unexpected benefits. Told in rhythmic narrative
verse, this empathetic novel is a companion to The
Misfits and Totally
Joe. |
|
 The
Ogre of Oglefort
by Eva Ibbotson
Ages 8–12
When Princess Mirella is captured
by the dread Ogre of Oglefort, the young orphan boy
Ivo sets out to rescue her with the help of a hag,
a wizard, and a troll. But when they arrive at Oglefort
castle, they realize that it’s not the princess that
needs rescuing, but the poor ogre. To avoid being forced
to marry a nitwit of a prince, Mirella has been badgering
the ogre to turn her into a bird for so long that he
has sunk into a sickly depression. This hilarious book
has a great time poking fun at fairy tale stereotypes. |
|
 Dust
Devil
by Anne Isaacs, Paul Zelinsky
Ages 5–9
Angelica Longrider (introduced
in Swamp
Angel) was the greatest woodsman and wildest wildcat
in the state of Tennessee. Grown too large for her
home state, Angel moves to the great state of Montana,
and wrestles a tornado to the ground, earning herself
a giant horse named Dust Devil. The two are soon at
work battling a gang of cowboy outlaws riding giant
mosquitoes. The outrageous exaggerations of Angel’s
narration are perfectly matched by the stunning paintings
framed by the wood they are painted on. Both boys and
girls will identify with this courageous yet kind folk
hero. |
|
 The
Odyssey: A Pop-Up Book
by Sam Ita
Ages 8–up
This graphic novel retelling
of Odysseus’s epic journey includes brilliant interactive
details. A sharpened stick flies into the eye of Polyphemus,
and a pull-tab magically transforms a man into a pig
on Circe’s island. Modern dialog adds humor to this
classic tale without detracting from the original story. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Heart and the Bottle
by Oliver Jeffers
Ages 4–up
When a small girl loses her father,
her only parent, she decides that the best thing is to
put her heart in a bottle and hang it around her neck.
All the wonder, curiosity, and delight in the world they
shared together vanishes, but the girl believes her heart
at least is safe from further pain. When the girl is
older, her heart is restored when she meets someone smaller
who still delights in the world. This gentle book is
a quietly moving portrait of grief. |
|
 Rise
of the Wolf
by Curtis Jobling
Ages 10–up
Drew lives in a world ruled
by Werelords, men and women who can shift at will into
the form of creatures like bears and serpents. When
Drew’s mother is attacked by a monster, Drew’s true
nature as a werewolf is unleashed. As the last of the
royal werewolves, Drew is hunted by the current ruler
of the Seven Realms, Leopold the werelion. With the
help of a wereboar and werefox, Drew tries to escape
death and accidentally sparks a revolution against
the corrupt leaders. This exciting and action-filled
book is the first in the Wereworld series. |
|
 Sarah
Emma Edmonds Was a Great Pretender: The True Story of a Civil
War Spy
by Carrie Jones, Mark Oldroyd
Ages 7–12
Sarah Emma Edmonds began pretending
at a young age. Her father wanted a son, so Sarah pretended
to be a boy. When she was a teenager, Sarah realized
she would never be the son her father wanted, so she
ran away from Canada to America, where she assumed
the identity of Frank Thompson. In 1861 she joined
the Union Army as a male nurse. When the Union Army
needed a spy, she volunteered, pretending to be a male
African American slave, a female Irish peddler, and
a female African American laundress in order to slip
behind enemy lines and gather information. Sly illustrations
capture Sarah’s joy in her successful deceptions. |
|
 Earwig
and the Witch
by Diana Wynne Jones, Paul O.
Zelinsky
Ages 8–12
The orphaned Earwig has
been at the St. Morwald’s Home for Children since
she was a baby. Everyone does whatever Earwig says,
and she is happy there with her best friend Custard.
When adoptive parents arrive, Earwig make sure
that none pick her. But then Bella Yaga, a strange
woman with one blue eye and one brown, adopts Earwig
and sets her to the daily task of grinding up disgusting
things to use in spells. But the determined Earwig
is more than a match for the evil witch and her
grouchy assistant Mandrake. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Million Shades of Gray
by Cynthia Kadohata
Ages 10–up
After American troops leave his
village in South Vietnam, Y’Tin, who dreams of opening
an elephant training school, and his village are left
to fend for themselves. When North Vietnamese troops
destroy the village, Y’Tin escapes into the jungle with
Lady, his pet elephant. As the days go by, he becomes
angrier and less trusting, fearing that he will never
feel safe again. Truth has as many shades of gray as
an elephant in this emotional survival story. |
|
 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. (2010 Newbery Honor Book) |
|
 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
Extraordinary Mark Twain
by Barbara Kerley, Edwin Fotheringham
Ages 7–11
Thirteen-year-old Susy is determined
to set the record straight about her famous father,
and spends a year writing her own observations. This
accessible biography, which includes clever illustrations
as well as excerpts from Susy’s actual diary, presents
an intimate portrait of the real man behind the famous
one. Author notes include a timeline of Twain’s life
as well as tips for writing an extraordinary biography
of your own. |
|
 Those
Rebels, John and Tom
by Barbara Kerley, Edwin Fotheringham
Ages 7–11
Clever verse and humorous illustrations
portray the different personalities of two founding
fathers and early presidents: Thomas Jefferson and
John Adams. Lively typography and a bold color palette
complement this story of strength coming from difference. |
|
 Diary
of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Ages 9–12
Middle-schooler Greg Heffley’s mother
forces him to keep a diary, so Greg takes us through an academic
year with prose and comic illustrations. Greg’s total obliviousness
to his own faults makes him an appealing protagonist. This “novel
in cartoons” grew out of a popular web comic and will
appeal to both reluctant and experienced readers. (1st in series) |
|
 Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
by Jeff Kinney
Ages 9–12
Middle-schooler Greg Heffley
is back and just as hilarious as ever as he tries to
deal with the punishments of his older brother, try out
for the Talent Show, join the swim team, and attempt
to avoid embarrassment at all costs. (2nd in series,
following Diary
of a Wimpy Kid) |
|
 Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
by Jeff Kinney
Ages 9–12
Middle-schooler Greg Heffley
starts this funny diary with his New Year’s resolution
to help other people improve, and continues to summer
vacation. Along the way, Greg struggles with anonymous
Valentine cards, trying to impress his classmate Holly,
and single-handedly ruining his soccer team’s perfect
season. (3rd in series, following Diary
of a Wimpy Kid and Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules) |
|
 Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
by Jeff Kinney
Ages 9–12
It’s summer vacation, and middle-schooler
Greg Heffley hopes to spend it playing video games. Unfortunately
his mother has other ideas, and Greg finds himself in
a book club for boys, fighting with his friend Rodney
over their failed lawn-care business, and trying to escape
the horrors of the murderous “muddy hand” that
haunts him from a horror film. This hilarious series
will enthrall both reluctant and experienced readers.
(4th in series, following Diary
of a Wimpy Kid, Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Diary
of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw) |
|
 The
Clockwork Three
by Matthew J. Kirby
Ages 8–14
Giuseppe, an orphaned street
musician, dreams of freedom from his oppressive master
and returning home to Italy. Hannah, who works as a
maid to help support her family, longs for a cure for
her dying father. Frederick, apprenticed to a clockmaker,
wants to discover the identity of his mother. Each
of the three children begin their searches independently,
but discover they have more power when they team up
to work together. This urban steampunk fantasy is a
captivating and exciting adventure story. |
|
 The
Gingerbread Pirates
by Kristin Kladstrup, Matt Tavares
Ages 4–10
Jim and his mother make gingerbread
pirate cookies on Christmas Eve, and Jim likes his
Captain Cookie with a gingerbread cutlass and toothpick
peg leg too much to leave him on the plate for Santa.
In the middle of the night, the brave Captain Cookie
dashes down the stairs to save his crew from the mysterious
cannibal named Santa. Luckily Santa ends up not being
as terrifying as the cookies feared. |
|
 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) |
|
 Freedom
Stone
by Jeffrey Kluger
Ages 9–12
When the Confederate Army promised
freedom to the family of any slave who served in the
army, whether he made it home or not, Lillie’s father
decided he had to take the chance. But when Lillie’s
father is killed in the war, the army claimed he was
a thief and the plantation master refused to free the
family. In fact, he decided to sell Lillie’s little
brother Plato. With the help of another slave, Lillie
travels to the battlefield to prove her father’s innocence
and win freedom for her family. |
|
 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. |
|
 Play
Ball, Jackie!
by Stephen Krensky, Joe Morse
Ages 7–10
It’s 1947, and 10-year-old
Matty Romano is going to his first baseball game with
his father to see the Brooklyn Dodgers, his favorite
team. It’s also the first day for Jackie Robinson,
the first Black baseball player in the major leagues.
The crowd is divided between those who are outraged
and those who just want to see good baseball players,
no matter what their color. Matty’s conversations with
his father provide an intimate look at this historic
baseball game. |
|
 Griff
Carver, Hallway Patrol
by Jim Krieg
Ages 9–12
Griff Carver, a seasoned safety-patrol
officer, is new to Rampart Middle School. His mother
tries to convince Griff to join the band instead, but
Griff can’t escape his need to catch rule-breakers,
even if it’s the principal dropping a straw wrapper
and not picking it up. Discovering a counterfeiting
ring producing hall passes, Griff recruits a girl reporter
and a rookie on the safety patrol. Told in police procedural
style, this humorous book will keep readers glued to
the page. |
|
 The
Grand Plan to Fix Everything
by Uma Krishnaswami, Abigail Halpin
Ages 8–12
Dini (11) loves movies. She
has introduced her best friend Maddie to the wonders
of Bollywood, and the two girls adore film star Dolly
Singh. When Dini’s mother gets a grant to work as a
doctor for two years in the tiny village of Swapnagiri
in India, Dini is heart-broken to leave Maddie and
her contented life in suburban Maryland. But Dini begins
to prescript her life to include her new environment
and characters, which include a postal worker, a baker,
a car mechanic, and a host of monkeys. This delightful
novel with a distinctive heroine is fast paced and
fun. |
|
 Big
Wig
by Kathleen Krull, Peter Malone
Ages 8–12
This playful “history
of hair” follows our fascination with hair from
prehistory to the punks. The humorous gouache illustrations
beautifully complement the information about hair fashions
and follies in ancient Egypt, Mexican, and Indian societies
and through the royal courts of Europe to modern times. |
|
 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. |
| |
|
 Eight
Keys
by Suzanne LaFleur
Ages 9–12
Elsie and Franklin have always
been best friends, ever since she came to live with
her aunt and uncle after her parents died when she
was very young. Before he died, her father made eight
rooms on the second floor of the barn for her to open
when the time was right. When they enter middle school,
things start going wrong. Elsie is bullied, she doesn’t
fit in, and Franklin seems unwilling to leave childish
toys at home. When Elsie turns 12, keys to the rooms
appear one at a time, and she discovers things about
her parents, her aunt and uncle, and herself as she
explores the rooms. This sensitive novel beautifully
portrays the transition between childhood and the teenaged
years. |
|
 Inside
Out and Back Again
by Thanhha Lai
Ages 9–12
After her father has been missing
in action for nine years in the Vietnam War, 10-year-old
Hà, her mother, and her three older brothers flee to
Guam, eventually ending up in Alabama. Though finally
safe, Hà finds it difficult to master the new language
and customs, and is cruelly mocked by her classmates.
Befriended by a teacher who lost a son in Vietnam,
Hà gradually adjusts to her new life. Narrated in first
person free-verse poems, this poignant novel captures
the sense of alienation felt by many immigrants. |
|
 The
Incredible Voyage of Ulysses
by Bimba Landmann
Ages 9–12
After the defeat of the Trojans
by the Greeks in a 10-year war, Ulysses, king of Ithaca,
heads home to his faithful wife Penelope. His voyage
home takes another 10 years, and as Ulysses battles
cannibals, monsters, and other magical creatures, Penelope
fends off suitors determined to convince her Ulysses
is long dead. This retelling of Homer’s epic tale is
presented in a richly illustrated style designed to
draw readers into the gripping adventure. |
|
 The
Fate of Achilles
by Bimba Landmann
Ages 9–12
When Achilles was born, the
Fates foretold that his destiny would be tied to that
of Rome. The son of the nymph Thetis and King Peleus,
Achilles was raised by Chiron, a centaur who taught
the boy how to fight and how to live with honor. When
asked to help avenge the Greeks against the Trojans,
Achilles agrees, though his mother warns him that he
will not survive the battle. This retelling of Homer’s
epic continues the story begun in The
Incredible Voyage of Ulysses. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Giant-Slayer
by Iain Lawrence
Ages 8–12
This touching novel is set in
1955, during the polio epidemic right before the Salk
vaccine. Dickie, Caroline, and Chip are three children
living in iron lungs in the polio ward. Dickie’s best
friend, 11-year-old Laurie, visits and begins an episodic
tale of a boy’s quest to slay a giant with the help of
a unicorn hunter, an oxen driver, and a swamp witch.
As the story progresses, the sick children begin to recognize
themselves in the heroic characters and experience their
first glimmer of hope in years. The difficult subject,
emotionally honest characters, and captivating fantasy
combine to make this novel something special. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Year of Goodbyes: A True Story of Friendship, Family and
Farewells
by Debbie Levy
Ages 10–up
This book tells the true story
of a year in the life of Jutta, a 12-year-old girl
in 1938 Nazi Germany, and the author’s mother. Photos
and translations of comments from friends written in
Jutta’s diary introduce each chapter, giving a vivid
picture of an ordinary teenager in an extraordinary
time and place. This very personal and powerful book
in verse documents a year of change, confusion, cruelty,
and farewells. |
|
 Where
the Mountain Meets the Moon
by Grace Lin
Ages 8–12
Minli and her parents live on
the Jade River in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, growing
barely enough rice to feed themselves. Her father tells
stories every night to brighten their impoverished existence.
One day Minli spends her only two coins on a talking
goldfish, sure that it can bring her family good fortune.
With help from her fish, Minli sets out to find the Old
Man of the Moon, who she hopes will provide the secret
to good fortune. Along the way she befriends the unfortunate
and uses her wits to escape traps in this beautifully
illustrated adventure that draws upon the rich history
of Chinese folktales. (2010 Newbery Honor Book) |
|
 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. |
|
 Gifts
from the Gods: Ancient Words and Wisdom from Greek and Roman
Mythology
by Lise Lunge-Larsen, Gareth Hinds
Ages 9–12
This lavishly illustrated book
will appeal to both mythology fans and word lovers.
Using dictionary definitions, quotes from children’s
literature, and graphic-novel style illustrations,
the authors trace the origins of common words and expressions
to Greek and Roman myths. For example,
“museums” were originally temples built
to honor the nine muses, and “janitor” comes
from Janus, the god of doorways and hallways. |
|
 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. |
|
 Flesh
and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and its Legacy
by Albert Marrin
Ages 10–up
On March 25, 1911, the Triangle
Shirtwaist Factory in New York City burst into flames.
The factory was crowded with workers, mainly young
Italian and Jewish women. The doors were locked to
prevent the workers from leaving before the end of
the work day, and 146 people died in the fire. One
hundred years later, this powerful book examines the
poor working conditions the immigrant factory workers
endured, the greed that motivated the bosses and owners,
and the courage of the workers who banded together
to change working conditions for everyone in America. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray
by Ann M. Martin
Ages 9–12
From the comfort of her new home,
Squirrel tells the story of her life as a stray. Squirrel
and her brother Bone lose their mother when they are puppies.
Luckily she has already taught them many skills they will
need to survive as strays. When the young dogs are separated,
Squirrel must make her own way in the world. |
|
 Everything
for a Dog
by Ann M. Martin
Ages 9–12
This companion novel to A
Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray tells
the story of Bone, the brother of the stray puppy Squirrel.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Bone and
the two boys who enter his life: Henry (11) who wants
a dog more than anything else in the world, and Charlie,
who has a dog but is consumed with grief over the recent
death of his older brother. This moving novel will
appeal to all animal lovers. |
|
 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. |
|
 Ten
Rules for Living with My Sister
by Ann M. Martin
Ages 9–12
Pearl (9) knows she doesn't measure up to her
perfect older sister Lexie. Lexie has a boyfriend and Pearl has only
Bitey the cat. Lexie is popular, but Pearl is not, because of the Three
Bad Things that happened at school. Everything Pearl does seems to drive
Lexie crazy, but their grandfather is taking over Pearl’s room and the
two sisters will have to share Lexie’s room. So Pearl begins making a
list of rules to help them survive. This humorous and poignant novel
captures the affectionate bickering of sisters. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Death-Defying Pepper Roux
by Geraldine McCaughrean
Ages 10–up
Pepper Roux’s death by age 14
was foretold in a dream, and his aunt Mireille has prayed
over him everyday. When Pepper wakes up on the morning
of his 14th birthday, he is amazed to find himself still
alive, and runs off to sea hoping to escape death a bit
longer. Pepper then flees across the French countryside
from one disastrous job to another until the totally
satisfying climax. |
|
 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) |
|
 Wishing
for Tomorrow
by Hilary McKay, Nick Maland
Ages 8–12
This sequel to A
Little Princess takes up the story of life at Miss
Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies after Sara
has departed with the Indian gentleman. Ermengarde
misses Sara dreadfully and writes long letters to her,
most of which are never posted. Sara’s story is continued
in flashbacks, letters, and one personal appearance,
while Alice, the new school maid, and the stubborn
and unsquashable Lottie help Ermengarde find her own
way. Period illustrations complete this thoroughly
satisfying and heartwarming story. |
|
 Never
Forgotten
by Patricia C. McKissack, Leo
Dillon, Diane Dillon
All Ages
This powerful book tells the
story of Mustafa, a small boy from Mali who is abducted
and sold into slavery. The free verse narration follows
Mustafa across the ocean to South Carolina, where he
becomes a gifted blacksmith like his father. Dramatic
paintings by Leo and Diane Dillon intensify the grief
and longing for freedom, reminding children of the importance
of family and remembering the past. |
|
 The
Apothecary
by Maile Meloy, Ian Schoenherr
Ages 10–up
Jamie (14) is the daughter
of two television writers targeted by the House Committee
on Un-American Activities in 1952. Unable to get work,
the family moves to London, where Jamie meets Benjamin
Burrows, a classmate whose father is the neighborhood
apothecary. Benjamin dreams of being a spy and has
no trouble defying authority. When Benjamin’s father
is kidnapped, the two teens work together to uncover
the secrets of the apothecary’s sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia,
in order to find him and thwart the Russian spies with
nuclear weapons. |
|
 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) |
|
 The
Inquisitor’s Apprentice
by Chris Moriarty, Mark Edward
Geyer
Ages 9–12
This historical fantasy
is set in an early 20th century New York City where
each ethnic group has its own magic. When the police
learn that Sacha Kessler, a 13-year-old Jewish
boy, can see witches, he is immediately apprenticed
to the department’s star Inquisitor, Maximillian
Wolf, whose mission is to stop magical crime. Sacha
is partnered with fellow apprentice Lily Astral,
the spoiled daughter of a rich Wall Street Wizard,
to find out who is trying to kill Thomas Edison,
who has invented a witch-hunting device. Solid
period detail and a great sense of humor enliven
this possible first in a series. |
|
 Come
See the Earth Turn
by Lori Mortensen, Raul Allen
Ages 6–10
Léon Foucault was a sickly
child, a poor student, and a drop-out from medical
school—not a natural candidate for fame. Drawn to science
as an adult, Foucault began to perform experiments.
Though scientists at the time were certain that the
Earth did spin around an axis, no one could prove it
until Foucault made an incredible discovery that demonstrated
the Earth’s rotation—Foucault’s Pendulum. This accessible
account of Foucault’s discovery is beautifully illustrated
with Raul Allen’s dramatic paintings. |
|
 A
World Without Heroes
by Brandon Mull
Ages 8–12
Jason Walker (13) always wished
for a more exciting life, until the day he was transported
by hippopotamus from Colorado to Lyrian, a magical
world ruled by the evil sorcerer Maldor. Jason discovers
that his only chance of returning home is by defeating
Maldor with a long lost magic word which erases itself
from the memory of anyone who says it. But with the
help of the Blind King, and Rachel, another refugee
from Earth, Jason is determined to succeed. (1st in
a planned Beyonders trilogy) |
|
 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. |
|
 We
Are America: A Tribute from the Heart
by Walter Dean Myers, Christopher
Myers
Ages 7–12
Told in free verse poetry,
this moving book examines the people, ideals, and
promise of America. Moving along a rough chronological
path, the text and illustrations present the ordinary
and extraordinary people and the events that have
shaped America. |
|
 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. |
|
 Heart
and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans
by Kadir Nelson
Ages 9–up
From pre-Revolutionary slavery
to the election of President Obama, this powerful book
documents the story of a people whose struggles and
achievements helped to define America. The grandmotherly
narrator tells the story of injustice, courage, hope,
and inspiration from her ancestors arrival on a slave
ship to her recent vote for an African American president.
Dramatic oil paintings present the determination and
strength of both well known historical figures and
everyday people. The intimate and personal narration
make this inspiring book accessible to young readers. |
|
 Sweethearts
of Rhythm
The Story of the Greatest
All-Girl Swing Band in the World
by Marilyn Nelson, Jerry Pinkney
Ages 10–up
Nelson’s poems and Pinkney’s
luminous paintings perfectly complement each other in
this tribute to an integrated female swing band that
toured the USA from the late 1930s to mid 1940s. Titled
after swing tunes, the 20 poems underscore the role of
music in bring joy and hope to an era haunted by war
and racism. |
|
 Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable
Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, R.
Gregory Christie
Ages 8–12
This spirited biography tells
the story of Bass Reeves, the dynamic African-American
lawman of the Old West. A former slave who escaped
to freedom in the Indian Territories, Reeves was
cunning and fearless. By the end of his career, Reeves
brought more than 3,000 criminals to justice and
killed only 14. The folksy text and arresting illustrations
bring this respected lawman to vivid life. |
|
 Treasury
of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
by Donna Jo Napoli, Christina
Balit
Ages 8–12
Timeless stories of Greek
mythology are brought to life through vivid text
and stunning illustrations. Sidebars help to make
the connections between the characters clear, and
connect the myths to real life events and places.
This fascinating book will enchant a new generation
of readers. |
|
 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. |
|
 Season
of Secrets
by Sally Nicholls
Ages 8–12
When Molly’s mother dies, her
father sends her and her older sister to live with
Grandma and Grandpa in their half-house half-shop.
Uncertain how long their visit will be, Molly and Hannah
try to cope with home-sicknesses while adjusting to
life in a tiny town with a school of only ten kids.
While caught in a storm one night, Molly flees from
a horned horseman and worries about the wounded man
she finds after the hunt. As he heals, Molly realizes
there is something magical about him—he can make things
grow in the middle of winter—and wonders if he can
somehow bring her mother back to life. |
|
 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. |
|
 Dear
George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom
by Susin Nielsen
Ages 11–14
Violet (12) is devastated when
her TV-producer father leaves their run-down home in
Vancouver and moves to Los Angeles to marry an actress
and live in a fancy house with a pool. Violet is angry,
her younger sister Rosie reverts to bed-wetting, and
her mother begins to date one loser after another.
When her mother begins to date Dudley Wiener, Violet
and her friend Phoebe decide to take matters into their
own hands. Since Violet’s mother can’t find a decent
man herself, they decide to set her up with George
Clooney. Violet’s attempts to sabotage her mother’s
relationship with Dudley are hilarious, while her struggles
to accept her father’s new life are realistically poignant. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis
by Barbara O’Connor
Ages 8–12
It’s summer in rainy and rural
Fayette, South Carolina, and Popeye is totally bored.
Then a motor home gets stuck in the mud and he befriends
Elvis, one of the five rowdy siblings. The two discover
small hand made boats containing cryptic messages floating
down the creek, and are soon happily engaged in a small
adventure. Underlying themes of poverty and dysfunction
are handled with subtle humor. |
|
 Liesl & Po
by Lauren Oliver, Kei Acedera
Ages 8–12
Liesl lives in a tiny bedroom in the
attic, locked away by her wicked stepmother. Then one night
Po appears, a ghost from the Other Side, bringing Liesl a task
— to bury her father’s ashes under a willow tree. This gives
Liesl the courage to escape. Meanwhile, Will, an alchemist's
apprentice is making a delivery for his evil master, a nearly
identical box holding The Most Powerful Magic in the World.
When the boxes are mixed up, unexpected things begin to happen
in this magical adventure, brightening a world where the sun
has not risen for 1,728 days. |
|
 Skit-Scat
Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald
by Roxane Orgill, Sean Qualls
Ages 5–up
This stylish biography begins
with the child Ella dancing to her mother’s records,
and ends with her first big job with the Chick Webb
Band in Harlem in 1921. Orphaned at 14, Ella lived
for a time in an abusive orphanage and then on the
streets, singing and dancing for money. Judged not
pretty enough to be a singer, the determined Ella believed
in her own talent and refused to be discouraged. Richly
colored illustrations capture the spirit a poor young
girl chasing her dream of becoming a jazz singer in
this frank, yet not frightening, biography. |
|
 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
Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park
Ages 10–up
Based on a true story, this
moving novel tells the story one of the “lost
boys” from Sudan. In 1956, when Salva is 11,
his school is attacked by brutal rebel solders. Covering
the next 23 years of his life, Salva's narration tells
of hunger, death, refugee camps, and his eventual relocation
to New York. Interspersed with Salva’s narrative is
that of Nya, who tells of her life in modern (2008)
Sudan, which revolves around her daily eight hour walk
to fetch water for her family. The two stories meet
when Salva returns to Sudan to help his people and
builds a well in Nya’s village. This honest book presents
harsh realities in terrifying detail, yet ends on a
note of hope for a better future. |
|
 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
Third Gift
by Linda Sue Park, Bagram Ibatoulline
Ages 6–9
Somewhere in an Arab desert,
a young boy learns from his father the art of gathering
a fragrant and valuable sap that seeps from small thorny
trees. The two sell it to three strangers in rich robes
who add it to their previously collected gifts of gold
and frankincense that they are taking as a birth gift
to a special baby. An author’s note includes additional
background on myrrh. |
|
 Dogtag
Summer
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages 8–12
Tracy (12) has always felt
different. In Vietnam she was mocked because her father
was an American soldier, and she doesn’t fit in with
her adoptive family in California either. Then Tracy
and her friend Stargazer find a dogtag in her father’s
ammo box, which sets of a chain of reactions causing
painful memories and misunderstandings. Tracy struggles
to balance her memories of her natural mother with
building a relationship with her father’s wife as her
step-mother tries to understand the memories haunting
both her husband and adoptive daughter. Includes an
historical appendix and a teacher's guide for discussing
the book in the context of a unit about Vietnam. |
|
 Marching
For Freedom:
Walk
Together Children and Don’t You Grow Weary
by Elizabeth Partridge
Ages 9–12
Told in the voices of men and women
who participated as children and teens, this powerful book
tells the disturbing yet hopeful story of the march from
Selma to Montgomery in 1965. The dramatic personal stories
are illustrated by striking and unforgettable photographs. |
|
 The
Flint Heart
by Katherine Paterson, John Paterson,
John Rocco
Ages 7–12
This retelling of Eden Phillpotts’s
1910 fairy tale is both true to the original and adapted
for the modern reader. In the Stone Age, an ambitious
man demands a talisman that will harden his heart and
give him total power over his tribe. The Flint Heart
does exactly that, giving the bearer a lust for power
and a tolerance for cruelty. After being buried for thousands
of years, the Flint Heart is unearthed by a kind-hearted
farmer, and wreaks havoc upon the lives of humans, fairy
creatures, and animals. This humorous fairy tale is perfectly
designed to be shared as a family, one chapter each night. |
|
 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. |
|
 Secrets
at Sea
by Richard Peck
Ages 8–12
When house-mouse Helena and
her three younger siblings discover that the Cranstons,
the human family who provides the necessary crumbs,
is taking a cruise ship to England, the mice decide
to sneak onto the ship. They are horrified to find
that hordes of other mice are traveling with their
human families and have to keep a sharp eye out to
avoid the ship’s mousing cat. Full of adventures and
humor, this playful book is beautifully illustrated
with detailed pencil depictions of the irresistible
mice. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Season of Gifts
by Richard Peck
Ages 9–12
It’s 1958, and Mrs. Dowdel,
the irrepressible grandmother from A
Year Down Yonder and A
Long Way from Chicago, returns in full force. This
funny and touching book is narrated by Bob Barnhart,
a 12-year-old new who is less than thrilled with his
new town, and who is fascinated, and maybe a tiny bit
afraid, of his new neighbor. With her usual brand of
humorous wisdom, Mrs. Dowdel helps Bob outwit the neighbor
hood bullies while also managing to round up support
for his father’s Methodist church. By Christmas time,
the whole Barnhart family realizes they have found
a new home with a neighbor who gives gifts both in
and out of season. |
|
 Bamboo
People
by Mitali Perkins
Ages 11–14
Chiko (15) is pressed into
military service by the Burmese government. A scholar
rather than a soldier by nature, Chiko finds himself
involved in the ongoing war against the Karenni people,
one of the many ethnic minorities in modern Myanmar
(formerly Burma). Chiko is wounded and found by Tu
Reh, an angry Karenni teen. Told from both perspectives,
this novel shows both teens struggling with the prejudices
of culture and class. Themes of family, friendship,
and the circumstances of war are explored in this accessible
story. |
|
 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.
(2010 Newbery Honor Book) |
|
 Sojourner
Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Brian Pinkney
Ages 5–9
Belle was born into slavery, and
when her master fails to honor his promise to free her,
Belle runs away. But she knows that she will never be truly
free when others live in slavery, so Belle changes her
name to Sojourner and begins to travel across the country,
demanding equal rights for black people and for women.
Pinkney’s glowing illustrations capture the charisma and
courage of this larger-than-life heroine. |
|
 January’s
Sparrow
by Patricia Polacco
Ages 8–12
The Crosswhite family witness
the brutal whipping of January, a slave caught while
trying to escape, and flee the Kentucky plantation
in the middle of the night. Young Sadie is heartbroken
when she realizes she has left the wooden sparrow January
carved for her, her only memento of her dead friend.
The Crosswhites travel through the Underground Railroad
to Marshall, Michigan, where they finally live in freedom.
Then January’s sparrow appears on their doorstep. Based
on a true story, this book is both horrifying and empowering. |
|
 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
Carnival of the Animals
by Jack Prelutsky, Mary GrandPré
Ages 6–12
The animals are having a carnival,
and each arriving guest is celebrated with both music
and words in this book designed to introduce children
to classical music. New poems by Jack Prelutsky can
be enjoyed both by reading the book with exuberant
illustrations by Mary GrandPré, and by listening to
the accompanying CD, featuring the Württemberg
Chamber Orchestra performing the suite by Camille Saint-Saens
as Prelutsky reads the poems, which perfectly capture
the essence of each animal featured in the movements
of the music. |
|
 Heart
of a Samurai
by Margi Preus
Ages 10–14
In 1841, Japan is closed to
outsiders, and Japanese leaving the country are not
permitted to return. Manjiro Nakahama (14) is out fishing
with four others when a storm destroys their small
boat and strands them on a small island. Rescued five
months later by an American whaling ship. Manjiro’s
companions are frightened of the “barbarians,” but
he is curious to learn more about the world. Adopted
by the captain, Manjiro learns English and the whaling
trade, and eventually becomes the first Japanese to
come to America. Despite prejudice, hardships, and
homesickness, Manjiro never loses his curiosity. After
living in New England, Manjiro travels to California
to pan for gold, and eventually makes his way back
to Japan, where he is imprisoned as an outsider. Period
illustrations by Manjiro himself, as well as new art
by Jillian Tamaki, enliven this fictionalized true
story. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Dog’s Way Home
by Bobbie Pyron
Ages 9–12
Tam, a champion Shetland sheepdog,
is nearly killed when his crate slides off the truck
after an accident on the way home from a competition.
Tam escapes drowning, but must find his own way home.
Abby, his 11-year owner, is hospitalized after the
accident but refuses to believe that her beloved dog
is dead. Told from both Tam’s and Abby’s perspectives,
this moving story celebrates loyalty, devotion, and
perseverance. |
|
 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. |
|
 Encyclopedia
Mythologica: Dragons and Monsters Pop-Up
by Matthew Reinhart and Robert
Sabuda
Ages 5–12
Stunning creatures from both
Eastern and Western traditions pop up dramatically
from the pages of this incredibly detailed book. A
Chinese dragon’s body unfolds, Medusa’s snaky locks
unfurl, and Dracula’s coffin lid lifts as he awakens.
Lesser known creatures such as the lycanthrope, golem,
and wendigo are profiled with details of the cultures
that imagined them. The final book in the Encyclopedia
Mythologica trilogy that includes Gods
and Heroes and Fairies
and Magical Creatures. |
|
 Encyclopedia
Mythologica: Gods and Heroes Pop-Up
by Matthew Reinhart, Robert Sabuda
Ages 6–12
This well crafted pop-up book
presents a global tour of gods and heroes, including
classical mythology, as well as Egyptian, Norse, Eastern,
and New World legends. The pop-ups are intricately
detailed, exquisitely designed, and sturdier than they
look. The stunning art and interesting text will inspire
older readers to find out more about these fascinating
Gods and Heroes. |
|
 The
Unsinkable Walker Bean
by Aaron Renier
Ages 9–14
Mild-mannered Walker Bean is
happiest in his grandfather’s colonial era workshop,
helping with the inventions. But when his grandfather
is cursed by two lobster-women, Walker knows it is
up to him to return a magical skull to the mysterious
Mango Islands. Walker stows away on a ship and teams
up with a dog named Perrogi, a boy named Shiv, and
a tough girl called Genoa. The four encounter pirates
and magical machines as they search for clues and escape
perilous situations in this engaging graphic adventure
novel. |
|
 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. |
|
 Ninth
Ward
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Ages 10–up
Lanesha (12) has had the power
to communicate with ghosts, including her mother who
died giving birth to her, as long as she can remember.
Mama Ya-Ya, a midwife and healer who cares for Lanesha,
has the power to predict the future. When Mama Ya-Ya
foresees a huge storm (Hurricane Katrina) threatening
their beloved Ninth Ward of New Orleans, she warns
the community, which bands together. Afloat in a small
rowboat, Lanesha escapes the rising water and saves
others along the way. This powerful story, alive with
magical realism, is full of tragedy and hope. |
|
 Eighth-Grade
Superzero
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Ages 10–14
Reggie McKnight earned the nickname “Pukey” thanks
to a disaster on the first day of middle school. So he
decides to hide out for the rest of the year with his
two best friends: Ruthie, a fellow Jamaican and political
activist, and Joe C. White, an aspiring rapper working
on a project at a homeless shelter with his church’s
youth group. Reggie becomes increasingly interested in
the homeless shelter project and his community, leading
to his eventual participation in his school’s presidential
race. There aren’t easy answers or solutions in this
book that deals honestly with issues of racial bias and
social justice. |
|
 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. |
|
 May
B.
by Caroline Starr Rose
Ages 8–12
May B. (12) lives with her
family on the Kansas prairie. After a bad harvest,
May B. is sent to a farm 15 miles away to help out
the farmer and his new wife. Her father promises that
it’s only until Christmas, but May B. misses her family
and the opportunity to attend school. Then the homesick
farmer’s wife runs off to her Ohio home, followed by
the farmer, leaving May B. alone on the farm. Alone
in the sod house, May B. bravely faces bad weather
and dwindling supplies. |
|
 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
Mangrove Tree: Planting Trees to Feed Families
by Susan L. Roth, Cindy Trumbore
Ages 6–11
This moving book tells the
story of a project spearheaded by Dr. Gordon Sato to
plant mangrove trees, which thrive in salty water,
to provide food for the village of Hargigo in the impoverished
African nation of Eritrea. Lively prose, rhyming text,
and beautiful mixed media collage illustrations tell
this hopeful story. |
|
 Irena
Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto
by Susan Goldman Rubin, Bill Farnsworth
Ages 8–12
Though small in stature, Irena
Sendler, a Polish social worker, managed to smuggle
more than 400 Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto
during World War II. Using clever ruses like toolboxes,
ambulances, and coffins, Irena defied the Nazis and
risked her own life to bring the children to safety.
Worried that the children might not be reunited with
their families, Irena kept a secret list of the children's
identities buried in jars under a tree in war-torn
Warsaw. Dramatic paintings illustrate this story of
courage and compassion. |
|
 Octavia
Boone’s Big Questions about Life, the Universe and Everything
by Rebecca Rupp
Ages 9–12
Seventh grader Octavia Boone
is used to her flaky mother moving from cause to cause,
but when she joins a fundamentalist religious group
and wants to move in with her fellow Redeemers, Octavia
is worried. She is respectful of religion, but doesn’t
like or trust the Redeemers and decides to use her
science-fair project to prove there is no god, hoping
that will bring her mother to her senses. Octavia’s
artist father is convinced that Henry David Thoreau
holds the key and her parents begin to drift apart.
Octavia tries to understand everyone’s viewpoints,
but can’t find the one answer that will bring her parents
back together. This humorous and touching novel celebrates
those who seek the truth in a complicated world. |
|
 I
Will Come Back for You: A Family in Hiding During World War
II
by Marisabina Russo
Ages 5–9
A small girl wonders why her
grandmother always wears a bracelet with curious charms
on it, and eventually Nonna tells the story of her
childhood in Rome during World War II. When the Nazis
threatened the Jews, Nonna was separated from her father
and sent to hide in the mountains with her mother and
brother. Each of the seven charms represents one of
the months the family was separated, and there is a
story of fear, ingenuity, and compassion to go with
each one. Based on her own family history, Russo tells
the tale of this terrifying time in a reassuring way
that is appropriate for young children. |
|
 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-year-old
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. |
|
 The
Celestial Globe
The
Kronos Chronicles: Book II
by Marie Rutkoski
Ages 10–up
When Prince Rudolfo’s monsters
attack her, 13-year-old Petra escapes from 16th century
Bohemia to London through a “Loophole” permitting
instant time-space travel. Meanwhile, Petra’s magician
friend Tomik is captured by pirates seeking the second
of two magical globes which offer Loophole control when
combined. Supported by British spy John Dee, Petra builds
her own strengths before rejoining the fight against the
evil Prince Rudolfo. This fascinating mix of history and
fantasy is the sequel to The
Cabinet of Wonders. |
|
 The
Dreamer
by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Peter Sís
Ages 9–14
This fictionalized story of
Pablo Neruda’s early life in the small town of Temuco,
Chile presents a shy child curious about the wonders
of nature. Young Neftalí Reyes (Neruda’s real
name) admires his uncle who owns the local newspaper,
but the boy’s father has no patience for Neftalí’s
daydreaming and love of reading and writing. The poetic
text captures the spirit of an artist who savors the
sound of words and the importance of dreaming in the
development of a poet. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Little Prince Graphic Novel
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Joann
Sfar
Ages 9–12
French cartoonist Joann Sfar
includes Antoine de Saint-Exupéry himself as a character
in this graphic novel adaptation of the beloved classic The
Little Prince. Bold and striking illustrations
honor the original while remaining fresh and original. |
|
 Usagi
Yojimbo: Yokai
by Stan Sakai
Ages 9–12
Usagi, a heroic but kind samurai
rabbit, is walking through the forest one dark night
when a mother begs him to find her daughter who has been
stolen by the Yokai, evil supernatural spirits who can
change their shapes at will. Luckily he is joined by
Sasuke the Demon Queller, but the two have a fight on
their hands against the Demon Queen and her forces. This
fully painted hardcover book is a celebration of the
25th anniversary of Usagi’s first appearance, bringing
Sakai’s beautifully drawn, and often scary, graphic illustrations
to a new audience. |
|
 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. |
|
 G
Is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book
by David M. Schwartz, Marissa Moss
Ages 9–12
This clever math alphabet books
takes readers through 26+ important math ideas and concepts
in an amusing and entertaining way. The informative and
light-hearted text is perfectly paired with bright cartoon-like
illustrations, bringing the mathematics alive. Students
and teachers alike will enjoy exploring this rich book. |
|
 Guys
Read: Funny Business
by Jon Scieszka
Ages 8–12
This first volume in the Guys
Read Library, intended to encourage reluctant readers,
contains 10 humorous short stories written by today’s
top writers of fiction for children. The stories include
a bloodthirsty turkey pursuing the narrator (David
Yoo), a hilarious correspondence between a student
and a writer (Jon Scieszka and Kate DiCamillo), the
inspiration for Artemis Fowl (Eoin Colfer), and more
designed to whet the appetite for longer works by the
featured authors. |
|
 Vordak
the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World
by Scott Seegert, John Martin
Ages 8–up
The ultra-evil Vordak the Incomprehensible
narrates this hilarious step-by-step guide to world
domination, aptly illustrated with John Martin’s bright
cartoons. Including the basics of choosing a name with
the correct dastardly ring, how to pick the perfect
henchmen, and tips about engaging in witty conversation
with other super heroes, this book will captivate readers
eager to share Vordak’s absurd advice with their peers. |
|
 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. |
|
 And
Picasso Painted Guernica
by Alain Serres
Ages 9–12
This beautifully illustrated
book begins with seven-year-old Picasso painting doves,
and then highlights his new ways of seeing and painting.
The horrifying German bombing of the people of Guernica
inspired Picasso to paint the massive Guernica in 1937
as a protest against the bombing of defenseless civilians,
and against the brutality of war everywhere. Both the
steps of creating the huge painting and the elements
that compose it are thoroughly explored in this tribute
to the transformative power of art. |
|
 Freedom’s
a-Callin Me
by Ntozake Shange, Rod Brown
Ages 8–12
This book of illustrated poems
tell the story of slaves making their way to freedom
on the Underground Railroad. The horrors of the past
that haunt the slaves as well as the dangers of the
journey are clearly portrayed in this hauntingly beautiful
book. |
|
 We
Troubled the Waters
by Ntozake Shange, Rod Brown
Ages 9–12
This unflinching look at the
Civil Rights Movement by poet Ntozake Shange and artist
Rod Brown presents powerful scenes of the fight for justice
from 1941 to the present. |
|
 The
Goat-Faced Girl
by Leah Marinsky Sharpe, Jane
Marinsky
Ages 6–up
A lizard who is really a witch
trips over an abandoned baby and adopts her. Raised
by her lizard-mother, Isabella grows up beautiful but
lazy. When she becomes engaged to Prince Rupert, her
mother gives her the head of a goat in order to spur
her into action. Rupert is repulsed by her goat head,
and gives her three impossible tasks to complete before
he will marry her. Beautifully detailed paintings illustrate
the retelling of this classic Italian folktale. |
|
 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. |
|
 Meanwhile:
Pick Any Path
by Jason Shiga
Ages 8–12
This enthralling graphic novel
allows readers to select from an amazing 3,856 story
lines. Starting with an easy question, “Chocolate
or Vanilla?” readers follow tubes and tabs through
this amazingly constructed book to create a unique
story of invention, discovery, and saving or destroying
the world. Decisions move the reader up or down, left
or right, forward or backwards, through cartoon illustrations
of a mad scientist’s lab featuring time machines, giant
squids, and quantum physics. |
|
 Dark
Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
by Joyce Sidman, Rick Allen
Ages 6–10
This collection of poems celebrates
nocturnal life in the forest from various point of
view including the prey of a horned owl, a baby porcupine,
a night spider, the moon. Each poem is illustrated
with a detailed print and accompanied by a short factual
note about the subject, beautifully blending poetry,
science, and art. |
|
 Ubiquitous:
Celebrating Nature’s Survivors
by Joyce Sidman, Beckie Prange
Ages 6–10
This book of poems pays tribute
to biologically successful life forms from lichens
to mollusks to ants to coyotes. Arranged in order of
each survivor’s first appearance, each spread features
fascinating facts, beautifully colored linocuts, and
a poem which echoes a trait of the subject. The melding
of art, science, and poetry stimulates the eye, ear,
and mind. |
|
 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. |
|
 Mirror
Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
by Marilyn Singer, Josee Massee
Ages 7–up
This clever book of poems that
can be read forward and backwards, shows that there
can be more than one point of view in a fairy tale. “Mirror
Mirror” is narrated by Snow White in one direction,
and by the wicked queen in the other. “In the
Hood” features the wolf anticipating his next
meal one way, and Little Red Riding Hood reminding
herself not to dawdle on the way to Grandma’s. The
rich illustrations reflect the dual images of the poems.
Singer explains how to create a “reverso” poem
in an afterward that encourages readers to try their
own. |
|
 The
Georges and the Jewels
by Jane Smiley
Ages 10–up
Abby Lovitt (12) lives on a
horse farm with her evangelical parents in California
in the mid-1960s. Abbey’s father warns her not to get
too attached to any of the horses, and names all the
mares Jewel and all the geldings George. Abby is being
bullied by the “Big Four” girls at school
and her older brother Danny has left home. Abby spends
most of her time with the horses, especially with “Onery
George,” a gelding who will not look her in the
eye and bucks her off his back every chance he gets. |
|
 Grandpa
Green
by Lane Smith
Ages 5–9
A small boy tells the story
of his great-grandfather’s life, who was born before
computers and television. As the boy waters plants
and tends a magnificent topiary garden, he tells a
story to accompany each creation. Eventually the boy
catches up with his forgetful and much loved great-grandfather
in this beautiful book celebrating creativity and family
history. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Dancing Pancake
by Eileen Spinelli, Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Ages 8–12
Bindi (11) had a normal and
happy life until her parents announced they were separating.
After her father moves to another city, Bindi’s mother
and aunt open a diner, The Dancing Pancake, to make
ends meet. Told entirely in verse from Bindi’s perspective,
this accessible book presents Bindi’s struggles to
deal with her new reality and her wildly changing emotional
state in a light-hearted way. |
|
 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. |
|
 When
You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
Ages 9–14
Miranda (12) is the latchkey
kid of a single mother law school dropout in late 1970s
Manhattan. After reading A
Wrinkle in Time, Miranda is obsessed with time
travel, and receives mysterious notes which accurately
predict the future. Over the course of her 6th grade
year, Miranda describes the three important themes
in her life: her mother’s upcoming appearance on The
$20,000 Pyramid, the sudden end of her lifelong
friendship with her neighbor Sal, and the appearance
of a deranged homeless man. This thought-provoking
realistic science fiction is enthralling. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Romeo And Juliet Code
by Phoebe Stone
Ages 8–12
In the middle of WWII, eleven-year-old
Felicity’s parents send her from the dangers of England
to the safety of her father’s family in Maine. When
her Uncle Gideon begins to receive mysterious letters
in her father’s handwriting from Portugal, Felicity
and her new friend Captain Derek set out to crack the
code of the letters and figure out what is being hidden
from her. Themes of culture shock, adaptation, and
perseverance are explored in this romantic mystery. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Ring of Solomon
by Jonathan Stroud
Ages 10–up
This prequel to the trilogy
featuring Bartimaeus, an egotistical wise-cracking
djinn, takes place in 950 BCE Jerusalem. Thanks to
his magical ring, King Solomon has great power, and
threatens the kingdom of Sheba when the queen rejects
his marriage proposal. Asmira, the captain of the queen’s
guards, is sent to Israel to assassinate King Solomon
and steal his ring. Asmira connects with Bartimaeus,
then held captive by one of King Solomon’s wicked court
magicians, and great magic erupts. (Bartimaeus trilogy: The
Amulet of Samarkand, The
Golem’s Eye, and Ptolemy’s
Gate) |
|
 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. |
|
 Doom
Machine
by Mark Teague
Ages 9–12
It’s 1956 and young Jack Creedle
and his disreputable Uncle Bud are trying to fix a
dead car which stranded scientist Dr. Shumway and her
daughter, Isadora, in the small town of Vern Hollow.
When the aliens land, Bud knows they are there to steal
one of his inventions, but everyone else is amazed
when the aliens kidnap seven people and take them off
to the planet Skreepia. This lively illustrated interstellar
adventure will captivate middle school readers. |
|
 The
Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
by Jennifer Trafton, Brett Helquist
Ages 9–12
One night 10-year-old Persimmony
Smudge becomes lost in the woods and overhears a plot
to steal the king’s gold buried under the castle on
the top of Mount Majestic. When Persimmony tells spoiled
12-year-old King Lucas about the intended theft, she
learns that the gold is in the form of a belt buckle
asleep under the small island they live on, the Island
at the Center of Everything. In fact, the mountain
is actually the belly of the sleeping giant. Persimmony
and her friend Worvil the Worrier race to convince
the island's inhabitants that the giant is real and
may wake up at any moment. This humorous and fascinating
tale would make a perfect bedtime read-aloud. |
|
 A
Conspiracy of Kings
by Megan Whalen Turner
Ages 10–up
Sophos, the reluctant heir
to the Sounis throne who is more interested in poetry
than power, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. This
absorbing political adventure is the fourth in the
Queen’s Thief series: The
Thief, The
Queen of Attolia, The
King of Attolia. The books should be read in order
for full appreciation of the complex plots. |
|
 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. |
|
 A
Storm Called Katrina
by Myron Uhlberg, Colin Bootman
Ages 7–11
Louis Daniel (10) plays the
cornet like his idol Louis Armstrong. When a storm
arrives in New Orleans, he takes his horn to bed with
him, just in case. In the morning, Louis and his family
escape from the rising water through the wreckage to
the promised safety of the Superdome. As the days pass,
the electricity goes out, the air conditioning dies,
the bathrooms are closed, and people around them begin
to bicker as they run out of food and water. When Louis
and his mother become separated from his father, Louis
is sure he can do something to help. Many questions
go unanswered in this this affecting story. The first
person narration and dramatic oil paintings provide
a deeply personal and often uncomfortable look at a
disaster whose ramifications are still being felt. |
|
 Otto:
The Autobiography of a Teddy Bear
by Tomi Ungerer
Ages 8–up
Otto the teddy bear belongs
to David, a Jewish boy living in German. When David
and his family are taken away to the camps, he gives
Otto to his best friend Oskar. Oskar’s father soon
leaves for the front, and Oskar loses Otto in the bombing
raids. Otto is found by an American soldier, and stops
the bleeding that would have killed him. Years later,
Oskar finds Otto in an American antique store, and
their picture in the paper leads to a reunion with
David. Narrated by Otto in a calm voice, this moving
book presents the reality of war, loss, and abandonment. |
|
 Hound
Dog True
by Linda Urban
Ages 9–12
Mattie Breen doesn’t share
her mother’s eagerness to move to a new place every
time the going gets tough. Mattie, now in 5th grade,
hates starting over in new schools and has trouble
making new friends. But this time they will be staying
with Uncle Potluck, who tells funny and exaggerated
stories, exactly the kind of stories Mattie likes to
write but is too shy to share. Mattie hopes that this
time it will be different, and that she will finally
find a true “tell your secrets to” friend. |
|
 Breadcrumbs
by Anne Ursu, Erin Mcguire
Ages 8–12
Hazel, an imaginative 5th grader adopted
from India, has just switched schools and can’t seem to fit
in. Her parents have just gotten divorced, and her best friend
Jack refuses to speak to her. When he disappears with an eerie
woman on a sled pulled by wolves, Hazel sets out into the snowy
and enchanted Minnesota woods to rescue him. What Hazel doesn’t
know is that a shard of magical mirror is stuck in Jack’s heart,
causing the drastic change in his personality. Using elements
of Hans Christian Anderson’s
“The Snow Queen,” this magical fantasy explores
the power of friendship. |
|
 The
Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
by Catherynne M. Valente, Ana
Juan
Ages 10–14
September (12) lived a normal
life in Omaha, Nebraska until her father went to war
and her mother went to work, leaving her on her own
much of the time. One day a man who calls himself Green
Wind appears and tells September that her help is needed
in Fairyland, to retrieve a witch’s spoon from the
terrible Marquess. Originally published in serialized
form online, this was the first e-book to win the Andre
Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. |
|
 The
Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell
the Tales
by Chris Van Allsburg
Ages 10–14
This companion volume to The
Mysteries of Harris Burdick contains short stories
by fourteen authors to accompany the eerie original
charcoal-pencil illustrations. Each story includes
the cryptic sentences used to caption each illustration.
Featured authors: Sherman Alexie, M.T. Anderson, Kate
DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King,
Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean
Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka,
Lemony Snicket, and Chris Van Allsburg himself. |
|
 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. |
|
 Queen
of the Falls
by Chris Van Allsburg
Ages 6–9
Annie Edson Taylor, a 62-year-old
widow, decided she needed a way to strike it rich after
closing her Michigan charm school. In 1901 she read
an article about the popular tourist attraction Niagara
Falls, and decided to become a popular attraction herself.
She commissioned a barrel large enough to hold herself
and a layer of soft pillows, hired a publicist, notified
the press, and launched herself over the falls. Sepia-tinted
illustrations accompany this story of a courageous
woman determined to earn fame and fortune. |
|
 Drizzle
by Kathleen Van Cleve
Ages 8–12
Polly (11) knows that her family’s
rhubarb farm is magical: the plants taste like chocolate, it
rains every day at exactly 1:00 PM, and her best friend is
a rhubarb plant named Harry. But one day a mysterious mist
appears and everything changes: it stops raining, her brother
Harry becomes deathly ill, and Aunt Edith threatens to sell
the farm. Polly knows it is up to her alone to overcome her
numerous fears (of giant insects and slimy sand), discover
her own unique gift, and save the farm. This debut fantasy
with an environmental slant will appeal to young readers of
both sexes. |
|
 Moon
Over Manifest
by Clare Vanderpool
Newbery Medal
2011
Ages 9–12
In 1936, while her father is
away on a railroad job, 12-year-old Abeline Tucker
spends the summer in her father’s hometown of Manifest,
Kansas. Based on her father’s stories, Abeline expects
something magical, and is disappointed to find only
a worn out old town. But Abeline is determined to find
out what her father was like at her age, and explores
the past through stories and newspaper columns. When
she finds a hidden cigar box full of old letters, Abeline
and her new friends are quickly involved in a spy hunt,
eager to unveil the secrets of the past. |
|
 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. |
|
 My
Havana: Memories of a Cuban Boyhood
by Rosemary Wells & Secundino
Fernandez, Peter Ferguson
Ages 7–10
Young Secundino, “Dino” to
his friends and family, loves life in 1950s Havana,
filling notebook after notebook with sketches of
architecture, trying to capture the sense of color,
music, and vivid life that surrounds him. When Castro
takes over, Dino and his family move to New York
City, which the boy at first finds harsh and unwelcoming.
To ease his homesickness, Dino builds a model of
Havana on his bedroom floor. Eventually Dino makes
a new friend and begins to love his new city. (Secundino
Fernandez grew up to become a successful architect
in New York City.) |
|
 Bugs
by the Numbers
by Sharon Werner & Sarah Forss
Ages 6–12
The bugs in the book are created
using only numbers. A mosquito silhouette is composed
of 75s since a mosquito can detect human breath from
75 feet away, and a group of ladybugs are created from
numbers that match the number of spots on their wings.
This creative book also includes interesting facts
about the featured bugs. |
|
 The
Shadows
by Jacqueline West
Ages 9–12
Soon after Olive Dunwoody (11)
and her mathematician parents move into an old Victorian
house, Olive realizes that something isn’t right. She
discovers that wearing a pair of spectacles allows
her to enter the unsettling paintings into Elsewhere,
where she meets Morton (9), who tells her about the
secrets the house and the previous owner are hiding.
With the help of three talking house cats, Olive begins
to patch together a series of clues she hopes will
help her save those living inside the paintings from
their dark fate. This deliciously creepy novel is the
first in a series: The Books of Elsewhere. |
|
 Small
Acts of Amazing Courage
by Gloria Whelan
Ages 9–12
Rosy, the 15-year-old daughter
of a major in the British Indian army, has a strong
sense of independence and justice. When her father
returns from WWI, he is horrified to find that she
has saved an Indian infant from being sold and has
secretly been to one of Gandhi’s speeches promoting
non-violent protests. Rosy’s father ships her off to
England to stay with her proper aunts and keep her
out of trouble, but it doesn’t take Rosy long to shake
up the somber household with her progressive ideas
about Indian independence. |
|
 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. |
|
 Down
the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham
Ages 10–up
Max (12), a Boy Scout and a
master of orienteering, finds himself in a strange
forest with no idea how he got there. He meets a group
of talking animals who are equally confused about their
environment. soon Max and his new friends are on the
run from a group of hunters called the Blue Cutters,
who use their blades to sever creatures from their
past. This action-packed adventure celebrating friendship
is original and enthralling. |
|
 Countdown
by Deborah Wiles
Ages 9–12
Franny (11) and her family live in
Maryland in 1962. Her father is a pilot stationed at Andrews
Air Force Base, and it’s the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
To Franny, it seems like everyone is afraid most of the time.
Air-raid sirens and duck-and-cover drills are routine, the
evening news contains scary thoughts about nuclear war, and
pamphlets about how to build a bomb shelter are readily available.
Franny’s first person narration is supplemented with period
photographs, newspaper clippings, song lyrics, etc. Franny’s
realization that managing to love your family through a crisis
can often be harder than facing the crisis itself will resonate
with those living through hard times today. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman
by Ben H. Winters
Ages 9–12
Bethesda Fielding and her 7th
grade friends suspect that their drab and boring music
teacher Ms. Finkleman has a secret past as a punk rock
star. This fast-paced and very funny book will appeal
to a wide range of readers. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman
by Meg Wolitzer
Ages 8–12
Duncan Dorfman is trying to
adjust to life in a new town while looking after his
single mom and also managing his new Scrabble power—he
can sense words and letters before turning over the
tiles. April Blunt’s family is obsessed with sports,
and can’t understand her talent for word games. Nate
Saviano’s father is home schooling him in Scrabble
only so that his son can win the Youth Scrabble Tournament
he lost as a boy. The three meet at the tournament
and struggle separately and together with fairness,
competition, and teamwork in this fascinating novel. |
|
 The
Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious
Howling
by Maryrose Wood
Ages 8–12
Penelope Lumley, a 15-year-old
educated at the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females,
has just accepted her first post as governess. The
three children in her charge were found running wild
in the woods, and are now living in a barn on the estate
of Lord Frederic Ashton. More animal than human, Alexander
keeps his younger siblings in line with gentle nips
while Beowulf chases squirrels and Cassiopeia barks.
First in a new series, this cleverly funny book will
have readers clamoring for the next. |
|
 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) |
|
 A
Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns
by Woop Studios
All Ages
This colorful book is both
an introduction to animals and the alphabet for young
children and a beautiful art book for older readers.
As we move through the alphabet we meet groups like
an embarrassment of pandas, a galaxy of starfish, a
pandemonium of parrots, and a shiver of sharks. Created
by the Harry Potter design franchise, the digitally
created whimsical illustrations perfectly complement
the clever wordplay. |
|
 Rosie
Sprout’s Time to Shine
by Allison Wortche, Patrice Barton
Ages 5–9
Violet is the loudest and fanciest
girl in Rosie’s class and everyone agrees she is the
best. Except Rosie, who would like just once to be
best at something herself. So when Violet’s and Rosie’s
pea plants both sprout first, Rosie covers Violet’s
sprout with dirt to slow it down a little. But then
Rosie feels terrible, especially when Violet comes
down with the chicken pox. Rosie volunteers to take
care of Violet’s plant along with her own, and her
teacher declares Rosie is the best gardener she has
ever seen. |
|
 Crow
by Barbara Wright
Ages 8–12
It’s the summer of 1898 in Wilmington,
North Carolina, and Moses (11) is teaching Boo Nanny, his slave-born
grandmother, to read. For the first time, Boo Nanny shares
stories of her youth as a slave. Moses’s Harvard-educated father
is a respected reporter for the newspaper, and Moses believes
the troubles his grandmother experienced are a thing of the
past. Then an editorial sparks the Wilmington Race Riots. The
first-person narration in this powerful book presents an intimate
look at race relations and injustice. |
|
 All
the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and
a Little Shovel
by Dan Yaccarino
Ages 5–9
This four-generational story
of an Italian-American family begins with an immigrant
who came through Ellis Island with a small shovel and
his parents’ advice to work hard, enjoy life, and always
remember your family. The shovel has many uses as it
is passed from father to son, at a pushcart stand,
measuring ingredients for sauce in a restaurant, and
to pour rock salt on the icy sidewalk outside a barber
shop. Warm illustrations illustrate this family story,
sure to encourage kids to ask parents and grandparents
for their own family story. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
Star Maker
by Laurence Yep
Ages 8–12
It’s the early 1950s in San
Francisco’s Chinatown, and everyone is excited about
the upcoming festival to celebrate the lunar new year.
Eight-year-old Artie is the youngest of the cousins,
and when his older cousin Petey puts him down, Artie
boasts that he will have so many firecrackers on Chinese
New Year that he can give one to every member of the
family. Uncle Chester sympathizes and promises to help
Artie keep his promise, but as the holiday draws near
that seems more and more unlikely. Uncle Chester loses
money at the race track and can’t find work, while
Artie has spent all his money. Based on Yep’s own childhood
memories, his affectionate book celebrates family and
cultural traditions. |
|
 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. |
|
 The
House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China
by Ed Young
All ages
This picture book memoir begins
in 1931, when Ed was born and the crash of the stock
market has brought turmoil to China. Baba, Ed’s father,
convinces a landowner in Shanghai to let him build
a huge brick house on his land. Baba promises to return
the house after 20 years, long enough to see his family
safely through the troubled times. Safe inside the
house, Ed grows up surrounded by his extended family
and friends, using his imagination to transform chairs
into horses and the roof into a roller skating rink,
while raising silkworms and training fighting crickets. |
|
 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. |
|
|
