Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The graveyard book. (D. McKean, Illus.). New York: Harper Collins Publisher.
Summary:
Neil Gaiman has created a dark, but entertaining book about a young boy who barely escapes the grasp of a murderer and ends up in the most unlikely place – a graveyard. Mr. and Mrs. Owens take the young boy into their care, but there is one problem they are ghosts. They name the young boy Nobody Owens, Nob for short, and he is granted ‘Freedom of the Graveyard.’ Nob encounters many adventures as he is brought up by the Owens, Silas, and the many dead of the graveyard. Neil Gaiman starts each chapter with the dark and graphic illustrations of Dave McKean which leads readers to believe that the book is very dark. However, he has included enough humor and adventure to make The Graveyard Book a very entertaining book.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2009 Newbery Award Winner
2009 ALA Notable/Best Book
Wiesner, David. (1999). Sector 7. New York: Clarion Books.
Summary:
Through interesting illustrations, David Wiesner creates a wordless story about a normal field trip to the Empire State Building that turns into an unusual trip for one little boy. As the little boy is trying to see the sites on this foggy day, his red scarf, hat, and gloves magically disappear – a cloud has taken them. The cloud then takes the little boy to Sector 7 – a cloud making factory. While there the little boy finds out that the clouds are tired of their usual shapes and want to create new shapes. As the boy draws different shapes, the clouds begin to change into these shapes. The Sector 7 workers notice the change in the clouds, find the boy, and send him back to the Empire State Building. Even though the Sector 7 workers tried to stop the clouds from changing, the clouds had other plans.
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2000 ALA Notable/Best Book
2000 Caldecott Award Honor Book
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
ALA Children's Notable Recording
Gantos, Jack (Author & Narrator). (1999). Jack Pigza swallowed the key (Book on Tape). New York: Listening Library.
Summary:
The author, Jack Gantos narrates his own book Jack Pigza Swallowed the Key. In this first person narrative, Jack Gantos becomes the main character Jack Pigza. Jack Pigza has ADHD and his morning medication seems to wear off by lunch time. When not on his medication, Jack gets into a lot of trouble and his school puts up with it until he injures another student. Jack is then sent to a special school where he learns to get control of himself and his medication. With hints of big issues – abuse & alcoholism – Jack Gantos creates an environment where readers can relate and sympathize with Jack Pigza.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Book on Tape
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2000 Notable Children’s Recording
Summary:
The author, Jack Gantos narrates his own book Jack Pigza Swallowed the Key. In this first person narrative, Jack Gantos becomes the main character Jack Pigza. Jack Pigza has ADHD and his morning medication seems to wear off by lunch time. When not on his medication, Jack gets into a lot of trouble and his school puts up with it until he injures another student. Jack is then sent to a special school where he learns to get control of himself and his medication. With hints of big issues – abuse & alcoholism – Jack Gantos creates an environment where readers can relate and sympathize with Jack Pigza.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Book on Tape
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2000 Notable Children’s Recording
Sunday, November 22, 2009
ALA Children's Notable Video
Gagne, Paul R. (Producer) & Wilkos, V. (Director & Animator). (2006). James Marshall’s Cinderella [Videorecording]. United States: Weston Woods Studios, Inc.
Summary:
Originally retold by Barbara Karlin and illustrated by James Marshall, the book James Marshall’s Cinderella has been turned into an animated video for children. Narrated by Stephanie J. Block the classic story of Cinderella is retold with animated illustrations and background music that will appeal to all children.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: DVD
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2007 ALA Notable Children’s Video
Summary:
Originally retold by Barbara Karlin and illustrated by James Marshall, the book James Marshall’s Cinderella has been turned into an animated video for children. Narrated by Stephanie J. Block the classic story of Cinderella is retold with animated illustrations and background music that will appeal to all children.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: DVD
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2007 ALA Notable Children’s Video
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hispanic Awards
Krull, Kathleen. (2003). Harvesting hope: the story of Cesar Chavez. (Y. Morales, Illus.). New York: Harcourt, Inc.
Summary:
Harvesting Hope is the story of the life of Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez grew up on a family farm in Arizona, but when he was ten his family lost everything to a drought and had to become migrant workers in California. After years of being embarrassed in school and treated badly by farmers, Cesar created La Causa – a movement that led to better working conditions for migrant workers. Kathleen Krull focuses on his 340 mile march through California to help migrant farm workers. This event leads to the recognition of the National Farm Workers Association and better working conditions for grape workers. The author’s note at the end allows readers to learn more about Cesar Chavez. Not only will the story inspire readers, but Yuyi Morales’s illustrations will. Her use of two-page spreads help to tell the story of Cesar Chavez.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2004 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Illustrations
2004-2005 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Montes, Marisa. (2000). Juan BoBo goes to work: a Puerto Rican folktale. (J. Cepeda, Illus.). New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Summary:
Marisa Montes tells the story of Juan BoBo, a boy who cannot get anything right. Juan BoBo’s mother sends him to find work and gives him specific instructions on how to carry home his pay. Of course, Juan BoBo gets confused and ends of losing his pay. Every day he goes to find work and his mother instructs him on how to carry home his pay and every day he comes home empty handed. One day his confusion leads to a fruitful surprise – a free ham every Sunday.
Genre: Folktale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2002 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book - Illustrations
Summary:
Harvesting Hope is the story of the life of Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez grew up on a family farm in Arizona, but when he was ten his family lost everything to a drought and had to become migrant workers in California. After years of being embarrassed in school and treated badly by farmers, Cesar created La Causa – a movement that led to better working conditions for migrant workers. Kathleen Krull focuses on his 340 mile march through California to help migrant farm workers. This event leads to the recognition of the National Farm Workers Association and better working conditions for grape workers. The author’s note at the end allows readers to learn more about Cesar Chavez. Not only will the story inspire readers, but Yuyi Morales’s illustrations will. Her use of two-page spreads help to tell the story of Cesar Chavez.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2004 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Illustrations
2004-2005 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Montes, Marisa. (2000). Juan BoBo goes to work: a Puerto Rican folktale. (J. Cepeda, Illus.). New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Summary:
Marisa Montes tells the story of Juan BoBo, a boy who cannot get anything right. Juan BoBo’s mother sends him to find work and gives him specific instructions on how to carry home his pay. Of course, Juan BoBo gets confused and ends of losing his pay. Every day he goes to find work and his mother instructs him on how to carry home his pay and every day he comes home empty handed. One day his confusion leads to a fruitful surprise – a free ham every Sunday.
Genre: Folktale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2002 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book - Illustrations
Historical Fiction
Curtis, Christopher Paul. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Christopher Paul Curtis transports readers back to Buxton, Canada – a safe haven for runaway slaves during the late 1800s – through an eleven year old boy named Elijah. The first free child born in Buxton, Elijah is known for vomiting all over Frederick Douglas. Elijah takes a journey into the United States, where slavery is still prominent. Christopher Paul Curtis’s use of descriptive words helps readers become one with the book; readers will feel as though they are with Elijah on his journey. Book includes an author’s note that provides background information about Buxton.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2008 Newbery Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008 Coretta Scott King Award Winner – Author
2008 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner
Peck, Richard. (2001). Fair weather. New York: Dial Books.
Summary:
Richard Peck transports readers back to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the book Fair Weather. Thirteen year old Rosie Beckett and her family live on a small farm in Illinois and had never been farther than Decatur, but now they have been invited to Chicago. Traveling with their granddad, Lottie, Rosie, and Buster take the train to Chicago. The story follows their experiences at the World’s Columbian Exposition where they met people like Buffalo Bill and Lillian Russell, ride the first ferris wheel, and eat food they have never heard of before (i.e. hamburgers). Spending a week at the Exposition changed Rosie – she not only grew up a little, she realized there is more to the world than what was on her family’s small farm and what she experienced at the Exposition.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2002 ALA Notable/Best Book
2003-2004 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Summary:
Christopher Paul Curtis transports readers back to Buxton, Canada – a safe haven for runaway slaves during the late 1800s – through an eleven year old boy named Elijah. The first free child born in Buxton, Elijah is known for vomiting all over Frederick Douglas. Elijah takes a journey into the United States, where slavery is still prominent. Christopher Paul Curtis’s use of descriptive words helps readers become one with the book; readers will feel as though they are with Elijah on his journey. Book includes an author’s note that provides background information about Buxton.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2008 Newbery Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008 Coretta Scott King Award Winner – Author
2008 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner
Peck, Richard. (2001). Fair weather. New York: Dial Books.
Summary:
Richard Peck transports readers back to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in the book Fair Weather. Thirteen year old Rosie Beckett and her family live on a small farm in Illinois and had never been farther than Decatur, but now they have been invited to Chicago. Traveling with their granddad, Lottie, Rosie, and Buster take the train to Chicago. The story follows their experiences at the World’s Columbian Exposition where they met people like Buffalo Bill and Lillian Russell, ride the first ferris wheel, and eat food they have never heard of before (i.e. hamburgers). Spending a week at the Exposition changed Rosie – she not only grew up a little, she realized there is more to the world than what was on her family’s small farm and what she experienced at the Exposition.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2002 ALA Notable/Best Book
2003-2004 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Poetry
Cullinan, Bernice E. (Ed.). (1996). A jar of tiny stars: poems by NCTE award-winning poets. (A. MacLeod, Illus. & M. Nadel, portraits). Pennsylvannia: Wordsong.
Summary:
Bernice Cullinan collected poetry from NCTE award winning poets and has created a collection with simple black and white sketches by Andi MacLeod. Poems are organized by poet and each section begins with a simple black and white portrait of the poet and a quote. Most poems focus on topics that will engage children. The book also includes short biographies and bibliographies for each poet and an index.
Genre: Poetry
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
NCTE's Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children (Various Years)
David McCord – 1977
Aileen Fisher – 1978
Karla Kuskin – 1979
Myra Cohn Livingston – 1980
Eve Merriam – 1981
John Ciardi – 1982
Lilian Moore – 1985
Arnold Adoff – 1988
Valerie Worth – 1991
Barbara Esbensen – 1994
Gottfried, Maya. (2005). Good dog. (R. Zakanitch, Illus.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
Maya Gottfried presents sixteen poems about man’s best friend – dogs. Each poem describes a certain type of dog including a Corgi, a Bulldog, and even a mutt. All sixteen poems are accompanied by a simple oil painting of the breed represented plus simple pencil drawings created by Robert Rahway Zakanitch.
Genre: Poetry
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Summary:
Bernice Cullinan collected poetry from NCTE award winning poets and has created a collection with simple black and white sketches by Andi MacLeod. Poems are organized by poet and each section begins with a simple black and white portrait of the poet and a quote. Most poems focus on topics that will engage children. The book also includes short biographies and bibliographies for each poet and an index.
Genre: Poetry
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
NCTE's Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children (Various Years)
David McCord – 1977
Aileen Fisher – 1978
Karla Kuskin – 1979
Myra Cohn Livingston – 1980
Eve Merriam – 1981
John Ciardi – 1982
Lilian Moore – 1985
Arnold Adoff – 1988
Valerie Worth – 1991
Barbara Esbensen – 1994
Gottfried, Maya. (2005). Good dog. (R. Zakanitch, Illus.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
Maya Gottfried presents sixteen poems about man’s best friend – dogs. Each poem describes a certain type of dog including a Corgi, a Bulldog, and even a mutt. All sixteen poems are accompanied by a simple oil painting of the breed represented plus simple pencil drawings created by Robert Rahway Zakanitch.
Genre: Poetry
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
3 Pigs, 2 Versions
Scieszka, Jon. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs. (L. Smith, Illus.). New York: Viking.
Summary:
Everyone has heard the story of the 3 Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, but have you heard the true story? According to Alexander T. Wolf, the story everyone has heard is not true and he has decided to share the truth – his version. The wolf’s story revolves around a sneeze and a cup of sugar. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith come together and create a great story that the Big Bad Wolf would be proud of.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
Wiesner, David. (2001). The three pigs. New York: Clarion Books.
Summary:
David Wiesner recreates the story of the 3 little pigs and lets them take control of their fate. Using different types of media, the illustrations tell this story more than the words. When the reader begins this story, they will believe they are reading the normal story of the 3 little pigs, but when the wolf blows the first pig out of the page and he becomes a real pig, the reader will realize there is nothing normal about this story. As the pigs travel through this new world, their bodies change to become part of the stories they are entering. In the end, the 3 pigs befriend a dragon and the cat from Hey Diddle, Diddle. Both help the pigs change the end of their story.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2002 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2002 ALA Notable/Best Book
Summary:
Everyone has heard the story of the 3 Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf, but have you heard the true story? According to Alexander T. Wolf, the story everyone has heard is not true and he has decided to share the truth – his version. The wolf’s story revolves around a sneeze and a cup of sugar. Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith come together and create a great story that the Big Bad Wolf would be proud of.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
Wiesner, David. (2001). The three pigs. New York: Clarion Books.
Summary:
David Wiesner recreates the story of the 3 little pigs and lets them take control of their fate. Using different types of media, the illustrations tell this story more than the words. When the reader begins this story, they will believe they are reading the normal story of the 3 little pigs, but when the wolf blows the first pig out of the page and he becomes a real pig, the reader will realize there is nothing normal about this story. As the pigs travel through this new world, their bodies change to become part of the stories they are entering. In the end, the 3 pigs befriend a dragon and the cat from Hey Diddle, Diddle. Both help the pigs change the end of their story.
Genre: Traditional Literature/Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2002 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2002 ALA Notable/Best Book
Challenged Children's Books
Pilkey, Dav. (2001). Captain underpants and the wrath of the wicked wedgie woman. New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Summary:
In this fifth epic novel, Dav Pilkey continues the boy-appealing story of George and Harold and the superhero they created, Captain Underpants. George and Harold are up to their normal antics – changing signs, creating comic books, and getting into trouble at school. This story progresses like all previous Captain Underpants books – George and Harold get in trouble, a new villain is created, and Captain Underpants saves the day. Oh! And do not forget the Flip-O-Rama.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2002, 2004, 2005 Challenged Book
Reasons: anti-family content, being unsuited to age group and violence
Sendak, Maurice. (1970). In the night kitchen. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Summary:
In the Night Kitchen is a simple story of a little boy’s dream. He falls from his bed and into the night kitchen where three fat bakers are trying to prepare the morning cakes. The three bakers mistake the boy for the milk needed and baked him into a cake. The boy escapes and creates an airplane out of dough and ends up in a bottle of milk where he gets the milk that is needed to make the morning cakes. This sweet story of the night kitchen has become so controversial because the boy loses his clothes when he falls into the night kitchen and when he returns to bed.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
1971 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2004 Challenged Book
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, and sexually explicit
Summary:
In this fifth epic novel, Dav Pilkey continues the boy-appealing story of George and Harold and the superhero they created, Captain Underpants. George and Harold are up to their normal antics – changing signs, creating comic books, and getting into trouble at school. This story progresses like all previous Captain Underpants books – George and Harold get in trouble, a new villain is created, and Captain Underpants saves the day. Oh! And do not forget the Flip-O-Rama.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2002, 2004, 2005 Challenged Book
Reasons: anti-family content, being unsuited to age group and violence
Sendak, Maurice. (1970). In the night kitchen. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Summary:
In the Night Kitchen is a simple story of a little boy’s dream. He falls from his bed and into the night kitchen where three fat bakers are trying to prepare the morning cakes. The three bakers mistake the boy for the milk needed and baked him into a cake. The boy escapes and creates an airplane out of dough and ends up in a bottle of milk where he gets the milk that is needed to make the morning cakes. This sweet story of the night kitchen has become so controversial because the boy loses his clothes when he falls into the night kitchen and when he returns to bed.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
1971 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2004 Challenged Book
Reasons: nudity, offensive language, and sexually explicit
Children's Choices
Lies, Brian. (2008). Bats at the library. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Summary:
Brian Lies has continued the adventures of bats in this sequel to Bats at the Beach. The bats are bored one night, until the word spreads that a window at the public library has been left opened. The bats venture to the library for a night full of activities including reading, tag, and playing with the water fountain and copier. The night concludes with story-time. Brian Lies incorporates classic children stories into the illustrations that children should be able to recognize.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2009 Children’s Choices
Yolen, Jane. (2007). How do dinosaurs go to school? (M. Teague, Illus.). New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Summary:
Jane Yolen and Mark Teague continue to add to the How Do Dinosaurs… series with How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? With brightly colored, detailed illustrations and simple, rhyming text both author and illustrator show how dinosaurs could easily break the school rules, but in the end both show that dinosaurs know how to behave at school.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Children’s Choices
Summary:
Brian Lies has continued the adventures of bats in this sequel to Bats at the Beach. The bats are bored one night, until the word spreads that a window at the public library has been left opened. The bats venture to the library for a night full of activities including reading, tag, and playing with the water fountain and copier. The night concludes with story-time. Brian Lies incorporates classic children stories into the illustrations that children should be able to recognize.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2009 Children’s Choices
Yolen, Jane. (2007). How do dinosaurs go to school? (M. Teague, Illus.). New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Summary:
Jane Yolen and Mark Teague continue to add to the How Do Dinosaurs… series with How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? With brightly colored, detailed illustrations and simple, rhyming text both author and illustrator show how dinosaurs could easily break the school rules, but in the end both show that dinosaurs know how to behave at school.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Children’s Choices
2x2 Reading List
Ficocelli, Elizabeth. (2007). Kid tea. (G. Dibley, Illus.). New York: Marshall Cavendish Children.
Summary:
Kid Tea, the story of two children that participate in different events everyday that involve the different colors of the rainbow. At the end of each day, the kids are dunked into the tub and the water turns different colors and results in ‘kid tea.’ Children will enjoy the rhyming text and colorful illustrations as they learn the days of the week and the colors of the rainbow.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 2x2 Reading List
Teckentrup, Britta. (2007). Big smelly bear. Great Britain: Boxer Books Limited.
Summary:
Using water-colored illustrations, Britta Teckentrup tells the story of how Big Smelly Bear and Big Fluffy Bear become friends. Big Smelly Bear never took a bath and did not have any friends, unless you count the flies that followed him around, and he was fine with that (most of the time). Until the day he could not reach an itch on his back. After trying everything he could to scratch his unreachable itch, Big Fluffy Bear appears and offers to scratch his back. However, she will not scratch his back until Big Smelly Bear takes a bath. He finally agrees to take a bath, but swears he will never bathe again. In the end, Big Smelly Bear likes his new friend and sneaks down to the pond every once and awhile to bathe just for her.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 2x2 Reading List
Summary:
Kid Tea, the story of two children that participate in different events everyday that involve the different colors of the rainbow. At the end of each day, the kids are dunked into the tub and the water turns different colors and results in ‘kid tea.’ Children will enjoy the rhyming text and colorful illustrations as they learn the days of the week and the colors of the rainbow.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 2x2 Reading List
Teckentrup, Britta. (2007). Big smelly bear. Great Britain: Boxer Books Limited.
Summary:
Using water-colored illustrations, Britta Teckentrup tells the story of how Big Smelly Bear and Big Fluffy Bear become friends. Big Smelly Bear never took a bath and did not have any friends, unless you count the flies that followed him around, and he was fine with that (most of the time). Until the day he could not reach an itch on his back. After trying everything he could to scratch his unreachable itch, Big Fluffy Bear appears and offers to scratch his back. However, she will not scratch his back until Big Smelly Bear takes a bath. He finally agrees to take a bath, but swears he will never bathe again. In the end, Big Smelly Bear likes his new friend and sneaks down to the pond every once and awhile to bathe just for her.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 2x2 Reading List
Texas Bluebonnet Award
DeFelice, Cynthia. (2006). One potato, two potato. (A. U’Ren, Illus.). New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Summary:
Cynthia DeFelice and Andrea U’Ren worked together to retell the Chinese folktale, Two of Everything. Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are a lonely, old couple who shared everything – 1 chair, 1 blanket, 1 potato, etc. They enjoyed their life, but each wished they had a friend. One day Mr. O’Grady finds a pot that changes their lives – the pot makes one item into two. The O’Grady’s begin putting items into the pot and turning them into two. They continue to multiply their stuff until one day Mrs. O’Grady falls into the pot and out comes another Mrs. O’Grady. This is when they realized they could now have the friends they have wished for. Mr. O’Grady goes into the pot and out comes another Mr. O’Grady. Now that they had everything they ever wanted, the O’Grady’s buried the pot so that someone else would find it.
Genre: Traditional Literature
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner
Riordan, Rick. (2005). The lightning thief. New York: Miramax Books.
Summary:
In Book One of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Rick Riordan introduces readers to a world within a world. Percy Jackson is twelve years old and has been kicked out of boarding school yet again. But that is the least of his troubles – the characters from his mythology book are coming to life in front of his eyes. A lot of information is given in this first book. Readers learn that the Greek Gods are still alive and living above the Empire State Building, the world is made of humans and half-bloods, there is a camp for kids are part human & part God (Camp Half-Blood), and that the three main Gods – Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades – have children. The Lightning Thief is an easy read that will intrigue readers and get them more interested in Greek Mythology.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Summary:
Cynthia DeFelice and Andrea U’Ren worked together to retell the Chinese folktale, Two of Everything. Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are a lonely, old couple who shared everything – 1 chair, 1 blanket, 1 potato, etc. They enjoyed their life, but each wished they had a friend. One day Mr. O’Grady finds a pot that changes their lives – the pot makes one item into two. The O’Grady’s begin putting items into the pot and turning them into two. They continue to multiply their stuff until one day Mrs. O’Grady falls into the pot and out comes another Mrs. O’Grady. This is when they realized they could now have the friends they have wished for. Mr. O’Grady goes into the pot and out comes another Mr. O’Grady. Now that they had everything they ever wanted, the O’Grady’s buried the pot so that someone else would find it.
Genre: Traditional Literature
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner
Riordan, Rick. (2005). The lightning thief. New York: Miramax Books.
Summary:
In Book One of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Rick Riordan introduces readers to a world within a world. Percy Jackson is twelve years old and has been kicked out of boarding school yet again. But that is the least of his troubles – the characters from his mythology book are coming to life in front of his eyes. A lot of information is given in this first book. Readers learn that the Greek Gods are still alive and living above the Empire State Building, the world is made of humans and half-bloods, there is a camp for kids are part human & part God (Camp Half-Blood), and that the three main Gods – Zeus, Poseidon, & Hades – have children. The Lightning Thief is an easy read that will intrigue readers and get them more interested in Greek Mythology.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
ALA Children's Notable Books
Holm, Jennifer L. & Holm, Matthew. (2005). Babymouse: queen of the world! New York: Random House.
Summary:
Using simple black and white illustrations with the subtle use of the color pink, Babymouse and her best friend Wilson are introduced. Babymouse thinks her life is missing glamour, excitement, and adventure. She uses her overactive imagination to add these things to her life. Babymouse has always wanted to be “Queen of the World” or to be like Felicia Furrypaws. But on this day, she would just love to be invited to Felicia’s upcoming sleepover. After many unsuccessful attempts at being invited, Babymouse finally gets invited. After building up the excitement of attending the sleepover, Babymouse is disappointed over and over again and realizes that her life is great and she was already a queen.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
Seegar, Laura Vaccaro. (2007). Dog and bear: two friends, three stories. Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.
Summary:
Laura Vaccaro Seeger uses simple text and simple illustrations to tell three short stories about the friendship of Dog and Bear. Young readers will enjoy the simplicity of the stories and the bright colors used for Dog and Bear. Laura Seeger has created a great book for emergent readers.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008 2x2 Reading List
Shannon, David. (2006). Good boy, Fergus. New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Summary:
Even though Fergus does not come when he is called, eats potted plants, hides when it is time for a bath, begs, chases motorcycles, and will only eat his food with whip cream on top he is a ‘good boy.’ David Shannon introduces Fergus the dog with simple text and brightly colored illustrations.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2005). Your pal Mo Willems presents Leonardo the terrible monster. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
As the title says, Leonardo is a terrible monster. He cannot scare anyone and he is not like the other monsters he knows. Then one day he comes up with an idea – he will find a kid that can be scared easily. Leonardo finds Sam and gives it all he has. When Sam begins to cry Leonardo believes he has been successful, but soon realizes Sam is just having a bad day. In the end, he decides to be a good friend rather than a monster. Again Mo Willems uses simple illustrations and muted colors to tell a great story and to teach children to try their best and if they do not succeed either try again or try something new.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
Summary:
Using simple black and white illustrations with the subtle use of the color pink, Babymouse and her best friend Wilson are introduced. Babymouse thinks her life is missing glamour, excitement, and adventure. She uses her overactive imagination to add these things to her life. Babymouse has always wanted to be “Queen of the World” or to be like Felicia Furrypaws. But on this day, she would just love to be invited to Felicia’s upcoming sleepover. After many unsuccessful attempts at being invited, Babymouse finally gets invited. After building up the excitement of attending the sleepover, Babymouse is disappointed over and over again and realizes that her life is great and she was already a queen.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
Seegar, Laura Vaccaro. (2007). Dog and bear: two friends, three stories. Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press.
Summary:
Laura Vaccaro Seeger uses simple text and simple illustrations to tell three short stories about the friendship of Dog and Bear. Young readers will enjoy the simplicity of the stories and the bright colors used for Dog and Bear. Laura Seeger has created a great book for emergent readers.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008 2x2 Reading List
Shannon, David. (2006). Good boy, Fergus. New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Summary:
Even though Fergus does not come when he is called, eats potted plants, hides when it is time for a bath, begs, chases motorcycles, and will only eat his food with whip cream on top he is a ‘good boy.’ David Shannon introduces Fergus the dog with simple text and brightly colored illustrations.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2005). Your pal Mo Willems presents Leonardo the terrible monster. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
As the title says, Leonardo is a terrible monster. He cannot scare anyone and he is not like the other monsters he knows. Then one day he comes up with an idea – he will find a kid that can be scared easily. Leonardo finds Sam and gives it all he has. When Sam begins to cry Leonardo believes he has been successful, but soon realizes Sam is just having a bad day. In the end, he decides to be a good friend rather than a monster. Again Mo Willems uses simple illustrations and muted colors to tell a great story and to teach children to try their best and if they do not succeed either try again or try something new.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
Information Books
Bishop, Nic. (2007). Nic Bishop spiders. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.
Summary:
Nic Bishop gets readers up-close and personal with a variety of spiders. With stunning photographs and interesting facts, readers will learn about spiders while feeling like the creatures will crawl right off the page. Includes information about Nic Bishop and how he takes his unforgettable photographs.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book - Photographs
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Robert F. Sibert Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Jenkins, Steve. (2004). Actual size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Summary:
Take a trip through a zoo in Actual Size. Steve Jenkins creates an informational book to introduce children to the sizes of many types of animals – giant squid, Goliath frog, and Siberian tiger are just a few. Children not only learn about these animals through the illustrations, but Steve Jenkins has included many facts about each animal at the end of the book. Through the use of paper, texture is introduced to the detailed illustrations to make them look more realistic.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2005 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
Munoz, Pam. (2002). When Mariam sang: the true recital of Marian Anderson the voice of a century. (B. Selznick, Illus.). New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Pam Munoz introduces readers to Mariam Anderson, an extraordinary African American singer and civil rights activist. The life of Mariam Anderson is told through beautiful sepia colored illustrations, great words, and song lyrics. The story follows Mariam through the trials and tribulations she faces as she becomes a great singer during a time when African Americans were not allowed in most places – even if your voice was praised throughout the world.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2003 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
2003-2004 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Thimmesh, Catherine. (2006). Team moon: how 400,000 people landed Apollo 11 on the moon. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Summary:
Catherine Thimmesh brings to life the mission of Apollo 11 and man’s first steps on the moon. Instead of focusing on the astronaut’s point of view or the spectator’s point of view, she focuses on all of the people involved in this project – flight directors, rocket designers, electricians, seamstresses, and the 1,000 of other people that were involved. Telling the story of the Apollo 11 mission through actual photographs, quotes from a variety of people, and the facts Catherine Thimmesh has created an wonderful book that teaches readers about man’s first steps on the moon.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book - Photographs
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2007 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
Summary:
Nic Bishop gets readers up-close and personal with a variety of spiders. With stunning photographs and interesting facts, readers will learn about spiders while feeling like the creatures will crawl right off the page. Includes information about Nic Bishop and how he takes his unforgettable photographs.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book - Photographs
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Robert F. Sibert Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Jenkins, Steve. (2004). Actual size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Summary:
Take a trip through a zoo in Actual Size. Steve Jenkins creates an informational book to introduce children to the sizes of many types of animals – giant squid, Goliath frog, and Siberian tiger are just a few. Children not only learn about these animals through the illustrations, but Steve Jenkins has included many facts about each animal at the end of the book. Through the use of paper, texture is introduced to the detailed illustrations to make them look more realistic.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2005 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
Munoz, Pam. (2002). When Mariam sang: the true recital of Marian Anderson the voice of a century. (B. Selznick, Illus.). New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Pam Munoz introduces readers to Mariam Anderson, an extraordinary African American singer and civil rights activist. The life of Mariam Anderson is told through beautiful sepia colored illustrations, great words, and song lyrics. The story follows Mariam through the trials and tribulations she faces as she becomes a great singer during a time when African Americans were not allowed in most places – even if your voice was praised throughout the world.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2003 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
2003-2004 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Thimmesh, Catherine. (2006). Team moon: how 400,000 people landed Apollo 11 on the moon. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Summary:
Catherine Thimmesh brings to life the mission of Apollo 11 and man’s first steps on the moon. Instead of focusing on the astronaut’s point of view or the spectator’s point of view, she focuses on all of the people involved in this project – flight directors, rocket designers, electricians, seamstresses, and the 1,000 of other people that were involved. Telling the story of the Apollo 11 mission through actual photographs, quotes from a variety of people, and the facts Catherine Thimmesh has created an wonderful book that teaches readers about man’s first steps on the moon.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book - Photographs
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2007 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
Pura Belpre Award
Andrew, Nancy. (2002). The pot that Juan built. (D. Diaz, Illus.). New York: Lee & Low Books Inc.
Summary:
Through beautiful illustrations and a cumulative rhyme, Nancy Andrew and David Diaz tell the story of Juan Quezada – a potter from Mexico. The cumulative rhyme is based on the rhyme The House That Jack Built. In additional to the rhyme, the book is full of additional information on the life and career of Juan Quezada. The book also includes an afterword that includes additional information about Juan and the steps he goes through to create his world famous pots.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2004 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Illustrations
2004-2005 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Canales, Viola. (2005). The tequila worm. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary:
Viola Canales shares the story of Sofia, a young Hispanic girl that grew up in a barrio in McAllen, Texas. The Tequila Worm follows Sofia through her life as she and her family celebrates traditional Hispanic holidays and traditions. When Sofia decides to get back at a girl for calling her ‘taco head’ by getting better grades and doing better in soccer, Sofia is rewarded with a scholarship to an elite boarding school in Austin. The book continues with Sofia’s life at boarding school where she tries to incorporate her traditions with the activities of upper class. By keeping her ties to her family and traditions, Sofia grows up and ends up helping the community that she grew up in.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): Young Adult
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006 Pura Belpre Award Winner – Narrative
Deedy, Carmen Agra. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: a Cuban folktale. (M. Austin, Illus.). Atlanta: Peachtree.
Summary:
In this retelling of a Cuban folktale, Carmen Deedy and Michael Austin introduce readers to Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha through beautiful illustrations and a great story. Martina has come of age (21 days old) and must find a husband. Her grandmother tells her there is only one way to find the perfect husband – the coffee test. Martina is skeptical, but tries it on her first suitor and it works. After meeting several suitors and having all of them fail the test, Martina is downhearted and depressed. But her grandmother encourages her to meet one more suitor – Perez the mouse. When Martina is about to perform the coffee test on Perez, he spills his coffee first. Surprised, but excited Martina decides to make Perez her husband.
Genre: Folktale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Narrative
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Soto, Gary. (2000). Chato and the party animals. (S. Guevara, Illus.). New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons.
Summary:
With the use of English, Spanish, and slang Gary Soto shares the story of Chato, a cat living in the barrio. Novio Boy is sad and Chato wants to cheer him up. During a friend’s birthday party, Novio Boy becomes depressed because he has never had a birthday since he grew up in a pound and never knew his mami. Chato, being the cool vato that he is, plans a huge, surprise birthday bash for him. With everything set and all the friends gathered, nobody can find the guest of honor – Chato has forgotten to invite him! A search party is put together, everyone is searching, but no one can find Novio Boy. Chato thinks the worse and everyone begins to remember the great times they had with Novio Boy. Of course, he shows up at the end and everyone parties the night away.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2001 ALA Notable/Best Book
2002 Pura Belpre Award Winner - Illustrations
Summary:
Through beautiful illustrations and a cumulative rhyme, Nancy Andrew and David Diaz tell the story of Juan Quezada – a potter from Mexico. The cumulative rhyme is based on the rhyme The House That Jack Built. In additional to the rhyme, the book is full of additional information on the life and career of Juan Quezada. The book also includes an afterword that includes additional information about Juan and the steps he goes through to create his world famous pots.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2004 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Illustrations
2004-2005 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Canales, Viola. (2005). The tequila worm. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary:
Viola Canales shares the story of Sofia, a young Hispanic girl that grew up in a barrio in McAllen, Texas. The Tequila Worm follows Sofia through her life as she and her family celebrates traditional Hispanic holidays and traditions. When Sofia decides to get back at a girl for calling her ‘taco head’ by getting better grades and doing better in soccer, Sofia is rewarded with a scholarship to an elite boarding school in Austin. The book continues with Sofia’s life at boarding school where she tries to incorporate her traditions with the activities of upper class. By keeping her ties to her family and traditions, Sofia grows up and ends up helping the community that she grew up in.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): Young Adult
Awards:
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006 Pura Belpre Award Winner – Narrative
Deedy, Carmen Agra. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach: a Cuban folktale. (M. Austin, Illus.). Atlanta: Peachtree.
Summary:
In this retelling of a Cuban folktale, Carmen Deedy and Michael Austin introduce readers to Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha through beautiful illustrations and a great story. Martina has come of age (21 days old) and must find a husband. Her grandmother tells her there is only one way to find the perfect husband – the coffee test. Martina is skeptical, but tries it on her first suitor and it works. After meeting several suitors and having all of them fail the test, Martina is downhearted and depressed. But her grandmother encourages her to meet one more suitor – Perez the mouse. When Martina is about to perform the coffee test on Perez, he spills his coffee first. Surprised, but excited Martina decides to make Perez her husband.
Genre: Folktale
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2008 Pura Belpre Award Honor Book – Narrative
2008-2009 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Soto, Gary. (2000). Chato and the party animals. (S. Guevara, Illus.). New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons.
Summary:
With the use of English, Spanish, and slang Gary Soto shares the story of Chato, a cat living in the barrio. Novio Boy is sad and Chato wants to cheer him up. During a friend’s birthday party, Novio Boy becomes depressed because he has never had a birthday since he grew up in a pound and never knew his mami. Chato, being the cool vato that he is, plans a huge, surprise birthday bash for him. With everything set and all the friends gathered, nobody can find the guest of honor – Chato has forgotten to invite him! A search party is put together, everyone is searching, but no one can find Novio Boy. Chato thinks the worse and everyone begins to remember the great times they had with Novio Boy. Of course, he shows up at the end and everyone parties the night away.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K – 3rd
Awards:
2001 ALA Notable/Best Book
2002 Pura Belpre Award Winner - Illustrations
Coretta Scott King Award
Giovanni, Nikki. (2005). Rosa. (B. Collier, Illus.). New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Summary:
Nikki Giovanni and Bryan Collier have come together and created a beautiful story about the day Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white man and the bus boycott that followed. Rosa Parks was a seamstress who was heading home to cook her husband his favorite meal – meatloaf. When she got on that bus, the only thing she was thinking about was that dinner. When the bus driver asked her to move she realized she was tired. She was not physically tired, but she was tired of being treated unequally. That day she decided to stand up for all African Americans. After her arrest, a series of events followed that led to the Supreme Court reminding us that all citizens are equal. Children young and old will learn about Rosa by reading this book.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2006 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006 Coretta Scott King Award Winner - Illustrator
Nelson, Kadir. (2008). We are the ship: the story of negro league baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun.
Summary:
Taking the voice of an elderly African American baseball player, Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro National Baseball League. Turning the chapters into innings, each covers the ups and downs of the teams, players, managers, and owners of the league. Incorporating beautiful, realistic paintings into each inning, Kadir Nelson will have readers believing they have been transported back in time. The book includes author’s notes, bibliography, filmography, endnotes, and index.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2009 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book – Illustrator
2009 Coretta Scott King Award Winner – Author
2009 - 2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2009 Robert F. Sibert Award Winner
2009 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
Summary:
Nikki Giovanni and Bryan Collier have come together and created a beautiful story about the day Rosa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white man and the bus boycott that followed. Rosa Parks was a seamstress who was heading home to cook her husband his favorite meal – meatloaf. When she got on that bus, the only thing she was thinking about was that dinner. When the bus driver asked her to move she realized she was tired. She was not physically tired, but she was tired of being treated unequally. That day she decided to stand up for all African Americans. After her arrest, a series of events followed that led to the Supreme Court reminding us that all citizens are equal. Children young and old will learn about Rosa by reading this book.
Genre: Biography
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2006 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2006 ALA Notable/Best Book
2006 Coretta Scott King Award Winner - Illustrator
Nelson, Kadir. (2008). We are the ship: the story of negro league baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun.
Summary:
Taking the voice of an elderly African American baseball player, Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro National Baseball League. Turning the chapters into innings, each covers the ups and downs of the teams, players, managers, and owners of the league. Incorporating beautiful, realistic paintings into each inning, Kadir Nelson will have readers believing they have been transported back in time. The book includes author’s notes, bibliography, filmography, endnotes, and index.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd – 6th
Awards:
2009 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book – Illustrator
2009 Coretta Scott King Award Winner – Author
2009 - 2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
2009 Robert F. Sibert Award Winner
2009 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book
Newbery Award
Law, Ingrid. (2008). Savvy. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Summary:
Turning 13. Becoming a teenager. No longer a little child. Mibs Beaumont is about to turn 13, but she is about to get something special for her birthday. Members of her family receive their savvy when they turn 13. A savvy is like a super power. Her mother’s savvy is being prefect in everything she does. One brother creates electricity, while another brother can control water. The excitement of her upcoming birthday is cut short when her Poppa is involved in a horrible accident and is put into a coma. Just as expected, Mibs receives her savvy – the ability to hear ink (i.e. tattoos). But Mibs misunderstands her savvy and thinks she can wake people up. And the only person she wants to wake up is her Poppa. Ingrid Law takes readers on a journey that involves a trip in a pink Bible bus, interesting characters, and the mix of reality and fantasy.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2009 Newbery Award Honor Book
2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Lord, Cynthia. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Catherine believes she must make a list of rules for her autistic brother David, so he can make it through life. But after befriending a paraplegic, Jason, she realizes that she has been making the rules so that David would fit in with the rest of the world, Catherine’s ideal world, something he might never do. Through the rules and her friendship with Jason, Catherine learns that it is better to be yourself, rather than act like someone you are not.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd - 6th
Awards:
2007 Newbery Award Honor Book
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008-2009 Lamplighter Award
Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2007). Good masters! sweet ladies! voices from a medieval village. (R. Byrd, Illus.). Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Summary:
Good masters! Sweet Ladies! is a collection of monologues of children from the Middle Ages. Laure Amy Schlitz created this book to teach readers about life during the Middle Ages. Suggested to be preformed, each character’s story is either written in prose or verse. The book includes footnotes, a bibliography, and two-paged spreads explaining the background of the monologues.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2008 Newbery Award Winner
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Summary:
Turning 13. Becoming a teenager. No longer a little child. Mibs Beaumont is about to turn 13, but she is about to get something special for her birthday. Members of her family receive their savvy when they turn 13. A savvy is like a super power. Her mother’s savvy is being prefect in everything she does. One brother creates electricity, while another brother can control water. The excitement of her upcoming birthday is cut short when her Poppa is involved in a horrible accident and is put into a coma. Just as expected, Mibs receives her savvy – the ability to hear ink (i.e. tattoos). But Mibs misunderstands her savvy and thinks she can wake people up. And the only person she wants to wake up is her Poppa. Ingrid Law takes readers on a journey that involves a trip in a pink Bible bus, interesting characters, and the mix of reality and fantasy.
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2009 Newbery Award Honor Book
2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Lord, Cynthia. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Catherine believes she must make a list of rules for her autistic brother David, so he can make it through life. But after befriending a paraplegic, Jason, she realizes that she has been making the rules so that David would fit in with the rest of the world, Catherine’s ideal world, something he might never do. Through the rules and her friendship with Jason, Catherine learns that it is better to be yourself, rather than act like someone you are not.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 3rd - 6th
Awards:
2007 Newbery Award Honor Book
2007 ALA Notable/Best Book
2008-2009 Lamplighter Award
Schlitz, Laura Amy. (2007). Good masters! sweet ladies! voices from a medieval village. (R. Byrd, Illus.). Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Summary:
Good masters! Sweet Ladies! is a collection of monologues of children from the Middle Ages. Laure Amy Schlitz created this book to teach readers about life during the Middle Ages. Suggested to be preformed, each character’s story is either written in prose or verse. The book includes footnotes, a bibliography, and two-paged spreads explaining the background of the monologues.
Genre: Informational
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): 5th – 8th
Awards:
2008 Newbery Award Winner
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Caldecott Award
Henkes, Kevin. (2004). Kitten’s first moon. United States: Greenwillow Books.
Summary:
Kitten’s first experience with a full moon does not go very well and is filled with lots of new experiences for Kitten – from eating a bug, getting stuck in a tree, and finally getting all wet. Since Kitten has never seen a full moon before, she believes it to be a bowl of milk. Through the use of simple black and white illustrations and simple text, Kevin Henkes describes the adventure Kitten has one night as she chases that big bowl of milk in the sky.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2005 Caldecott Award Winner
2005 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2007). Knuffle bunny too: a case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
In this sequel to Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale, Mo Willems continues to use the combination of black and white photographs and simple colored illustrations to continue the story of Trixie and her special companion, Knuffle Bunny. Trixie cannot wait to show Knuffle Bunny to her Pre-K teacher and class, but her plans are changed when another classmate shows up with her own Knuffle Bunny. After a day full of bickering and bunny timeouts, Trixie finally heads home with Knuffle Bunny. It is not until 2 a.m. that she realizes that she does not have her bunny. After a middle-of-the-night rendezvous, an exchange of bunnies occurs and a new friendship is created.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2008 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2003). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
By using minimal colors and the simple drawing of a blue pigeon, Mo Willems tells the story of Pigeon. All Pigeon wants to do is drive the bus. Mo Willems has Pigeon interact with the reader by begging and pleading to drive the bus until it ends in a tantrum that most children will be able to relate too. Mo Willems also leaves the reader wanting more of Pigeon by including one last illustration at the end of the book – Pigeon looking at an 18 wheeler – Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the 18 Wheeler.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2004 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2004 ALA Notable/Best Book
Summary:
Kitten’s first experience with a full moon does not go very well and is filled with lots of new experiences for Kitten – from eating a bug, getting stuck in a tree, and finally getting all wet. Since Kitten has never seen a full moon before, she believes it to be a bowl of milk. Through the use of simple black and white illustrations and simple text, Kevin Henkes describes the adventure Kitten has one night as she chases that big bowl of milk in the sky.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2005 Caldecott Award Winner
2005 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2007). Knuffle bunny too: a case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
In this sequel to Knuffle Bunny: a Cautionary Tale, Mo Willems continues to use the combination of black and white photographs and simple colored illustrations to continue the story of Trixie and her special companion, Knuffle Bunny. Trixie cannot wait to show Knuffle Bunny to her Pre-K teacher and class, but her plans are changed when another classmate shows up with her own Knuffle Bunny. After a day full of bickering and bunny timeouts, Trixie finally heads home with Knuffle Bunny. It is not until 2 a.m. that she realizes that she does not have her bunny. After a middle-of-the-night rendezvous, an exchange of bunnies occurs and a new friendship is created.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2008 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2008 ALA Notable/Best Book
Willems, Mo. (2003). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
By using minimal colors and the simple drawing of a blue pigeon, Mo Willems tells the story of Pigeon. All Pigeon wants to do is drive the bus. Mo Willems has Pigeon interact with the reader by begging and pleading to drive the bus until it ends in a tantrum that most children will be able to relate too. Mo Willems also leaves the reader wanting more of Pigeon by including one last illustration at the end of the book – Pigeon looking at an 18 wheeler – Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the 18 Wheeler.
Genre: Animal Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Suggested Grade Level(s): K-3rd
Awards:
2004 Caldecott Award Honor Book
2004 ALA Notable/Best Book
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