For Missouri - Missouri State Teachers Association

Transcription

M I S S O U R I
S T A T E
T E A C H E R S
A S S O C I A T I O N
2014
New Books
For Missouri
Students
New Books
For Missouri
Students
CONTENTS
Preschool/Kindergarten................................................................................. 4
Primary, 1-4........................................................................................................... 7
Intermediate, 5-8..............................................................................................20
Senior, 9-12..........................................................................................................28
Missouri award-nominated books..........................................................35
An annotated list of selected books for schools from the Reading Circle Committee of
the Missouri State Teachers Association
This recommended reading list has been prepared as a service for Missouri educators
by the Reading Circle Committee of the Missouri State Teachers Association. It is the
committee’s intent that this publication assists educators in:
• Ordering books for school and classroom libraries.
• Encouraging summer reading programs.
• Helping parents who are looking for good reading suggestions.
• Planning literature programs.
In addition to providing this recommended reading list, the committee sponsors the
Reading Circle Certificate program. Missouri students who read a specified number
of books become eligible to receive a Reading Circle Certificate from MSTA. Students
who earn certificates for five years are issued lifetime memberships in the Reading
Circle.
For more information about the Reading Circle Certificate program, visit www.
msta.org/resources/readingcircle. On the website, you’ll find the program’s policies
and procedures, as well as Reading Circle Certificate originals. You will also find
downloadable materials.
For additional assistance in implementing the program, contact the MSTA Member
Care Center at 800-392-0532 or membercare@msta.org.
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
©2014 Missouri State Teachers Association
P.O. BOX 458, COLUMBIA, MO 65205
800-392-0532
Materials evaluated in this publication were contributed by the publishers at no charge to MSTA.
Show–Me Award nominees....................................................................35
Mark Twain Award nominees.................................................................36
Truman Award nominees........................................................................37
Gateway Award nominees......................................................................38
Missouri Building Block................................................................................40
Reading Circle Committee
Brenda Steffens
Debbie Anderson
Heather Erickson
Lysha Thompson
Sarah Kohnle
Chair, Morgan Co. R-1
Waynesville R-6 (retired)
North Callaway Co. R-1
Miller Co. R-3
Staff liaison
Key to abbreviations
ALA............................... ALA Notable Books for the current year
BB.................................. Best Books
BCCB............................ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
BL.................................. Booklist
HB................................. Horn Book
KR.................................. Kirkus Reviews
LMC.............................. Library Media Connection
OSTB............................ Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children
SLJ................................ School Library Journal
PW................................ Publisher’s Weekly
Schneider................. Schneider Family Book Award
Caldecott.................. Caldecott Medal
Newbery.................... Newbery Medal
CS King....................... Coretta Scott King Book Award
PCA-color.................. Parent’s Choice Award, gold/silver
Greenaway............... Kate Greenaway Medal
Seuss........................... Theodore Seuss Geisel Award
* indicates a starred review (a book of distinction)
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
The Christmas Quiet Book, by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Renata Liwska,
Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. Illustrations and simple text explore the quiet moments
of Christmas, such as searching for hidden presents, forgetting a line during a
Christmas pageant, and listening for Santa’s sleigh bells. [Fic] (Christmas, Animals)
I Dare You Not to Yawn, by Helene Boudreau. Candlewick Press, ©2013. A comical
cautionary tale for bedtime-resistant youngsters which challenges them to avoid
yawning, from a dozing dog and a cuddly blanket to endearing baby orangutans
who stretch out long arms for a nighttime hug. [Fic] (Bedtime, Animals)
Count the Monkeys, by Mac Barnett. Hyperion, ©2013. The reader is invited to
count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages. [Fic] (Counting,
Monkeys)
I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love, written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman,
Viking Penguin, ©2013. A mother reassures her child that, no matter what the child
may change into, be it rhinoceros, camel, ringtail raccoon, or giraffe, the mother will
recognize the child anywhere. [Fic] (Parent and child, Stories in rhymes)
The Crocodile and the Scorpion, by Rebecca Emberley, Roaring Brook Press,
©2013. In a tale based on the classic fable, a crocodile and a scorpion – natural
enemies – attempt to cross a river without giving in to their instincts. [398.2]
(Fables)
Jazzy in the Jungle, by Lucy Cousins, Candlewick Press, ©2013. The jungle
animals help Mama JoJo find her baby lemur Jazzy. [Fic] (Jungle animals)
Daisy Gets Lost, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, Random House, ©2013.
A young dog experiences the fear of being lost and the joys of being found when she
becomes separated from her owner. [Fic] (Dogs) (*PW, *SLJ)
Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca, Atheneum, ©2013. Readers
experience the sights and sounds of a cross-country trek on America’s new
transcontinental railway during the summer of 1869. [385.0973] (Locomotives,
Railroads) (*ALA, *KR, *SLJ,) Caldecott
The Dark, written by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen, Little Brown, &
Co., ©2013. Laszlo lives in the same big, creaky house as the dark he fears – until
one night, the dark decides to pay him a visit. [Fic] (Dark) (*ALA, * SLJ)
Lots of Lambs, by Laura Joffe Numeroff, Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. Jaunty rhymes
make for excellent read-aloud on their own, but add flaps to flip and textures to
touch and story time success is inevitable. [Fic] (Lambs, Board book)
The Day the Crayons Quit, written by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers,
Viking Penguin, ©2013. When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a
stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.
[Fic] (Crayons, Colors, Letters)
Moo! by David LaRochelle, Walker & Co, ©2013. When Cow gets her hooves on the
farmer’s car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. [Fic] (Cows, Country
Life)
Dinosaur Kisses, by David Ezra Stein, Candlewick Press, ©2013. An energetic
young dinosaur figures out her own way to give a kiss. [Fic] (Dinosaurs, Kisses)
Greedy Python, written by Richard Buckley, illustrated by Eric Carle, Simon &
Schuster, ©2013. After swallowing every creature that a greedy python encounters
in the jungle, the animals in the snake’s belly befriend one another and kick him
from the inside until he spits them out, in a story that explores themes of manners,
respect and friendship. [Fic] (Stories in rhyme, Snakes)
Have You Seen my New Blue Socks, by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier,
Houghton Mifflin, © 2013. The reader is invited to help Duck and his animal friends
find a missing item. [Fic] (Stories in rhymes, Socks, Ducks)
Hello, My Name is Ruby, by Phillip C. Stead, Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. Follows
the adventures of Ruby, a plucky little bird who goes through life asking questions
and getting sometimes surprising answers. [Fic] (Birds, Friendship) (*ALA, *KR)
How to Hide a Lion, written and illustrated by Helen Stephens, Henry Holt & Co.,
©2013. Iris understands that grown-ups are afraid of lions, but when she finds one in
her playhouse she knows he is kind so she keeps him hidden from her parents for as
long as possible. [Fic] (Lions) (*KR, *SLJ)
4
Mustache Baby, by Bridget Heos, Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. A picture book about
baby Billy, who is born with a mustache, and his parents, who must figure out if it’s a
Good-Guy mustache, or a Bad-Guy mustache. [Fic] (Mustache, Baby)
My Blue is Happy, by written Jessica Young, illustrated by Catia Chien, Candlewick
Press, ©2013. This ode to colors explores the different ways people interpret the
varied hues around them. [Fic] (Colors, Emotions)
My Mother Goose: A Collection of Favorite Rhymes, Songs, and Concepts, by
David McPhail, Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. A collection of rhymes and songs. [Fic]
(Rhymes, Songs)
No Fits, Nilson! Written and illustrated by Zachariah OHora. Dial, ©2013. Amelia
must continually remind her gorilla friend, Nilson, not to have fits, especially when
they are running errands with her mother, but sometimes Amelia stomps and
growls, too. [Fic] (Behavior, Gorillas) (*KR)
Open Very Carefully: A Book With Bite, by Nick Bromley, Candlewick Press,
©2013. What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and
you realized that a crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was — not to put
too fine a point on it — wreaking havoc? Would you slam that book shut and cram
it back onto the bookshelf? Or would you be brave enough to peek? [Fic] (Crocodile,
Bedtime stories)
5
Otis and the Puppy, written and illustrated by Loren Long, Viking Penguin,
©2013. When a puppy gets lost while playing hide and seek on the farm, Otis the
friendly little tractor must face his fear of the darkness in order to help his new
friend. [Fic] (Dogs, Tractor, Farm life)
Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, written and illustrated by James and
Kimberly Dean, HarperCollins, ©2013. Waking up in a grumpy mood and feeling
that nothing is going his way all day long, Pete the Cat dons a pair of rocking magic
sunglasses given to him by Grumpy Toad and learns that a good mood has been
inside himself all along. [Fic] (Cats, Emotions)
Rain! By Linda Ashman, Illustrated by Christian Robinson, Houghton Mifflin,
©2013. As an old man grumbles his way through a rainy morning, spreading gloom,
his neighbor, a young child, spreads cheer while hopping through puddles in frogthemed rainwear. [Fic] (Rain, Puddles)
Ribbit!, by Rodrigo Folgueira, Random House, ©2013. When a pig visits a frog
pond, sits on a rock, and says only “Ribbit!” news spreads fast – but only the wise old
beetle has an explanation. [Fic] (Frog, Language)
Rock-a-Bye Room, written by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Amy June Bates, Harry
N. Abrams, ©2013. Simple, rhyming text carries a sleepy baby through such bedtime
routines as rocking, reading aloud, and a kiss goodnight. [Fic] (Bedtime, Stories in
rhyme)
Snowflakes Fall, by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, Random
House, ©2013. In this illustrated poem in honor of the victims of the 2012 shooting
in Newtown, Conn., falling snowflakes celebrate the uniqueness of life, its precious,
simple moments, and the strength of memory. [Fic] (Snow) (*ALA, *SLJ)
Spot’s ABC, written and illustrated by Eric Hill, Viking Penguin, ©2013. Learn
your alphabet with Spot, from A is for apple to Z is for zebra. [Fic] (Board books,
Alphabet)
That Is Not a Good Idea!, by Mo Willems, HarperCollins, ©2013. Comic
misadventures ensue when a hungry fox invites a plump goose to dinner. [Fic] (Fox,
Fable)
This Little Piggy, by Tim Harrington, HarperCollins, ©2013. Expands on the
traditional counting rhyme, revealing exciting things the second set of toes does
which inspire the first set to try more “fun stuff” too. [Fic] (Counting, Rhymes)
You Make Me Smile, by Layn Marlow, Holiday House, 2013. A little girl rushes
out into the first snow of the year, filled with wonder, and builds a friend. [Fic]
(Snowmen)
Watermelon Seed, by Greg Pizzoli, Hyperion, ©2013. After swallowing a
watermelon seed, a crocodile imagines a scary outcome. [Fic] (Watermelon,
Crocodile) (*SLJ,) Seuss
6
PRIMARY/1-4
PRIMARY, 1-4
America the Beautiful: Together We Stand, by Katharine Lee Bates, illustrated
by Bryan Collier and others. Orchard Books, ©2013. Ten illustrators give life to the
words of “America the Beautiful” and each spread has an inspirational presidential
quote. Additional information about the national landmarks and symbols is
provided. [973] (United States pictorial works, Presidents quotations) (LMC
recommend)
Animal Planet Atlas of Animals, by Jinny Johnson, Millbrook Press, ©2013.
Introduces animal species by where they live and how they survive together. The
atlas is organized first by continent and then by habitat. Includes an index. [591.4]
(Animals, Habitats, Zoogeography)
Balloon Trees, by Danna Smith, illustrated by Laurie Allen Klein. Sylvan Dell,
©2013. Describes how rubber is made from the trees to the factory. [633.8] (Rubber
plants, Rubber)
Battle Bunny, by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett and Alex, illustrated by Matthew
Myers but mostly Alex. Simon & Schuster, ©2013. Alex (fictional character) receives
a faux “golden book” from his Gram Gram called the “Birthday Bunny”. With the
help of his number 2 pencil, Alex transforms the story into “Battle Bunny” complete
with bombs, presidents and evil plans. (Birthdays, Rabbits, Supervillains, Forest
animals, Parties, Humorous stories) (BL*, BCCB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
The Beatles Were Fab (And They Were Funny), by Kathleen Krull & Paul Brewer,
illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Harcourt, ©2013. Provides examples of how funny the
Beatles were in addition to being extremely popular. [782.421] (Beatles humor, Rock
musicians, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon) (HB*)
Beavers, written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons. Holiday House, ©2013. Discover
the interesting lives of beavers, including where they live, family life and food
sources. [599.37] (Beavers)
Best Foot Forward: Exploring Feet, Flippers, and Claws, by Ingo Arndt,
translated by J Alison James, illustrated with photographs. Holiday House, ©2013.
Shows a close-up of an animal’s foot and queries whose foot is this. The following
page gives the answer and gives examples of other animals with similar feet and
facts about their feet. Contains an index. [591.47] (Foot, Animals) (OSTB)
The Blessing Cup, written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco. Simon & Schuster
Books, ©2013. When Anna’s family is forced to leave Russia, one of the things they
bring with them is a tea set that came with wishes for blessings from God. During
the journey to American they part with tea set, keeping only one cup. That cup and
the “blessings” are passed through the generations. This volume is a prequel and
companion book for The Keeping Quilt. ((Drinking cups, Jews, Family life) HB*,
KR*)
Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons, by Sara Levine, illustrated by TS
Spookytooth. Millbrook Press, ©2013. Compares human and animal skeletons by
posing questions. “What would you be if your finger bones …reached your feet?
You’d be a bat”. [599.9] (Skeleton, Bone, Comparative anatomy)
7
PRIMARY, 1-4
The Boy and the Airplane, written and illustrated by Mark Peet. Simon &
Schuster, ©2013. A little boy’s airplane lands on the roof. After exploring many
options, he comes up with a unique solution to retrieve his plane. (Toys, Lost and
found possessions, Stories without words)
Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Maker’s Strike of 1909, by Michelle Markel,
illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Balzer + Bray, ©2013. After immigrating to the US,
Clara expected to be able to go to school. She ended up working in the garment
industry in awful conditions for very little pay. Clara led the largest strike of
women in US history to receive better pay and treatment. [331.892] (Clara Lemlich,
Shirtwaist makers strike NYC, Strikers and lockouts, Women clothing workers,
Women in labor movement) (BB, BL*, HB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
Bugs in My Hair, written and illustrated by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press, ©2013.
“Warning this book will make you itchy.” Provides a humorous look at the very real
problem of head lice. Boy and his mom fight an infestation of the bugs. (Lice, Hair)
(BCCB*, KR*, PW*)
Building Our House, written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean. Farrar Straus
Giroux, ©2013. A family moves into the country and builds a new house from the
ground up by themselves. (House construction, Building, Family life) (HB*, KR*,
SLJ*)
Call Me Oklahoma!, by Miriam Glassman. Holiday House, ©2013. Paige Turner
is determined to be more assertive and get over her stage fright when she starts
fourth grade. A bold and brave name like Oklahoma should do the trick and stop
the class bully. Paige/Oklahoma makes mistakes, but also makes things right. (Selfconfidence, Personal names, Schools, Family life, Bullies) (HB*)
Count the Monkeys, by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. DisneyHyperion, ©2013. Barnett invites the reader to count the monkeys on every page
but unfortunately other creatures have frightened the monkeys away. The monkeys
finally return on the end pages. (Animals, Monkeys, Counting, Humorous stories)
(BCCB*, PW*)
PRIMARY, 1-4
©2013. A duck detective uses deductive reasoning to determine who stole a cake
from the baking contest. (Logic, Ducks, Animals, Mystery and detective stories)
Dot, by Randi Zuckerberg, illustrated by Joe Berger. Harper, ©2013. Dot is very
tech savvy. She is able to tweet, search, tag and share with her devices. Dot’s mother
makes her go outside to “reboot, recharge, restart!” Dot has an interactive adventure
tweeting like a bird, playing tag and sharing with her friends. (Girls, Technology,
Adventure and adventurers)
Eat Like a Bear, by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Henry Holt,
©2013. Follow a bear as it emerges from its den after not eating for four months.
Each season brings different foods to eat as she prepares to hibernate and have cubs.
Includes additional facts about the grizzly bear of Yellowstone. (Grizzly bears, Bears)
(BCCB*, HB*, KR*, PW*)
Eight Dolphins of Katrina: A True Tale of Survival, by Janet Wyman Coleman,
illustrated by Yan Nascimbene. Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. Eight tame dolphins were
washed into the Gulf of Mexico when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the dolphin
house in Gulfport, MS. Follow the trainers as they search for the dolphins before
something happens to them in the wild. [599.53] (Dolphins, Hurricane Katrina,
Search and rescue) (OSTB)
Erik the Red Sees Green: A Story About Color Blindness, by Julie Anderson,
illustrated by David Lopez. Albert Whitman, ©2013. Problems at school and playing
soccer lead to the discovery that Erik is color blind. Includes extra information
about color blindness and methods of coping. (Color blindness, Schools)
Extraordinary Black Missourians—Pioneers, Leaders, Performers, Athletes, and
Other Notables, by John A Wright and Sylvia Wright, illustrated with photographs.
Reedy Press, ©2013. Contains short biographies of over 100 African Americans that
spent part of their lives in Missouri. The subjects span all spectrums of society and
history. [977,920] (African Americans, Missouri, Biographies)
Missouri subject
Cowboy Up!: Ride the Navajo Rodeo, by Nancy Bo Flood, photographs by Jan
Sonnenmair. Wordsong, ©2013. First person verse, narrative and photographs bring
the events of a day at a Navajo Rodeo to life. [791.8] (Rodeos, Navajo Indians)
Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists, edited
by Chris Duffy, illustrated by Bobby London and others. First Second, ©2013.
Seventeen favorite fairy tales adapted to a comic book format by 19 cartoonists.
Collection includes tales from Grimm and other cultures. [392.8] (Fairy tales,
Fractured fairy tales, Folk tales, Graphic novels, Cartoons) (BL*, HB, PW*)
Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg, by Lori Mortensen, illustrated by Michael Allen
Austin. Clarion Books, ©2013. Clyde’s house is spotless, only one more thing to
clean, the dirty Dawg. But Dawg has a different plan. How will Clyde get Dawg into
the tub? (Dogs, Baths, Cowboys, Stories in rhyme) (KR*)
Ferdinand Fox’s First Summer, by Mary Holland, illustrated with photographs.
Sylvan Dell, ©2013. Provides a photographic timeline of a fox’s first few months of
life. Follow along as he learns to survive through play and using his senses. [599.775]
(Foxes)
Cub’s Big World, by Sarah L Thomson, illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Harcourt, ©2013.
A polar bear bravely explores the world outside his den. He isn’t as brave when he
becomes separated from his mother. (Polar bear, Bears, Animals infancy, Mother
and child) (HB*)
Fish for Jimmy: Inspired By One Family’s Experience in a Japanese American
Internment Camp, written and illustrated by Katie Yamasaki. Holiday House,
©2013. When Taro and Jimmy and the mother are forced to live in a camp after the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jimmy refuses to eat. Taro sneaks out of the camp to catch
fish to tempt Jimmy to eat. Based on a true story from the author’s family. (Japanese
Americans evacuation and relocation, Brothers) (HB*)
The Deductive Detective, by Brian Rock, illustrated by Sherry Rogers. Sylvan Dell,
8
9
PRIMARY, 1-4
Flying Solo: How Ruth Elder Soared into America’s Heart, by Julie Cummins,
illustrated by Malene R Laugesen. Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. Beauty queen, Ruth
Elder, was the first woman to try to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She didn’t make it
but “she never lost her courage or her lipstick.” Later she organized a cross-country
race with 19 other women, including Amelia Earhart. It was the first powder puff
derby. [62913] (Ruth Elder, Women air pilots, Women) ((HB*)
Frog Song, by Brenda Z Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin. Henry Holt,
©2013. Introduces 11 unique species of frogs with facts and onomatopoeic text
describing their songs. [597.8] (Frog behavior, Frogs vocalization) (LMC*, PW*,
SLJ*)
Glasswings: A Butterfly’s Story, written and illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Dial
Books, ©2013. Claire, a glasswing butterfly, is caught in a gust of wind and separated
from her family. The wind takes her to a city with few flowers on which to feed. New
city friends help her find an urban garden. Claire helps the flowers grow and the
color seen through her wings allows her family to find her. (Butterflies, Flowers)
Going, Going, Dragon!, by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue.
Graphic Universe, ©2013. Mr. Venezi is behind on the bills and may need to close
the pet shop and their neighbor needs to expand her bookstore or move to a larger
space. Suddenly merchandise is disappearing from the pet shop and replaced by
piles of money. Will the guinea pig PI and his hamster assistant be able to solve the
mystery and keep the bookstore from moving? (Guinea pigs, Hamsters, Pet shops,
Animals, Mystery and detective stories, Cartoons and comics, Graphic Novels)
Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse, by Tamera Will Wissinger, illustrated by Matthew
Cordell. Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. Sam and his dad plan to go fishing and his little
sister to his displeasure ends up going too. The whole story is told in various poetic
forms. Includes basic coverage on rhyme, poetry techniques, and poetic forms.
(Novels in verse, Fishing, Brothers and sisters) (SLJ*)
Goofballs (series): #4 The Mysterious Talent Show Mystery; #5 The Ha-HaHaunting of Hyde House, by Tony Abbott, illustrated by Colleen Madden. Egmont
USA, ©2013. The Goofballs are four friends who solve mysteries around their school
and community with the help of their Goofdog. Silly mysteries abound with good
humor and puns. (Mystery and detective stories, Humorous stories)
The Granddaughter Necklace, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth, illustrated by Bagram
Ibatoulline. Arthur A Levine Books, ©2013. A mother gives her daughter a crystal
bead necklace that belonged to her mother and the grandmothers before her. Each
woman and her circumstances are described as the family history is retraced.
(Mothers and daughters, Necklaces, Storytelling, Genealogy)
Grandma and the Great Gourd: A Bengali Folk Tale, retold by Chitra Banerjee
Divakaruni, illustrated by Susy Pilgrim. Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. Grandma
must outwit a hungry fox, bear and tiger on her way through the jungle to visit her
daughter. She convinces all three animals to wait for her return trip when she will be
fatter. On the way home, she tricks the tiger and bears by hiding in a singing gourd.
10
PRIMARY, 1-4
The fox is a bit cleverer. [398.2] (Indian Bengal folklore, Bengali folklore) ((HB*,
LMC recommend)
The Greatest Dinosaur Ever, by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady
Spirin. Henry Holt, ©2013. Twelve dinosaurs vie for the title “Greatest Dinosaur
Ever.” Each has an outstanding feature – largest, smallest, tallest, etc. – making it a
candidate. Contains pronunciation guide and additional facts. [567.9] (Dinosaurs)
(SLJ*)
Grumbles from the Forest: Fairy-tale Voices with a Twist: Poems, by Jane Yolen
and Rebecca Kai Dotlich, illustrated by Matt Mahurin. WordSong, ©2013. Two
poems provide different points of view for each of the 15 fairy tales in this collection.
For example, the poems for Cinderella are “Shoes” and “Whining Stepsisters Brag”.
[811] (Fairy tales, Poetry, Fractured fairy tales) (HB*)
Helen Keller’s Best Friend Belle, by Holly M Barry, illustrated by Jennifer
Thermes. Albert Whitman, ©2013. A biography of Helen Keller that highlights
her connections with dogs, especially her Irish setter, Belle. Includes additional
information. [362.4] (Helen Keller, Women, Deaf, Blind, Pets, Dogs)
Henri’s Scissors, written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter. Beach Lane Books,
©2013. Follows Henri-Emile Matisse from childhood as he draws pictures
everywhere to becoming a famous artist in Paris. After an illness confines him to a
wheelchair, Henri created huge paper cutouts. Contains additional information and
quotes from Matisse. [759.4, 921] (Henri Matisse, Artists) (BL*, HB*, PW*)
Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American
Revolution, written and illustrated by Don Brown. Roaring Brook Press, ©2013.
Follow bookseller, Henry Knox, as he transports 59 cannons 225 miles across
Massachusetts for George Washington. There were very few roads, mountains,
rivers, forests and the determination of one man to complete the journey. [973.1]
(Henry Knox, Roads, Massachusetts, Revolutionary Campaigns) (BB, BL*, HB*,
SLJ*)
Herman and Rosie, written and illustrated by Gus Gordon. Roaring Brook Press,
©2013. Two lonely animals living in adjoining buildings in New York City eventually
find each other via common interests. (Friendship, Loneliness, Jazz, Crocodiles,
Deer) (BL*, HB, PW*)
Hey, Charleston!: The True Story of the Jenkins Orphanage Band, by Anne
Rockwell, illustrated by Colin Bootman. Carolrhoda Books, ©2013. Based on true
story of the orphanage started by the Rev. Jenkins. He gathered old instruments
and formed a jazz band. The band became so popular; they toured the country
and Europe bringing “rag” music to the world. [784.4] (Jenkins’ Orphanage Band,
African American musicians, Charleston, SC)
How Big Were Dinosaurs? written and illustrated by Lita Judge. Roaring Brook
Press, ©2013. Compares dinosaurs to today’s animals to be able to accurately judge
their size. Contains facts and foldout pages. [567.9] (Dinosaurs, Size) (HB*, SLJ*)
11
PRIMARY, 1-4
PRIMARY, 1-4
If You Want to See a Whale, by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E Stead. Roaring
Brook Press, ©2013. A small boy advises us that if you want to see a whale, don’t
get too comfortable, or distracted by clouds and pirates, and to be patient. (Whale
watching, Patience) (BB, BL*, HB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
A Little Book of Sloth, by Lucy Cook, illustrated with photographs. Margaret K
McElderry Books, ©2013. Introduces baby sloths living in a sanctuary in Costa Rica.
Contains facts about sloths and many pictures of this “too cute” animal. [599.3]
(Sloths) (BCCB*, PW*)
Jacob’s Eye Patch, by Beth Kobliner Shaw and Jacob Shaw, illustrated by Jules
Feiffer. Simon & Schuster, ©2013. Jacob is in a huge hurry trying to get to the
store to buy a special globe and doesn’t want to answer curious people’s questions
about his eye patch. After making to the store in time, Jacob meets a new friend
with something different too and he becomes more aware of other’s feelings. (Eye,
Amblyopia (lazy eye), Curiosity, People with disabilities)
Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca. (See 2014 Caldecott Award)
Jedi Academy, written and illustrated by Jeffery Brown. Scholastic, ©2013. Roan
dreamed of going to Pilot Academy like his brother and becoming a pilot like
his dad but is rejected. Yoda invites him to attend Jedi Academy. Roan’s journal
documents that going to middle school with aliens and trying to use the force is not
as easy as it sounds. (Children, Extraterrestrial beings, Robots, Schools, Science,
Humorous stories, Cartoons and comics, Star Wars fiction comic books) (BL*)
Kelsey Green, Reading Queen, by Claudia Mills, illustrated by Rob Shepperson.
Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2013, Kelsey is the best (or at least tied) reader in her thirdgrade class. She is determined that their class will win the pizza party for most
books read, but what to do about the nonreaders in the class? (Books and reading,
Schools, Contests) (HB*)
The Kite That Bridged Two Nations: Homan Walsh and the First Niagara
Suspension Bridge, by Alexis O’Neill, illustrated by Terry Widener. Calkins Creek,
©2013. Homan Walsh loved to fly kites and enters a contest to fly a kite over Niagara
Falls. His first kite broke but his second made it. The kite string was used to pull
the first cable for the new suspension bridge. Additional information is provided.
(Homan Walsh, Kites, Suspension bridges, Niagara Falls)
Leave Your Sleep: A Collection of Classic Children’s Poetry Adapted to Music,
selected by Natalie Merchant, illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Frances Foster
Books, ©2013. Natalie Merchant sets 19 poems from a wide variety of authors to
music. The CD accompanies the book. [808.81] (Poetry) (HB*, SLJ*)
Light in the Darkness: A Story About How Slaves Learned in Secret, by Lesa
Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E Ransome. Disney/Jump at the Sun Books,
©2013. Rosa and her mama are slaves and risk whippings and even death if they to
learn to read. They sneak out in the middle of the night to meet in pit school with
other slaves to learn their letters. (Reading, Learning, Slavery, African Americans,
Southern states history)
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: A Pictorial Interpretation, painted by James
Daugherty. Albert Whitman, ©2013. Originally published in 1947, the new edition
has an introduction by a Civil War scholar. Daugherty’s mural like illustrations add
dimension to this historic speech. [759.13] (Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address)
12
The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit’s Amazing Migration, by Sandra Markle,
illustrated by Mia Posada. Millbrook Press, ©2013. Follow a female bar-tailed
Godwit from hatching to her amazing non-stop, eight day, over 7,000-mile journey
from Alaska to New Zealand. Includes extra facts, bibliography and author note.
[598.3] (Bar-tailed godwit, Birds, Bird migration) (HB*, SLJ*)
Lucky Ducklings, by Eva Moore, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Orchard Books,
©2013. Based on a true story, a mother duck leads her ducklings through town and
one by one they fall into a storm drain. A group of firemen help rescue the ducklings
and make sure mother gets her brood across town safely. (Ducks, Animals infancy,
Rescues) (BCCB*, HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
The Mad Potter: George E Ohr, Eccentric Genius, by Jan Greenberg and Sandra
Jordan, illustrated with photographs. Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. George Ohr was
a larger than life character, genius before his time, potter from Biloxi, Mississippi.
Ohr found his calling when he threw his first pot and spent the rest of his life
experimenting with pottery and self-promotion. His genius was not discovered until
long after his death. [738, 921] (George E Ohr, Potters, American art pottery) (BL*,
HB*, SLJ*, BB)
Missouri author
Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X, by Ilyasah
Shabazz, illustrated by AG Ford. Atheneum, ©2013. His daughter describes the
childhood of Malcolm Little (before he became Malcolm X. His loving family
stressed the importance of living up to your potential and shaped him into a leader.
[320.54, 921] (Malcolm X childhood and youth, Black Muslims biography, African
American biography)
Miracle Mud: Lena Blackburne and the Secret Mud That Changed Baseball,
by David Kelly, illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. Millbrook Press, ©2013. Describes
how baseballs are readied for the game using special mud provided by Lena
Blackburne from his secret mud hole and other ingredients. [796.357, 921] (Lena
Blackburne, Baseball players, Inventors, Baseball equipment and supplies, Sports
marketing)
Miss Maple’s Seeds, written and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Nancy Paulsen
Books, ©2013. Miss Maple collects lost seeds during the summer, takes them on field
trips and cares for them during the winter. Each spring she finds them homes so
they can become the plant they where meant to be. (Seeds, Plants)
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries
for Children, by Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell. Houghton Mifflin,
ßroom in a public library. After the special room was created for the New York
13
PRIMARY, 1-4
Public Library, she went around the country establishing special rooms for children.
[020, 921] (Anne Carroll Moore, Children’s libraries, Women biography, New York
Public Library) (HB*)
Mister and Lady Day: Billie Holiday and the Dog Who Loved Her, by Amy
Novesky, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. Harcourt, ©2013. Tells the story
of Billy Holiday and her relationship with dogs. Her favorite dog was a boxer named
Mister who gave her courage. Author’s note tells more about Ms. Holiday’s troubled
life. [782.42, 921] (Mister (dog), Billie Holiday, Boxer) (LMC recommend)
The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail, by Richard Peck, illustrated by Kelly
Murphy. Dial Books, ©2013. Mouse Minor is the smallest mouse in the Royal Mews
and he has lots of questions to go with his question mark tail. Who were his parents,
where does he belong and why does strange things keep happening to him? He
leaves school to find answers and ends up consulting Queen Victoria before finding
his rightful place. (Mice, Identity, Social classes, Kings, queens, rulers, Buckingham
Palace, Queen Victoria, Adventure) (BL*, HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
Mr. Wuffles!, written and Illustrated by David Wiesner. Clarion Books, ©2013.
Mr. Wuffles ignores all his toys and only plays with a tiny spaceship filled with
aliens. When the cat damages the ship, the aliens retreat behind the radiator to
make repairs. The insects behind the radiator help the aliens repair their ship and
escape from Mr. Wuffles. (Cats, Toys, Extraterrestrial beings, Cartoons and comics,
Graphic novels, Wordless stories) (Caldecott Honor, BL*, HB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
Musk Ox Counts, by Erin Cabatingan, illustrated by Matthew Myers. Roaring
Brook Press, ©2013. Zebra just wants to keep the counting book organized, but
Musk Ox keeps messing it up! Will they make it from 1 to 10? (Musk ox, Zebras,
Counting) (PW*)
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by Martin Luther King III, illustrated by
AG Ford. Amistad, ©2013. Marty, the second oldest, provides a different perspective
on his dad’s life. Growing up as Martin Luther King Jr’s child provided its own
challenges. They burned the toy guns they received as Christmas gifts. Sometimes
Marty was bullied because of his name or the color of his skin, but he always knew
his father was trying to make things better for everyone. [323, 921] (Martin Luther
King Jr, Martin Luther King III, African Americans civil rights)
PRIMARY, 1-4
Nelson Mandela, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Katherine Tegen Books,
©2013. From the age of 9, Nelson Mandela was determined to help the poor and
oppressed people of South Africa. Portrays his childhood and struggles to make all
races equal and eventually becoming the president. [968.06, 921] (Nelson, Mandela,
President) (KR*, PW* King Honor)
Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever – or Snack Time?, by Tammi Sauer, illustrated
by Michael Slack. Harcourt, ©2013. Tiny Nugget and the shark Fang are great
friends until Nugget starts minnow school. At school Nugget learns he should be
afraid of sharks. Fang tries everything including costumes to regain his friends.
Fang is able to save the entire school and gains many new friends. (Friendship,
Minnows, Fish, Sharks, Peer pressure) (LMC recommend)
Odd Duck, by Cecil Castelluci, illustrated by Sara Varon. First Second, ©2013.
Theodora had her days filled doing duck things and was quite happy. Then Chad
moves next door and upsets her routine with his non-duck activities. Eventually
they become friends and when another duck comments on the odd duck—neither
believed they were being described. (Ducks, Friendship, Graphic novel) (HB*, KR*,
SLJ*)
Ol’ Clip-Clop: A Ghost Story, by Patricia C McKissack, illustrated by Eric
Velasquez. Holiday House, ©2013. A greedy man is followed one dark night when
he goes to evict a widow from her house. When she has the money, he tricks her and
throws her out anyway. The ghostly rider follows him home and he is never seen
again. This “jump story” is not for the weak of heart! (Conduct of life, Ghosts, Ghost
stories) (HB*, KR*, PW*)
Missouri author
Papa is a Poet: A Story About Robert Frost, by Natalie S Bober, illustrated by
Rebecca Gibbon. Henry Holt, ©2013. Lesley Frost recounts life on the farm with her
father and how he wrote “poetry that talked.” [811, 921] (Robert Frost, American
poets) (HB*)
Papa’s Mechanical Fish, by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Boris Kulikov. Farrar
Straus Giroux, ©2013. Based on a story about real life inventor Lodner Phillips. After
several tries Papa invents a working submarine and takes the family for a ride under
Lake Michigan in 1851. Includes information about Phillips. (Inventors, Family life,
Submarines, LD Phillips) (OSTB, BB, HB*, SLJ*)
My First Day, by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page, illustrations by Steve Jenkins.
Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. Describes what 22 different animals are able do on their
first day of life. Includes additional information on each animal. [591.3] (Animals
infancy) (HB*, LMC*, SLJ*)
Patriotic Pals: Tails of Civil War Dogs, by Chris Stuckenschneider, illustrated by
Richard Bernal. A border collie from Missouri and his sidekick tour Civil War sites
learning about famous dogs from the war. [636.7] (Dogs, Civil War)
Missouri
author
My Homework Ate My Homework, by Patrick Jennings. Egmont USA, ©2013.
Zaritza needs extra credit and volunteers to care for the class ferret during
Christmas break. She thinks the ferret is boring and smelly and she would rather be
preparing for the school play. Unfortunately, the ferret escapes, causes havoc, eats
her homework and other things. Her drama leanings help with excuses but not so
much with the play. Much to her surprise, Zaritza helps the girl with the lead in the
play. (Ferrets as pets, Homework, Family life, Humorous stories)
Penny and Her Marble, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow
Books, ©2013. Penny finds and takes a marble from her neighbor’s yard. Later she
feels guilty and returns it, and gets a surprise. (Lost and found possessions, Marbles,
Mice) (BB, BL*, HB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*, Geisel Honor)
14
15
PRIMARY, 1-4
PRIMARY, 1-4
A Perfect Home for a Family, by David Harrison, illustrated by Roberta
Angaramo. Holiday House, ©2013. A raccoon family searches for a new home before
the birth of their cubs. Each place they try has something wrong and they eventually
end back where they started, the perfect place. (Raccoon, Animals habits and
behaviors)
Missouri author
served and was wounded in WWI. His arm was so weakened by his injury that he
gave up painting for years. He eventually started to draw and paint again using
his left arm to support his right. [759.13, 921] (Horace Pippin, African American
biography, Painters) (BL*, HB*, KR*, LMC recommend, PW*, SLJ*, ALA, BB, NCTE
Orbis winner)
The Pet Project: Cute and Cuddly Vicious Verses, by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated
by Zachariah OHora. Atheneum, ©2013. When a little girl wants a pet, her scientist
parents urge her to do research and write down her observations. Her report is
presented in poetic form, “Chances of getting a hippo: zippo.” (Pets, Animals,
Stories in rhyme)
Stones for Grandpa, by Renee Londner, illustrated by Martha Aviles. Kar-Ben
Publishing, ©2013. Explains the Jewish custom of bringing stones to place on the
gravestone and share memories a year after the death of the person. Way of dealing
with death of a loved one and knowing that they will always have their memories.
(Grandfathers, Death, Judaism customs and practices)
A Picture Book of Daniel Boone, by David A. Adler and Michael S. Adler,
illustrated by Matt Collins. Holiday House, ©2013. Daniel Boone blazed trails
westward before the revolution and pioneers followed them for years after his death.
This biography recounts his adventures and gives detail about his family. Includes
additional information. [976.9, 921] (Daniel Boone, Kentucky, Pioneers, Explorers,
Frontier and pioneer life, Kentucky discovery and exploration)
Missouri subject
Take Me Out to the Yakyu, written and illustrated by Aaron Meshon. Atheneum,
©2013. A little boy learns about baseball from his grandfathers, one in America
and one in Japan. Compares and contrasts the cultural differences. Contains some
Japanese. (Baseball, Grandfathers, Racially mixed people, Japan) (BL*, KR*, PW*,
SLJ*)
A Place for Turtles, by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond. Peachtree,
©2013. Describes different types of turtles and how interactions with people affect
turtle populations. Includes ways to save the turtles. [597.92] (Turtles, Rare reptiles,
Turtles conservation) (OSTB)
Poems to Learn by Heart, selected by Caroline Kennedy, illustrated by Jon J.
Muth. Disney/Hyperion Books, ©2013. More than 100 hundred poems from a
wide variety of writers are divided into 10 categories. Find poems about families,
friendship, fairies, school, nonsense and sports. [821] (American poetry, English
poetry) (BL*, PW*, SLJ*)
Pug and Other Poems, by Valerie Worth, illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Margaret
Ferguson Books, ©2013. Poems describe 18 familiar animals. [811] (Animals,
American poetry) (HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de
Lafayette, by Selene Castrovilla, illustrated by Drazen Kozjan. Calkins Creek,
©2013. The Marquis de Lafayette came from France to meet George Washington
and to help with the revolution. Washington eventually claimed him as a friend and
treated him like a son. [973.3] (George Washington, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch
Gilbert Lafayette, Marquis de Du Motier, US history revolution) (BL*)
Seeds, Bees, Butterflies, and More!: Poems for Two Voices, by Carole Gerber,
illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. Henry Holt, ©2013. Information about plants and
insects is presented in poems to be read by two people. Listen in on chats between
bees or a rose and a worm. Additional information is provided. [811] (Nature poetry)
(LMC recommend)
A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, by Jen Bryant, illustrated
by Melissa Sweet. Alfred P Knopf, 2013. Horace Pippin was a self-taught artist who
16
Tea Cakes for Tosh, by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by EB Lewis, GP Putnam’s
Sons ©2013. Tosh spent hours with his grandmother, listening to her tales of the
ancestors and baking cookies. When his grandmother’s memory fails, Tosh is able
to help bake the cookies and with the stories. (Grandmothers, Baking, Storytelling,
Old age, African Americans) (LMC*)
Tea Rex, written and illustrated by Molly Idle. Viking, ©2013. Tea parties are for
grown-ups, girls and dinosaurs. There are special rules for a T-Rex. (Tyrannosaurus
Rex, Dinosaurs, Parties, Etiquette, Humorous stories)
That Is Not a Good Idea!, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. Balzer + Bray,
©2013. Presented as an old silent movie, a fox invites a goose home for dinner. The
goslings insist at each step “that is not a good idea.” The goose has a surprise for the
fox at the end. (Fox, Geese) (HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
That’s a Possibility!: A Book About What Might Happen, written and illustrated
by Bruce Goldstone. Henry Holt, ©2013. Bright, colorful, fun illustrations introduce
the reader to math concepts of something being possible, probable or impossible.
[519.2] (Probabilities) (PW*, SLJ*)
Things That Float and Things That Don’t, David A. Adler, illustrated by Anna
Raff. Holiday House, ©2013. Answers the question of why some things float and
others sink. Explains the concept of density. [532] (Floating bodies, Hydrostatics,
Buoyancy) (BL*, HB*, PW*)
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library, by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by John
O’Brien. Calkins Creek, ©2013. Describes how the love for books influenced Thomas
Jefferson’s life. His collection rebuilt the Library of Congress. Contains many
odd facts about his collection. [022.31] (Thomas Jefferson, Library of Congress,
Presidents, Books) (HB)
17
PRIMARY, 1-4
Tito Puente, Mambo King=Tito Puente, Rey del Mambo: A Bilingual Picture Book,
by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rafael Lopez, translated by Adriana Dominguez.
Rayo, ©2013. As a small boy, Tito Puente liked to beat on pans. As he grew up, he
wanted to be a bandleader. His determination and passion led to being the “King of
Mambo” and Grammy Awards. [784.4, 921] (Tito Puente, Salsa musicians, Spanish
language materials) (Pura Belpre Honor, HB*)
The Tree Lady; The True Story of How One Tree-loving Woman Changed a
City Forever, by H Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. Beach Lane
Books, ©2013. Kate loved trees. After becoming the first woman to graduate with a
science degree, she got a job in San Diego. That meant moving from the redwoods
of Northern California to the desert. Kate began the crusade to turn the desert
town into a garden oasis. [635, 921] (Kate Olivia Sessions, Horticulturists, Women
biography, Trees) (BL*, HB*, SLJ*)
Trouper, by Meg Kearney, illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Scholastic Press, ©2013. Based
on a true story, Trouper, a three-legged black dog remembers his life as a stray before
he was adopted. (Feral dogs, Dogs, Pet adoption, Novels in verse)
Tuki and Moka: A Tale of Two Tamarins, by Judy Young, illustrated by Jim
Madsen. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2013. Eduardo helps his father to collect Brazil nuts
in the Ecuador rain forest. When the wild tamarins accompanying them disappear,
Eduardo is worried. While delivering the nuts to the village, he discovers the
tamarins and other animals in poacher’s cages and frees them. (Tamarins, Poaching,
Fathers and sons, Rain forest, Ecuador)
Missouri author
Urgency Emergency (series) Big Bad Wolf / Itsy Bitsy Spider, written and
illustrated by Dosh Archer. Albert Whitman, ©2013. In this series, Dr. Glenda and
her staff deal with the emergencies brought to the hospital by the pengamedics
from nursery rhymes and fairy tales. In one adventure the Big Bad Wolf has an
obstruction in his throat and in the other the spider has a head wound. (Wounds
and injuries, Medical care, Spiders, Wolves, Animals, Characters in literature, Fairy
tales, Nursery rhymes, Humorous stories) (HB*. KR*)
PRIMARY, 1-4
What Floats in a Moat?, by Lynne Berry, illustrated by Matthew Cordell. Simon &
Schuster Books, ©2013. Archie the Goat and his sidekick, Skinny the Hen, have a
very important delivery to the castle and have to figure out how to float across the
moat. Their experiments test buoyancy and Archimedes Principle. (Floating bodies,
Goats, Chickens, Stories in rhyme) (PW*, SLJ)
Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell, by Tanya
Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Holt, ©2013. Recounts the life and
struggles of Elizabeth Blackwell, as she becomes the first woman doctor. [610, 921]
(Elizabeth Blackwell, Physicians, Women) (BL*, HB*)
The Year of Billy Miller, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow
Books, ©2013, Details of Billy’s second-grade year are provided by his teacher,
father, sister and mother. Billy starts the year with a bump on his head and worries
about school, and finishes after navigating all the normal childhood problems.
(Schools, Family life, Wisconsin) (Newbery Honor, BB, HB*, KR*, SLJ*)
Year of the Jungle: Memories From the Home Front, by Suzanne Collins,
illustrated by James Proimos. Scholastic Press, ©2013. The author of Hunger Games
recounts the year her father was deployed to Vietnam. She was in first grade and
eagerly waits for his postcards and sometimes there was a long break and she
worried that he wouldn’t come home. (Fathers and daughters, Soldiers, Vietnam
War, Separation) (BL*, BCCB*, HB*, KR*, PW*)
Xander’s Panda Party, by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Clarion
Books, ©2013. Xander wanted to throw a birthday party for all the pandas in the
zoo. Since he was the only panda, he invited the bears. Koala wasn’t a bear, so he
invited all the mammals. Rhino wouldn’t come without his bird and before long
everyone at the zoo was invited and it was a wonderful party. (Pandas, Zoo animals,
Parties, Stories in Rhyme) (BB, BCCB*, HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great, written and illustrated by Bob Shea. DisneyHyperion, ©2013. Goat is jealous of Unicorn when he moves into the neighborhood
and does fabulous things. Then one day they share a pizza and feelings and goat
finds out being a unicorn isn’t all that great. A friendship is born. (Unicorns, Goats,
Envy, Friendship) (BL*, HB*, KR*)
Waluk, by Emilio Ruiz, illustrated by Ana Miralles, translated and adapted by Dan
Oliverio. Graphic Universe, ©2013. A young polar bear learns to fend for himself
under the guidance of a really old bear. He learns about the other animals and
humans. Waluk organizes the other bears into a rescue team to get the old bear out
of a trap. Includes information about animal habitats and global warming. [741.5]
(Polar bear, Bears, Tundras, Cartoons and comics, Graphic novels) (PW*)
18
19
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
33 Minutes, by Todd Hasak-Lowy. Aladdin, ©2013. Best friends have everything in
common, right? That was true not long ago, but now Sam is a Mathlete, Morgan is on
the football team, and when recess comes around, there is going to be trouble. How
could such a great friendship end this way? (Friendship, Middle school, Notebook)
(BCCB, HB, KR, SLJ)
The Ability, by M. M. Vaughan. Margaret K. McElderry Books, ©2013. A change
in schools takes 12-year-old Christopher Lane from being considered a thieving liar
by his teachers, to a student with potential. Among other things, he learns that it is
amazing what the human mind can accomplish. (Psychic abilities, Science fiction,
Spies) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, PW)
The Adventures of a South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage, by Chris
Kurtz. HMH Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Flora knows she’s a pig, but she
doesn’t feel the need to act like one. She’s an explorer who knows how to ask the
right questions, never gives up, and wants more than anything to contribute to the
team. (Antarctica, Dogsledding, Friendship) (BL, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
After the River the Sun, by Dia Calhoun. Atheneum Books for Young Readers,
©2013. Eckhart Lyon moves in with his Uncle Al on a trial basis after losing his
parents and spending months in foster care. Video gaming gives way to real-world
adventure when Eckhart meets Eva and begins a journey of healing. Companion to
“Eva of the Farm.” (Grief, King Arthur, Novel in verse) (HB, KR, SLJ)
All My Noble Dreams and Then What Happens, by Gloria Whelan. Simon &
Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Rosalind has been raised in India in the
1920s, her family proud to be subjects of British rule. Yet the followers of Gandhi are
everywhere and the streets are crowded with talk of independence that rises above
the crying of the starving poor. Companion to “Small Acts of Amazing Courage.”
(British occupation, Historical fiction, India) (BL, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ)
Battle of the Dinosaur Bones: Othniel Charles Marsh vs Edward Drinker
Cope, by Rebecca L. Johnson. Twenty-First Century Books, ©2013. Friendship
turned to friendly competition between Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker
Cope after their first introduction in 1863. While they discovered more fossils in a
short time than in any other era of paleontology, their rivalry caused chaos in their
community. [560.97309] (Fossils, Paleontology, Scientific rivalry) (BL, LMC)
Benjamin Franklin (Giants of Science), written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by
Boris Kulikov. Viking Juvenile, ©2013. Everyone knows about the lightning and key
story, but did you know Ben Franklin loved to swim (at a time when even sailors
couldn’t swim), was concerned about the long-term effects of air pollution, was
unusually interested in perspiration, and once wrote an essay about farts? Part of
the “Giants of Science” series, this biography brings new life to an old story. [509.2]
(Biography, Natural philosopher, Social history) (BL, BCCB, HB, SLJ)
Missouri
author
Better Nate Than Ever, by Tim Federle. Simon & Schuster Books for Young
Readers, ©2013. E.T.: The Musical is calling Nate Foster to the bright lights of the
20
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
big city. Even though Pennsylvania may not seem that far from New York City,
Broadway’s music and shows are a world away from the small town of an eighthgrader who has big dreams. (Auditions, Humor, Theater) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, LMC,
PW*, SLJ)
Binny for Short, by Hilary McKay. Margaret K. McElderry Books, ©2013. As if it’s
not bad enough to lose her father, Binny has to find a new home for her dog, too.
After moving into her aunt’s house, everything changes for Binny and her whole
family. (Loss of a parent) (BCCB, HB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ)
Blue Moon, by James Ponti. Aladdin, ©2013. New York City is a bustling place,
especially now that some of its residents continue to function after what should have
been their deaths. Molly Bigelow may only be in middle school, but she has the right
circle of friends and family to aid in her quest to protect the living. Follow-up book
to “Dead City.” (Fantasy, Supernatural, Zombies) (HB, KR, SLJ)
The Call of the Bully, by Scott Starkey. Simon & Schuster Books for Young
Readers, ©2013. Rodney is in a new town, with a new group of great friends and
a better reputation than he’s ever had since he’s found the courage to stand up for
himself. Things are really looking up. That is until he faces a new bully at summer
camp. Sequel to “How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying.” (Bullies, Camp,
Friendship, Humor) (BL, HB, LMC, SLJ)
Call of the Klondike: A True Gold Rush Adventure, by David Meissner and
Kim Richardson. Calkins Creek Books, ©2013. Today people stay in touch through
social media, but in 1897 diaries and letters allowed people to keep in contact. The
correspondence and diaries of Stanley Pearce and Marshall Bond provide a firsthand glimpse of what life was like in the Klondike, prospecting for gold [971.9]
(Epistolary non-fiction, Gold rush, Yukon) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, SLJ)
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, written by Claire Legrand, illustrated
by Sarah Watts. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Opposites
attract, right? That must have been the case for Victoria and Lawrence. Even though
he’s a lazy dreamer who creates disorder in her no-nonsense world, Victoria has no
choice but to search for him when Lawrence is among the many missing children in
her town. (Fairy tale, Friendship, Mystery) (BCCB, HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
Cloneward Bound: The Clone Chronicles, by M. E. Castle. Egmont USA, ©2013.
Fisher Bas has a whole new set of problems to deal with, and his clone, Two, isn’t
making it any easier by taking off to Hollywood in search of his “mother”. Now
Fisher needs to keep his secret, evade evil villains, and save his mom’s job without
losing Two. Part of the “Clone Chronicles.” (Bullies, Cloning, Middle school) (BL,
HB, KR, SLJ)
Communication Smarts: How to Express Yourself Best in Conversations,
Texts, E-Mails, and More, by Sandra Donovan. Twenty-First Century Books, ©2013.
Filled with full-color photos and visuals, this book takes readers through a history
of written communication to a view of how it can be effectively and ethically used
21
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
in the future. Part of the USA Today Teen Wise Guides. [302.2] (Letter writing,
Speaking, Texting) (HB, SLJ)
Dogs of War, by Sheila Keenan, illustrated by Nathan Fox. Graphix, ©2013. Man’s
best friend is a dog, and nothing can challenge that bond more than the hardships
of war. Based on real-life service dogs and their partners, stories from both World
Wars and the Vietnam War relate actual battles and stories of adventure. [741.5]
(Graphic novel, Historical fiction, Service dogs, War) (BL, BCCB*, HB, KR, PW*,
SLJ*)
Doll Bones, written by Holly Black and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler. Margaret K.
McElderry Books, ©2013. Zach knows what the guys would say if they knew he
played action figures with Poppy and Alice, but “the game” is really about the story,
which just keeps getting better and better over time. That is, until his dad throws
away his figures and Poppy releases their most special character, a bone china doll.
Could she really have been made from the bones of a dead girl and be haunting them
all? (Adventure, Family, Ghosts) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR*, Newberry Honor, Peggy
Sharp, PW*, SLJ*)
Duke, by Kirby Larson. Scholastic Press, ©2013. In 1944, everyone has to do their
part for the war effort, and for Hobie Hanson that means enlisting his German
shepherd, Duke, in Dogs for Defense. Hobie finds it hard to live with his decision
and wants Duke back immediately, but then news arrives that his father is a prisoner
of war. How much must one 11-year-old sacrifice for the war? (Historical fiction,
Pets, World War II) (BL, HB, KR*, PW*, SLJ)
Eruption!: Volcanoes and the Science of Saving Lives, written by Elizabeth Rusch
and illustrated by Tom Uhlman. HMH Books for Young Readers, ©2013. The
Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) travels the world to help provide
the expertise and equipment needed to deal with one of nature’s truly awesome
creations. This book follows the team and tells the stories of not only volcanoes, but
the people who live in their shadows. [363.34] (Eruptions, Volcano, Volcanologists)
(BCCB, HB*, KR*, SLJ*)
Escape from the Pipe Men!, by Mary G Thompson. Clarion Books, ©2013. Ryan
Hawthorn has been on display in an intergalactic zoo, but no more. His father
has been poisoned and it’s up to him, along with his 7-year-old sister, to find the
antidote. He’ll meet new species, travel through portals, and try to find a way to
defeat their captors. (Adventure, Science fiction, Space travel) (BL, HB, KR, LMC,
SLJ)
Finding Bigfoot: The Big Book of Everything, by Animal Planet. Feiwel &
Friends, ©2013. Sightings of giant creatures, molds of massive footprints, and grainy
photos have been recorded throughout the country, but the big guy remains elusive.
Pour through the evidence in this book that captures in print and photo the Animal
Planet television show Finding Bigfoot. [001.944] (Bigfoot, High interest, Sasquatch)
Forensic Identification: Putting a Name and Face on Death, by Elizabeth A.
Murray. 21st Century, ©2013. A new CSI show crops up on television all the time,
22
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
and this book explains the science behind the drama. With full-color photos, case
files, and more, the steps taken to identify the nameless dead are described by a
forensic scientist. [363.25] (DNA, Forensic science, Missing persons) (HB, KR,SLJ)
Ghost Hawk, by Susan Cooper. Margaret K. McElderry Books, ©2013. The
challenge facing Little Hawk is supposed to be three months alone in the cold
woods with limited resources. If he survives, he will return to his people a man. His
people do not realize that a greater threat has sailed in on ships, putting everyone in
potential danger. (Historical fiction, Pilgrims, Survival, Wampanoag) (BL*, HB, KR,
PCA-gold, PW*, SLJ)
The Great American Dust Bowl, written and illustrated by Don Brown. HMH
Books for Young Readers, ©2013. We’ve all heard of the Dust Bowl, but does anyone
really know why it happened, how people survived, and how far the effects ranged?
You will after reading this graphic novel. [978] (Agriculture, Dust bowl, Graphic
novel) (BL*, BCCB*, HB*, KR*, Peggy Sharp, PW)
The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel,
by Deborah Hopkinson. Knopf Books for Young Readers, ©2013. As if scouring the
River Thames for scraps to sell in order to stay alive isn’t a bad enough life for the
orphan Eel, an outbreak of cholera in the late summer of 1854 brings on the Great
Trouble. Doctors believe the cause is poisonous air, but Eel intends to help Dr. John
Snow prove otherwise. (Cholera, Epidemic, London) (BL, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ*)
Hold Fast, by Blue Balliett. Scholastic Press, ©2013. The Pearls are dreamers but
Early’s dad, Dash, isn’t earning enough to buy their dream home in his job at the
Chicago Public Library. He takes on a special project with the potential to make
their dreams come true and money is rolling in. In one day Early goes from hopeful
to homeless and sees her dream of the perfect home turn into the nightmare of
not knowing if her family will ever be whole again. (Homeless, Langston Hughes,
Mystery) (BL*, HB, KR*, Peggy Sharp, PW, SLJ*)
If I Ever Get Out of Here, by Eric Gansworth. Arthur A. Levine Books, ©2013. The
Beatles had a dream of people coming together, but Lewis “Shoe” Blake never really
expected it to happen to him. Living on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation in 1975,
his life was full of family and fun, but friendship with a white kid from the Air Force
base wasn’t something he expected. Will their friendship survive his fears of letting
George see beyond the version of himself he shows at school? (Identity, Military,
Tuscarora Indians) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
In Disguise!: Undercover with Real Women Spies, by Ryan Ann Hunter. Aladdin/
Beyond Words, ©2013. Broken into important moments in history and supported
by maps and other visuals, this book provides biographical sketches of women who
risked it all to change the world. [327.12] (Biography, Espionage, Women spies) (BL,
HB, KR, LMC, SLJ)
In Search of Goliathus Hercules, written and illustrated by Jennifer Angus. Albert
Whitman & Company, ©2013. We’ve all done it – talked to some creature nearby
– but only Henri Bell hears a reply from a fly. Realizing he can communicate with
23
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
all insects, he sets out to find Goliathus Hercules, a giant mythical insect. (Insects,
Human-animal communication, Metamorphosis) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure, by Mike Wolfe and Lily
Sprenglemeyer, illustrated by Mike Right. Feiwel and Friends, ©2013. Every day
we’re surrounded by treasure, if only we can pick it out of the junk! This book
explains how to know the difference between something the family treasures and
actual treasures and how to turn a dollar spent at a yard sale into much more. [745]
(American Pickers, Collectibles, Flea markets) (HB, SLJ)
Lara’s Gift, by Annemarie O’Brien. Knopf Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Lara
is becoming an expert on borzoi dogs so she can be the Tsar’s kennel keeper; that
is until a new brother threatens to take her place. Even though it’s clear she has
a special bond with the dogs, her father fears the bond with superstition. (Dogs,
Gender roles, Russia) (BL, HB, KR*, SLJ*)
Lives of the Scientists: Experiments, Explosions (and what the neighbors
thought), written by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. HMH Books
for Young Readers, ©2013. You know what scientists like Albert Einstein, Charles
Darwin, and George Washington Carver contributed to the world, but you probably
don’t know their favorite foods, their first loves, or the silly stories they left behind.
Get to know the people behind the science. [509] (Biographies, Scientists) (BL,
BCCB, HB, KR, SLJ)
Missouri author
Notes from a Hairy-Not-So-Scary Werewolf, by Tom Collins, illustrated by
Andrew Pinder. Aladdin, ©2013. War threatens between vampires and werewolves,
but what does that have to do with 15-year-old Luke? He just wants to blend in with
the wallpaper and pass his exams! Part of the Totally Lame Vampire series. (Humor,
Vampires, Werewolves) (HB)
Once Upon the End, by James Riley. Aladdin, ©2013. Take all of your favorite fairy
tale characters, throw in a beanstalk, stage a battle with a Wicked Queen, and mix a
bit of the real world in with the fantasy.What you have is the conclusion of the Half
Upon a Time trilogy. (Adventure, Fractured fairy tales) (HB)
Parched, by Melanie Crowder. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2013. When his
mother told stories of watering the lawn, Musa laughed at her funny joke. Who
could ever waste water in such a way? Suffering at the hands of men driven by
extreme thirst, Musa takes a chance and runs. Sarel can’t turn away from the starved
boy who could bring more death to the secret grotto that has kept her father’s prized
dogs alive. But how long will the water last? (Dowsing sticks, Drought, Survival)
(BL, BCCB*, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Peace Warriors, Andrea Davis Pinkney. Scholastic, ©2013. Mahatma Ghandi,
Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, jr, Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf—known for their peaceful peaceful protests in an often violent
world, they have impacted millions. Part of the “Profiles” series. [327.1] (Biographies,
Peace, Protest) (BL)
24
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
Primates: the fearless science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birtue
Galdikas, written by Jim Ottaviani and illustrated by Maris Wicks. First Second,
©2013. Biographies are meant to be dry and boring, right? Not this graphic novel,
bringing to life three female primatologists: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Beruté
Galdikas. [599.8] (Biology, Graphic novel, Primatology) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, PW*,
SLJ)
Prisoner B-3087, by Alan Gratz. Scholastic Press, ©2013. Yanek Gruener was only
10-years-old when he was pulled from life in Krakow, Poland, into the nightmare of
10 different concentration camps. Brutality surrounded him, making it unbelievable
that he might survive. What is even more difficult to imagine is that the storyline
is based closely on the true-life of Jack Gruener. (Historical fiction, Holocaust,
Krakow) (BL, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Rogue, by Lyn Miller-Lachmann. Nancy Paulsen Books, ©2013. Kiara is a weird girl
who can’t keep friends, cries all the time, and even got kicked out of school. Feeling
like a mutant, the X-Men character Rogue seems like a perfect role model. Her tutor
and the Internet are the only interactions in her day since her mom left and her dad
is so depressed he can’t even make dinner. When Chad moves in, Kiara has hope
she might make a friend and keep him, but will his family secret ruin this, too?
(Asperger’s syndrome, Fitting in, Friendship) (BCCB, HB, KR)
Salt: A Story of Friendship in a Time of War, by Helen Frost. Farrar, Straus
and Giroux, ©2013. Twelve-year-olds Anikwa and James share a love of trapping
and fishing in 1812 Indian Territory. They do not, however, come from the same
communities and with war threatening, their relationship may be in jeopardy.
(Friendship, Native American, Novel in verse) (BL*, HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
Seeing Red, by Kathryn Erskine. Scholastic Press, ©2013. History doesn’t seem
important to 12-year-old Red in the wake of his father’s death, facing the potential
sale of his family’s business and a move from Virginia to Ohio. Red realizes, though,
that he is surrounded by a living history of racism, sexism, and the legacy of his own
family. (Family, Historical fiction, Race relations) (BL, HB, PW)
Serafina’s Promise, by Ann E. Burg. Scholastic Press, ©2013. Serafina has so many
hopes for her future, among them to go to school and to become a doctor. Life in
Haiti isn’t easy and even though her father owns a grocery store in Port-au-Prince,
they are often hungry. Things are looking up as there is finally enough money to
send Serafina to school, until a flood washes their home away and an earthquake
rocks Haiti. (Earthquake, Haiti, Novel in verse) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, PCA-gold,
PW, SLJ*)
The Sound of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away, by Frances O’Roark Dowell.
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Middle school is a time when the
friends who mean the most begin to drift apart. This is especially true for Marylin
and Kate. Sequel to “The Kind of Friends We Used to Be,” conclusion to the “Secret
Language of Girls” trilogy. (Friendship, Middle school, Popularity) (BCCB, KR*,
SLJ)
25
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
Tales from the Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest with Pete Athans,
by Sandra K. Athans. Millbrook Press, ©2013. You don’t earn the nickname Mr.
Everest by reaching the summit once. Many consider reaching the top once an
amazing feat, but Pete Athans has succeeded at this dangerous quest seven times.
Photos, tables, glossary, timelines, and narrative take the reader from base camp to
the top of the world. [796.522] (Mountaineering, Mount Everest, Nepal) (BL, HB,
KR, LMC, SLJ)
Whistle in the Dark, by Susan Hill Long. Holiday House, ©2013. Clem is a gifted
student, but that won’t help him stay in the small school of his small southern
Missouri town in the 1920s. Since he’s turned 13, it’s his time to join his father and
the rest of the men in the coal mine. He knows this isn’t the life he’s supposed to
lead, but he can’t avoid helping earn the money needed to pay for the medical help
his sister needs. Isn’t mining the only way? (Ambition, Historical fiction, Lead
mining) (BL, BCCB, HB, PW*, SLJ)
Missouri subject
To Be a Cat, by Matt Haig, illustrated by Stacy Curtis. Atheneum Books for Young
Readers, ©2013. Barney thought his life would be perfect, much better than his
12-year-old fatherless bully victim life, if only he could be a cat. When he magically
becomes a cat, he learns that things are not always as they seem and his old life starts
to look more appealing. (Cats, Magic, Missing persons) (HB, SLJ)
Wild Horse Scientists, by Kay Frydenborg. HMH Books for Young Readers,
©2013. Dr. Ron Keiper and Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick are experts on the wild horses of the
Assateague Island National Seashore. Using data collected over years, they work to
keep the herd thriving in this unique ecosystem. [599.665] (Conservation, Mustangs,
Wild horses) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR*, SLJ*)
Turn Left at the Cow, by Lisa Bullard. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2013.
Thirteen-year-old Travis has always thought of the mystery in his life as his father,
who he never had the chance to meet. He never expected to learn that his dad was a
bank robber, or that there was a chance the money he stole was still around. Too bad
he’s not the only one looking for it now. (Fathers, Minnesota, Mystery) (BL, HB, SLJ)
Wolf, by Valerie Hobbs. Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, ©2013.
Jack has found a home, with a flock of sheep to protect and a boy who thinks he’s just
about the smartest dog ever. It seems he must be losing his edge though as sheep are
disappearing and the reason is not as simple as a pack of coyotes. Sequel to Sheep.
(Border collie, Rabies, Wolves) ( HB, KR, SLJ)
Twerp, by Mark Goldblatt. Random House, ©2013. Julian Twerski fills notebook
after notebook with the details of being a sixth-grader in Queens in 1969. With so
many stories to tell, it’s not surprising that the one event his teacher most wanted to
read about is the one that’s hardest to put down in words. (Diary, Friendship, Selfrealization) (BCCB, HB, KR, SLJ)
Words with Wings, by Nikki Grimes. Wordsong, ©2013. Gabby is a daydreamer,
but she hasn’t always been. Her parents constant fighting turned into never seeing
her father, so daydreams allow respite from a reality Gabby hopes to avoid. Every
dreamer has to wake up sometime and learning she just might be a poet helps Gabby
do just that. (Daydreaming, Divorce, Poetry) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
The Ugly One, by Leanne Statland Ellis. Clarion Books, ©2013. Micay can’t
remember a time when she didn’t want to hide the scar running from her eyebrow
to her lip, that is, until the gift of a baby macaw changes the path of her life forever.
From village outcast, Micay finds her destiny in the Sacred Sun City of Machu
Picchu. (Historical fiction, Inca, Peru) (BCCB, HB, KR, PW)
Written in Stone, by Rosanne Parry. Random House Books for Young Readers,
©2013. Pearl has lost much—her mother and baby sister to flu and her father while
whale hunting—but she is not without hope. With so many stories and traditions
of her people on the verge of disappearing, will she find a way to preserve the past?
(Makah Indians, Orphans, Tradition) (BL, BCCB, KR, PW, SLJ)
The Vine Basket, by Josanne La Valley. Clarion Books, ©2013. Mehrigul is a
talented weaver, at least that’s what the American woman said when she was in the
market. The money she paid for a little basket gave Mehrigul hope she might one day
return to school instead of being sent to work in a Chinese factory, but her father
could ruin everything and time is running out. (Poverty, East Turkestan) (BCCB,
HB, KR, SLJ)
The Year of Shadows, written by Claire Legrand and illustrated by Karl Swasny.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2013. Who knew being helpful could
be a bad thing? In order to help keep the orchestra going, Olivia’s dad moves them
into the old music hall. Living there, Olivia meets the ghosts who share her home. In
trying to help keep the hall from being destroyed in order to save her new friends,
Olivia puts herself in harm’s way. (Family, Ghosts, Orchestra) (BL, HB, KR, SLJ)
What I Came to Tell You, by Tommy Hays. EgmontUSA, ©2013. In the wake of his
mother’s death, Grover Johnston finds solace in weaving even though his father sees
no value in it. With his father’s energy dedicated to work, Grover is left to care for
his sister. With so much changing, will their new neighbors just add to the tension?
(Grief, Love, Redemption) (BL, BCCB*, HB, PW*, SLJ)
Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead, by Rebecca L. Johnson. 21st
Century, ©2013. Zombies aren’t real…or are they? This book is full of full-color
photos and facts that just might convince you that nature truly includes zombiemakers. Not the back-from-the-dead kind of zombies, but each chapter describes
a zombie-like trait and how it can be produced in some living thing by fungus,
26
27
SENIOR, 9-12
SENIOR, 9-12
All Our Yesterdays, by Cristin Terril. Hyperion ©2013. Em and Finn travel back
in time to prevent the creation of the time machine that has ruined the world. After
numerous attempts through time, this time it must end. Fiction (Time travel, Love,
Science Fiction) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014 (KR*)
Are You Experienced?, by Jordan Sonnenblick. Feiwel and Friends ©2013. Rich is a
15-year-old guitar player performing at a protest rally to impress a girl. The protest
just so happens to be held on the anniversary of his uncle’s death from an overdose.
When his father shows up, he realizes he will once again be facing his father’s anger
and depression. A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix and time travel are instrumental in
Rich’s realization of the guilt his father still carries from his brother’s death. Fiction.
(Time travel, Woodstock Festival, Fantasy)
Bang, by Lisa McMann, Simon Pulse, ©2013. Jules and Sawyer were able to prevent
a devastating disaster at Sawyer’s parents’ restaurant by solving the visions Jules was
having. Now Sawyer is seeing visions of another disaster where lives are at stake.
Fiction. (Visions book two) (Visions, Supernatural, Love, Family problems, School
shootings, Chicago, Ill.)
Being Henry David, by Cal Armistead. Albert Whitman & Company, ©2013. The
boy wakes up alone in Penn Station with no memory of who he is or where he is
from; a copy of “Walden” the only link to his identity. He becomes “Hank” as he
follows Thoreau’s path along Walden Pond in the search to recover his himself.
Fiction. (Amnesia, Street children, Henry David Thoreau, Runaways, Family
Problems) (KR*)
The Boy on the Wooden Box, by Leon Leyson. Antheneum Books for Young
Readers ©2013. The memoir of Leon Leyson describing growing up in Poland,
being forced from his home, and how he was saved by Oskar Schindler. [940.53]
(Holocaust, Jews, Concentration camp inmates) Teachers Choices 2014. (HB*, KR*,
PW*)
BZRK: Reloaded, by Michael Grant. Egmont USA, ©2013. Noah, Sadie along with
everyone from the BZRK cell are devastated from the last battle with the Armstrong
twins. The conjoined brothers continue their plot to destroy human free will.
Fiction. (Utopias, Nanotechnology, Conjoined Twins, Science fiction) (sequel to
BZRK) Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror 2013.
Crash, by Lisa McMann, Simon Pulse, ©2013. Jules is having visions of a truck
hitting a building and exploding. The building happens to be the restaurant of her
parents’ competitor whose son is the boy she has had a crush on for years. Jules must
risk appearing crazy if she is going to prevent a major disaster. Fiction. (Visions,
Supernatural, Love, Family life, Restaurants, Love stories) (Visions book one)
Emerald Green, by Kerstin Gier. Henry Holt and Company © 2013. Gwen has
recently learned she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of
Twelve. As Gwen discovers secrets of the time-traveling society, she learns her
fate. [Fic] (Time travel, Family life London, England, Secret societies, Love stories,
Fantasy) (Ruby Red Trilogy, book three)
28
SENIOR, 9-12
The Eye of Minds, by James Dashner. Delacorte Press ©2013. Someone is holding
virtual gamers hostage inside the VirtNet. Michael, a serious gamer who spends
more time in the VirtNet than in the actual world has been sought out to help in
capturing the hacker who is breaking all of the rules. [Fic] (Computer games, Virtual
reality, Cyberterrorism, Terrorism, Science Fiction) YALSA Teens Top Teen 2014
Nominee, Young Adult Choices 2014.
The Final Descent, by Rick Yancey. Simon and Schuster ©2013. To prove his loyalty
to Dr. Warthrop, Will Henry must face the most horrific creature he has ever faced
in his monstumology career. Dr. Warthrop sets the chain of events in motion
unaware Will’s life and his fate are on the line. [Fic] (Supernatural, Apprentices,
Monsters, Orphans, Horror stories) (Monstrumologist Book Four) Best Science
Fiction, Fantasy and Horror 2013, Booklist Books for Older Readers 2013 (BL*)
The Fire Horse Girl, by Kay Honeyman. Arthur A. Levine Books ©2013. Jade
Moon was born in the year of the Fire Horse much to her father’s displeasure.
Immigration to America seems the answer to marrying off his undesirable daughter
but detainment at Angel Island is only the beginning of her new life in the United
States. [Fic] (Chinese Americans, Immigrants, Chinese Astrology, Angel Island
Immigration Station, San Francisco) (BL*)
Fox Forever, by Mary E. Pearson. Henry Holt and Company ©2013. Locke Jenkins
spent 260 years as a disembodied mind in a black box. Now that he has newly
engineered body, he must complete a favor for the Network before moving on to
a life with Jenna. [Fic] (Medical Ethics, Bioethics, Biotechnology, Government
resistance, Science Fiction) (Jenna Fox Chronicles book three) (PW*)
Freakboy, by Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Farrar Straus Giroux ©2013. Brendan is
a wrestler, a star student and has the perfect girlfriend, fellow wrestler Vanessa.
Angel is a college student and volunteers at Willows Teen LGBTQ Center. The story
of Brendan and his struggle to come to terms with his place in the transgender
world unfolds in the three main characters’ voices. [Fic] (Novels in Verse, Sexual
Orientation, Transgender People) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, Pure Poetry
Picks for 2013, Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014 (BL*, KR*, PW*)
Full-Ride, by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Simon & Schuster ©2013. Becca has spent
four years hiding the secret of her father’s embezzlement. As a high school senior,
it is time to begin applying for colleges and scholarships but if the family’s past is
revealed it could put her and her mother in real danger. [Fic](Secrets, High School,
Mothers and Daughters, Criminals, Ohio)
The Fury, by Alexander Gordon Smith. Farrar Straus Giroux ©2013. What do you
do when the entire world turns against you? Cal, Brick, and Daisy lead a group of
teens in a fight for survival when one day the adults turn on the teenagers. [Fic]
(Supernatural, Survival, Horror Stories)
Gated, by Amy Christine Parker. Random House ©2013. Lyla lives within the
Community, gated, perfect. At least Lyla believes so until she meets Cody, who
resides outside the Community. [Fic](Utopias, Survival, Cults, Religious Leaders)
(KR*)
29
SENIOR, 9-12
SENIOR, 9-12
How to Lead a Life of Crime, by Kirsten Miller. Razorbill ©2013. The Mandel
Academy is a different kind of school, a school for young criminals. Flick has been a
pickpocket for years when he is recruited to the school. Flick soon realizes Mandel
is even more sinister than it appears and he’ll be lucky to survive. [Fic](Criminals,
Schools, Survival, Ghosts) Perfect Tens – The Top Books Reviewed in VOYA 2013
The Lost Sun, by Tessa Gratton. Random House ©2013. Soren Bearskin and Astrid
Glyn live in an alternate U.S.A. (the United States of Asgard). The two begin a quest
to discover the missing god Baldur and to quiet the panic the god’s absence has
caused. [Fic] (United States of Asgard, Book one) (Fate and fatalism, Gods, Prophets,
Mythology-Norse)
In the Age of Love and Chocolate, by Gabrielle Zevin. Farrar Straus Giroux ©2013.
Anya is now 18 and a partner in a nightclub with her old nemesis, Charles Delacroix.
Although Anya misses Win, her life seems to be turning around with the success of
the nightclub. Unexpected events leave Anya in a fight for her life and she finds she
must rely on others for the first time in her life. [Fic] (Organized crime, Nightclubs,
Chocolate, Celebrities, Violence, New York) (Birthright book three)
Of Triton, by Anna Banks. Feiwel and Friends ©2013. In search of a girl who can
communicate with fish, Galen, a Syrena prince, encounters Emma on the beach.
Emma has just learned her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess and struggles
with the knowledge she, as a half-breed, should be put to death. Syrena must decide
whether she should keep to herself or use her Gift to save a people she has never
known. [Fic](Human-animal communication, Mermen, Fantasy) (Syrena Legacy
book two) YALSA Teens Top Ten 2014 Nominee
The Language Inside, by Holl Thompson. Delacorte Press ©2013. Fiction. Emma
was raised in Japan but recently has moved to Lowell, Mass., to stay with her
grandmother while her mother receives treatment for breast cancer. Emma longs
for her home in Japan but at her grandmother’s urging, begins volunteering at a
long-term care center. Emma becomes friends with fellow volunteer, Samnang and is
faced with the decision to stay in Massachusetts or return to her beloved Japan. [Fic]
(Moving – Household, Interpersonal relations, Cancer, Novels in verse) Best Fiction
for Young Adults 2014, Notable Books for a Global Society 2014, Notable Children’s
Books in the English Language Arts 2014 (SLJ*)
Life in Outer Space, by Melissa Keil. Peachtree ©2013. Sam Kinnison’s life is based
upon horror movies and World of Warcraft. He’s content hanging out with his
nerdy friends and enjoying these things they have in common. But when Sam meets
Camilla, he’s soon caught up and wonders if all along, he’s been watching the wrong
movies. [Fic](Interpersonal relations, Friendship, High Schools) Best Fiction for
Young Adults 2014.
The Living, by Matt De La Pena. Delacorte Press ©2013. Shy takes a summer job on
a luxury cruise liner to make some money and help his mom pay the bills. While
on his first cruise, a devastating earthquake hits California and Shy has no way to
contact his family or learn about his sick nephew. Following a disastrous chain of
events, Shy is lost at sea and fighting to survive with Addison, the girl he earlier had
to kick off of the Honeymoon Deck for her rude behavior. Survival is the only thing
either can focus on as they realize nothing will ever be the same. [Fic] (Survival
stories, Natural disasters, Diseases, Mexican Americans, Thriller) Best Fiction For
Young Adults 2014, Pura Belpre Award Author Honors 2014 (KR*)
The Lord of Opium, by Nancy Farmer. Antheneum Books for Young Readers
©2013. Matt is now the leader of the drug empire, Opium. Hidden in Opium is
the cure for the ecological disaster that has devastated the rest of the world. Matt
isn’t clear who is enemy and who is friend as he battles for survival. [Fic] (Cloning,
Drug traffic, Environmental degradation, Science Fiction) (Sequel to “The House
of Scorpion”) Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror 2013, Young Adult Choices
2014 (BL* PW*)
30
The Other Way Around, by Sashi Kaufman. Carolrhoda Lab ©2014. Andrew’s
perceives his parents’ lives as unfulfilling. Not wanting his own life to echo his
parents’ Andrew runs away with a group who refer to themselves as the Freegans
who travel in a VW bus and find their food in dumpsters. As the group travels
across the country, Andrew may realize life isn’t always was it seems. [Fic](Street
entertainers, Homeless persons, Mothers and sons, Family problems) (BL*)
Pieces, by Chris Lynch. Simon and Schuster ©2013. When Eric’s brother, Duane,
dies, Eric agrees to let Duane’s organs be donated. Eric is struggling with the loss of
his brother but contact with the recipients of Duane’s organs help Eric to begin to
heal. [Fic] (Interpersonal relations, Brothers, Donation of organs, Death, Grief) Best
Fiction for Young Adults 2014 (KR*, SLJ*)
The Program, by Suzanne Young. Simon Pulse ©2013. Suicide of teenagers is at epic
proportion and the government, in an effort to end the epidemic, has developed the
program where memories of tragedy and any unpleasant memory really are erased.
The program is reported to have a 100 percent success rate. Sloane, whose brother
Brady committed suicide, and James, her boyfriend and Brady’s best-friend, are
determined neither of them will end up in the program and losing their memories.
[Fic] (Suicide, Brainwashing, Memory, Love, Science Fiction) Young Adult Choices
2014 (BL*, BCCB*)
Project Cain, by Geoffrey Girard. Simon and Schuster ©2013. Jeff Jacobson realizes
at the age of 15, his life is not what it appears. When Jeff learns he is part of a topsecret governmental cloning experiment, he realizes he is the only person who can
stop the others cloned from serial killers. [Fic] (Murder, Serial murderers, Biological
weapon, Cloning, Science Fiction)
Proxy, by Alex London. Philomel Books ©2013. Knox lives in a society where
proxies are punished for their patron’s misdeeds. But when Knox is involved in a
car wreck that kills one of his friends and his Proxy, Syd, is sentenced to death, the
two discover there is more to their society than either is aware. [Fic] (Teenage boys,
Punishment, Science Fiction) Best Fiction for young Adults 2014, Young Adult
Choices 2014.
31
SENIOR, 9-12
Raven Flight, by Juliet Marillier. Alfred A. Knopf ©2013. Neryn has safely reached
Shadowfell just as a plot to overthrow King Keldec materializes. Neryn’s Caller
powers will be crucial in the coming clash and she must find the way to realize her
full potential while dealing with her feelings for Flint. [Fic] (Fantasy, Magic, Voyages
and travels, Insurgency, Orphans) (Shadowfell book two) Best Fiction for Young
Adults 2014
Returning to Shore, by Corinne Demas. Carolrhoda Lab ©2013. Clare is spending
the summer with her father on Cape Cod while her mother is on her honeymoon.
The only problem is, Clare hasn’t seen her father since she was 3. This is not the
summer Clare had planned and is made worse by the fact that her father rarely
talks, except about endangered turtles. [Fic] (Fathers and daughters, Diamondback
Terrapin, Turtles, Remarriage, Cape Cod, Mass.)
Rose Under Fire, by Elizabeth Wein. Hyperion ©2013. Includes bibliographical
references. Rose Justice is an 18-year-old American pilot working for Britain’s Air
Transport Auxiliary during World War II. But Rose is captured by Germans and
sent to the women’s concentration camp, Ravensbruck. Poetry and the friendship of
fellow prisoners help Rose through the most difficult portion of her young life. [Fic]
(Air Pilots, Prisoners of War, World War, 1939-1945, Ravensbruck Concentration
Camp, Diaries) (Companion book to “Code Name Verity”) Best Books of the Year
2013 Fiction, Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, Notable Children’s Books of 2013,
Pure Poetry Picks for 2013, PW’s Best Children’s Books 2013, Schneider Family
Book Award Teen Book 2014, Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014 (HB*, KR*,
PW*, SLJ*)
The Ruining, by Anna Collomore. Razorbill ©2013. Annie escapes the poverty of
Detroit and begins work as a nanny in California. All she expected from the position
and move is going to be more difficult to realize when difficulties with Libby, her
employer begin. [Fic] (Nannies, Emotional Problems, Psycopaths, Marin County
California) (KR*)
The Saints, Lex Thomas. Egmont USA ©2013. Will and Lucy gain hope their world
will return to normal when the quarantined high school doors are finally opened.
Nothing is as it appears though as the new groups bring additional turmoil. [Fic]
(Survival, Gangs, Interpersonal relations, Virus diseases, High Schools) (Quarantine
book two) (BL*)
Second Impact, by David Klass and Perri Klass. Frances Foster Books ©2013. Star
quarterback, Jerry Downing teams up with Carla Jenson, lead reporter for the school
newspaper’s sports section to coauthor a blog about the football season. When one of
Jerry’s teammates suffers a concussion, Carla starts reporting on the science behind
head injuries and questions when a hurt player should return to the game. [Fic]
(Football, Conduct of life, Sports injuries, Blogs, High Schools)
Ship Out of Luck, by Neal Shusterman. Dutton Children’s Books ©2013. The
Bonano family is celebrating Old Man Crawley’s 80th birthday with a cruise aboard
the world’s largest cruise ship. Antsy Bonano quickly finds himself engaged with
Tilde who has stowed away on the ship and hopes to smuggle immigrants from
Mexico into the United States. When Antsy offers to take the fall for Tilde he
32
SENIOR, 9-12
receives more attention than even he expects. [Fic] (Cruise ships, Caribbean Area,
Adventure) (Companion to “The Schwa Was Here”)]
Silver, by Chris Wooding. Scholastic, ©2013.When a group of strange, silvery beetles
show up at the Moringham Boarding Academy, the students find themselves in a
fight for their lives. A virus begins to spread and only a group of students barricaded
in a classroom have any chance for survival. [Fic] (Communicable Diseases,
Survival, Boarding Schools) (BL*)
Smoke, by Ellen Hopkins. Margaret K McElderry Books ©2013. Pattyn’ younger
sister, Jackie is now victim of their father’s abuse. Pattyn and Jackie are alternating
narrators in detailing the abuse the siblings suffer at the hands of their father and
the consequences for the entire family. [Fic] (Grief, Emotional problems, Sisters,
Runaways, Mormons, Novels in verse) (Sequel to Burned) Pure Poetry Picks for
2013, Young Adult Choices 2014.
Sorrow’s Knot, by Erin Bow. Arthur A. Levine Books ©2013. Otter is the daughter
of Willow of the Shadowed People. Willow is the greatest binder of the dead in
generations and Otter is set to follow in her footsteps. But Willow, not wanting Otter
to live the lonely life of a binder, chooses another to be her apprentice. [Fic](Magic,
Identity, Fate and fatalism, Fantasy) (BCCB*, KR*)
Steelheart, by Brandon Sanderson. Delacorte Press ©2013. When Calamity came,
ordinary people suddenly had extraordinary powers. They became known as the
Epics. Reckoners, a group of ordinary humans set on destroying the Epics has
formed and David is set on joining. David’s goal upon joining the Reckoners is to
kill Steelheart, the Epic who killed his father. [Fic] (Supervillains, Guerrilla warfare,
Science Fiction) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, YALSA Teen Top Teen 2014
Nominee, Young Adult Choices 2014 (BL*)
Swagger, by Carl Deuker. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ©2013. Jonas Dolan is a
high school senior and star point guard for the basketball team. Jonas is poised for
college and the next step toward a basketball career. But Levi, Jonas’s friend and
teammate shares a secret that Jonas doesn’t know if he can keep to himself even
though it might be the end of his dreams. [Fic] (Basketball, Sexual abuse) Young
Adult Choices 2014
Sylo, by D.J. MacHale. Razor Bill ©2013. SYLO, a secret branch of the U.S. Navy
parachute out of the sky and into Tucker Pierce’s hometown of Pemberwick Island,
Maine. SYLO’s commander quarantines the island due to a deadly virus but Tucker
isn’t so sure this is the whole story. [Fic](Conspiracies, Space ships, Maine, Science
Fiction, Mystery and Detective Stories) (KR*)
Takedown, by Allison van Diepen. Simon Pulse ©2013. Two years after being
sentenced to juvie, Darren is back in the neighborhood. Darren is determined to
take down Diamond Tony after taking the fall for him two years earlier. Jessica is the
sweet girl from before, but she and Darren are becoming much more than friends.
Darren knows he can’t let his relationship with Jessica deter him from his mission
to end Diamond Tony’s hold over his neighborhood. [Fic] (Drug traffic, Vendetta,
Criminal investigations)
33
SENIOR, 9-12
Teeth, by Hannah Moskowitz. Simon Pulse ©2013. Rudy’s life is forever changed
when he and his family move to a magical island in hopes of healing his little
brother, Dylan. When Rudy meets and befriends Teeth, the loneliness isn’t nearly as
bad. But the more Rudy learns about Teeth, he is torn between their friendship and
saving his Dylan. [Fic] (Mermen, Supernatural, Cystic Fibrosis, Brothers, Loneliness,
Islands) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014 (KR*, BCCB*)
These Broken Stars, by Amie Kaurman and Meagan Spooner. Hyperion ©2013.
When the luxury spaceliner they are passengers on plummets to the nearest planet,
Lilac and Tarver find themselves in a fight for their life. The apparently uninhabited
planet at first appears to be safe but the two soon discover secrets that will change
their lives. [Fic] (Science Fiction, Interplanetary voyages, Survival, Love stories) Best
Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror 2013 (BL*)
This Side of Salvation, by Jeri Smith-Ready. Simon Pulse ©2014. When his older
brother was killed, David got angry but his parents turned to religion. Just as
David seems to be able to get on with his life with the help of his best friend, varsity
baseball, and new girl Bailey, his parents pressure David to cut all worldly ties and
join them for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to
heaven. [Fiction] (Grief, Family Life Pennsylvania, High Schools, Missing Persons,
End of the World, Cults) (BL*)
This Song will Save Your Life, by Leila Sales. Farrar Straus Giroux ©2013. Elise
Dembowski wants what every teenage girl wants, to be popular. When her “project”
to become popular fails, Elise struggles to hold herself together. She discovers an
underground dance club and the music that can change her life. Becoming the
hottest new DJ should bring her the acceptance and friendship she’s always wanted
but the real world may stand in her way. [Fic] (Interpersonal Relations, Popularity,
High Schools, Disc Jockeys, Suicide) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2014, YALSA
Teens Top Ten 2014 Nominee. (BL*, KR*)
Torn, by David Massey, Chicken House ©2013. Nineteen-year-old British Army
medic, Elinor Nielson arrives in Afghanistan determined to make a difference.
She recruits the help of Ben, an American Navy SEAL to find a missing child. [Fic]
(Afghan War, Soldiers, Medical Care, Afghanistan) (BL*)
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED
BOOKS
BOOKS
SHOW-ME AWARD NOMINEES, GRADES 1-3
Creepy Carrots, by Aaron Reynolds, Simon & Schuster, ©2012. The carrots growing
in Crackenhopper Field are the crispiest around, and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist
pulling some to eat each time he passes by – until he begins hearing and seeing
creepy carrots wherever he goes.
Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson, Viking Penguin, ©2012. When Ms. Albert
teaches a lesson on kindness, Chloe realizes that she and her friends have been
wrong to shun new student Maya and make fun of her shabby clothes.
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller, Doreen Rappaport, Hyperion,
©2012. Provides a biography of Helen Keller (1880-1968), blind and deaf from
birth, who became a prominent speaker, writer, and activist for progressive causes,
including labor rights and the rights of the disabled.
House of Dirty-Third Street, Jo Kittinger, Peachtree Publishers, ©2012. A mother
and child move into an old house and are overwhelmed by the repairs necessary. hey
both learn that when you reach out, you can find help for yourself and others as well
as a real sense of home.
I Need my Own Country!, by Rick Walton, Bloomsbury, ©2012. When in the
course of childhood events, it becomes necessary for one (small) person to create
a separate and equal hiding spot to which the laws of growing up entitle them, the
truth will be self-evident: they should declare their very own country!
Jangles: A Big Fish Story, by David Shannon, Blue Sky Press, ©2012. A wild and
witty fish tale ensues when a young boy, fishing in a lake, is befriended by the largest
trout anyone has ever seen.
Lost and Found, by Bill Harley, Peachtree Publishers, ©2012. Justin has lost the hat
his grandmother made for him. If he is to find it in time for her visit, he will have to
go talk to Mr. Rumkowsky, the gruff old school custodian in charge of the Lost and
Found.
One Cool Friend, by Toni Buzzeo, Dial, ©2012. Elliot, a very proper young man,
sees some of himself in the penguins at the aquarium and decides to take one home.
Quiet Place, by Sarah Stewart, Faber & Faber, ©2012. A little girl moves to the
United States from Mexico with her family and writes letters to her aunt in Mexico
about her new life.
Some Cat!, by Mary Casanova, Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2012. When Violet the cat
is adopted, she has trouble sharing her new kingdom with the family dogs until they
save her from some invaders.
34
35
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
MARK TWAIN AWARD NOMINEES, GRADES 4-6.
Capture the Flag, by Kate Messner, Scholastic Book Service, ©2012. When the
original Star-Spangled Banner is stolen, seventh-grade classmates, all descendants
of the Silver Jaguar Society, pursue the suspected thieves throughout the snowed-in
Washington, D.C., airport.
Chomp, by Carl Hiaasen, Random House, ©2012. When the difficult star of the
reality television show “Expedition Survival” disappears while filming an episode in
the Florida Everglades using animals from the wildlife refuge run by Wahoo Crane’s
family, Wahoo and classmate Tuna Gordon set out to find him while avoiding Tuna’s
gun-happy father.
Five Lives of Our Cat Zook, by Joanne Rocklin, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., ©2012. As
10-year-old Oona and younger brother Fred conspire to break their sick cat Zook out
of the veterinary clinic, Oona tells the story of Zook’s previous lives.
Freaky Fast Frankie Joe, by Lutricia Clifton, Holiday House, ©2012. Twelve-yearold Frankie Joe Huckaby, forced to live with the father he never knew, a stepmother,
and four half-brothers in Illinois, starts a delivery service to finance his escape back
to his mother in Texas, not realizing he is making a better life for himself than he
ever had with her.
Liar & Spy, by Rebecca Stead, Random House, ©2012. Seventh-grader Georges
adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father’s efforts to start a new
business, his mother’s extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a
boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.
Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis, Random House, ©2012. Deza is
the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Ind., but the Great Depression challenges her
skills as she and her family fight to survive.
Ordinary Magic, by Caitlen Rubino-Bradway, Bloomsbury, ©2012. In a world
where almost everyone possesses magical abilities, powerless 12-year-old Abby,
an Ordinary, is sent to a special school to learn how to negotiate a magical world
with her unmagical “disability,” and to avoid becoming a victim of kidnappers,
carnivores, and goblins ready to prey upon the Ords.
Pinch Hit, by Tim Green, HarperCollins, ©2012. When movie star Trevor and
Little League player Sam discover they are identical twins separated at birth, they
decide to trade places so Sam can live the Hollywood life and Trevor can play
baseball.
Priveteer’s Apprentice, by Susan Vemco, Peachtree Publishers, ©2012. From
Charles Towne, Carolina Territory, in 1712, 13-year-old Jameson Cooper, orphaned
and indigent, is abducted by privateers working for Queen Anne but proves himself
worthy to be called a royal sailor through his writing and drawing skills, as well as
his hard work and courage.
Shadow-Collector’s Apprentice, by Amy Gordon, Holiday House, ©2012. In
36
1963, after his father has inexplicably disappeared leaving Cully with three eccentric
aunts on their barely-profitable apple farm, Cully goes to work for an antiques dealer
who collects shadows.
Wonder, by R. J. Palacio, Random House, ©2012. Ten-year-old Auggie, born with
extreme facial abnormalities, must struggle with the taunting and fear of classmates
as he enters a private school in Manhattan in an attempt to live a normal life.
Young Healer, by Frank McMillan, Charlesbridge Publishing, ©2012. Feather
Anderson discovers her Lakota heritage with her grandfather and in doing so
follows in his footsteps of becoming a medicine healer.
TRUMAN AWARDS, GRADES 6-8
Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, Felwel & Friends, ©2012. In a futuristic take on the
Cinderella story, a gifted mechanic and cyborg named Cinder helps handsome
Prince Kai save the overcrowded Earth from a devastating plague and would-be
invaders.
Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip, by Jordan Sonnenblick, ©2012. After an
injury ends former star-pitcher Peter’s dreams, he concentrates on photography,
which leads him to a girlfriend, new fame, and a deeper relationship with his
grandfather.
Dead City, by James Ponti, Aladdin, ©2012. Seventh-grader Molly has always been
an outsider, even at New York City’s elite Metropolitan Institute of Science and
Technology, but that changes when she is recruited to join the Omegas, a secret
group that polices and protects zombies.
Elemental, by Antony John, Viking Penguin, ©2012. In a dystopian colony of the
United States where everyone is born with powers of the elements, 16-year-old
Thomas, the first and only child born without an element seems powerless, or so the
Guardians would have him believe.
False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic Book Service, ©2012. In the country
of Carthya, a devious nobleman engages four orphans in a brutal competition to be
selected to impersonate the king’s long-missing son in an effort to avoid a civil war.
Insignia, by S.J. Kincaid, HarperCollins, ©2012. Fourteen-year-old gamer and
genius Tom is recruited by the U.S. military to fight a “virtual” war fought by drones
off-planet.
One For the Murphys, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Viking Penguin, ©2012. After
heartbreaking betrayal, Carley is sent to live with a foster family and struggles with
opening herself up to their love.
Raft, by S. A. Bodeen, Square Fish, ©2012. Robie’s last-minute flight to the Midway
Atoll proves to be a nightmare when the plane goes down in shark-infested waters,
37
but the real terror begins when the co-pilot Max pulls her onto the raft.
See You At Harry’s, by Johanna Knowles, Candlewick Press, ©2012. Twelve-yearold Fern feels invisible in her family, with grumpy 18-year-old Sarah, struggling
14-year-old Holden, and adorable Charlie, and when tragedy strikes, the fragile
bond holding the family together is stretched to the breaking point.
Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo, Felwel & Friends, ©2012. Orphaned by the
Border Wars, Alina becomes the trainee of the mysterious Darkling, in the belief
that she is the magical Sun Summoner, the prophesied destroyer of the monsters of
the Fold.
Ungifted, by Gordon Korman, HarperCollins, ©2012. Due to an administrative
mix-up, troublemaker Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic
Distinction, a special program for gifted and talented students, after pulling a major
prank at middle school.
Unstoppable, by Tim Green, HarperCollins, ©2012. If anyone understands the
phrase “tough luck,” it’s Harrison, and as a foster kid in a cruel home, he knows
his dream of one day playing for the NFL is a long shot – but then his luck seems to
change.
GATEWAY NOMINEES, GRADES 9-12
Article 5, by Kristen Simmons, TOR Books, ©2012. Seventeen-year-old Ember
Miller has perfected the art of keeping a low profile in a future society, but when
Chase, the only boy she has ever loved, arrests her rebellious mother, Ember must
take action.
Boy 21, by Matthew Quick, Little Brown & Company, ©2012. Finley, an unnaturally
quiet boy who is the only white player on his high school’s varsity basketball team,
is asked by his coach to mentor a troubled African-American student who has
transferred there from an elite private school in California.
Breaking Beautiful, by Jennifer Shaw Wolf, Walker & Co. ©2012. Allie is
overwhelmed when her boyfriend, Trip, dies in a car accident, leaving her scarred
and unable to recall what happened that night, but she feels she must uncover the
truth, even if it could hurt the people who tried to save her from Trip’s abuse.
Burning Blue, by Paul Griffin, Dial, ©2012. When beautiful, smart Nicole,
disfigured by acid thrown in her face, and computer hacker Jay meet in the school
psychologist’s office, they become friends and Jay resolves to find her attacker.
Croak, by Gina Damico, Houghton Mifflin, ©2012. Fed up with her wild behavior,
16-year-old Lex’s parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle
Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her
back into shape.
Dark Eyes, by William Richter, Razorbill, ©2012. Adopted from a Russian
38
orphanage by a wealthy New York family and growing into a rebellious street youth,
15-year-old Wally resolves to find the birth mother who stole a fortune from her
murderous, dark-eyed father.
Don’t Turn Around, by Michelle Gagnon, HarperCollins, ©2012. After waking up
on an operating table with no memory of how she got there, Noa must team up with
computer hacker Peter to stop a corrupt corporation with a deadly secret.
Every Day, by David Levithan, Knopf, ©2012. Every morning A wakes in a different
person’s body, in a different person’s life, learning over the years to never get too
attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s
girlfriend, Rhiannon.
Fault in Our Stars, by John Green, Dutton, ©2012. Sixteen-year-old Hazel, a stage
IV thyroid cancer patient, has accepted her terminal diagnosis, until a chance
meeting with a boy at cancer support group forces her to reexamine her perspective
on love, loss, and life.
Night She Disappeared, by April Henry, Henry Holt, ©2012. Told from various
viewpoints, Gabie and Drew set out to prove that their missing co-worker Kayla is
not dead, and to find her before she is, while the police search for her body and the
man who abducted her
Of Poseidon, by Trish Doiler, Feiwel and Friends, ©2012. Galen, prince of the
Syrena, is sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish and after
several encounters with her Galen becomes convinced Emma holds the key to his
kingdom.
Revived, by Cat Patrick, Little, Brown, and Co., ©2012. Having been brought back
from the dead repeatedly by a top-secret government drug called Revive, and forced
to move so the public does not learn the truth, 15-year-old Daisy begins to question
the heavy-handed ways of the government.
Something Like Normal, by Trish Doller, Bloomsbury, ©2012. When Travis
returns home from Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother has stolen
his girlfriend and car, and he has nightmares of his best friend getting killed but
when he runs into Harper, a girl who has despised him since middle school, life
actually starts looking up.
Starters, by Lissa Price, Delacorte, ©2012. To support herself and her brother in a
future Beverly Hills, 16-year-old Callie hires her body out to seniors who want to
experience being young again, but she learns her body will commit murder, unless
her mind can stop it.
Trafficked, by Kim Purcell, Viking Juvenile, ©2012. A 17-year-old Moldovan girl
whose parents have been killed is brought to the United States to work as a slave for a
family in Los Angeles.
ILDING BLOCK
39
MISSOURI
BUILDING
BLOCK
BOOKS
Count the Monkeys, by Mac Barnett. Hyperion, ©2013. The reader is invited to
count the animals that have frightened the monkeys off the pages.
I Dare You Not to Yawn, by Helene Boudreau. Candlewick Press, ©2013. A comical
cautionary tale for bedtime-resistant youngsters which challenges them to avoid
yawning, from a dozing dog and a cuddly blanket to endearing baby orangutans
who stretch out long arms for a nighttime hug. Yawning
Little Nelly’s Big Book, by Pippa Goodhart. Bloomsbury, ©2012. When Nelly reads
a description of mice in a book, she is convinced that she is a mouse. After all, she
is gray, has big ears, and a thin tail. But then she meets some other mice, and her
confusion only grows. Why are they smaller than she is? And why can’t she do the
same things the other mice do?
Moo! by David LaRochelle, Walker & Co, ©2013. When Cow gets her hooves on the
farmer’s car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country.
Mustache Baby, by Bridget Heos, Houghton Mifflin, ©2013. A picture book about
baby Billy, who is born with a mustache, and his parents, who must figure out if it’s a
Good-Guy mustache, or a Bad-Guy mustache.
NATIONAL
AWARD-WINNING
BOOKS BOOKS
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI
STUDENTS
Caldecott Medal
Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca, Atheneum, ©2013.
Readers experience the sights and sounds of a cross-country trek on America's
new transcontinental railway during the summer of 1869.
Newbery Medal
Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, by Kate DiCamillo,
Candlewick Press, ©2013. When a cynical young girl rescues a hapless
squirrel from an out-of-control vacuum cleaner, both get a new lease on life:
he as a reborn superhero, and she as the newfound possessor of hope for the
future.
Coretta Scott King Author Award
P.S. Be Eleven, by Rita Williams-Garcia, Amistad Press, ©2013. The Gaither
sisters are back in Brooklyn, where changes large and small come to their
household as they grow up during the turbulent 1960s.
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Open Very Carefully: A Book With Bite, by Nick Bromley, Candlewick Press,
©2013. What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and
you realized that a crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was — not to put
too fine a point on it — wreaking havoc? Would you slam that book shut and cram it
back onto the bookshelf? Or would you be brave enough to peek?
Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream For Me, written by Daniel Beaty, illustrated
by Bryan Collier, Little Brown, & Company, ©2013. Tale of loss, love, and hope
follows a boy who grows to adulthood longing for his absent father.
Ribbit!, by Rodrigo Folgueira, Random House, ©2013. When a pig visits a frog
pond, sits on a rock, and says only “Ribbit!” news spreads fast—but only the wise old
beetle has an explanation.
Midwinter Blood, by Marcus Sedgwick, Roaring Brook Press, ©2013. Seven
linked vignettes unfold on a Scandinavian island inhabited, throughout
various time periods, by Vikings, vampires, ghosts, and a curiously powerful
plant.
That Is Not a Good Idea!, by Mo Willems, HarperCollins, ©2013. Comic
misadventures ensue when a hungry fox invites a plump goose to dinner.
This Little Piggy, by Tim Harrington, HarperCollins, ©2013. Expands on the
traditional counting rhyme, revealing exciting things the second set of toes does
which inspire the first set to try more “fun stuff” too.
Michael L. Printz Award
Theodore Seuss Geisel Award
watermelon seed, a crocodile imagines a scary outcome.
watermelon seed, a crocodile imagines a scary outcome.
40
41
Missouri School
Read-In Day
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015
800-392-0532 • www.msta.org/readingcircle
Celebrate reading with these ideas:
• Invite an author to your school
• Host a book swap where students bring in a
• Skype with an author and or illustrator — http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.
book and swap for a different
com
book
• Invite either older or younger students to read to your class
• Students can write a paper on “If
• Invite “celebrity” readers from the community to come and read to your
I could be any book character I
class
would be….”
• Skype with another class in another town in Missouri
• Interview family
• Create posters featuring reading
members on their
• Create bookmarks showcasing favorite books
favorite books when they
• Create a display
• Host an election of the favorite book
• Host a school-wide assembly
• Have students produce their own video book trailers
• Produce a video of students saying “I Love This Book” holding their
favorite book. Show this video during lunch.
• Host a book fair during this week
were in school
•
Dress up as your favorite
book character
Check the Reading Circle
webpage at www.msta.
org/readingcircle for
more ideas and free
downloads. For more information about the MSTA Reading Circle,
call 800-392-0532 or visit www.msta.org/readingcircle.

For Missouri - Missouri State Teachers Association

Transcription

Similar documents

Dale gas! - Chronicle Books

How To Measure For Replacement Vertical Blind Slats

ACT-PRE-1207 10YearsACT - Reynolds

a collection of Great Books and Gift Ideas for kids

Historical_Fiction_C.. - Fayetteville Free Library

Dr. Fischer`s PowerPoint presentation (PDF 5.0 MB)

Issue 34 - The Fanac Fan History Project

Spring 2016 - Bank of Springfield

Monthly Newsletter - MU Extension

February 10th - Griffon News

Women`s Center Resource Library POE RIC Adrienne Rich`s Poetry

here - Competition Commission of Singapore

Houghton Mifflin Children`s Book Group Backlist Catalog

Title Subject Language " Surely You`re Joking Mr. Feynman ! " Fic