BOOKS THAT MATTER

AUTHOR - JACQUELINE WOODSON

GRADES - 5,6

CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD - HONOR - ☮️

The Award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD☮️

This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.


CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 

   BEST BOOKS☮️ 

a committee of the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature (CSMCL) identifies the best in multicultural books.

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - WINNER👍🏿

ROBERT F. SIBERT BOOK AWARD - HONOR👍🏿

This award is presented annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.

NEWBERY AWARD -  HONOR - 👍🏿

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.


HORN BOOK - NONFICTION HONOR BOOK 👍🏿

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - A NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

KIRKUS REVIEWS -  STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

Jacqueline Woodson is one of the superstars of childrenʼs literature. In her 
poetic childhood autobiography, readers will gains some insights about
 growing up black in a white dominated society. The author accomplished a rare feat by winning the National Book Award, The Coretta Scott King Award, and a Newbery Honor. 

1. On page one, the author says “I am born as the South explodes.”
 What do you 

    think that means?
  

    This was a time of great turmoil as civil rights leaders were
 challenging 

    the unjust laws against African Americans.


2. This book won many awards. Why do you think so many people liked her

    story?

3. At the end of the section called - The Revolution, page 309 (hardcover),
 the

    author says that she is ready for the ride. What do you think she
 means?
   

    The country is in the midst of a revolution and she wants to be a
 part of it.


AUTHOR - LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON

GRADES - 5 - 12

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE - 

   FINALIST👍🏿

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD☮️

This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) – EDITORS' CHOICE👍🏿

SCOTT O'DELL AWARD -  FOR HISTORICAL FICTION👍🏿

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.  – BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

AMAZON – TOP TEN BOOKS FOR MIDDLE READERS

NEW YORK TIMES - BESTSELLER

INTERNATIONAL READING ASSN. - TEACHERS' CHOICES  2009 TOP TEN 

     BLACK HISTORY BOOKS FOR YOUTH

If the American Revolution is part of your curriculum, I would suggest ordering a class set of CHAINS. Readers will learn what life was like in New York City during 1776 and 1777. The author uses Isabel, a thirteen-year-old slave girl to weave this fantastic tale of freedom denied. She finds herself working for a Loyalist family who is extremely cruel, causing her to become a spy for the Patriots. Isabel is a likable character who keeps you rooting for her as she tries to overcome numerous obstacles. This historical novel is packed with action and holds interest from beginning to end. The awards listed below are richly deserved, as CHAINS will spark many conversations regarding slavery, loyalty, and a host of other issues. The author has since written a sequel, FORGE, which will allow readers to continue Isabel’s amazing journey toward freedom. Making history come alive should be the goal of all educators who teach this subject. Here is your opportunity to make it happen. 

1. Compare and contrast Isabel to yourself. Use personality and examples
 of 

    behavior in your answer.   

    Determined – Throughout the story, she was determined to do whatever  it 

    took to  become free.   

    Patient – Her little sister had “fits” and she was often difficult to handle.  

 
   Nevertheless, Isabel loved her and took care of her.     

    Protective – When her little sister laughed at her mistress, Isabel took  the 

    blame and suffered the consequences.     

    Hard worker – She did just about everything for her owner. She swept and 

    scrubbed the floors, delivered meals, prepared meals, took care of  the fire, 

    and just seemed to work endlessly every day.     

    Brave – Isabel became a spy for the Patriots. She had to sneak away

    from the house and deliver messages to her friend Curzon. 

         On one  occasion she had to sneak into her master’s bedroom and  

    steal some papers about a plot to kill George Washington.Then she had to take

    those papers to Colonel Regan. 

         Near the end of the story, she went to the jail under false pretenses 

    and freed  Curzon. She took him to a boat, which she used  to cross the

    Hudson River. Isabel would have been hung 
 if she got caught. 

          She saved  Lady Seymour’s life by dragging her out of a fire.     

    Smart – She was able to read. She decided to trade information about  the 

    Loyalists in return for her sister, who was sold. She escaped from a potato bin 

    by kicking the boards that were rotting away. Before she escaped, she stole a 

    pass from Lockton’s desk and filled in the necessary information. She 

    pretended that Curzon was dead, so that she could wheel him out of the prison.     

    Tough – She withstood lashings, difficult chores, and unfair treatment by  Lady

    Lockton. She knew that she had to deal with hardships to find her sister.     

    Caring – She never stopped caring for her sister. She brought food to Curzon 

    and comforted him while he was in jail. Eventually, she helped him escape. 

2. Isabel suffered some devastating experiences. Which do you think
 was the 

    worst one? 

    Explain your answer.     

    Isabel learned that her little sister was sold.     

    Isabel got branded with the letter I across her face for being insolent.     

    Colonel Regan refused to help Isabel locate her sister. Isabel and her 

    sister get sold to the Lockton’s after being set free. 

AUTHOR - ELLEN LEVINE

GRADES - 5 AND UP

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - HONOR ☮️

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES  (VOYA) - “hard to imagine it being any better written” 👍🏿

This magazine is the leading library journal dedicated to the needs of young adult librarians, the advocacy of young adults, and the promotion of young adult literature and reading. Its most prestigious award is a Perfect Ten. This is given to a book that gets a five star rating for quality and a five star rating for popularity.

PARENTS' CHOICE - WINNER👍🏿

GOLDEN KITE AWARD - NONFICTION👍🏿

This informative, highly interesting, well- researched work describes the efforts of the Danish people during World War ll as they smuggled most of their Jewish citizens to safety in Sweden. The exciting narrative focuses on individuals who risked their lives to save their neighbors and friends. The book also contains dozens of photographs which enhances the impact on readers. 

1. If other countries acted like Denmark, many more Jewish lives would 
have 

    been saved.  Why do you think this did not happen?
    

    Answers will vary.


2. During an escape from Denmark, a little boy was given medicine so he 
would 

    sleep. When he  awoke, he started to cry. This would alert the Germans. One 

    man wanted to throw the boy overboard. Fortunately, his 
mother had more

    medicine. Suppose she didn’t have anything to keep 
 him quiet?  Should she 

    have allowed her son to put everyone in danger?
    What would you have 

    done?
    

    Answers will vary.


3. In chapter 2, you see a picture of King Christian X riding his horse  through 

    Copenhagen. Why did he do that? Why didn’t the king need bodyguards? 

    How do you think the people of Denmark felt about 
their king?
    

    The king rode his horse to show that he was not afraid of the 
Germans. 

    He didn’t need bodyguards because he was so popular 
that no one 

    would think of hurting him. 

AUTHOR - JORDAN SONNENBLICK

GRADES - 5 -8


BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

REBECCA CAUDILL YOUNG READERS' AWARD 

BOOK SENSE  CHILDREN'S PICK

BEEHIVE YOUNG ADULTS READERS' AWARD

MAUD HART LOVELACE AWARD

NUTMEG CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD

VOLUNTEER STATE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
 

ARIZONA GRAND CANYON READER AWARD

MARYLAND BLACK -EYED SUSAN AWARD

PENNSYLVANIA YOUNG READERS' CHOICE AWARD


Steven is a typical eighth grader. In addition to playing the drums, he has a crush on a girl who doesn’t seem to notice him. He has to deal with an annoying little brother and a somewhat overprotective mother. When he learns that his brother has leukemia, his entire world gets turned upside down. His parents pay little attention to him. His mother quits her job and his grades begin to drop. He decides to deal with this burden by himself, which only makes his life more difficult. Ironically, listeners will find themselves laughing more than shedding a tear, as Steven is extremely witty. His observations and comments regarding his parents, teachers, and friends are very humorous. This is an exceptional story about love, and the notion that life must go on despite setbacks. After a somewhat slow beginning, the story moves along at a rapid pace, which is perfect for a read-aloud. You should get many laughs and many great discussions as you present the story. 

1. Compare and contrast Steven to yourself. Use personality and 
examples of 

    behavior in your answer.    

    plays the drums in the school band / eighth grader / annoying little

    brother / hates journal assignments / small for his age / wears  braces / 

    poor  at sports/ very witty

    imaginative - When his brother became upset because he
  thought he 

    looked like a raccoon, Steven told him a wild story 
 about raccoons 

    taking over the world, causing Jeffrey to forget that 
 he had two black 

    eyes. 

    caring - When Jeffrey threw up on him,  he 
joked about it. He asked him 

    to aim for his dress shoes the next 
time he vomited. He reads to

    his brother. He also shaved his head 
because his brother lost his hair. 

2. Read the last sentence in chapter 4, “The Fat Cat Sat”. Besides being
 a star in 

    the spring concert, what was Steven really thinking about?     

    He was wishing he could share this great news with his Mom, but
 the 

    family was in a state of turmoil and he never got the opportunity 
to tell 

    her. Maybe he didn’t  think it was appropriate to discuss his
 happiness at 

    this time. 

3. Steve worries about many things. Besides his brother’s health, what do 
 you 

    think is the biggest concern in his life?      

    Possible answers - 
 wanting Renee to pay attention to him for the right 

    reasons
 /how his family will survive after paying huge medical bills
 / 

    dealing with his father who has not paid him much attention/
  keeping up

    his grades
/ doing well in the  band concert

4. What do you think was the best thing Steven did for his brother?
 

    Although there are several possible answers, he made his brother 
very 

    happy when he shaved off his hair so that they would both be 
bald. 

AUTHOR - SHERMAN ALEXIE

GRADES - 6 AND UP

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE WINNER👍🏿

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY AWARD☮️

This is an annual list of 25 books created by the International Literacy Association which enhance student understanding of people and cultures.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL– STARRED REVIEW

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) STARRED REVIEW

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. – BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

NEW YORK TIMES – 2 THUMBS UP! (HIGHEST RATING)

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW

KLIATT - STARRED REVIEW

Based on the author’s actual life experiences, readers will find themselves with a wealth of information about the hardships of growing up on a reservation. Junior Spirit is a 14 year- old boy who views his future as a journey to nowhere as long as he lives on the “rez.” He does not want his life cut short by alcohol, so he decides to go to an all white school off the reservation. He is shunned by tribal members and not accepted by his new schoolmates. After he put the school bully in his place, and becomes a star on the basketball team, his social life changes dramatically for the good. However, he feels that he is “selling out” to his friends and relatives. The best part of this novel is the manner in which Junior shares his innermost, personal thoughts as he deals with love, death, and a variety of other emotion conflicts. This powerful story won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

NOTE: As of 1/23, this book is on the top ten list of banned books for young adults in the United States.

1. Would you have left the reservation? Explain.
    Answers will vary. 

2. What do you think will happen to Junior after he finishes high school?
  

    He might be a writer as the author says that Arnold is based on his life. 

3. Near the end of the story, Junior makes a list of tribes he belongs to. Make
 a 

    list of your tribes.


4. Junior describes himself as a “part-time” Indian. Are you a part-time

    something?
    If so, what is it? Explain. 

AUTHOR - Jim Murphy

GRADES - 5-12

NEWBERY AWARD - HONOR BOOK - 

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.


NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE - FINALIST👍🏿

ROBERT F. SIBERT  MEDAL - WINNER 👍🏿

This award is presented annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.

MARGARET A. EDWARDS AWARD☮️

Honoring books that help adolescents become aware of themselves and address questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and the world

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) PERFECT TEN 👍🏿

 “Nonfiction at its best”  Founded in 1978, Voice of Youth Advocates, or (VOYA),This magazine is the leading library journal dedicated to the needs of young adult librarians, the advocacy of young adults, and the promotion of young adult literature and reading. Its most prestigious award is a Perfect Ten. This is given to a book that gets a five star rating for quality and a five star rating for popularity. 

BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK AWARD - NONFICTION WINNER 👍🏿

ORBIS PICTUS AWARD- WINNER -  

The Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children recognizes books which demonstrate excellence in the "writing of nonfiction for children." It is awarded annually by the National Council of Teachers of English to one American book published the previous year.

BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS - STARRED REVIEW

Suppose most people on your street got sick with a fever and died. Then it spread to the next street and to the next one, until people were dying all over the city. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. What do you do? Where do you go? This happened in Philadelphia in 1793. From August to October, over 5,000 people died a horrible, slow death from what was known as yellow fever. Using journals, diaries, and newspaper accounts, the author relives the 1793 yellow fever epidemic that plagued Philadelphia, the most populated city in America at the time. 

1 .In chapter four, you learned that farmers tripled their prices for fruits and 

    vegetables due to the dangerous conditions. Do you think that was fair?  

    Explain.
   

    Yes.The farmers risked their lives by entering the city.
    

    No. During an emergency, people should help one another without 
taking 

    advantage of the situation. 

2. Can you think of one word that would describe Dr. Rush? Why did you 
choose 

    that  word?
   

     Possible answers - brave, dedicated, loyal, determined 

3. Many people were surprised that President George Washington visited 

    
Philadelphia during the Plague. Why do you think he did it? Was it a good 

    idea? 

4. Can you think of anything in the world today that is worse than yellow 
fever? 

    Explain.
 

AUTHOR - VIRGINIA EUWER WOLFF

GRADES - 4-7

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

😊SALE PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE😊

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) - 👍🏿

“Hard to imagine it being better written.” A  PERFECT TEN - VOYA Founded in 1978, Voice of Youth Advocates, or (VOYA),This magazine is the leading library journal dedicated to the needs of young adult librarians, the advocacy of young adults, and the promotion of young adult literature and reading. Its most prestigious award is a Perfect Ten. This is given to a book that gets a five star rating for quality and a five star rating for popularity.

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD - WINNER - ☮️

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. 

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR👍🏿

Using a girl’s softball game, the author weaves a tale of bigotry that focuses on two girls. The year is 1949 and the setting is Oregon. Each year a softball game is held between the sixth grade girls from two towns. This year each team received a new player. One Japanese-American girl named Aki, spent time in an internment camp with her family. The other girl, Shazam, lost her father at Pearl Harbor. Ever since she hated the Japanese. This hatred turns to violence as Wolff paints a picture of a post-war town whose values are laid on the table for all to see. Opinions are expressed regarding a child out of wedlock, a conscientious objector, race and religion. 

1. Do you think Shazam ever felt sorry for what she did?
 

    Answers will vary. While she never admits it to Aki, she says
 to herself, “I 

     guess I  am sorry.” However, she still thinks of her 
as that Jap girl.

2. Little Peggy was upset because she didn’t say anything when Shazam 
did not 

    shake Aki’s hand. Why do you think she kept quiet?
    

    Answers will vary. Some people are afraid to do the right thing.


3. At the end of the story, which girl is hurting the most - Aki or Shazam?     

    Answers will vary. While Aki has the physical pain, Shazam may be 

    
conflicted about what she did and what happened to her father. 

AUTHOR -KATE DICAMILLO

GRADES - 3-5

NEWBERY AWARD- HONOR BOOK - 👍🏿

The Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children”.


JOSETTE FRANK AWARD - ☮️

This award for fiction honors a book or books of outstanding literary merit in which children or young people deal in a positive and realistic way with difficulties in their world and grow emotionally and morally.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY -  TOP 100 CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF LAST 100

      YEARS👍🏿

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSN. TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN #6 👍🏿 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- TOP 100 NOVELS FOR CHILDREN #20 👍🏿 

GOODREADS - 100 BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME👍🏿

MARK TWAIN AWARD 👍🏿  

DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER AWARD

BOOK SENSE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD👍🏿

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.  - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A ten year old girl finds herself in a strange town with no friends. Then she meets and adopts a big stray dog, which she names Winn-Dixie, and all good things happen to her. They meet a collection of interesting people including a librarian who fought a bear with a book, an ex-con who sings to animals, and a lady with a big heart. They all become friends because of Winn- Dixie. This tale of kindness, friendship, and understanding is a real gem. 

1. Why do you think the dog followed Opal home in chapter one?
    

    Answer will vary. Maybe the dog was hungry or thirsty. 
 Maybe it was 

    looking for someone to take care of him. 

2. Is it easier to make friends with an animal or a person? Explain. 

3. Who benefited the most from Winn-Dixie - the preacher or Opal? 

4. Who benefited most from their relationship - Opal or Winn-Dixie? 

5. Gloria Dump says that the whole world has an aching heart. What does 
that 

    mean? Do  you agree? 

EDITED BY - WADE HUDSON, CHERYL WILLIS HUDSON

GRADES - 3 AND UP

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD -  HONOR BOOK-  ☮️

The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. 

THE SOCIAL JUSTICE LITERATURE AWARD - RECOMMENDED ☮️ - 

"is presented to honor books that address social responsibility towards individuals, communities, societies, and/or the environment as well as invite reflection and socially responsible action by the reader.”

LATINO BOOK AWARD - WINNER👍🏿

International Latino Book Awards. Recognizing greatness in literature. Honoring authors, translators, and illustrators for their books written either in English, Spanish y Portuguese. 

AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: LIST OF BEST BOOKS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW 

KIRKUS REVIEWS -BEST BOOK 2018  

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY -BEST BOOK 2018 

NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE  BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

What happens when fifty authors and illustrators who believe in diversity and social justice, share their thoughts in one book? You strike gold! This beautifully illustrated, easy to read work of art should be in every classroom  and in every home. It is written to children with the hope that they can spread love and kindness throughout their travels. There is something for everyone in this book where each page is a “feel good” page. 

1. Which selection was your favorite? Explain. 

2. Write a poem about one of these topics:   bullying, love, kindness, racism 

3. What would you do if you saw someone being treated unfairly because of their 

    physical appearance?