BANK STREET COLLEGE - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR

AUTHOR - JOYCE MCDONALD

GRADES - 6-8

A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY  - BOOK FOR THE TEENAGE

BANK STREET COLLEGE - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR - 

     STARRED👍

SEQUOYAH YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD 👍

HEARTLAND AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE FINALIST  SOUTH CAROLINA YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD - NOMINEE

This historical fiction page turner depicts life in a racially divided Florida town during the late fifties. The cast of characters includes Dove Alderman, the fifteen-year-old white daughter of a prominent orange grower, Dove’s black friend, Gator, who stirs the pot by dating a white girl, angry Mexicans who are upset by the conditions at the migrant camp, and the menacing members of the KKK. Dove’s secure world gets shattered when she learns how her black housekeeper lost her husband in a hit-and-run. A man who worked for her father killed him. To further complicate matters, Dove finds a KKK membership card with her father’s name on it. She now faces enormous conflicts and decides to take matters into her own hands by attempting to stop the Klan from going on a murderous rampage. This powerful novel leaves no stone unturned as emotional turmoil, violent behavior, and the bravery of a young teen to make matters right, will keep readers totally engaged.

1. Did Dove do the right thing by telling Delia what happened to Gus?


    Answers will vary. When Delia learned that Dove’s father knew how her 

    husband died and never told her, she refused be his housekeeper . 

2. At one point In this story, Dove rejects her boyfriend, the most desired boy in 

    her high school, because he lacks courage to take a stand against the KKK. 

    What would you have done?

    
Answers will vary. 

3. Should black and white teens date each other? Explain.


    Answers will vary. 

4. Who showed the most courage in this story? Explain.       

    Answers will vary. It could be Dove when she tried to save Gator from the

    KKK. It could be Chase when he tried to save Gator 
from the KKK. 

AUTHOR - PETER H. REYNOLDS

GRADES - 3-6

CHRISTOPHER AWARD ☮️

 (given to authors that affirm the values of the human
 spirit by making a  positive difference in the world)
 


CHAPMAN AWARDS FOR BEST CLASSROOM READ-ALOUDS  ☮️-  

promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOLASTIC - TOP 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS

OPPENHEIM TOY PORTFOLIO PLATINUM AWARD - WINNER 
  

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

If I were a school superintendent, I would ask my librarians to share this story with their children. The author challenges the creativity in all of us by focusing on a young girl who tells her art teacher that she cannot draw. The teacher responds by telling her to make a mark on a piece of paper. Then he asks her to sign it. The next time the girl enters the art room, she sees her art framed and hanging on the wall. She thinks she could do better, and her creative talents explode. The girl passes on this lesson to another child. This story of self-discovery has no age limit. While the book appears to be geared to primary readers, I would definitely share it with upper elementary students. 

1. Why do you think the teacher framed Vashti’s dot?
   

    He wanted to give her credit for trying. He also hoped she would  build on

    her success.

2. What do you think Vashti will do after she asks the boy to sign the paper?   


3. Can a person be very creative and not know it? Explain.  

AUTHOR - GAIL CARSON LEVINE

GRADES - 3-6

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”.


MYTHOPOEIC FANTASY AWARD👍

Honoring a fantasy book or books in the traditions of The Hobbit of the Chronicles of Narnia

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

CALIFORNIA YOUNG READER MEDAL  

ARIZONA YOUNG READERS' AWARD 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.  - QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT YOUNG 

    ADULT READERS

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY -  BEST BOOK

IOWA TEEN AWARD 

MARYLAND BLACK-EYED SUSAN AWARD  

YOUNG HOOSIER BOOK AWARD  

MAINE STUDENT BOOK AWARD  

When Ella was a baby, a fairy placed a curse on her forcing her to become completely obedient. If someone told her to do something, she had to do it, or she would become very sick. Once people discovered this weakness,  they took advantage of her. She decided to go on a quest  to find the fairy and get the cursed removed. 

1. What do you think was Ella’s worst experience?
    

    Answers will vary.  Dealing with giants, ogres, stepsisters are 
possible 

    choices. 

2. Do you think Ella will ever return to see her family?
   

    Answers will vary. The story suggests that she probably would not visit 

    them because they treated her so poorly. 

3. Rate this book on a scale of 1-10. Explain your answer. 

AUTHORS - LAURA ATKINS AND STAN YOGI

GRADES - 6-8

JANE ADDAMS PEACE 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.

SOCIAL JUSTICE LITERATURE AWARD - WINNER ☮️ - 

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.” 

CYBILS AWARD  ☮️- 

seeks out and recognizes books that represent diversity, inclusion, and appropriate representation for children and teens  

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

NEW YORK'S HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE - WINNER   

CARTER G. WOODSON BOOK AWARD  👍

KIRKUS REVIEWS  - STARRED

This very readable book centers on the life of Fred Korematsu, who was deprived of his civil liberties before and after WW11. Readers will understand how fear and discrimination caused thousands of Japanese-Americans to lose their homes, jobs and their freedom.   Fred Korematsu was Japanese. Throughout his life he had to fight discrimination and prejudice. This is his story.

1. Japanese-Americans who were sent to prison received $20,000 each in 

    
reparations. 

    What do you think about that? 

2. What do you think was Fred Korematsu’s message to you? 

3. When his third grade teacher couldn’t pronounce his name, she decided to call 

    him Fred. What do you think about that? 

AUTHOR - KELLY BARNHILL

GRADES - 4-6

NEWBERY MEDAL -WINNER - 👍

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”.


SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOK OF 2016 👍  

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 

AN ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY - BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF 2016

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOK OF 2016👍

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY  - BEST BOOK OF 2016  👍

AMAZON -TOP 20 BEST BOOK OF 2016 👍 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST BOOK OF 2016  

KIRKUS REVIEWS - BEST BOOKS OF 2016

BOOKLIST - YOUTH EDITORS' CHOICE

The people who live on one side of the woods mistakenly believe that if they do not sacrifice a baby each year, they will be terrorized by an evil witch. However, the witch is very kind and does not know why a baby is left alone in the woods every year. She takes care of these babies and eventually  gives them to couples on the other side of the woods that are best suited to raise them. However, on one occasion, the witch mistakenly feeds a baby girl, which she named Luna, with the magic of moonlight rather than starlight. As she gets older, she recklessly uses her magic without even realizing that she is doing harm to others. The real villain is a witch known as the Sorrow Eater, who gains strength from the misfortunes of others. Eventually, she is exposed as the powers of good and evil collide. Your fantasy lovers are in for a real treat with this Newbery Medal winner. 

1. At the end of Chapter 15, Antain felt something flutter in his chest.
 What

    do you think was happening? 
    

    He is probably experiencing feelings for Ethyne.


2. What do you think Luna discovered at the end of Chapter 23?
    

    The location of her mother. 

3. Do you think the mad woman was really mad?
    

    Answers will vary. She lost interest in life when her daughter was taken 

    from her. 

4. Why did the Sorrow Eater enjoy the misery of others?
    

    She was unhappy and it made her feel better knowing that others
 were 

    just as unhappy. 

5. If you could rewrite the ending, what would you change?     

AUTHOR - KAREN LEVINE

GRADES - 4 AND UP

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) - A PERFECT TEN👍

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. 

NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD
👍

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.  - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK

CANADIAN LIBRARY ASSN. - BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR👍

SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD - 👍

is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. 

INTERNATIONAL READING ASSN. CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD👍

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.

SKIPPING STONES - HONOR AWARD  ☮️-  

promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies. 

DESMOND TUTU "How extraordinary that this humble suitcase has enabled children all over the world to learn through Hana's story the terrible history of what happened and that it continues to urge them to heed the warnings of history." - 

Readers will learn how happy Hana was during her childhood. Then the Nazis came and her world was turned upside down. Her parents were taken by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp. They would have taken Hana and her older brother, but her uncle saved them. He told the children to pack their suitcases and come with him. However, a year later, just after her eleventh birthday, she and her brother were captured and taken to a concentration camp. Hana never made it out alive. However, if it weren't for her suitcase, this book would not have been written and the world would not have heard of Hana. This story of a brave young girl who was killed in The Holocaust, has been translated into over forty-five languages.

1. Hana’s Suitcase won numerous awards and has been translated into forty-five

    languages. Why do you think this story is so popular? 

2. If you could talk to Hana today, what would you ask her?

3. Why do you think this book was written? 

AUTHOR - DAVID LUBAR

GRADES - MATURE 6TH, 7,8

MICHAEL L. PRINTZ AWARD -HONOR - 👍

The Michael L. Printz Award is an American Library Association literary award that annually recognizes the "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit". 

MARYLAND BLACK-EYED SUSAN AWARD

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT YOUNG 

     ADULTS

BOOKLIST TOP TEN - FANTASY FOR YOUTH

After being expelled from several schools, Little League, and the Scouts, Martin is placed in an alternative school where his new classmates are quite a challenge. They are collection of arsonists, bullies, and thieves in a school which is basically a dumping ground for kids who have not been able to fit the norm. Martin uses his intellectual ability to bring out the best in everyone he meets and makes a positive difference in his new surroundings. This book is an excellent choice for any kid who marches to his/her own drummer.

1. You just learned that a student from Edgeview School is moving next door to

    you. You hope it will be _________. Why?


    Answers will vary. 

2. Is it a good idea to have a school for kids like those who attend
 Edgeview?

    Explain.
 Answers will vary.

3. What hidden talent would you like to have?
 Answers will vary. 

4. You could say that Martin taught his friends more than their teachers.
  Explain.
 

    Martin made them aware of their hidden talents and how to use 
them in 

    a positive way.       

AUTHOR - KATHLEEN KRULL

GRADES -  3-5

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.

CHRISTOPHER AWARD - HONOR BOOK ☮️

This award is presented to authors who "affirm the highest values of the human spirit by making a positive difference in the world." 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS

PURA BELPRE HONOR BOOK☮️

This award is named after Pura Belpre, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

This dramatic story of Chavez's 340 mile march to protest the working conditions of migrant  farm workers in California  is the central idea of this well-written biography. However, his family experienced financial difficulties and they had to move to California where they worked on farms. The wages were low and the living conditions were terrible. This caused young Cesar to think about organizing  and protesting for worker rights. This easy to read biography is just perfect for upper elementary students.

1.If Cesar did not move to California and work on farms, would he have 

    become a leader for farm workers?

2. Why do you think the farm owners treated their workers so poorly?                                                   

AUTHOR - DEBORAH WILES

GRADES - MATURE 4 AND UP

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - FINALIST👍

JANE ADDAMS PEACE 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.

SKIPPING STONES - HONOR☮️

promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology and diversity. Award winning books foster respect for multiple viewpoints and closer relationships within human societies.

NAACP - IMAGE AWARD HONOREE

The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature.

GOLDEN KITE - WINNER👍

The Golden Kite Awards are given annually by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an international children's writing organization, to recognize excellence in children’s literature. 


JEFFERSON CUP - NOMINEE

Honors a distinguished biography, historical fiction, or American history book for young people.

PARENTS’ CHOICE APPROVED SEAL

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

THE HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

This magnificent, powerful story describes the events that occurred in Mississippi during Freedom Summer, 1964. The narrator is a twelve year old white girl named Sunny, who is trying to understand why college students from the north are “invading” her town. They came to register black voters, but in the process, precipitated a great deal of unrest and violence. At first, Sunny is resentful because the public swimming pool closed rather than allow blacks to swim there. Then, the movie theater closed because an angry mob threatened white theater goers because the owner allowed blacks to enter. As time passes, Sunny empathizes with the protesters when she witnesses them getting beaten by the police. By the end of the summer, she joins the activists as she realizes that she is living the “good life” compared to the people who live in “colored town.” Readers will be presented with a plethora of data regarding issues of the time. Attention is given to the war in Vietnam, Muhammed Ali and his refusal to enlist, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which made segregation illegal. Although this book has 500 pages, it is loaded with dozens of great photos which allows readers to visually grasp the tension and emotions that took place during the summer of ’64 in Greenwood, Mississippi. If you are a teacher of American history, you need to take a look at this one.

It is thought-provoking at its best.

NOTE: This is the second book in The Sixties Trilogy. Book one is COUNTDOWN and book three is ANTHEM.

1. If you could speak to Sunny, what would you ask her?

2. How would you feel if a group of college students entered your town to make

    changes?

3.Why do you think it was important for the rest of the country to learn what was 

   happening in Mississippi?                                               

AUTHOR - KWAME ALEXANDER

GRADES - MATURE 4  AND UP

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

READ FOR EMPATHY COLLECTION - EMPATHY LAB☮️

Recognizing literature recommended by children, teachers, and librarians to help build children’s empathy

CALDECOTT MEDAL -  BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK - WINNER👍

EL DIA DE LOS NINOS/EL DIA DE LOS LIBROS SELECTION☮️

Highlighting diverse children’s books to honor the culture and languages of all children

NEWBERY MEDAL - 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”.

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 FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE - LONG LIST👍

CARTER G. WOODSON BOOK AWARD - WINNER

The Carter G. Woodson Book Award is presented to exemplary books written for children and young people each year at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference.

COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER (CCBC)

A best of the year list of Pre-K-12 books created annually by librarians.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

KIDS’ BOOK CHOICE AWARD - WINNER

GOLDEN KITE AWARD - HONOR


The Golden Kite Awards are given annually by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, an international children's writing organization, to recognize excellence in children’s literature.

CHILDREN’S FAVORITE AWARD

TEACHER FAVORITE AWARD

Reading this book is like going to an art exhibit. The illustrations take your breath away as they depict famous Black Americans who achievements are honored. The text is short, but the meaning is deep as you make the visual connection. The artist, Kadir Nelson, takes center stage as he does in all of his books. The Undefeated is not a one time read. You will find yourself returning  again and again as you realize that Black history matters. This book begs to be shared. If you are a teacher, check to see if it is on your school banned book list. If you are a parent, get the book yesterday.

1. What is the title of your favorite illustration? Why did you choose it?

2. While reading this book, I learned …   .

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