MIDDLE EAST BOOK AWARD - WINNER ☮️

AUTHOR - KATHERINE MARSH

GRADES - 4-7

MIDDLE EAST BOOK AWARD - WINNER ☮️

The Middle East Book Awards recognize exemplary books for children and young adults that con-tribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East and its component societies and cultures. Books are judged on the authenticity of the portrayal of a Middle Eastern subject, as well as on their characterization, plot, and appeal for the intended audience.  

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSN. - 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.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

WASHINGTON POST - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST BOOKS

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

Ahmed, a 14 year old Syrian refugee boy, seeks a safe haven in Brussels, Belgium. Max, an American teenager, has been uprooted from his home in Washington to live for a year in Belgium. While he is leading a boring and unhappy life, things change instantly when he discovers Ahmed hiding in his basement. The boys become good friends as Max protects Ahmed from the authorities while keeping this relationship a secret. All this occurs during terrorists attacks in Belgium. If Ahmed is captured, he may be jailed or sent back to Syria since he is in the country illegally. This tension filled story focuses on the plight of refugees and the positive results achieved through kindness and empathy.

Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones.

1. Max lies to his parents to protect Ahmed. Do you think that was a good 
idea? 

    Should Max have been honest with his parents from the 
beginning? 

2. Why do you think Farah decided to help Max? 

3. Did Claire do the right thing when she betrayed Max and Ahmed? If you 


   were Claire, what would you have done? 

4. Who was more heroic - Max or Ahmed?

AUTHOR -ANN M. MARTIN

GRADES - 4-6

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD - WINNER☮️

is an award given by the American Library Association (ALA) recognizing authors and illustrators for the excellence of portrayal of the disability experience in literature for youth.  

JOSETTE FRANK AWARD - WINNER ☮️

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.

DOLLY GRAY CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD - WINNER ☮️

The Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award recognizes authors, illustrators, and publishers of high quality fictional and biographical children, intermediate, and young adult books that authentically portray individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and Down syndrome.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

A young autistic girl tries to make sense of her world by adhering to rules and routines. She is also obsessed with homonyms and prime numbers. When her dog gets lost in a storm, she makes a determined effort to locate him. This leads to heartbreak as she reaches a decision that required a great deal of courage. Tolerance, kindness, and caring are central themes in this beautifully told story. 

1. Is Rose the type of person you would like to have as a friend? 

2. Do you think Rose deserved to be removed from riding the school bus? 

3. Why do you think Rose’s father sent her to live with her uncle? Will this be a 

    permanent move?

AUTHOR -MARGARITA ENGLE

GRADES - 5-8

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD ☮️ 

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. 

GREEN EARTH BOOK AWARD - HONOR ☮️

is the nation’s first environmental stewardship book award for children and young adult books.

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

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) 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. 

COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER (CCBC) - GLOBAL READING LIST AND CHOICE FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS👍🏿

This collection of poetry describes the building of the Panama Canal as told through the eyes and feelings of the workers, the trees, and the animals. Readers will meet Mateo, a fourteen-year-old boy, who escapes from an abusive home in Cuba to work on the Canal. He discovers racial prejudice in housing conditions and pay. He also meets and forges strong relationships with Anita - a local herb collector, Henry - a Jamaican laborer, and Augusto - a geologist. The author allows the flora and fauna to “speak” for themselves as they witness the destruction of their habitat. Over 5,000 people died during the construction of the Canal, as those in charge had little regard for the lives of people of color. 

1. Was the Panama Canal worth building? Explain. 
Answers will vary. 

2. Why do you think the author allowed animals to share their thoughts with you? 

    She wanted readers to understand that the building of the canal involved 

    more than human sacrifice.


3. What do you think was the biggest danger Mateo faced? Answers will vary.
  

    Buried in mud     Getting bitten by a poisonous snake     Dying from 

    malaria     Dying in jail     Getting killed by a wild animal


4. At the end of the story, Mateo and Anita get married. What clues did the 


    author provide that suggested this would happen?
  

    Anita followed Mateo as he walked through the woods. She cared 
for him

    when he had malaria. She was always there for him when he needed 

    assistance. On page 52, he admires her beauty and draws her smile in the

    mud. On page 66, he dreams of Anita, causing him to smile. On page 70, 

    he thinks of Anita as he tries to escape from 
his pain. Anita gives him

    herbs to relieve the pain from his bruises. She helps Mateo get out of jail.

    They escape into the forest. 

AUTHOR -LAUREN WOLK

GRADES - 4-6

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD☮️

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.

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”.

BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK - HONOR 👍🏿

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

Bullying, prejudice, hate and war are themes the author explores as twelve year old Annabelle tries to save the life of a homeless man who is falsely accused of murder and kidnapping. Just perfect for tweens who have a passion for justice. 

1. If you were Annabelle, would you have done anything differently to 

    save 
Toby? 

2. Why did Toby grab his gun when the police came? 

3. If Toby didn’t get killed, what do you think would have happened to him? 

4. Why do you think the author wrote this story? What message was she trying to

    give to you?

AUTHOR -SARAH KAPIT

GRADES - 4 - 6

SOCIAL JUSTICE LITERATURE AWARD☮️

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. 

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD ☮️

 is an award given by the American Library Association (ALA) recognizing authors and illustrators for the excellence of portrayal of the disability experience in literature for youth. 

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

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

Here are the ingredients of this absolutely enjoyable read: 

An eleven year old autistic girl who learned to throw a knuckleball, 

A black major league pitcher (who has issues of his own) who taught the girl how to throw the pitch, 

Her "coming out of the closet" gay brother, 

An overprotective mother, 

A bully for a teammate, 

A well meaning therapist,  

And an understanding coach. 

This is why Vivy needs to get a grip as she has to contend with one “disaster after another.” This is the perfect book for any female tween who thinks she has a tough life.

1.If you were Vivy, what would you have done with 
Kyle? 

2.What do you think will happen between Kyle and Vivy next year? 

   Will things get better or worse? Explain. 

3.Would you like to have Vivy as a friend? Explain.                                                

AUTHOR -ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE

GRADES - 4 AND UP

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S LITERATURE - 

    FINALIST 👍🏿

GOLDEN KITE AWARD - NONFICTION WINNER👍🏿

COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER (CCBC)👍🏿

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

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION - NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK

BOSTON GLOBE HORN BOOK AWARD 👍🏿

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST CHILDREN’S NONFICTION 2022

YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES ASSOCIATION - BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

According to Pete Seeger, this is the best book about Woody ever written. Readers will learn about his ability to turn historical happenings into songs as he traveled about the country during the Depression, the Dust Bowl, W.W.ll, and the Cold War period. He fought for the common man as he sang about unionization and farm workers in California. However, Woody was no saint as his faults and failures are well documented. This book is in my personal collection as I often enjoy looking at the great photos and reading the accompanying text.

1. If you could ask Woody a question, what would it be?

2. Suppose Woody grew up with a loving, wealthy family.

    Would he have become the famous folk singer we know 
today?                                             

AUTHOR -ELIZABETH PARTRIDGE

GRADES - 5 AND UP

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE -   

     LONGLIST 👍🏿

CYBILS AWARD - WINNER☮️

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

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS - BCCB - STARRED REVIEW

The author tells it like it was as she reveals in the soldiers’ own words their war experiences. She interviewed eight men and women who gave first hand accounts of what it was like to serve in a war that never should have been fought. I should warn you that Boots On the Ground is not for the faint of heart. Here is an example. One soldier named Jan Scruggs recalls what happened when a mortar round exploded.

“Suddenly there was an earthshaking blast as one of the mortars exploded. Scruggs ran to the mortar pit and was first to arrive. The men torn apart by the blast were all his friends, his combat brothers.’ There were brains, arms, legs all mixed together. It was like you would imagine hell. Some of them were on fire, some were moaning….’ said Scruggs. “Billy Moore, his brains were lying out of his head. … . Scruggs dropped to his knees next to John Kroeger and desperately tried to bandage a big hole right in the middle of his head. Someone told Scruggs to stop. It was no use.”

Partridge covers all the bases as she presents chapters on  refugees, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford, Woodstock and the Vietnam Memorial Wall. She also makes it very clear that as the war dragged on there were really two wars, the one in Vietnam and the one within our country as mass protests, violence, and civil unrest were common occurrences. 

Readers will also learn how, black and Asian Americans soldiers had to deal with racist officers as well as fighting in a war that seemed to have no purpose and no end. 

This well-written, informative book should be mandatory reading in all middle schools or high schools. It is that good!

1. What did you learn about this war that surprised you?

2. After WW ll, returning soldiers received a hero’s welcome.

    Why do you think this did not happen after the Vietnam War ended?

3. Should we ever go to war with a country that has not 
attacked us?                                             

AUTHOR -DERRICK BARNES

GRADES - 3-6

CORETTA SCOTT KING - AUTHOR - 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.The Award is further designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

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.

CORETTA SCOTT KING - ILLUSTRATOR - HONOR

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”.

EZRA JACK KEATS - NEW WRITER AWARD

EZRA JACK KEATS - NEW ILLUSTRATOR AWARD

SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS - GOLD MEDAL BOOK

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

HUFFINGTON POST - BEST BOOKS OF 2017

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2017

An African-American boy describes the joys of getting a haircut and the

positive vibes that follow. This is a "feel good" book that should bring smiles to the face of any reader. Children need to see more books like this one.

1. Have you ever felt this way when getting a haircut?

2. Have you ever felt this way when doing something

    else? Explain.

3. Why do you think the word crown is in the title?                                             

AUTHOR - CHRISTINE MCDONNELL

GRADES - 4 - 6

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.

GODDARD RIVERSIDE CBC YOUTH BOOK PRIZE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ☮️

the Goddard Riverside – CBC Young People’s Book Prize for Social Justice recognizes nonfiction books for children and teens related to urban life and issues that support values such as community, equality, opportunity, mutual understanding, respect, caring and justice – in accordance with Goddard Riverside’s mission.

SEPTIMA CLARK BOOK AWARD - WINNER☮️

Honoring the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict women's issues globally

HORN BOOK FANFARE - BEST BOOKS OF 2022

KIRKUS REVIEWS - BEST BOOKS OF 2022

BOOK PAGE - STARRED REVIEW

When Kip Tiernan was a child, she helped her grandmother feed the homeless. She noticed that women were disguised as men to get food because there were no shelters for them. This experience inspired Kip as she later founded the first homeless shelter for women called Rosie’s Place. Sanctuary is the story of how small acts of kindness led to the caring of over 12,000 women each year.

1. What do you admire most about Kip?

2. How can you make your town a better place now?                                              

AUTHOR - MICHELLE DUSTER

GRADES - MATURE 3-6

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.

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 - BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 👍🏿

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S

       LITERATURE AWARD☮️

Although this biography is a picture book, the vocabulary and the concepts are best suited for upper graders. Readers will learn that Ida B. Wells was born into slavery during the Civil War. She became a teacher and realized that separate but equal was not really equal. When her African American friends were lynched because they operated a successful business, Ida became a civil rights activist. She later became one of the founders of the NAACP. The book’s format is perfect for those children who have reading issues. It was written by Well’s great granddaughter.

1. The author said that Ida refused to make herself small. What
 did she mean?

2. What word would best describe Ida? Explain.