MORE BOOKS THAT MATTER

AUTHOR - IRENE HUNT

GRADES - 5 AND UP

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”.


CHARLES W. FOLLETT AWARD👍🏿

LEWIS CARROLL SHELF AWARD👍🏿

CLARA INGRAM JUDSON MEMORIAL AWARD

This is a must read for any student who has an interest in the Civil War. The story is told through the eyes and ears of a Southern Illinois farm boy who has two brothers fighting on opposite sides. It begins in April of 1861, the first April, and concludes in April of 1965, the last April. The author received much of her information from her grandfather who was nine years old when the war began. This book is often considered to be the first of the young adult genre.                         

1. Jethro’s dad tells him that he must support his brothers no matter what 
side 

    they are on. How do you feel about that? 

2. Jethro worried about many things during the war. What do you think was  his 

    biggest concern?
   

    Possible answers     His brothers getting killed     People hurting him or 

    his family   Getting caught for hiding Eb 

3. Would you rather be living in the 1860’s or today? Explain. 

AUTHOR - LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON

GRADES - 5-12

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE - HONOR

      BOOK  👍🏿 

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 on the previous page 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

SEQUOYAH BOOK AWARD -YOUNG ADULT - WINNER👍🏿

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - QUICK PICK FOR RELUCTANT YOUNG 

      ADULT READERS

CALIFORNIA YOUNG READER MEDAL - WINNER

MARYLAND BLACK-EYED SUSAN AWARD 

TEXAS LONE STAR MASTER READING LIST  

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST OF THE BEST 2000

MISSOURI LIBRARY ASSN. -BEST OF THE BEST

IOWA TEEN AWARD -FINALIST

MICHIGAN LIBRARY ASSN.  THUMBS UP AWARD FINALIST

Two middle school girls with different lifestyles become friends after they are assigned to work with each other in peer counseling sessions. Antonia belongs to the math club and gets straight A’s, while Jasmine has a reputation as a punker and a druggie. Both girls have serious family issues and they decide to support each other. Along the way they learn that judging people by their outward appearances can be misleading. This fast paced, easy to read novel is just perfect for middle school girls who wonder about students who are not part of the mainstream crowd.             

1. Would these girls have become friends if they didn’t meet in peer 
counseling?
  

    Answers will vary.  

2. In chapter 2, Antonia tells Dr. DiLeo that Jazz was not her peer and that 
she

    wanted to leave the program. Dr. DiLeo tells Antonia, “Let’s just say 
that with  

    Jazz, there’s more than meets the eye.” What did he mean by 
that?
      

    Answers will vary. Once you get to know Jazz, you will find out who

    she really is.Young teens often do not reveal their true 
character 

    until you see them outside the school setting. 

3. Why do you think Antonia has no real friends?
        

    Her family responsibilities prevent her from having a normal 
social life.
 

4. Which girl benefited more from peer counseling? Explain.
      

   Although answers may vary, a better case can be made for 
Antonia.
 

AUTHOR - PAM MUNOZ RYAN

GRADES - 5 -7

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. 

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.


PURA BELPRE AWARD - WINNER - ☮️

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. 

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S - 100 TITLES FOR READING AND SHARING

This emotionally loaded historical novel is based on the life experiences of Esperanza Ortega, the author’s grandmother. As a child, Esperanza led a privileged life on a ranch in Mexico. The death of her father caused her and her mother to leave the ranch and move to a migrant worker camp in California. Esperanza who was thirteen, suddenly found herself doing menial jobs after years of being pampered. Her mother’s illness inspired her to overcome life’s obstacles.   This coming-of-age story allows readers to examine the social and economic consequences of The Depression, including low wages, unsanitary conditions, and slave-like treatment.          

1. What do you think the title of this story means?
 

   Answers will vary. The girl lost just about everything. However, she never 

   lost  hope. Inspired by her grandmother, she made a new life for herself.  

2. Before the story, there is a proverb which says, “The rich person is 
richer when

    he becomes poor, than the poor person when he becomes rich.” What do you 

    think that means? How did Esperanza become richer?
    

    Answers will vary. She became richer because she was able 
to 

    understand how the less fortunate lived. She also began to 
appreciate the

    non-monetary things in life.  

3. Did Esperanza’s mother make the right decision when she refused
 to marry 

    Luis?   

    
If she married Luis, she would have lots of money, but she wouldn’t have 

    been happy. By leaving, she traded wealth for happiness.

AUTHOR - JIM MURPHY

GRADES - 5-8

NEWBERY MEDAL - 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- HONOR 👍🏿

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

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

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

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 - ANN M. MARTIN

GRADES - 5-7

INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION - YOUNG ADULT CHOICE 

    AWARD  👍🏿

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY – BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

CHILD MAGAZINE – BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR👍🏿

NUTMEG BOOK AWARD 

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The story takes the reader to a small rural community in the South during the early sixties where Belle Teal Harper is introduced. She is a fifth grader in a town that is experiencing the turmoil caused by desegregation. In addition, a new girl moves into the neighborhood who thinks she is better than everyone else because she is rich. Belle becomes the champion for the black children, while dealing with the abusive behavior of the new girl.  

1.Write a paragraph using the following as a topic sentence:
   Belle was a kind, 

   loving, caring person. 

   She loves her Mama and Gran. She likes Little Boss even though he is not popular with the other children. She sits next to Darryl in the lunchroom when she sees him sitting by himself. When Vanessa does not get the part of Mary in the school play, Belle feels sorry for her and tried to be her friend. Belle protects Darryl from people who try to hurt him. She feels sad when she sees how poorly the adults are behaving with their racist attitudes. She tries to get some of the boys to accept Darryl by tricking them. However, the plan backfires. She feels bad when Little Boss and his father spit at Darryl. She is very kind to Little Boss as she walks with him to his father’s truck. She cares for him because she knows that his father abuses him.  Belle accepts everyone regardless of skin color. She cannot understand why  all people do not share that same point of view. When Little Boss does not show up at school, Belle becomes worried. She hopes nothing bad happened to him. 

2.  What do you think were the two worst things that happened to Daryl?
   

    a. Some white parents picket the school shouting hateful remarks as 

        Darryl enters the building.
     

    b. Little Boss hits Darryl on the back causing him to spill his milk.
     

    c. Little Boss’ father spits on Darryl and tells him to go back where he 

        came from.


    d. When Darryl enters the classroom for the first time, several students

        make it known that they do not want anything to do with him.
     

    e. Vanessa brings a note from home asking that her seat be changed so

        
that she does not sit next to Darryl.
     

    f.  Little Boss’ father blames Darryl when Little Boss shoots himself in the

        foot.
 

    g. Vernon and his friends tell Darryl that he better not come to the

        Halloween party because it is not for his people.
     

    h. Little Boss tells Darryl that he has poisoned the school. 
     

    i. Vernon tells Darryl not to bring his cookies to the party because no 
one

       is going to eat them. 
     

    j. Vernon tells Darryl that he will not be in the pageant because colored

       
people had nothing to do with the birth of Christ. 

AUTHOR -KAREN CUSHMAN

GRADES - 5-8

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”.


SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - STARRED REVIEW

HORN BOOK -FANFARE SELECTION

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN.-  BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - RECOMMENDED BOOK FOR RELUCTANT 

     YOUNG ADULT READERS

BOOKLIST - EDITORS' CHOICE

GOLDEN KITE AWARD 👍🏿

INTERNATIONAL READING ASSN. - TEACHERS' CHOICE

AMERICAN BOOKSELLER "PICK OF THE LIST"

SOUTH CAROLINA BOOK AWARD   

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY -100 TITLES FOR READING AND SHARING

PARENTING MAGAZINE - READING MAGIC AWARD👍🏿

CARL SANDBURG LITERARY ARTS AWARD 👍🏿  

INTERNATIONAL BOARD ON BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - HONOR LIST👍🏿

This Newbery Award Honor book is the one you want your children to read if you are studying medieval times. The author presents a vivid picture of manor life. The story is told in diary form by a clever fourteen-year-old girl  named Catherine, who is also called Birdy. She lives in a manor with her rich parents during medieval times. She leads a miserable life. Her father is always trying to marry her off so he can increase his wealth. She hardly ever goes anywhere, and spends most of her time doing chores around the manor. She wonders why she cannot be a monk. She wishes she could be alone, wear nothing, and drink in the ale house. Once, her mean father wanted to kill her dog because it kept barking and digging at its head. Birdy took the dog to her friend, Goat boy where he found a candied fig in its ear. As you get to know Birdy, you will find that she is a rebellious girl. While she can solve many problems, she is having a hard time trying to figure out how to avoid marrying a man named Shaggy Beard. She is not ready to be married. She never even had a boyfriend. 

Any teen could easily identify with Catherine. Historical fiction at  its best! 

1. There are some things in Catherine’s life that she enjoys. If she had
 no 

     restrictions, how do you think she would spend her time?
    

    She would spend much time with Perkins, the goat boy. She
 thinks he is

    very smart. She loves her Uncle George. She likes to listen to his stories

    about
 distant lands. He also brings her presents.
 She would go ice-

    skating, drink ale, and walk around naked. She enjoys entering spitting

    contests and being with her pet bear.


2. There are many things which make Catherine unhappy. How are they the 
same

    or different from what makes you unhappy?
   

    Catherine is not happy about her prearranged marriage. She wishes 
that 

    she was a common villager so she could choose her own mate. She is 

    unhappy with her chores and responsibilities. She hates  spinning and 

    writing. 
When the river  freezes, the boys go ice-skating. Catherine 

    becomes
 upset because she is not allowed to go.
 She doesn’t understand

    why girls cannot become monks or horse
 trainers. She wishes that she

    could be alone, walk around naked, 
and drink in ale houses. She is 

    always getting scolded. She was grounded for two days for

    entering a spitting contest. 

3. If you had the opportunity to marry someone who had millions of dollars, but 

    you didn’t love the person, would you do it? Explain.

AUTHOR - ANGIE THOMAS

GRADES - 7 AND UP

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

CORETTA SCOTT KING - HONOR BOOK☮️

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.

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) 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.  

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". 

NOTE: As of this writing Jan. 2023, this book is on the top ten list of banned books for young adults.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

GOODREADS CHOICE AWARDS - BEST OF THE BEST

WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD WINNER

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD - LONGLIST 👍🏿

KIRKUS - STARRED REVIEW

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - STARRED REVIEW

BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW

VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) STARRED REVIEW

HORN BOOK - STARRED REVIEW

SHELF AWARENESS - STARRED REVIEW

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION 

KIRKUS REVIEWS - STARRED REVIEW

Sixteen year old Starr has to navigate  between two worlds. While she lives in a poor, crime filled neighborhood, she goes to a mostly while prep school. One day, her good friend is shot to death by a police officer while they were sitting in a car. He had no gun. Only Starr knows the truth. She is asked  to testify on her friends’ behalf. No one but her immediate family knows that she witnessed the shooting. To complicate matters, Starr as a relationship with a white boy. Stereotypes abound in this riveting tale as Starr and her white friends try to make sense of this tragedy.

1. What do you admire most about Starr?

2. Why do you think the police officer was found not guilty?

3. Why do you think the rioters burned down the stores in their own         

    neighborhood?

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.

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.

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?