JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD - FINALIST

AUTHOR - JESSICA LANAN

GRADES - 3-5

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.


GOLDEN KITE AWARD - FINALIST

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. 


NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOK IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS AWARD - SELECTION

OUTSTANDING SCIENCE TRADE BOOKS - SELECTION

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD - SELECTION

Junior Library Guild, formerly the Junior Literary Guild, is a commercial book club devoted to juvenile literature.

ASSOCIATION FOR LIBRARY SERVICE TO CHILDREN - COMMENDED

While this book appears to be written for the pre-k group, the vocabulary is more aligned with third-fifth graders. Readers will discover how the jumper spider survives in a world filled with dangers. The text and the illustrations should appeal to most readers. In addition, there are six pages at the end for those who would like to find out more about the spider. Just a perfect book for those who are arachnid enthusiasts.

1. How would your life be threatened if you were the size of the jumper spider?

2. I never knew that a jumper spider ...       .

3. A jumper spider can jump five times the length of its body. Suppose you could 

   do that. How would that help you?

AUTHOR - LESA CLINE-RANSOME

GRADES -  MATURE 3,4

JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD - PICTURE BOOK WINNER👍🏿

A national committee of members with passion for and expertise in children’s literature and social justice is responsible for making the choices each year.

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE BEST BOOKS - SELECTION👍🏿

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

NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOKS IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS AWARD - SELECTION

NOTABLE SOCIAL STUDIES TRADE BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - SELECTION

Young readers will learn that it was against the law for slaves to learn to read. However, a young slave boy does learn to read by watching the master’s son. The slave became known as Teach because he taught young children the alphabet, forged travel passes for escapees, and informed his friends of current events from the local newspaper. This was dangerous behavior which would have resulted in a whipping had he been caught.

1. Why did Teach continue to read after he was warned not to do it?

2. Why do you think slaves were not allowed to read?


AUTHOR - GAYLE FORMAN

GRADES - MATURE 4 - 7

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. The award has been given annually since 1943. 

 JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD - WINNER👍🏿

A national committee of members with passion for and expertise in children’s literature and social justice is responsible for making the choices each year.

NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOKS IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS AWARD - SELECTION

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD - SELECTION

Hate crimes, mental illness, antisemitism, death, forgiveness and bonding are all woven into this multilayered story of redemption. After 12 year old Alex plants a baseball bat into the head of a boy he hates, the court ordered him to do community service before a final judgement was rendered. Alex had to spend two months helping people in an assisted living center. While there, he bonded with an 107 year old man who hadn’t spoken in years. With Alex by his side, he revealed how he lost the love of his life during WW11 when he was captured by the Nazis. As their relationship grew, the boy began to see the error of his ways and was able to make a convincing argument for mercy when he appeared before the judge. This story is for mature readers as the author offers much “food for thought” before revealing a perfect ending.

1. Do you agree with the judge’s decision? Explain.

2. Finish this sentence - After reading Not Nothing, I never realized that ….  .1. 

AUTHOR -  CAROLE BOSTON WEATHERFORD

GRADES - 3 - 6

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

MAIKA PENN AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE -

    HONOR BOOK👍🏿

This award is given annually to the author of an outstanding children's book addressing human rights issues or themes such as discrimination, equality, poverty, justice, war, peace, slavery, or freedom.

CORETTA SCOTT KING AUTHOR AWARD - WINNER 👍🏿

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.

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.

SKIPPING STONES AWARD - 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.

CYBILS - Finalist👍🏿

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

NOTABLE BOOKS FOR A GLOBAL SOCIETY - WINNER👍🏿

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

ROBERT F. SIBERT BOOK AWARD - HONOR

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal established by the Association for Library Service to Children in 2001 with support from Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., This award is presented annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.

This multi-award winning book was written by a superstar in the world of civil rights literature for children.
 In 1921, a black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma was burned to the ground by an angry mob of white people who resented the fact that the residents were mostly prosperous and enjoyed a high standard of living. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands became homeless. The police failed to respond. This massacre was covered up for almost one hundred years before investigators brought the story to the attention of our nation and the world. 

1. Why do you think it took 100 years for this story to be told? 

2. If your house was on fire and you could take only one thing, what would that

   be?     

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 - JUDY BLUME

GRADES - 4-6

😪WARNING! THIS BOOK HAS BEEN BANNED!😪

SCHOLASTIC - 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR KIDS #29

TIME Magazine - 100 GREATEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN #11  

AMAZON TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - TOP 100 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

GOODREADS - 100 BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME

Twelve-year-old Margaret has questions about religion and sex. She tries to find answers to the former by visiting various churches. She, and two other girls form a  secret club, where they discuss a variety of issues including sex. The author  is quite frank which is the reason this classic is still selling after forty years. 

Note:  Sold in imitation leather cover.

1. This story was written over forty years ago. Do preteens still think
 like 

    Margaret?


2. Why do you think Margaret didn’t talk to her parents about her concerns?


3. Do you think Margaret will continue talking to God? Explain. If yes, what 

    questions will she have for God? 

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? 

AUTHOR - BRIAN JACQUES

GRADES - 4 AND UP

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. 

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. -TOP TEN FANTASY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 

   AND YOUTH

SMARTWRITERS.COM- “ONE OF THE BEST REDWALL BOOKS” 

BOOK CRITICS SOCIETY - TOP TEN CHILDREN'S BOOK - FANTASY

Triss is the 15th book in the REDWALL series. 

The entire collection was written for mature readers starting at fourth grade. There are 22 books and they do not have to be read in chronological order. These books have a common theme of love, peace, and living in harmony with each other and nature. They feature advanced vocabulary, subtle humor, subplots, accents, and descriptions.

In this novel, Triss, a squirrel warrior, and her two friends escape from slavery at Riftgard and are pursued across the sea toward Redwall by Princess Kurdah, Prince Bladd, and a band of freebooters who seek the rumored treasure of Brockhall. Although there is fighting and killing throughout this adventure/fantasy, the author takes great pains to portray the heroine, Triss, as a humane warrior. She is determined to do whatever it takes to destroy the Pure Ferret dynasty, however she is not a killer. In addition, the creatures, who inhabit Redwall are depicted as fun-loving and friendly. There are no gray areas in terms of characterization. Everyone is either a force of evil or a force of good. A message of peace and living in harmony is clearly delivered by Triss. 

1. What would you like most if you were living in Redwall? Answers will vary. 

2. In chapter 1, the old squirrel, Drufo, told Triss not to escape because it 

    was too dangerous. In chapter 4, he helps her to escape. Why did he

    change his mind? 

    Answers will vary. Perhaps he realized that she would die as a prisoner, 

    and that she had nothing to lose by escaping.

3. What are some of the characteristics that make Princess Kurda so unlikable? 

    She loses her temper very easily. She has slaves and is very cruel to 

    them. She will do anything to become queen, even if it means humiliating 

    her brother and getting rid of him. She is selfish and arrogant. She is a 

    braggart. She claims to be a great sword fighter but she loses her nerve 

    when Triss comes after her. She is a spoiled brat. 

4. When Triss returned home, she gave the queen’s crown to a child. She said 

    that it could be thrown into the sea if he gets tired of it. Why didn’t Triss 

    become the new queen? 

    She knew how that kingdoms did not treat animals fairly. She wanted the 

    animals to be free. 

AUTHOR - KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY

GRADES - 4-7

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”.


SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD - WINNER 👍

The 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. 

JOSETTE FRANK BOOK AWARD - WINNER 👍

The 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 -  100 TITLES FOR READING AND SHARING

WALL STREET JOURNAL - BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS OF 2015

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY - BEST OF THE BEST BOOKS OF 2015

HORN BOOK -FANFARE BOOK

KIRKUS REVIEWS -BEST BOOKS OF 2015

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BEST BOOKS OF 2015

During WWII, children who lived in London were sent to the country for safety. While separating from their parents was difficult, it was a blessing in disguise for Ada. This eleven year-old was born with a club foot and was rejected by her mother who kept her locked in the house every day. The war ended this abuse as Ada suddenly discovered the world she had been missing. Her overriding fear is knowing that she will have to return when the war is over. 

There is a sequel called The War I Finally Won.

1. What do you think Ada will do when she grows up?


    She could do something that is related to horses. She could also work for

    the government. She is smart and a 
fast learner. 

2. Do you think she will ever see her Mam again? Explain.
  Answers will vary. 

3. How did the war save her life?
     

    She had nothing to live for while she was living with her 
abusive mother. 

    In her new life, she made friends and was  allowed to grow as a normal 

    child. 

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