BOOKLIST - STARRED REVIEW
DRUMS, GIRLS & DANGEROUS PIE
AUTHOR - JORDAN SONNENBLICK
GRADES - 5 -7
HONORS/AWARDS
REBECCA CAUDILL YOUNG READERS' AWARD
BOOK SENSE CHILDREN'S PICK
BEEHIVE YOUNG ADULTS BOOK AWARD
MAUD HART LOVELACE AWARD
NUTMEG CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
VOLUNTEER STATE BOOK AWARD
ARIZONA GRAND CANYON READER AWARD
MARYLAND BLACK-EYED SUSAN AWARD
PENNSYLVANIA YOUNG READERS' CHOICE AWARD
THEMES - DEALING WITH CANCER, RELATIONSHIPS, KINDNESS
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.
GENRE - YOUNG ADULT, REALISTIC FICTION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
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. Sometimes bad situations lead to good things. Explain how this happened to
Steven.
When Jeffrey was diagnosed with leukemia, Steven did everything he
could to help him. His behavior was noticed by his peers and they began
to treat him with respect and admiration. He even won the hearts of two
girls. The band held a concert to raise money for Jeffrey’s cancer
treatments. In short, Steven became one of the most popular boys in
the school as he demonstrated his love and devotion to Jeffrey.
JANE ADDAMS PEACE AWARD
ESPERANZA RISING
AUTHOR - PAM MUNOZ RYAN
GRADES - 5 -7
HONORS/AWARDS 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
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
THEMES - IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY, INJUSTICE OF PREJUDICE, OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
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.
GENRES - HISTORICAL FICTION - THE DEPRESSION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
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.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
BELLE TEAL
AUTHOR - ANN M. MARTIN
GRADES - 5-7
HONORS/AWARDS
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
THEMES - OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, DEALING WITH PREJUDICE, RELATIONSHIPS
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.
GENRES - HISTORICAL FICTION - SCHOOL INTEGRATION
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
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.
NEWBERY MEDAL - HONOR BOOK
CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY
AUTHOR -KAREN CUSHMAN
GRADES - 5-8
HONORS/AWARDS
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
THEMES - TEEN REBELLION, FREEDOM
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!
GENRE- HISTORICAL FICTION - MEDIEVAL TIMES
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
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.
NEWBERY MEDAL - HONOR BOOK
HOOT
AUTHOR - CARL HIASSEN
GRADES - 5-8
HONORS/AWARDS
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”.
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES (VOYA) TOP SHELF FICTION FOR MIDDLE
SCHOOL READERS
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSN. - NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK
TEXAS LONE STAR READING LIST - WINNER
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS MASTER LIST - WINNER
MAINE STUDENT MASTER LIST - WINNER
KEYSTONE STATE READING ASSN. BOOK AWARD
CONNECTICUT NUTMEG CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
THEMES - PROTECTING WILDLIFE, BULLYING
As the title suggests Hoot is about a group of burrowing owls. Since they are a protected species, permits are needed to build in their nesting area. A pancake company bribes a town official as they try to build their restaurant on protected land. When some middle school students learn that the owls are in jeopardy of getting killed, they try to sabotage the project. However, Hoot is more than an environmental story. The protagonist is a new boy in town who finds himself at the mercy of the school bully. Since he cannot outmuscle the boy, he uses his wits to gain the upper hand. Before the arrival of the new boy, a young teen from an abusive home ran away to live in the woods. He becomes a friend of the endangered owls as well as the new boy. Together, they work to defeat the bully and save the owls.
GENRE - ECOLOGICAL MYSTERY
FOR DEVELOPING YOUNG MINDS
1. Explain how Roy’s behavior caused people to like him. Be specific.
He was kind. He brought sneakers for the running boy and he provided a
place for Beatrice to sleep when things got out of hand at her home.
He was considerate. He developed a passion for saving wildlife. After his
mother had miscarriage, he wanted to be sure that nothing happened to him.
He tried to avoid risks or do anything that would put himself in danger.
Roy was loyal. After he brought the running boy to the hospital, he lied to help
him. He also took care of him after he ran away from the hospital. Finally, he
protected him by not revealing who he was to the authorities.
2. Roy was a very determined boy. Give specific examples to support this
statement.
He never gave up trying to find out the identity of the running boy. He
chased him all over the place and even got hit in the head by a golf ball
during the chase.
He was determined to stop the owners of the Pancake House from
destroying the owls’ nesting place. He went to the town hall and learned
that the necessary permits for building the house were missing. He went
to school and told his class about the owls during a current events
lesson. He was able to elicit the support of his classmates to protest the
construction of the Pancake House.
Roy also helped save the owls by giving the running boy his digital
camera so that pictures of the owls could be taken. Roy used Dana as a
distraction so that the running boy could remove seats from the
bulldozers.
Although he didn’t succeed, he tried to become friends with Dana.
3. What makes the running boy so different from other boys his age?
He can catch a fish with his bare hands.
He does not go to school.
He lives in a junkyard by himself.
He doesn’t wear shoes. He captures alligators and poisonous snakes.
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