Books and More
> Great Books 2006
Great Books 2006
GREAT PICTURE BOOKS 2006
ANNOTATED LIST
|
AA - African American Interest |
HISP - Hispanic Interest |
|
AS - Asian Interest |
MC - Multicultural-several or many ethnic groups |
|
DO - Diversity (Other issues besides ethnicity) |
Great Picture Books List in
PDF format |
The annotations below are collected from the following professional journals:
Booklist, BCCB, Children’s Literature, Horn Book, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly,
and School Library Journal
Allen, Jonathan - I’m Not Cute
When all of the animals in the forest keep hugging baby owl and telling him
how cute he is, he begins to get upset. “I am not cute, I am a huge and scary
hunting machine with great big soft and silent wings,” baby owl replies.
Adorable, minimalist pictures make this a wonderful storytime book, (and baby
owl is very cute!). Ages 3-6
Arnosky, Jim - Grandfather Buffalo
As the pack migrates, Grandfather Buffalo, the
eldest bull in the herd, trails behind. He is joined by a newborn calf that
quickly learns the best place to be is right beside Grandfather Buffalo. Ages
4-8 DO
Ashman, Linda - Mama’s Day
Ormerod, Jan (ill.)
How many ways do mothers show their love for their children?
In this endearing book, the reader is encouraged to celebrate this love of
children with engaging verse and delightful pencil-and-wash illustrations of
multicultural children enjoying their world. Children will love to find the
ginger kitten on each double-page spread! Ages 2-5
Bachelet, Gilles - My Cat, the Silliest Cat in the World
Be prepared for howling laughter and shouts of "That's not a cat!" when
children see these detailed renderings and simple descriptions of the life of
a cat. Mais oui, French illustrator Bachelet's grand chat is actually an
elephant hilariously depicted as an enormous feline doing familiar cat things
like sleeping, eating, playing with yarn, and even missing the litter box.
Purrfect for one-on-one sharing or storytime. Ages 4-8
Banks, Kate - Max's Words
Kulikov, Boris (ill.)
Gather up those magazines and grab the scissors! Max is collecting words.
He begins with small words but quickly adds bigger words, words of his
favorite foods and colors, and words that make him feel good. Before he knows
it, Max, along with his two brothers, are busily engaged in the art of
creating a story. Characters painted with exaggerated wide-eyed expressions
and the cleverness of concrete poetry, will motivate any aspiring storyteller.
Ages 4-8
Base, Graeme - Uno's Garden
Base teaches youngsters about the mathematics behind
conservation in this wonderful tale of population growth and nature’s decline.
Fans of the “I Spy” series will have fun examining the complex illustrations,
trying to find all of the magical creatures located within. Ages 6-8
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker - Ballerino Nate
Alley, R.W. (ill.)
Kindergartener Nate desperately wants to be a ballet
dancer but is disappointed when his older brother says that boys can’t be
ballerinas. With encouragement from his parents and an enlightening trip to
the theater, Nate finds that his dream is within reach after all. Alley's
watercolor-and-pencil contributions capture both the warm family dynamics and
Nate's zooming, irrepressible energy. Ages 4-8
Buell, Janet - Sail Away, Little Boat
Ishida, Jui (ill.)
A little red sailboat’s journey begins in a small brook, travels through a
large river, and finally reaches the ocean, where it is discovered on the
seashore by three children. Short, poetic lines of text and cheerfully
colorful illustrations enhance this delightful story. Ages 3-6
Child, Lauren - But Excuse Me, That is My Book
Lola becomes distraught when visiting the library and she cannot find her
favorite book... even more so when she discovers someone else checking it out.
Child's energetic text and collage-style artwork draw readers into the story,
allowing them to feel Lola's distress and her brother Charlie's frantic
efforts to help her. Ages 4-7
Chodos-Irvine - Margaret Best Best Friends
Best, best friends Mary and Clare do everything
together. Mary’s birthday brings Mary special attention and Clare becomes
jealous. Without adult intervention, both children find a way to make peace
and become best, best friends again. The multicultural retro-art beautifully
illustrates this story of true friendship. Ages 4-6
Crews, Nina - Below
Set on a backdrop of a simple white staircase, Jack
and his action-figure toy, Guy, climb mountains, visit cities, and explore
forests. The illustrations are digitally color-corrected and manipulated color
photographs, line drawings, and black-and-white photographs which will inspire
young readers to see everyday objects in a new light. Ages 3-6
Cunnane, Kelly - For You Are a Kenyan Child
Juan, Ana (ill.)
Follow a day with a Kenyan child that is filled with wondering cows, great
black monkeys, and bright eucalyptus trees. Get to meet the many village
people who help this young boy stay on task (mostly) and get him back home
before dark. This gently written story with stylized acrylic and crayon
illustrations reminds us that it takes a village to raise a child. and do not
miss the glossary of Swahili words in the front. Ages 4-8 AA
Demarest, Chris - Hurricane Hunters!: Riders on the Storm
Take a ride with the Hurricane Hunters, the Air
Force Reconnaissance squadron which checks the strength and wind speed of an
approaching tropical storm. Readers will love the schematic drawings of the
WC-130 that the Air Force uses for Hurricane Reconnaissance. Ages 6-8
Diakite, Penda - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Diakite, Baba Wague (ill.)
While visiting family in Mali, Amina, a young girl from Portland, Oregon,
loses a tooth. Bright ceramic tiles vividly illustrate the fascinating Malian
culture as Amina places her tooth under a gourd and receives a hen and a
rooster from the African Tooth Fairy. A glossary, recipe, and Malian good
night song end this story of West African family life and traditions. Ages
4-8. MC & AA
Egan, Tim - Roasted Peanuts
Sam and Jackson are longtime friends who have been
playing baseball together for as long as anyone can remember. When Sam makes
the big league, he begins to falter because his friend is not with him until
Jackson finds a way to help Sam from the sidelines. Ages 5-8
Elya, Susan Middleton - Bebé Goes Shopping
Salerno, Steven (ill.)
Every parent who’s ever taken a wide-eyed toddler shopping will relate to
this young mother’s adventures at the grocery store with her child who wants
to touch, taste, or hold everything in sight. Rhyming text in English and
Spanish highlights this bright and colorful story of a trip to the
“supermercado” for Mamá and Bebé. Ages 3-8 HISP
Ernst, Lisa Campbell - The Gingerbread Girl
This female-empowering version of the Gingerbread
Boy features his sweet, candy-laced sister. In a similar chase through town,
this “smart cookie” eludes everyone while singing, “I’ll run and I’ll run,
with a leap and a twirl; you can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Girl!” Can
she really outsmart the fox? Using an oversized format, varying fonts, and
bright illustrations, the author creates an excellent sequel to a classic
tale. Ages 4-8
Fleming, Denise - The Cow Who Clucked
Poor Cow searches the barnyard all day for her “moo”
when she finds one morning that it has disappeared. Smooth rhythm and
beautiful illustrations will be enjoyed by preschoolers. Ages 3-5.
Fox, Mem - A Particular Cow
Denton, Terry (ill.)
A particular cow takes her usual Saturday walk.
Usually nothing particular happens – until today. Large ink and watercolor
cartoons illustrate disaster upon disaster caused by a cow oblivious to it
all. The smaller, humorous details show up best when used as a lap book. Young
readers will enjoy the speech balloons which give it a graphic novel feel.
Ages 5-7
Frazee, Marla - Walk On! A Guide for Babies of All Ages
An instruction manual for babies ready to take those
important first steps. Frazee's 1950's-style illustrations and second-person
narration cheekily show the pitfalls and triumphs experienced by the new
walker. Ages 2-5
Freymann, Saxton - Fast Food
Elffers, Joose (ill.)
When you see piles of veggies lying sedately around the corner store,
you'd never guess all that produce really wants to go, go, GO! But Saxton
Freymann did, and he's transformed those basking berries and lazy legumes into
vehicles of every size and speed. Kids everywhere will thrill over the array
of transportation methods on display. Freymann's clever vegetable sculptures
delight the eye and tickle the funny bone. Ages 4-8.
Gall, Chris - Dear Fish
While visiting the beach with his family, Peter
unwittingly causes chaos when he tosses a bottled message into the sea
inviting the fish to visit him. Soon after, a variety of underwater creatures
begins showing up in Peter’s hometown, and marine mayhem ensues from the
school to the beauty parlor and beyond. Ages 6-10
Grey, Mini - The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon
Having run away together, the Dish and the Spoon
from the nursery rhyme, “The Cat and the Fiddle” become vaudeville stars
before turning to a life of crime. Side panels add details and humor to the
main story. Ages 6-8
Hatkoff, Isabella; - Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a
Remarkable Friendship
Hatkoff, Craig;
Kahumbu, Paula
Greste, Peter (ill.)
Owen, a baby hippo, is stranded following the 2004
tsunami. Rescued and sent to a Kenyan sanctuary, he bonds with Mzee, a
130-year-old tortoise. An engaging story of friendship and acceptance with
enchanting color photographs. Ages 5-9
Hillenbrand, Jane and Will - What a Treasure!
Mole gets a new shovel and decides to dig for
treasure. He digs and digs but finds treasures for everyone but himself. He
finally digs up a treasure for himself—a new friend! Ages 3-5
Hills, Tad - Duck & Goose
Duck and Goose learn to work together to hatch an
“egg.” Or is it an egg?
Large bright illustrations, expressive body language, plus the surprise ending
make it fun for story time or anytime. Ages 3-6
Hopkinson, Deborah - Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire
State Building
Ransome, James E. (ill.)
Derrick men crawling "like spiders on steel," the
Heater, Catcher, Bucker-Up, and Gunmen, are just a few of the Sky Boys you'll
encounter in this "riveting" chronicle of the construction of the Empire State
Building. Dizzying perspectives are captured in Ransome's stunning oil
paintings and in end papers that contain a collage of photographs from the
Empire State Building Archive. Ages 4-9
Horacek, Petr - Silly Suzy Goose
Oh – if only Suzy Goose could be different from the
other geese in her flock! After trying out all of the fun ways that other
animals are able to move, Suzy discovers that she can not only be unique but
also “blend in” when necessary! With beautiful, large, mixed-media and
cut-paper collage illustrations, the author validates many children’s desire
to be the same, but different. Great for story time use. Ages 2-6
Isadora, Rachel - What a Family!: A Fresh Look at Family
Trees
Rachel Isadora has created the perfect book for understanding how families
are related and how we share certain traits with family members. This is DNA
for little ones. Endpapers clarify family relationships and especially the
“note to the reader” deftly explains the “once removed” factor. Ages 5-9 DO/MC
Ives, Penny - Rabbit Pie
When Mother Rabbit gets her six little ones ready
for bed, it’s a loving recipe for success. Preschool-aged children will
delight in the details of this charming and funny story of a family’s evening
with bunny antics and a mother’s patience. Ages 2-5
Jenkins, Emily - Love You When You Whine
Ruzzier, Sergio (ill.)
A classic look at a mother's enduring love through
tantrums, whining, and other toddler misbehaviors. Ruzzier's chalky
watercolors humorously depict each scene in a Maurice Sendak-like style. Ages
3-6
Jenkins, Steve - Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals
Caldecott Honor illustrator Jenkins applies his
considerable talents to the cause of conservation in this book. Using his
signature cut-and-torn paper collages, he shows 21 endangered species,
accompanying each image with a few sentences about the animal's habitat, a
particular characteristic, and, sometimes, the reason for its endangered
status. Ages 5-9
Jenkins, Steve - Move!
Gorgeous cut-paper collage animals leap, slither,
swim, and slide from page to page in this celebration of animal movement. The
text fluidly echoes the action of the verbs and a final invitation to “Move!”
will bring young readers to their feet. Ages 2-5.
Kanevsky, Polly - Sleepy Boy
Anderson, Stephanie (ill.)
It is bedtime, but he is not sleepy. He has spent the day at the zoo, and
his father is lying beside him in bed reading him a story and smoothing his
hair. The boy is going from reality to dreaming while he thinks about the lion
cub and his mom. This is a charming bedtime story, especially for fathers and
sons. Ages 3-6
Keating, Frank - Theodore
Wimmer, Mike (ill.)
Teddy was a dreamer and had a curiosity about life he could never satisfy.
As the youngest man to ever be president, he led a nation to greatness and
made every day count. Frank Keating's telling of incidents in Roosevelt's rich
and varied life reminds readers how one person can make a difference. Mike
Wimmer's exuberant paintings make Roosevelt come to life a century after his
presidency. Ages 6-9
Kelly, Mij - One More Sheep
Ayto, Russell (ill.)
Counting sheep has long been the suggested cure for insomnia, but for Sam
that's not the problem. He needs to keep track of his herd of 10, but each
time he tries to count them, he nods off . The sheep conclude that they must
be too boring to keep the shepherd alert and that they must find a way to be
more interesting. Ages 3-5
Knudsen, Michelle - Library Lion
Hawkes, Kevin (ill.)
A lion starts visiting the local library but runs into trouble as he tries to
both obey the rules and help his librarian friend. Hawkes' pencil and acrylic
drawings give the story a nostalgic feel. Great for story time or for use with
other library-related stories. Ages 4-8
Lasky, Kathryn - Pirate Bob
Clark, David (ill.)
Bob is a pirate and rouge who dreams of treasure and looting. During the day,
Bob and his good friend Yellow Jack help to seize the great ships such as the
Concordia and all its treasure bound for the American colonies. A humorous
look at the life of a pirate along with his hopes, dreams, and fears,
illustrated with pizzazz in pen and watercolor. Ages 6-8
Konnecke, Ole - Anthony and the Girls
Anthony brings his shovel, pail, and Big Truck to the playground. Despite
all of his antics, the girls continue to ignore Anthony. Konnecke’s charming
illustrations, set against a plain white background, are much like the early
Peanuts cartoons. Ages 4-7
Larios, Julie
Paschkis, Julie (ill.) - Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary
These short, amusing poems show familiar animals as we’ve never seen them
before. Beautifully illustrated, each verse conveys emotions children will
recognize, such as “red donkey tantrums.” Ages 5-10
Lehman, Barbara - Museum Trip
A young boy gets separated from his field trip group and ends up becoming
part of a museum exhibit in this wordless book. Simple, yet colorful,
illustrations and engaging story will make this a popular title. The inclusion
of several pages of mazes will allow the reader to follow along with a finger
to help the boy reach the center. Ages 4-6
Kontis, Alethea - Alpha Oops!: The Day Z Went First
Kolar, Bob (ill.)
What would happen if the alphabet rebelled and Z came first for a change? Find
out in this zany romp of complaining letters and emotional arguments for
reorganization. All appears lost and confused until A takes charge once again
and saves the day (or the alphabet). Booklist calls this “an alphabet book
with attitude.” Ages 4-8
Lewis, Kevin - Tugga–Tugga Tugboat
Kirk, Daniel (ill.)
A tugboat goes through its daily activities including pulling barges, putting
out fires, and nudging a tanker out of the way. A surprise ending brings the
story home. Delightful rhyming scheme and simple, brightly colored pictures
will make this a read-aloud favorite. Ages 3-5
Lies, Brian - Bats at the Beach
Picnic baskets, umbrellas, beach towels, tanning lotion, campfires, and
roasting marshmallows. Sounds like a typical day at the beach,
but these aren’t your typical beach-goers... they’re BATS! It seems bats love
going to the beach as much as humans do. Kids of all ages will love the
rhyming text and imaginative illustrations of these bats enjoying a night at
the beach. Ages 5-10
MacLachlan, Patricia & Emily - Once I Ate a Pie
Schneider, Katy (ill.)
Mother-daughter team of MacLachlan and Schneider have provided insight into a
dog's life through free-verse poetry and oil paintings. Each poem captures the
essence of the pictured dog, and the graphic layout of the text enhances the
flow of the poems. Ages 6-8
McCarthy, Meghan - Aliens Are Coming!
This picture-book version of the 1938 radio broadcast of Orson Welles’
adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds invites the audience to experience
the mass confusion and hysteria felt across the country that was caused by
this broadcast. Not only will the exaggerated and funny illustrations
entertain children as a story, but this book makes a great read aloud to
introduce the time period to older children. Ages 5-10
McClintock, Barbara - Adele & Simon
This beautifully written story of siblings in turn of the century Paris is
perfect on many levels. Children will love Simon and his ability to lose
something on every page. Adult readers will love the beautiful illustrations
of Paris that serve as a background to the story, and historians will enjoy
the maps, details, and art references that make this a wonderfully enjoyable
book. Ages 4-8
McDonnell, Patrick - Art
Art loves art. His joyfully exuberant splashes and squiggles of color
decorate every page in this delightful picture book for all ages. Art fills
his world with color and tires himself out in the process. When he awakens
from his nap, he discovers that his mother has lovingly tacked all his artwork
on the fridge because she loves Art ... and his art. Reminiscent of Harold and
the Purple Crayon. Ages 3-6
McElligott, Matthew - Backbeard and the Birthday Suit
The motley crew of a pirate ship throws a wild birthday party for their
hairy captain, Backbeard. After the party Backbeard decides he needs new
clothes, but the shop in town is out of pirate clothes so he must settle for
an alternate ensemble. Is this the best or worst pirate outfit ever?
McElligott's mixed-media illustrations are a hoot! Ages 6-9
McLeod, Bob - SuperHero ABC
The pre-school set will leap in a single bound to read comic-book artist
McLeod's page-popping ABC. With superheroes like Astro-Man who "is always
alert for an alien attack," the vividly colored pages host a wide cast of
original characters that possess amazing and unusual super powers. Several
female superheroes, like Ms. Incredible and Goo Girl, are also included. This
alliterative book will fly off the shelves faster than a speeding bullet. Ages
3-6
Murray, Marjorie Dennis - Hippo Goes Bananas!
O’Malley, Kevin (ill.)
Hippo’s strange behavior worries his jungle friends. They relay
misinformation thus creating havoc as they become frightened that Hippo will
destroy the Serengeti itself. Ages 4-7
Nevius, Carol - Building with Dad
Thomson, Bill (ill.)
Father and son enjoy the daily progress of the construction of the boy’s
new school. Wearing hard hats, they watch throughout the year as the bulldozer
clears the field and the cement mixer pours the foundation, etc., until the
building is ready for the first day of classes. . Ages 4-8
Numeroff, Laura - When Sheep Sleep
McPhail, David (ill.)
What can you count when you can’t sleep, and the sheep are already asleep?
Preschool-age children will enjoy the rhythmic verses and charming watercolors
of animals in their cozy homes as they explore the possibilities. Ages 3-5
O'Connor, Jane - Fancy Nancy
Glasser, Robin Preiss
No one knows fancy like Nancy. Unfortunately, her family is anything but
fancy: “They never even ask for sprinkles.” Happily, they sign up for lessons,
where Nancy teaches them the finer points of being fancy. After a fancy night
out, Nancy learns that sometimes simple is best. Glasser's illustrations will
make children want to grab some glitter, a tiara, and a boa to be fancy right
along with Nancy. Ages 3-7 DO
Pericoli, Matteo - The True Story of Stellina
Stellina, a baby finch who has fallen from her nest, is found and cared
for by a Manhattan woman. Pericoli's simple watercolors explore the depth of
their relationship as each finds new meaning in the word family. Ages 7-9 DO
Pinkney, Brian - Hush Little Baby
This illustrated version of the traditional folk lullaby is set in the
early 1900s and depicts Mama going out for the day, while Papa is left home to
entertain the children. Pinkey's scratchboard technique suggests “dancing
energy” and reveals some unusual verses to the song. Ages 0-5 AA
Pinkney, Jerry - The Little Red Hen
The classic fable, newly-illustrated, tells of the hen that is forced to
do all the work of baking bread and of the animals that learn a bitter lesson
from it. Pinkney’s colorful and detailed watercolor illustrations make this a
perfect choice for story time. Ages 4-7
Prince, April Jones - What Do Wheels Do All Day?
Laroche, Giles (ill.) Illustrator Laroche uses cut-paper
illustrations to show the reader all types of wheels and what jobs they
perform. Action words and simple rhymes work to bring transportation and
recreation together for the train-and-truck-loving crowd. Ages 4-6
Rappaport, Doreen - Freedom Ship
James, Curtis (ill.)
Samuel and his father are slaves working on a Confederate steamship out of
Charleston, South Carolina and they can see the Union ships in the distance
where their freedom lies.
On May 13, 1862, their family and some friends risk everything to escape.
Based on a true story, the chalk-pastel drawings show the strong child and his
proud family standing tall. A lengthy author's note, bibliography, and list of
related web sites are included. Ages 5-9 AA
Rex, Adam - Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich
Adam Rex shines in this collection of poems featuring some of the greatest
monsters of all time. Including such gems as “The Invisible Man Gets a
Haircut,” “Godzilla Pooped on My Honda,” and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Henderson,”
this collection is sure to have readers of all ages in stitches. Ages 6-8
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse - Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons
Dyer, Jane (ill.)
Who knew that the simple act of making and eating cookies could gently
teach etiquette, courtesy, and respect? From “Patiently” waiting for the
cookies to bake to “Fair” and “Unfair” sharing, each term is concisely defined
and accompanied by Dyer’s beautiful pastel watercolors showing the word in
action. Just like cookies, these definitions satisfy and ensure that readers
of all ages will be “Content” at the end. Ages 5-8
St. Pierre, Stephanie - What the Sea Saw
Doyle, Beverly (ill.)
Stunning illustrations and lyrical text introduce readers to life at the
seashore. The varied perspectives and the relationships between the many
creatures emphasize the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Ages 4-8
Seeger, Laura Vaccaro - Black? White! Day? Night!: A Book of Opposites
Colorful die-cut pages surprise and delight with clever graphic
interpretations of words and their opposites. Gatefold pages open to reveal
both simple and complex word pairs interpreted in a playful and engaging way.
This concept book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Ages 3-7
Shannon, David - Good Boy, Fergus!
Reading this story is like having a romp with the funniest dog in town. No
matter what the animal does, his master's refrain is…you guessed it. Shannon’s
artwork is like an overstuffed sofa: colorful, homey, and bouncy. A riotous
book to unleash on all readers—even those who own cats. Ages 3-7
Shore, Diane Z and Alexander, Jessica - This is the Dream
Ransome, James (ill.)
The rhythmic verse tells the story of the civil rights struggle with
simplicity and power, while the images bring the concepts home in a way that
children will see and feel. An excellent resource for discussing the changes
of the civil rights era as they benefit all Americans. Ages 6-10 AA
Shulman, Mark - Mom and Dad Are Palindromes
McCauley, Adam (ill)
At school one day, Bob discovers that he is a palindrome and so are Mom
and Dad and Sis. He is surrounded by them - 101 palindromes to be exact. But
don’t worry, you’ll find them set off by a variety of fonts and styles hidden
in a sea of wonderful retrospective illustrations. This book is a fun read for
all word lovers. Ages 4-9
Sidman, Joyce - Meow Ruff: A Story in Concrete Poetry
Berg, Michelle (ill.)
At first glance this seems to be a simple story of a cat and a dog taking
shelter under a table during a rainstorm. But wait. The landscape is full of
words - concrete poetry, in fact - from the “wisp” of cloud which grows into a
thunderstorm, describing itself as it grows, to every other object on the
page, even the tree and the grass. (Can you find the ladybugs? The marching
ants?) Ages 6-8
Sierra, Judy - The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate the School
Gammell, Stephen (ill.)
Rhyming text describes the funny disaster that ensues after a student sends
away for “Professor Swami’s Super Slime” and turns it in for her science fair
project. Gammell's watercolor and colored pencil illustrations add to the
madness. Ages 5-9
Smith, Lane - John, Paul, George & Ben
...and Tom, too! This irreverent look at five of our founding fathers,
shows how early traits become helpful when revolution time rolls around. Best
suited for those who know at least a little bit of American history, Smith's
use of early American typefaces, collage effects and “younger versions” of
famous portraits add to the humor and history. Be sure to check out “Taking
Liberties” at the end with “Ye Olde True or False Section.” Ages 5-9
Spinelli, Eileen - Hero Cat
Stammen, Jo Ellen McAllister (ill.)
On a “cold and slushy” March day, a mother cat gives birth to a litter of
kittens in an abandoned building. While out getting food for her kittens, the
building catches fire and she must make a daring rescue to save her newborn
kittens. Written to honor the 10th anniversary of Scarlett's (the
real Hero Cat's) heroic deed, Stammen's life-like pastels enhance the story.
Ages 5-8
Stiegemeyer, Julie - Cheep! Cheep!
Baicker-McKee, Carol (ill.)
Adorable terry cloth chicks with lifelike expressions tell the story of
three friends who are joined by a fourth when an egg hatches. Great for a
younger audience, the pages are thick and sturdy and the book manages to
convey meaning by only using words that rhyme with “cheep.” Ages 2-4
Walker, Alice - There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me
Vitale, Stefano (ill.)
A reverse-celebration of the senses using lyrical phrases to suggest that the
world smells/ tastes/sees/ and even praises us, this book is a tribute to the
beauty around us and its interconnection with us. Walker concludes with:
“There is a story at the end of my arms telling me!” The clear, flowing,
vibrant, almost fluorescent artwork captures the feeling of the words. Ages
5-8
Watt, Melanie - Augustine
Augustine is anxious about moving from the South Pole to the North Pole
but takes solace in her drawings. Left-hand pages depict vignettes from the
story in a tic-tac-toe style that includes master-inspired penguin versions of
“The Scream” and her “Blue Recess Period.” Watt's acrylic and pencil crayon
drawings charmingly depict Augustine's worries and how she overcomes them. A
good introduction to art and dealing with change. Ages 4-8 DO
Watt, Melanie - Scaredy Squirrel
The world is a scary place and Scaredy Squirrel knows it. He never leaves
the safety of his nut tree and his routine, and he keeps his emergency kit
close by. Then one day, Scaredy Squirrel is forced to inject some variety into
his schedule and discovers that a leap into the unknown isn’t always a bad
thing. Watt's simple, cartoon-like illustrations add to the “drama” (and
humor). Ages 4-8
Wheeler, Lisa - Mammoths on the Move
Cyrus, Kurt (ill.)
“Massive, hairy / legendary / wonderful, woolly mammoths!” Using incredible
scratchboard illustrations and lively text on double-page spreads, the
illustrator and author invite their readers to experience the excitement and
danger that a migration trek across frozen ground must have been like for
these majestic creatures of the Ice-Age. A short note from the author provides
just enough information to set the scene for this awesome journey. Ages 4-9
Wiesner, David - Flotsam
Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild
magic in quiet, everyday settings. At the seaside, a boy discovers an
old-fashioned camera, film intact. A trip to the photo store produces
astonishing pictures. The masterful watercolors and ingeniously layered
perspectives create a clear narrative, and viewers will eagerly fill in the
story's wordless spaces with their own imagined story lines. Ages 6-9 MC
Willems, Mo - Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct
With the exception of Reginald Von Hoobie-Doobie, everyone in town loves
Edwina. Too bad Reginald is determined to prove all dinosaurs (especially
Edwina) are extinct. The townspeople ignore Reginald's rants, until one day,
it is Edwina herself that gives Reginald what he has been looking for, a
listening ear. Can you find Pigeon and Knuffle Bunny in the illustrations?
Ages 5-8
Winter, Jeanette - Mama: A True Story in Which a Baby Hippo Loses His
Mama During a Tsunami, But Finds a New Home and a New Mama
With only two words, “Mama” and “Baby,” themes of loss, grief, and
recovery are explored in a poignant and heart-wrenching story drawn from world
events. Illustrations, rendered in rich, jewel-like acrylics, underscore the
dramatic elements of the story. Ages 4-9
Yin Soentpiet, Chris (ill.) - Brothers
Ming, an immigrant Chinese boy, arrives in San Francisco in the mid 1800’s
to help his brother in his Chinatown general store. Lonely, he reaches out
beyond the familiar Chinatown neighborhood and develops a friendship with a
young Irish boy who teaches him English and helps to make his brother’s
business a success. Detailed, light-filled illustrations realistically depict
the time period and the immigrant experience. Ages 7-10 AS/MC
Young, Ed - My Mei Mei
Antonia is thrilled when her parents travel to China to bring a “Mei Mei,”
or younger sister, home to join the family. Frustrated because the baby is not
at all what Antonia expects, she must learn what being a big sister is all
about. Ages 4-8 AS
GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS 2006
ANNOTATED LIST
|
AA - African American Interest |
HISP - Hispanic Interest |
|
AS - Asian Interest |
MC - Multicultural-several or many ethnic groups |
|
DO - Diversity (Other issues besides ethnicity) |
Great Books for Kids List in
PDF format |
Asch, Frank - Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius
Alex needs to escape from his little brother so he devises a Star Jumper to
take him to various other space systems where he can live away from his bratty
little brother. His cardboard Space Jumper keeps requiring other inventions for
all possible problems. Fun reality-fantasy for the younger set. Ages 8-9
Barrows, Annie - Ivy and Bean
When seven-year-old Bean plays a mean trick on her sister, she finds a
surprising ally in Ivy, the new neighbor. Ivy is much less boring than Bean
first suspected and a friendship fully of hilarity and new adventures is born.
Ages 8-9
Brockmeier, Kevin - Grooves: A Kind Of Mystery
Dwayne is cast into the role of nerdy private eye when he discovers a secret
message imbedded into the grooves of his jeans and his favorite potato chips.
With the help of his best friend Kevin and new friend, Emily, they take on the
evil Howard Thigpen a megalomaniac millionaire who owns a manufacturing
conglomerate in town. What does the message mean? Ages 12-14
Bruchac, Joseph - Wabi: A Hero’s Tale
After falling in love with a Native American woman, an owl named Wabi
transforms into a human being and has many adventures while learning to adapt
to his new life. Full of adventure and rich with Native American myth. Ages
12-14
Bryant, Jennifer - Pieces of Georgia
In journal entries to her mother, a gifted artist who died suddenly,
thirteen-year-old Georgia McCoy reveals how her life changes after she
receives an anonymous gift membership to a nearby art museum. Ages 12-14
Budhos, Marina Tamar - Ask Me No Questions
A compelling tale about illegal immigration in a post 9/11 world, Nadira
(14) and her family are living in New York City on expired tourist visas.
While seeking asylum in Canada, Nadira’s father is detained and the family
faces the possibility of being sent back to Bangladesh. Ask Me No Questions
puts a very human face to a complicated issue. Ages 12-14 MC
Carbone, Elisa Lynn - Blood on the River: James Town 1607
Traveling to the New World in 1606 as the page to Captain John Smith,
twelve-year-old orphan Samuel Collier settles in the new colony of James Town,
where he must quickly learn to distinguish between friend and foe. Ages 10-12
Colfer, Eoin - Half-Moon Investigations
After graduating at the top of his Internet class, Fletcher Moon is
officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. Things liven up
when a classmate hires him to solve a crime and he must track down a
conspiracy or be framed for a crime he did not commit. Ages 12-14
Cooper, Susan - Victory
Victory tells parallel stories of modern-day Molly Jennings who moves from
London to Connecticut and is very homesick; and 11-year old Sam Robbins who is
pressed into service in the British navy in 1803, where he becomes a powder
monkey on Lord Nelson's ship HMS Victory. Ages 12-14
Corbett, Sue - Free Baseball
Angry with his mother for having too little time for him, eleven-year-old
Felix takes advantage of an opportunity to become bat boy for a minor league
baseball team, hoping to someday be like the father he’s never met, a famous
Cuban outfielder. Includes glossaries of baseball terms and Spanish words and
phrases. Ages 12-14 HISP
Cushman, Karen - The Loud Silence of Francine Green
In 1949, thirteen-year-old Francine goes to Catholic school in Los Angeles
where she becomes best friends with a girl who questions authority and is
frequently punished by the nuns, causing Francine to question her own values.
Ages 12-14 MC
DiCamillo Kate - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself
until he is separated from the little girl who adores him. As years pass and
he travels across the country acquiring new owners and playing a part in their
lives, he comes to understand just what a gift it is to be loved. Ages 8-10
DuPrau, Jeanne - The Prophet of Yonwood
Nickie arriving in a new town discovers the town under the spell of The
Prophet, a woman who has had a vision of impending doom. She must answer
serious questions. Are The Prophet's visions genuine? Can the terrible vision
be prevented? Ages 12-14
Durrant, Lynda - My Last Skirt: The Story of Jennie Hodgers, Union
Soldier
Fictionalized account of the life of Jennie Hodgers, concentrating on the time
she spent disguised as a man serving as a Union soldier during the Civil War.
Grades Ages 12-14
Fine, Ann - The Diary of a Killer Cat
Poor Ellie is horrified when her cat, Tuffy, drags a dead bird into the house.
Then a mouse. Before long, another apparent victim arrives though the
cat-door. Can softhearted Ellie get her beloved pet to change his wild, wild
ways before he ends up in even deeper trouble? Especially when Tuffy can't
understand what all the fuss is about? Readers experience a deliciously sharp
and funny view of the world through a cat’s eyes. Ages 7-8
Fleishman, Paul - Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini
Houdini rises from the grave through Sid Fleischman's words. Fleischman is
a magician as well as a writer. Houdini's life is revealed but not his tricks.
Escape draws the reader in with well done text, illustrations and little known
or forgotten facts. Grades Ages 10-14
Fradin, Judith Bloom and Dennis Fradin - 5,000 Miles to Freedom: Ellen
and William Craft’s Flight from Slavery
Both exciting escape adventure and gripping history, this account of a
husband and wife on the run from slavery traces their journey to freedom in
the U.S and across the world. Their admirable story will appeal to readers who
are interested in African American and Civil War history, need a good
biography, or just want a true tale of courage. Ages 10-13 AA
Freedman, Russell - Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus
Boycott
A well-researched account of the Montgomery bus boycott. The account sets
the stage for the boycott by reviewing what life was like for blacks living in
the South in the 1950s. The author uses personal accounts of various citizen
participants as well as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., providing
powerful words and experiences for readers. Ages 10-13 AA
Gregory, Nan - I’ll Sing You One-O.
A haunting and lyrical tale of a young girl, Gemma, who is forced to move
away from her loving foster family to live with relatives that she cannot
connect with. As she struggles to carve out a life she uses magical thinking
and more to connect past to present. Ages 10-13.
Gutman, Dan - Homework Machine
Four fifth-grade students – a geek, a class clown, a teacher’s pet and a
slacker – form an unlikely friendship when they are bound together by a very
big secret. What could possibly bring four such different kids
together? It’s the Homework Machine! Almost any student has dreamed of
a Homework Machine, but this book helps them understand the risks and
challenges of not learning. Ages 10-12 MC
Grimes, Nikki - The Road to Paris
Inconsolable at being separated from her older brother, eight-year-old
Paris is apprehensive about her new foster family but just as she learns to
trust them, she faces a life-changing decision. Grades Ages 9-12 AA
Hahn, Mary - Downing Witch Catcher
Jen and her father are settling into the West Virginia castle they
inherited from an eccentric great-uncle when she is propelled into a tug of
war between witches and fairies. Jen must do battle for her father who's
bewitched by a local antiques dealer and save the Kieryn's fairy kingdom. Ages
10-12.
Han, Jenny - Shug
Annemarie "Shug" feels that she is freakishly tall, freakishly flat-chested,
and freakishly freckled. And now she's starting junior high where her friends
all act like complete strangers and her life seems like a blur. Shug
experiences friendship, first love and self worth as she steps from childhood
into adolescence. Ages 12-14
Hautman, Pete and Logue, Mary - Snatched
The first book in the Bloodwater Mysteries series, Snatched introduces two
reluctant sleuths, science geek Brian and school reporter Roni, who
investigate the disappearance of a wealthy classmate. The teens investigate
ex-boyfriends, relatives, and an island full of shady characters. The
suspense, humor, and short chapters make this mystery a great choice for older
reluctant readers. Ages13-14
Hobbs, Will - Crossing The Wire
Victor journeys north in a desperate attempt to cross the Arizona border
and find work in the United States to support his family in central Mexico.
Hobbs will keep you on the edge of your seat as you read about Victor's near
death experience falling from a train, suffering hunger and thirst along the
way and wondering who to trust and not. This is a fast-paced survival story.
Ages 13-14 HISP
Holm, Jennifer - Penny from Heaven
As she turns 12 in the summer of 1953, Penny learns more about events that
led to her Italian American father’s death when she was just a baby. Vivid
characters and the well-drawn period make this an engaging, nostalgic coming
of age story. Ages 10-12.
Hopkinson, Deborah - Up Before Daybreak: Cotton and People in America
Hopkinson focuses on the hard lives of the people, especially the
children, who raised the crop, took it to market, and turned it into cloth.
Beginning with a quick history, she continues chronologically with chapters
describing the world of "king" cotton -- for slaves in southern fields and
young women in northern mills -- before the Civil War and after. Grades Ages
10-12 AA
Kadohata, Cynthia - Weedflower
Twelve-year-old Sumiko and her Japanese-American family are taken from
their flower farm in California to an internment camp on a Mojave Indian
reservation in Arizona. While in the camp, she helps her family and neighbors,
befriends a local Indian boy, and tries to hold on to her dream of owning a
flower shop.Grades 6-8 AS
Key, Watt - Alabama Moon
Raised in the wilderness of Alabama, ten-year-old Moon is suddenly alone
and needs to fend for himself after the unforeseen death of his father.
This coming of age tale involves escape from a nasty lawman and a home for
boys, the discovery of friendship and trust in relationships and above all -
survival skills.
This is an adventurous read with discussable characters similar to books by
Jean Craighead George and Gary Paulson. Ages 10-14
Lee, Milly - Landed
Set at the turn of the century, this is the story of a young boy’s journey
from his home in China to a new home in America. It is a dream that can come
to fruition only after his stop over at Angel Island, where American officials
will interrogate the twelve-year-old, and he will have to prove his true
identity. This historical fiction is set in a picture book format with
beautiful drawings. Ages 8-10. AS
Lefkowitz, Arthur - Bushnell’’s Submarine: The Best Kept Secret of the
American Revolution
This adventure describes the world's first submarine which was built and
used during the American Revolution. Its most famous exploit was the attempt
to sink the flagship of the British fleet in New York harbor. Ages 12-14
Lisle, Janet Taylor - Black Duck
Framed as a modern-day interview between a teenage boy and the last
surviving rumrunner in a Rhode Island town, Ruben Hart tells the story of the
Black Duck, a legendary, fast smuggling boat, from his firsthand experience in
1929, when he was a teenager. Ages 12-14
Le Guin, Ursula - Voices
When the conquerors of Ansul deem acts of reading and writing punishable
by death, Memer, who has found a safe haven in the Oracle House, where the
last books are hidden, finds her life forever changed by the arrival of an
Uplands poet. Memer takes on a pivotal role in freeing her war-torn homeland
from its oppressive captors. A fine fantasy for middle school readers. Age 14
Lombard, Jenny - Drita, My Homegirl
Two unlikely friends find common ground in this novel of immigration and
friendship. Drita is a refugee from Kosovo whose family has just immigrated to
New York. Maxie is an African American girl still dealing with the death of
her mother. Through a school project, the girls find they have more in common
than they thought. Ages 9-12 MC
Lord, Cynthia - Rules
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine
longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a
friendship with an young paraplegic. Ages 9-11
Lowry, Lois - Gossamer
While learning to bestow dreams, Littlest One, a young dream giver tries
to save an eight-year-old boy from the memories of both his abusive past and
the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds. Ages 10-12
Marrin, Albert - Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People
Everything you ever wanted to know about rats, and some things you
probably didn’t. Marrin traces the history of rats and humans, as well as
discussing the habitat and behavior of the humble rodent. This book is certain
to be a hit with those who love a gross-out read. Ages 10-12
Meehl, Brian - Out of Patience
Toilets, tornadoes, buried treasure, and a curse play key roles in this
enjoyable tale. Jake's father hopes to open a toilet museum, despite the
objections of the townspeople and the embarrassment of his son and when his
dad obtains the infamous "plunger of doom," Jake is convinced that it has
triggered a curse that will destroy his town. Ages 12-14
Meyer, Kai - Pirate Curse
In a place similar to the 1706 Caribbean, two fourteen-year-old "polliwogs" -
humans who can walk on water - rely on a mysterious figure known as the Ghost
Trader and a band of pirates to help them escape from the evil that is chasing
them. Ages 12-14
McClafferty, Carla Killough - Something Out of Nothing: Marie Curie and
Radium
This biography of Marie Curie shows a life full of triumph and tragedy.
While Marie won a Nobel Prize for her work in chemistry, the radium that made
her famous also made her extremely ill. Excellent source notes and
documentation make this an engrossing look at a complicated woman. Ages 10-14
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds - Roxie and the Hooligans
Roxie Warbler, the niece of a famous explorer, follows Uncle Dangerfoot's
advice on how to survive any crisis when she becomes stranded on an island
with a gang of school bullies and a pair of murderous bank robbers. Ages 7-9
Pearsall, Shelley - All of the Above
Five urban middle school students reluctantly take on a project of
building the world's largest tetrahedron (a 3-D multiplane structure). As the
months go by, they have experiences that teach them about each other as well
as understanding themselves. Ages 10-12 MC
Peck, Richard - Here Lies the Librarian
Fourteen-year-old Eleanor "Peewee" McGrath, a tomboy and automobile
enthusiast, discovers new possibilities for her future after the 1914 arrival
in her small Indiana town of four young librarians. Ages 10-14
Ray, Delia - Singing Hands
Twelve-year old Gussie is the daughter of deaf parents. Her father is a
minister at the local church and after several misdeeds during the summer in
the 1940’s she is sent to the Alabama School for the Deaf to help out with a
yearly celebration and to learn the definition of integrity. Ages 10-14
Roberts, Judson - Viking Warrior: Denmark A.D. 845
Despite being the son of a chieftain and a princess, fourteen-year-old
Halfdan lives as a slave in Denmark in A.D. 845 but through a tragic bargain
he gains his freedom and sets out to claim his birthright. Age 13-14
Rubin, Susan Goldman - The Cat With the Yellow Star: Coming of Age in
Terezin
The author recounts her experiences in the Terezin concentration camp with
the other Jews, detailing how, despite sickness, terror, and loss, the adults
tried to make the children's lives more bearable, and she managed to forge
lifelong friendships that sustained her through hard times Ages 9-11
Rupp, Rebecca - Journey to the Blue Moon: In Which Time Is Lost and Then
Found Again
After losing his grandfather's pocket watch, Alex journeys to the Blue
Moon, a place where earthlings search for lost items, where he meets a vast
array of eccentric characters, some good and some bad, and gains a new
perspective on the concept of time. Ages 9-11
Schlosser, Eric and Wilson, Charles - Chew on This: Everything You Don’t
Want to Know about Fast Food
The author of Fast Food Nation brings us an exposé on the fast food
industry for teen readers. Gruesome details about how your food is prepared
abound, along with facts linking increased obesity in teens to fast food
consumption. This book would be extremely useful in health classes, and is a
good read for anyone who is curious about where their hamburger came from.
Ages 12-14
Springer, Nancy - The Case of the Missing Marquess
Enola Holmes, much younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes, must
travel to London in disguise to unravel the disappearance of her missing
mother. Ages 10-12
Stanley, Diane - Bella at Midnight: The Thimble, the Ring, and the
Slippers of Glass
Glass slippers, a beautiful gown, and a prince all make an appearance in this
reworking of the Cinderella story. Rotating narrators give a
multidimensional view of how Bella, born to an evil man and his delicate wife,
grows up to be the fiercely loving, brave young woman who saves a kingdom at
war. Ages 12-14
Riddell, Chris - Stewart, Paul and Fergus Crane
Fergus Crane is leading his usual life when a mysterious flying box
appears at the window of his waterfront home. The box is followed by a winged
mechanical horse that whisks him off to meet his long-lost Uncle Theo and his
penguin helpers. Ages 9-11
Thimmesh, Catherine - Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on
the Moon
Culling NASA transcripts, national archives, and stunning NASA photos from
"Apollo 11," the author captures the dedication, ingenuity, and perseverance
of the people behind the scenes who worked to make the first moon landing
possible. Ages 9-12
Turner, Ann Warren - Hard Hit
The strong, sparse prose poetry takes Mark Warren’s life from the first
day his Dad is informed of his cancer until after his death and weaves in all
the hopes, prayers, and bargains (pitching a no-hitter) that characterize a
family struggling with the devastation of cancer. Ages 12-14
Voake, Steve - The Dreamwalker's Child
After being hit by a car, Sam Palmer finds himself in Aurobon, a land of
giant insects where some of the inhabitants are working to keep Earth's
ecology in balance while others are trying to wipe out humankind with a lethal
virus. Ages 12-14
Weatherill, Cat - Barkbelly
Born from an egg Barkbelly is made of wood while his parents are human.
Running from a situation where his hard body accidentally kills another child
he leaves home and embarks on an adventurous journey to find his lost family.
Ages 10-12
Weeks, Sarah - Jumping the Scratch
Jumping the Scratch is a powerful story of one boy's pain as he grapples
with an aunt
who has lost her memory, divorce, abuse, death of a pet and being ostracized
at school.
With the help of a caring classmate, Jamie begins to mend and it is only then
that he is
able to talk to his aunt about the man who abused him. Ages 12-14 AA
Whelan, Gloria - The Turning
In the months leading up to the August 1991 coup attempt that resulted in
the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union, a young dancer with the Kirov
Ballet struggles to decide whether to defect while on an upcoming trip to
Paris. Ages 12-14 MC
Winthrop, Elizabeth - Counting on Grace
Set in 1912 Vermont, this novel tells the story of 12-year-old Grace, who
leaves school to work on the looms in the mill. Grace's life changes when
famous reformer Lewis Hines arrives to photograph evidence of underage
children working in the mills. Ages 9-12
Yep, Laurence - The Earth Dragon Awakes: the San Francisco Earthquake of
1906
Henry and Chin, son of the family houseboy, experience the events of the
San Francisco earthquake of 1906 that destroyed both the Travis's wealthy home
and the Chin's tenement apartment. Yep intersperses the fiction of Henry and
Chin's experiences with short chapters of facts about the earthquake and
subsequent fire. Ages 9-11 AS
GREAT BOOKS FOR TEENS 2006
ANNOTATED LIST
| AA - African
American Interest |
HISP - Hispanic
Interest |
| AS - Asian Interest |
MC -
Multicultural-several or many ethnic groups |
| DO - Diversity
(Other issues besides ethnicity) |
Great Books for Teens list in
PDF format |
The annotations below are collected
from the following professional journals: Booklist, BCCB, Children’s Literature,
Horn Book, Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, and School Library Journal.
Barkley, Brad and Hepler, Heather - Scrambled Eggs at Midnight
Eliot, the son of a Born-Again Christian father and
a mother resigned to her fate, and Cal, daughter of a nomadic mother, find
each other in this witty novel. Helping Cal and Eliot escape their situations
(and find romance) are a number of offbeat, unforgettable characters,
including Eliot’s mother, who is not nearly as complacent with her own
situation as Eliot initially believes. This story, told in alternating
chapters by the two teens, is both contemporary and wise. Ages 12 and up
Behrens, Andy - All The Way
Ian has been working all summer at the local Dunkin
Doughnuts shop. In an attempt to salvage his summer before starting his
senior year of high school, Ian embarks on a road trip to South Carolina so he
can have sex with the internet girl he's been chatting with. Some
complications - his friends are tagging along and he only has 36 hours to
complete the 1,870 mile round trip. Ages 14 and up
Brooks, Kevin - The Road of the Dead
Fourteen-year-old Ruben is a psychic who has always
had a clear connection with his tough seventeen-year-old brother Cole’s
feelings and impulses. He could never read his sister Rachel’s feelings until
the moment of her murder in a faraway isolated village. The two brothers then
travel to desolate Dartmoor to find their sisters brutal killer. Ages 14 and
up
Carter, Ally - I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have
to Kill You
As a sophomore at a secret spy school and the daughter of a former CIA
operative, Cammie is sheltered from normal teenage life until she meets a
local boy while on a class surveillance mission. Ages 12 and up
Cave, Patrick - Sharp North
In a futuristic Britain, 15-year old Mira witnesses
a murder which leads to a surprising discovery. When she arrives in the city,
she discovers her connection to the powerful Saint family. This book
touches on such societal issues such as cloning and environmental changes, but
all in the form of a story that is fast-paced despite its length. Ages 14 and
up
Cohn, Rachel - Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
When confronted with his ex-girlfriend at the club
where his band is playing, Nick does the first thing he can think of - he asks
the first girl he sees if she will be his "girlfriend" for 5 minutes. Thus
begins this foul-mouthed, fun-filled, intense journey into all corners of New
York nightlife from the alternating viewpoints of Nick and Norah. Ages14 and
up
Cole, Stephen - Thieves Like Us
Jonah is sent to a Juvenile Detention Center for
hacking into a few too many computers. He isn’t there for long before he
is coaxed into joining a group of other teenagers who each have special
talents and go on missions all over the globe. This first mission is to steal
the elixir of life from an ancient tomb. This adventure-filled novel is a
delightful mix of Indiana Jones, Charlie’s Angels, and Tomb Raider. Ages 12
and up
Cooney, Caroline B. - Hit the Road
When Brit's parents go on vacation, they leave her with her 85 year old
grandmother. But Nannie has vacation plans of her own - her 65th college
reunion. As Brit and Nannie head up I-95, this fun, fast-paced story takes on
kidnapping, learning to drive, and the perceptions of the very elderly. Each
of the "girls" is very unique, and the reader will often not be sure who is
right and wrong on this road trip. Ages 12 and up
de la Cruz, Melissa - Blue Bloods
Forget everything you ever thought you knew about vampires. The
information was just myths created by vampires to keep humans from finding out
the truth about them. The blue bloods are a group of vampires that came
to America with the original settlers of Plymouth. They are alive and
cycle. When their “life” is done, they come back again in another human
shell, for all of time. That is, unless the Silver Bloods succeed in
eliminating them. Ages 14 and up
Dessen, Sarah - Just Listen
Annabel just can’t tell. She can’t tell her Mom she
wants to quit modeling, can’t tell why her best friend now hates her, can’t
tell about her sister’s anorexia, and certainly can’t tell about why she’s now
a high school loner. Then she gets to know Owen, a boy who can’t help but
tell, and who helps Annabel open up and talk. Ages 12 and up
Draper, Sharon M. - Copper Sun
Amari is a fifteen year old African girl who, after
watching her family and fellow villagers slaughtered, is sold into slavery.
Percival Derby purchases Amari as a birthday gift for his son. Amari spends
her days in the kitchen with Teenie the cook, Tidbit, her son, and Polly, a
white indentured servant. The four of them form a “family” which
helps them survive their abusive situation and to eventually escape. Ages 14
and up AA
Gantos, Jack - The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs
A young woman named Ivy, who made a shocking
discovery in her small western Pennsylvania town when she was seven years old
and learned a surprising secret nine years later, questions whether she has
inherited the Rumbaugh curse of having excessive love for one’s mother. Ages
12 and up
Going, K. L. - Saint Iggy
Iggy is the son of drug addicted parents. After
being kicked out of high school he searches for hope, but is connected with
people who draw him into a new set of problems. The story is full of insights
that reveal how people care for, as well as, mistreat each other. Ages 14 and
up
Green, John - An Abundance of Katherines
After being dumped by 19 Katherines, Colin (a child
prodigy) embarks on a road trip with his friend, Hassan, that leads them to
Tennessee. There Colin experiences a "eureka moment" where he believes
that he can truly predict how his relationships will turn out based on a
mathematical theorem he's created. One factor he hasn't counted on
though - a Lindsey. Ages 14 and up
Haney, Eric L. - Inside Delta Force: The Story of
America’s Elite Counterterrorist Unit
This is an inside look at the formation of America’s Counterterrorist
Unit, told from the perspective of Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney who
was present from the beginning. This riveting account details the training
process, from getting invited to be a part of the team until the unit is
officially formed. Ages 12 and up
Hartinger, Brent - Grand & Humble
Harlan, son of a rich senator, is a 17-year-old popular jock. Manny, a
17-year-old not popular theater geek, is the only son of a single father.
Their parents are keeping secrets from them and they have secrets of their
own. As both boys struggle to regain control of their lives they
realize how much of their existence is about fate and the choices and mistakes
their parents made in the past. Ages 14 and up
Hautman, Pete - Rash
In the future 24% of the population is incarcerated for issues, such as
raising your voice and obesity. Although Bo struggles to maintain his
control, when he suggests that he started a rash that spread through the
school, he too is sent to a penal colony. It is there that Bo begins to
question a country that can take away a person's right to freedom in the name
of safety. Ages 12 and up
Headley, Justina Chen - Nothing But the Truth (and a Few
White Lies)
Patty Ho is trapped in the middle of two cultures. She is half
white, half Taiwanese, and being raised by her Taiwanese mother who is very
prejudiced against the white world. After completing her sophomore year
in high school, Patty is sent to Stanford for Math Camp. While she is
there she discovers the history of her parents, first love and heartbreak, and
gradually comes to accept who she is. Ages 12 and up AS
Hyde, Catherine Ryan - Becoming Chloe
A homeless teenager rescues a teenage girl when she
is raped in an alley outside his cellar room. Searching for beautiful things
in the world, they venture off on a cross country trip. This is an eloquent
story about how two troubled teens find redemption through each other. Ages 14
and up
Jaffe, Michele - Bad Kitty
Seventeen-year-old Jasmine has wanted to be a detective since first grade.
Unfortunately, she’s a trouble magnet! When her family goes to Las
Vegas for the family's summer vacation, trouble follows in the form a three
legged cat, a movie star and a hottie with a British accent. With the
help of her three friends, Jas is on a mission to solve the case. Ages 12 and
up
Jaramillo, Ann - La Linea
When fifteen-year-old Miguel's time finally comes to
leave his poor Mexican village, cross the border illegally, and join his
parents in California, his younger sister's determination to join him soon
imperils them both. Ages 12 and up HISP
Klause, Annette Curtis - Freaks: Alive, on the Inside
Abel lives with his parents in a circus comprised of
“Freaks.” Since Abel was born without an apparent abnormality he feels
abnormal among this group. Abel leaves his circus home and eventually finds
employment as a knife-thrower in a larger circus. Along the way, Abel
discovers he is being led towards his destiny by a dead mummy. Follow Abel’s
often hilarious and sometimes harrowing adventures, as he finds his place in
the world. Ages 14 and up
Korman, Gordon - Born to Rock
Leo, the president of his high school’s Young
Republican Club, learns that his biological father is the lead singer of a
punk rock band. After having his scholarship from Harvard taken away for an
ethic violation, Leo approaches his biological father in hopes of having him
pay his tuition. Instead Leo ends up working as a roadie on a punk rock tour
and learning much about himself in the process. Ages 12 and up
Lipsyte, Robert - Raiders Night
Matt Rydek is the co-captain of his high school
football team, a star athlete with aspirations of playing Division One college
football. After witnessing the brutal hazing attack on a young teammate, and
dealing with his own use of performance enhancing drugs, can Matt do the right
thing and tell the truth, or will he play by the Raiders rules and take part
in the cover up? Ages 14 and up
Lockhart, E. - Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw
Everything
Sixteen-year-old Gretchen Yee, a student at the
Manhattan School for Music and Art, wishes she could understand boys.
She wishes she could be a fly on the wall in the boys' locker room. When
her wish comes true, Gretchen spends a week in the locker room learning all
she wanted to know and more. Ages 12 and up
Lupica, Mike - Heat
Michael Arroyo, originally from Cuba and now a star
pitcher in New York City Little League, lives alone with his 17-year-old
brother and dreams of playing for the Yankees. When Michael’s talent
embarrasses a rival player, the player’s father questions Michael’s age and
demands a birth certificate for proof. When adults cannot get the necessary
proof from Havana, Michael is benched and his dreams are in danger of being
dashed. Ages 10 and up HISP
Lyga, Barry - The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth
Girl
Fifteen-year-old Fanboy is having a rough sophomore year dealing with
bullies, his pregnant mom, and his best friend’s move to the dark side (sports
and popularity). Life begins to get better when he meets Kyra, Goth Girl, who
shares his love of comics and his disdain for the popular kids in school. Will
Kyra help Fanboy live his dream to see his own graphic novel published or will
she lead him down a dangerous path? Ages 14 and up
MacLean, Christine Kole - How It's Done
Grace has lived her life by her fundamentalist,
God-fearing father's book. But then she meets Michael, a gorgeous
college professor who is interested in her. Michael's attention makes
Grace question her father's rules, her own beliefs, and even who she is. Ages
14 and up
McCormick, Patricia - Sold
Sold into prostitution, Nepali teenager Lakshmi
lives a nightmare in a Kolkata brothel. She gradually forms hesitant
friendships with other girls, and learns English from the young son of one of
her colleagues. Despite this difficult life, Lakshmi matures, learning about
unfamiliar technologies such as television and automobiles. An outside aid
organization learns of the plight of Lakshmi and the others, and a daring
escape ensues. Told in free verse with an explanatory afterward, this work is
both powerful and unsettling. Ages 12 and up MC
McNeal, Laura and McNeal, Tom - Crushed
Trouble begins when a high school girl, Audrey,
dates a sophisticated classmate. Audrey also has a secret admirer who spreads
slander about her boyfriend and a teacher to gain Audrey’s attention. As the
truth about the slander unfolds secrets are revealed and hearts are broken.
Ages 12 and up
Medley, Linda Castle - Waiting
When Sleeping Beauty leaves the castle with her
prince, the castle and its inhabitants await her return. In the meantime the
castle becomes home to an unusual assortment of monsters, sprites, and humans.
This episodic fairytale will leave you wondering what magic and mystery now
surround the storybook castle. Ages 14 and up
Mochizuki, Minetaro - Dragon Head, Volume 1
In this graphic novel, three people appear to be the
sole survivors in a mass train wreck – everyone else is dead and the crash
site is within a tunnel which seems to have no way out. Will they go crazy
before they are rescued? Will they be rescued? Will they survive? Ages 16 and
up
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert - Dairy Queen
Sixteen-year-old D.J. works the family farm, likes
football, and Brian, the quarterback for the rival football team. At the
suggestion of Brian’s coach, she trains Brian all summer. During the course of
the story, D.J. matures, learns about how difficult playing football really
is, tries out for her school’s football team and ends up dating Brian. This
first novel is a joy to read and the depiction of D.J.’s dysfunctional family
is well done. Ages 12 and up
Nelson, Blake - Paranoid Park
His decision to go to the park that evening would
change his life forever. The skateboarder never thought that he would become
entangled in a web of lies to hide terror, murder, and deceit. Ages 12 and up
Noyes, Deborah One Kingdom: Our Lives with Animals
This non-fiction book explores the ways that our
beliefs, culture, myths and science have been influenced by animals. Noyes
also addresses issues of conservation and a debate on the use of zoos.
Interesting facts and photographs accompany the narrative. Ages12 and up
Peters, Julie Anne Between Mom and Jo
Fourteen-year-old Nick has a three-legged dog named Lucky 2,
some pet fish, and two mothers, whose relationship complicates his entire life
as they face prejudice, work problems, alcoholism, cancer and finally,
separation. Ages 12 and up
Pinder, Margaret - But I Don’t Want to Be a Movie Star
While spending the summer in California with her
movie-star grandmother, fifteen-year-old Kat reluctantly agrees to impersonate
the aging actress in the hopes of helping her land an important movie role.
Ages 12 and up
Price, Charlie - Dead Connection
Murray Kiefer is a loner who finds companionship among the dead people
buried in the local cemetery. As his high school year begins, a popular girl
named Nikki Parker disappears. While others search for clues to her probable
murder, Murray is drawn into the case from another direction – from Nikki
herself. He hears her whispers that she wants to be found. This mystery is
suspenseful and the ending will surprise most readers. Ages 12 and up
Reinhardt, Dana - A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life
Simone has always known she was adopted, but she doesn’t ask questions
about her birth mother and has a wonderful relationship with her adoptive
family. However, after much prodding from her parents, Simone finally
agrees to call and ultimately meet her birth mother, Rivka. First love, the
definition of family, and religion are all explored in Simone’s journey to
discover who she truly is. Ages 12 and up
Schmemann, Serge - When the Wall Came Down: the Berlin
Wall and the Fall of Soviet Communism
Relive the first hand accounts of the events before, during, and following
the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 as written by witness, New York Times
writer, and Pulitzer Prize winner Serge Schmemann. Ages 12 and up
Sfar, Joann - Vampire Loves
This graphic novel for older readers portrays single
vampire Ferdinand as a slacker who carries his music around in a bag and
chases women. The four separate but interrelated, humorous and at times,
unpredictable, stories feature nice colorful illustrations of Ferdinand and
his varied friends. Ages 14 and up
Sheth, Kashmira - Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet
16-year-old Jeeta lives in a traditional Indian family in Mumbai, India.
After witnessing the arranged marriages of her older sister, as well as
spending time with her more liberal friend Sarina, Jeeta begins to question
the status quo. This is a real immersion into contemporary Indian culture.
Ages 12 and up MC
Stassen, Jean-Philippe - Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda
Deogratias is just a boy. Benina is just a girl.
Only he is a Hutu, and she is a Tutsi — so say their ID cards. The tale of
Deogratias takes place in Rwanda in the days leading to a swift and gruesome
genocide and is presented in graphic novel form for older readers. Ages 16 and
up MC
Stone, Tanya Lee - A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl
Three girls who attend the same school, who are
linked to and subsequently hurt by the same boy, share their experiences with
one another as well as all girls at their school by detailing their sagas in
the school library’s copy of Forever by Judy Blume. Every girl in
school wants to borrow that copy, simply to read the handwritten notes in the
margins about the school’s bad boys and to add their own notes. Ages 14 and up
Sullivan, George - Berenice Abbott,
Photographer: An Independent Vision
This well-illustrated biography details the
interesting life of famous photographer, Berenice Abbott. Berenice left
college to learn photography in the art communities of New York and Paris
where she invented some of her own equipment. Tackling portraits and
cityscapes of New York in the 1920’s and 1930’s that are still famous today,
Berenice also used photography to demonstrate scientific theories. Ages 12 and
up
Tharp, Tim - Knights of the Hill Country
Hampton Green is the star linebacker of the Kennisaw
Knights, a longtime football powerhouse in rural Oklahoma. Off the field, he
is forced to deal with a number of issues, such as his single-parent mother’s
string of boyfriends; his first romance - with a girl most jocks aren’t
expected to notice; and the unraveling of his relationship with his best
friend. The author’s spot-on descriptions of football-crazed characters in a
small town merge well with the excitement of the games themselves. Ages 14 and
up
Thayer, Ernest - Casey at the Bat
The classic baseball poem is updated with modern, edgy illustrations by
Joe Morse. While the poem may be familiar to adults, it could be new to teens
and the illustrations really add to that sense of newness. Ages 10 and up AA
Vail, Rachel - You, Maybe: the Profound Asymmetry of Love
in High School
Sophomore Josi is just a regular high school girl,
not that popular but not an outcast either. Suddenly mega-hot senior Carson
Gold seems to be falling in love with her. Will Josie lose herself to Carson's
charms? Ages 12 and up
van Diepen, Allison - Street Pharm
At only seventeen, Brooklyn resident Ty Johnson can already claim four
years of experience in managing his incarcerated father’s drug business.
However the powerful forces of rival dealers, a new school, a new relationship
and family ties combine to present Ty with a glimpse of a different future and
a life-altering decision. Ages 14 and up AA
Vizzini, Ned - It’s Kind of a Funny Story
At a prestigious Manhattan high school, Craig realizes he isn’t as
brilliant as he thought he was. Paralyzed with obsessive thoughts about all
that he needs to do to compete with other students, Craig spends more time
with his friends drinking and doing drugs. As his world continues to
crumble, Craig checks himself into a psychiatric hospital where he not only
helps the other quirky patients, but learns what he needs to help himself.
Ages 13 and up
Volponi, Paul - Rooftop
Still reeling from seeing police shoot his unarmed
drug dealing cousin to death on the roof of a New York City housing project,
seventeen-year-old Clay, a drug addict, is dragged into the whirlwind of
political manipulation that follows. With drugs, race, poverty, violence and
even doing the right thing featured in this book, there is much to discuss.
Ages 12 and up AA
Vrettos, Adrienne Maria - Skin
Donnie, a middle school outcast, must cope with his
parent’s separation while at the same time watching with horror as his older
sister starves herself in a losing battle with anorexia. Ages 12 and up
Waite, Judy - Forbidden
For most of her life, all Elinor has ever known is the True Cause. She
lives only to work, worship, and spread the word until Endtime and the New
Beginning. When she is chosen by the cult leader as one of his Brides,
everyone says she should be happy but lately, she has been plagued by Bad
Thoughts. A chance encounter stirs vague memories of her life before and she
realizes there is a world outside the commune's wall. Ages 12 and up
Watase, Yuu - Absolute Boyfriend, Volume
1
When Riiko tires of her real love life, she finds a "lover figure" online and
orders him to suit. When he arrives, he's a dream come true, but Riiko
neglected to notice his price tag, $1,000,000.00! She can't return him,
and doesn't really want to, but how will she raise this amount of money? This
manga is sweet, romantic, and a little sexy. Ages 16 and up
Werlin, Nancy - The Rules of Survival
Matt, the 17-year-old protagonist of this gripping
novel, is constantly on alert for his mother Nikki to have a meltdown and turn
her violent rage against him, his sister Callie, and their young stepsister
Emmy. Finally, a new boyfriend of Nikki’s takes note of her psychosis and gets
involved before it’s too late. This is a thought-provoking exploration of a
teenager’s self-reliance which will captivate readers to the final page. Ages
12 and up
Yang, Gene Luen - American Born Chinese
This graphic novel which features crisp colorful
illustrations, is composed of three interrelated stories about the problems of
young Chinese -Americans trying to participate in the popular culture.
However, it is more than just the story of a Chinese-American childhood; it's
a fable for every kid born into a body and a life they wished they could
escape. Ages 12 and up AS
Zusak, Markus - Book Thief
Death takes an interest in Liesel as she steals a book lying next to her
younger brother’s grave. Liesel witnesses the cruelty towards those who
dissent against the Nazi regime as she grows up with a poor family in a small
German town. Her only means of defiance in the face of these enormous events
is to continue to steal books. Ages 12 and up MC
Baltimore County Public Library, Towson Maryland USA
Last Revised: 25 January 2008
Feedback
|