Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award

Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award Grades 3 - 5

Aliens from EarthWhen Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems This book offers a fascinating look at what can happen when a foreign (alien) plant or animal enters an ecosystem where it doesn't belong. ByMary Batten

Alligator Sue Sue, who lives on a houseboat deep in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Swamp, is swept away by a hurricane and is adopted by a mama alligator in this funny, wise tale. BySharon Arms Doucet

Almost To Freedom This book tells the compelling story of a young girl’s dramatic escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad, from the perspective of her beloved rag doll. ByVaunda Micheaux Nelson

Attack of the Mutant Underwear Fifth-grader Cody Carson keeps a journal of his hopes for a fresh start in a town where nobody knows about his humiliating mistakes of the past, but before school even begins, so does his embarrassment. ByTom Birdseye

Duel of the IroncladsThe Monitor vs. the Virgina An interesting description of the construction, battles and historical impact of the Civil War battleships, the Monitor and the Virginia, focusing on the Battle of Hampton Roads. By Patrick O’Brien

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup Twelve-year-old Rosie, just had a fight with her best friend Bailey – a boy she’s known all of her life. Rosie and Bailey have always had their ups and downs (many stemming from Bailey’s blindness), but it seems that lately things are growing so much more complicated. BySharon Creech

Locomotion Fifth-grader Lonnie Collins Motion, an African-American boy whose parents were killed in a fire five years ago, is given an assignment by his teacher to write different forms of poetry. The 60 poems reveal his innermost thoughts about his family, his friends and his place in the world. By Jacqueline Woodson

The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the MoonThe Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins This is the biography of astronaut, Michael Collins, who circled the moon in the Apollo 11 space capsule while his colleagues Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module and walked on the moon. By Bea Uusma Schyffert

Moon’s Cloud Blanket In this retelling of a Native American tale, the Moon weaves a blanket of clouds around a mother and her children who are freezing in a cypress tree, having sought shelter from a flood. ByRose Anne St. Romain

Niagara Falls, or Does It? Fourth-graders Hank, Ashley and Frankie are excitedly preparing for a magic show at the Rock ‘N Bowl when Hank’s creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show. By Henry Winkler

River BoyThe Story of Mark Twain In this picture biography noted historian William Anderson tells the colorful story of Sam’s life as he grows from a mischievous boy into the enterprising author Mark Twain. By William Anderson

Rodzina A grieving, but resourceful twelve-year-old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery. By Karen Cushman

Sacagawea This biography of the Shoshone girl, Sacagawea, is beautifully illustrated and tells of her life from age eleven when she was kidnapped by the Hitdatsa to the end of her journey with Lewis and Clark, plus speculation about her later life. By Lise Erdrich

Snowed In With Grandmother Silk Ruddy is disappointed when his parents go on a cruise and he must stay with his fussy grandmother for a whole week. An unexpected snowstorm reveals a surprising side of Grandmother Silk. By Carol Fenner

Up the Learning Tree A young slave boy risks his life to learn how to read and, with the unsuspecting help of a teacher from the North, begins to realize his dream in this inspiring picture book. By Marcia Vaughan

Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Award