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REQUIRED BOOKS. Stevens, J. & Stevens- Crummel , S. (2008). Help me Mr. Mutt: Expert answers for dogs with people problems. Illus. by Janet Stevens. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.
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Stevens, J. & Stevens-Crummel, S. (2008). Help me Mr. Mutt: Expert answers for dogs with people problems. Illus. by Janet Stevens. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. Mr. Mutt gives advice to fellow dogs who are having people problems. Some of these problems consist of having to take baths, being put on a diet, and being kicked out of the people bed. He writes his reply letters in the company of a spoiled cat who is annoyed and fed up by his replies. When Mr. Mutt comes up missing, all of his doggie fans rush in to rescue him, while, at the same time, running off the cat. Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 6 years- 8 years old Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award 2009-2010 Master List; Texas Bluebonnet Award winner, 2010
Zelinsky, P.O. (2008). Rapunzel. Illus. by David Small. New York: AthenBppks for Young Readers. An expecting mother sent her husband to fetch an herb that is growing in her neighbor’s, the sorceress's, garden. Thinking it would save her life, he granted his wife her wish and went to steal the rapunzel. When he is captured, the sorceress threatened to kill them unless he promised to give her their child when it is born. The sorceress took the child and raised her. The child is named Rapunzel and as she grew, she is imprisoned in a tower. One day, a young prince hears her singing. He calls out to her, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair”. He climbs to her, they fall in love, and get married. When the sorceress finds out, she cuts off Rapunzel's hair and sends her away into the forest. When the prince returned to the tower, sorceress tricked him and took away his vision. In the wilderness, Rapunzel gives birth to twins. Rapunzel and the prince are reunited when he hears her singing. Her tears restored his sight. The prince returns with Rapunzel and their children to the kingdom. Genre: Folklore Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 6 to 9 Awards: Caldecott Medal
Appelt, Kathi. (2008). The underneath. Illus. by David Small. New York: Athens Books for Young Readers. The Underneath is a story with many characters, all who call the swampy forest their home. Ranger is a hound dog whose cruel owner, Gar Face, has chained up indefinitely. A calico cat and her kittens, Sabine and Puck, take refuge from the forest and the hound’s mean owner in the underneath (under the porch of the house) with Ranger. When the cats are discovered by Gar Face, Ranger attacks his owner and is led to a creek and set up as bait for a 100 foot alligator. This story also follows mystical Grandmother Moccasin who, at the beginning of the story, is revengeful about her daughter’s decision the be human and marry, but later redeems herself by helping free Ranger and the kittens from Gar Face who is eaten by the Alligator King he so fiercely hunted. Genre: Fantasy Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 10 years and up Awards: Newbery Honor Book; National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist, 2008; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009
Hale, Shannon and Dean. (2008). Rapunzel’s revenge. Illus. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. This book is called Rapunzel’s “Revenge” because this Rapunzel gets back at her evil mother who turns out not to be her real mother after all. Rapunzel was kidnapped as a child and when she learned the truth that her real mother was enslaved and working for the queen, she was locked away. While locked away in a tree that the queen had grown with growth magic, Rapunzel’s hair grew very long; long enough to help her escape. Once free, she met a young man who would help her save her real mother and get revenge against the queen. The couple endured having to fight villain, fight a giant serpent, and fight starvation before arriving at the castle where the queen lived. They came up with a magic bean plan that freed Rapunzel’s real mother and took the evil growth powers from the queen...and the goose laid a golden egg. Genre: Fantasy Format: Graphic Novel Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Young Adult Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009; A Junior Library Guild selection; TLA Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2010
Lord, Cynthia (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. Catherine is a twelve year old who is not only learning how to deal with her eight year old brother who has autism, David, but also teaching him as well. To help them both have a more normal life, she comes up with a set of rules for him to follow and to help him so that he will not embarrass her or himself. Some rules include sometimes people laugh when they like you...But sometimes they laugh to hurt you and if you don’t have the words you need, borrow someone else’s. In the process of helping her brother, she meets Jason who helps Catherine understand that differences can be a good thing. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4th -7th Grade Awards: Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2007; Schneider Family Book Award, 2007; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2007
Thomas, J. C. (2008). The blacker the berry. Illus. by F. Cooper. New York: Amistad. The author of this book uses descriptive poems to parallel the beauty of nature and the black race to describe the many different shades of African American people; “shades” not only meaning cultures and races but also personalities, character traits, and spirit. The illustrations, together with a collection of works by several poets, give an imaginative and somewhat of a realistic explanation of why African Americans are different shades. Genre: Poetry Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 2nd- 4th grade Awards: ALA 2009 Illustrator Award Winner; Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, 2009
Soto, Gary. (2006). My Little Car. Illus. by Pam Paparone. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group. First grader Teresa thought she was too old for her tricycle so her grandfather bought her a little car. She was proud and showed it off to everyone in the neighborhood. For a while, she took good care of her car but then she started to neglect it and it became damaged. When her Grandpa Benny came to visit her, she was embarrassed by the condition of her car. Her grandpa was nice enough to help repair the car and also gave her a gift of chili pepper headlights. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd Grade
Soto, Gary. (2003). The Afterlife. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. Seventeen year old Chuy is stabbed in a club by a stranger. In Chuy’s “after-life”, he meets new friends one of which is a new love interest. Chuy not only learns the ropes of being a ghost but he also helps others who are new to death. In the afterlife, he visits and watches his friends and family he left behind, accomplishes some goals, and performs a few acts of kindness. He comes to find that his family truly loved him. He also watches his killer. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 6th- 12th Grade
Soto, Gary. (2006). Jesse. New York: Harcourt, Inc. Jesse is a teenage boy who was raised with his older brother Abel for most of his life by his mother and stepfather. His father died when he was about two years old. His stepfather was an alcoholic. To avoid their step father alcoholic tendencies, Jesse drops out of high school in his senior year and he and his brother moved out. Facing adulthood and the pressures that come with it, Jessie and his brother now have to worry about what they were going to eat how they will pay rent. He and his brother enroll in community college in hopes of finding a better jobs than picking cotton and fruit. While in college a friend of his convinces him to join a united farm workers movement for better jobs. As his brother, his friend is drafted into the military, Jesse stills struggles with the thought of not achieving his dreams and still becoming an unappreciated farm worker. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Awards:
Dusen, C. V. (2009). The circus ship. Illus. by author. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. A ship carrying a mistreated bunch of animals shipwrecks on coastal Maine. Lost, frightened, and separated from their owner, the animals take refuge in a small town. The people of the town were terrified until, one day, a brave circus tiger saved a little girl from a burning shed. After that, the people of the town welcomed the animals with open arms. When the pitiless ringleader comes in search of his circus animals to bring them back, the animals have all disappeared. The people of the town hid them. Unable to find his animals, the circus owner leaves without them. The animals are saved by the people Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4-8 years old Awards: Texas 2x2 Reading List Selection; Borders Best Kids Books of the Year
Stead, P. C. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. Illus. by Erin Stead. New York: Roaring Brook Press. Amos McGee was a kind zookeeper who cared about the animals he tended. He played chess with the elephant, ran races with a turtle, and even sat quietly with the shy turtle. One day Amos became ill and couldn’t make it to his zoo keeping job. When the animals started to miss him, they decided to pay him a visit to check on him. They all caught the bus and rode to Amos’ house. Once there, they comforted him by doing all of the things that Amos did for them; played chess with him, sat quietly, and even wiped his nose. Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd grade Awards: Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award: New York Times; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2011; Caldecott Medal, 2011
Zelinsky, P. O. (1986). Rumpelstiltskin. Illus. by author. New York: E. P. Dutton. A poor miller, in order to make himself look good in the king’s eyes, told the king that his daughter could spin straw into gold. The king ordered that the daughter be brought to the castle to spin gold. Once there, she wept because she knew she couldn’t perform the task. In comes a little man who tells her that he would spin the gold in exchange for something—her first born child. She had to agree or the king would kill her. Seeing the gold that he thought she’d spun for him, the greedy king decided to marry the miller’s daughter. After some time, she bore a child and the little man came back as promised. She begged him not to take her child and he agreed but on one condition—that she figure out his name within three days. Now the queen, she sent her men out to figure out the little man’s name. One man did. He saw the little man dancing around, singing a song, and saying his own name. Upon his return on the third day, the little man asked the young queen, “What is my name?” and when she told him, Rumpelstiltskin, he disappeared into the ground never to be seen again. Genre: Folklore Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4 years- 8 years old Awards: Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 1987; ALA Notable Children's Books, 1987
Murphy, Jim. (2008). An American plague: The true and terrifying story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books. 1776 is the year America gained their independence but less than twenty years later Philadelphia experienced an epidemic that hit fast and hard. With the help of the hot summer heat, little rain, deadly insects, and unsanitary conditions, Yellow Fever swept through the city killing as many as 5,000 people in four months time. The story details symptoms such as vomiting black blood, yellowish skin pigment, and fever. The illness led to a violent and painful death only days after symptoms were shown. Businesses closed down and the crime rate rose dramatically. While many city leaders fled the city, others, common people, stayed to care for the sick and orphaned, risking illness themselves and emerging as heroes. After the epidemic ran its course, new local, state, and national changes were made regarding how to handle issues concerning such crisis. Some scientists speculate that this type of epidemic could happen again. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Young Adult Awards: Newbery Award
Hale, Shannon. (2005). Princess Academy. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. The main character, Miri, is a 14 year-old girl who lives in a small village and is being trained, along with every other girl, to possibly become the next princess. The people of her village never expected that anyone would ever be chosen to be princess—not where she is from. They are a simple sort of people who mined for linder, a precious stone. They valued their hard work in the mines. Miri‘s father did not think she could handle the work in the mines. She has a strong desire to prove to her father that she is more valuable than she seems. Once in the academy, in the year that the girls prepared themselves to be chosen, Miri has to learn things that she never knew, she must overcome obstacles of home sickness and confinement, and compete with all the other girls from her village. Despite her miserable time at the academy, Miri was the one who shone. She was a heroine when she saved her classmates from bandits who tried to kidnap the new princess. She did this by using quarry speak, the ability to communicate silently, a talent she learned from the miners of her village. Miri does not become princess but she is happy to be home with family, good friends, and the one she loves. Genre: Fantasy Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 5th-9 th Grade Awards: Newbery award
Kerley, B. (2008). What to do about Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy! Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. Alice Roosevelt was the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. Two days after Alice was born, her mother died. When her father remarried, Alice felt out-of-place. Alice was a girl ahead of her time. She caused many scandals in her day by not adhering to the rules of society for young ladies. Alice stayed out all night dancing, traveled the world, and wore pants! Although her father loved her very much and was proud of her, he could not help but to be embarrassed by some of Alice’s actions and activities. Genre: Non-Fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4th- 6th Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009; Texas Bluebonnet Award 2009-2010 Master List; Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor Book, 2009; Boston Globe-Horn Book Award-Nonfiction Honor Book-2008; School Library Journal Best Books of 2008; Parents' Choice Award (Approved), 2008
Martin Jr, B. & Kellogg, S. (1999). A beasty story. Illus. by Steve Kellogg. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company. Four mice, Silly, Lily, Willy, and Nilly are frightened by what they think is a ghostly, beasty creature. They follow it through the creepy woods, into a dark house, and down some creaky, dark stairs only to find out that it was just their friends Nick and Hank playing a prank. This book uses repetition of commonly used words and sounds that children at this age should know and re-reads would give them practice on these sight words; numbers and colors in particular. Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 6 years – 8 years Awards: Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2000
Lin, Grace (2010). Ling and Ting: Not exactly the same. Illus. by author. New York: Little, Brown and Company. Ling and Ting were twins who always heard how much alike they were but through their daily activities, they discovered how different they actually were from one another. For example, Ling cannot eat with chopsticks but Ting can. They make their dumplings different and they have different preferences in books. Even though they have differences, they will always be together. Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd Grade Awards: Notable Children’s Books
Jenkins, S. & Page, R. (2010). How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships. Illus. by authors. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. This book describes symbiotic relationships between different animals. A symbiotic relationship is when two animals help each other in their natural habitat. For example, A turtle can help a hippopotamus by eating the algae from the hippo’s skin thereby keeping its skin clean and the hippo helps the turtle by allowing it to rest on the hippo’s back and bask in the sun to keep warm. Another example is when a moray eel’s teeth are cleaned by the small cleaner wrasse who, in turn, gets a meal. This book is illustrated with torn, colored paper. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 3rd- 6th Grade Awards: Notable Children’s Book
Stein, David E. (2010). Interpreting chicken. Illus. by author. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. Little Red Chicken had a bad habit of interrupting her father’s bedtime stories. In the middle of every story, Little Red Chicken would jump in and save the good characters from harm and dangerous villains. When her father had tried to read his last story, Little Red Chicken suggested that she read her father a book that she had written called Bedtime for papa. As soon as she started, her dad was fast asleep. Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd Grade Awards: Notable Children’s Books
Carrick Hill, Laban. (2010). Dave the potter, artist, poet, slave. Illus. by Bryan Collier. New York: Little, Brown and Company. The title of this book says that Dave was a potter, an artist, a poet, and a slave. In the days of slavery, blacks were usually none of the words that described Dave. It was unusual that a Black could write or even have a trade such as pottery making. They were normally in the fields working unskilled laborious lobs. Dave was an extraordinary person: His skill was among the best anywhere and he wrote poetry on his works of art that he created. The book illustrates exactly how he made his pots, from the dirt of the earth to the finishing touches of hand-made glazing. Genre: Biography Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4th- 8th grade Awards: Notable Children’s Books
Deuker, Carl. (2010). Payback Time. Illus. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Mitch was a reporter for his high school newspaper who had big dreams of having a career in the field. It was his desire to be an investigative reporter but he was bumped to reporting sports. When he senses that there is something wrong with the new guy on the football team, Angel, and feels that the football coach, Coach McNulty, is up to no good, he and the newspaper photographer team up to find out what they are hiding. Their strange behavior sparked a deep desire for Mitch to have some questions answered: For example, why did the coach keep Angel on the bench when he was clearly the best player on the team and why was Mitch only allowed to spotlight the quarterback Horst? During the course of the investigation, Mitch learns that Angel was actually a witness in hiding from a violent gang member. Angel had witnessed a murder and was able to identify the killer in a lineup. Mitch had jeopardized the lives of other people with his greediness and selfish desire to make himself look good. In the end, Mitch protected Angel by taking a beating and refusing to tell the thugs where Angel lived. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 7th- 10th Grade Awards: Texas Lone Star Reading
Sonnenblick, Jordan. (2010). After ever after. Scholastic Press: New York. Jeffrey is an 8th grader who is in remission from cancer– a survivor. He is struggling to make it through last year of junior high school with his friend Tad who also has cancer. Some of Jeffrey’s struggles are passing the state standard exam in math, overcoming family problems concerning his father and brother, and holding on to his relationship with his new girlfriend Lindsey. As he completes his final year in junior high, he learns important lessons about the relationships in his life and by the book’s end, he bravely deals with the death of his best friend. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Young Adult Awards: Texas Lone Star Reading
Evans, S. W. (2011). Underground. Illus. by author. New York: Roaring Book Press. This is a story of the Underground Railroad and how slaves escaped to freedom. They story starts from the time a plan was hatched, shows slaves hiding to avoid being recaptured, shows how kind strangers risked their lives to hide them from the hunters, and how they finally found freedom. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4 years- 8 years
Sampson, M. & Martain, Jr., B. (2008). Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, are you waking up? Illus. by Laura J. Bryant. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. This little kitten is just waking up and trying to get ready for school but she has trouble getting organized. Her mother calls for her repeatedly to hurry but the little kitten stumbles and searches for the things she needs in order to leave for school. This book has common rhyming sight words that will help children with phonics and spelling words that should be familiar at this age (3-8). Genre: Fantasy Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 3 years- 8 years
Taylor, G. (2006). George Crum and the Saratoga Chip. Illus. by Frank Morrison. New York: Lee & Low Books, INC. George Crum was an up and coming chef in 1860's in Saratoga Springs. He loved to cook but the attitudes of some of the people in the south at that time were unbearable to him so George decided to venture off and start his own restaurant. His restaurant was a success but one day, a customer ordered food and complained about it for no good reason. Angry when reminded of the similar problems he’d faced in the past, and trying to intentionally over-compensate for a “mistake” the customer said he made, he unknowingly created the potato chip! Genre: Biography Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Grade 1-5; Ages 6 - 8 Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award 2007-2008 Master List
Pinkney, J. (2009). The lion and the mouse. Illus. by author. New York: Little, Brown, and Company Books for Young Readers. A lion catches a tiny mouse in the jungle but instead of eating him, the lion lets the mouse go free. Later, hunters laid a large hidden trap and the unsuspecting lion is captured by the hunters’ net. As a little mouse forages though the jungle, he comes upon the lion trapped in the net and hanging from a tree. It is the same lion who had recently decided not to eat him and freed him from certain death. The little mouse chews through the ropes of the net until he freed the lion, therefore, returning the favor. Genre: Folklore Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): Pre-K- 2nd Grade Awards: Caldecott Medal winner, 2010; New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2009; Texas Library Association 2X2 Reading List 2010; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2010
Kelly, J. (2009). The evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Calpurnia Tate was a 12 year old girl who lived in Texas in 1899. Young girls were expected to be just like all the other girls of that time; prim, proper, a fine cook, darner of socks, wife, and mother. Calpurnia, a lover of nature like her grandfather, struggled with learning lessons that her mother was teaching her and her true desire which was to be a scientist. She did not want to conform to what society expected. She wanted to be free to make her own choices. Her grandfather taught her science which she thoroughly enjoyed. She collected animals and plant species and studied them with her granddaddy almost daily. Her mother taught her how a “proper” lady should behave. Born the middle child and the only girl of 8 children, Calpurnia found that she was often the center of her mother’s attention. She journals her experiences from the summer of that year to the end of that year--the turn of the century, 1900. During that time, she gained her grandfather’s complete attention (where no one else did), she performed in a musical (which she hated), followed the romantic relations of her eldest brother, helped to discover a new species of plant with her grandfather (an exciting event for her), and saw snow for the fist time. It was an adventurous end-of-the-century for Calpurnia Tate. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4th- 8th Grade Awards: Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2010 ; IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List, 2010; School Library Journal Best Books of 2009; YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010; IRA Children's Book Award, 2010; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2010; Bank Street - Josette Frank Award, 2010; TLA Lone Star Reading List 2010; and others
Hayes, G. (2009). Benny and Penny in the big no-no! Illus. by author. New York: Toon Books. Benny the mouse can’t find his pail in the back yard. After accusing his sister of taking it and finding out that she didn’t have it, he suggests that maybe the new “monster” neighbors had come over the fence and stolen it. After climbing the fence, which, according to their mother is the “big no-no”, and with Penny following, Benny discovers that the neighbor isn’t a monster. She’s a little badger girl named Melina and she actually didn’t have the pail. It was in the back yard where Benny last had it. Benny and Penny learned that they shouldn’t accuse people of things without knowing the facts and they shouldn’t assume that new neighbors are bad monsters. Genre: Fantasy Format: Graphic Novel Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd grade Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, 2010; Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal, 2010
Freedman, R. (2004). The voice that challenged a nation: Marian Anderson and the struggle for equal rights. New York: Clarion Books. Singer, Marion Anderson, had sang for the President of the United States and many leaders in Europe but when she was several times denied the right to sing at the Constitution Hall, the largest auditorium in Washington and home to the National Symphony Orchestra, because of its rule that no Blacks would be permitted, it caused serious controversy. She had always loved to sing. She sang at church and social events and became very accomplished, singing songs in several European languages but in her travels in the U.S., she, like many other Blacks in the early 1900’s experienced the troubles of segregation and discrimination. She lived and performed overseas (escaping racism in the U.S.) and got rave reviews. After she was denied access to sing at the Constitution Hall, her close friends and people with influence such as Eleanor Roosevelt, protested, making it front page news in Washington. Even as she prepared to sign at the Lincoln Memorial in front of an audience of 75,000 people, she still had trouble finding a hotel that would take her. After her historic appearance, which was recognized as a milestone in the struggle or equal rights, barriers were broken and it opened doors for Blacks. Eleanor Roosevelt even announced her resignation from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). During World War II, the DAR finally asked Marion Anderson to perform to an integrated audience. She also sang at the Civil Rights March on Washington where Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. Genre: Biography Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 4th Grade and up Awards: Robert F. Sibert Award, 2005; Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2005; NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book, 2005; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2005; IRA Notable Books for a Global Society, 2005; among others
Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: The story of Negro League baseball. Illus. by author. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion. Written by a fictional character, this chapter book (which is divided into 9 innings) details some of the events that occurred during the time of the National Negro League in the 1930’s. There are stories of how the teams traveled from city to city, by bus, car-pooling, and even hitchhiking. Many of the teams’ owners, managers, and players did not have much money but they enjoyed baseball so much that it did not matter how much money they made. The book chronicles major players like Rube Foster who were very talented but could not seem to catch a break. Their biggest dream was to play for the major leagues but those teams, like most of America, were segregated and it was nearly impossible for Blacks to join major league teams. Many of the hardships like having to sleep in their cars or the local community centers, being heckled during the games, not being able to get a good meal at the only available restaurants (even though they had money), and being intentionally injured during the games by whites were results of discrimination and prejudice. In 1947, Jackie Robinson began playing for the major leagues. That opened the door for Blacks to start playing in the majors. Despite cruel treatment, poor living and traveling conditions, and not making as much money as the players in the major league, the players of the Negro League had passion and enjoyed playing the game. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 3rd - 8th Grade Awards: Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2009; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009; Texas Bluebonnet Award 2009-2010 Master List; New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 2008; Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book, 2009; NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book, 2009; Robert F. Sibert Medal, 2009; among others
Mora, P. (2009). Book Fiesta!: Celebrate children’s day/book day; Celebremos el dia de los ninos/el dia de los libros. Illus. by Rafael Lopez. New York, NY: Rayo. Book Fiesta, written is both English and Spanish. The book tells about Mexico's annual Children’s Day celebration/El dia del ninoand Book Day on April 30th. It tells what kind of books they read (English, Spanish, Chinese, etc), with whom they read them (puppies or parents), and where they read books (at the library, sailing with a whale, or finally in their beds). Genre: Non-fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 2nd Grade Awards: Pura Belpre Medal (Illustrator), 2010; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2010; Americas Book Award Commended Book, 2010
Guiberson, B. (2009). Life in the Boreal Forest. Illus. by Gennady Spirin. New York: Henry Holt and Co. The northern Boreal Forest covers one-third of the earth’s total forest area but it is in danger of diminishing due to the human population. In the winter, the forest area is frozen but many animals can still be seen. In the warmer months, there are streams, many types of plant life, and birds returning form migration. The Boreal Forest is home animals such as beavers, bears, lynx, rabbits, moose, wolves, and lots of species of birds like the Tennessee warble, pelicans, and loons and many other types of animals. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): K- 4th Grade Awards: Parents' Choice Award: Recommended, 2009; A Junior Library Guild selection; Booklist "Top Ten Environmental Books for Youth“ : Selected, 2010; Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children : Honor Book, 2010; Booklist "Top Ten Sci-Tech Books for Youth“: Selected, 2009
Keenan, S. (2007). Animals in the house: A history of pets and people. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction. Many little known facts about animals can be found in this book by Keenan. Dogs, cats, mice, rabbits, birds, and fish are common house pets in the United States and may number to as many as 377,800,000. The author mentions famous pets (Lassie), and famous pet owners (Cleopatra, Bill Clinton, etc.), domestication of some animals, breeds (and the histories of some breeds), myths, and superstitions about pets. Some people keep exotic animals like lions, tigers, and monkeys as pets. People also form strong attachments to their pets. People will spend lots of money dress them up, give them presents, and bury them in special plots. They will even call them on the phone. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 2nd- 5th Grade Awards: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book, 2008; IRA Children's Choices Reading List, 2008
Siy, A. & Kunkel, D. (2005). Mosquito bite. Illus. by Dennis Kunkel. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. As children play a game of hide-and-seek, a female mosquito tries to stay alive by feeding on the children. This book describes the life cycle of the mosquito from birth (hatching from an egg), to how she feeds, to laying her own eggs. As she tries to avoid being eaten by other prey, she seeks her meals (blood) in order to stay alive. This book shows microscopic pictures of the mosquito’s different body parts and explains the purpose of each one. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 3rd -6th Grade Awards: A Junior Library Guild selection; Texas Bluebonnet Award 2006-2007 Master List; Orbis Pictus Award Honor Book, 2006
Freedman, R. (2005). Children of the Great Depression. New York: Clarion Books. Author Russell Freedman wrote this book that tells how children suffered through the Great Depression as banks and businesses closed and unemployment rose. Families could not afford the necessities such as food, heat, or clothing. Many of the stories are taken from actual letters by school-age children that were written to Eleanor Roosevelt. Some stories depict the hardships of farmers during the dusts storms in the Mid-West, children who rode freight trains across the country to survive and escape shortages of food and work in their hometowns, and even children from middle-class families who had to drastically cut back. Freedman also noted that Black children were hit even harder because they and their parents were the last to get hired and the first to be fired. Education, for millions of young people became less of a priority. Many had to stop going to school all together in order to find work. President Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and World War II helped bring jobs and hope to the United Sates which helped bring the country out of the economic depression. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Chapter Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 3rd- 8th Grade Awards: Orbis Pictus Award, 2006; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2006; Golden Kite Award (Nonfiction), 2005; IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List, 2006
Tafolla, C. (2010). Fiesta babies. Illus. by Amy Cordova. Berkley, CA: Tricycle Press. Fiesta babies takes readers into the party of Hispanic culture. It is a colorful depiction of babies participating in a parade with people dressed in customary attire and playing traditional music. A party that lasts from morning until night, leaves the babies ready for a siesta. This book celebrates the beauty of Latin culture and family. Genre: Non-fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 2- 5 years old Awards: Pura Belpre’ 2011 Honor Book; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2011
Novesky, A. (2010). Me, Frida. Illus. by David Diaz. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers. In 1930, artist Frida Kahlo, takes a trip to San Francisco, California with her husband, Diego Rivera, who is also an artist and who has been hired to paint a mural. Feeling out of place in San Francisco, Frida decides to explore the city. She finds that she does not like it as much as her home town in Mexico but she does her best to fit in. As she explores, she finds the inspiration to paint. The portrait that she painted was of her husband and herself and was a big success. After her experience in the new place, Frida became a very successful and well known artist, just like her husband. Genre: Biography Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 2nd- 4th Grade Awards: Caldecott Winner, 2011; Pura Belpre’ Honor Book; Americas Award Commended Title, 2011; ALA Notable Children's Books, 2011
Javaherbin, M. (2010). Goal!. Illus. by A. G. Ford. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press. This story is about a young boy, Ajani and a group of his friends in South Africa, who, like most of the world, loves football [soccer]. It is his most favorite thing to do with his friends. They love it so much that they play in the alleys where they know the streets of their town are unsafe-- but it does not matter. Ajani and his friends were playing with the new, real soccer ball that Ajani won for being the best reader in his class. They are soon approached by a gang of bullies who hassle them regularly. Ajani and his friends take a risk, outwit the bullies, and avoid having their new ball stolen-- for the love of the game. Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Picture Book Suggested Age or Grade Level(s): 2nd- 5th Grade Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Masters
