2012 CCIRA: Bring on the books

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1 CCIRA 2012: Bring on the Books Grades 3-8 Donalyn Miller www.slideshare.net/donalynm IL=Interest Level, RL=Reading Level *annotations and leveling information provided by Titlewave Addie on the inside By Howe, James Outspoken thirteen-year-old Addie Carle learns about love, loss, and staying true to herself as she navigates seventh grade, enjoys a visit from her grandmother, fights with her boyfriend, and endures gossip and meanness from her former best friend. IL:5-8 RL:5 All the water in the world By Lyon, George Ella A lyrical, illustrated look at the water cycle, showing how water rises to the clouds and rains back down again to be used by plants, people, and every living thing. IL:K-3 RL:3 Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart By Fleming, Candace Traces the life of female aviator Amelia Earhart from her childhood to her final flight, discusses the extensive search for her and her missing plane, and includes photographs, maps, handwritten notes by Amelia, and sidebars. IL:5-8 RL:6.3 America is under attack: September 11, 2001: The day the towers fell By Brown, Don Provides a chronological account of September 11, 2001 including the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the hijacking of a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. IL:3-6 RL:5.6 Anya's ghost By Brosgol, Vera Anya, embarrassed by her family and lacking confidence in her body and her social skills, finally finds a friend after falling down a well, but quickly learns there are drawbacks to having a ghost for a friend. IL:YA Around the world: Three remarkable journeys By Phelan, Matt Fictionalized accounts of the true stories of three people who made separate attempts to travel around the world in the late nineteenth century, including Thomas Stevens, who made the journey on a bicycle, reporter Nellie Bly, who used conventional methods of travel, and sea captain Joshua Slocum, the first person to sail around the world alone. IL:3-6 RL:6 The aviary By O'Dell, Kathleen In late nineteenth-century Maine, isolated, eleven-year-old Clara Dooley gains a friend and uncovers a magical secret that changes her life when she learns to care for the once- feared birds in the aviary attached to the Glendoveer mansion where she lives. IL:3-6 RL:4.5 Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's Parade By Sweet, Melissa Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first invented the helium balloons that have become the trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. IL:K-3 RL:5.2 Ben Franklin: His wit and wisdom from A-Z By Schroeder An illustrated overview of Benjamin Franklin's inventions, wisdom, and accomplishments. IL:3-6 RL:5.9 Between shades of gray By Sepetys, Ruta In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother, and brother are pulled from their Lithuanian home by Soviet guards and sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a prison camp while she fights for her life, vowing to honor her family and the thousands like hers by burying her story in a jar on Lithuanian soil. Based on the author's family, includes a historical note. IL:YA

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List of 100 outstanding children's and young adult titles for 3-8 grade readers. 2012 CCIRA conference breakout session.

Transcript of 2012 CCIRA: Bring on the books

Page 1: 2012 CCIRA: Bring on the books

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CCIRA 2012: Bring on the Books

Grades 3-8

Donalyn Miller

www.slideshare.net/donalynm

IL=Interest Level, RL=Reading Level

*annotations and leveling information provided by Titlewave

Addie on the inside By Howe, James

Outspoken thirteen-year-old Addie Carle learns about love,

loss, and staying true to herself as she navigates seventh

grade, enjoys a visit from her grandmother, fights with her

boyfriend, and endures gossip and meanness from her

former best friend. IL:5-8 RL:5

All the water in the world By Lyon, George Ella

A lyrical, illustrated look at the water cycle, showing how

water rises to the clouds and rains back down again to be

used by plants, people, and every living thing.

IL:K-3 RL:3

Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of Amelia

Earhart By Fleming, Candace

Traces the life of female aviator Amelia Earhart from her

childhood to her final flight, discusses the extensive search

for her and her missing plane, and includes photographs,

maps, handwritten notes by Amelia, and sidebars.

IL:5-8 RL:6.3

America is under attack: September 11, 2001: The day

the towers fell By Brown, Don

Provides a chronological account of September 11, 2001

including the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in

New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the

hijacking of a plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.

IL:3-6 RL:5.6

Anya's ghost By Brosgol, Vera

Anya, embarrassed by her family and lacking confidence in

her body and her social skills, finally finds a friend after

falling down a well, but quickly learns there are drawbacks

to having a ghost for a friend. IL:YA

Around the world: Three remarkable journeys By Phelan, Matt

Fictionalized accounts of the true stories of three people

who made separate attempts to travel around the world in

the late nineteenth century, including Thomas Stevens, who

made the journey on a bicycle, reporter Nellie Bly, who

used conventional methods of travel, and sea captain

Joshua Slocum, the first person to sail around the world

alone. IL:3-6 RL:6

The aviary By O'Dell, Kathleen

In late nineteenth-century Maine, isolated, eleven-year-old

Clara Dooley gains a friend and uncovers a magical secret

that changes her life when she learns to care for the once-

feared birds in the aviary attached to the Glendoveer

mansion where she lives.

IL:3-6 RL:4.5

Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the

puppeteer of Macy's Parade By Sweet, Melissa

Tells the story of puppeteer Tony Sarg, the man who first

invented the helium balloons that have become the

trademark of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

IL:K-3 RL:5.2

Ben Franklin: His wit and wisdom from A-Z By Schroeder

An illustrated overview of Benjamin Franklin's inventions,

wisdom, and accomplishments.

IL:3-6 RL:5.9

Between shades of gray By Sepetys, Ruta

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother, and brother are

pulled from their Lithuanian home by Soviet guards and

sent to Siberia, where her father is sentenced to death in a

prison camp while she fights for her life, vowing to honor

her family and the thousands like hers by burying her story

in a jar on Lithuanian soil. Based on the author's family,

includes a historical note. IL:YA

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Big wig: A little history of hair By Krull, Kathleen

Chronicles the history of hair, looking at hair facts and lore

from ancient to modern times.

IL:3-6 RL:4.8

Bigger than a bread box By Snyder, Laurel

Devastated when her parents separate, twelve-year-old

Rebecca must move with her mother from Baltimore to

Gran's house in Atlanta, where Rebecca discovers an old

breadbox with the power to grant any wish--so long as the

wished-for thing fits in the breadbox.

IL:3-6 RL:5.7

Blackout By Rocco, John

Neighbors gather on the roof after the power goes out on a

hot night in the city and start having so much fun not

everyone is happy when the lights go back on.

IL:K-3 RL:1.4

Bookspeak!: Poems about books By Salas, Laura Purdie

Books are given the opportunity to speak in an illustrated

collection of humorous poems.

IL:K-3 RL:2

Breadcrumbs By Ursu, Anne

Hazel and Jack are best friends until an accident with a

magical mirror and a run-in with a villainous queen find

Hazel on her own, entering an enchanted wood in the hopes

of saving Jack's life. IL:3-6 RL:5.5

Breaking Stalin's nose By Yelchin, Eugene

In the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union, ten-year-old Sasha

idolizes his father, a devoted Communist, but when police

take his father away and leave Sasha homeless, he is forced

to examine his own perceptions, values, and beliefs.

IL:5-8 RL:5.7

A butterfly is patient By Aston, Dianna Hutts

Introduces young readers to the life cycle, characteristics,

and behaviors of butterflies.

IL:K-3 RL:5

Camo girl By Magoon, Kekla

Ella has always been friends with a boy known as Z,

despite his reputation as the weird kid, but when a new

boy, Bailey, moves to town and befriends Ella because they

are the only two African American students in the class,

she must choose between the popularity Bailey will bring

to her life and her lifelong friendship with Z.

IL:5-8 RL:4.3

Can we save the tiger? By Jenkins, Martin

Contains illustrations of rare animals, including tigers,

ground iguanas, white-rumped vultures, and others,

discusses the impact of human activities on the animals,

and looks at how they can be saved.

IL:K-3 RL:3.5

The case of the vanishing golden frogs: A scientific

mystery By Markle, Sandra

Follows a team of scientists as they try to save Panamanian

golden frogs, which began to disappear fifteen years ago,

and looks at the reasons behind their decline.

IL:5-8 RL:5.7

The cazuela that the farm maiden stirred By Vamos, Samantha R

A cumulative tale of a farm maiden who, aided by a group

of animals, prepares "Arroz con Leche," or rice pudding.

Includes recipe and glossary of the Spanish words that are

woven throughout the text.

IL:K-3 RL:2.4

The Cheshire Cheese cat: A Dickens of a tale By Deedy, Carmen Agra

A community of mice and a cheese-loving cat form an

unlikely alliance at London's Cheshire Cheese, an inn

where Charles Dickens finds inspiration and Queen

Victoria makes an unexpected appearance.

IL:3-6 RL:5.1

The chronicles of Harris Burdick: 14 amazing authors

tell the tales / illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. Presents fourteen short stories from award-winning authors

based on the illustrations in Chris Van Allsburg's "The

Mysteries of Harris Burdick". IL:5-8 RL:5.9

Citizen Scientists: Be a part of scientific discovery from

your own backyard By Burns, Loree Griffin

Text, tips, and photographs explain how to observe and

gather data about backyard insects and animals.IL:3-6

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Close to famous By Bauer, Joan

The residents of Culpepper, despite their grand aspirations,

have made little progress toward achieving their goals, but

unexpected events and surprises put the ambitions of the

residents of Culpepper to the test. IL:5-8 RL:4

Crow By Wright, Barbara

Moses Thomas's summer vacation in 1898 does not go as

planned, and while he deals with family problems and

fickle friends, Moses comes to be more aware of the

escalating tension between the African American and white

communities of Wilmington, North Carolina.

IL:3-6 RL:4.6

Darth Paper strikes back: An Origami Yoda book By Angleberger, Tom

After several Origami Yoda-related incidences, Dwight is

suspended for being a troublemaker and Yoda asks Tommy

and Kellen to save Dwight by creating a case file that

proves Dwight is an asset to Ralph McQuarrie Middle

School. IL:3-6 RL:4.7

Dead end in Norvelt By Gantos, Jack

In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-

old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for

various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly

neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly

dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies,

underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and

countless bloody noses. IL:5-8 RL:6

Diego Rivera: His world and ours By Tonatiuh, Duncan

Provides an overview of the life of Diego Rivera, discusses

his work, and prompts readers to imagine what he would

paint in contemporary times.

IL:K-3 RL:5

Divergent By Roth, Veronica

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must

choose among five predetermined factions to define her

identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more

difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who

does not fit into any one group, and that the society she

lives in is not perfect after all. IL:YA

Dragon castle By Bruchac, Joseph

Young Prince Rashko, frequently frustrated with his family

which he has come to think of as a pack of fools, learns

they are not as witless as he thought when his parents

disappear leaving him to manage the castle and kingdom.

IL:5-8 RL:5.7

The dragon's tooth By Wilson, Nathan D

When their parents' seedy old motel burns down on the

same night they are visited by a strange man covered in

skeleton tattoos, Cyrus, Antigone, and their brother Daniel

are introduced to an ancient secret society, and discover

that they have an important role in keeping it alive.

IL:3-6 RL:4.7

Drawing from memory By Say, Allen

Caldecott medalist Allen Say chronicles his experiences as

an artist during World War II, and describes his

relationship with his mentor Noro Shinpei, Japan's leading

cartoonist. IL:5-8 RL:4.1

E-mergency! By Lichtenheld, Tom

The letter "e," injured in a fall, can only recover if

everyone will stop using her, but things are just not the

same when "o" offers to fill in. IL:K-3 RL:3.2

Eight keys By LaFleur, Suzanne M

When twelve-year-old Elise, orphaned since age three,

becomes disheartened by middle school with its bullies,

changing relationships, and higher expectations, keys to

long-locked rooms and messages from her late father help

her cope. IL:3-6 RL:3.7

The elephant scientist By O'Connell, Caitlin

Photographs and text recount Caitlin O'Connell's

experiences observing African elephants in their natural

habitat, describing the discoveries she made about elephant

communication. IL:5-8 RL:7.2

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The emerald atlas By Stephens, John

Kate, Michael, and Emma have passed from one orphanage

to another in the ten years since their parents disappeared

to protect them, but now they learn that they have special

powers--and a fearsome enemy--and embark on a

prophesied quest to find a magical book. IL:5-8 RL:5.1

The fingertips of Duncan Dorfman By Wolitzer, Meg

Twelve-year-olds Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate

Saviano meet at the Youth Scrabble Tournament where,

although each has a different reason for attending and for

needing to win, they realize that something more important

is at stake than the grand prize. IL:5-8 RL:5.7

First Girl Scout: The life of Juliette Gordon Low By Wadsworth, Ginger

Offers insight into the life of Juliette Low, the woman

behind the creation of Girl Scouts, discussing the events

that impacted her vision, the controversy surrounding her

methods, and the diverse group of individuals she

welcomed. IL:3-6 RL:6.8

The fourth stall By Rylander, Chris

Sixth-graders Mac and Vince operate a business charging

schoolmates for protection from bullies and for help to

negotiate conflicts peacefully, with amazing challenges and

results. IL:3-6 RL:5.1

The friendship doll By Larson, Kirby

Follows the adventures of Miss Kanagawa, a doll made to

serve as an ambassador from Japan to the United States, as

she makes friends and learns about love during the

twentieth century. IL:3-6 RL:5.2

Ghetto cowboy: A novel By Neri, Greg

Twelve-year-old Cole's behavior causes his mother to drive

him from Detroit to Philadelphia to live with a father he

has never known, but who soon has Cole involved with a

group of African-American "cowboys" who rescue horses

and use them to steer youths away from drugs and gangs.

IL:5-8 RL:4.8

Ghosts in the fog : the untold story of Alaska's WWII

invasion By Seiple, Samantha

A narrative, nonfiction account of the Japanese invasion

and occupation of the Aleutian Islands during World War

II, told from the perspectives of an American civilian and

soldiers from both sides of the conflict. Includes more than

eighty photographs.

IL:YA

Grandpa Green By Smith, Lane

A child explores the ordinary life of his extraordinary

great-grandfather, as expressed in his topiary garden.

IL:K-3 RL:3.4

The great wall of Lucy Wu By Shang, Wendy Wan Long

Eleven-year-old aspiring basketball star and interior

designer Lucy Wu is excited about finally having her own

bedroom, until she learns that her great-aunt is coming to

visit and Lucy will have to share a room with her for

several months, shattering her plans for a perfect sixth-

grade year. IL:3-6 RL:5.3

Hades --lord of the dead / (Olympians, volume 4) By O'Connor, George

The story of the great God of the Underworld and one of

the most famous of all Greek myths: Hades' abduction of

Persephone and her mother's revenge. Told in graphic

novel format and includes extensive sources and cross

references in the back matter.

IL:5-8 RL:4

Heart and soul: The story of America and African

Americans By Nelson, Kadir

Examines the history of the United States, focusing on

events that influenced African-Americans and how they

advanced liberty and justice in America.

IL:3-6 RL:5.8

Hound dog true By Urban, Linda

Mattie, a shy fifth grader, wants to hide out at her new

school by acting as apprentice to her Uncle Potluck, the

custodian, but her plan falls apart when she summons the

courage to speak about what matters most and finds a true

friend. IL:3-6 RL:4.3

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How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully

famous By Bragg, Georgia

Shares the sometimes gruesome details of the deaths of

nineteen famous historical figures, including King Tut,

Pocahontas, George Washington, Edgar Allan Poe, and

Marie Curie. IL:5-8 RL:5.2

I want my hat back By Klassen, J

When Bear loses his hat, he patiently asks the animals he

comes across if they have seen it, and just as he is about to

give up his search, a deer helps him remember exactly

where he left his beloved hat.

IL:K-3 RL:1.4

Icefall By Kirby, Matthew

Princess Solveig and her siblings are trapped in a hidden

fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen

fjord, along with her best friend and an army of restless

soldiers, all awaiting news of the king's victory in battle,

but as they wait for winter's end and the all-encompassing

ice to break, acts of treachery make it clear that a traitor

lurks in their midst. IL:5-8 RL:5

Inside out & back again By Lai, Thanhha

Through a series of poems, a young girl chronicles the life-

changing year of 1975, when she, her mother, and her

brothers leave Vietnam and resettle in Alabama.

IL:3-6 RL:4.9

Irena Sendler and the children of the Warsaw Ghetto By Rubin, Susan Goldman

Recounts Irena Sendler's efforts to save hundreds of Jewish

children in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.

IL:3-6 RL:5.7

Jefferson's sons: A founding father's secret children By Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker

A fictionalized look at the last twenty years of Thomas

Jefferson's life at Monticello through the eyes of three of

his slaves, two of whom were his sons by his slave, Sally

Hemings. IL:5-8 RL:4.1

Just a second: A different way to look at time By Jenkins, Steve

Describes a series of events in the natural world to provide

an exploration of how people think about time.

IL:K-3 RL:4.7

Lemonade: And other poems squeezed from a single

word By Raczka, Bob

A collection of poems based on a child's day-to-day

experiences that includes a puzzle at the end of each poem.

IL:3-6 RL:6.1

Liesl & Po By Oliver, Lauren, 1962

After her father's death, Liesl is locked away in a tiny attic

room by her stepmother, where she meets Po, a lonely

ghost, and Will, an alchemist's apprentice who bungles an

important delivery and enlists Liesl and Po's help in setting

things right. IL:3-6 RL:6.5

Like pickle juice on a cookie By Sternberg, Julie

When nine-year-old Eleanor's beloved babysitter Bibi

moves away to care for her ailing father, Eleanor must

spend the summer adjusting to a new babysitter while

mourning the loss of her old one. IL:3-6 RL:3.1

The lions of Little Rock By Levine, Kristin (Kristin Sims)

Twelve-year-old Marlee develops a strong friendship with

Liz, the new girl in school, but when Liz suddenly stops

attending school and Marlee hears a rumor that her friend

is actually an African American girl passing herself off as

white, the two young girls must decide whether their

friendship is worth taking on integration and the dangers it

could bring to their families. IL:5-8 RL:3.4

The manatee scientist: Saving vulnerable species By Lourie, Peter

An introduction to manatees and manatee conservation that

includes photographs and information on the three different

manatee species, their migration patterns, and their natural

habitat. IL:5-8 RL:7

Marty McGuire By Messner, Kate

When tomboy Marty is cast as the princess in the third-

grade play, she learns about improvisation, which helps her

become more adaptable. IL:K-3 RL:2.8

May B.: A novel By Rose, Caroline Star

When a failed wheat crop nearly bankrupts the Betterly

family, May's father pulls her from school and hires her out

to a couple new to the Kansas frontier. IL:3-6 RL:3.7

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Me-- Jane By McDonnell, Patrick

Holding her stuffed toy chimpanzee, young Jane Goodall

observes nature, reads Tarzan books, and dreams of living

in Africa and helping animals. Includes biographical

information on the prominent zoologist. IL:K-3 RL:3.5

Meadowlands: A wetlands survival story By Yezerski, Thomas

Introduces readers to the meadowlands, twenty thousand

acres of wetlands in New Jersey, discussing the destruction

that humans have caused, and the changes that have

reversed some of the damage.

IL:K-3 RL:5.3

The mighty Miss Malone By Curtis, Christopher Paul

Deza Malone, the smartest girl in her class in Gary,

Indiana, accompanies her mother and older brother on a

trip to find her father, who left to find work after the Great

Depression hit. They end up in a Hooverville outside of

Flint, Michigan, and her brother attempts to be a performer

while Deza and her mother search for a home.

IL:3-6 RL:3.8

A monster calls: A novel By Ness, Patrick

Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a

monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from

the recurring nightmare that began when his mother

became ill--an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face

truth and loss. IL:YA

Never forgotten By McKissack, Pat

A lyrical story-in-verse that details the experiences of an

African boy who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

IL:3-6 RL:4

No one but you By Wood, Douglas

Readers are invited to discover nature using their sense of

smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste.

IL:K-3 RL:5

Nurse, soldier, spy : the story of Sarah Edmonds, a

Civil War hero By Moss, Marissa

Describes the life of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who disguised

herself as a man, took the name Frank Thompson, joined a

Michigan army regiment to fight in the Civil War, served

as a nurse on the battlefield, and became a spy.

IL:K-3 RL:4.9

The Ogre of Oglefort By Ibbotson, Eva

Ivo, an orphan boy, teams up with the Hag of Dribble and a

troll called Ulf to rescue a princess from the Ogre of

Oglefort, but things turn out differently when they arrive at

the ogre's castle only to find a contented princess and a

depressed ogre inside.

IL:3-6 RL:6.2

Okay for now By Schmidt, Gary D

Fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck faces many challenges,

including an abusive father, a brother traumatized by

Vietnam, suspicious teachers and police officers, and

isolation, but when he meets a girl known as Lil Spicer, he

develops a close relationship with her and finds a safe

place at the local library.

IL:5-8 RL:4.6

The one and only Ivan By Applegate, Katherine

When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-

and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant

that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must

find her a better life.

IL:3-6 RL:4

One day and one amazing morning on Orange Street By Rocklin, Joanne

The last remaining orange tree on a Southern California

street brings together neighbors of all ages as they face

their problems and anxieties, including the possibility that a

mysterious stranger is a threat to their tree. IL:3-6

Orani: My father's village By Nivola, Claire

Author Claire Nivola shares details of her experiences

spending summers in Orani, the village in which her father

grew up, where she was able to enjoy simple pleasures of

daily life and connect with her extended family.

IL:K-3 RL:5

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Over and under the snow By Messner, Kate

During a cross country ski trip through the winter woods,

adventurers can discover all sorts of animals living under

the snow. IL:K-3 RL:3

Peter Nimble and his fantastic eyes: A story By Auxier, Jonathan

Raised to be a thief, blind orphan Peter Nimble, age ten,

steals from a mysterious stranger three pairs of magical

eyes that lead him to a hidden island where he must decide

to become a hero or resume his life of crime.

IL:5-8 RL:5.9

President's Stuck in the Bathtub By Katz, Susan

A collection of poems that present miscellaneous facts

about individuals who served as president of the United

States throughout history. IL:3-6

Prudence wants a pet By Daly, Cathleen

Prudence is determined to have a pet in spite of her parents'

objections, but a branch, a twig, a car tire, and even her

baby brother fail to make her dreams come true.

IL:K-3 RL:1.6

The queen of water By Resau, Laura

Living in a village in Ecuador, a Quechua Indian girl is

sent to work as an indentured servant for an upper class

"mestizo" family. IL:YA

The Scorpio Races By Stiefvater, Maggie

Nineteen-year-old returning champion Sean Kendrick

competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride

in the annual Scorpio Races, both trying to keep hold of

their dangerous water horses long enough to make it to the

finish line. IL:YA

The secret river By Rawlings, Marjorie Kinnan

Young Calpurnia takes her dog, Buggy-horse, and follows

her nose to a secret river in a Florida forest, where she

catches enough fresh fish to feed her hungry neighbors,

even after giving some to the forest creatures she meets on

the way home. IL:K-3 RL:3

Sidekicks By Santat, Dan

Captain Amazing tries to hire a new sidekick when he feels

he is getting too old to be a reliable superhero, but his pets

have different ideas. IL:3-6 RL:4.8

Squish. No. 1: Super Amoeba By Holm, Jennifer L

The young amoeba Squish, inspired by his favorite comic

book hero, Super Amoeba, tries to navigate his way

through school and save his friends and the world from the

evils that lurk in the halls. IL:3-6 RL:2.2

Stars By Ray, Mary Lyn

Explores the wonder of stars, whether they are in the night

sky, on a plant as a promise of fruit to come, or in one's

pocket for those days when one does not feel shiny. IL:K-

3 RL:2.1

Swirl by swirl: Spirals in nature By Sidman, Joyce

An illustrated exploration of various examples of spirals

appearing in nature, looking at snail shells, flower petals,

elephant tusks, crashing waves, and more. IL:K-3 RL:2.5

Texas gothic By Clement-Moore, Rosemary

Seventeen-year-old Amy Goodnight has long been the one

who makes her family of witches seem somewhat normal

to others, but while spending a summer with her sister

caring for their aunt's farm, Amy becomes the center of

weirdness when she becomes tied to a powerful ghost.

IL:YA

Thunder birds: Nature's flying predators By Arnosky, Jim

Presents information about different types birds and the

features that make them unique, and contains color

photographs of these birds. IL:K-3 RL:5.8

Trapped: How the world rescued 33 miners from 2,000

feet below the Chilean desert By Aronson, Marc

Provides a detailed account of rescue efforts to save thirty-

three miners, who were trapped in a copper-gold mine in

San Jose, Chile. IL:5-8 RL:7.2

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Under the mesquite By McCall, Guadalupe Garcia

Throughout her high school years, as her mother battles

cancer, Lupita takes on more responsibility for her house

and seven younger siblings, while finding refuge in acting

and writing poetry. Includes glossary of Spanish terms.

IL:YA

Underground By Evans, Shane

Follows a family's journey toward freedom as they travel

along the Underground railroad. IL:K-3 RL:.6

Warp speed By Yee, Lisa

Marley Sandelski has always felt invisible at school when

he is not facing bullies, but a series of unexpected events

gives him a taste of popularity and insights into some

classmates who are well-liked or greatly-feared. IL:3-

6 RL:5.2

The watch that ends the night: Voices from the Titanic By Wolf, Allan

Recreates the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as observed by

millionaire John Jacob Astor, a beautiful young Lebanese

refugee finding first love, "Unsinkable" Molly Brown,

Captain Smith, and others including the iceberg itself.

IL:YA

When life gives you O.J. By Perl, Erica S

Ten-year-old Zelly Fried considers going along with her

grandfather's crazy plan to convince her parents to buy her

a dog which involves a "practice dog" named OJ. IL:3-

6 RL:6.4

Won-Ton: A cat tale told in haiku By Wardlaw, Lee

A cat arrives at a shelter, arranges to go home with a good

family, and settles in with them, all the while letting them

know who is boss and, finally, sharing his real name. IL:K-

3 RL:3

Wonder By Palacio, R. J

Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme

facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes

from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a

private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring

the taunts and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be

seen as just another student. IL:3-6

Wonderstruck: A novel in words and pictures By Selznick, Brian

Relates the stories of twelve-year-old Ben, who loses his

mother and his hearing in a short time frame and decides to

leave his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he has

never known in New York City; and Rose, who lives with

her father but feels compelled to search for what is missing

in her life. Ben's story is told in words; Rose's in pictures.

IL:5-8 RL:5

Words in the dust By Reedy, Trent

Zulaikha, a thirteen-year-old girl in Afghanistan, faces a

series of frightening but exhilarating changes in her life as

she defies her father and secretly meets with an old woman

who teaches her to read, her older sister gets married, and

American troops offer her surgery to fix her disfiguring

cleft lip. IL:5-8 RL:4.8

World without fish By Kurlansky, Mark

Describes what is happening to fish, the oceans, and the

environment in the early twenty-first century, explaining

how commonly-consumed fish, such as tuna, cod, and

salmon, are disappearing; and discussing the impact of

overfishing on other species and the effects of fishing on

the oceans.

IL:3-6 RL:6.9

Zita the spacegirl. Book one: Far from home By Hatke, Ben

Zita rushes to the rescue after her best friend is abducted by

an alien doomsday cult, and, before long, finds herself

hailed as an intergalactic hero.

IL:3-6 RL:3

Zombie in love By DiPucchio, Kelly S

Mortimer, a zombie, is looking for love, but when all of his

attempts to locate a sweetheart fail, Mortimer decides to

place an ad in the newspaper.

IL:K-3 RL:2.4