2014 Winner
Hubbard Woods and Illinois Winner!
Wonder
By: RJ Palacio
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. ~amazon.com
By: RJ Palacio
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. ~amazon.com
2015 Nominations
Edgar Allan's Official Crime Investigation Notebook
By: Mary Amato
First Slurpy is fishnapped, then other things from Mrs. Blackwell's room start to disappear. Odder still, whoever is committing these crimes leaves a note written in poetry. Edgar has it all covered in his "crime investigation notebook"--but so does Patrick Chen, who has copied Edgar and is trying to solve the case first. Yet as Edgar keenly observes his surroundings, he notices many interesting things about his classmates. The more closely he watches two "suspects," the more he begins to think they might make pretty good friends. This warm and humorous story puts writing, friendship, and mystery into a short, accessible chapter book. ~amazon.com
First Slurpy is fishnapped, then other things from Mrs. Blackwell's room start to disappear. Odder still, whoever is committing these crimes leaves a note written in poetry. Edgar has it all covered in his "crime investigation notebook"--but so does Patrick Chen, who has copied Edgar and is trying to solve the case first. Yet as Edgar keenly observes his surroundings, he notices many interesting things about his classmates. The more closely he watches two "suspects," the more he begins to think they might make pretty good friends. This warm and humorous story puts writing, friendship, and mystery into a short, accessible chapter book. ~amazon.com
Seaglass Summer
By: Anjali Banerjee
Eleven-year-old Poppy Ray longs to be a veterinarian, but she's never had a pet. This summer, she's going to spend a month with her uncle Sanjay, veterinarian and owner of the Furry Friends Animal Clinic on an island off the Washington coast. Poppy is in for big surprises. She loves tending to the dogs, cats, and even a bird, and she discovers the fun of newborn puppies and the satisfaction of doing a good job. But she learns that there's more to caring for animals than the stethoscope and cotton swabs in her Deluxe Veterinarian First-Aid Kit. She's not prepared for quirky pet owners, gross stuff, or scary emergencies. With help from a boy named Hawk, a chunk of seaglass, and a touch of intuition, Poppy gains a deeper understanding of the pain and joy of working with animals. With warmth and humor, Anjali Banerjee tells the story of a resourceful, determined girl who can't wait to grow up, but begins to realize just how much she has left to discover. ~amazon.com
Eleven-year-old Poppy Ray longs to be a veterinarian, but she's never had a pet. This summer, she's going to spend a month with her uncle Sanjay, veterinarian and owner of the Furry Friends Animal Clinic on an island off the Washington coast. Poppy is in for big surprises. She loves tending to the dogs, cats, and even a bird, and she discovers the fun of newborn puppies and the satisfaction of doing a good job. But she learns that there's more to caring for animals than the stethoscope and cotton swabs in her Deluxe Veterinarian First-Aid Kit. She's not prepared for quirky pet owners, gross stuff, or scary emergencies. With help from a boy named Hawk, a chunk of seaglass, and a touch of intuition, Poppy gains a deeper understanding of the pain and joy of working with animals. With warmth and humor, Anjali Banerjee tells the story of a resourceful, determined girl who can't wait to grow up, but begins to realize just how much she has left to discover. ~amazon.com
I Feel Better with a Frog in my Throat: History's Strangest Cures
By: Carlyn Beccia
Read about the different cures people have come up with to try to feel better. Some cures worked, but others had less than pleasant outcomes.
Read about the different cures people have come up with to try to feel better. Some cures worked, but others had less than pleasant outcomes.
Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything
By: Stephen Cotler
Illustrated By: Adam McCauley
Ronald "Cheesie" Mack is not a genius or anything, but he remembers everything that happened before, during, and after fifth-grade graduation, and he's written it all down in his own unique and hilarious way—with lots of lists, drawings, and splenderful (that's splendid plus wonderful!) made-up words.
Cheesie's story is about more than just his boring graduation ceremony and the not-so-boring party afterward; it's also about his ongoing battle with his evil older sister, a mouse plot gone wrong, and his best friends Georgie's discovery of a mysterious old coin that just might change the summer completely. ~book summary
Illustrated By: Adam McCauley
Ronald "Cheesie" Mack is not a genius or anything, but he remembers everything that happened before, during, and after fifth-grade graduation, and he's written it all down in his own unique and hilarious way—with lots of lists, drawings, and splenderful (that's splendid plus wonderful!) made-up words.
Cheesie's story is about more than just his boring graduation ceremony and the not-so-boring party afterward; it's also about his ongoing battle with his evil older sister, a mouse plot gone wrong, and his best friends Georgie's discovery of a mysterious old coin that just might change the summer completely. ~book summary
Book Excerpt:
Bud, Not Buddy
By: Christopher Paul Curtis
It's 1936 Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and 10-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy, but Bud's got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things; 2. He's the author of "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself"; 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his band of renown, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. Bud is sure those posters will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road, nothing can stop him, not hunger, not fear, not would-be vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself. ~barnesandnoble.com
It's 1936 Flint, Michigan. Times may be hard, and 10-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy, but Bud's got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things; 2. He's the author of "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself"; 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his band of renown, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. Bud is sure those posters will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road, nothing can stop him, not hunger, not fear, not would-be vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself. ~barnesandnoble.com
The Lemonade War
By: Jacqueline Davis
Evan Treski is people-smart. he is good at talking to people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart - but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject. So when their lemonade war begins, there is not telling who will win - or if their fight will ever end. ~ book summary
Evan Treski is people-smart. he is good at talking to people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart - but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject. So when their lemonade war begins, there is not telling who will win - or if their fight will ever end. ~ book summary
Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle
By: Brian Dennis, Kirby Larson, and Mary Nethery
Nubs was a lonely, homeless Iraqi dog of war. Then, he met someone that changed his life. Follow Nubs' amazing story as he looks for a home and a person to call his own.
Nubs was a lonely, homeless Iraqi dog of war. Then, he met someone that changed his life. Follow Nubs' amazing story as he looks for a home and a person to call his own.
Because of Winn-Dixie
By: Kate DiCamillo
India Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida with her father and meets a dog at a supermarket who she names Winn-Dixie. She is lonely at first, but with Winn-Dixie, India begins to make a few friends and discover that she still has a whole lot to be thankful for. ~book summary
India Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida with her father and meets a dog at a supermarket who she names Winn-Dixie. She is lonely at first, but with Winn-Dixie, India begins to make a few friends and discover that she still has a whole lot to be thankful for. ~book summary
A Strong Right Arm: the Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson
By: Michelle Y. Green
Motivated by her love for the game and inspired by the legendary Jackie Robinson, Mamie Johnson is determined to be a professional baseball pitcher. But in a sport that's determined by white men, there is no place for a black woman. Mamie doesn't give up-from the time she insists on trying out for the all-male, all-white Police Athletic League until she realizes her dream and becomes one of three women to play in the Negro Leagues. Mamie Johnson's life shows that with courage and perseverance one can overcome even the greatest challenges. ~amazon.com
Motivated by her love for the game and inspired by the legendary Jackie Robinson, Mamie Johnson is determined to be a professional baseball pitcher. But in a sport that's determined by white men, there is no place for a black woman. Mamie doesn't give up-from the time she insists on trying out for the all-male, all-white Police Athletic League until she realizes her dream and becomes one of three women to play in the Negro Leagues. Mamie Johnson's life shows that with courage and perseverance one can overcome even the greatest challenges. ~amazon.com
Calli Be Gold
By: Michele Weber Hurwitz
Eleven-year-old Calli Gold is the quiet third child in a family of loud overachievers. In fact, the family motto is Be Gold. Calli's sister is on an ice-skating team, and her brother's a basketball star. Her parents are sure she has a hidden gift for something. They just have to figure out what it is! But Calli has flopped at everything she's tried. She sure doesn't feel like a Gold. Until a new person enters her life. Second grader Noah Zullo might seem strange to some people, but Calli can't help liking him, and they become partners in their school's Peer Helper Program. When they create a booth for the Friendship Fair, they fill it with secrets and surprises. And as Calli and Noah work and learn together, they even surprise themselves. ~book summary
Eleven-year-old Calli Gold is the quiet third child in a family of loud overachievers. In fact, the family motto is Be Gold. Calli's sister is on an ice-skating team, and her brother's a basketball star. Her parents are sure she has a hidden gift for something. They just have to figure out what it is! But Calli has flopped at everything she's tried. She sure doesn't feel like a Gold. Until a new person enters her life. Second grader Noah Zullo might seem strange to some people, but Calli can't help liking him, and they become partners in their school's Peer Helper Program. When they create a booth for the Friendship Fair, they fill it with secrets and surprises. And as Calli and Noah work and learn together, they even surprise themselves. ~book summary
Bones: Skeletons and How They Work
By: Steve Jenkins
Bones come in all shapes and sizes. They grow. They support. They can even repair themselves when they break. Steve Jenkins explores the differences between human and animal bones, many of them shown at actual size. Take a close look at a human hand and those of a spider monkey, a mole, and a bat. [Compare and learn about the weight and ribs of different animals.] Three bonus gatefold spreads reveal the bony insides of earth's most fascinating creatures. ~book summary
Bones come in all shapes and sizes. They grow. They support. They can even repair themselves when they break. Steve Jenkins explores the differences between human and animal bones, many of them shown at actual size. Take a close look at a human hand and those of a spider monkey, a mole, and a bat. [Compare and learn about the weight and ribs of different animals.] Three bonus gatefold spreads reveal the bony insides of earth's most fascinating creatures. ~book summary
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: an Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer
By: Barbara Kerley
Illustrated By: Brian Selznick
Until the mid-1800s, no-one really knew what a dinosaur was - let alone what one looked like. So when Victorian artist Waterhouse Hawkins built the first life-size models he dazzled the world with his awe-inspiring creations. ~amazon.com
Illustrated By: Brian Selznick
Until the mid-1800s, no-one really knew what a dinosaur was - let alone what one looked like. So when Victorian artist Waterhouse Hawkins built the first life-size models he dazzled the world with his awe-inspiring creations. ~amazon.com
Number the Stars
By: Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. ~goodreads.com
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. ~goodreads.com
Waiting for the Magic
By: Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrated By: Amy June Bates
People may drift apart, but love can hold them together. Sometimes we find that love through magic. Sometimes that MAGIC is all around us. This is a story about all of these things. But it's also a story about how...... four dogs and one cat help one boy and his sister save their family. ~book summary
Illustrated By: Amy June Bates
People may drift apart, but love can hold them together. Sometimes we find that love through magic. Sometimes that MAGIC is all around us. This is a story about all of these things. But it's also a story about how...... four dogs and one cat help one boy and his sister save their family. ~book summary
Book Excerpt:
Emily's Fortune
By: Phyllis Reynolds
Emily Wiggins is poor and timid, without a drop of self-confidence. When unexpectedly orphaned, she is left all alone except for her turtle, Rufus. Emily's neighbors, Mrs. Ready, Mrs. Aim, and Mrs. Fire, have the answer. Emily must travel by stagecoach to honorable Aunt Hilda. But Miss Catchum of the Catchum Child-Catching Services will get a big bonus for making Emily live with her next of kin, vicious Uncle Victor. It will take all the gumption and cunning of fellow orphan and traveler, Jackson, to help Emily find her confidence, conniving spirit, and the truth behind why Uncle Victor wants to claim her. ~randomhouse.com (This summary is a little different from the original.)
Emily Wiggins is poor and timid, without a drop of self-confidence. When unexpectedly orphaned, she is left all alone except for her turtle, Rufus. Emily's neighbors, Mrs. Ready, Mrs. Aim, and Mrs. Fire, have the answer. Emily must travel by stagecoach to honorable Aunt Hilda. But Miss Catchum of the Catchum Child-Catching Services will get a big bonus for making Emily live with her next of kin, vicious Uncle Victor. It will take all the gumption and cunning of fellow orphan and traveler, Jackson, to help Emily find her confidence, conniving spirit, and the truth behind why Uncle Victor wants to claim her. ~randomhouse.com (This summary is a little different from the original.)
Wonder
By: RJ Palacio
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. ~amazon.com
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. ~amazon.com
Clementine
By: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated By: Marla Frazee
Clementine tries to help out her friend Margaret, but ends up in a lot of trouble for it. Things get worse each day of the week, until finally she's worried that Margaret is right: Clementine's parents might consider her "the hard one" in the family. They're up to something mysterious; are they thinking they'd be better off if they only had her little vegetable-named brother, "the easy one?" ~scholastic.com
Illustrated By: Marla Frazee
Clementine tries to help out her friend Margaret, but ends up in a lot of trouble for it. Things get worse each day of the week, until finally she's worried that Margaret is right: Clementine's parents might consider her "the hard one" in the family. They're up to something mysterious; are they thinking they'd be better off if they only had her little vegetable-named brother, "the easy one?" ~scholastic.com
Knights of the Kitchen Table (Time Warp Trio vol 1)
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated By: Lane Smith
It all started with The Book, a present from Joe's magician uncle. One minute they were looking at pictures of knights in The Book - and the next minute they are knights, battling fire-breathing dragons and gross-smelling giants! Can the Time Warp Trio escape death and destruction - and make it back to the 20th century in time for lunch? ~book summary
Illustrated By: Lane Smith
It all started with The Book, a present from Joe's magician uncle. One minute they were looking at pictures of knights in The Book - and the next minute they are knights, battling fire-breathing dragons and gross-smelling giants! Can the Time Warp Trio escape death and destruction - and make it back to the 20th century in time for lunch? ~book summary
Pie
By: Sarah Weeks
Alice's aunt, The Pie Queen Polly Portman, leaves her world class pie-crust recipe to her cat, Lardo, but leaves her cat to Alice. Soon, everyone is making pies, and someone is after the pie-crust recipe. Will Alice and her friend, Charlie, get to the bottom of the mystery before the whole town becomes pie-crazy?
"A piecrust recipe, a mystery, and a whole lot of yummy!" ~Ms. Hwang
Alice's aunt, The Pie Queen Polly Portman, leaves her world class pie-crust recipe to her cat, Lardo, but leaves her cat to Alice. Soon, everyone is making pies, and someone is after the pie-crust recipe. Will Alice and her friend, Charlie, get to the bottom of the mystery before the whole town becomes pie-crazy?
"A piecrust recipe, a mystery, and a whole lot of yummy!" ~Ms. Hwang
Little Wolf's Book of Badness
By: Ian Whybrow
Illustrated By: Tony Ross
Little Wolf is off on a frightening journey through a dark, damp forest to his Uncle Bigbad's school, Cunning College. Will Little Wolf learn to be wild and wicked? Will he earn his BAD badge? Or will Bigbad HUFF and PUFF and turn Little into a sausage sandwich? Little wolf bravely ventures into a gripping tale of badness and brute beasts, with howlingly funny results. ~book summary
If you have read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you might like this book. It is like reading a diary.
Illustrated By: Tony Ross
Little Wolf is off on a frightening journey through a dark, damp forest to his Uncle Bigbad's school, Cunning College. Will Little Wolf learn to be wild and wicked? Will he earn his BAD badge? Or will Bigbad HUFF and PUFF and turn Little into a sausage sandwich? Little wolf bravely ventures into a gripping tale of badness and brute beasts, with howlingly funny results. ~book summary
If you have read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you might like this book. It is like reading a diary.