New Titles 2004

Additional Titles for
Recommended Literature:
Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve
Grades K-2
Andrews-Goebel, Nancy. Pot That Juan Built, The. Illustrated by David Diaz. Lee and
Low Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book biography explains how Juan Quezada rediscovered the art of
pottery making practiced by the ancient Casa Grandes people of Mexico and how this
discovery led to the revitalization of the village of Mata Ortiz. The left-hand pages tell
the story with the cumulative pattern similar to "The House That Jack Built," and the
right-hand pages describe in narrative text details about Juan's life and work. Includes
photographs and explanation of Quezada's work. Luminous illustrations enhance the
text. Useful for learning about pottery, economics, and cultures. California author and
illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. Pura Belpre Illustration Honor.
Visual and Performing Arts.
Arden, Carolyn. Goose Moon. Illustrated by Jim Postier. Boyds Mills Press, 2004.
Fiction.
Just when it seems as though winter will never end, the sound of distant honking
accompanies a flock of geese flying by the light of the moon, a sign that summer is on
the way. This tale inspired by Native American folklore is a story of seasonal change
and patterns of animal behavior. The luminous watercolors depict a rural landscape
from late autumn to early spring, subtly suggesting the chill of winter and the
comfortable warmth of home.
Native American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. History/Social Science,
Science.
Ashman, Linda. Castles, Caves, and Honeycombs. Illustrated by Lauren Stringer.

Harcourt Brace, 2001. Nonfiction.
Describes the unique places where animals build their homes, such as a heap of
twigs on a castle tower or the space inside a tree. Illustrated with acrylic paintings.
The rhyming verse makes it a read-aloud choice.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Golden Kite Illustration Honor. Science.
Aylesworth, Jim (reteller). Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Illustrated by Barbara
McClintock. Scholastic, 2003. Folklore.
New charm is infused in both text and pictures into this traditional tale, and Goldilocks
recalls never again to do what her mother tells her not to do. McClintock's old-
fashioned illustrations recall the style of the nineteenth century.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Property of California Department of Education 01/05 1

Grades K-2
Baird, Audrey B. Cold Snap!: Frosty Poems, A. Illustrated by Patrick O'Brien. Boyds
Mills Press, 2004. Poetry.
These 22 poems celebrate winter's shivery delights. Every nuance of the season is
presented. Some poems depict falling temperatures, chilly weather, and hot chili to
eat. O'Brien's illustrations capture the chilly mood of the poems. This poetry book is a
companion to Baird's Storm Coming!
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Writing, Science.
Barasch, Lynne. Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates. Illustrated by Lynne
Barasch. Lee and Low Books, 2004. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book tells the story of Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, an African American who
lost his leg in a factory accident at the age of twelve and went on to become a world-
famous tap dancer. The watercolor and ink illustrations are full of movement and flair.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. History/Social
Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Brenner, Barbara. One Small Place by the Sea. Illustrated by Tom Leonard.
HarperCollins, 2004. Narrative Nonfiction.
The child visitor observes the cycle of change with the tide pool habitat, a small place
at the edge of the sea that is home to many plants and animals. Brenner's prose
shows how life flourishes in the tide pool and the interconnectedness of each of the
creatures and plants there. Leonard's brightly colored illustrations are realistic,
scientific, and dramatic. A companion title is One Small Place in a Tree.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Science.
Browne, Anthony. Shape Game. Illustrated by Anthony Browne. Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
In this autobiographical account, Browne describes how his mother's wish to spend
her birthday visiting the art museum with her family changed the course of his life. His
surreal style is once again evident in art and text. Young readers can do the drawing
exercise the author/illustrator shares in the endpapers. This book can also be used as
a picture book for older readers.
Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Christelow, Eileen. Vote! Illustrated by Eileen Christelow. Clarion Books, 2003. Realistic
Fiction.
Using a town's mayoral election as a model, this lively introduction to voting covers
every step in the process: from the start of the campaign all the way to the voting
booth, complete with a recount and a timeline of voting history. Humorous cartoon-
style art complement the informative text. A glossary, timeline, and resource list are
included.
History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.

Grades K-2
Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins, 2003.

Fiction, Humor.
A young worm describes his daily activities and the good and not-so-good things
about being a worm. This quirky, humorous story is enhanced by watercolor and ink
drawings.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Cronin, Doreen. Giggle, Giggle, Quack. Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Simon and
Schuster, 2002. Fiction, Humor.
When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, leaving his brother Bob in charge, Duck
makes trouble by changing all his instructions into notes that the animals like much
better in this sequel to Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type. The big, bright illustrations
are highlighted in thick, black lines that lend a cartoon-like character to the pictures.
Lots of fun as a read-aloud.
Daly, Niki. Once Upon a Time. Illustrated by Niki Daly. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004.
Realistic Fiction.
Sarie has a difficult time reading aloud in her South African classroom. She loves to
visit Auntie Anna because she can share these worries with her. One day, as she sits
with Auntie Anna in her old car, Sarie finds a dusty old copy of Cinderella. As they
read the book together, Sarie's reading skills and confidence in reading grow. The
watercolor illustrations vividly portray the expansive South African landscape.
African Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science, English-Language
Arts/Literary Elements, Literacy/Motivation.
DeFelice, Cynthia. Cold Feet. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. D. K. Publishing,

2000. Folklore.
This tale is a retelling of an old Scottish legend. When a poor, wandering bagpiper
steals a dead man's boots and uses them to play a trick on an unfriendly farmer, he
finds the trick turned back on him. The cool gray tones of the watercolor illustrations
add spookiness to this ghostly legend, which is a good read-aloud.
Western European Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Dillon, Diane. Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles - Think of That! Illustrated by Leo
Dillon. Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Narrative
Nonfiction.
Rhyming text and vibrant illustrations make for a succinct picture book biography of
tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. An afterword summarizes the life of one of the
most famous tap dancers of all time.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. Coretta Scott King
Illustrator Honor. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.

Grades K-2
Duke, Kate. Twenty Is Too Many. Illustrated by Kate Duke. Dutton Books, 2000.
Fiction.
Twenty guinea pigs are on a boat, and when ten of them jump out into the waves, the
boat floats more easily. In this book about subtraction, one by one the others leave.
Duke's artwork bursts with action, color, humor, and clever foreshadowing shows the
coming action from page to page. This book follows Duke's previous book on addition
called One Guinea Pig Is not Enough.
Concept Book, Picture Book, Read Aloud. Mathematics.
Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Dear Tooth Fairy. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick.

HarperCollins, 2003. Fiction.
Six-year-old Claire writes back and forth to the Tooth Fairy to discuss the importance
of her first loose tooth and wondering when it will fall out. The Tooth Fairy's
typewritten responses overlay the watercolor illustrations.
Falwell, Cathryn. Butterflies for Kiri. Illustrated by Cathryn Falwell. Lee and Low
Books, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
Kiri, a Japanese American girl who loves to draw and paint, tries to use the origami
set she received for her birthday. Full-color illustrations are created with cut-and-torn
paper collage. Includes instructions for making an origami butterfly.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing
Arts.
Farris, Christopher. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Simon and Schuster,
2003. Biography/Autobiography.
The early life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the fun-loving and often mischievous boy, is
told through the eyes of his older sister. The realistic, full-page watercolor illustrations
are handsome additions that bring this family to life. Includes a poetic tribute to Martin
Luther King by Mildred D. Johnson, an afterword, and an illustrator's note.
Science.
Fine, Anne. Jamie and Angus Stories, The. Illustrated by Penny Dale. Candlewick
Press, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
Six short stories for early readers depict the adventures of a young boy and his
stuffed dog. The pencil illustrations add charm to these stories, which accurately
capture the dialogue and antics of a young child.
Easy Reader, Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.

Grades K-2
Fleming, Candace. Boxes for Katje. Illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen. Farrar,

Straus & Giroux, 2003. Historical Fiction.
In post-war Holland Katje receives a care package from Janie in Mayfield, Indiana.
The care packages progressively become larger and larger as the whole community
of Mayfield contributes to the effort. To repay the kindness, Katje's village sends a box
of tulip bulbs to their American friends. Based on a true story.
Western European Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing,
History/Social Science.
Fleming, Candace. Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Illustrated by G. Brian Karas.

Atheneum, 2002. Fiction.
The book features a lively onomatopoeic romp through a vegetable garden with
gardener Mr. McGreeley and a trio of smart cottontail bunnies. The gouache-and-
pencil illustrations in earthy shades are filled with humor and complement this rousing
read-aloud. Pair this with Janet Stevens' Tops and Bottoms for garden stories of witty
rabbits!
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Fleming, Denise. Alphabet Under Construction. Illustrated by Denise Fleming. Henry

Holt and Company, 2002. Fiction.
The mouse from Fleming's Lunch (1992) returns to take on the alphabet as he folds
the F, glues the G, measures M, all the way to Z. The distinctive handmade paper
artwork and bright colors add punch to this exuberant ABC book.
Alphabet Book, Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Frazee, Marla. Roller Coaster. Illustrated by Marla Frazee. Harcourt Brace, 2003.
Fiction.
Twelve people set aside their fears and ride a roller coaster, including one who has
never done so before. Excitement and motion are well depicted in Frazee's
illustrations through animated faces, swooshing lines, bright colors, and much white
space.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Gammell, Stephen. Once Upon MacDonald's Farm. Illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

Simon and Schuster, 2000. Original ©1981. Fiction.
This is a reissue of a hilarious version of the classic farmyard song. It features Old
MacDonald struggling to farm with exotic animals including an elephant, baboon, and
a lion. He doesn't fare much better with the more usual chicken, cow, and horse.
Gammell's two-color pencil pictures are perfectly suited to this new twist on the tale.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Visual and Performing Arts.

Grades K-2
Garden, Nancy. Molly's Family. Illustrated by Sharon Wooding. Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, 2004. Realistic Fiction.
When Molly draws a picture of her family, one of her classmates tells her that she
can't have a mommy and a momma. But her class discovers that many of the
students have nontraditional families. Presents an insightful look at same-sex
partnering and other nontraditional families. The soft color pencil illustrations add
realistic, everyday detail to the story.
Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Gerstein, Mordicai. Man Who Walked Between the Towers, The. Illustrated by
Mordicai Gerstein. Roaring Book Press, 2003. Narrative Nonfiction.
In 1974, when the World Trade Center was being completed, a young French
tightrope walker could not resist the challenge and spent over an hour walking,
dancing, resting, and doing tricks a quarter of a mile above pedestrians on the streets
below. Fascinating ink work and oil paintings provide a real sense of perspective and
daring to the story. A picture book for older readers.
Picture Book. Caldecott Winner. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social
Science, Literacy/Motivation.
Gerstein, Mordicai. What Charlie Heard. Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Farrar, Straus
& Giroux, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
Twentieth-century composer Charles Ives wrote music that was so revolutionary it
was mostly ignored by his contemporaries. In his old age he found an audience.
Gerstein's flowing illustrations rendered in pen and ink are infused with color, vividly
portraying the sounds that become the inspiration for his music.
Graham, Bob. "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate. Illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick
Press, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
When Kate and her parents visit the animal shelter, they select an adorable puppy,
but they return to bring home an older dog they simply couldn't leave behind.
Graham's humorous cartoon-style illustrations reveal hip, contemporary parents and
a cozy domestic scene. This is an endearing story of family warmth and belonging.
Graham, Bob. Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child. Illustrated by Bob Graham. Candlewick Press,
2002. Fantasy.
Annabelle's dad doesn't believe in fairies and discourages her from looking for them.
She does anyway and discovers a family of fairies between the cement and weeds.
Together they enjoy tea while the fairies sing and dance for her. This humorous story
of childhood imagination is complemented with the author's own lighthearted ink-and-
watercolor cartoon-style drawings that represent the difference in size between
Annabelle and her fairies.

Grades K-2
Grifalconi, Ann. Village That Vanished, The. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Dial Books,
2002. Realistic Fiction.
An unforgettable original folktale of a young girl and her mother, who rescue the
people of their small village in southeastern Africa from approaching slave traders.
The oil and pencil drawings with muted tones are appropriate to the seriousness of
this story and accurately convey the geography of the setting.
African Culture. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social Science.
Guest, Elissa Haden. Iris and Walter. Illustrated by Christine Davenier. Harcourt Brace,
2000. Fiction.
This fresh easy-reader story is a humorous portrayal of a young girl who moves from
the city and, with the help of her new friend, learns to adjust to living in the country.
Energetic watercolor-and-ink illustrations reveal all the new discoveries of life in the
country. This growing series boasts eight titles through 2003.
Hamilton, Virginia. Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl. Illustrated by James E.
Ransome. Blue Sky Press, 2003. Folklore.
The Brer Rabbit trickster tale of African American folklore gets a fresh and rhythmic
retelling using Gullah speech. Bruh Rabbit falls for Tar Baby Girl but ultimately outwits
Bruh Fox. Illustrator Ransome creates rich full-page watercolor pictures depicting the
lush countryside, with realistic animals adorned in human clothing.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language
Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social Science.
Haseley, Dennis. Story for Bear, A. Illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Harcourt Brace, 2002.
Fiction.
A young bear who is fascinated by the mysterious marks he sees on paper finds a
friend when a kind woman reads stories to him. The acrylic and pencil illustrations in
soft, warm colors enhance the quiet feeling of the story.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Heide, Florence Parry; and Van Clief, Sylvia. That's What Friends Are For. Illustrated
by Holly Meade. Candlewick Press, 2003. Original ©1968. Fiction.
All the elephant's friends give him advice, but none can solve his problem until the
opossum announces friends are to help, not just to give advice. The cumulative text is
accompanied by striking watercolor and cut-paper illustrations in this new edition of
an old favorite.

Grades K-2
Heo, Yumi (reteller). Green Frogs: A Korean Folktale, The. Illustrated by Yumi Heo.
Houghton Mifflin, 1996. Folklore.
A folktale about two green frogs who always disobey their mother, explaining why
green frogs cry out whenever it rains. The oil and pencil illustrations are busy, funny,
and bright.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language
Arts/Vocabulary.
Hest, Amy. Kiss Good Night. Illustrated by Anita Jeram. Candlewick Press, 2001.
Fiction.
Even after a story, being tucked in, and warm milk, Sam is not ready to go to sleep
until his mother kisses him good night. Acrylic illustrations use warm autumn colors
that emphasize the coziness of bedtime.
Picture Book. Christopher Award.
Hopkinson, Deborah. Bluebird Summer. Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen.

Greenwillow Books, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
The farm isn't the same after Grandma's death. Her grandchildren work to restore the
garden that Gramps had to let go. By placing a birdhouse in the garden, they bring
bluebirds back to the garden. Includes brief information about bluebirds.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Honor.
Hopkinson, Deborah. Under the Quilt of Night. Illustrated by James E. Ransome.

Atheneum, 2002. Historical Fiction.
A young girl flees from the farm where she has been worked as a slave and uses the
Underground Railroad to escape to freedom in the north. Told in first-person narrative,
her story tells of the treacherous flight. Illustrated with rich, dark oil paintings that lend
realism to the setting.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language
Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Howitt, Mary Botham. Spider and the Fly, The. Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. Simon
and Schuster, 2002. Fiction, Poetry.
This cautionary poem was written in 1829 about a vain, silly fly and the cunning
spider who does her in. The black-and-white artwork evokes the era of silent films,
and the gothic flavor and details will appeal to older readers as well. Older readers
will identify the macabre details and appreciate connections with the likes of Charles
Adamms, Edward Gorey, and Lemony Snickett. Picture book for older readers.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Caldecott Honor. Visual and Performing Arts.
Hughes, Shirley. Olly and Me. Illustrated by Shirley Hughes. Candlewick Press, 2004.
Poetry.
Olly and his big sister have a good time together, whether dancing, walking in the
park with their parents, or playing with friends. The text is a combination of prose and

Grades K-2
verse and the warm, full-color illustrations make for a cozy collection of illustrated
poems.
Janeczko, Paul B. (editor). Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems, A.

Illustrated by Chris Raschka. Candlewick Press, 2001. Poetry.
Concrete poems startle and delight the eye and mind. Here in a single extraordinary
volume are 30 poems from some of the world's finest visual poets, including John
Hollander, Maureen W. Armour, and Douglas Florian. Noted abstract style illustrator,
Raschka, adds visual interest.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Jeffers, Susan. My Pony. Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Hyperion Press, 2003. Fiction.
A girl who wants to own her own pony, daydreams about how exciting it would be to
ride such a horse, which she names Silver. Together they travel all over, meeting
other horses. Illustrated with Jeffers' signature realistic artwork that reflects the
simple, loving prose.
Jenkins, Emily. Five Creatures. Illustrated by Tomek Bogacki. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2001. Fiction.
A young narrator shares a whimsical and fresh look at family. The reader is
encouraged to be observant in identifying the common traits among the two adults,
one child, and two cats in this household. The curvilinear and childlike illustrations
created in colored chalk enhance the sense of family togetherness. A good
introduction to deductive reasoning and Venn diagrams.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Mathematics.
Jenkins, Steve; and Page, Robin. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Illustrated
by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Nonfiction.
A fun and interactive science lesson that looks at the different ways 30 animals use
their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails. The artist's characteristic cut-paper
collages add interest and realism. Endnotes offer more information on the 30 animals.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. Science.
Johnston, Tony. Isabel's House of Butterflies. Illustrated by Susan Guevara. Sierra

Club, 2003. Fiction.
Eight-year-old Isabel creates a plan to spare her favorite tree, keep the monarch
butterflies coming, and provide an income for her poor family in Mexico. A well-crafted
story, illustrated with richly textured paintings, bordered with frames that are
reminiscent of folk art. California author and illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. Science.

Grades K-2
Johnston, Tony. Sunsets of the West. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. Putnam Publishing,
2002. Historical Fiction.
Pa wants to see the endless prairie, so the family packs up and undertakes the
difficult journey to a new life in the West. A quiet, gentle story that presents details
about what it was like to leave everything you know and go into the unknown.
Illustrated with handsome, realistic watercolor paintings. California author.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. History/Social Science.
Kalman, Maira. Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey. Illustrated
by Maira Kalman. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Nonfiction.
A story of a fireboat launched in 1931 that is resurrected by new owners in the 1990s
and called into service again on September 11, 2001. It is told with Kalman's hip,
energetic, expressionistic illustrations. This book on New York's response to the
September 11th disaster is age appropriate.
Kasza, Keiko. Mother for Choco, A. Illustrated by Keiko Kasza. Putnam Publishing,
1992. Fiction.
Choco sets out to find a mother. He asks a number of animals, and mother bear
adopts him and welcomes him into her family composed of an alligator, pig, and
hippopotamus. Endearing watercolor paintings are bold and bright.
Picture Book, Read Aloud.
Kasza, Keiko. My Lucky Day. Illustrated by Keiko Kasza. Putnam Publishing, 2003.
Fiction.
When a young pig knocks on a fox's door, the fox thinks dinner has arrived, but the
pig has other plans. This tale is full of humor, surprise, and wit. The bright, colorful
illustrations are well matched to the lively text.
Kasza, Keiko. Wolf's Chicken Stew, The. Illustrated by Keiko Kasza. Putnam
Publishing, 1987. Fiction.
A hungry wolf's attempts to fatten a chicken for his stewpot have unexpected results.
Spirited watercolors enhance this humorous telling.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Katz, Alan. I'm Still Here in the Bathtub: Brand New Silly Dilly Songs. Illustrated by
David Catrow. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003. Poetry.
In this follow-up to Take Me out of the Bathtub (McElderry 2001), Katz presents 14
new poems set to familiar songs, such as "Skip to My Lou," "Bingo," and "Take Me
Out to the Ballgame." Each set of lyrics is about topics children can relate to, such as
taking a bath, being hugged by an overly affectionate aunt, and being pestered by a

Grades K-2
bothersome baby brother. The crazy rhymes, accompanied by the silly illustrations
help to make poetry and music fun.
Elements.
Kay, Verla. Homespun Sarah. Illustrated by Ted Rand. Putnam Publishing, 2003.
Fiction in Verse.
Written in verse, this is the story of Sarah who lives in Pennsylvania in the early
eighteenth century. Sarah is in need of a new dress because she is outgrowing her
only dress. The steps for making clothes are presented: the sheep is shorn, the dye is
made, the cloth is woven, and a new dress is sewn and fitted. Author's note explains
how different it was to be a child living in Colonial times. California author.
Keller, Holly. Farfallina and Marcel. Illustrated by Holly Keller. Greenwillow Books,
2002. Fiction.
Farfallina the caterpillar meets Marcel the baby goose, and they play and become
good friends. As time goes by, they are both transformed for a time and miss each
other. Then one day, the butterfly and the elegant gray goose are reunited. The soft
watercolor illustrations complement this quiet story.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
King, Stephen Michael. Milli, Jack, and the Dancing Cat. Illustrated by Stephen
Michael King. Philomel Books, 2003. Fiction.
Milli spends her days making shoes, but she dreams that things might be different.
One day, Jack and the Dancing Cat come into town, and in exchange for new shoes,
they teach Milli how to dance, and how to be brave. The ink-and-watercolor
illustrations are full of color and humor.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Visual and
Performing Arts.
Lewis, J. Patrick. Shoe Tree of Chagrin, The. Illustrated by Chris Sheban. Creative
Editions, 2001. Tall Tale.
In this tall tale, a frontier woman of legendary height and fame journeys across the
plains making shoes and telling of her adventures. The illustrations are executed with
a fine line and use of tans and browns in a misty palette.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Winner.
Lindbergh, Reeve. Our Nest. Illustrated by Jill McElmurry. Candlewick Press, 2004.
Fiction in Verse.
This story in verse describes nests (figurative ones), the valley that acts as a nest for
a river, a harbor that is a nest for ships, and the land that is a nest for the ocean.
Jewel-like illustrations are done in a folk-art style.

Grades K-2
London, Jonathan. Froggy Goes to Bed. Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. Viking

Press, 2000. Fiction.
After a long day of playing, Froggy still isn't tired, so he tries to find different ways to
delay bedtime. Each part of the bedtime ritual involves a search, and by the time he is
in bed, his mother is the tired one. Cartoon-style illustrations in bright, bold colors.
California author.
Picture Book.
Long, Melinda. How I Became a Pirate. Illustrated by David Shannon. Harcourt Brace,
2003. Fiction.
Jeremy is needed by a band of pirates because he is a good digger, and they need to
bury their treasure. At first he loves the life of the pirates, but then realizes he misses
some of the comforts of home. Bright, bold, and detailed illustrations add to the fun of
this high adventure. California illustrator.
Look, Lenore. Henry's First-Moon Birthday. Illustrated by Yumi Heo. Atheneum, 2001.
Realistic Fiction.
Universal family experiences are artfully blended with Chinese traditions as young
Jen and her grandmother prepare to celebrate her baby brother's one month birthday.
A gentle, humorous story complemented by naive illustrations in pencil, oil, and
collage.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Lum, Kate. Princesses Are Not Quitters! Illustrated by Sue Hellard. Bloomsbury
Children's Books, 2002. Fiction, Humor.
Three pampered princesses decide to change places for a day with three servant
girls. In doing so, they find that working hard all day is not easy and that the servants
deserve more consideration. The bright watercolor illustrations provide visual humor
that extend the humor of the story.
Lyon, George Ella. Weaving the Rainbow. Illustrated by Stephanie Anderson.

Atheneum, 2004. Realistic Fiction.
The textile artist raises the sheep, shears them, cards and spins the wool, dyes it, and
then weaves a picture of her Kentucky pasture where her lambs were born. The soft-
focus watercolors capture the quietness of this simple tale.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Visual and
Performing Arts.

Grades K-2
MacDonald, Ross. Achoo! Bang! Crash! The Noisy Alphabet. Illustrated by Ross
MacDonald. Roaring Book Press, 2003. Fiction.
This alphabet book has as its ingenious theme - and its only text - various noises and
exclamations. The illustrations are reminiscent of nineteenth-century illustrations and
make use of a wide variety of historic typefaces.
Alphabet Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Visual and Performing Arts.
Mak, Kam. My Chinatown: One Year in Poems. Illustrated by Kam Mak.

HarperCollins, 2001. Poetry.
A young Chinese immigrant must adjust to his new life in the United States. Though
the transition is difficult at first, the boy grows to enjoy his life in the new country.
Finely detailed realistic paintings enhance the text.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book.
Manders, John. Senor Don Gato: A Traditional Song. Illustrated by John Manders.
Candlewick Press, 2003. Folklore.
As befits its hero, the song "Senor Don Gato" springs to life in an animated read-
aloud sure to spur many a rousing rendition. A costumed cast of cats acts out the
well-known children's song with comically melodramatic flair. The bright gouache
illustrations add just the right amount of exaggeration.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Mannis, Celeste Davidson. One Leaf Rides the Wind: Counting in a Japanese
Garden. Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung. Viking Press, 2002. Poetry.
A young girl makes her way slowly through a Japanese garden where she spots one
leaf, two carved temple dogs, and three miniature bonsai. This counting book with
haiku poetry introduces the youngest readers to the beauty of a Japanese garden and
to haiku. Lush watercolor illustrations enhance the ten haiku poems. The book can be
used as a writing model of poetry for students up to middle school. California author.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. Counting Book, Picture Book. English-
Language Arts/Writing, Mathematics.
Manzano, Sonia. No Dogs Allowed. Illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Atheneum, 2004.

Fiction.
Here is a slightly slapstick, yet heartwarming story of a close-knit Puerto Rican
community and the group's outing to the beach, only to encounter some unexpected
doggy trouble. Exuberant, colorful watercolor illustrations accentuate the lively story.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book.

Grades K-2
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True
Story, The. Illustrated by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Narrative
Nonfiction.
In 1913 a Canadian research vessel named Karluk, Aleutian for "fish," became
trapped in Arctic ice. The group, including two children, survived using Inupiaq Indian
cultural traditions. Scratchboard illustrations provide details in hues of brown and ice
blue.
Native American Culture. Picture Book. Golden Kite Illustration Winner.
Martin, Jr., Bill. Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Illustrated by Eric Carle.
Henry Holt and Company, 2003. Fiction.
The creators of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? team up again in this
book about endangered animals. Tissue paper and acrylic illustrations and rhyming
text present ten different endangered animals to a dreaming child.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, Science.
Martin, Jr., Bill; and Bellamy, Francis. I Pledge Allegiance. Illustrated by Chris
Raschka. Candlewick Press, 2002. Nonfiction.
This book honors the Pledge of Allegiance, which has been memorized for
generations. This book demystifies the pledge and provides meaning to the words.
Raschka's patriotic-hued abstract ink-and-paper scrap collages complement the text.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social Science.
Massie, Diane Redfield. Baby Beebee Bird, The. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg.
HarperCollins, 2000. Original ©1963. Fiction.
The baby beebee bird is new to the zoo. He sings his song all night long until, that is,
the other animals come up with a plan to teach him that nighttime is really best for
sleeping, especially for little birds. The new oversized format with Kellogg's rollicking,
colorful illustrations make this an appealing read-aloud.
McCarty, Peter. Hondo and Fabian. Illustrated by Peter McCarty. Henry Holt and
Company, 2002. Fiction.
Hondo the dog gets to go to the beach and play with his friend Fred, while Fabian the
cat spends the day at home. The pencil-on-watercolor art conveys warmth and
comfortable friendliness.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.

Grades K-2
McClintock, Barbara. Dahlia. Illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2002. Fiction.
When Charlotte gets a delicate doll from her aunt, she isn't happy. She and Bruno,
her bear, like getting dirty, but it turns out the doll enjoys getting dirty, too. Old-
fashioned illustrations set this story in the nineteenth century.
McDonald, Megan. Baya, Baya, Lulla-By-A. Illustrated by Vera Rosenberry. Atheneum,

2003. Fiction.
Melodious, soothing text incorporates Hindi words, while the soft, jewel-like artwork
illustrates tender scenes of a mother and child in rural India in this original lullaby
inspired by the Indian lullaby "Lalo Loli."
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-
Language Arts/Vocabulary.
McKissack, Pat. Goin' Someplace Special. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Atheneum,

2001. Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction.
In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of
indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town where "all
are welcome" - the public library. The watercolor paintings realistically represent
southern city streets and sidewalks in the 1950s.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Coretta Scott King Illustrator
Winner. History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
McMullan, Kate; and McMullan, Jim. I Stink! Illustrated by Jim McMullan. HarperCollins,
2002. Fiction.
A big garbage truck makes its rounds, consuming everything from apple cores and
"puppy poo" to leftover ziti with zucchini. Bold, expressionistic watercolor and ink art
in a dark palette enhance the whimsical feel of this story.
Alphabet Book, Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Medearis, Angela Shelf. Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story. Illustrated by

Daniel Minter. Albert Whitman and Company, 2000. Fiction.
Using the seven principles of Kwanzaa, the author crafts a story of seven brothers
who must make gold out of seven spools of thread before sundown to satisfy their
father's unusual will and avoid becoming beggars. Dramatic linoleum block prints
depict a sun-drenched landscape. A glossary, pronunciation guide, and craft activity
are included.

Grades K-2
Miller, William. Joe Louis, My Champion. Illustrated by Rodney S. Pate. Lee and Low
After listening to the radio broadcast of the heavyweight championship boxing fight of
his hero, Joe Louis, a young African American boy realizes that he can emulate the
boxer's persistence and strive to become whatever he wants to be. Illustrated with
realistic oil paintings.
Arts/Vocabulary.
Millman, Isaac. Moses Goes to the Circus. Illustrated by Isaac Millman. Farrar, Straus
& Giroux, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
Moses, who is deaf, has a good time with his family at the circus, where they
communicate using sign language. Realistic, colorful watercolor illustrations include
some of the signs they use. This is one of an ongoing series of books about Moses.
Mills, Claudia. Gus and Grandpa at Basketball. Illustrated by Catherine Stock. Farrar,
Straus & Giroux, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
Gus likes basketball practice, but games are a different story. The crowds are too
loud, and Gus gets confused. He never makes the basket. Gus wants to make his
grandfather proud, and together they discover the secret to success. Soft, expressive
watercolor illustrations accentuate the action. This title is part of an easy-reader
series.
Montes, Marisa (reteller). Juan Bobo Goes to Work: A Puerto Rican Folktale.
Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. HarperCollins, 2000. Folklore.
This Puerto Rican folktale tells how a boy tries to do exactly as his mother tells him,
but keeps getting things all wrong. Some Spanish words and phrases are
incorporated into the text. The award-winning illustrations use varied perspectives
and bright Caribbean colors.
Mora, Pat (editor). Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. Illustrated by Paula S.

Barragan M. Lee and Low Books, 2001. Poetry.
Thirteen Latin American poets present a collection of works that combine English and
Spanish and describe the bonds between mothers, grandmothers, and children.
Mixed-media illustrations capture the cultures of the Latin American themes.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language
Arts/Vocabulary, English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language
Arts/Literary Elements.

Grades K-2
Mora, Pat. Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines. Illustrated by Beatriz
Vidal. Knopf, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
This beautifully illustrated biography of seventeenth-century Mexican poet Sor Juana
de la Cruz explains how the girl Juana became learned in many subjects, served at
court by invitation of the viceroy's wife, and later became a nun. Delicate watercolor
and gouache folk art style paintings befit this historical, feminist story.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language
Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. Illustrated by Yuyi
Morales. Chronicle Books, 2003. Fiction.
Senor Calavera comes to Granma Beetle's door and asks that she leave with him.
Grandma Beetle delays him by finishing her chores: sweeping, boiling tea, and
making tortillas. This goes on until she is able to spend her birthday with her
grandchildren. California author and illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Counting Book, Picture Book. Pura Belpre
Illustration Winner. Literacy/Motivation.
Nolen, Jerdine. Thunder Rose. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Tall
Tale.
Unusual from the day she is born, Thunder Rose performs all sorts of amazing feats,
including building metal structures, taming a stampeding herd of steers, capturing a
gang of rustlers, and turning aside a tornado. Oil, watercolor, and pencil illustrations
capture the vistas of the Wild West and the spunky personalities.
Illustrator Honor. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Nye, Naomi Shihab. Come With Me: Poems for a Journey. Illustrated by Dan
Yaccarino. Greenwillow Books, 2000. Poetry.
This handsome picture book about journeys of all kinds contains 16 poems written
especially for children by the beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye. The abstract, mixed-
media collage illustrations, like the poetry, encourage the reader to derive his or her
own meanings.
Okimoto, Jean Davies; and Aoki, Elaine M. White Swan Express: A Story About
Adoption, The. Illustrated by Meilo So. Clarion Books, 2002. Fiction.
Describing the process, anxiety, suspense, and delight of becoming a family, this
book tells the story of four families who travel from North America to China to adopt
daughters from an orphanage. Impressionistic watercolors reflect the energy and
upbeat theme of this fact-based story.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.

Grades K-2
Old, Wendie. To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers. Illustrated by Robert Andrew
Parker. Clarion Books, 2002. Narrative Nonfiction.
The story of the Wright Brothers is portrayed in brief, accessible chapters, beginning
with their childhood fascination with flight and love of problem solving to their stunning
achievement. Parker's loose, airy watercolor illustrations are suited to this story of
flight.
Picture Book. History/Social Science, Science.
Osborne, Mary Pope. Kate and the Beanstalk. Illustrated by Giselle Potter. Atheneum,
2000. Fiction.
This retelling of the classic folktale features a gutsy, resourceful heroine who climbs
the beanstalk to outsmart the greedy giant. Potter's signature expressionistic
illustrations, rendered in ink, gouache, and watercolor with a large-sized format,
perfectly enhance this feminist version.
Parr, Todd. Family Book, The. Illustrated by Todd Parr. Little, Brown and Company,
2003. Fiction.
Parr celebrates a variety of families, some animal and some human, some big and
some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet
and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what. Bold, bright
simplistic artwork depicts these special families.
Paterson, Katherine; and Paterson, John. Blueberries for the Queen. Illustrated by
Susan Jeffers. HarperCollins, 2004. Narrative Nonfiction.
In the summer of 1942, when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands lives down the
road from his family's house in Massachusetts, young William decides to take her
some of the blueberries he has picked. Includes historical notes. Gentle, full-page,
realistic illustrations enhance the historical setting.
Paye, Won-Ldy; and Lippert, Margaret H. Head, Body, Legs: A Story from Liberia.
Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Henry Holt and Company, 2002. Folklore, Humor.
In this tale from the Dan people of Liberia, the different parts of the body finally realize
that they do a better job when working together. Bold, bright expressionistic paintings
depict stylized black body parts and images of plants and animals within the
decorative borders.
African Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Pearson, Tracey Campbell. Bob. Illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson. Farrar, Straus
& Giroux, 2002. Fiction.
While looking for someone to teach him how to crow, a rooster learns to sound like
many different animals and finds that his menagerie of acquired animal sounds

Grades K-2
comes in handy to scare away a fox. The vibrant watercolor illustrations highlight
Bob's beautiful black-and-white plumage.
Picture Book, Read Aloud.
Perdomo, Willie. Visiting Langston. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Henry Holt and
Company, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Poetry.
The vibrant voice of a young girl with richly textured watercolor and collage
illustrations illuminate a poem celebrating the life and work of poet Langston Hughes.
It also evokes the images of Harlem as well as the blues, dreams, Africa, and other
subjects of Hughes' poetry.
Honor.
Perkins, Lynne Rae. Snow Music. Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins. Greenwillow
Books, 2003. Fiction.
After a night's snow has covered everything in white, a boy's dog dashes out of the
house and the boy spends time looking for him. The process of looking for the dog is
expressed in rhythmic prose as the boy hears the sounds in his environment. Lyrical
narrative and soft watercolors create a quiet winter story.
Elements.
Peterson, Jeanne Whitehouse. Don't Forget Winona. Illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken

Root. HarperCollins, 2004. Historical Fiction.
An older sister tells the story of the family's trip from Oklahoma to California during
the Great Depression. When the family forgets the little sister Winona on a pit stop,
the older sister realizes how much she loves her sister. Soft watercolors convey the
natural setting and family experiences.
Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa. Illustrated by
Brian Pinkney. Jump at the Sun, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
Ella's inspiring story is told in the voice of Scat Cat Monroe, a feline fan whose
imagined narrative sings with infectious scat rhythms. The dramatic perspectives of
the fantastical scratchboard illustrations offer jazzy improvisations of their own.
Arts/Vocabulary, Visual and Performing Arts.
Pinkney, Jerry. Aesop's Fables. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. SeaStar Books, 2000.
Fable.
In this elegantly designed volume, more than 60 of Aesop's timeless fables have been
carefully selected, humorously retold, and brought gloriously to life by the four-

Grades K-2
time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator. Lush, oversized watercolors in muted tones

offer detail and drama.
Pinkney, Jerry. Noah's Ark. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. SeaStar Books, 2002.
Narrative Nonfiction.
This book retells the biblical story of the great flood and how Noah and his family
faithfully responded to God's call to save life on the Earth. Spectacular pencil-and-
watercolor illustrations bring detail of the crowds of animals and of the drowned Earth.
Polacco, Patricia. Mr. Lincoln's Way. Illustrated by Patricia Polacco. Philomel Books,
2001. Fiction.
Mr. Lincoln is the coolest principal ever! He wears cool clothes and has a cool smile.
He knows how to do everything, but can he find a way to reach "Mean Gene," who is
a bad student and a bully? Colorful, expressive watercolor art enhances the text.
Potter, Giselle. Year I Didn't Go to School, The. Illustrated by Giselle Potter.

Atheneum, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
A quirky autobiographical account of Potter's adventures traveling abroad with her
family for one year in a theatre troupe. Her trademark expressionistic mixed-media
renderings emphasize a child's perspective.
Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Rathmann, Peggy. Day the Babies Crawled Away, The. Illustrated by Peggy
Rathmann. Putnam Publishing, 2003. Fiction.
A young boy rescues five wandering babies who crawl away from a picnic while the
parents are otherwise occupied. Rhythmic text and dramatic silhouettes set against
sunset colors enhance this fanciful story.
Recorvits, Helen. My Name Is Yoon. Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska. Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
A Korean-born girl, disliking her name, refers to herself as words she is learning in
school, such as "cat," "bird," and "cupcake." As she becomes more comfortable in her
new school and new country, she comes to accept her new life and is proud of her
Korean name. Expressionistic illustrations are magical and enhance the story's
message.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing.

Grades K-2
Rohmann, Eric. My Friend Rabbit. Illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Millbrook Press, 2002.
Fiction.
Something always seems to go wrong when Rabbit is around, but Mouse lets him
play with his toy plane anyway because he is his good friend. The illustrations are
hand-colored relief prints with heavy black outlines and fully complement the story.
Picture Book, Wordless Book. Caldecott Winner. English-Language
Arts/Vocabulary.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Mice and Beans. Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Scholastic, 2001.
Fiction.
As Rosa Maria gets ready for a big family party, a family of mice in her house
"borrow" items from her house for their own party. Every night she sets traps, only to
have them disappear. After she realizes the mice have saved her party, she decides
it's okay to have a few helpful mice in her house. Vibrant, colorful illustrations
enhance the playful story. California author.
Sayre, April Pulley; and Sayre, Jeff. One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab: A Counting by
Feet Book. Illustrated by Randy Cecil. Candlewick Press, 2003. Fiction.
Introduces the numbers one through ten by looking at creatures in a beach
community with different numbers of feet and includes counting by tens to one
hundred. Appealing black outlined illustrations clearly explain the concepts.
Counting Book. Mathematics.
Shannon, David. David Gets in Trouble. Illustrated by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press,
2002. Fiction.
David is back and always has some excuse for the trouble he's in, whether it be no
homework, a broken window, or running down the street sans pants. The humor is
captured in the full-page paintings that feature a snaggle-toothed David, full of
expression. California author and illustrator.
Shannon, David. Duck on a Bike. Illustrated by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press, 2002.
Fiction, Humor.
Duck is up for a new adventure and when he finds a bike, he jumps on and rides
around showing off to all the other animals. They are unimpressed until they find their
own bikes and enjoy the fun. The oversized format befits the bright, humorous
paintings. California author and illustrator.
Simont, Marc. Stray Dog: From a True Story by Reiko Sassa, The. Illustrated by
Marc Simont. HarperCollins, 2001. Fiction.
A scruffy little dog joins a city family having a country picnic. After playing with the dog
all day, they leave him, thinking he must belong to someone. The next Saturday they

Grades K-2
return to the country just in time to save him from the dog catcher. Illustrated with
clear watercolor pictures.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Caldecott Honor. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Slaymaker, Melissa Eskridge. Bottle Houses: The Creative World of Grandma

Prisbrey. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Henry Holt, 2004. Biography/Autobiography,
When Grandma Prisbrey decided to settle down on her land in California, she didn't
have the money to build a house. A visit to the dump leads to the construction of
several buildings from found material, especially bottles. The gouache illustrations
portray the beauty of the buildings. Includes an author note and photographs of the
Bottle House. California setting.
Soto, Gary. Chato and the Party Animals. Illustrated by Susan Guevara. Putnam
Publishing, 2000. Humor.
When Chato the Cat discovers that his best friend, Novio Boy has never had a
birthday party, he plans a surprise party. Everything is set except that Chato forgets to
invite the guest of honor. The mural-like acrylic-on-scratchboard artwork extends the
story with vitality and color. Humor and Latino symbolism are embedded in the
illustrations. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. Pura Belpre
Illustration Winner.
Stevens, Janet; and Stevens, Susan. And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon.
Illustrated by Janet Stevens. Harcourt Brace, 2001. Fiction.
Every night the rhyme gets read. Every night Dish and Spoon run away and every
night they return, until tonight. Where can they be? The rhyme can't go on without
them, so Cat, Cow, and Dog set out to search for their missing friends. Energetic,
oversize, double-page spread watercolor and color pencil illustrations complement
this read-aloud.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. California Young Reader Medal. English-Language
Arts/Writing, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Taylor, Debbie A. Sweet Music in Harlem. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Lee and Low
C. J., who aspires to be as great a jazz musician as his uncle, searches for Uncle
Click's hat in preparation for an important photograph and inadvertently gathers some
of the greatest musicians of 1950s Harlem to join in on the picture. The text is jazzy
with hip dialogue and is illustrated with bright acrylic paintings that show elongated
characters. Includes author's note and the 1958 Art Kane photograph.

Grades K-2
U'Ren, Andrea. Mary Smith. Illustrated by Andrea U'Ren. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2003. Biography/Autobiography, Narrative Nonfiction.
This historically based picture book recounts how Mary Smith performed her duties of
waking up key citizens of the community by blowing her pea-shooter at their windows
in the early industrial age before the advent of alarm clocks. The thick black lines and
muted colors are reminiscent of early twentieth-century illustrations.
Van Allsburg, Chris. Zathura. Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. Houghton Mifflin, 2002.
Fantasy.
Left on their own for an evening, two boisterous brothers find more excitement than
they bargained for in a mysterious and mystical space adventure board game in this
sequel to Jumanji. The black-and-gray sketched illustrations are highlighted with
textured paper.
Weisner, David. Three Pigs, The. Illustrated by David Weisner. Clarion Books, 2001.
Fiction.
The three pigs escape the wolf by going to another world where they meet the cat
and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon. The artwork shifts
into various illustrative styles as the pigs step out of the pages of the book and leave
the wolf behind.
Picture Book. Caldecott Winner. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
Wheeler, Lisa. Old Cricket. Illustrated by Ponder Goembel. Atheneum, 2003. Fiction.
Cranky Cricket invents a series of ailments to avoid his chores. His wife sends him off
to the doctor, but Cricket takes a nap instead. As he races to safety to avoid Crow,
real ailments occur. Doc fixes him up, and as he arrives home, his wife is waiting for
him to fix the roof! The strong plot, rich language, and detailed acrylics make this a
great read-aloud choice.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, English-
Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Willems, Mo. Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! Illustrated by Mo Willems.
Hyperion Press, 2003. Fiction, Humor.
A pigeon tries to beg, cajole, and wheedle his way into the driver's seat. Minimal line
and color manage to convey the quirky humor in this winningly simple story.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Willey, Margaret. Clever Beatrice: An Upper Peninsula Conte. Illustrated by Heather

Solomon. Atheneum, 2001. Folklore.
A clever young heroine triumphs over a giant in this lively and descriptive tall tale from
the north woods of Michigan. With watercolor and collage in earth tones, the

Grades K-2
illustrations accurately evoke the natural setting. A wonderful story for sharing that will
empower young female readers.

Grades 3-5
Adler, David A. B. Franklin, Printer. Holiday House, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.

This biography of Benjamin Franklin is filled with original quotations by Franklin. The
text is accompanied by archival prints and includes maps, chronologies, source
notes, recommended Web sites, a bibliography, and index.
Agra, Carmen. Yellow Star, The: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark.
Illustrated by Henri Sorensen. Peachtree, 2000. Historical Fiction.
This legend relates how King Christian X of Denmark sewed a yellow star onto his
clothing, thus defying Hitler's orders and empowering his people to proclaim solidarity
with their Jewish friends and neighbors in World War II. An author's note separates
fact from fiction.
Jewish/Jewish American Culture. Picture Book. Christopher Award.
Alvarez, Julia. Before We Were Free. Knopf, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Twelve-year-old Anita is faced with the average adolescent obsessions: boys and her
appearance. She becomes aware of the mounting political danger to her family in the
Dominican Republic of the early 1960s. With her mother, Anita goes into hiding and
keeps a secret diary as a means of coping with traumatic events. The first-person
narrative and suspenseful plot will elicit thought-provoking discussions about growing
up, family ties, courage, the cost of freedom, and political views. Useful in the study of
Latin American history and culture.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Winner. English-
Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
illustrator.
Avi. Secret School, The. Harcourt Brace, 2001. Historical Fiction.

In 1925, fourteen-year-old Ida Bidson secretly takes over as the teacher of the remote
one-room schoolhouse after the trained teacher quits. Ida's dream is to become a
teacher, but in order to do that she must pass entrance exams to high school at the

Grades 3-5
end of the year. Could Ida be the "secret" teacher to all of the students for the rest of
the year? An inspiring story about finding a way to follow a dream. California author.
Avi. Silent Movie. Illustrated by C. B. Mordan. Atheneum, 2003. Fiction.

This black-and-white picture book fives the reader the sense of watching a silent
movie. At the turn of the twentieth century Gustave's Papa immigrates to the United
States and later sends for his wife and son. Because of the large crowds of
immigrants, Papa does not find them after the ship arrives. Papa searches for them,
while Gustave and his mother try to survive in the city. How they come together again
is heartwarming, and the reader catches a realistic glimpse of life as an immigrant in
the large city. California author. Small-group read-aloud.
Multicultural Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Bang, Molly. My Light. Illustrated by Molly Bang. Scholastic, 2004. Narrative Nonfiction.
This richly illustrated story relates the journey of sunlight to earth and its connections
to various types of energy generated by water, wind, and plants. Endnotes provide
background information and should be read first to support concepts and ideas for
small-group read-aloud and discussion. California author.
Picture Book. Science.
Barasch, Lynne. Knockin' on Wood: Starring Peg Leg Bates. Illustrated by Lynne
Barasch. Lee and Low Books, 2004. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book tells the story of Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates, an African American who
lost his leg in a factory accident at the age of twelve and went on to become a world-
famous tap dancer. The watercolor and ink illustrations are full of movement and flair.
Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Batt, Tanya Robyn (reteller). Fabrics of Fairytale: Stories Spun from Far and Wide,
The. Illustrated by Rachel Griffin. Barefoot Books, 2000. Folklore.
Folktales from seven cultures are told using fabrics and woven materials as a
storytelling vehicle. The story and artwork go hand-in-hand. The cultures included are
Armenian, Swahili, Chinese, Hawaiian, Swedish, Jewish, and Indonesian. The border
patterns are especially interesting as sewing materials are used to illustrate the
stories.
Multicultural Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Bierhorst, John (reteller). People with Five Fingers: A Native Californian Creation
Tale, The. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Marshall Cavendish, 2000. Folklore.
This creation myth explains why every valley in California had a separate Native
American nation, each with different customs and languages. In the beginning,
Coyote and all the animals busily prepared California for people. Upon the people's
arrival, there was so much laughing and talking, all in different languages, that the

Grades 3-5
animals went to the woods, waters, and sky and never spoke again. Good read-
aloud.
Native American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. History/Social Science.
Bishop, Nic. Forest Explorer: A Life-Size Field Guide. Illustrated by Nic Bishop
(photographer). Scholastic, 2004. Nonfiction.
Each large picture (made of more than 60 different photographs that have been
combined to make a realistic illustration) in this book depicts in detail several different
deciduous forest habitats, with field notes about the insects and animals shown, as
well as tips on how to explore a real forest.
Photo-Essay. Science.
Britton, Susan McGee. Treekeepers, The. Dutton Books, 2003. Fantasy.

Bird is a tough, little street urchin who sets out to find her real father. When her
protectors are captured by the evil Lord Rendarren, she and three other children, a
friendly chimera (part lion, part snake), and a kitten set off to the Kingdom of Wen to
rescue their protectors.
Read Aloud. Literacy/Motivation.
Browne, Anthony. Shape Game. Illustrated by Anthony Browne. Farrar, Straus &
Giroux, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
In this autobiographical account, Browne describes how his mother's wish to spend
her birthday visiting the art museum with her family changed the course of his life. His
surreal style is once again evident in art and text. Young readers can do the drawing
exercise the author/illustrator shares in the endpapers. This book can also be used as
a picture book for older readers.
Elements.
Bruchac, Joseph. Jim Thorpe's Bright Path. Illustrated by S. D. Nelson. Lee and Low
Books, 2004. Biography/Autobiography.
This biography of Native American athlete Jim Thorpe focuses on how his boyhood
education set the stage for his athletic achievements, which gained him international
fame and Olympic gold medals. Author's note details Thorpe's life after college. This
inspiring American portrait is illustrated with acrylic paintings.
Native American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Byars, Betsy Cromer. Keeper of the Doves. Viking Press, 2002. Fiction.
In the late 1800s in Kentucky, Amen McBee and her four sisters both fear and torment
the seemingly sinister Mr. Tominski, yet their father continues to provide for his needs.
Amie's own love of words is central to the story. The plot moves with gentle tension to
its poignant conclusion and the truth about Mr. Tominski and Amen's own family. This
book is a good choice for small groups and book clubs.
English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.

Grades 3-5
Byrd, Robert. Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer. Illustrated by Robert Byrd. Dutton Books,
This biography about Leonardo Da Vinci is filled with detailed illustrations and
interesting facts about both Da Vinci and the Renaissance, as well as quotations from
his notebooks. Da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, scientist, mathematician, and
architect. However, he had little formal schooling and throughout his lifetime left many
projects unfinished. An author's note, timeline, and bibliography are included.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Winner. Visual and Performing Arts.
Chandra, Deborah; and Comora, Madeleine. George Washington's Teeth. Illustrated

by Brock Cole. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Nonfiction.
Throughout his life George Washington had bad teeth and worked hard to keep them.
Rhyming text and whimsical water colors relate how Washington lost his teeth and
the eighteenth-century solution that finally resolved his dilemma. The book includes a
bibliography.
Christelow, Eileen. Vote! Illustrated by Eileen Christelow. Clarion Books, 2003. Realistic
Fiction.
Using a town's mayoral election as a model, this lively introduction to voting covers
every step in the process: from the start of the campaign all the way to the voting
booth, complete with a recount and a timeline of voting history. Humorous cartoon-
style art complement the informative text. A glossary, timeline, and resource list are
included.
Clements, Andrew. Janitor's Boy, The. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Realistic Fiction.
Fifth grader Jack finds himself the target of ridicule at school when it becomes known
that his father is one of the janitors, and he turns his anger onto his father. The novel
is engaging and establishes a good jumping-off point for classroom discussions about
social class and economic status in America.
Creech, Sharon. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. Illustrated by Chris Raschka.

HarperCollins, 2003. Fiction.
Twelve-year-old Rosie and Bailey, the boy next door, have been best friends since
infancy. When their friendship is strained because of a new girl in their neighborhood,
Granny Torrelli knows just how to smooth over the rough spots. Readers will learn
much about Italian cooking, family love, and friendship.
Read Aloud.
Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. Joanna Cotler Books, 2001. Fiction in Verse.
Told in free verse, this story tells of a boy who comes to enjoy poetry through a wise
teacher's introduction. His reluctance becomes interest, then enjoyment, and finally a

Grades 3-5
passion for reading and writing poetry. Through poetry he is finally able to
communicate his feelings and thoughts.
Read Aloud. Christopher Award. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Cummings, Pat (reteller). Ananse and the Lizard: A West African Tale. Illustrated by
Pat Cummings. Henry Holt and Company, 2002. Fairy Tale.
Ananse the Spider and scheming Lizard both are determined to marry the chief's
daughter and get half of his kingdom. The bridegroom will be selected if he can
correctly guess the princess's name. This is a variation of the Rumpelstiltskin story.
African Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Cushman, Karen. Rodzina. Clarion Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.

Twelve-year-old Rodzina Clara Jadwiga Anatazya Brodski is an orphan whose only
home is the Little Wanderers' Refuge in Chicago. When she is told she is going west
on an Orphan Train, Rodzina is sure that a family will not want a large, unpretty,
standoffish girl to love, but they want a slave instead. California author.
DeFelice, Cynthia. Cold Feet. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. D. K. Publishing,

2000. Folklore.
This tale is a retelling of an old Scottish legend. When a poor, wandering bagpiper
steals a dead man's boots and uses them to play a trick on an unfriendly farmer, he
finds the trick turned back on him. The cool gray tones of the watercolor illustrations
add spookiness to this ghostly legend, which is a good read-aloud.
Western European Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Delaney, Michael Clark. Birdbrain Amos. Illustrated by Michael Clark Delaney.

Philomel Books, 2002. Fiction.
When Amos the hippopotamus advertises for a bird to help him with his pesky bug
problem, the tick bird who answers his ad creates new problems by building a nest on
Amos's head. Droll illustrations in a cartoon style add humor to the story.
Literacy/Motivation.
Demi. Gandhi. Illustrated by Demi. Margaret McElderry Books, 2001.

Biography/Autobiography.
This story of Gandhi's life and work is told in a simple, straightforward manner,
presenting his social and political goals with reverence. Includes author's notes. The
author/illustrator's signature artwork using gold borders and accents of brilliant color
evoke the East Indian culture. Can be used as a picture book for older readers.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.

Grades 3-5
DiCamillo, Kate. Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess,

Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread, The. Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering.
Candlewick Press, 2003. Fantasy.
This tale tells the adventures of a very small mouse who is ridiculed because he is
different, the princess that he loves and vows to protect, the servant girl who longs to
be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin. The simple style
and short chapters make this a good choice for reluctant readers. Good read-aloud.
Read Aloud. Newbery Winner. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Ellis, Sarah. Several Lives of Orphan Jack, The. Illustrated by Bruno St. Aubin.
Groundwood Books, 2003. Fiction.
When Jack is placed in the Opportunities School for Orphans and Foundlings, he
learns to be optimistic and to do his best. When things don't work out for the best,
Jack runs away and finds himself selling ideas, whims, concepts, opinions, and plans.
Jack is a wonderful success but soon sets off again to find his fortune and see the
world.
Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Farris, Christopher. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Simon and Schuster,
The early life of Martin Luther King, Jr., the fun-loving and often mischievous boy, is
told through the eyes of his older sister. The realistic, full-page watercolor illustrations
are handsome additions that bring this family to life. Includes a poetic tribute to Martin
Luther King by Mildred D. Johnson, an afterword, and an illustrator's note.
Science.
Fleming, Candace. Boxes for Katje. Illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen. Farrar,

Straus & Giroux, 2003. Historical Fiction.
In post-war Holland Katje receives a care package from Janie in Mayfield, Indiana.
The care packages progressively become larger and larger as the whole community
of Mayfield contributes to the effort. To repay the kindness, Katje's village sends a box
of tulip bulbs to their American friends. Based on a true story.
Western European Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Fletcher, Ralph. Uncle Daddy. Henry Holt and Company, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
When his long-absent father suddenly reappears, nine-year-old Rivers struggles with
conflicting feelings and reexamines his relationship with the great-uncle who had
served as his father.
Christopher Award.

Grades 3-5
Fraustino, Lisa Rowe. Hickory Chair, The. Illustrated by Benny Andrews. Scholastic,
2001. Fiction.
Warm illustrations support the story of a blind boy and his close relationship with his
grandmother and the gift she leaves him after her death. This story reverberates
deeper and truer than what can merely be seen as Louis and his Gran read together
in the cozy hickory chair.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Freedman, Russell. Confucius: The Golden Rule. Illustrated by Frederic Clement.

Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
This book acquaints readers with Confucius, who was born in 552 B.C. in China.
Freedman weaves facts, legends, and the philosopher's words to reveal a man of
deep beliefs and great humor. It includes many of Confucius' wise sayings. Beautiful
collage paintings and designs add to this outstanding work. Useful in character
education and for investigating religions, philosophy, biographies, ancient Chinese
culture, and Confucius' influence.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. History/Social Science.
Fuchs, Bernie. Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express. Illustrated by Bernie
Fuchs. Scholastic, 2004. Historical Fiction.
Known for their courage, self-confidence, speed, and willingness to face adversity, the
riders of the Pony Express quickly became legendary heroes. Dramatic oil paintings
by award-winning artist Bernie Fuchs capture the spirit, strength and stamina of one
young rider, Johnny Free, as he and his beloved pony, JennySoo, face an unusually
dangerous journey. Includes front and endnotes about the Pony Express and the
Paiute Indian people.
Fuqua, Jonathon Scott. Darby. Candlewick Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Set in the 1920s, this novel portrays nine-year-old Darby, who stirs up trouble in her
small South Carolina town when she writes a story for the local newspaper promoting
racial equality. The Ku Klux Klan responds by burning a cross in her front yard and
pelting her father's store with bricks. Written in the first-person narrative.
Black/African American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social
Science.

Grades 3-5

Gerstein, Mordicai. What Charlie Heard. Illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein. Farrar, Straus
& Giroux, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
Twentieth-century composer Charles Ives wrote music that was so revolutionary it
was mostly ignored by his contemporaries. In his old age he found an audience.
Gerstein's flowing illustrations rendered in pen and ink are infused with color, vividly
portraying the sounds that become the inspiration for his music.
Greenberg, Jan. Romare Bearden: Collage of Memories. Illustrated by Romare

Bearden. Abrams, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book biography illustrates the lifetime memories of Romare Bearden
through his collages. His bold art form shows the influences of his childhood in the
South, life in New York and Paris, and his love of jazz. Includes author's note,
important dates, bibliography, text notes, glossary, and some places to view artwork
by Romare Bearden.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Greenberg, Jan; and Jordan, Sandra. Action Jackson. Illustrated by Robert Andrew
Parker. Millbrook Press, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
In May and June of 1950, Jackson Pollock painted one of his most famous works,
Lavender Mist. Through the illustrations and text, the reader learns about Pollock's
unique painting method. Includes a short biography with archival photos. Notes,
sources, and a bibliography are included.
Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Grimes, Nikki. Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman.
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Orchard Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
An imagined monologue on each page tells about the life of Bessie Coleman by those
who knew her best. As a young girl, Bessie was determined to be the first African
American female pilot. This picture book biography for older readers is filled with facts
about a brave woman and enables young readers to understand her spirit.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Coretta Scott King Author Honor,
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Winner.
Gutman, Dan. Million Dollar Shot, The. Hyperion Press, 1997. Fiction.
Eleven-year-old Eddie, who lives in a Louisiana trailer park with his widowed mother,
gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the National Basketball
Association finals.
California Young Reader Medal.

Grades 3-5
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Girl with 500 Middle Names, The. Illustrated by Janet
Hamlin. Simon and Schuster, 2001. Fiction.
Janie's parents move to the suburbs so she can go to a better school, but when she
discovers that all the other students are richer than she is, she feels out of place until
she realizes that there are more important things than money.
Hamilton, Virginia. Girl Who Spun Gold, The. Illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane
Dillon. Blue Sky Press, 2000. Fairy Tale.
In this West Indian version of Rumpelstiltskin, Quashiba, a young spinner, is married
to Big King, who insists that she produce gold. A cruel-looking little creature appears
and says he'll spin gold for her if she can guess his name. The acrylic illustrations use
gold lavishly, and the easygoing West Indian text makes this a fun read-aloud.
Multicultural Culture. Read Aloud.
Hesse, Karen. Witness. Scholastic, 2001. Historical Fiction, Poetry.

Two young girls move to a small Vermont town in 1924, become best friends, and turn
into targets of the Klu Klux Klan because of their race. Leonora, twelve, is black, and
Esther, six, is Jewish. Eleven residents speak of personal experiences, fears, and
prejudices and reflect on happenings: murder attempts, a dramatic rescue, a
teenager on the run, and a suicide. This play in free-verse style weaves prejudice and
hatred, the lure of the Klan, and the response of the people who desire to learn
tolerance. Opportunities for reader's theater abound with this title.
Black/African American Culture, Jewish/Jewish American Culture, Multicultural
Culture. Christopher Award. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts,
English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Hill, Kirkpatrick. Year of Miss Agnes, The. Margaret McElderry Books, 2000. Realistic
Fiction.
Ten-year-old Fred (short for Frederika) narrates the story of school and village life
among the Athabascan people in Alaska during 1948. This was the watermark year
when Miss Agnes arrived in the village as their new teacher and changed their lives.
This is a wonderful story about learning, trust, and friendship. Good read-aloud.
Native American Culture.
Hines, Anna Grossnickle. Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts. Illustrated by Anna
Grossnickle Hines. Greenwillow Books, 2001. Poetry.
Pieces of the seasons appear and disappear in a patchwork pattern making up a
year. Poems about the four seasons, as reflected in the natural world, are
accompanied by photographs of the quilts made by the author. Good read-aloud.
Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Writing, Visual and Performing Arts.

Grades 3-5
Hollyer, Belinda (selector). Kingfisher Book of Family Poems, The. Illustrated by Holly
Swain. Houghton Mifflin, 2003. Poetry.
The 159 poems in this anthology explore the dynamics of families and family
situations. The poems are poignant, funny, sad, and insightful. Includes index of poets
and index of first lines.
Read Aloud. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Illustrated by
Stephen Alcorn. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Poetry.
The diversity found in the United States is captured in this anthology of poems that
represent each section of America. Included in the collection of 51 poems are some
by Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes, and Myra Cohn Livingston. Each poem is
accompanied by a full-color stylized painting. Useful for integrating literature with
history/social science.
Hopkinson, Deborah. Bluebird Summer. Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen.

Greenwillow Books, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
The farm isn't the same after Grandma's death. Her grandchildren work to restore the
garden that Gramps had to let go. By placing a birdhouse in the garden, they bring
bluebirds back to the garden. Includes brief information about bluebirds.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Honor.
Hopkinson, Deborah. Under the Quilt of Night. Illustrated by James E. Ransome.

Atheneum, 2002. Historical Fiction.
A young girl flees from the farm where she has been worked as a slave and uses the
Underground Railroad to escape to freedom in the north. Told in first-person narrative,
her story tells of the treacherous flight. Illustrated with rich, dark oil paintings that lend
realism to the setting.
Horvath, Polly. Everything on a Waffle. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
Eleven-year-old Primrose lives in a small fishing village in British Columbia. She
recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature and the
unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea.
Newbery Honor.
Howitt, Mary Botham. Spider and the Fly, The. Illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi. Simon
and Schuster, 2002. Fiction, Poetry.
This cautionary poem was written in 1829 about a vain, silly fly and the cunning
spider who does her in. The black-and-white artwork evokes the era of silent films,
and the gothic flavor and details will appeal to older readers as well. Older readers

Grades 3-5
will identify the macabre details and appreciate connections with the likes of Charles
Adamms, Edward Gorey, and Lemony Snickett. Picture book for older readers.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Caldecott Honor. Visual and Performing Arts.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating a Quinceanera: A Latina's 15th Birthday

Celebration. Illustrated by Lawrence Migdale (photographer). Holiday House, 2002.
Nonfiction.
This easy-to-read text describes ten-year-old Ariana helping cousin Cynthia prepare
for her upcoming quinceanera. Includes index, glossary, some terminology in
Spanish, and information about Our Lady of Guadalupe. Useful for units on religious
celebrations, family and community life, traditions, and diversity. California author.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Easy Reader, Photo-Essay. History/Social
Science.
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Ramadan. Illustrated by Lawrence Migdale

(photographer). Holiday House, 2001. Nonfiction.
This book provides a thorough but brief introduction to Islam and the holy month of
Ramadan. American fourth grader Ibraheem and his family live in New Jersey and
follow the teachings of the Koran. Color photographs and inserts illustrate the
customs. Useful for learning about religions, Islam, Muslims, Ramadan, and
respecting differences. California author.
Multicultural Culture. Photo-Essay. History/Social Science.
Jenkins, Steve; and Page, Robin. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Illustrated
by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Nonfiction.
A fun and interactive science lesson that looks at the different ways 30 animals use
their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails. The artist's characteristic cut-paper
collages add interest and realism. Endnotes offer more information on the 30 animals.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. Science.
Johnson, Angela. I Dream of Trains. Illustrated by Loren Long. Simon and Schuster,
2003. Fiction.
The son of a sharecropper dreams of leaving Mississippi on a train with the legendary
engineer Casey Jones and his fireman Sim Webb, away from his life of picking
cotton. An afterword suggests a link between the trains that Jones and others ran
through the Mississippi Delta and the Great Migration. The poetic text is
complemented by intense acrylic paintings.
Science.
Johnson, D. B. Henry Climbs a Mountain. Illustrated by D. B. Johnson. Houghton

Mifflin, 2003. Fiction.
This is the third in a series about a bear named Henry whose activities are based on
incidents in the life of Henry David Thoreau. There are many faces of courage, and in

Grades 3-5
this story Henry goes to jail rather than sacrifice his principles even though freedom is
something he highly values. Others in the series are Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and
Henry Builds a Cabin.
Johnston, Tony. Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio. Illustrated by Raul
Colon. Blue Sky Press, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
After moving from Mexico to the barrio of East Los Angeles with his family, Arturo and
his friends share experiences dealing with a teacher who wants to Americanize their
names, playing basketball, and championing the school librarian. Short, upbeat
vignettes make this a good read-aloud choice. Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
California author and setting.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Read Aloud. John and Patricia Beatty Award.
Johnston, Tony. Isabel's House of Butterflies. Illustrated by Susan Guevara. Sierra

Club, 2003. Fiction.
Eight-year-old Isabel creates a plan to spare her favorite tree, keep the monarch
butterflies coming, and provide an income for her poor family in Mexico. A well-crafted
story, illustrated with richly textured paintings, bordered with frames that are
reminiscent of folk art. California author and illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. Science.
Johnston, Tony. Sunsets of the West. Illustrated by Ted Lewin. Putnam Publishing,
Pa wants to see the endless prairie, so the family packs up and undertakes the
difficult journey to a new life in the West. A quiet, gentle story that presents details
about what it was like to leave everything you know and go into the unknown.
Illustrated with handsome, realistic watercolor paintings. California author.
Jones, Lynda. Kids Around the World Celebrate!: The Best Feast and Festivals
from Many Lands. Illustrated by Michele Nidenoff. John Wiley, 2000. Nonfiction.
"Welcoming the New Year," "Celebrating Before and After Fasts," "Giving Thanks,"
and "Renewing the Spirit" are the four main headings. Festivals and holidays of
various countries are divided into those topics. Jones describes each celebration and
related hands-on projects. Useful in the studies of cultures around the world and
holidays.
Multicultural Culture. History/Social Science.
Kalman, Maira. Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey. Illustrated
by Maira Kalman. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Nonfiction.
A story of a fireboat launched in 1931 that is resurrected by new owners in the 1990s
and called into service again on September 11, 2001. It is told with Kalman's hip,

Grades 3-5
energetic, expressionistic illustrations. This book on New York's response to the

September 11th disaster is age appropriate.
Kay, Verla. Homespun Sarah. Illustrated by Ted Rand. Putnam Publishing, 2003.
Fiction in Verse.
Written in verse, this is the story of Sarah who lives in Pennsylvania in the early
eighteenth century. Sarah is in need of a new dress because she is outgrowing her
only dress. The steps for making clothes are presented: the sheep is shorn, the dye is
made, the cloth is woven, and a new dress is sewn and fitted. Author's note explains
how different it was to be a child living in Colonial times. California author.
Kerley, Barbara. Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr.

Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer, The. Illustrated by Brian Selznick.
Scholastic, 2001. Nonfiction.
This is the true story of Victorian artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who built life-
sized models of dinosaurs in the hope of educating the world about what these
ancient animals were like. The text is illustrated with Victorian paintings. Extensive
notes from the author and illustrator convey the thrill of research to young readers.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. History/Social Science, Science, Visual and
Performing Arts.
Korman, Gordon. No More Dead Dogs. Hyperion Press, 2000. Humor, Realistic Fiction.
Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentenced to detention attending
rehearsals of the school play. In spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the
production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life
as well.
Krull, Kathleen. Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr.
Seuss. Illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Francher. Random House, 2004.
This picture book biography focuses on Ted Seuss Geisel's first 22 years of life in
Springfield, Massachusetts. It lays the background knowledge for Dr. Seuss fans to
understand how he came to be a writer and illustrator. Includes bibliography,
illustrations index. California author.
English-Language Arts/Writing.
Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. Illustrated by Yuyi
Morales. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book biography relates the life of Cesar Chavez and his efforts to
organize the National Farm Workers Association to improve working and living
conditions for migrant farm workers. The illustrations evoke the settings and the

Grades 3-5
Hispanic culture. The Spanish version of this book is Cosechando esperanza: La

historia de Cesar Chavez, translated from the English by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma
Flor Ada. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Lasky, Kathryn. Man Who Made Time Travel, The. Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Farrar,
Straus & Giroux, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
In 1714 Great Britain offered the Longitude Prize to anyone who could create an
accurate and reliable means of measuring longitude. There were many attempts but
only one man, John Harrison, a carpenter and clock maker, was able to unlock the
secret of measuring longitude.
Leedy, Loreen; and Street, Pat. There's a Frog in My Throat: 440 Animal Sayings a
Little Bird Told Me. Illustrated by Loreen Leedy. Holiday House, 2003. Speech.
The authors collected 440 animal sayings that are similes, metaphors, idioms, or
proverbs. The inventory of animals includes household pets, farm animals, wild
animals, birds, insects, underground creatures, and fish. All of the sayings are
illustrated for better understanding and additional humor. Includes index.
Lester, Julius. Ackamarackus: Julius Lester's Sumptuously Silly Fantastically

Funny Fables. Illustrated by Emilie Chollat. Scholastic, 2001. Fable.
This is a collection of six original animal fables, laced with humor, absurdities,
wordplay, and alliteration. Each fable includes both a silly and a serious moral. Acrylic
and collage illustrations are bright and exhilarating. Useful for reading aloud and
discussing individuality, acceptance, and expression of negative feelings.
Lewis, J. Patrick. Shoe Tree of Chagrin, The. Illustrated by Chris Sheban. Creative
Editions, 2001. Tall Tale.
In this tall tale, a frontier woman of legendary height and fame journeys across the
plains making shoes and telling of her adventures. The illustrations are executed with
a fine line and use of tans and browns in a misty palette.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Winner.
Lindsey, Kathleen D. Sweet Potato Pie. Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Lee and
Low Books, 2003. Fiction.
During a drought in the early 1900s, a large, loving African American family finds a
delicious way to earn the money they need to save the family farm. Everyone in the

Grades 3-5
family pitches in to help Mama bake sweet potato pies to sell. Acrylic paintings are
done in an Impressionist style. Includes a recipe for sweet potato pie.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book.
Locker, Thomas. John Muir, America's Naturalist. Illustrated by Thomas Locker.

Fulcrum, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
This illustrated biography of John Muir focuses on his time in Yosemite National Park.
Each page has a few lines of text and a quote from Muir's writing and faces a full-
page lush landscape painting. A fine introduction to the naturalist and founder of the
Sierra Club.
Macaulay, David. Angelo. Illustrated by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

Fiction.
While restoring the front of a church, Angelo, an old master plasterer, rescues an
injured pigeon. In spite of his dislike for pigeons, Angelo finds himself spending all his
spare time nursing her back to health. Years later the favor is returned twofold.
Picture Book. Literacy/Motivation.
Mannis, Celeste Davidson. One Leaf Rides the Wind: Counting in a Japanese
Garden. Illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung. Viking Press, 2002. Poetry.
A young girl makes her way slowly through a Japanese garden where she spots one
leaf, two carved temple dogs, and three miniature bonsai. This counting book with
haiku poetry introduces the youngest readers to the beauty of a Japanese garden and
to haiku. Lush watercolor illustrations enhance the ten haiku poems. The book can be
used as a writing model of poetry for students up to middle school. California author.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. Counting Book, Picture Book. English-
Language Arts/Writing, Mathematics.
Mannis, Celeste Davidson. Queen's Progress: An Elizabethan Alphabet, The.

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Viking Press, 2003. Nonfiction.
Every summer, Elizabeth I, Queen of England, goes on a holiday known as the royal
progress. As she and her entourage travel through the English countryside, they meet
with Adventure (A), Bear (B), and so on until all of the letters of the alphabet are
presented. Both the illustrations and the text bring to the reader many details of
country and courtly life in Elizabethan England. California author and illustrator.
Alphabet Book, Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social
Science.
Markel, Michelle. Cornhusk, Silk, and Wishbones: A Book of Dolls from Around the
World. Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Narrative Nonfiction.
This book presents a collection of dolls from 1000 B.C. to the present, from all the
continents. The dolls are arranged in alphabetical order according to type,
accompanied by an informative paragraph about the doll, including its origin and time

Grades 3-5
period, as well as cultural and historical information. A full-color photograph helps to

reveal clothing and the culture of the time. A section on the art of doll collecting is
included along with a bibliography and a two-page map showing the origin of each
doll.
Multicultural Culture. Visual and Performing Arts.
Martin, Ann M. Corner of the Universe, A. Scholastic, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

With the surprising arrival of a mentally disabled uncle, twelve-year-old Hattie's world
is turned upside down. Set in the 1960s, this novel by Ann Martin draws on her own
childhood.
Newbery Honor. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish: Based on a True
Story, The. Illustrated by Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Narrative
Nonfiction.
In 1913 a Canadian research vessel named Karluk, Aleutian for "fish," became
trapped in Arctic ice. The group, including two children, survived using Inupiaq Indian
cultural traditions. Scratchboard illustrations provide details in hues of brown and ice
blue.
Native American Culture. Picture Book. Golden Kite Illustration Winner.
McDermott, Gerald. Jabuti, the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon. Harcourt
Brace, 2001. Folklore.
This trickster tale from the Amazon is about a flute-playing tortoise who wants to play
for the King. Vulture offers him a ride but deliberately drops him, causing his shell to
break. Other animals gather him up and glue his pieces back together. Vivid colors
and geometrically drawn shapes help to tell the story.
McKissack, Pat. Goin' Someplace Special. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Atheneum,

2001. Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction.
In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of
indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town where "all
are welcome" - the public library. The watercolor paintings realistically represent
southern city streets and sidewalks in the 1950s.
Winner. History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Medina, Tony. Love to Langston. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Lee and Low
Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Poetry.
Fourteen free-verse poems written from the point of view of the African American poet
Langston Hughes, provides an overview of key events and themes in his life:
childhood, dreams, love of words, travels, and overcoming obstacles. Vivid, colorful,

Grades 3-5
and exaggerated illustrations accompany the engaging poems. The notes at the end
of the book interpret each poem. Can be used as an introduction to the life of a
Harlem Renaissance poet and/or for biography and poetry units.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Miller, William. Joe Louis, My Champion. Illustrated by Rodney S. Pate. Lee and Low
After listening to the radio broadcast of the heavyweight championship boxing fight of
his hero, Joe Louis, a young African American boy realizes that he can emulate the
boxer's persistence and strive to become whatever he wants to be. Illustrated with
realistic oil paintings.
Arts/Vocabulary.
Montes, Marisa (reteller). Juan Bobo Goes to Work: A Puerto Rican Folktale.
Illustrated by Joe Cepeda. HarperCollins, 2000. Folklore.
This Puerto Rican folktale tells how a boy tries to do exactly as his mother tells him,
but keeps getting things all wrong. Some Spanish words and phrases are
incorporated into the text. The award-winning illustrations use varied perspectives
and bright Caribbean colors.
Mora, Pat (editor). Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. Illustrated by Paula S.

Barragan M. Lee and Low Books, 2001. Poetry.
Thirteen Latin American poets present a collection of works that combine English and
Spanish and describe the bonds between mothers, grandmothers, and children.
Mixed-media illustrations capture the cultures of the Latin American themes.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. English-Language
Arts/Vocabulary, English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language
Morales, Yuyi. Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. Illustrated by Yuyi
Morales. Chronicle Books, 2003. Fiction.
Senor Calavera comes to Granma Beetle's door and asks that she leave with him.
Grandma Beetle delays him by finishing her chores: sweeping, boiling tea, and
making tortillas. This goes on until she is able to spend her birthday with her
grandchildren. California author and illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Counting Book, Picture Book. Pura Belpre
Illustration Winner. Literacy/Motivation.

Grades 3-5
Myers, Walter Dean. Blues Journey. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. Holiday House,
2003. Nonfiction.
Text and image are combined into a work of art as the story explains and defines the
blues by taking fragments of blues songs and creating poetry with them. A call-and-
response accompanies each painting. Beautiful poetry and collage artwork in blue ink
and brown paper will entice. Includes a timeline and glossary of blues terms. Useful
for units on music and poetry.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts,
Nolen, Jerdine. Thunder Rose. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Tall
Tale.
Unusual from the day she is born, Thunder Rose performs all sorts of amazing feats,
including building metal structures, taming a stampeding herd of steers, capturing a
gang of rustlers, and turning aside a tornado. Oil, watercolor, and pencil illustrations
capture the vistas of the Wild West and the spunky personalities.
Illustrator Honor. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary.
Nye, Naomi Shihab. 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East. Greenwillow
Books, 2002. Poetry.
Features 60 new poems about the Middle East in response to the tragic events of
September 11, 2001. The author draws on her Palestinian and American heritage to
look at both the Middle East through the eyes of an American and the United States
through the eyes of a Palestinian. The poems explore universal issues of hope,
conflict, war, peace, people, and relations.
Middle Eastern Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
O'Connor, Barbara. Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2003. Fiction.
Sixth-grader "Bird" Weaver is pretty much ostracized by her classmates and when
Harlem Tate, a new student, comes to school, it's clear that this glaring, silent, smelly
boy will be ostracized too. That's when Bird decides to make him her friend, and she
soon discovers a wealth of things in him to like. Bird and Harlem, with the help of Miss
Delphine Reese find fame and glory, friendship, and worth in Freedom, Georgia.
Old, Wendie. To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers. Illustrated by Robert Andrew
Parker. Clarion Books, 2002. Narrative Nonfiction.
The story of the Wright Brothers is portrayed in brief, accessible chapters, beginning
with their childhood fascination with flight and love of problem solving to their stunning
achievement. Parker's loose, airy watercolor illustrations are suited to this story of
flight.
Picture Book. History/Social Science, Science.

Grades 3-5
Osborne, Mary Pope. Kate and the Beanstalk. Illustrated by Giselle Potter. Atheneum,
2000. Fiction.
This retelling of the classic folktale features a gutsy, resourceful heroine who climbs
the beanstalk to outsmart the greedy giant. Potter's signature expressionistic
illustrations, rendered in ink, gouache, and watercolor with a large-sized format,
perfectly enhance this feminist version.
Park, Linda Sue. Kite Fighters, The. Clarion Books, 2000. Fiction.
In Korea in 1473, eleven-year-old Young-sup overcomes a rivalry with his older
brother who, as the first-born son, receives special treatment from their father and
combines his kite-flying skill with his brother's kite-making skill in an attempt to win
the New Year kite competition.
Korean/Korean American Culture.
Perdomo, Willie. Visiting Langston. Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Henry Holt and
Company, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Poetry.
The vibrant voice of a young girl with richly textured watercolor and collage
illustrations illuminate a poem celebrating the life and work of poet Langston Hughes.
It also evokes the images of Harlem as well as the blues, dreams, Africa, and other
subjects of Hughes' poetry.
Honor.
Perez, L. King. First Day in Grapes. Illustrated by Robert Casilla. Lee and Low Books,
2003. Fiction.
All year long, Chico's family moves up and down California to pick fruits and
vegetables. Every September, Chico begins the school year in a new school, and
often the other kids pick on him - maybe because he's always new or because he
speaks Spanish sometimes. But third grade promises to be different: he likes his
teacher, and she recognizes his excellent abilities in math. When fourth-grade bullies
tease him, he surprises them with strengths of his own.
Illustration Honor. History/Social Science.
Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa. Illustrated by
Brian Pinkney. Jump at the Sun, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
Ella's inspiring story is told in the voice of Scat Cat Monroe, a feline fan whose
imagined narrative sings with infectious scat rhythms. The dramatic perspectives of
the fantastical scratchboard illustrations offer jazzy improvisations of their own.

Grades 3-5
Pinkney, Jerry. Noah's Ark. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. SeaStar Books, 2002.
This book retells the biblical story of the great flood and how Noah and his family
faithfully responded to God's call to save life on the Earth. Spectacular pencil-and-
watercolor illustrations bring detail of the crowds of animals and of the drowned Earth.
Rappaport, Doreen. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001.
This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King pairs words from his speeches
with striking collage illustrations to present important moments in his life. Each collage
combines cut-paper, photographs, and watercolor to interpret the big words spoken
by Dr. King.
Black/African American Culture. Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Author
Honor. History/Social Science.
Rumford, James. Dog-of-the-Sea-Waves. Illustrated by James Rumford. Houghton

Mifflin, 2004. Historical Fiction.
Manu and his four brothers are the first humans to set foot on the Hawaiian Islands.
The brothers plan to return to their old island home and bring their families and
domestic animals back to make a new home. Manu does not like this plan until he
befriends a sick Hawaiian monk seal, or as Manu calls him "Dog-of-the-Sea-Waves."
Sequel to The Island-Below-the-Star. In English and Hawaiian.
Pacific Islander Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science, Science.
Rumford, James. Nine Animals and the Well. Illustrated by James Rumford. Houghton
Mifflin, 2003. Fable.
The reader learns that the nine number signs and the zero came from the Europeans,
who got them from the North Africans, who got them from the Arabs, who got them
from India. Nine animal friends each want to bring the perfect gift to the raja-king's
birthday party but end up taking only their friendship.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Counting Book. Mathematics.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson.
Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
African American classical singer Marian Anderson perseveres during the vicious
segregation era. The story covers her rejection from music school, her triumphant
concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, and her performance with the
Metropolitan Opera. Selznick's compelling artwork adds drama. Includes afterword,
discography, and bibliography. Useful in the study of singers, singing, American

Grades 3-5
history, civil rights, prejudice, and courage. Can be used as a picture book for older
readers. California author.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science, Visual
and Performing Arts.
San Souci, Robert D. Cinderella Skeleton. Illustrated by David Catrow. Harcourt Brace,
2000. Fairy Tale.
This unique and humorous version of Cinderella is told in rhyming verse. Cinderella is
a skeleton living in a graveyard with her stepmother. The illustrations conjure up the
worst in each person, making the entire book spooky, gruesome, and very funny.
California author.
Picture Book.
San Souci, Robert D. Reluctant Dragon, The. Illustrated by John Segal. Scholastic,
2004. Fairy Tale.
This is a classic story about friendship, compassion, and loyalty retold with humor and
engaging dialogue. After Jack's father finds a fire-breathing dragon nearby, Jack
discovers the dragon is really a gentle, poetic giant who would rather read and write
than fight knights and breathe fire. The miniature, watercolor paintings add to the
growing camaraderie between Jack and the Dragon and the satisfying conclusion.
California author. Good read-aloud.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Literacy/Motivation.
Sierra, Judy (selector). Can You Guess My Name?: Traditional Tales Around the
World. Illustrated by Stefano Vitale. Clarion Books, 2002. Fairy Tale.
A collection of 15 folktales from all over the world, including stories that resemble
"The Three Pigs" and "The Bremen Town Musicians." Good to use in comparing
different versions of the same story. California author.
Slaymaker, Melissa Eskridge. Bottle Houses: The Creative World of Grandma

Prisbrey. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Henry Holt, 2004. Biography/Autobiography,
When Grandma Prisbrey decided to settle down on her land in California, she didn't
have the money to build a house. A visit to the dump leads to the construction of
several buildings from found material, especially bottles. The gouache illustrations
portray the beauty of the buildings. Includes an author note and photographs of the
Bottle House. California setting.
Smith, Jr., Charles R. Tall Tales: Six Amazing Basketball Dreams. Dutton Books,
2000. Short Story.
Six short stories about basketball are told with the use of brightly colored print,
various fonts, and words splashed across the pages in energetic arrangements. The

Grades 3-5
photographs in the background depict mostly inner-city basketball and include all
sizes, genders, and abilities. This page size is extra tall, making these truly "tall" tales.
Basketball lovers will enjoy the action and energy.
Physical Education.
Soto, Gary. Chato and the Party Animals. Illustrated by Susan Guevara. Putnam
Publishing, 2000. Humor.
When Chato the Cat discovers that his best friend, Novio Boy has never had a
birthday party, he plans a surprise party. Everything is set except that Chato forgets to
invite the guest of honor. The mural-like acrylic-on-scratchboard artwork extends the
story with vitality and color. Humor and Latino symbolism are embedded in the
illustrations. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Illustration Winner.
Stanley, Diane. Michelangelo. HarperCollins, 2000. Biography/Autobiography.

In this extended-text picture book, Stanley uses the chronology of Michelangelo's life
to explain the style, technique, and meaning of his sculpture, architecture, and
paintings. Computer-manipulated drawings of his actual work and Stanley's original
watercolors work together to make this a thorough, easy-to-understand, and
informative biography.
Picture Book. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Stanley, Diane. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam. Illustrated by Diane Stanley.

HarperCollins, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
This biography depicts the life of Saladin, an influential Muslim leader and sultan who
led his people during the time of the twelfth-century Crusades. It discusses the
Crusades and the political and religious history of the Middle East and Western
Europe. The author's detailed color paintings are inspired from Islamic art of the
period. The text includes a glossary and a bibliography.
Middle Eastern Culture. Picture Book.
Staples, Suzanne Fisher. Green Dog: A Mostly True Story, The. Frances Foster
This story is based on the author's childhood in northeastern Pennsylvania and tells
the story of Jeff, a black-and-white dog who comes into a young girl's life as a stray.
Love between them is instant, but after awhile it is apparent that Jeff has a nose for
trouble and tough decisions must be made.
Read Aloud.
Stockton, Frank R. Bee-Man of Orn, The. Illustrated by P. J. Lynch. Candlewick Press,

2003. Fantasy.
The Bee-Man lives humbly in a hut that resembles an immense beehive. He is visited
by a young sorcerer who tells him he is not what he seems. The Bee-Man begins a

Grades 3-5
quest to discover his true identity. The text of Stockton's 1887 short story is
accompanied by Lynch's watercolor-and-gouache paintings that reflect this
mysterious world. Includes a DVD showing the artist at work in his studio.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
Taylor, Debbie A. Sweet Music in Harlem. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. Lee and Low
C. J., who aspires to be as great a jazz musician as his uncle, searches for Uncle
Click's hat in preparation for an important photograph and inadvertently gathers some
of the greatest musicians of 1950s Harlem to join in on the picture. The text is jazzy
with hip dialogue and is illustrated with bright acrylic paintings that show elongated
characters. Includes author's note and the 1958 Art Kane photograph.
Taylor, Theodore. Boy Who Could Fly Without a Motor, The. Harcourt Brace, 2002.
Fiction.
It is 1935, Franklin Roosevelt is President, and Jon Jeffers is nine years old. He is
also stuck on a small, rocky island off the coast of San Francisco with his mother and
his lighthouse-keeper father. Jon's desire for friendship and interest in ghosts and
magic lead him into adventure, disaster, and more when an ancient magician arrives
on the beach and offers Jon the secret of human flight. California author. See other
award-winning titles by this author.
Testa, Maria. Becoming Joe DiMaggio. Illustrated by Scott Hunt. Candlewick Press,
2002. Fiction in Verse.
In this verse novel, Joseph Paul, born in 1936 and named after the great Joe
DiMaggio, learns about his namesake from his beloved grandfather, Papa-Angelo.
From these two figures, Joseph Paul learns to overcome the fact that his father is in
prison and that he can realize his dream of becoming a doctor.
U'Ren, Andrea. Mary Smith. Illustrated by Andrea U'Ren. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2003. Biography/Autobiography, Narrative Nonfiction.
This historically based picture book recounts how Mary Smith performed her duties of
waking up key citizens of the community by blowing her pea-shooter at their windows
in the early industrial age before the advent of alarm clocks. The thick black lines and
muted colors are reminiscent of early twentieth-century illustrations.
Van Allsburg, Chris. Zathura. Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. Houghton Mifflin, 2002.
Fantasy.
Left on their own for an evening, two boisterous brothers find more excitement than
they bargained for in a mysterious and mystical space adventure board game in this

Grades 3-5
sequel to Jumanji. The black-and-gray sketched illustrations are highlighted with

textured paper.
Weisner, David. Three Pigs, The. Illustrated by David Weisner. Clarion Books, 2001.
Fiction.
The three pigs escape the wolf by going to another world where they meet the cat
and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon. The artwork shifts
into various illustrative styles as the pigs step out of the pages of the book and leave
the wolf behind.
Picture Book. Caldecott Winner. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
White, Ruth. Tadpole. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
When Tad, the thirteen-year-old cousin of Kentucky, Georgia, and Carolina, suddenly
comes into their lives, they and Mama welcome him even though they can hardly
afford to feed another person. After they discover that Tad's Uncle Matthew is an
abusive guardian, they do all that they can to keep him safe. Set in the South in 1955.
Good read-aloud.
Winters, Kay. Voices of Ancient Egypt. Illustrated by Barry Moser. National

Geographic Society, 2003. Poetry.
Individual workers who live in ancient Egypt during the time of the Olden Kingdom
describe the work they do. The text is free verse and expressed in the voices of a
scribe, a farmer, a bird netter, a weaver, an embalmer, a carpenter, and seven other
workers. Each page has the title of the occupation in English and in hieroglyphics.
Includes a historical note.
African Culture. Read Aloud. History/Social Science.
Woods, Brenda. Red Rose Box, The. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
On her tenth birthday, Leah receives a traveling case decorated with red roses from
her glamorous Aunt Olivia. This is a touching story of a girl and her younger sister
growing up between two worlds, the deep south of Louisiana and Los Angeles in the
1950s.
Black/African American Culture. Coretta Scott King Author Honor. English-
Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. Putnam Publishing, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

Eleven-year-old Lonnie Collins Motion has had a rough life - both parents are dead,
and he and his little sister are sent to different foster homes. Then in school, he learns

Grades 3-5
to express himself through poetry. In learning to communicate, he learns to cope with

his present and even look forward to the future.
Language Arts/Writing.
Yee, Lisa. Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
Written as journal entries, eleven-year-old child prodigy Millicent Min records the
highs and lows of the summer before her senior year in high school. They include a
college poetry class and many attempts by her Chinese American parents and
grandmother to give her a more "normal" childhood. This funny, heartwarming tale
can be used for units on journal writing and Asian Americans.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Yep, Laurence. Lady of Chi'ao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, A.D.
531. Scholastic, 2001. Historical Fiction.
Using diary entries written in the sixth century, sixteen-year-old Princess Redbird of
the Hsien tribe reveals her role as liaison between her own people and the local
Chinese colonists in southern China during times of peace and war. The epilogue
presents the historical facts about the real Lady of Ch'ao Kuo and a historical note
provides a summary of the period. Includes family tree, map, and archival
reproductions. From the Royal Diaries series. California author.
Yep, Laurence. When the Circus Came to Town. HarperCollins, 2002. Fiction.
Ten-year-old Ursula lives with her parents at a Montana stagecoach stop. When
smallpox leaves her face scarred, she refuses to socialize, not even with the Chinese
cook. It's not until the cook's cousins stage a circus for the town that Ursula comes
out. In turn she puts on a Chinese New Year celebration when the circus troupe is
stranded by a Montana blizzard. California author.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture.
Yin. Coolies. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Philomel Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
During the mid-1800s, many Chinese immigrants made their way to San Francisco
and were hired to build the Transcontinental Railroad. They were called "coolies," a
derogatory term for Chinese workers. They were given the most dangerous jobs and
were paid the least. This beautifully illustrated book gives a good picture of the part
the Chinese laborers played in the building of America and especially California.

Grades 6-8
Adler, David A. B. Franklin, Printer. Holiday House, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.

This biography of Benjamin Franklin is filled with original quotations by Franklin. The
text is accompanied by archival prints and includes maps, chronologies, source
notes, recommended Web sites, a bibliography, and index.
Agra, Carmen. Yellow Star, The: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark.
Illustrated by Henri Sorensen. Peachtree, 2000. Historical Fiction.
This legend relates how King Christian X of Denmark sewed a yellow star onto his
clothing, thus defying Hitler's orders and empowering his people to proclaim solidarity
with their Jewish friends and neighbors in World War II. An author's note separates
fact from fiction.
Jewish/Jewish American Culture. Picture Book. Christopher Award.
Alexander, Lloyd. Gawgon and the Boy, The. Dutton Books, 2001. Fiction.
In Philadelphia during the 1920s, David becomes ill with pneumonia. During his
convalescence he is taught by the Gawgon, a distant cousin of his grandmother.
Mixed with details of the 1920s and David's Jamaican family, the story is woven with
fantasy and involves David and the Gawgon.
Multicultural Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Alvarez, Julia. Before We Were Free. Knopf, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Twelve-year-old Anita is faced with the average adolescent obsessions: boys and her
appearance. She becomes aware of the mounting political danger to her family in the
Dominican Republic of the early 1960s. With her mother, Anita goes into hiding and
keeps a secret diary as a means of coping with traumatic events. The first-person
narrative and suspenseful plot will elicit thought-provoking discussions about growing
up, family ties, courage, the cost of freedom, and political views. Useful in the study of
Latin American history and culture.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Winner. English-
Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Ancona, George. Fiesta U.S.A. Illustrated by George Ancona. Dutton Books, 1995.
Nonfiction.
Colorful photographs and engaging text describe four holidays celebrated by Latin
Americans in different communities of the United States. Holidays include Day of the
Dead, Las Posadas, New Year's Day, and Day of the Three Kings. Emphasis is on the
involvement of the total community. Useful in Latin American studies at all levels.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Photo-Essay. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor.
History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.

Grades 6-8
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever, 1793. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Historical Fiction.
This book is set in Philadelphia in 1793. Sixteen-year-old Matilda Cook is separated
from her sick mother and learns about perseverance and self-reliance when she is
forced to cope with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic. She flees the city with her
grandfather and soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere. Mattie must learn
quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.
History/Social Science, Science.
illustrator.
Appelt, Kathi. Kissing Tennessee and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance.
Harcourt Brace, 2000. Short Story.
The book presents eight short stories on heartbreak, including love troubles, abuse,
and identity. The topics will appeal to both middle and high schoolers as the stories
are full of hope and depict resourcefulness. This book addresses controversial issues
of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and language that reflect mature
content. Before handing the text to a child, educators and parents should read the
book and know the child.
Avi. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Hyperion Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.
This tale is set in fourteenth-century England. "Asta's son" is suddenly orphaned, and
everything he owns is taken away. Accused of murder, he flees his village and finds
protection from a juggler who mentors him. Asta's son learns his true name is Crispin,
and he eventually learns the secret of his true identity. Use with history units on
feudalism.
Newbery Winner. History/Social Science.
Avi. Don't You Know There's a War On? HarperCollins, 2001. Historical Fiction.
Nearly everyone's life is touched by World War II in 1943. Howie's father is serving in
the merchant marine, and his mother is working long hours. Howie is lonely and
frightened and feels helpless in his family situation. But when he learns his favorite
teacher is losing her job, he feels empowered to fight to keep her. This funny, sad,

Grades 6-8
and touching book shows what it was like to be a child in the United States during the
war.
Banks, Kate. Dillon Dillon. Frances Foster Books, 2002. Fiction.

Dillon Dillon often wondered but never inquired why he had identical first and last
names until the family's annual summer vacation at Lake Waban. At his tenth birthday
celebration, Dillon learns the story behind the double names and sets out to make
sense of life and ultimately bring magic and healing. Two gifts he receives, a red
rowboat and a boomerang, teach him about responsibility and loss.
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine,
1845-1850. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Nonfiction.
This book is an effectively written description of the struggle of the Irish people during
a bleak period in history, complete with newspaper accounts and personal stories.
Readers are reminded to compare the hunger, poverty, and human suffering to the
present.
Western European Culture. Golden Kite Author Winner. History/Social Science.
Batt, Tanya Robyn (reteller). Fabrics of Fairytale: Stories Spun from Far and Wide,
The. Illustrated by Rachel Griffin. Barefoot Books, 2000. Folklore.
Folktales from seven cultures are told using fabrics and woven materials as a
storytelling vehicle. The story and artwork go hand-in-hand. The cultures included are
Armenian, Swahili, Chinese, Hawaiian, Swedish, Jewish, and Indonesian. The border
patterns are especially interesting as sewing materials are used to illustrate the
stories.
Multicultural Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Bierhorst, John (reteller). People with Five Fingers: A Native Californian Creation
Tale, The. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. Marshall Cavendish, 2000. Folklore.
This creation myth explains why every valley in California had a separate Native
American nation, each with different customs and languages. In the beginning,
Coyote and all the animals busily prepared California for people. Upon the people's
arrival, there was so much laughing and talking, all in different languages, that the
animals went to the woods, waters, and sky and never spoke again. Good read-
aloud.
Native American Culture. Picture Book, Read Aloud. History/Social Science.
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy. Delacorte
Press, 2003. Historical Fiction.
A young girl is recruited into the French Resistance as a messenger after her village
is bombed during World War II. This true story is told in the first person. The intriguing

Grades 6-8
plot and subject matter detail the young heroine's bravery and courage in the face of
war.
Brenner, Barbara. Voices: Poetry and Art from Around the World. National
More than 350 poems and art pieces from six continents are collected in this
combination of poetry, art, and geography. A representative work of art matches at
least one of the poems on each page. The artwork includes painting, sculpture,
ceremonial objects, textiles, and photographs, making this a multicultural
masterpiece.
Byrd, Robert. Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer. Illustrated by Robert Byrd. Dutton Books,
This biography about Leonardo Da Vinci is filled with detailed illustrations and
interesting facts about both Da Vinci and the Renaissance, as well as quotations from
his notebooks. Da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, scientist, mathematician, and
architect. However, he had little formal schooling and throughout his lifetime left many
projects unfinished. An author's note, timeline, and bibliography are included.
Picture Book. Golden Kite Author Winner. Visual and Performing Arts.
Cameron, Ann. Colibri. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
This story set in Guatemala tells of a young Mayan girl who is kidnapped by an
unscrupulous man and is forced to lie and beg to get money. She endures an abusive
life and longs for the parents she can hardly remember. A fortune-teller gives her the
courage to leave, and the pace quickens.
English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Clements, Andrew. Things Not Seen. Philomel Books, 2002. Science Fiction.
When fifteen-year-old Bobby wakes up and finds himself invisible, he, his parents,
and his new blind friend Alicia try to find out the cause of his condition and the
remedy. Bobby is a smart boy who handles his unusual situation with humor and
intelligence. This story about self-discovery blends reality with fantasy to keep
readers in suspense until the very end.
Science.
Conover, Sarah (adapter). Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children

and Parents. Eastern Washington University Press, 2001. Nonfiction.
Told in a soft, lyrical voice, this collection of stories and quotations from the Buddhist
tradition will be useful for a study on religions of the world. Detailed source notes for
the quotes, sayings, and stories are included.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing,

Grades 6-8
Cooper, Michael. Fighting for Honor: Japanese Americans and World War II.
Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Nonfiction.
This book examines the history of the Japanese in the United States from 1942 to
1945, focusing on their treatment during World War II. It presents a vivid account of
heroic combat experiences of Japanese Americans in the American military as well as
the mass relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. History/Social Science.
Cooper, Michael. Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese Relocation Camp.

Clarion Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Nonfiction.
This is a look at the first relocation camp built for Japanese evacuees living on the
West Coast after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Photographs by Ansel Adams and
Dorothea Lange, as well as excerpts from diaries and journals, provide first-person
accounts of life behind the barbed wire. The biography is framed by the author's
participation in the 2001 Manzanar pilgrimage and serves as an introduction for all
ages. California setting.
Creech, Sharon. Heartbeat. HarperCollins, 2004. Fiction in Verse.

Life has rhythms in the life of twelve-year-old Annie, who loves to run, as she ponders
the many progressions of adolescence. Each heartbeat in this free-verse novel
reflects her journey as a runner and the obstacles that she must overcome in the self-
discovery process. Readers will take pleasure in this tender portrait of Annie.
English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, English-Language Arts/Writing, English-
Creech, Sharon. Ruby Holler. Joanna Cotler Books, 2002. Fiction.

Thirteen-year-old twins, Dallas and Florida, have grown up in an orphanage and are
convinced they're clumsy, stupid, and unlovable until they are taken in by Sairy and
Tiller. Time, patience, plenty of home-cooked food, and caring prove to the twins that
they are worthy of love. Filled with humor, adventure, mischief, mystery, and good
will, this book is an entertaining read.

Grades 6-8
Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial, 1955. Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2002. Historical
Fiction.
In Mississippi in 1955, a sixteen-year-old finds himself at odds with his grandfather
over issues surrounding the kidnapping and murder of fourteen-year-old Emmett Till,
an African American from Chicago. This powerful fiction narrative describes the
racially motivated murder and the aftermath of that crime that launched the Civil
Rights Movement.
Black/African American Culture. History/Social Science.
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography.

Greenwillow Books, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
Popular young adult novelist Crutcher writes about his own life, growing up in a small
town, Cascade, Idaho. Here is a clear portrait of how a writer's own experience both
infuses his fiction and remains separate from imagined stories he writes.
Cushman, Karen. Matilda Bone. Clarion Books, 2000. Historical Fiction.

Matilda, an orphan, is sent to serve the town's local bonesetter, Red Peg, in this story
set in the fourteenth-century. She has no interest in or knowledge of medical practices
and prefers to call on the saints for answers. However, the saints aren't much help
when it comes to the practical work of serving the sick and needy, and eventually she
acquires healing skills. Useful in the study of life during medieval times. California
author.
Danticat, Edwidge. Behind the Mountains. Orchard Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.
Thirteen-year-old Celiane documents in her diary life with her mother and brother in
Haiti and the immigration of her family to Brooklyn in January 2001 to reunite with her
father. This well-written novel explores a variety of themes: immigrant experiences,
cultural similarities and differences, and family strength in difficult times. Useful for
teaching writing in the first person and discussing multicultural issues, diversity, and
the Haitian American immigrant experience. This book is part of the First Person
Fiction series.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Demi. Emperor's New Clothes: A Tale Set in China, The. Illustrated by Demi.
Margaret McElderry Books, 2000. Fairy Tale.
Set in ancient China, this story is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen
tale about the vain emperor. Chinese symbols are used throughout the tale and
displayed in the colorful illustrations. The author's note explains these symbols and
where to look for them in the book. Can be used as a picture book for older readers.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. Picture Book.

Grades 6-8
Demi. Gandhi. Illustrated by Demi. Margaret McElderry Books, 2001.

This story of Gandhi's life and work is told in a simple, straightforward manner,
presenting his social and political goals with reverence. Includes author's notes. The
author/illustrator's signature artwork using gold borders and accents of brilliant color
evoke the East Indian culture. Can be used as a picture book for older readers.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Demi. Muhammad. Illustrated by Demi. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003.

This easy-to-read narrative tells the story of Muhammad's life and the beginning of
Islam. The artwork depicts the religion and the culture of that time. Included are a
one-page description of Islam, a map of Muhammad's world, and a bibliography of
text and art references. This work can be used as a tie-in with seventh grade social
science and as a picture book for older readers.
Middle Eastern Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science.
Dickinson, Peter. Ropemaker, The. Delacorte Press, 2001. Fantasy.

When the magic that protects their valley starts to fail, Tilja and her companions
journey into the evil empire to find the ancient magician Faheel, who originally cast
those spells in this quest fantasy.
Michael L. Printz Honor.
Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee. Conch Bearer: A Novel, The. Roaring Book Press, 2003.
Fantasy.
Challenges await twelve-year-old Anand, accompanied by a mysterious man and a
headstrong street child, whose task is to return a conch shell that possesses mystical
power to its home in the Himalayas, hundreds of miles away. The exotic journey
draws on the setting of India's culture, is devoted to peacefulness, and affords a
glimpse of the lad's growth and maturation in an intriguing and suspenseful
adventure.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture, Middle Eastern Culture.
Draper, Sharon M. Double Dutch. Atheneum, 2002. Fiction.

Set in Cincinnati, Ohio, this novel features eighth graders Delia, Randy, and the
Tolliver twins. All of them have secrets. Delia does not tell anyone she cannot read.
Randy is afraid to tell anyone that his father is missing. The Tolliver twins project the
image of bullies, yet they are shy. There is realistic teen dialog and a plot involving a
tornado hitting the school. Can be used for discussing fears and acceptance of self
and others. This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents
and includes scenes and language that reflect mature content. Before handing the
text to a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
Black/African American Culture. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.

Grades 6-8
Ellis, Deborah. Mud City. Groundwood Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.

Fourteen-year-old Shauzia, an Afghan girl disguised as a boy, leaves home to avoid a
prearranged marriage, becomes independent, and eventually goes to France. She
arrives at a refugee camp (Mud City) in Pakistan but opts for life on the streets with
Jasper, a dog companion. Political background information, a glossary, maps, and a
Web site are included. This can be a stand-alone book or introduced as the third title
in the Breadwinner Trilogy.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary,
Engdahl, Sylvia Louise. Enchantress from the Stars. Illustrated by Leo Dillon and
Diane Dillon. Walker and Company, 2001. Original ©1970. Science Fiction.
This thought-provoking novel combines science fiction with fantasy and tells the story
of contact on the planet Andrecia between three civilizations. Narratives from
members of each group give the reader different versions of this interaction. There
are handsome new illustrations by the Dillons in this reprint of the 1971 Newbery
Honor Book. May be useful for literature and social science assignments.
Farmer, Nancy. House of the Scorpion, The. Atheneum, 2002. Science Fiction.
In a future where clones are despised, Matt enjoys special favors as the clone of El
Patron, the powerful patriarch of a drug family in the country of Opium. When Matt
discovers the true reason for his existence, he plans an escape to the neighboring
country, Utopia. But even there, he finds that all is not right, and he must go back to
fight the evil El Patron and his family.
Read Aloud. National Book Award, Newbery Honor, Michael L. Printz Honor.
Science.
Ferreira, Anton. Zulu Dog. Frances Foster Books, 2002. Fiction.

In post-apartheid South Africa, a three-legged bush puppy secretly reared and trained
to become a hunting dog becomes the center of an unlikely friendship that develops
between Vusi, a Zulu boy, and Shirley, the daughter of a racist white farmer. In a
country experiencing complex issues of land rights and cultural disparity, the novel
explores difficulties encountered with various lifestyles and offers an optimistic
solution.
African Culture. History/Social Science.
Ferris, Jean. Once Upon a Marigold. Harcourt Brace, 2002. Fantasy.

Christian has been raised from childhood by a troll. When he reaches age eighteen, it
is decided that he should find his way in the world. He doesn't go too far, because he
notices the beautiful, lonely princess in the castle across the lake. He journeys to the
town to find a way to meet her. Christian gets more than he bargains for when he

Grades 6-8
uncovers a plot by the Queen to rid herself of the King and her daughter, so she can
be the sole ruler of the land. California author.
Flake, Sharon. Money Hungry. Jump at the Sun, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
Raspberry, aged thirteen, looks for opportunities to earn money however she can so
she and her mother will not be homeless again. When her mother suspects
Raspberry of stealing money, her mom throws most of it out the window and it
appears that they will be homeless again.
Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good
Gentleman's Life. Atheneum, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
This book brings together eighteenth-century etchings, artifacts, and quotations to
create the effect of a scrapbook of the life of Benjamin Franklin. An engaging
narrative of his childhood, family, scientific, political, and civic achievements is
chronicled. Interesting facts and many illustrations are included. A reading list,
bibliography, index, and Web sites complete this title.
Fletcher, Ralph. Uncle Daddy. Henry Holt and Company, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
When his long-absent father suddenly reappears, nine-year-old Rivers struggles with
conflicting feelings and reexamines his relationship with the great-uncle who had
served as his father.
Christopher Award.
Franklin, Kristine L. Grape Thief. Candlewick Press, 2003. Historical Fiction.

In a small Washington state coal-mining community made up of families from different
ethnic backgrounds, twelve-year-old Cuss likes to learn and wants to stay in school,
but finances are tight in 1925. The story shares how his family and friends persevere
with faith and optimism in spite of multiple hardships. This first-person narrative is a
quick read and combines the challenges of earlier times with humor and effective
characterizations.
Freedman, Russell. Confucius: The Golden Rule. Illustrated by Frederic Clement.

Arthur A. Levine Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
This book acquaints readers with Confucius, who was born in 552 B.C. in China.
Freedman weaves facts, legends, and the philosopher's words to reveal a man of
deep beliefs and great humor. It includes many of Confucius' wise sayings. Beautiful
collage paintings and designs add to this outstanding work. Useful in character
education and for investigating religions, philosophy, biographies, ancient Chinese
culture, and Confucius' influence.

Grades 6-8
Freedman, Russell. Give Me Liberty!: The Story of the Declaration of

Independence. Holiday House, 2000. Nonfiction.
Freedman makes history come alive in this telling of the making of the Declaration of
Independence. The text is filled with quotations, sayings, and paintings that depict
what was happening at the time of the writing. A copy of the original document is
included along with the full text. An interesting section on what happened to the
document after it was written, where it is today, and how it has been protected and
cared for is a useful addition.
Funke, Cornelia Caroline. Thief Lord, The. Scholastic, 2002. Fiction.

Prosper and Boniface, orphaned after the death of their parents, run from Hamburg to
Venice to escape being adopted by an evil aunt. They are befriended by a gang of
thieves headed by the Thief Lord and become involved in mystery and adventure.
The reader is treated to the wonders of Venice, as well as fantasy, intrigue, and
magic.
Fuqua, Jonathon Scott. Darby. Candlewick Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Set in the 1920s, this novel portrays nine-year-old Darby, who stirs up trouble in her
small South Carolina town when she writes a story for the local newspaper promoting
racial equality. The Ku Klux Klan responds by burning a cross in her front yard and
pelting her father's store with bricks. Written in the first-person narrative.
Science.
Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. Illustrated by Dave McKean. HarperColllins, 2002. Horror.

A neglected young girl discovers a parallel world behind the mysterious 14th door in
her new house. Once she enters the other world, she encounters a home much nicer
in many ways than the one she left and yet somehow horrific. She finds her "other
mother and father" to be mirror images but with long claw-like fingers and buttons for
eyes. They want Coraline to stay forever, but she knows that she must find a way
back to her real world before it's too late.
Gantos, Jack. Hole in My Life. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002.

The noted author of children's and young adult books relates in this autobiography
how, as a young adult, he became a drug user and smuggler, spent time in prison,
went to college, and then became a successful and popular author.

Grades 6-8
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. Random House, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
A troublesome twelve-year-old orphan, staying with an elderly artist suffering from the
beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease, remembers the only other time she was
happy in a foster home. In the end, she is reunited with the family she has longed for.
Newbery Honor. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Greenberg, Jan. Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century

American Art. Abrams, 2001. Poetry.
This is a compilation of poems about American art in the twentieth century. Writers
include artists and authors. Each piece of art is enhanced by the carefully crafted text.
This will be especially useful in writing and art classes as examples of creativity in a
variety of media.
Michael L. Printz Honor. Visual and Performing Arts.
Greenberg, Jan. Romare Bearden: Collage of Memories. Illustrated by Romare

Bearden. Abrams, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
This picture book biography illustrates the lifetime memories of Romare Bearden
through his collages. His bold art form shows the influences of his childhood in the
South, life in New York and Paris, and his love of jazz. Includes author's note,
important dates, bibliography, text notes, glossary, and some places to view artwork
by Romare Bearden.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts.
Grimes, Nikki. Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman.
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Orchard Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
An imagined monologue on each page tells about the life of Bessie Coleman by those
who knew her best. As a young girl, Bessie was determined to be the first African
American female pilot. This picture book biography for older readers is filled with facts
about a brave woman and enables young readers to understand her spirit.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Coretta Scott King Author Honor,
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Winner.

Grades 6-8
Gutman, Dan. Million Dollar Shot, The. Hyperion Press, 1997. Fiction.
Eleven-year-old Eddie, who lives in a Louisiana trailer park with his widowed mother,
gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the National Basketball
Association finals.
California Young Reader Medal.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Running Out of Time. Simon and Schuster, 1995. Science
Fiction.
When a diphtheria epidemic hits her village, thirteen-year-old Jessie discovers it is not
1840, but actually 1996, and her family lives in a reconstructed historic site that is
really a secret science experiment. Jessie escapes from the village to save the dying
children and finds herself in the middle of a very different and most unfamiliar world.
Hamilton, Virginia. Girl Who Spun Gold, The. Illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane
Dillon. Blue Sky Press, 2000. Fairy Tale.
In this West Indian version of Rumpelstiltskin, Quashiba, a young spinner, is married
to Big King, who insists that she produce gold. A cruel-looking little creature appears
and says he'll spin gold for her if she can guess his name. The acrylic illustrations use
gold lavishly, and the easygoing West Indian text makes this a fun read-aloud.
Multicultural Culture. Read Aloud.
Harley, Avis. Fly with Poetry: An ABC of Poetry. Boyds Mills Press, 2000. Poetry.
This collection of poems, one for each letter of the alphabet, uses examples of poems
to show types of poetry. Each original poem is an example of the poetic device
presented, and an explanation at the bottom of each page adds to the usefulness.
Alphabet Book. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Henkes, Kevin. Olive's Ocean. HarperCollins, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

Olive Barstow is dead, hit by a car while riding her bicycle. Martha is sorry, but
because they had not been friends, Olive's death does not really touch her until
Olive's mother brings Martha a journal page that Olive had written before her death.
Olive and Martha are connected in ways that change Martha's summer and probably
her life.
Newbery Honor.
Hesse, Karen. Aleutian Sparrow. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003. Fiction in Verse.
After the Japanese bombed Unalaska Island in 1942, the U.S. government relocated
the Aleut people to an inhospitable camp near Ketchikan, Alaska, so their island could
be used as a military base. The tragic story is told in free verse, each poem depicting
life through the eyes of an Aleut girl.
Native American Culture. History/Social Science.

Grades 6-8
Hesse, Karen. Witness. Scholastic, 2001. Historical Fiction, Poetry.

Two young girls move to a small Vermont town in 1924, become best friends, and turn
into targets of the Klu Klux Klan because of their race. Leonora, twelve, is black, and
Esther, six, is Jewish. Eleven residents speak of personal experiences, fears, and
prejudices and reflect on happenings: murder attempts, a dramatic rescue, a
teenager on the run, and a suicide. This play in free-verse style weaves prejudice and
hatred, the lure of the Klan, and the response of the people who desire to learn
tolerance. Opportunities for reader's theater abound with this title.
Black/African American Culture, Jewish/Jewish American Culture, Multicultural
Culture. Christopher Award. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts,
Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot. Knopf, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

Roy, who has recently moved to Florida from Montana, encounters a strange,
barefooted running boy and his sister, the school bully, and some tiny owls. Ties into
endangered species discussions.
Newbery Honor. Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Hill, Christine. Ten Hispanic American Authors. Enslow, 2002.

This collection of ten short biographies profiles successful Hispanic American poets
and novelists. Among those presented are Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Gary Soto,
and Richard Rodriguez. Black-and-white photographs, a list of each author's
published works, further readings, Web sites, chapter notes, and an index are
included. Useful for English language learners studying biography and twentieth-
century Hispanic American literature. Part of a series.
Latino/Latino American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Hobbs, Valerie. Sonny's War. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002. Historical Fiction.
The world of fourteen-year-old Corey is turned upside down after the death of her
father and brother Sonny's enlistment and assignment to Vietnam. The multifaceted
plot and vivid characterizations capture the drama of life during the 1960s and
express the effects of war on those people left behind. California author.
Hobbs, Will. Wild Man Island. HarperCollins, 2002. Fiction.

Readers will be captivated by the wilderness adventure of resourceful fourteen-year-
old Andy, marooned on Alaska's remote Admiralty Island after a storm veers his kayak
off course. He is on a pilgrimage to place a whittled cedar canoe paddle at the place
of his father's death. Andy encounters a myriad of perils, including animals, hunger,
hypothermia, a maze of unexplored caves, and a mysterious wild man who holds the
key to his rescue. This tale of survival, mystery, and archaeological

Grades 6-8
discoveries blends vivid landscape imagery, a credible plot, and realistic setting for
entertaining and informational reading.
Hoffman, Mary. Stravaganza: City of Masks. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2002.

Fantasy.
In the first volume of a fantasy series, one protagonist is a modern boy dying from
cancer and another is the girl he befriends in a parallel world similar to the historic
Venice of the Renaissance. The imaginative tale with its complex plot, intriguing
setting, and well-rounded characters will transport readers into a world of fantasy and
suspense. The next two titles of the series are City of Stars and City of Flowers.
Western European Culture. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Holt, Kimberly Willis. Keeper of the Night. Henry Holt and Company, 2003. Fiction.
Set in Guam, this haunting story looks at thirteen-year-old Isabel Moreno and her
family trying to cope with the suicide of her mother. The story is presented in short
vignettes, each taking the reader closer to discovering the full story of her mother's
death. Through the course of the story, the reader learns about the culture and beliefs
of the people of Guam. The story was inspired by Holt's childhood when she lived in
Guam. This work is an accurate description of grief, deep sorrow, and healing.
Pacific Islander Culture.
Hooper, Mary. At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003.
Historical Fiction.
In June 1665, country girl Hannah excitedly arrives in London to work in her sister's
sweetshop, capture a beau, reunite with a childhood friend, and taste the city's food,
and engage in fashion life. The sisters become increasingly aware of the dreaded
bubonic plague that has taken hold of the city. Laced with vivid historical and physical
details, the book features a fast-paced story and believable characters challenged to
survive the entrapment. A 2004 sequel, Petals in the Ashes, finds the girls returning to
London to face the city's Great Fire of 1666.
Western European Culture. History/Social Science, Science.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. Illustrated by
Stephen Alcorn. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Poetry.
The diversity found in the United States is captured in this anthology of poems that
represent each section of America. Included in the collection of 51 poems are some
by Carl Sandburg, Langston Hughes, and Myra Cohn Livingston. Each poem is
accompanied by a full-color stylized painting. Useful for integrating literature with
history/social science.

Grades 6-8
Hopkinson, Deborah. Shutting Out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York,
1880-1915. Orchard Books, 2003. Nonfiction.
Photographs and text document the experiences of five individuals who immigrated to
live in the Lower East Side of New York City as children or young adults from Belarus,
Italy, Lithuania, and Romania at the turn of the twentieth century.
Horvath, Polly. Canning Season, The. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Fiction.
Sent to Maine for the summer, a thirteen-year-old girl finds herself in an isolated
house on the coast with Great-Aunts Tilly and Penpen. From the author of the
Newbery award-winning book, Everything on a Waffle, this offbeat, dark, and
ultimately positive tale is filled with unforgettable characters and lessons about life.
This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents and
includes scenes and language that reflect mature content. Before handing the text to
a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
National Book Award. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Horvath, Polly. Everything on a Waffle. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
Eleven-year-old Primrose lives in a small fishing village in British Columbia. She
recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature and the
unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea.
Newbery Honor.
Howe, James. Misfits. Atheneum, 2001. Fiction.

At a small-town middle school, four misfits decide to create a third party for the
student council elections to represent students who have ever been called names.
Their platform proposes the end of name-calling and bullying. This funny and tender
story is told with a light touch.
Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.

Nonfiction.
Science.

Grades 6-8
Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Ramadan. Illustrated by Lawrence Migdale

(photographer). Holiday House, 2001. Nonfiction.
This book provides a thorough but brief introduction to Islam and the holy month of
Ramadan. American fourth grader Ibraheem and his family live in New Jersey and
follow the teachings of the Koran. Color photographs and inserts illustrate the
customs. Useful for learning about religions, Islam, Muslims, Ramadan, and
respecting differences. California author.
Jimenez, Francisco. Breaking Through. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Since coming from Mexico to California ten years ago, fourteen-year-old Francisco is
still working in the fields, fighting to "break through" to improve his life and complete
his education. Social issues of poverty and prejudice in the 1950s are related through
his adolescent experiences. Photos are included. Sequel to The Circuit: Stories from
the Life of a Migrant Child. California author and setting.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor. History/Social
Science.
Johnson, D. B. Henry Climbs a Mountain. Illustrated by D. B. Johnson. Houghton

Mifflin, 2003. Fiction.
This is the third in a series about a bear named Henry whose activities are based on
incidents in the life of Henry David Thoreau. There are many faces of courage, and in
this story Henry goes to jail rather than sacrifice his principles even though freedom is
something he highly values. Others in the series are Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and
Henry Builds a Cabin.
Johnston, Tony. Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio. Illustrated by Raul
Colon. Blue Sky Press, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
After moving from Mexico to the barrio of East Los Angeles with his family, Arturo and
his friends share experiences dealing with a teacher who wants to Americanize their
names, playing basketball, and championing the school librarian. Short, upbeat
vignettes make this a good read-aloud choice. Includes a glossary of Spanish words.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Read Aloud. John and Patricia Beatty Award.
Jones, Lynda. Kids Around the World Celebrate!: The Best Feast and Festivals
from Many Lands. Illustrated by Michele Nidenoff. John Wiley, 2000. Nonfiction.
"Welcoming the New Year," "Celebrating Before and After Fasts," "Giving Thanks,"
and "Renewing the Spirit" are the four main headings. Festivals and holidays of
various countries are divided into those topics. Jones describes each celebration and
related hands-on projects. Useful in the studies of cultures around the world and
holidays.

Grades 6-8
Katz, Bobbi. We the People: Poems. Illustrated by Nina Crews. Greenwillow Books,
2000. Poetry.
Each of the 65 poems in this collection tells the story of a person from a specific
period in American history. The poems are in chronological order, beginning with "The
First Americans" and working through history up to the year 2000. Full-page color
illustrations depicting the time period are found at the beginning of each of the five
sections.
Kerley, Barbara. Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr.

Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer, The. Illustrated by Brian Selznick.
Scholastic, 2001. Nonfiction.
This is the true story of Victorian artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who built life-
sized models of dinosaurs in the hope of educating the world about what these
ancient animals were like. The text is illustrated with Victorian paintings. Extensive
notes from the author and illustrator convey the thrill of research to young readers.
Picture Book. Caldecott Honor. History/Social Science, Science, Visual and
Performing Arts.
Kidd, Sue Monk. Secret Life of Bees, The. Viking Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.
Fourteen-year-old Lily and her caregiver Rosaleen, an African American woman, flee
their home after Rosaleen is victimized by racist police officers. They find a safe
haven in South Carolina with three bee-keeping sisters. An uplifting, coming-of-age
story.
Black/African American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Konigsburg, E. L. Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place, The. Atheneum, 2004. Fiction.

Twelve-year-old Margaret Rose Kane, first featured as an adult in Silent to the Bone,
is delighted to be rescued from horrible Camp Talecqua by Great-Uncles Alex and
Morris. She spearheads a campaign to preserve three unique towers that the two
men have been building in their backyard for more than 40 years. Memorable
characters fill this imaginative and thoughtful story. Useful not only for literature units,
but also for discussions on art, community, and nonconformity.
Konigsburg, E. L. Silent to the Bone. Atheneum, 2000. Fiction.

Branwell's baby sister, Nikki, has been abused and is in a coma. The babysitter
accuses Branwell. He's jailed, and the trauma causes him to become mute, unable to
defend himself. Branwell's best friend, Connor, devises a system of flash cards and
blinking, and the communication begins. The themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and
trust, combined with the who-done-it mystery, serve to fascinate young readers.

Grades 6-8
Korman, Gordon. No More Dead Dogs. Hyperion Press, 2000. Humor, Realistic Fiction.
Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentenced to detention attending
rehearsals of the school play. In spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the
production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life
as well.
Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob. Hyperion Press, 2002. Fiction, Humor.
Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son
of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the
daughter of an FBI agent. The novel's quick pace and upbeat style offers readers
comedy, romance, and suspense.
Krull, Kathleen. Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez. Illustrated by Yuyi
Morales. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
Hispanic culture. The Spanish version of this book is Cosechando esperanza: La
historia de Cesar Chavez, translated from the English by F. Isabel Campoy and Alma
Flor Ada. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Krull, Kathleen. Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the
Neighbors Thought). Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. Harcourt Brace, 2000.
Lively stories of 20 historically significant women are told with humor and interesting
facts. Three- to four-page entries include caricature drawings and an "Ever After"
section that gives interesting tidbits of information about the women. California author.
Lawrence, Iain. Buccaneers, The. Random House, 2001. Historical Fiction.

In this sequel to The Wreckers and The Smugglers, the first two books in the High
Seas Trilogy, sixteen-year-old John Spencer sails The Dragon, to the Caribbean to
bring back sugar. Spencer encounters fierce storms, illness, and buccaneers, making
this a high-seas adventure filled with mystery and intrigue.

Grades 6-8
Lekuton, Joseph Lemasolai. Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African
Savannah. National Geographic Society, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
The author offers his personal account of growing up in Kenya and includes
anecdotes about lions, drinking blood, and other experiences ripe for reading aloud.
Useful for lessons in history and the culture of Africa.
Lester, Julius. Ackamarackus: Julius Lester's Sumptuously Silly Fantastically

Funny Fables. Illustrated by Emilie Chollat. Scholastic, 2001. Fable.
This is a collection of six original animal fables, laced with humor, absurdities,
wordplay, and alliteration. Each fable includes both a silly and a serious moral. Acrylic
and collage illustrations are bright and exhilarating. Useful for reading aloud and
discussing individuality, acceptance, and expression of negative feelings.
Lester, Julius. Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World, The. Illustrated by Lisa
Cohen. Jump at the Sun, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Ten of the world's top blues and blues-related singers are included in this collective
biography. Both the text and the illustrations convey the importance of Bessie Smith,
Robert Johnson, Mahalia Jackson, Muddy Waters, Billie Holiday, B. B. King, Ray
Charles, Little Richard, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. Lester writes as if he were
telling the stories to his granddaughter, making the text folksy and conversational.
Black/African American Culture. Visual and Performing Arts.
Lewis, J. Patrick. Freedom Like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans.

Illustrated by John Thompson. Creative Editions, 2000. Poetry.
Thirteen African Americans, all known for their courage and outstanding contributions,
are presented through poetry and art in this work. Arthur Ashe, Harriet Tubman,
Sojourner Truth, Louis Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Jr., Satchel Paige, Rosa Parks,
Langston Hughes, Jesse Owens, Marian Anderson, Malcolm X, Wilma Rudolph, and
Billie Holiday are featured with biographical notes. The powerful poetry and the
poignant full-page paintings make this an outstanding work.
Locker, Thomas. Mountain Dance. Illustrated by Thomas Locker. Silver

Whistle/Harcourt, 2001. Poetry.
The majesty of mountains is celebrated in this beautiful book that tells the geologic
evolution of mountains, beginning with volcanic eruptions and continuing with the
natural forces of nature building them up or wearing them down. The text, told in free-
verse poetry, creates a feeling of power, movement and grace, expressing nature's
"dance" through time. An oil painting opposite each text page helps to describe each
lyric. Can be used as a picture book for older readers.

Grades 6-8
Love, D. Anne. Puppeteer's Apprentice, The. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003.

Historical Fiction.
Set in England during the Middle Ages, this is the story of Mouse, an abandoned
baby, who was raised as a scullery maid. She runs away, discovers a puppet show,
and becomes a puppeteer's apprentice, carving and manipulating puppets. This fast-
paced adventure of friendship makes a good read-aloud. Includes a history of
puppetry and a bibliography of medieval life.
Read Aloud. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Lowry, Lois. Gathering Blue. Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Fiction, Science Fiction.
Kira's world of the future is almost medieval, filled with violence, bleakness, anger
and hostility. She has the unusual skill of embroidery and is given the honorable job of
Threader. She enlists her friend Matt to go out into the unknown world to look for blue
thread. This powerful story is bleak at times, but it also portrays hope, change, and
enlightenment.
Mannis, Celeste Davidson. Queen's Progress: An Elizabethan Alphabet, The.

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Viking Press, 2003. Nonfiction.
Every summer, Elizabeth I, Queen of England, goes on a holiday known as the royal
progress. As she and her entourage travel through the English countryside, they meet
with Adventure (A), Bear (B), and so on until all of the letters of the alphabet are
presented. Both the illustrations and the text bring to the reader many details of
country and courtly life in Elizabethan England. California author and illustrator.
Alphabet Book, Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social
Science.
Markel, Michelle. Cornhusk, Silk, and Wishbones: A Book of Dolls from Around the
World. Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Narrative Nonfiction.
This book presents a collection of dolls from 1000 B.C. to the present, from all the
continents. The dolls are arranged in alphabetical order according to type,
accompanied by an informative paragraph about the doll, including its origin and time
period, as well as cultural and historical information. A full-color photograph helps to
reveal clothing and the culture of the time. A section on the art of doll collecting is
included along with a bibliography and a two-page map showing the origin of each
doll.

childhood.

Grades 6-8
Mazer, Norma Fox. Girlhearts. HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Thirteen-year-old Sarabeth Silver's life is turned upside down when her mother dies
suddenly, leaving her orphaned, confused, and at the mercy of everyone who seems
to know what is best for her. This novel combines gentle humor with serious
relationship issues and ends on a positive note. Useful for discussions about death
and grieving.
McCaughrean, Geraldine. Kite Rider: A Novel, The. HarperCollins, 2001. Historical

Fiction.
In thirteenth-century China, Haoyou, the young son of a murdered sailor, confronts
scheming relatives, becomes a kite maker to support his widowed mother, and
eventually takes to the sky and spirit world as a kite rider in a traveling circus. He
ultimately reaches the courts of the great Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. The story has
plot twists. An insightful cousin, Mipeng, supports his growth from childhood to
wisdom as Haoyou grapples with the Chinese philosophy of obedience to elders.
McDermott, Gerald. Jabuti, the Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon. Harcourt
Brace, 2001. Folklore.
This trickster tale from the Amazon is about a flute-playing tortoise who wants to play
for the King. Vulture offers him a ride but deliberately drops him, causing his shell to
break. Other animals gather him up and glue his pieces back together. Vivid colors
and geometrically drawn shapes help to tell the story.
McKay, Hilary. Saffy's Angel. Margaret McElderry Books, 2002. Fiction.

Saffron, nicknamed Saffy, didn't possess a color name as the other three children in
her family (Cadmium, Indigo, and Rose). When she is eight years old, she learns why.
She is an orphan and goes on a whirlwind trip to her birthplace in Siena, Italy, to seek
and reunite with an inherited stone angel in a garden. The theme of family and
friendships offers memorable characterizations and humor.
Medina, Tony. Love to Langston. Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Lee and Low
Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Poetry.
Fourteen free-verse poems written from the point of view of the African American poet
Langston Hughes, provides an overview of key events and themes in his life:
childhood, dreams, love of words, travels, and overcoming obstacles. Vivid, colorful,
and exaggerated illustrations accompany the engaging poems. The notes at the end
of the book interpret each poem. Can be used as an introduction to the life of a
Harlem Renaissance poet and/or for biography and poetry units.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.

Grades 6-8
Mikaelsen, Ben. Touching Spirit Bear. HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Cole's anger erupts into violence. To avoid going to prison, he agrees to participate in
a sentencing alternative based on the Native American Circle Justice. He is sent to a
remote Alaskan island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.
Native American Culture. California Young Reader Medal.
Mitton, Jacqueline. Kingdom of the Sun: A Book of the Planets. Illustrated by

Christina Balit. National Geographic Society, 2001. Mythology.
The Greeks and Romans attempted to explain natural phenomenon through myths.
This book combines modern-day knowledge about the sun, moon, and planets with
ancient mythology. The vivid illustrations depict the mythological aspects and
incorporate shades of golds, yellows, oranges, blues, and black, the colors of the
universe. A chart at the back of the book gives current information about each topic
presented.
Myers, Walter Dean. Bad Boy: A Memoir. HarperCollins, 2001.

This autobiography depicts the life of an African American child growing up in Harlem
during the 1940s and 1950s before the Civil Rights Movement. Myers describes his
life as a tough street kid who excelled in sports but secretly loved to read and write.
His ability to endure hardships yet maintain his love for learning and reading is an
inspiring story.
Black/African American Culture. Literacy/Motivation.
Myers, Walter Dean. Blues Journey. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. Holiday House,
2003. Nonfiction.
Text and image are combined into a work of art as the story explains and defines the
blues by taking fragments of blues songs and creating poetry with them. A call-and-
response accompanies each painting. Beautiful poetry and collage artwork in blue ink
and brown paper will entice. Includes a timeline and glossary of blues terms. Useful
for units on music and poetry.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. Visual and Performing Arts,
Myers, Walter Dean. Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam. Illustrated by Ann

Grifalconi. HarperCollins, 2002. Historical Fiction.
Told in poetic format in the first person, this book tells the story of a frightened
American soldier facing enemy combat in the forests of Vietnam. The two-page layout
features lush collages of the terrain on one page and the text on the other page.
Although the depicted soldier is African American, his fears, experiences, and feelings
of despair might belong to any soldier who fights in a war. A picture book for older
readers.

Grades 6-8
Na, An; and Roxburgh, Stephen (editor). Step from Heaven, A. Front Street, 2001.
Realistic Fiction.
This is the story of Ju from her childhood in Korea until she goes to college in
America. After immigrating to America, she tries to adjust to American ways and
remain a good Korean daughter despite her father's alcoholism and abuse.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Michael L. Printz Winner. History/Social
Science.
Naidoo, Beverley. Other Side of Truth, The. HarperCollins, 2001. Historical Fiction.
This terrifying story follows two Nigerian children, twelve-year-old Sade and her ten-
year-old brother Femi, caught in the civil strife of their country during the mid-1990s.
Complex events explore issues of freedom, family, and the African refugee
experience.
Naidoo, Beverley. Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope.

HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic Fiction, Short Story.
From the perspective of children from various ethnic backgrounds, seven stories
chronicle the system of racial segregation, or apartheid, in South Africa. Each story is
set in a different decade. The year 1948 was the beginning of apartheid, and the story
continues through 2000. This powerful collection features well-crafted stories that are
suspenseful and taut. Includes a timeline of events related to apartheid. Will elicit
provocative discussions on human rights. A picture book for older readers.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Alice Alone. Atheneum, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Part of the long-running series that began with The Agony of Alice (1985), this book
describes Alice's freshman year in high school. Ninth grade begins with promise and
then deteriorates when her boyfriend Patrick breaks up with her. As she shows Alice
working her way through the break-up and the school year, the author has again
captured the joy and pain of being a modern teenage woman.
Nelson, Marilyn. Carver: A Life in Poems. Front Street, 2001.

Biography/Autobiography, Poetry.
In a series of 59 lyrical poems, accompanied by black-and-white photographs, the life
of George Washington Carver is revealed. The personal achievements and significant
contributions of this scholarly botanist, inventor, educator, and artist are shared in
poetry meant to be read aloud.
Black/African American Culture. Read Aloud. Coretta Scott King Author Honor,
Newbery Honor. History/Social Science.

Grades 6-8
Nelson, Theresa. Ruby Electric: A Novel. Atheneum, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

To twelve-year-old Ruby, movies are better than real life. The ones she writes are the
best of all because the stories all work out. The dads in her movies always show up
when they've promised, the moms don't hold onto secrets, and little brothers don't
curl up with sorrow over some missing stuffed animal. California setting.
O'Connor, Barbara. Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
2003. Fiction.
Sixth-grader "Bird" Weaver is pretty much ostracized by her classmates and when
Harlem Tate, a new student, comes to school, it's clear that this glaring, silent, smelly
boy will be ostracized too. That's when Bird decides to make him her friend, and she
soon discovers a wealth of things in him to like. Bird and Harlem, with the help of Miss
Delphine Reese find fame and glory, friendship, and worth in Freedom, Georgia.
Osa, Nancy. Cuba 15: A Novel. Delacorte Press, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
This book features tenth grade Chicago suburbanite Violet Paz, daughter of a Polish
American mother and Cuban-born father, who describes herself as "American" but is
reluctantly preparing for the celebration of her fifteenth birthday, a traditional
quinceanera, which her grandmother insists on her having. Using engaging
characters and humor, the coming-of-age story looks at racial identity, family
relationships, the first boyfriend, and friendship. Useful for discussing adolescent
issues and growing up in biracial families.
Latino/Latino American Culture, Multicultural Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative
Honor. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. Knopf, 2003. Fantasy.

In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a
mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and
power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.

Grades 6-8
Park, Linda Sue. Single Shard, A. Clarion Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
A thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, living under a bridge, longs to become
a potter of celadon ware. He becomes an assistant to a master potter and is
entrusted with the delivery of two precious pots.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Newbery Winner.
Park, Linda Sue. When My Name Was Keoko. Clarion Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.
During World War II, a brother and sister face the increasingly oppressive occupation
of Korea by Japan, which threatens to erase the Korean culture entirely. The author
draws on the experiences of her parents as well as extensive research to show how
the politics of war affects ordinary families.
Korean/Korean American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Paterson, Katherine. Same Stuff as Stars, The. Clarion Books, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
Angel Morgan is as steadfast and self-reliant as Polaris, "shining strong and bright
and fixed in a swirling world of darkness." She is constantly challenged by adult
issues but is an amazingly resourceful parent, supportive, encouraging, and
sympathetic. Amidst the turmoil two luminaries stand tall: a mysterious man who
shares his telescope and knowledge about the universe and the librarian who
provides books and poems about stars.
Pattou, Edith. East. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Fairy Tale, Fantasy.

In an elegant and sophisticated retelling of the folktale, East of the Sun, West of the
Moon, superstitions are examined and used to propel the plot. This novel tells the
adventures of Rose, a Scandinavian girl, and a white bear who needs her help to
become a man again.
Western European Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social
Pearsall, Shelley. Trouble Don't Last. Knopf, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Eleven-year-old Samuel tells how he is forced to run with an old slave from a
plantation in Kentucky to freedom in Canada. They encounter prejudice and hardship
as well as heroism on their journey. Always there is the memory of daily life under
slavery and the anguish of family separation.
Black/African American Culture. Scott O'Dell Award.
Pierce, Tamora. Trickster's Choice. Random House, 2004. Original ©2003. Fantasy.
The popular and witty fantasy author introduces a new series. Aly, sixteen years old
and trained as a spy, is captured by pirates but outwits them only to get involved in a
political battle with an insane king.

Grades 6-8
Pratchett, Terry. Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, The. HarperCollins,
2001. Fantasy.
In this imaginative Discworld spin on the Pied Piper tale, an enterprising talking cat, a
clan of intelligent rats, and a young musician run successful scams together until they
get to the wrong town. Dark humor, thoughtful social commentary, and a memorable
cast of characters make this fast-paced, action-filled story a good read.
Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Pratchett, Terry. Wee Free Men, The. HarperCollins, 2003. Fantasy.

Armed only with a frying pan and a book on sheep husbandry, nine-year-old (and
witch-to-be) Tiffany Aching sets off to find her little brother, who has been kidnapped
by the Elf Queen of Fairyland. She teams up with a clan of six-inch-high blue pictsies
in kilts, and together they battle the frightening creatures that threaten the fate of her
brother and her own world. Filled with humor, action and shrewd commentary on
people and community, this is another tale set in Discworld.
Rappaport, Doreen. Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrated by Bryan Collier. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001.
This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King pairs words from his speeches
with striking collage illustrations to present important moments in his life. Each collage
combines cut-paper, photographs, and watercolor to interpret the big words spoken
by Dr. King.
Black/African American Culture. Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Author
Honor. History/Social Science.
Rappaport, Doreen. No More!: Stories and Songs of Slave Resistance. Illustrated by

Shane W. Evans. Candlewick Press, 2002. Nonfiction.
This book includes stories, spirituals, poems, narratives, and biographies of enslaved
African Americans who fought for their freedom. The accounts are arranged in
chronological order and include incidents of rebellion. The bold and dramatic oil
paintings depict the reality of each situation described in the text.
Rees, Celia. Pirates! Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.

When sixteen-year-old Nancy Kingston's wealthy father dies in 1722, she is sent to
her father's Jamaican plantation where she is betrothed to the despicable, cruel, but
wealthy Bartholome. She refuses to marry him and runs away with her slave Minerva
who joins with her to become pirates. This adventure depicts life in the eighteenth
century, particularly women's roles, slavery, and shipping.

Grades 6-8
Richardson, Bill. After Hamelin. Firefly Books, 2000. Fantasy, Folklore.

Penelope is one hundred one years old. She recalls that on her eleventh birthday two
things happened: she can no longer hear and the Piper spirited away all but two of
the children (one blind and one deaf) because folks in Hamelin refused to pay him for
piping away the rats. She and her companions embark on a magical quest to rescue
the stolen children. Sprinkled throughout the book are unique jump rope rhymes and
songs that blend into the tale of suspense, humor, and excitement. Have a jump rope
ready to book talk this classical myth.
Rosen, Michael J. Shakespeare: His Work and His World. Illustrated by Robert
Ingpen. Candlewick Press, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
This fascinating, well-paced biography recreates the life and times of playwright
William Shakespeare. It also interprets themes of four major plays and analyzes a
scene from Romeo and Juliet in lively narrative. The style blends quotes, plot
summaries, cultural information, and history in a variety of formats. Watercolor and
pencil illustrations, schematics, and figures offer visual enchantment and significance
to the historic period. An extensive timeline and bibliography add credibility to the text.
Western European Culture. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, English-
Language Arts/Writing, Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
Rumford, James. Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354. Houghton
Mifflin, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Ibn Battuta, a fourteenth-century Muslim, was twenty-one when he left home to travel
to Mecca. He traveled 75,000 miles through Africa, Asia, India, China, Turkey, and
back to Morocco. His story was recorded in Arabic, and the original manuscript is in
the National Library in Paris. This book tells his tale, along with maps showing his
travels and beautiful Arabic writing and Chinese calligraphy.
Middle Eastern Culture. History/Social Science.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising. Scholastic, 2000. Realistic Fiction.

This novel tells of a Mexican girl's fall from riches and her immigration to California in
the 1930s. The story highlights her awareness of Mexico's post-revolution tensions,
the rivalry with Oklahoma Dust Bowl victims, and struggles of Mexican workers trying
to organize themselves to ask the U.S. government for better living conditions.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Winner. History/Social
Science.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson.
Illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
African American classical singer Marian Anderson perseveres during the vicious
segregation era. The story covers her rejection from music school, her triumphant
concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, and her performance with the

Grades 6-8
Metropolitan Opera. Selznick's compelling artwork adds drama. Includes afterword,

discography, and bibliography. Useful in the study of singers, singing, American
history, civil rights, prejudice, and courage. Can be used as a picture book for older
readers. California author.
Black/African American Culture. Picture Book. History/Social Science, Visual
and Performing Arts.
Rylant, Cynthia. God Went to Beauty School. HarperCollins, 2003. Fiction in Verse,
Poetry.
Although catalogued as fiction, this is a small collection of poems in which Rylant
describes God, temporarily in human form, discovering the joys and pains of the
world that he has created. A charming, insightful and thought-provoking work that can
be used in writing and social science units.
Salisbury, Graham. Island Boyz: Short Stories. Wendy Lamb Books, 2002. Humor,
Short Story.
This short-story collection set in the state of Hawaii during the twentieth century
draws from the author's own experiences as an island boy. Adolescent issues over
cultural identity and disabilities are explored in stories that include humor.
Pacific Islander Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
San Souci, Robert D. Cinderella Skeleton. Illustrated by David Catrow. Harcourt Brace,
2000. Fairy Tale.
This unique and humorous version of Cinderella is told in rhyming verse. Cinderella is
a skeleton living in a graveyard with her stepmother. The illustrations conjure up the
worst in each person, making the entire book spooky, gruesome, and very funny.
California author.
Picture Book.
Schmidt, Gary D. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. Clarion Books, 2004.
Historical Fiction.
This story revolves around the forbidden friendship and struggles of two coming-of-
age protagonists: Lizzie, an island girl, and Turner, a mainlander, who even defy
nature to preserve the bond that exists between them. The author parallels the
imagery of glorious landscapes alongside of the divisive and sinister acts of the
supporting cast. Metaphors sprinkled throughout the book elicit memorable
comparisons between whales and freedom and Darwin and knowledge. Based on the
actual 1912 destruction of an island settled by former Civil War slaves, this powerful
novel sends a strong message of the hope and despair that has existed between
races. Pair it with Witness by Karen Hesse.
Black/African American Culture. Newbery Honor, Michael L. Printz Honor.
English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social Science, English-Language

Grades 6-8
Schwartz, David M. Q Is for Quark: A Science Alphabet Book. Illustrated by Kim

Doner. Tricycle Press, 2001. Nonfiction.
Science terms from A to Z are included in this comprehensive alphabet book. Each
entry includes a light-hearted two- to-three-page explanation of the topic and cartoon
drawings that illustrate the concept. An extensive glossary is included. Can be used
as a picture book for older readers.
Picture Book, Read Aloud. Science.
Shusterman, Neal. Full Tilt. Simon and Schuster, 2003. Horror.

When sixteen-year-old Blake goes to a mysterious, by-invitation-only supernatural
amusement park controlled by Cassandra, he soon learns that much is at stake in
meeting the challenge presented. A unique story with suspenseful and exciting twists
that shows how someone under pressure finds courage and lives with decisions.
Sleator, William. Parasite Pig. Dutton Books, 2002. Science Fiction.

In this sequel to Interstellar Pig, sixteen-year-old Barney, infected with an alien
parasite, is taken by extraterrestrials along with his friend Katie. Filled with "gross-out"
humor and silliness, it nonetheless offers well-developed characters and an engaging
plot.
Smith, Jr., Charles R. Tall Tales: Six Amazing Basketball Dreams. Dutton Books,
2000. Short Story.
Six short stories about basketball are told with the use of brightly colored print,
various fonts, and words splashed across the pages in energetic arrangements. The
photographs in the background depict mostly inner-city basketball and include all
sizes, genders, and abilities. This page size is extra tall, making these truly "tall" tales.
Basketball lovers will enjoy the action and energy.
Physical Education.
Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl. Knopf, 2000. Realistic Fiction.

This story is about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill
of first love when a new student named Stargirl changes Mica High School forever.
This book will elicit provocative discussions.
St. George, Judith. John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story. Holiday
House, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Drawing largely on the correspondence between this famous husband and wife, St.
George provides a fascinating account of their individual personalities, equal
partnership and marriage, and the major historical events of that era.
Golden Kite Author Honor. History/Social Science.

Grades 6-8
Stanley, Diane. Michelangelo. HarperCollins, 2000. Biography/Autobiography.

In this extended-text picture book, Stanley uses the chronology of Michelangelo's life
to explain the style, technique, and meaning of his sculpture, architecture, and
paintings. Computer-manipulated drawings of his actual work and Stanley's original
watercolors work together to make this a thorough, easy-to-understand, and
informative biography.
Picture Book. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Stanley, Diane. Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam. Illustrated by Diane Stanley.

This biography depicts the life of Saladin, an influential Muslim leader and sultan who
led his people during the time of the twelfth-century Crusades. It discusses the
Crusades and the political and religious history of the Middle East and Western
Europe. The author's detailed color paintings are inspired from Islamic art of the
period. The text includes a glossary and a bibliography.
Middle Eastern Culture. Picture Book.
Stanley, Jerry. Hurry Freedom: African Americans in Gold Rush California. Crown
Publishing, 2000. Nonfiction.
The author recounts the activities of African Americans during the Gold Rush. The
book concentrates on the life and work of Mifflin Gibbs, who came to San Francisco in
1850 and was dedicated to protecting the civil rights of African Americans in
California. Includes an index, a bibliographic note, and archival photos and prints.
Black/African American Culture. John and Patricia Beatty Award. History/Social
Science.
Tanaka, Shelley. New Dinos: The Latest Finds! The Coolest Dinosaur Discoveries!
Illustrated by Alan Barnard. Simon and Schuster, 2003. Nonfiction.
The author relates information about new dinosaur discoveries in the Sahara,
Madagascar, China, and Patagonia. She discusses eggs, dung, feathers, and
physiology. Includes a bibliography and an index.
Taylor, Charles A. Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom. Open Hand Publishing,

This title explores the Juneteenth holiday that symbolizes the freedom of enslaved
African Americans in Texas who were told two months after the end of the Civil War
that slavery had ended. The detailed historical background is complemented by
poetry, songs, documents, quotations, archival photographs, a glossary, and a list of
resource organizations. It includes examples of family-centered celebrations from
1866 to the present. An authentic and engaging study of the oldest African American
celebrations in the United States.
Black/African American Culture. Photo-Essay. History/Social Science.

Grades 6-8
Taylor, Mildred D. Land, The. Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
This novel chronicles the triumphs and life struggles of the son of a white slaveholder
and an enslaved African-Indian woman. Set in Mississippi during the late 1800s, the
book introduces readers to the grandfather of Cassie Logan, the impassioned hero of
Taylor's 1977 Newbery Award winner, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Black/African American Culture. Scott O'Dell Award, Coretta Scott King Author
Winner. History/Social Science.
Tolan, Stephanie S. Surviving the Applewhites. HarperCollins, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

A troubled teen is sent to live with an eccentric family in this funny, contemporary
story. Humorous style and characterization make this an excellent read-aloud novel.
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Flipped. Random House, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Juli Bake flipped when seven-year-old Bryce Loski moved across the street. For six
years he avoided her, but then in eighth grade the infatuation reverses due to her
science fair project. Each one tells the story in alternating chapters in this romantic
comedy of friendship and growing up.
California Young Reader Medal. History/Social Science, English-Language
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Swear to Howdy. Knopf, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

Rusty and Joey are best friends. Joey is often on the edge of reckless mischief, but
he also carries the painful secret of a father who beats him. Rusty is grateful to have
a friend like Joey but is pushed over the limit by peer pressure. When an innocent
prank causes a death and destroys a family, the time for secrets is over. California
author.
Vijayaraghavan, Vineeta. Motherland: A Novel. Soho Press, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Fifteen-year-old May is sent by her mother back to India to spend the summer. As a
result, she must come to terms with her feelings about India, America, and with her
own identity. Many Indian terms and traditions are included. Can be useful for
discussing the conflicts between the East and the West.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Alex Award. History/Social Science,
Webb, Sophie. My Season with Penguins: An Antarctic Journal. Illustrated by

Sophie Webb. Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Narrative Nonfiction.
Author, artist, and ornithologist Sophie Webb studied and documented the eating,
swimming, and travel habits of Antarctica's Adélie penguins while gathering data for
two months on a research expedition. Gouache and watercolor paintings, some
highlighted with full-page stark gray/white backgrounds, help readers interpret the

Grades 6-8
behavior of the birds engaged in typical activities. A glossary provides definitions of

unfamiliar terms.
English-Language Arts/Writing, Science.
Weeks, Sarah. Guy Time. HarperCollins, 2000. Humor, Realistic Fiction.

This book is a humorous account of thirteen-year-old Guy's dealing with the
separation and the possible divorce of his eccentric parents and his own newfound
interest in girls. Can be useful for discussions of adolescent issues.
Werlin, Nancy. Black Mirror. Dial Books, 2001. Mystery.

Frances is convinced that her brother's overdose was not an accident and begins to
suspect that the student service group at the high school is not what it seems. The
multilayered plot explores many different themes in this novel: drugs, society, lies,
truth, and betrayal.
Winters, Kay. Voices of Ancient Egypt. Illustrated by Barry Moser. National

Individual workers who live in ancient Egypt during the time of the Olden Kingdom
describe the work they do. The text is free verse and expressed in the voices of a
scribe, a farmer, a bird netter, a weaver, an embalmer, a carpenter, and seven other
workers. Each page has the title of the occupation in English and in hieroglyphics.
Includes a historical note.
Woods, Brenda. Red Rose Box, The. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
On her tenth birthday, Leah receives a traveling case decorated with red roses from
her glamorous Aunt Olivia. This is a touching story of a girl and her younger sister
growing up between two worlds, the deep south of Louisiana and Los Angeles in the
1950s.
Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

This intriguing story tells of a devastating situation. A middle-class African American
family is forced to enter the federal witness protection program after the father
decides to testify against two policemen who killed an innocent boy. The family must
leave a comfortable and familiar life. Just as Evie learns to cope with her new name
and all new names and biographical details, she must also learn that her parents
aren't as capable of readjusting as circumstances require. Useful in units on family
life, social problems, and moral responsibility.

Grades 6-8
Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. Putnam Publishing, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

Eleven-year-old Lonnie Collins Motion has had a rough life - both parents are dead,
and he and his little sister are sent to different foster homes. Then in school, he learns
to express himself through poetry. In learning to communicate, he learns to cope with
his present and even look forward to the future.
Yee, Lisa. Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
Written as journal entries, eleven-year-old child prodigy Millicent Min records the
highs and lows of the summer before her senior year in high school. They include a
college poetry class and many attempts by her Chinese American parents and
grandmother to give her a more "normal" childhood. This funny, heartwarming tale
can be used for units on journal writing and Asian Americans.
Yep, Laurence. Lady of Chi'ao Kuo: Warrior of the South, Southern China, A.D.
531. Scholastic, 2001. Historical Fiction.
Using diary entries written in the sixth century, sixteen-year-old Princess Redbird of
the Hsien tribe reveals her role as liaison between her own people and the local
Chinese colonists in southern China during times of peace and war. The epilogue
presents the historical facts about the real Lady of Ch'ao Kuo and a historical note
provides a summary of the period. Includes family tree, map, and archival
reproductions. From the Royal Diaries series. California author.
Yin. Coolies. Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. Philomel Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
During the mid-1800s, many Chinese immigrants made their way to San Francisco
and were hired to build the Transcontinental Railroad. They were called "coolies," a
derogatory term for Chinese workers. They were given the most dangerous jobs and
were paid the least. This beautifully illustrated book gives a good picture of the part
the Chinese laborers played in the building of America and especially California.
Yolen, Jane. Girl in a Cage. Philomel Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.

The daughter of Robert the Bruce, the newly crowned king of Scotland, is taken
captive by the English and placed in a small cage and put on display in the town
square, where she is subjected to various humiliations and indignities. In this intense
drama that alternates between the present and the past, readers experience the
protagonist's painful struggles for survival amidst the turbulent events of Scotland's
history.

Grades 9-12
Acosta, Oscar "Zeta." Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo, The. Vintage Books, 1989.
Original ©1972. Realistic Fiction.
The real-life model for Hunter S. Thompson's "Dr. Gonzo," the author writes about
coming of age as a Chicano in the 1960s. An attorney with an appetite for food and
drugs, Acosta takes on impossible cases while breaking all the rules of courtroom
conduct.
Latino/Latino American Culture.
Albom, Mitch. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's
Greatest Lesson. Bantam Books, 1997. Biography/Autobiography, Nonfiction.
The author tells of his experience with a mentor from whom he had become
separated and his journey back to that relationship in the mentor's dying days. Mitch
Albom spent several months regularly visiting his college professor, Morrie Schwartz,
in the professor's final year until his death from Lou Gehrig's disease.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Catalyst. Viking Press, 2002. Fiction.

Eighteen-year-old Kate, a preacher's daughter, finds herself losing control in her
senior year when she realizes that she has not been accepted by the college of her
choice, the only college she has applied to: MIT. To make things worse, Teri, the
tough girl who once beat her up, comes to live with Kate, bringing her mom and
brother. Kate and Teri both come to terms with what is really important in life.
Anderson, M. T. Feed. Candlewick Press, 2002. Science Fiction.

Titus lives in a future world where computer and T.V. information is fed directly into
the brain, so there is no need to read or write. Private chats can take place from mind
to mind. Titus never questions the system until, at a party on the moon, he meets a
home-schooled girl who thinks for herself, asserting that it is important to fight the
feed. Unfortunately, a hacker at the party damages everyone's feeds. Consequently,
Violet is dying, but the system refuses to help her because she is too radical.
Anderson, M. T. Thirsty. Candlewick Press, 1998. Original ©1997. Horror.

While hormonal changes are churning, teenage Chris slowly comes to realize that his
fate is to become a vampire. He must both feed his blood lust and maintain his
human civility in this startling and humorous yet offbeat novel.
Ansary, Mir Tamim. West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story.
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
Ansary's three-part memoir describes his boyhood in Afghanistan during the 1950s
and young adult life as a member of the counterculture in San Francisco. He shares
his adventures as a would-be journalist traveling through North Africa and Turkey
during the 1980s on a quest to understand the world of Islam. Finally, he shares his

Grades 9-12
attempts to connect with his extended family and establish a balance between his
American and Afghan heritage.
Multicultural Culture.
Appelt, Kathi. Kissing Tennessee and Other Stories from the Stardust Dance.
Harcourt Brace, 2000. Short Story.
The book presents eight short stories on heartbreak, including love troubles, abuse,
and identity. The topics will appeal to both middle and high schoolers as the stories
are full of hope and depict resourcefulness. This book addresses controversial issues
of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and language that reflect mature
Appleman-Jurman, Alicia. Alicia: My Story. Bantam Books, 1988.

Alicia Jurman, a nine-year-old Jewish girl growing up in Poland, tells about her
experience during the Holocaust. She tells of living in a "ghetto," losing her father and
brothers, escaping prison, surviving killing squads, and hiding in the countryside until
freed by the Russians. She goes on to save the lives of thousands of Jews. Alicia
cares for Jewish orphans, smuggles Jews across the borders to the West, and
eventually becomes a soldier in the Israeli War of Independence. California author.
Jewish/Jewish American Culture. Christopher Award. History/Social Science.
Aristophanes. Birds, The. Penguin Books, 1986. Original ©414. Drama.

One of the ancient Greek comedies, this play depicts characters that epitomize
various unglamorous traits of humanity. The politics of interpersonal relationships is
clear in spite of the action being set among birds.
Western European Culture. Classic. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Armstrong, Lance; and Jenkins, Sally (contributor). It’s Not About the Bike: My
Journey Back to Life. Putnam Publishing, 2000. Biography/Autobiography.
In this memoir, Lance Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France, describes his battle
with and triumph over cancer. Includes fascinating behind-the-scenes information on
bicycle racing.
Christopher Award. Physical Education.
Aronson, Marc. Witch Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials. Simon and
Schuster, 2003. Narrative Nonfiction.
Aronson presents information on what really happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in
1692 when a group of girls and young women accused some people of witchcraft in
the village. The accusations led to the executions of innocent men and women. The

Grades 9-12
book is well researched and examines the witch trials as a multilayered lesson in the
study and understanding of history.
Avi. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Hyperion Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.
This tale is set in fourteenth-century England. "Asta's son" is suddenly orphaned, and
everything he owns is taken away. Accused of murder, he flees his village and finds
protection from a juggler who mentors him. Asta's son learns his true name is Crispin,
and he eventually learns the secret of his true identity. Use with history units on
feudalism.
Newbery Winner. History/Social Science.
Baru. Road to America. Illustrated by Baru. Drawn and Quarterly, 2002. Historical
Fiction.
The Algerian civil war provides the setting in this realistic graphic novel about how
one man turns boxing into a personal path to freedom.
Middle Eastern Culture. Graphic Novel. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Beale, Fleur. I Am Not Esther. Hyperion Press, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

Kirby struggles to maintain her identity after her mother leaves her in the care of her
brother's family without telling Kirby where she's going. Kirby is forced to change her
name and adopt the family's religious cult practices.
Bear, Greg. Darwin's Radio. Ballantine Books, 2000. Original ©1999. Science Fiction.
When the remnants of an ancient retrovirus inherited from our ancestors is activated
in modern pregnant women who have been victim's of Herod's flu, their fetuses are
horribly deformed. Microbiologist Kaye Lang and a team from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention must try to prevent the deadly epidemic that could mean the
end of the human race. A glossary is included. This book was published for an adult
readership and thus contains mature content. Before handing the text to a child,
educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
Science.
Best, Joel. Damned Lies and Statistics: Untangling Numbers from the Media,
Politicians, and Activists. University of California Press, 2001. Narrative Nonfiction.
The book offers advice on how to understand social statistics and recognize bad
statistics that are sometimes put out by the media or special interest groups. It
presents analyses of a selection of bad statistics.

Grades 9-12
Black, Holly. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale. Simon and Schuster, 2002. Fantasy.
Sixteen-year-old Kaye discovers that she is really part of a faerie clan, hidden among
the humans to keep her safe until she is needed to sway the results of the faerie wars
and fulfill her destiny.
Blackwood, Gary. Year of the Hangman, The. Dutton Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.
The war for independence is over and the colonies have lost. George Washington is
in prison awaiting his hanging, Benjamin Franklin prints a subversive patriot
newspaper, and Benedict Arnold is a privateer capturing British ships. It is on such a
ship that spoiled seventeen-year-old Creighton is captured, along with his Uncle
Gower. Gower is imprisoned, and Creighton is sent to live with Benjamin Franklin.
Gower coerces Creighton into spying on the "ex-patriots" for England, but as
Creighton gets to know these colonists, he begins to question the sovereignty of
England.
Bohjalian, Chris A. Buffalo Soldier: A Novel. Crown Publishing, 2001. Fiction.

In northern Vermont, a highway patrolman and his wife lose their nine-year-old twin
daughters during a flood. They take in a foster child: a ten-year-old African American
boy, Alfred, who has been shuttled for years between foster families and group
homes. Alfred becomes friends with an older couple who live across the street. They
introduce him to the history of the "Buffalo soldiers," African American cavalry
troopers whose reputation for integrity, honor, and personal responsibility inspires the
child.
Science.
Bosworth, Beth. Tunneling: A Novel. Random House, 2003. Fantasy.

In addition to her companion S-Man, Rachel socializes with Kafka, Chinua Achebe's
family, and Madame Pompadour. Time travel mixes with literary history in a novel
published for adults but featuring a strong teen girl and lots of fun with classic
authors.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Bradley, James; and Powers, Ron (contributor). Flags of Our Fathers. Bantam Books,
2000. Nonfiction.
Presents an account of the Marines who came together during the battle of Iwo Jima
in 1945 to raise the American flag in a moment that has been immortalized in one of
the most famous photographs of World War II.
Christopher Award, Alex Award. History/Social Science.

Grades 9-12
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy. Delacorte
Press, 2003. Historical Fiction.
A young girl is recruited into the French Resistance as a messenger after her village
is bombed during World War II. This true story is told in the first person. The intriguing
plot and subject matter detail the young heroine's bravery and courage in the face of
war.
Brainard, Cecilia Manquerra (editor). Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults.
PALH, 2003. Short Story.
Short stories by 29 Filipino American writers explore Filipino identity as it is
experienced growing in or growing away from the Philippines. Presents universal
concerns such as family, friends, love, and leaving home.
Filipino/Filipino American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Brenner, Barbara. Voices: Poetry and Art from Around the World. National
More than 350 poems and art pieces from six continents are collected in this
combination of poetry, art, and geography. A representative work of art matches at
least one of the poems on each page. The artwork includes painting, sculpture,
ceremonial objects, textiles, and photographs, making this a multicultural
masterpiece.
Brooks, Bruce. Dolores: Seven Stories About Her. HarperCollins, 2002. Short Story.
A series of events captures the life of a free-spirited girl as she grows from a savvy
seven-year-old to a self-assured sixteen-year-old. Along the way she experiences the
break-up of her parents, bullying, and an attempted rape.
Cameron, Ann. Colibri. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
This story set in Guatemala tells of a young Mayan girl who is kidnapped by an
unscrupulous man and is forced to lie and beg to get money. She endures an abusive
life and longs for the parents she can hardly remember. A fortune-teller gives her the
courage to leave, and the pace quickens.
Campbell, Joseph. Power of Myth, The. Doubleday Books, 1988. Nonfiction.

Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers record their conversations about topics from
modern marriage to virgin births, from saviors to heroes that Campbell wrote about in
his series of books on mythology. This summing up of Campbell's works accompanies
the PBS series.

Grades 9-12
Card, Orson Scott. Seventh Son. Tor Books, 1987. Fantasy.

Based on the folk magic of eighteenth-century America, this book draws the reader to
an alternative frontier where charms, hexes, and potions really work. Into this world,
Alvin Miller is born the seventh son of a seventh son and has the potential to be a
"Maker, " one who fights evil and destruction by creating things. The plot and
character development make this fantasy useful for examining historical beliefs and
one’s purpose in life.
Classic. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Carter, Jimmy. Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood, An. Touchstone
Books, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Jimmy Carter recollects growing up in 1930s rural Georgia and remembers the
people who nurtured him along the way. In a conversational tone he comments on
rural life, his family, and an appreciation of what he gained from living in a close-knit
community.
Christopher Award. History/Social Science.
Chabon, Michael. Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay: A Novel, The. Random
House, 2000. Historical Fiction.
Chabon portrays the amazing adventures of the two Jewish cousins: one American,
Sammy Klayman, the writer; and one Czech, Joseph Kavalier, the artist, in 1939 New
York. Chabon explores the world of comic book superheroes with their flamboyant
artistic styles and how they provided escape for readers from the Depression era and
World War II. He also examines relationships, homosexuality, and survival. Exquisite
use of language and imagery. This book was published for an adult readership and
thus contains mature content. Before handing the text to a child, educators and
parents should read the book and know the child.
Jewish/Jewish American Culture, Western European Culture. English-Language
Chambers, Aidan. Postcards from No Man's Land. Dutton Books, 2002. Historical
Fiction.
This novel alternates between two stories. In one, seventeen-year-old Jacob visits
Amsterdam to find the grave of his grandfather, a soldier wounded in World War II. In
the other, the teenage experience of the Dutch woman who cared for him is
interwoven with Jacob's surprising discoveries about love, family secrets, and his own
identity.
Michael L. Printz Winner.
Chase, Marilyn. Barbary Plague: The Black Death in Victorian San Francisco, The.
Random House, 2003. Narrative Nonfiction.
How politics and science worked against the Chinatown residents who fell victim to
Bubonic Plague sets the stage for an exploration of how government doctors later

Grades 9-12
solved the mystery of the plague's outbreak in twentieth-century California. California

setting.
Multicultural Culture. Science.
Chen, Da. Sounds of the River: A Memoir. HarperCollins, 2002.

In this sequel to Colors of the Mountain (2000) a Chinese teenager leaves his fishing
village home to attend college in Beijing. He struggles to adapt to his new life at the
University of Beijing while staying true to his heritage and his family's beliefs.
Chevalier, Tracy. Girl with a Pearl Earring. Dutton Books, 2000. Historical Fiction.
Forced to help support her poverty-stricken family, sixteen-year-old Griet becomes a
maid in the household of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. Told from Griet's
perspective, first as maid and then as artist's model, the story transports the reader to
everyday life in seventeenth-century Delft and the artistic process that created some
of the world's most famous paintings.
Alex Award. History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Choi, Sook Nayul. Year of Impossible Goodbyes. Houghton Mifflin, 1991.

World War II and its aftermath as experienced in North Korea under the domination of
the Japanese and then the Russians is vividly portrayed through the lives of ten-year-
old Sookan and her family. Desperate to flee to the south and freedom, the family
risks everything to be reunited with her long-absent father. This autobiography is a
well-written, emotion-laden, and powerful addition to the literature of war and of
freedom.
Korean/Korean American Culture. History/Social Science.
Cisneros, Sandra. Caramelo. Vintage Books, 2003. Fiction.

Teenager Celaya "Lala" Reyes describes her loving and complex Mexican American
family as they try to reconcile life in Chicago with their family history in Mexico City
and San Antonio, Texas. Extensive footnotes provide background information on
Mexican history and culture. This book was published for an adult readership and
Latino/Latino American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Clarke, Judith. Wolf on the Fold. Front Street Press, 2002. Short Story.
Interconnected short stories follow one family and some of their neighbors from the
Australian Outback, during the Great Depression, to contemporary Jerusalem. Each

Grades 9-12
selection stands alone, and each one features a defining moment in the character's
life.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Clements, Andrew. Things Not Seen. Philomel Books, 2002. Science Fiction.
When fifteen-year-old Bobby wakes up and finds himself invisible, he, his parents,
and his new blind friend Alicia try to find out the cause of his condition and the
remedy. Bobby is a smart boy who handles his unusual situation with humor and
intelligence. This story about self-discovery blends reality with fantasy to keep
readers in suspense until the very end.
Science.
Codell, Esme Raji. Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year. Algonquin,
1999. Narrative Nonfiction.
A brand new fifth-grade teacher in an elementary school keeps a funny, hip diary of
her experiences in the inner city of Chicago. Along the way she invents ways to
engage her troubled, sometimes hostile students with jerry-rigged visual aids, group
craft projects, and role-reversing skits. In essence, it is the musings of a teacher who
cares.
Alex Award.
Cohn, Rachel. Gingerbread. Simon and Schuster, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

Cyd's been kicked out of boarding school. Settling back into life with her mother and
stepfather is not easy, and Cyd does anything she can to annoy them, including
staying out all night with her boyfriend. She is sent to New York to spend some time
with the father she's met only once, when she was five. Though it's what she's always
wanted, she realizes her father is not what she expected and Cyd begins to discover
more about her family and herself.
Conover, Sarah (adapter). Kindness: A Treasury of Buddhist Wisdom for Children

and Parents. Eastern Washington University Press, 2001. Nonfiction.
Told in a soft, lyrical voice, this collection of stories and quotations from the Buddhist
tradition will be useful for a study on religions of the world. Detailed source notes for
the quotes, sayings, and stories are included.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Cooper, Michael. Fighting for Honor: Japanese Americans and World War II.
This book examines the history of the Japanese in the United States from 1942 to
1945, focusing on their treatment during World War II. It presents a vivid account of

Grades 9-12
heroic combat experiences of Japanese Americans in the American military as well as

the mass relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps.
Cooper, Michael. Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese Relocation Camp.

Clarion Books, 2002. Biography/Autobiography, Nonfiction.
This is a look at the first relocation camp built for Japanese evacuees living on the
West Coast after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Photographs by Ansel Adams and
Dorothea Lange, as well as excerpts from diaries and journals, provide first-person
accounts of life behind the barbed wire. The biography is framed by the author's
participation in the 2001 Manzanar pilgrimage and serves as an introduction for all
ages. California setting.
Corbett, Christopher. Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legend of
the Pony Express. Broadway Books, 2003. Narrative Nonfiction.
Traces the history of the Pony Express, exploring the tall tales and long-obscured
truths about the riders and exposing how the myths originated.
Cormier, Robert. Rag and Bone Shop: A Novel, The. Delacorte Press, 2001. Realistic
Fiction.
When a young boy is accused of murdering his seven-year-old friend, the
interrogator's motives, rather than the suspect's degree of guilt, sways public opinion.
Use to lead a discussion regarding the definition of guilt and the fine line between
truth and deception.
Corwin, Miles. And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner-
City High School Students. William Morrow and Company, 2000. Narrative
Nonfiction.
A dozen high school students in the Crenshaw district of Los Angeles have lots of
intellectual promise but face tough sociological odds of success in mainstream
America. The book chronicles the experiences of the students as well as their
teachers and administrators and discusses the potential ramifications of the
elimination of affirmative action in California. California author.

Grades 9-12
Crew, Gary. Strange Objects. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Original ©1993. Horror.
Interweaving the stories of a contemporary runaway teen with the wreck of a
seventeenth-century ship on the Australian coast, this suspenseful novel addresses
issues of colonization and gender politics, as well as how relics from previous
societies are perceived.
Australian Culture.
Crow Dog, Mary. Lakota Woman. Grove/Atlantic, 1990. Biography/Autobiography.

Mary Brave Bird gives birth to a son during the 71-day siege of Wounded Knee in
1973. She tells of her girlhood, marked by poverty, racism, and a rape when she was
fourteen years old. She marries fellow activist Leonard Crow Dog, a Sioux medicine
man and spiritual leader of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Sweat lodges,
peyote ceremonies, sacred songs, and the Ghost Dance ritual renew her spirituality.
This book was published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content.
Before handing the text to a child, please be sure you have read the book and know
the child.
Native American Culture.
Crowe, Chris. Getting Away With Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case.
Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2003. Nonfiction.
Clear, vivid details provide an account of the 1955 murder of fourteen-year-old
Emmett Till in Mississippi, including the crime, the court trial, and its importance to the
Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The photographs, newspaper excerpts, and
interviews help to tell the story. The bold, direct telling is supported by numerous
archival photographs and quotations. Includes a timeline and further resources.
Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial, 1955. Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2002. Historical
Fiction.
In Mississippi in 1955, a sixteen-year-old finds himself at odds with his grandfather
over issues surrounding the kidnapping and murder of fourteen-year-old Emmett Till,
an African American from Chicago. This powerful fiction narrative describes the
racially motivated murder and the aftermath of that crime that launched the Civil
Rights Movement.
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography.

Greenwillow Books, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
Popular young adult novelist Crutcher writes about his own life, growing up in a small
town, Cascade, Idaho. Here is a clear portrait of how a writer's own experience both
infuses his fiction and remains separate from imagined stories he writes.

Grades 9-12
Crutcher, Chris. Whale Talk. Greenwillow Books, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

T. J., hater of all that's unjust, takes up the cause of Chris Coughlin, a mentally
challenged student who is bullied by the school jock for wearing Chris' dead brother's
letterman jacket. T. J. hatches a scheme to create a swim team of all the school
misfits in order to show that not only jocks get to wear letterman jackets. The real win
comes from the trust that develops among the teammates who have found a safe
place and finally "belong."
Dai, Sijie. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. Translated by Ina Rilke from the
French. Knopf, 2001. Historical Fiction.
In Mao's China during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, two young men, guilty of
being sons of doctors, are sent to the countryside to carry excrement up a hill as their
reeducation assignment. The two friends are good storytellers, and they steal a
suitcase of books and use them to liberate themselves and a shy beautiful
seamstress whom they transform with their tales. This book was published for an
adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before handing the text to a child,
Danticat, Edwidge (editor). Butterfly's Way: Voices from the Haitian Dyaspora in the
United States, The. Soho Press, 2001. Nonfiction.
Editor Danticat has brought together a collection of poems, essays, stories, and
letters by Haitian and Haitian American emigrants of varying backgrounds that reflect
their search for identity as exiles and the alienation they feel, both in Haiti and their
new homeland.
Davis, Brett. Bone Wars. Baen, 1998. Science Fiction.

In 1876, dinosaur fossils are found in Montana, setting off competition among
American and extraterrestrial scientists, the native people of the area, and the brutal
elements.
Science.
Dawson, George; and Glaubman, Richard. Life Is So Good. Random House, 2000.
George Dawson, aged one hundred three, is a slave's grandson who learned to read
at age ninety-eight. He reflects on his life and offers valuable lessons in living as well
as a fresh, firsthand view of America during the twentieth century.
Black/African American Culture. Christopher Award. History/Social Science.

Grades 9-12
Deitch, Kim. Boulevard of Broken Dreams, The. Illustrated by Kim Deitch, Simon
Deitch, Art Spiegelman, and Chip Kidd. Pantheon Books, 2002. Fiction.
This graphic novel is the twisted allegorical history of the rise and fall of American
animation that tells the story of animation pioneers Ted and Al Mishkin of Fontaine
Talking Fables. The story spans from 1927 (when theatrical cartoons began to hit
their stride) to 1993. The graphic novel is full of intrigue, mystery, and Deitch's
trademark page layout. California setting.
Graphic Novel. Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Dennis, Carl. Practical Gods. Penguin Books, 2001. Poetry.

A collection of free-verse poems that use religious myths and metaphors to express
reflections on small, ordinary experiences of daily life.
Pulitzer Prize.
Dessen, Sarah. That Summer. Orchard Books, 1996. Realistic Fiction.

Haven is fifteen years old in the summer when both her sister and divorced father are
planning weddings. To enter into the festivities, she must come to terms with how her
perceptions of the past may be less than accurate.
Dick, Philip K. Man in the High Castle, The. Vintage Books, 1992. Science Fiction.
In this alternate history set in 1962, the United States has lost World War II to Nazi
Germany and Japan and is now jointly governed by these two superpowers. Slavery
has become legal again, the few Jews who still survive hide under assumed names,
and the I Ching is as common in San Francisco as the Yellow Pages. A haunting
combination of science fiction and a serious novel of ideas that can stimulate other
"what if" scenarios.
Dickinson, Peter. Ropemaker, The. Delacorte Press, 2001. Fantasy.

When the magic that protects their valley starts to fail, Tilja and her companions
journey into the evil empire to find the ancient magician Faheel, who originally cast
those spells in this quest fantasy.
Divakaruni, Chitra Banerjee. Conch Bearer: A Novel, The. Roaring Book Press, 2003.
Fantasy.
Challenges await twelve-year-old Anand, accompanied by a mysterious man and a
headstrong street child, whose task is to return a conch shell that possesses mystical
power to its home in the Himalayas, hundreds of miles away. The exotic journey
draws on the setting of India's culture, is devoted to peacefulness, and affords a

Grades 9-12
glimpse of the lad's growth and maturation in an intriguing and suspenseful

adventure.
Donnelly, Jennifer. Northern Light, A. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Historical Fiction.

Mattie dreams of going to college to become a writer but is torn by expectations that
she help her father run the farm and marry after high school. To earn tuition money,
she works at a local resort hotel. When the body of a young woman turns up at the
hotel, Mattie's world is impacted and in the dead woman's letters she finds the
determination to live her own life. Set in 1906 and based on a real Victorian murder
case.
Michael L. Printz Honor. History/Social Science.
Draper, Sharon M. Battle of Jericho, The. Atheneum, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

The club, Warriors of Distinction, is a tradition at Jericho's high school, and he feels
thrilled and honored when he is asked to join. His excitement quickly diminishes as he
experiences the dangerous and demeaning tasks required in the hazing process.
Coretta Scott King Author Honor. History/Social Science.
Draper, Sharon M. Romiette and Julio. Atheneum, 1999. Realistic Fiction.

A retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in the barrio. An African American girl and a
Hispanic boy fall in love on the Internet and then discover that they attend the same
high school. A gang who objects to their interracial dating harasses them.
Black/African American Culture, Latino/Latino American Culture. English-
Language Arts/Writing, Visual and Performing Arts.
Due, Tananarive; and Due, Patricia Stephens. Freedom in the Family: A Mother-
Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights. Ballantine Books, 2003.
A 1960s Civil Rights activist and her daughter, a journalist turned novelist, alternate
telling how they organized and educated other African Americans across two
generations.
Dumas, Firoozeh. Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America.

Villard, 2003. Biography/Autobiography, Humor.
In this bittersweet memoir about growing up Iranian in southern California, Dumas
relates her family's encounters with American culture and how their preconceived
notions frequently clashed with reality. California author and setting.

Grades 9-12
Duncan, Lois. Who Killed My Daughter? Dell Publishing Company, 1994.

This true account of the disappearance and murder of the author's adult daughter has
an eerie parallel to Duncan's fiction. Here she carefully unfolds police procedure as
well as her own emotional growth.
History/Social Science, Literacy/Motivation.
Easton, Kelly. Life History of a Star, The. Margaret McElderry Books, 2001. Realistic
Fiction.
For more than a year, a fourteen-year-old girl uses her diary to record her confused
thoughts. Included are her thoughts about the physical changes brought on by
adolescence and the emotional strain on her family of living with the "ghost" of her
beloved older brother who was mentally beaten down and killed while serving in
Vietnam. California setting.
Golden Kite Author Honor.
Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America. Owl Books,
2002. Nonfiction.
The author relates her experiences over three months in three cities as she attempted
to "get by" on the salary available to low-paid and unskilled workers.
Christopher Award, Alex Award.
Eisner, Will. Fagin the Jew. Illustrated by Will Eisner. Doubleday Books, 2003.
Historical Fiction.
This retelling of Dickens' Oliver Twist story concerns itself with the origins of the Fagin
character, both as an individual and as a social construct.
Western European Culture. Graphic Novel. History/Social Science, Visual and
Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Enright, Michael. Daisies in the Junkyard. Doherty, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

High school seniors Tony and Carlos are determined to resist the call of the streets,
so they can leave the ghetto and go to college, but when they find themselves
targeted by the gangs, they must make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives.
Latino/Latino American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Etchemendy, Nancy. Cat in Glass, and Other Tales of the Unnatural. Cricket Books,
2002. Horror, Short Story.
Horror short stories feature traditional themes, such as ghosts and Victorian settings,
that place girls and women in powerful roles.
Farmer, Nancy. House of the Scorpion, The. Atheneum, 2002. Science Fiction.
In a future where clones are despised, Matt enjoys special favors as the clone of El
Patron, the powerful patriarch of a drug family in the country of Opium. When Matt
discovers the true reason for his existence, he plans an escape to the neighboring

Grades 9-12
country, Utopia. But even there, he finds that all is not right, and he must go back to
fight the evil El Patron and his family.
Read Aloud. National Book Award, Newbery Honor, Michael L. Printz Honor.
Science.
Ferris, Jean. Bad. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1998. Realistic Fiction.
Set in a detention facility for teenage girls, the narrative follows events as a girl, who
was in the wrong place at the wrong time, enters the criminal justice system. She
realizes that no one is really "bad," but everyone has a complicated story behind her
actions. This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents
California author.
Multicultural Culture. California Young Reader Medal. History/Social Science.
Ferris, Jean. Once Upon a Marigold. Harcourt Brace, 2002. Fantasy.

Christian has been raised from childhood by a troll. When he reaches age eighteen, it
is decided that he should find his way in the world. He doesn't go too far, because he
notices the beautiful, lonely princess in the castle across the lake. He journeys to the
town to find a way to meet her. Christian gets more than he bargains for when he
uncovers a plot by the Queen to rid herself of the King and her daughter, so she can
be the sole ruler of the land. California author.
Flake, Sharon. Money Hungry. Jump at the Sun, 2001. Realistic Fiction.
Raspberry, aged thirteen, looks for opportunities to earn money however she can so
she and her mother will not be homeless again. When her mother suspects
Raspberry of stealing money, her mom throws most of it out the window and it
appears that they will be homeless again.
Coretta Scott King Author Honor.
Fleischman, Paul. Seek. Cricket Books, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Rob Radkovitz, a high school senior, is assigned to write his autobiography. He
chooses to record it as an audio play, incorporating the sounds of his family, his
home, and interweaves it with the a sound recording of his long-lost father's old radio
show, the only thing Rob has to remember his him by. Missing his father, Rob tunes in
to radio stations across the country, searching for the voice on the old recording.
English-Language Arts/Writing, Visual and Performing Arts.
Flinn, Alex. Breaking Point. HarperCollins, 2003. Original ©2002. Realistic Fiction.
Paul's entry into a new and apparently well-disciplined school starts badly. Things get
absolutely dire, however, when he, rather than the "golden boy" who orchestrated the
pack mentality cruelty, is blamed for the death of a fellow student.

Grades 9-12
Flinn, Alex. Breathing Underwater. HarperCollins, 2001. Fiction.

Sent to counseling for hitting his girlfriend and ordered to keep a journal, sixteen-year-
old Nick recounts his relationship with Caitlin, examines his controlling behavior and
anger, and describes living with his abusive father.
Franco, Betsy (editor). Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writing by Teenage
Girls. Illustrated by Nina (photographer) Nickles. Candlewick Press, 2001. Poetry.
This anthology of poetry and prose selections by teenage girls reveals their innermost
feelings about themselves and the way they perceive the world. Black-and-white
photographs by Nina Nickles are realistic and appealing. A powerful collection to
stimulate similar creative writing efforts and to reinforce personal self-esteem
Multicultural Culture. Photo-Essay. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-
Franco, Betsy (editor). You Hear Me?: Poems and Writing by Teenage Boys.
Candlewick Press, 2000. Poetry.
Young men from a variety of cultures and backgrounds share their hopes, aspirations,
fears, and desires in this collection of personal writing that ranges from sensitive
essays to angry free verse. Though the quality of writing varies, each selection is
believable and delivers an emotional impact. The language is edgy and sometimes
profane. Excellent selection to stimulate creative writing efforts.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language
Franklin, Kristine L. Grape Thief. Candlewick Press, 2003. Historical Fiction.

In a small Washington state coal-mining community made up of families from different
ethnic backgrounds, twelve-year-old Cuss likes to learn and wants to stay in school,
but finances are tight in 1925. The story shares how his family and friends persevere
with faith and optimism in spite of multiple hardships. This first-person narrative is a
quick read and combines the challenges of earlier times with humor and effective
characterizations.
Freymann-Weyr, Garrett. My Heartbeat. Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

Told in the first-person present, this novel, set in Manhattan, tells a frank, upbeat story
of teen bisexual love. Fourteen-year-old Ellen finds her relationship with her older
brother and his best friend changing as she tries to understand the closeness
developing between the two boys.

Grades 9-12
Gaarder, Jostein. Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy.

Translated by Paulette Miller. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1994. Fantasy.
Sophie, a fourteen-year-old girl, comes home from school and finds two questions in
her mail: Who are you? Where does the world come from? The story is framed by
these letters that also present her with a history of Western philosophy. Sophie tries
to find out the answers to the questions as well as the mystery of the letters' origin.
This story introduces the reader to philosophers before Socrates and through Jean-
Paul Sartre.
Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. Illustrated by Dave McKean. HarperColllins, 2002. Horror.

A neglected young girl discovers a parallel world behind the mysterious 14th door in
her new house. Once she enters the other world, she encounters a home much nicer
in many ways than the one she left and yet somehow horrific. She finds her "other
mother and father" to be mirror images but with long claw-like fingers and buttons for
eyes. They want Coraline to stay forever, but she knows that she must find a way
back to her real world before it's too late.
Gaiman, Neil. Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions. Perennial, 2001.
Horror, Poetry, Short Story.
In poems and fantasy short stories, characters from folktales and mythology are
plunged into terrifying circumstances that are just the other side of realistic. This book
was published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before
handing the text to a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the
child.
Western European Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Gantos, Jack. Hole in My Life. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002.

The noted author of children's and young adult books relates in this autobiography
how, as a young adult, he became a drug user and smuggler, spent time in prison,
went to college, and then became a successful and popular author.
Garner, Eleanor Ramrath. Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany.

Peachtree, 1999. Biography/Autobiography.
With work hard to find, Eleanor's father decides to return to Germany for two years
where he has been offered a job. The family is trapped in Germany for the duration of
World War II, enduring untold hardships and narrow escapes, especially during the
bombing of Berlin and its capture by the Russians. A powerful, poignant, and intimate
memoir of an American girl's coming of age in enemy territory. California author.
Western European Culture. History/Social Science.

Grades 9-12
Geras, Adele. Troy. Harcourt Brace, 2001. Historical Fiction.

The Trojan War continues for the tenth year, and all are weary of fighting. As it
escalates in the final days, military events and the daily life of citizens of this historical
conflict are vividly captured. An unusual twist brings focus on Troy women, specifically
orphan sisters Xanthe (a nurse caring for wounded soldiers) and Marpessa (a maid to
Helen) who fall in love with the same warrior. The title serves as an introduction to the
legends and lore attributed to Homer's epic The Iliad. This book addresses
controversial issues of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and
language that reflect mature content. Before handing the text to a child, educators
and parents should read the book and know the child.
Western European Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Gibson, William. Neuromancer. Ace Books, 2004. Original ©1986. Science Fiction.
In this variation on the Faust story, a computer expert sells his soul for money. This
book was published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before
child.
Science.
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. Random House, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
A troublesome twelve-year-old orphan, staying with an elderly artist suffering from the
beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease, remembers the only other time she was
happy in a foster home. In the end, she is reunited with the family she has longed for.
Newbery Honor. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Giles, Gail. Shattering Glass. Roaring Book Press, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
When the most popular guy in school takes the class nerd and tries to make him
"cool," the results are astonishing. The project is more successful than ever imagined
or wanted, and the consequences become deadly.
Giovanni, Nikki. Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea: Poems and Not Quite Poems.
HarperCollins, 2002. Poetry.
This collection of poems explores self and community. Arranged in six untitled
sections whose themes are not self-evident, the poems take an artifact from life and
examine its cultural impact.
Black/African American Culture.
Going, Kelly. Fat Kid Rules the World. Putnam Publishing, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
Troy, fat and depressed, makes friends with Curt, a great musician but someone with
serious problems of his own. Together they discover their true strengths and self-
worth. This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents and

Grades 9-12
includes scenes and language that reflect mature content. Before handing the text to
a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
Michael L. Printz Honor. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Goldberg, Myla. Bee Season: A Novel. Doubleday Books, 2000. Fiction.

Nine-year-old Eliza Naumann finds out she has an unusual talent for spelling and
becomes the center of attention in her family. She wins school, district, and regional
spelling bees and trains with her father for national competition. Her brother, left on
his own, drifts away from the family. Adding to this conflict is her mother's double life,
which comes to light and turns Eliza's life upside down.
Golden, Christopher. Prowlers. Pocket Books, 2001. Horror.

The first in a series featuring a breed of creature close to human, the story discloses
how these beings prey on ordinary, mortal teens. This book addresses controversial
issues of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and language that reflect
mature content. Before handing the text to a child, educators and parents should read
the book and know the child.
Goobie, Beth. Lottery, The. Orca, 2002. Fiction.

When Sal is selected as her high school's lottery winner, she knows what's in store - a
year as a social outcast and messenger for the Shadow Council. No one will even
dare glance at her as she carries our her dreaded duties. Goobie explores the issues
of victimization and conformity and the psychological effects.
Grealy, Lucy. Autobiography of a Face. Houghton Mifflin, 1994.

Lucy Grealy writes about her lifelong journey with a distorted self-image after a
childhood illness and surgery left her jaw disfigured. She writes about peer rejection,
the physical pain of more than 30 reconstructive surgeries, and her desperate need to
be special. Grealy shares her search for self-acceptance even as she desires to be
physically perfect.
Greenberg, Jan. Heart to Heart: New Poems Inspired by Twentieth-Century

American Art. Abrams, 2001. Poetry.
This is a compilation of poems about American art in the twentieth century. Writers
include artists and authors. Each piece of art is enhanced by the carefully crafted text.
This will be especially useful in writing and art classes as examples of creativity in a
variety of media.
Michael L. Printz Honor. Visual and Performing Arts.

Grades 9-12
Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. Dial Books, 2002. Poetry, Realistic Fiction.
Grimes features the voices of 18 urban youths who share their innermost feelings in
their open mike poetry presentations. Set in a Bronx high school, the book features
characters developed through short monologues paired with self-revealing poetry.
Black/African American Culture. Coretta Scott King Author Winner. English-
Haddon, Mark. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The. Random House,
Christopher is autistic and possesses a superbly logical brain. His routine, which
keeps him grounded, is disturbed when he finds his neighbor's dog, Wellington,
impaled on a garden fork. When Christopher is initially blamed for the killing, he
decides to track down the real killer. He turns to his favorite fictional character,
Sherlock Holmes, for guidance and finds out who killed Wellington. Unfortunately, he
also finds out that his own family is falling apart at the seams.
Alex Award. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Halam, Ann. Dr. Franklin's Island. Wendy Lamb Books, 2002. Science Fiction.
Three teenagers are the sole survivors of a crash landing off the coast of a seemingly
deserted island. The island is the site of Dr. Franklin's secret experimental compound,
where he conducts experiments with gene transference. He has been waiting for
humans specimens on which to conduct the next phase of his research. These three
teens unwillingly become his test subjects. As they increasingly take on more and
more animal characteristics through the experiment, they realize they must find a way
to escape before they lose their humanity altogether.
Science.
Hallowell, Janis. Annunciation of Francesca Dunn, The. HarperCollins, 2004. Fiction.

Fourteen-year-old Francesca Dunn works at a restaurant that provides free meals to
the homeless every Saturday morning. Chester, one of the Saturday regulars,
believes that Francesca can perform miracles after she touches another homeless
man who begins to feel chest pains and the pain subsides. Francesca becomes a
celebrity with the help of some greedy family friends and begins to believe her own
ability to heal.
Hartnett, Sonya. Thursday's Child. Candlewick Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Set in a desolate area in Australia during the depression, a young woman looks back
on her childhood and recounts her farm family's poverty, her father's cowardice, and
her younger brother's obsession for digging tunnels and living underground.
Australian Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.

Grades 9-12
Hearn, Lian. Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1). Putnam
Publishing, 2001. Fantasy.
The first volume of this fantasy set in medieval Japan introduces a young man who
has been trained to move in utter silence and a young woman who is believed to be
responsible for the deaths of several men.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. History/Social Science, English-
Heinlein, Robert A. Have Space Suit - Will Travel. Ballantine, 2003. Original ©1958.
Science Fiction.
Kip's father encourages him to reach for his dream and use the space suit he's won in
a contest. What awaits this high school student at distant planets are life forms he
never imagined and moral issues familiar to humanity.
Classic. English-Language Arts/Writing, Science.
Heneghan, James. Grave, The. Frances Foster Books, 2000. Historical Fiction.
A mass grave is discovered near Tom's foster home in Liverpool, England. Tom feels
compelled to visit the site, and when he does he falls into the pit. But instead of hitting
coffins and bones, Tom finds himself in 1847 Ireland and is recognized as part of the
Monaghan family. He feels pulled between both worlds as he senses that he must
accomplish something in the past and yet feels that he must come to terms with his
place in the present.
Hesse, Karen. Aleutian Sparrow. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003. Fiction in Verse.
After the Japanese bombed Unalaska Island in 1942, the U.S. government relocated
the Aleut people to an inhospitable camp near Ketchikan, Alaska, so their island could
be used as a military base. The tragic story is told in free verse, each poem depicting
life through the eyes of an Aleut girl.
Native American Culture. History/Social Science.
Hiaasen, Carl. Hoot. Knopf, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

Roy, who has recently moved to Florida from Montana, encounters a strange,
barefooted running boy and his sister, the school bully, and some tiny owls. Ties into
endangered species discussions.
Newbery Honor. Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Hidier, Tanuja Desai. Born Confused. Scholastic, 2002. Fiction.

Seventeen-year-old Dimple discovers that her identity issues are not new. She is not
Indian enough for the Indians and not American enough for the Americans. Her
parents want her to embrace her Indian heritage and set her up with Karsh Kapoor,
the son of a family friend. Dimple is not interested until her beautiful and manipulative
best friend, Gwyn, becomes obsessed with both Dimple's heritage and the boy her

Grades 9-12
parents presented to her. This causes Dimple to get involved in the local South Asian
community.
Hinton, S. E. That Was Then, This Is Now. Viking Press, 1971. Realistic Fiction.
Sixteen-year-old Mark and Bryon have been like brothers since childhood, but now as
their involvement with girls, gangs, and drugs increases, their relationship seems to
gradually disintegrate.
Hobbs, Valerie. Sonny's War. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2002. Historical Fiction.
The world of fourteen-year-old Corey is turned upside down after the death of her
father and brother Sonny's enlistment and assignment to Vietnam. The multifaceted
plot and vivid characterizations capture the drama of life during the 1960s and
express the effects of war on those people left behind. California author.
Hoffman, Mary. Stravaganza: City of Masks. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2002.

Fantasy.
In the first volume of a fantasy series, one protagonist is a modern boy dying from
cancer and another is the girl he befriends in a parallel world similar to the historic
Venice of the Renaissance. The imaginative tale with its complex plot, intriguing
setting, and well-rounded characters will transport readers into a world of fantasy and
suspense. The next two titles of the series are City of Stars and City of Flowers.
Hoffman, Nina Kiriki. Stir of Bones, A. Viking Press, 2003. Horror.

Susan and her friends investigate the local haunted house and the suicide that
occurred there. A strong emotional connection develops between Susan, the house,
and its ghost, a connection that may lead Susan to join them in death. This book
addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes
and language that reflect mature content. Before handing the text to a child,
Holthe, Tess Uriza. When the Elephants Dance: A Novel. Crown Publishing, 2002.
Historical Fiction.
Set in the final days of World War II during Japanese occupation of the Philippines,
this novel depicts family, neighbors, and friends who share a hiding place in one
family's home. They tell their stories in the darkened cellar of the house. Some of their
stories are mystical, and others are realistic accounts dealing with war. This book was
published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before

Grades 9-12
child
Filipino/Filipino American Culture.
Hosler, Jay. Clan Apis. Active Synapse, 2000. Fable.

This graphic novel tells the life story of a young bee named Nyuki and shows the
structure of life in a beehive and the struggle for survival. Includes an educational
section on bee anatomy and behavior and an extra comic on the bee sting allergy.
Graphic Novel. Science, Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
Hosler, Jay. Sandwalk Adventures: An Adventure in Evolution Told in Five

Chapters, The. Illustrated by Jay Hosler. Active Synapse, 2003. Fantasy.
Offering a view of life and its physical realities through the vantage point of imagined
lice on God’s head, this fantasy combines humor with truths about both science and
personal relationships with the world and one’s own spiritual nature. This book
Graphic Novel. English-Language Arts/Writing, Science, Visual and Performing
Arts.
Hosseini, Khaled. Kite Runner, The. Random House, 2003. Fiction.

This powerful novel explores the lives of two boys coming of age in Afghanistan
during the last peaceful days of the monarchy before the country's revolution and
invasion by Russian forces.
Middle Eastern Culture. Alex Award. History/Social Science.
Houston, Jeanne W. Legend of Fire Horse Woman, The. Kensington Books, 2003.
Realistic Fiction.
Born on a date that tradition says makes her untamable and not fit for marriage,
Sayo, a Fire Horse Woman, learns to harness the power of the Fire Horse to survive
when she moves to America to be with her husband. Her courage enables her to
inspire her daughter and granddaughter after they are all interned during World War
II. California author.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture. History/Social Science, English-

Nonfiction.

Grades 9-12
Science.
Hughes, Dean. Soldier Boys. Atheneum, 2001. Historical Fiction.

Two boys, one German and one American, lead parallel lives and are eager to join
their respective armies during World War II. Their paths cross at the Battle of the
Bulge in a compassionate and tragic scene. The novel provides topics that would be
appropriate for discussion and further research.
Ikeda, Stewart David. What the Scarecrow Said: A Novel. HarperCollins, 1996.
Fiction.
The Fujita family, Japanese Americans, are rounded up and forced into internment
camps. William Fujita loses everything: his nursery in Pasadena, his mother, wife, and
only child. During the last year of the war, he is released from camp to plan and
create a working farm for a widow, Margaret Kelly. Fujita's life is traced through
flashbacks, from his birth aboard a ship as his parents immigrate to the U.S., to his
later prosperity and (briefly) happy family life. He finds some redemption in this new
farming venture and the people he works for. California setting.
Jiang, Ji-Li. Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution. HarperCollins,
Ji-Li Jiang is a highly-ranked student, exceptional athlete, and avid follower of
Chairman Mao's new China until her family's bourgeois background brings
persecution and wrecks her educational opportunities and dreams of a successful
career. This well-written memoir provides a detailed look at everyday life in 1960s
Shanghai and presents a dilemma for readers to ponder. California author.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Jimenez, Francisco. Breaking Through. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Since coming from Mexico to California ten years ago, fourteen-year-old Francisco is
still working in the fields, fighting to "break through" to improve his life and complete
his education. Social issues of poverty and prejudice in the 1950s are related through
his adolescent experiences. Photos are included. Sequel to The Circuit: Stories From
the Life of a Migrant Child. California author and setting.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor. History/Social
Science.

Grades 9-12
Johnson, Angela. First Part Last, The. Simon and Schuster, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
In this prequel to Heaven, sixteen-year-old Bobby struggles between sleep
deprivation, school pressures, and an increasing sense of fear as he cares for his
infant daughter, Feather. Chapters alternate between life before and after the birth of
Feather, effectively capturing Bobby's sometimes conflicting emotions as a young
father and revealing why he is raising Feather without her mother.
Black/African American Culture. Coretta Scott King Author Winner, Michael L.
Printz Winner. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Johnson, Angela. Toning the Sweep. Orchard Books, 1993. Realistic Fiction.
When fourteen-year-old Emily and her mother go to the California desert to help her
dying grandmother prepare to go back to Cleveland, she discovers much about her
grandfather’s death, family relationships, and her feelings about the desert. She also
comes to a new understanding of her mother. As Emily uses a camcorder to record
the life of the desert and the people who love her grandmother, she captures the
warmth and love of an African American family. California setting.
Black/African American Culture.
Kasischke, Laura. Life Before Her Eyes, The. Harcourt Brace, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
A young wife and mother seems to lead an ideal and secure daily life in spite of
uncomfortable memories about a school shooting in her early teens. Her life,
however, is not as safe as she believes, or as long. This book was published for an
Kidd, Sue Monk. Secret Life of Bees, The. Viking Press, 2002. Historical Fiction.
Fourteen-year-old Lily and her caregiver Rosaleen, an African American woman, flee
their home after Rosaleen is victimized by racist police officers. They find a safe
haven in South Carolina with three bee-keeping sisters. An uplifting, coming-of-age
story.
Kimmel, Haven. Girl Named Zippy: Growing up Small in Mooreland, Indiana, A.

Doubleday Books, 2001. Biography/Autobiography, Narrative Nonfiction.
Kimmel's memoir reads like a series of vignettes about small-town life in Mooreland,
Indiana, during the late 1960s and early 1970s. She writes about loving family,
peculiar neighbors, and their even more peculiar animals and falling in (and out) of
friendship. Her voice is reminiscent of Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Grades 9-12
King, Stephen. On Writing. Scribner, 2000. Narrative Nonfiction.

Combining good instruction for young writers with a personal memoir about his own
development, King demonstrates his respect for youths and expository refinement.
Klass, David. You Don't Know Me. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2001. Fiction.
Fourteen-year-old John creates alternative realities in his mind as he tries to deal with
the physical and emotional abuse from his mother's boyfriend. Because he cannot tell
anyone his secret, John creates an imaginary African village called Lashasa Palulu,
where intelligence, tolerance, and love prevail. When his crush, Glory Hallelujah,
agrees to go out with him, John thinks his luck is changing. When the date turns into
a hilarious disaster, everything goes wrong and John has a giant meltdown.
Klause, Annette Curtis. Blood and Chocolate. Delacorte Press, 1997. Horror.
A teenage werewolf falls in love with a human boy. Themes of community conflict,
identity, and prejudice are woven into this original tale. This book addresses
controversial issues of interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and
language that reflect mature content. Before handing the text to a child, educators
and parents should read the book and know the child.
Koertge, Ronald. Brimstone Journals, The. Candlewick Press, 2001. Fiction in Verse.
Through the journal entries of 15 classmates at Branston High School, the teenage
experience comes alive. In addition to dealing with the violence in their world, the
teens face other problems: racism, sexual orientation, anger, body image, and so on.
Tensions rise, leading to a near tragedy. California author.
Koertge, Ronald. Stoner and Spaz. Candlewick Press, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
Ben Bancroft finds old classic movies far more interesting than his own life. Afflicted
with cerebral palsy, he gets no attention from anyone other than his overprotective
grandmother. Then he meets Colleen, a drug-addicted girl at the local movie theater,
and he finds himself attracted to her. They are an unlikely couple, but they need each
other, finding the companionship and acceptance both crave and the nudge to
become someone better. California author.
Koja, Kathe. Blue Mirror. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004. Fantasy.
Mags learns to depend on her teenage self, with a supernatural presence, at the Blue
Mirror Café. The story offers a rich character portrait with a touch of suspense.
Combines realistic social issues, such as parental alcoholism, with personal growth.

Grades 9-12
Koja, Kathe. Buddha Boy. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. Fairy Tale.
Michael presents an unusual appearance to the kids at his new school - both the
bullies and the ones who avoid them - by acting invisible. Michael has a shaved head,
takes the name Jinsen, and shows that the Buddhist way of peace may work in an
environment where muscle too often is thought to prevail.
Korman, Gordon. Jake, Reinvented. Hyperion Press, 2003. Fiction.

This retelling of Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby places the story of self-metamorphosis and
social trickery in a high school setting. When Jake Garrett arrives at F. Scott
Fitzgerald High, the students immediately take a liking to him and he becomes one of
the most popular boys in school. When a dark secret is revealed, the same students
begin to fear him.
Kuper, Peter. Metamorphosis. Illustrated by Peter Kuper. Crown Publishing, 2003.

Horror.
This graphic novel retells Kafka's short story and presents it from the viewpoint of the
sister of the young narrator who has awakened to find himself a cockroach.
Western European Culture. Graphic Novel. English-Language Arts/Writing,
Latifah. My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's

Story. Hyperion Press, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.
A young Afghan woman describes how her life and her hopes were changed when
the Taliban took power in 1996. She shares experiences of her family, focusing on the
lives of women and girls who were abruptly denied the freedom to work, go to school,
or even leave their homes without a male escort.
Middle Eastern Culture. History/Social Science.
Lawrence, Iain. Ghost Boy. Laurel Leaf, 2002. Original ©2000. Realistic Fiction.
When Harold runs away to join the circus, he is hoping his albino condition will no
longer cause him persecution. He discovers a new social milieu in which the various
natural deviations from what is perceived of as the "regular" human physique inspire
Harold, and the reader, to take a more generous view of what makes a person seem
human.
Lawrence, Iain. Lightkeeper's Daughter, The. Delacorte Press, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth returns to the island where she grew up, after a three-
year absence, bringing her young daughter with her. Old feelings and suppressed
guilt stir as she is confronted by the death, or possible suicide, of Elizabeth's brother.
Elizabeth also deals with her anger over her family's attitude toward the birth of her
illegitimate daughter.

Grades 9-12
Le Guin, Ursula K. Always Coming Home. UC Press, 2001. Original ©1985. Fantasy.
On the northern Pacific coast, in a future California, an imaginary culture is realized
through a unique blending of story, created mythology, and even music. California
setting.
Le Guin, Ursula K. Language of the Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction,
The. HarperCollins, 1992. Original ©1989. Essay.
Essays by a master of the science fiction and fantasy genres include discussions of
gender politics and literary fashion eras.
English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Lekuton, Joseph Lemasolai. Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African
Savannah. National Geographic Society, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
The author offers his personal account of growing up in Kenya and includes
anecdotes about lions, drinking blood, and other experiences ripe for reading aloud.
Useful for lessons in history and the culture of Africa.
Lynch, Chris. Freewill. HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

A teenager trying to recover from the tragic death of his father and stepmother
believes that he is responsible for the rash of teen suicides occurring in his town. The
story is told through interior monologue.
Mahy, Margaret. Alchemy. Margaret McElderry Books, 2003. Fantasy.

Roland has everything a guy could want: a great girlfriend, good grades, and
popularity. After a shoplifting incident, a teacher confronts him and says he won't tell
as long as Roland investigates classmate Jess, a gifted girl with knowledge of
alchemy. And so begins a struggle between good and evil as Roland discovers that
his disturbing, recurring nightmare is not a dream and that his teacher's brother is an
evil magician out to steal the two teens' powers and rule the world.
Science.
Marsden, John. Winter. Scholastic, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

The title character is a sixteen-year-old girl who returns to her childhood home after a
decade. First, she fires the caretaker, next she meets the neighbors, and last she
uncovers the secret of her past. This book addresses controversial issues of interest
to many adolescents and includes scenes and language that reflect mature content.
Before handing the text to a child, educators and parents should read the book and
know the child.
Australian Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language

Grades 9-12

childhood.
Martinez, Manuel Luis. Drift. Picador, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

Sixteen-year-old Mexican American Robert Lomos learns more than he wants to
about adult responsibilities. His father, a Latino jazz musician, has already abandoned
the family when Robert's mother has a mental breakdown and moves to Los Angeles.
Robert is left with his grandmother in Texas, who sends him to the evangelical
Sunnydale Christian Academy when he gets kicked out of public school for acting out.
He fails to reunite with his mother and must learn to survive on his own.
Latino/Latino American Culture.
Marvit, Lawrence. Sparks: An Urban Fairytale. SLG, 2002. Science Fiction.

When life at home with her abusive father threatens to overwhelm her self-esteem, Jo
turns to what she knows best for relief: auto mechanics. Looking for love, she builds
herself the perfect boyfriend. This book was published for an adult readership and
English-Language Arts/Writing, Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language
McCullough, David. John Adams. Simon and Schuster, 2001.

The life of the second president of the United States is chronicled. International
exploits during his long political career, the love story of his marriage to Abigail, and
the complexity of his friendship with Thomas Jefferson are included.
Christopher Award, Pulitzer Prize. History/Social Science.
McDonald, Joyce. Shades of Simon Gray. Delacorte Press, 2001. Fiction.

Simon crashes his car into the town's historical tree during a freak rainstorm of frogs.
He lies in a coma in the hospital while his spirit roams freely. He meets Jesse, who
was hanged from the Liberty Tree 200 years earlier for a crime he didn't really
commit. Meanwhile, his friends are fearful that their scheme to hack into the school
computer to change grades will be uncovered as an investigation begins and Simon's
home computer is seized.
McKinley, Robin. Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast.
HarperCollins, 1978. Fantasy.
Beauty is the nickname of Honour, the youngest of three sisters. Her father's favorite
and considering herself the least attractive and most expendable of the three, she
insists on saving her father by going to live with the enchanted beast/prince. This

Grades 9-12
expansion of the Beauty and the Beast folktale is told in beautiful descriptive
language.
McKinley, Robin. Outlaws of Sherwood, The. Greenwillow Books, 1988. Legend.

In this version about the exploits of the legendary Robin Hood and his band of
outlaws who lived in Sherwood Forest in twelfth-century England, the role of Maid
Marian has been dramatically enlarged. Excellent for comparing with other versions of
the legend for historical accuracy and discussing the concept of good and evil.
McNamee, Graham. Acceleration. Random House, 2003. Mystery.

When a teenage boy finds a potential killer's record in a Toronto subway, he takes on
the responsibility of tracking the man before he strikes. Humor, as well as suspense,
is threaded through this fast-paced novel.
McWhorter, Diane. Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of

the Civil Rights Revolution. Simon and Schuster, 2001. Nonfiction.
In a personal narrative, the author offers a detailed account of the civil rights battle in
Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. She also discusses why those events signaled a
turning point in the movement.
Black/African American Culture. Pulitzer Prize. History/Social Science.
Menand, Louis. Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America, The. Farrar, Straus
& Giroux, 2001. Nonfiction.
The book examines the development of an American philosophy between the end of
the Civil War and 1919 by exploring the lives of four key metaphysical thinkers: Oliver
Wendell Holmes Jr., William James, Charles Sanders Pierce, and John Dewey.
Consider for advanced placement history students.
Pulitzer Prize. History/Social Science.
Mikaelsen, Ben. Touching Spirit Bear. HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Cole's anger erupts into violence. To avoid going to prison, he agrees to participate in
a sentencing alternative based on the Native American Circle Justice. He is sent to a
remote Alaskan island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.
Native American Culture. California Young Reader Medal.
Miller, Jr., Walter M. Canticle for Leibowitz. Bantam Books, 1997. Original ©1959.
Science Fiction.
Set in the Utah desert after a mid-twentieth-century nuclear holocaust, the book
follows the rebuilding and subsequent nuclear destruction of the world. Three periods
are portrayed: the Dark Ages, the Renaissance, and the twentieth century.
Classic. Science.

Grades 9-12
Moua, Mai Neng (editor). Bamboo Among the Oaks: Contemporary Writing by
Hmong Americans. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2002. Nonfiction.
This anthology of first- and second-generation Hmong Americans shares the common
challenges of immigrants adjusting to life in this country. Includes stories, poetry,
essays, and drama. Selections also include some from a Hmong literary journal, Paj
Ntaub Voice.
Hmong/Hmong American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Myers, Walter Dean. Bad Boy: A Memoir. HarperCollins, 2001.

This autobiography depicts the life of an African American child growing up in Harlem
during the 1940s and 1950s before the Civil Rights Movement. Myers describes his
life as a tough street kid who excelled in sports but secretly loved to read and write.
His ability to endure hardships yet maintain his love for learning and reading is an
inspiring story.
Black/African American Culture. Literacy/Motivation.
Myers, Walter Dean. Shooter. HarperCollins, 2004. Realistic Fiction.

In documents ranging from interviews to case notes, the novel explores from multiple
viewpoints the impact of a school shooting on those who survived.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science,
Na, An; and Roxburgh, Stephen (editor). Step from Heaven, A. Front Street, 2001.
Realistic Fiction.
This is the story of Ju from her childhood in Korea until she goes to college in
America. After immigrating to America, she tries to adjust to American ways and
remain a good Korean daughter despite her father's alcoholism and abuse.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Michael L. Printz Winner. History/Social
Science.
Naidoo, Beverley. Other Side of Truth, The. HarperCollins, 2001. Historical Fiction.
This terrifying story follows two Nigerian children, twelve-year-old Sade and her ten-
year-old brother Femi, caught in the civil strife of their country during the mid-1990s.
Complex events explore issues of freedom, family, and the African refugee
experience.
Naipaul, V. S. Miguel Street. Vintage International, 2002. Original ©1959. Short Story.
Short stories about life in Trinidad are filled with characters who are colorful, if not
always likeable.
Multicultural Culture. Nobel Prize. English-Language Arts/Writing.

Grades 9-12
Namioka, Lensey. Ties That Bind, Ties That Break: A Novel. Delacorte Press, 1999.
Historical Fiction.
A young Chinese American wife looks back at her childhood as the youngest
daughter of an upper-class Chinese family at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Because she defied the traditions of her class by refusing to have her feet bound,
Ailin Tao's marriage contract was dissolved. Her father's death left her without the
finances to continue her education. She took a job as a nanny for an American family,
eventually coming to America. A well-written historical novel about individuality,
gender issues, and difficult choices.
Chinese/Chinese American Culture. California Young Reader Medal.
Napoli, Donna Jo. Beast. Simon and Schuster, 2000. Fairy Tale.
This retelling of Beauty and the Beast focuses on the Beast before Beauty found him.
This retelling, set in Persia, gives the reader some insight into Islamic culture.
Orasmyn, a young Persian prince, makes a single wrong decision that sets an ancient
curse into motion and forever changes his fate. Orasmyn is transformed into a lion on
the exact day his father is to embark on a lion hunt. He escapes, traveling across
Europe in search of someone who will truly love him and break the curse. He
stumbles upon a castle in the deep woods of France, and there Beauty finds him.
Napoli, Donna Jo. Breath. Atheneum, 2003. Fantasy.

The harsh and superstitious world of medieval Hamlin is brought to life in Napoli's
version of the Pied Piper legend, as told through the eyes of Salz, a young boy with
cystic fibrosis. He tries to discern whether the madness that plagues the townspeople
is caused by rats, sin, or witchcraft.
Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Alice Alone. Atheneum, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Part of the long-running series that began with The Agony of Alice (1985), this book
describes Alice's freshman year in high school. Ninth grade begins with promise and
then deteriorates when her boyfriend Patrick breaks up with her. As she shows Alice
working her way through the break-up and the school year, the author has again
captured the joy and pain of being a modern teenage woman.

Grades 9-12
Oates, Joyce Carol. Big Mouth and Ugly Girl. HarperCollins, 2002. Realistic Fiction.
When Matt jokingly talks about blowing up the school if they don't use his play in the
Spring Fling, he winds up being interrogated by the police, ostracized by his
classmates, and contemplating suicide. When Ursula, the self-proclaimed Ugly Girl
who doesn't need anyone and won't let anyone need her, sends him an e-mail stating
she believes in his innocence, a friendship begins that helps them both find out who
they really are.
Olson, Lynne. Freedom’s Daughters: The Unsung Heroines of the Civil Rights
Movement from 1830 to 1970. Scribner, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Presents portraits and cameos of dozens of women, black and white, who made
major contributions to the struggle for civil rights from slavery through post-World War
II. Presents the argument that women were frequently the primary strategists behind
the movements and the first to volunteer and sacrifice.
Christopher Award. History/Social Science.
Ortiz Cofer, Judith. Year of Our Revolution: New and Selected Stories and Poems,
The. Pinata Books, 1998. Short Story.
This collection of interconnected stories, poems, and fables about Puerto Rican
young adults coming of age in America focuses on the intergenerational struggles
between immigrant parents and their American-born children.
Latino/Latino American Culture. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Ottaviani, James. Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the Political
Science of the Atomic Bomb. Illustrated by James Ottaviani. GT Labs, 2001.
Historical Fiction.
The development of the atom bomb and the effects on J. Robert Oppenheimer and
other scientists are presented in graphic novel format.
Graphic Novel. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science, Science,
Packer, Z. Z. Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. Riverhead Books, 2003. Short Story.

Short stories, most of which are set in the American South, provide insights on how
racism shapes the daily lives of diverse African American characters.
Black/African American Culture. Alex Award. English-Language Arts/Writing.

Grades 9-12
Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. Knopf, 2003. Fantasy.

In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a
mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and
power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.
Park, Linda Sue. Single Shard, A. Clarion Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
A thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, living under a bridge, longs to become
a potter of celadon ware. He becomes an assistant to a master potter and is
entrusted with the delivery of two precious pots.
Korean/Korean American Culture. Newbery Winner.
Park, Linda Sue. When My Name Was Keoko. Clarion Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.
During World War II, a brother and sister face the increasingly oppressive occupation
of Korea by Japan, which threatens to erase the Korean culture entirely. The author
draws on the experiences of her parents as well as extensive research to show how
the politics of war affects ordinary families.
Korean/Korean American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Parks, Suzan-Lori. Topdog Underdog. Theater Communications Group, 2002. Drama.

This is a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity. Lincoln and Booth,
two brothers, received their names as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and
resentment. Useful for discussion about race and racism. California author.
Black/African American Culture. Pulitzer Prize.
Patchett, Ann. Truth and Beauty: A Friendship. HarperCollins, 2004. Narrative

Nonfiction.
The novelist writes about her friendship with poet Lucy Grealy, from college days
through Grealy's death. Grealy is the author of Autobiography of a Face, which
chronicles her experiences with facial disfigurement from cancer. This book was
published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before handing
the text to a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
English-Language Arts/Writing, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Pattou, Edith. East. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Fairy Tale, Fantasy.

In an elegant and sophisticated retelling of the folktale, East of the Sun, West of the
Moon, superstitions are examined and used to propel the plot. This novel tells the
adventures of Rose, a Scandinavian girl, and a white bear who needs her help to
become a man again.
Western European Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social

Grades 9-12
Paulsen, Gary. How Angel Peterson Got His Name. Random House, 2003. Realistic
Fiction.
Whether read as an autobiography or short stories, these pieces, slices of life about
boys growing up in a small town, offer both humor and incisive insights.
History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary Elements,
Paz, Octavio. One Earth, Four or Five Worlds: Reflections on Contemporary

History. Harvest Books, 1986. Essay.
The Mexican Nobel Laureate poet wrote these reflections on history and politics for
newspapers in his homeland. The topics are international in scope and offer
continuing food for debate among contemporary readers. Available in Spanish.
Latino/Latino American Culture. History/Social Science.
Pearson, Mary E. Scribbler of Dreams. Harcourt Brace, 2001. Fiction.

Kaitlin Malone, raised to hate the Crutchfields, falls in love with Bram Crutchfield in
this modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. This boy is the son of the man whom her
father has gone to prison for killing. To give the relationship a chance, Kaitlin lies
about her identity. She soon finds out that the truth often has two sides.
Peck, Richard. River Between Us, The. Dial Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.
During the early days of the Civil War, Tilly Pruitt's family takes in two mysterious
young ladies: the worldly, rich, and sophisticated Delphine and the darker, plainer
Calinda, who's possibly a slave. When Tilly's brother runs off to the war, Tilly and
Delphine go after him, only to find him in a hospital tent. They bring him home, and all
three lives are changed forever.
Scott O'Dell Award. History/Social Science.
Pelzer, Dave. Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive, A. Health
Communications, 1995. Biography/Autobiography.
Pelzer writes about his abusive mother who singles him out among his siblings for
repeated emotional and physical punishment. This book was published for an adult
readership and thus contains mature content. Before handing the text to a child,
Peters, Lisa Westberg. Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up. Illustrated by Cathie
Felstead. Greenwillow Books, 2003. Poetry.
In this collection of 22 poems, the author highlights the unique features of the Earth
including how the coasts of South America and Africa seem to fit together like a
puzzle piece.

Grades 9-12
Pham, Andrew. Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the

Landscape and Memory of Vietnam. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1999. Narrative
Nonfiction.
This autobiographical account tells of a Vietnamese American who feels like an
outsider in both America and Vietnam. After his sister commits suicide, Andrew quits
his job at United Airlines and sells all his possessions. He takes off on a year-long
bicycle journey through the Mexican desert, around a thousand-mile loop in Japan,
and finally travels the length of Vietnam. He chronicles his five months in Vietnam
searching for his own cultural identity through food, people, and customs.
Vietnamese/Vietnamese American Culture.
Pierce, Tamora. Trickster's Choice. Random House, 2004. Original ©2003. Fantasy.
The popular and witty fantasy author introduces a new series. Aly, sixteen years old
and trained as a spy, is captured by pirates but outwits them only to get involved in a
political battle with an insane king.
Plum-Ucci, Carol. What Happened to Lani Garver. Harcourt Brace, 2002. Realistic
Fiction.
When Claire's life spins out of control, she finds friendship and support in new student
Lani Garver. Lani's androgyny disturbs the townspeople of Hackett Island and
eventually leads to his tragic end. This book addresses controversial issues of
interest to many adolescents and includes scenes and language that reflect mature
Prager, Emily. Wuhu Diary: On Taking My Adopted Daughter Back to Her

Hometown in China. Random House, 2001. Narrative Nonfiction.
The author adopted her baby from a Chinese orphanage. When the girl was almost
four, the family returned to China for a month-long visit. This narrative combines
memoir, traveling, and a bit of philosophy.
Pratchett, Terry. Wee Free Men, The. HarperCollins, 2003. Fantasy.

Armed only with a frying pan and a book on sheep husbandry, nine-year-old (and
witch-to-be) Tiffany Aching sets off to find her little brother, who has been kidnapped
by the Elf Queen of Fairyland. She teams up with a clan of six-inch-high blue pictsies
in kilts, and together they battle the frightening creatures that threaten the fate of her
brother and her own world. Filled with humor, action and shrewd commentary on
people and community, this is another tale set in Discworld.

Grades 9-12
Price, Susan. Sterkarm Handshake, The. HarperCollins, 2000. Original ©1998.

Science Fiction.
Andrea travels to a sixteenth-century border clan in England through a "Time Tube"
invented by the company for which she works. She is there to be her employer's
informant and translator as they plunder the land's rich natural resources. But she
falls in love with Per, a young Sterkarm warrior and, when he is injured, she takes him
to the twenty-first century to save him. Once Per sees how destructive and powerful
the "Elves" really are, he swears to keep them from his land forever and Andrea must
choose whose side she is on.
Science.
Rees, Celia. Pirates! Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.

When sixteen-year-old Nancy Kingston's wealthy father dies in 1722, she is sent to
her father's Jamaican plantation where she is betrothed to the despicable, cruel, but
wealthy Bartholome. She refuses to marry him and runs away with her slave Minerva
who joins with her to become pirates. This adventure depicts life in the eighteenth
century, particularly women's roles, slavery, and shipping.
Rees, Celia. Witch Child. Candlewick Press, 2001. Historical Fiction.

Mary's story is revealed through her recently discovered diary. She relates witnessing
her grandmother's murder for witchcraft, fleeing to America, and living among the
Puritans. Like her grandmother, Mary possesses knowledge of the healing arts and
receives visions. She must keep these gifts a secret for fear that she will meet the
same fate.
Roy, Arundhati. God of Small Things: A Novel, The. HarperCollins, 1998. Fiction.
Rahel Kochama returns home to the southwest Indian province of Kerala 23 years
after the drowning of her eight-year-old cousin, Sophie. Rahel has returned to see her
twin brother, Estha, who has himself only recently returned, rendered literally silent by
the long-ago trauma of Sophie's death.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture.
Russo, Richard. Empire Falls. Knopf, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Miles Roby is called back from college to a small town in Maine to take care of his
ailing mother. In the process he falls into a rut that keeps him trapped until years later
when a series of revelations and tragedies jolts him back into an awareness of his life.
Pulitzer Prize.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising. Scholastic, 2000. Realistic Fiction.

This novel tells of a Mexican girl's fall from riches and her immigration to California in
the 1930s. The story highlights her awareness of Mexico's post-revolution tensions,
the rivalry with Oklahoma Dust Bowl victims, and struggles of Mexican workers trying

Grades 9-12
to organize themselves to ask the U.S. government for better living conditions.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Pura Belpre Narrative Winner. History/Social
Science.
Rylant, Cynthia. God Went to Beauty School. HarperCollins, 2003. Fiction in Verse,
Poetry.
Although catalogued as fiction, this is a small collection of poems in which Rylant
describes God, temporarily in human form, discovering the joys and pains of the
world that he has created. A charming, insightful and thought-provoking work that can
be used in writing and social science units.
Sacco, Joe. Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995.
Fantagraphics, 2000. Narrative Nonfiction.
The author is a cartoon journalist who travels and writes about contemporary wars.
This volume reports on all he saw and heard in Bosnia during the years he lived
there. It includes interviews with soldiers and civilians. Written in graphic novel format.
Eastern European Culture. Graphic Novel. English-Language Arts/Writing,
History/Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts.
Salisbury, Graham. Island Boyz: Short Stories. Wendy Lamb Books, 2002. Humor,
Short Story.
This short-story collection set in the state of Hawaii during the twentieth century
draws from the author's own experiences as an island boy. Adolescent issues over
cultural identity and disabilities are explored in stories that include humor.
Pacific Islander Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Salzman, Mark. True Notebooks. Knopf, 2003. Narrative Nonfiction.

The author, noted for both his novels and nonfiction, writes here about his
experiences teaching writing to juvenile inmates in Los Angeles County detention.
Multicultural Culture. Alex Award. History/Social Science.
Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood. Pantheon Books, 2003.

In the first volume of this autobiography in a graphic novel format, the author depicts
her childhood in Iran during the years of its Islamic Revolution. This book is the
English translation; the original was written in French.
Middle Eastern Culture. Graphic Novel. Alex Award. History/Social Science,

Grades 9-12
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal.
Author Eric Schlosser traces the growth of fast-food chains after World War II. He
explores the connection between fast food and the growth of malls in America's
landscape, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the epidemic of obesity. He
writes about food production and preparation, the ingredients and taste-enhancers in
the food, and the chains' efforts to reel in young, susceptible consumers.
Science.
Schmidt, Gary D. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy. Clarion Books, 2004.
Historical Fiction.
This story revolves around the forbidden friendship and struggles of two coming-of-
age protagonists: Lizzie, an island girl, and Turner, a mainlander, who even defy
nature to preserve the bond that exists between them. The author parallels the
imagery of glorious landscapes alongside of the divisive and sinister acts of the
supporting cast. Metaphors sprinkled throughout the book elicit memorable
comparisons between whales and freedom and Darwin and knowledge. Based on the
actual 1912 destruction of an island settled by former Civil War slaves, this powerful
novel sends a strong message of the hope and despair that has existed between
races. Pair it with Witness by Karen Hesse.
Black/African American Culture. Newbery Honor, Michael L. Printz Honor.
English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, History/Social Science, English-Language
Schooler, Lynn. Blue Bear: A True Story of Friendship, Tragedy, and Survival in the
Alaskan Wilderness, The. Ecco Press, 2002. Narrative Nonfiction.
This memoir by a wilderness guide highlights the friendship that grows between him
and a Japanese photographer as they go deep into the Alaskan wilderness in search
of the blue, or glacier, bear. Rated as one of the best in nature writing, the book
includes the emotionally punishing death of the photographer, illustrating the frailty of
life.
Multicultural Culture. Science.
Scott, Joanna Catherine. Lucky Gourd Shop, The. Washington Square Press, 2000.
Historical Fiction.
How three adopted Korean teens came to be placed in a Western family is imagined
from two generations back through their arrival at a Korean orphanage. In the
process, they discover the heartbreaking story of their mother, who was abandoned
as a child and lived a tortured life.
Korean/Korean American Culture. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, English-
Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.

Grades 9-12
Sebold, Alice. Lovely Bones: A Novel, The. Little, Brown and Company, 2002. Fiction.
The story opens with Susie Salmon's disappearance and brutal murder. As her
friends trade rumors about her disappearance, her family continues to hold out hope,
and her killer tries to cover his tracks, Susie watches from heaven. As months pass
without leads, Susie sees her parents' marriage fall apart, her sister's effort to stay
strong, and her little brother come to terms with her absence. In her fourteen-year-old
voice she shares her insight into human relationships from her unique perspective in
heaven. There is explicit language, rape, and murder. This book was published for an
please be sure you have read the book and know the child.
Sebold, Alice. Lucky: A Memoir. Simon and Schuster, 1999. Biography/Autobiography.

Alice Sebold tells the story of her rape in a park in Syracuse, New York, at the age of
eighteen. She survives her ordeal, her case goes to trial, and her assailant is
convicted. Sebold becomes a sort of hero in the Syracuse police department. The
epilogue reveals that it took 15 years to recover from the incident, including heroin
addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. She promised herself in the days
following the experience that she would write a book about it and has in this
autobiography and in the novel The Lovely Bones. There is explicit language and
rape. This book was published for an adult readership and thus contains mature
content. Before handing the text to a child, please be sure you have read the book
and know the child.
Shanower, Eric. Age of Bronze: A Thousand Ships. Image Comics, 2001. Mythology.
This graphic novel rendition of the Trojan War is a feast for those who love mythology
or are new to Homeric tradition and modern archaeology. The story begins with Paris'
reconnection with his royal family and the subsequent kidnapping of Helen. Nuances
of the legend permeate the viewpoints of various characters. One in a series of seven
volumes.
Western European Culture. Graphic Novel. History/Social Science, Visual and
Shusterman, Neal. Full Tilt. Simon and Schuster, 2003. Horror.

When sixteen-year-old Blake goes to a mysterious, by-invitation-only supernatural
amusement park controlled by Cassandra, he soon learns that much is at stake in
meeting the challenge presented. A unique story with suspenseful and exciting twists
that shows how someone under pressure finds courage and lives with decisions.

Grades 9-12
Singer, Marilyn. Face Relations: Eleven Stories About Seeing Beyond Color. Simon
and Schuster, 2004. Short Story.
Interactions among teens with others from different ethnic backgrounds are brought to
life in a dozen short stories by well-known young adult authors, including Joseph
Bruchac, Naomi Shihab Nye, M. E. Kerr, and Marilyn Singer.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Sleator, William. Parasite Pig. Dutton Books, 2002. Science Fiction.

In this sequel to Interstellar Pig, sixteen-year-old Barney, infected with an alien
parasite, is taken by extraterrestrials along with his friend Katie. Filled with "gross-out"
humor and silliness, it nonetheless offers well-developed characters and an engaging
plot.
Song, Cathy. Land of Bliss, The. University of Pittsburgh Press, 2001. Poetry.
Cathy Song's fourth collection of poetry focuses on the unexpected in life and the
ever-present power of wisdom and compassion. Her poems remind the reader that
people have the ability to create their own misery as well as their own bliss.
Soto, Gary. Afterlife, The. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Fantasy.

After his murder in the opening chapter, teenaged Chuy tells the story of what it is like
for him to be dead, what he observes among the living in his former Fresno
neighborhood, and how he alters his ethical choices from those he made while living.
Latino/Latino American Culture. English-Language Arts/Literary Elements.
Spinelli, Jerry. Milkweed: A Novel. Knopf, 2003. Historical Fiction.

Spinelli brings a new view to the Holocaust through the eyes of a young orphan boy,
struggling to survive on the streets of Warsaw. He doesn't know if he's a Jew or a
Gypsy, but he dreams of joining the Nazi party one day. Befriended by a gang of
Jewish orphan boys and eventually taken in by a Jewish family, he witnesses the
daily atrocities of the ghetto and the realities of the Nazi regime.
Jewish/Jewish American Culture, Western European Culture. Golden Kite
Author Winner. History/Social Science.
Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl. Knopf, 2000. Realistic Fiction.

This story is about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill
of first love when a new student named Stargirl changes Mica High School forever.
This book will elicit provocative discussions.

Grades 9-12
St. George, Judith. John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story. Holiday
House, 2001. Biography/Autobiography.
Drawing largely on the correspondence between this famous husband and wife, St.
George provides a fascinating account of their individual personalities, equal
partnership and marriage, and the major historical events of that era.
Golden Kite Author Honor. History/Social Science.
Stanley, Jerry. Hurry Freedom: African Americans in Gold Rush California. Crown
Publishing, 2000. Nonfiction.
The author recounts the activities of African Americans during the Gold Rush. The
book concentrates on the life and work of Mifflin Gibbs, who came to San Francisco in
1850 and was dedicated to protecting the civil rights of African Americans in
California. Includes an index, a bibliographic note, and archival photos and prints.
Black/African American Culture. John and Patricia Beatty Award. History/Social
Science.
Sturm, James. Golem's Mighty Swing. Illustrated by James Sturm. Drawn and
Quarterly, 2001. Tall Tale.
Set at the time of the Negro Baseball League, this graphic novel presents a story that
includes a subplot involving the Jewish folklore figure as well as factual information
about intercultural relationships in the face of majority prejudices.
Black/African American Culture, Multicultural Culture. Graphic Novel. Physical
Education, Science, Visual and Performing Arts, English-Language Arts/Literary
Elements.
Taylor, Mildred D. Land, The. Phyllis Fogelman Books, 2001. Historical Fiction.
This novel chronicles the triumphs and life struggles of the son of a white slaveholder
and an enslaved African-Indian woman. Set in Mississippi during the late 1800s, the
book introduces readers to the grandfather of Cassie Logan, the impassioned hero of
Taylor's 1977 Newbery Award winner, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Black/African American Culture. Scott O'Dell Award, Coretta Scott King Author
Winner. History/Social Science.
Thomas, Joyce Carol (editor). Gathering of Flowers: Stories About Being Young in
America, A. HarperCollins, 1992. Short Story.
This collection of 11 multicultural stories depicts growing up in America. Written by
such distinguished authors as Maxine Hong Kingston, Lois Lowry, Gary Soto, and
Joyce Carol Thomas, the short stories move from rural Oklahoma to a Chicago Latino
barrio, from an East Coast neighborhood to urban San Francisco. Native Americans,
Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and African Americans all reveal how they
blend their ethnic diversity into American culture.

Grades 9-12
Thoms, Annie (editor). With Their Eyes: September 11 - The View from a High
School at Ground Zero. HarperCollins, 2002. Drama.
High school students at Ground Zero in New York City collected eyewitness accounts
and wrote dramatic dialogues to present as stage pieces.
Multicultural Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, History/Social Science.
Trueman, Terry. Inside Out. HarperCollins, 2003. Realistic Fiction.

While waiting for a doughnut, Zack is taken hostage by two brothers attempting to rob
the coffee shop. Battling the symptoms and manifestations of his schizophrenia, Zack
uses his intellect and wit to secure the release of his fellow hostages, but he remains
with his captors. Zack develops a strange bond with the teen boys, discovering the
motivation behind the robbery, and everything seems to end well.
Turner, Ann Warren. Learning to Swim: A Memoir. Scholastic, 2000. Fiction in Verse.
A young girl deals with sexual abuse from a boy in her neighborhood. Her world is
changed forever as innocence is lost and her sense of security is shattered.
Ung, Luong. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers.

The holocaust orchestrated by Cambodia's Pol Pot is presented by a woman who
built a new life here in the United States.
Cambodian/Cambodian American Culture. History/Social Science.
Vijayaraghavan, Vineeta. Motherland: A Novel. Soho Press, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Fifteen-year-old May is sent by her mother back to India to spend the summer. As a
result, she must come to terms with her feelings about India, America, and with her
own identity. Many Indian terms and traditions are included. Can be useful for
discussing the conflicts between the East and the West.
East Indian/East Indian American Culture. Alex Award. History/Social Science,
Waldman, Ayelet. Daughter's Keeper. Sourcebooks, 2003. Fiction.

The politics of drug traffic enforcement and illegal immigration, as well as the
relationship between a single mother and her daughter, are incorporated into this
realistic contemporary novel.
Wallace, Rich. Restless: A Ghost's Story. Viking Press, 2003. Fantasy.

Only when his younger brother reaches high school and needs his company does
Frank, the deceased narrator, stir from his place in the cemetery. The narrator is
insightful about the emotional needs of the living.

Grades 9-12
Ward, Andrew. Dark Midnight When I Rise: The Story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Amistad Press, 2001. Nonfiction.
In the 1870s, the Jubilee Singers, a remarkable troupe of African American students,
traveled and sang spirituals to audiences around the world. They were able to counter
racial stereotypes and inspire the media to write articles that promoted integration in
hotels, railways, restaurants, and even schools.
Black/African American Culture. Christopher Award. History/Social Science.
Watts, Leander. Stone-Cutter. Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Fiction.

Albion Straight's talent is recognized by three strangers who enter the stonecutter's
shop where he is apprenticed. Not yet a master, he is engaged by the strange men to
work at Goodspell, a mansion isolated in the woods. He is made to promise not to
leave until the work is done. His unease grows as he begins work on a memorial to
the mansion owner's deceased wife and becomes entangled with his young daughter.
Werlin, Nancy. Black Mirror. Dial Books, 2001. Mystery.

Frances is convinced that her brother's overdose was not an accident and begins to
suspect that the student service group at the high school is not what it seems. The
multilayered plot explores many different themes in this novel: drugs, society, lies,
truth, and betrayal.
Werlin, Nancy. Double Helix: A Novel. Dial Books, 2004. Mystery.

This book explores the bewildering, complex issues surrounding experimental gene
therapy, as Eli discovers mysteries and secrets about his own past while working for a
Nobel Prize-winning genetics engineer.
Science.
Wild, Margaret. Jinx. Walker and Company, 2001. Fiction.

After the deaths of her two boyfriends, a younger girl changes her name to Jinx and
separates herself emotionally from everyone around her. The ghost of one of the boys
helps her cope.
Williams, Julie. Escaping Tornado Season: A Story in Poems. HarperCollins, 2004.

Fiction in Verse.
Instead of spending only the summer with her grandparents in Minnesota, fourteen-
year-old Allie is left to live with them indefinitely after her father dies and her mother
runs off. She finds it hard to fit in at a new school. Her family can't afford to buy her a
pair of blue jeans, and she isn't even allowed to choose the friends she wants in this
ethnically divided community. Allie begins to figure out who she is and what is
important for her to hold onto even as her world continues to change around her.

Grades 9-12
Williams, Lori Aurelia. Shayla's Double Brown Baby Blues. Simon and Schuster,
In the sequel to When Kambia Elaine Flew in From Neptune, thirteen-year-old Shayla
learns to deal with one friend's alcoholism, another's continuing mental illness, and
her own father's unfaithfulness.
Black/African American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing, English-
Williams-Garcia, Rita. Every Time a Rainbow Dies. HarperCollins, 2001. Realistic

Fiction.
When he happens to see an assault in the street below, a shy teen rushes to lend aid,
only to be repelled by the victim. Over the next year, both learn how to form a
friendship. This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents
Black/African American Culture. English-Language Arts/Writing.
Willis, Connie. Doomsday Book. Bantam Spectra, 1994. Original ©1992. Science
Fiction.
A twenty-first century historian is mistakenly transported back to the wrong decade of
the fourteenth century by a technician who is ill. Stranded by the flu epidemic in
modern Oxford, England, she witnesses firsthand the ravages and fatal effects of the
Black Death. A suspenseful time-travel novel that examines medieval English manor
life, medical practices, and plagues.
Winick, Judd. Pedro and Me: Friendship, Loss, and What I Learned. Illustrated by
Judd Winick. Henry Holt and Company, 2000. Biography/Autobiography.
The cartoonist recounts the true story of how he became friends with young AIDS
activist Pedro Zamora and went on to continue Pedro’s work. This book was
published for an adult readership and thus contains mature content. Before handing
the text to a child, educators and parents should read the book and know the child.
Multicultural Culture. Graphic Novel. Physical Education, Science, Visual and
Winter, Laurel. Growing Wings. Penguin Books, 2000. Fantasy.

Linnet, an eleven-year-old, is growing wings. She comes from a long line of winged
women. Her mother realizes that her daughter will not be allowed to fit in with normal
society and takes her in search of a safe place to live. Linnet comes to terms with her
differences in a remote house in Montana with others who have, or have had, wings.
Wittlinger, Ellen. Hard Love. Simon and Schuster, 1999. Fiction.

Ever since John's parents were divorced, his mother hasn't touched him, not even
accidentally. When he visits his dad in Boston every weekend, his father never seems

Grades 9-12
to be around. John feels alone in the world until he meets a teen named Marisol, who
has published a very honest 'zine about herself. Even though he knows that Marisol is
a lesbian, John mistakes their growing intimacy for love, and a disastrous date to his
junior prom leaves that friendship in ruins.
Wittlinger, Ellen. Long Night of Leo and Bree, The. Simon and Schuster, 2003.
Original ©1985. Fiction.
Leo cracks emotionally on the first anniversary of his sister's murder. But when he
kidnaps Bree, he finds a companion with whom he can explore life-affirming
questions. This book addresses controversial issues of interest to many adolescents
Wittlinger, Ellen. What's in a Name? Simon and Schuster, 2000. Fiction, Short Story.
Interconnected short stories are told from the viewpoints of several characters and
disclose a community's struggle to affirm its identity and a personal campaign by a
gay student to reveal his secret without losing his brother's respect. This book
Wolff, Virginia Euwer. True Believer. Atheneum, 2001. Realistic Fiction.

Living in the inner city amidst guns and poverty, fifteen-year-old LaVaughn learns
from old and new friends and inspiring mentors that life is what you make it: an
occasion to rise to.
Golden Kite Author Winner, Michael L. Printz Honor.
Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. Putnam Publishing, 2002. Realistic Fiction.

This intriguing story tells of a devastating situation. A middle-class African American
family is forced to enter the federal witness protection program after the father
decides to testify against two policemen who killed an innocent boy. The family must
leave a comfortable and familiar life. Just as Evie learns to cope with her new name
and all new names and biographical details, she must also learn that her parents
aren't as capable of readjusting as circumstances require. Useful in units on family
life, social problems, and moral responsibility.
Wulffson, Don. Soldier X. Viking Press, 2001. Historical Fiction.

In 1943 sixteen-year-old Erik experiences the horrors of war when he is drafted into
the German army and sent to fight on the Russian front. The story is told in first-
person narrative.
Christopher Award.

Grades 9-12
Yamanaka, Lois-Ann. Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1995.
Humor.
Lovey Nariyoshi comes from a working-class Japanese American family who live in
Hilo, Hawaii. Lovey wants long legs and long blond hair. Her struggle to find
happiness in the predominant white culture is moving and funny. There are no role
models for Lovey. As she searches for herself, her family members and friends
support and aggravate her at the same time. This is one of a series.
Japanese/Japanese American Culture, Pacific Islander Culture.
Yolen, Jane. Briar Rose. Tor Books, 2002. Original ©1992. Fiction.
A new telling of Sleeping Beauty is set in the historical tragedy of the Holocaust that
takes place in forests patrolled by the German army during World War II. A young
American journalist travels to Europe to find out more about her grandmother who left
her a silver ring, a photograph, and the traditional tale of Briar Rose.
Yolen, Jane. Girl in a Cage. Philomel Books, 2002. Historical Fiction.

The daughter of Robert the Bruce, the newly crowned king of Scotland, is taken
captive by the English and placed in a small cage and put on display in the town
square, where she is subjected to various humiliations and indignities. In this intense
drama that alternates between the present and the past, readers experience the
protagonist's painful struggles for survival amidst the turbulent events of Scotland's
history.

Books in Languages Other Than English
Grades K-2
Alarcon, Francisco X. Iguanas in the Snow: And Other Winter Poems (Iguanas en la
nieve: y otros poemas de invierno). Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez.
Translated by Francisco X. Alarcon. Children's Book Press, 2001. Poetry.
This collection of bilingual poems is a celebration of winter by the seashore, in the city
of San Francisco, and in the redwood forests of the Sierras. The rich illustrations
capture the diversity of the people of California and the short poems capture the
diversity of the California environment. This is one of four books in the series.
Narrative Honor. English-Language Arts/Vocabulary, English-Language
Arts/Writing, Science.
Elya, Susan Middleton. Oh No, Gotta Go! Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Putnam
Publishing, 2003. Realistic Fiction.
Rhyming text peppered with Spanish phrases express the urgency of a little girl on a
car ride with her parents and who suddenly needs to find a bathroom. Karas'
characteristic collage illustrations add just the right urgency and humor to this
situation. The Spanish words are in bold, and a glossary is included.
Arts/Vocabulary.
Orozco, Jose-Luis. Fiestas: A Year of Latin American Songs of Celebration.

Illustrated by Elisa Kleven. Dutton Books, 2002. Fiction.
Carefully crafted for both Spanish- and English-speaking audiences, this radiant
bilingual collection includes more than 20 holiday songs and rhymes gathered from
Spanish-speaking countries, highlighting Latin American holidays of the year that
honor the culture. Colorful, whimsical watercolor illustrations depict dancing children
and everyday activities. California author and illustrator.
Grades 3-5

Krull, Kathleen. Cosechando esperanza: la historia de Cesar Chavez (Harvesting

Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez). Illustrated by Yuyi Morales. Translated by F.
Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
Latino culture. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Perez, Amada Irma. My Diary from Here to There/Mi diario de aqui hasta alla.
Illustrated by Maya Christina Gonzalez. Children's Book Press, 2002.
Amada's parents have decided to emigrate from Juarez, Mexico, to California in the
hopes of her father finding a better job. Amada writes a detailed diary of her feelings
and the events of the move. The text is in both English and Spanish. The vibrant
illustrations help convey the strong feelings of the diary. Based on the true-life
experience of the author. California author and illustrator.
Latino/Latino American Culture. Picture Book. Pura Belpre Narrative Honor.
Grades 6-8

Krull, Kathleen. Cosechando esperanza: la historia de Cesar Chavez (Harvesting
Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez). Illustrated by Yuyi Morales. Translated by F.
Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada. Harcourt Brace, 2003. Biography/Autobiography.
Latino culture. California author, illustrator, and setting.
Grades 9-12
Cisneros, Sandra. Caramelo. Vintage Books, 2003. Fiction.
Teenager Celaya "Lala" Reyes describes her loving and complex Mexican American
family as they try to reconcile life in Chicago with their family history in Mexico City
and San Antonio, Texas. Extensive footnotes provide background information on
Mexican history and culture. This book was published for an adult readership and
Latino/Latino American Culture. History/Social Science, English-Language
Ortiz Cofer, Judith. Una isla como tu: Historias del barrio (An Island Like You:
Stories of the Barrio). Fondo de Cultura Economica, 1997. Short Story.
Interconnected short stories feature life in Puerto Rico and in a New Jersey
neighborhood. The Latino characters engage in rivalries, a project to bring live theater
to the barrio, and other activities.
Latino/Latino American Culture. History/Social Science.

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Ashman, Linda. Castles, Caves, and Honeycombs. Illustrated by Lauren Stringer.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 1

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 2

Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm. Illustrated by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins, 2003.

DeFelice, Cynthia. Cold Feet. Illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker. D. K. Publishing,

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 3

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Dear Tooth Fairy. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick.

Farris, Christopher. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 4

Fleming, Candace. Boxes for Katje. Illustrated by Stacey Dressen-McQueen. Farrar,

Fleming, Candace. Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Illustrated by G. Brian Karas.

Fleming, Denise. Alphabet Under Construction. Illustrated by Denise Fleming. Henry

Gammell, Stephen. Once Upon MacDonald's Farm. Illustrated by Stephen Gammell.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 5

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 6

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 7

Hopkinson, Deborah. Bluebird Summer. Illustrated by Bethanne Andersen.

Hopkinson, Deborah. Under the Quilt of Night. Illustrated by James E. Ransome.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 8

Janeczko, Paul B. (editor). Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems, A.

Johnston, Tony. Isabel's House of Butterflies. Illustrated by Susan Guevara. Sierra

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 9

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 10

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 11

London, Jonathan. Froggy Goes to Bed. Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz. Viking

Lyon, George Ella. Weaving the Rainbow. Illustrated by Stephanie Anderson.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 12

Mak, Kam. My Chinatown: One Year in Poems. Illustrated by Kam Mak.

Manzano, Sonia. No Dogs Allowed. Illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Atheneum, 2004.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 13

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 14

McDonald, Megan. Baya, Baya, Lulla-By-A. Illustrated by Vera Rosenberry. Atheneum,

McKissack, Pat. Goin' Someplace Special. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Atheneum,

Medearis, Angela Shelf. Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story. Illustrated by

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 15

Mora, Pat (editor). Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. Illustrated by Paula S.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 16

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 17

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 18

Peterson, Jeanne Whitehouse. Don't Forget Winona. Illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 19

time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator. Lush, oversized watercolors in muted tones

Potter, Giselle. Year I Didn't Go to School, The. Illustrated by Giselle Potter.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 20

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 21

Slaymaker, Melissa Eskridge. Bottle Houses: The Creative World of Grandma

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 22

Willey, Margaret. Clever Beatrice: An Upper Peninsula Conte. Illustrated by Heather

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 23

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 24

Adler, David A. B. Franklin, Printer. Holiday House, 2002. Biography/Autobiography.

Alvarez, Julia. Before We Were Free. Knopf, 2002. Historical Fiction.

Avi. Secret School, The. Harcourt Brace, 2001. Historical Fiction.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 25

Avi. Silent Movie. Illustrated by C. B. Mordan. Atheneum, 2003. Fiction.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 26

Britton, Susan McGee. Treekeepers, The. Dutton Books, 2003. Fantasy.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 27

Chandra, Deborah; and Comora, Madeleine. George Washington's Teeth. Illustrated

Creech, Sharon. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. Illustrated by Chris Raschka.

Property of California Department of Education 01/05 28

Cushman, Karen. Rodzina. Clarion Books, 2003. Historical Fiction.