Walk Two Moons

Author: Sharon Creech


Comments:
By telling the story of her friend Phoebe, Sal discovers the mystery behind her mother's disappearance and her father's sudden move. Sal's story is interrupted with details of the trip she is taking with her grandparents to see her mother. Along this journey she not only learns to deal with loss but also that things are not always what they seem.

Copyright: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1996)
Age level: 12 and up
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fictiotn
Multicultural/International: Native American
Award: Newbery Medal, Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE), Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books), School Library Journal Best Book, ALA Notable Children's Book, Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award (Oklahoma)
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * *

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Author: Gennifer Choldenko


Comments:
It's 1935, and Moose and his family are moving... to Alcatraz. Aside from learning the ropes of his new neighborhood, Moose feels responsible to keep an eye on his sister, who has autism. The move is not the only change the family will experience as each member is challenged and grows throughout the novel. Through the engaging voice of Moose, Choldenko gives us a glimpse into a family dealing with disability, their stresses, joys, hopes, and frustrations.

Copyright: Penguin Group (USA) April 2006
Age level: 10-12
Format: Chapterbook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Junior Library Guild Selection, Kirkus Editor's Choice
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *

Clementine

Author: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Comments:
Clementine reminds me a lot of Anne of Green Gables. She has the best intentions but makes terrible mistakes. The themes of friendship, forgiveness, problem-solving, and perseverance run through this book. Clementine is easy to relate to and a girl you end up cheering for.

Copyright: Random House Children's Books, 2004
Age level: 7-10
Format: Chapter Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2006
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *

A Fine, Fine School

Author: Sharon Creech
Illustrator: Harry Bliss

Comments:
What if your principal loved school so much that he canceled weekends, holidays, and summer break? That's what this picture book by Sharon Creech explores. Teachers can relate to wanting more time to learn more, but this books reminds kids, adults, and college students alike that a lot of learning happens outside the classroom, too!

Copyright: HarperTrophy, 2003
Age level: 4-8
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Sharon Creech is an award-winning author of children's novels.
Location: Peabody Library
Rating: * *

Albert

Author: Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche


Comments:
Albert learns to take in the good and the bad sounds in life as well as nature itself when a family of birds choose his arm as their perch. This books shows what you can learn from nature and how it can enhance your life if embraced. I'm also interested in reading some of her young adult novel like Smile and Beast.

Copyright: Voyager Books, 2005
Age level: 4-8
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Awards: Napoli is an award-winning children's book author. Albert specifically has won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award winner, New York Public Library Children’s Books 2001, New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books 2001.
Location: Peabody Library
Rating: * * * *

The Retired Kid

Author: Jon Agee
Illustrator: Jon Agee

Comments:
I was initially drawn to this book for its connection to the life of grandparents and senior citizens. Readers can imagine what it might be like to walk a day in their grandparents shoes. In this story, Brian gets a rare opportunity to learn the pros and cons of being both young and old.

Copyright: Hyperion Book CH (June 24, 2008)
Age level: 4-8
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Location: Peabody Library
Rating: * *

The Watertower

Author: Gary Crew
Illustrator: Steven Woolman
Comments:
Watertower experiments with formatting and illustrating multiple perspectives. The book shifts from landscape to portrait orientation and you end up rotating the book as you read. This spiral motif is incorporated into the illustrations. However, the story itself seems to lack that appeal. Two boys go swimming in a water tower, and one loses his pants, so the other runs home to get them. The theme that emerges is more illustrated than verbal: fear of the unknown and the anxiety of waiting.

Copyright: Crocodile Books (September 1999)
Age level: 9-12
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International: Australian
Awards: The Children's Book Council of Australia: Picture Book of the Year
Location: Peabody Library
Rating: * * *

The House That Crack Built

Author: Clark Taylor
Illustrator: Jan Thompson Dicks

Comments:
In the form of The House that Jack Built, Taylor explores the consequences of drug trade. The story begins with a drug dealer's mansion and then transports us to the coca fields, the streets, and the homes ruined by drug use. For some readers, the content may seem mature and shocking, but for many children, this fictional work may be all too real. In reading groups, students can discuss the cause-effect structure of the text.

Copyright: Chronicle Books
Age level: All
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Poetry and Verse
Multicultural/International: Urban, International
Awards: ALA, "Best Books for Reluctant Readers";ALA, "Best Books for Young Adults"; American Bookseller, "Pick of the Lists"; Bookbuilders West Award; Publishers Weekly, "Best Books of 1992"; Publishers Weekly, starred review
Location: Lookybook
Rating: * * * *

Walter Was Worried

Author: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger



Comments:
Seeger defines emotions through her engaging illustrations as well as the formatting of the text to mirror the connotation of each feeling word. Known for her Hidden Alphabet, Seeger has also incorporated letters into her illustrations and strengthens the connection between text and illustration. Readers can enter the story by showing their own "worried" or "delighted" faces. The form of this book can also serve as a template for shared writing in the classroom.

Copyright: Roaring Brook Press, 2005
Age level: 4-8
Format: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Multicultural/International:
Awards: Ala Notable Children's Books, Young Readers
Location: Lookybook
Rating: * * * *