 Primary
Intermediate
Middle School/Junior High
Young Adult
Picture Books for Older Readers
Primary
The Best Pet of All
by David LaRochelle
Illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama
The mother of a little boy won't let him have a dog, but she
says he can have a dragon for a pet—if he can find one.
Wry, stylish illustrations with an appealing retro look perfectly
complement the spare, witty text.
My Lucky Day
by Keiko Kasza
When a delicious-looking piglet knocks on Mr. Fox's door,
the fox can hardly believe his good luck. It's not every day
that dinner just shows up on your doorstep. It must be his
lucky day—or is it?
Stanley's Party
by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Stanley's people go out a lot. Stanley is a good dog, but
one night, while they are away, the temptation becomes too
great and he sneaks up onto the couch. What a wonderful experience!
Soon he's also blasting the music, dancing around the living
room and raiding the fridge—Stanley's never had so much
fun! But after a couple of weeks, he realizes that something
is still missing. Partying alone has lost its thrill ... A
lively tale that's filled with gentle mischief, Stanley's
Party will appeal to the playful nature of young and
old alike.
Three Pebbles and a Song
by Eileen Spinelli
Mama tells Moses to gather supplies quickly before snow falls.
But as he makes his way through the forest, Moses hears a
song that inspires him to play.
Wild About Books
by Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Marc Brown
In this rollicking rhymed story, librarian Molly McGrew introduces
birds and beasts at the zoo to something called reading after
she drives her bookmobile into the zoo.
back to top
Intermediate
Christopher Mouse: The Tale of a Small
Traveler
by William Wise.
Illustrations by Patrick Benson
With the delightful feel of a lost (and found) classic, this
is the story of a rather extraordinary mouse who, through
the force of will and good luck, finds his own small way in
a very large world..
Ida B...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun,
Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World
by Katherine Hannigan
In this first novel by Hannigan, readers
are introduced to Ida B, a fourth grader like no other, living
a life like no other, with a voice like no other, and a family
like no other. How does Ida B cope when outside forces attempt
to derail her, her family, and her future?
A Week in the Woods
by Andrew Clements
For Mark Chelmsley, it's another new house and another new
school, this time in boring New Hampshire. Mr. Maxwell, the
science teacher, doesn't like kids like Mark. Rich kids. Slackers.
So when Mr. Maxwell announces that the class is going to camp
in the woods, Mark doesn't want to participate.
back to top
Middle School/Junior
High
Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
Set in 1935, when guards actually lived on Alcatraz Island
with their families, Choldenko's second novel brings humor
to the complexities of family dynamics and illuminates the
real struggle of a kid trying to free himself from the "good
boy" stance he's taken his whole life.
Becoming Naomi Leon
by Pam Munoz Ryan
From the award-winning author of Esperanza Rising
comes a riveting novel about family and identity, drawn from
the warmth, wisdom, and love of Ryan's own Mexican and Oklahoman
heritages.
Letters from Wolfie
by Patti Sherlock
In 1969, 13-year-old Mark donates his dog, Wolfie, to the
Army's scout program. He feels sure he's doing the right thing
since his brother Danny is serving in Vietnam. As Danny's
letters home become increasingly grim, Mark grows more unsure
of his decision to send Wolfie—and of his feelings about
the war.
back to top
Young Adult
Emako Blue
by Brenda Woods
With the same depth of characterization that marked her Coretta
Scott King Honor Book The Red Rose Box, Woods presents the
gritty story of a girl from South Central L.A. who is destined
to be a star until everything changes in one horrific instant.
Hanging on to Max
by Margaret Bechard
Sam's girlfriend is pregnant—but Sam is keeping the
baby. Sam should be planning for college and trying out for
the football team with this best friend, Andy. Instead he's
up to his ears in diapers and formula, caring for his baby
son, Max. Will Sam now have to make a gut-wrenching decision
about Max's future—and his own? A poignant and humorous
look at an old problem...with a new twist.
Shattering Glass
by Gail Giles
When Rob, the charismatic leader of the senior class, decides
to turn the class nerd into Prince Charming, his cruel challenge
leads to violence and death. Vigorous and controversial, Shattering
Glass heralds the arrival of a new voice in Young Adult fiction.
back to top
Picture Books for
Older Readers
The Cats in Krasinski Square
Illustrated by Wendy Watson
A stunning story of life in the Warsaw Ghetto by a Newbery
Medalist, who based this story on a short article about cats
outfoxing the Gestapo at the train station in Warsaw during
WWII. The result is this stirring account of a Jewish girl's
involvement in the Resistance.
Coming on Home Soon
by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada
Ruth and Grandma behind. During World War II, women are needed
to fill the men's jobs. Every day Ada Ruth and Grandma wait,
watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming home
soon.
I, Doko: The Tale of a Basket
by Ed Young
The Caldecott Medalist has taken a simple fable about a basket
that serves several generations of one family and turns it
into a masterpiece of stunning illustration and expert storytelling.
Don’t forget to look at the official California Young
Reader Medal site, with this curriculum resource book:
http://californiayoungreadermedal.org/2Primary.pdf
back to top
|
