2012 Recommended Reading List for Grades 3-4...remarkable life, cpaturing the beauty of Tibetan...

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RECOMMENDED READING LISTS GRADES 3-4 JUNE 2012 Kathy Dubrovsky, Library Coordinator Erin Drew, Library Teacher Sue Fuller, Library Teacher Deb Spencer, Parent Charlotte Hogan, Parent Chris Payne, Parent Recommended Reading Committee

Transcript of 2012 Recommended Reading List for Grades 3-4...remarkable life, cpaturing the beauty of Tibetan...

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    RECOMMENDED READING

    LISTS GRADES 3-4

    JUNE 2012

                       Kathy Dubrovsky, Library Coordinator Erin Drew, Library Teacher Sue Fuller, Library Teacher Deb Spencer, Parent Charlotte Hogan, Parent Chris Payne, Parent Recommended Reading Committee

  • June 2012      Dear Teachers, Parents and Students,  

    This is a list of recommended books are not just for the summer. They can be read all year round . For your convenience, we have categorized the books so you can pick your favorite genre. We recommend all authors listed. If you cannot find a particular book on the list, you could read any book by that author. All the Recommended Reading Lists can be found on the Summer Reading website.  Be sure to check out this year’s Newbery and Caldecott Award books:

         The 2012 Newbery Medal winner is Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos and the Newbery Medal Honor Books are:

    Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhai Lai Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin

     The 2012 Caldecott Medal winner is A Ball For Daisy by Chris Raschka and the Caldecott Medal Honor Books are:

    Blackout by John Rocco Grandpa Green by Lane Smith Me… . .Jane by Patrick McDonnell

         If you would like to join the Recommended Reading Committee, please email Kathy Dubrovsky, [email protected] . Thank you and have wonderful summer!

         

    Kathy Dubrovsky, Library Coordinator Erin Drew, Library Teacher Sue Fuller, Library Teacher Deb Spenser, Parent Chris Payne, Parent Recommended Reading Committee

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    BEST BOOKS 2011–2012  

    NCTAE Orbis Pictus Nonfiction Award Website 2011Newbery Award Winning Books Webpage 2011 Caldecott Award Winning Books Webpage 2011 Geisel Award Winning Books Webpage

     1. PIE – Sarah Week. Scholastic, 2011 192 p

    Alice’s beloved Aunt Polly taught Alice about Pie, giving, and happiness in life. 2. WONDERSTRUCK – Brian Selznick. Scholastic, 2011 638 p.

    Two children, living 50 years apart, resolve their personal dilemmas in the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.

    3. AMEILIA LOST – Candace Fleming. R a n d o m H o u s e 2 0 1 1 1 9 2 p The life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart.

    4. PRESS HERE – Herve Tullet. Chronicle/Handprint, 2011 (no page numers) Press, punch, rub, blow to move the dots in this interactive book that uses the imagination, not electronics.

    5. Everything On It – Shell Silverstein. Harper Collins, 2011 208p This is only the second original book to be published since Silverstein’s passing in 199. With more than one hundred and thirty never-before-seen poems and drawings completed by the cherished American artist and selected by his family from his archives, this collection will follow in the tradition and format of his acclaimed poetry classics.

    6. OKAY FOR NOW – Gary D. Schmidt. Clarion Books, 2011 384p. As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him. So, begins a coming-of-age masterwork full of equal prts comedy and tragedy from Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt.

    7. NEVER FORGOTTEN – Patricia McKissack. Schwartz & Wad Books, 2011 Set in West Africa, here is alyrical story-in-verse about a young black boy who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, which will remind children that their slave ancestors should never be forgotten, and that family is more important than anything elese.

    8. Won Ton Lee Wardlaw. Hartcourt, 2011 32 p. Each of 17 syllable poem tells about the cat who moved from the shelter into the heart of her new owner.

    9. HOORAY FOR AMANDA & HER ALLIGAROR! – Mo Williams. 2011 Six and half surprising stories about two unexpected friends tell about the bond between child and toy.

    10. A PERFECT SQUARE Michael Hall. Greenwillow, 2011 40 p A perfect square can quickly and easily be come so many things.

           

  • GRADES 3-4 RECOMMENDED READING LIST  Biography  Stanley, Diane Cleopatra Cleopatra's name still glitters across history, evoking opulence, ambition, and tragedy. Raised in the shadow of the mighty Roman Empire, she dared to dream of a world united under Egyptian rule.  Mitchell, Barbara Click! (George Eastman) Follows the life and career of the man who revolutionized photography by developing a camera simple enough for anyone to use.  Cooney, Barbara Eleanor (Roosevelt) Presents the childhood of Eleanor Roosevelt, who married a president of the United States and became known as a great humanitarian.  Anderson, M.T. Handel, Who Knew What He Liked In this biography, the man who would later compose some of the world's most beautiful music is shown to have once been a stubborn little boy with a mind of his own.  Krull, Kathleen Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez* A biography of Cesar Chavez, from age ten when he and his family lived happily on their Arizona ranch, to age thirty-eight when he led a peaceful protest against California migrant workers' miserable working conditions.  Behrens, June Sally Ride, Astronaut A biography of the California astrophysicist who became, with the second mission of the Challenger spacecraft in June 1983, the first American woman and the youngest American astronaut to orbit the earth.  Gilliand, Judith Steamboat: The Story of Captain Blanche Leathers Describes how Blanche Douglas Leathers studied the Mississippi River and passed the test to become a steamboat captain in 1894.  Anholt, Laurence Stone Girl , Bone Girl: The Story Of Mary Anning A brief biography of the English girl whose discovery of an Ichthyosaurus skeleton in 1811 when she was twelve led to a life-long interest in fossils and other important discoveries.  Lester, Julius The Blues Singers Young readers are introduced to ten renowned blues singers, with profiles ranging from the legendary Billie Holiday and Muddy Waters to diva Aretha Franklin and the "godfather of soul" James Brown.

     

       Demi The Dalai Lama In simple language and glorious art, Demi pays tribute to the 14th Dalai Lama's remarkable life, cpaturing the beauty of Tibetan culture, as well as the charm, talent, and vision of one of the world's best-known spiritual figures.

  • Jenkins, Steve The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest Exploring its history, geography, climate, and culture, this unique book takes readers on the ultimate adventure of climbing Mount Everest.  Bridges, Ruby Through My Eyes Ruby Bridges recounts the story of her involvement, as a six-year-old, in the integration of her school in New Orleans in 1960.  Burleigh, Robert Toulouse-Lautrec This age-appropriate picture book tells the story of French artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, famed for his paintings of the Moulin Rouge.  Brown, Don Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa A brief biography of the self-educated 19th century Englishwoman who, after a secluded childhood and youth, traveled alone through unexplored West Africa in 1893 and 1894 and learned much about the area and its inhabitants.  Fritz, Jean What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? A brief biography of the eighteenth-century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of the United States.  Ryan, Pam Munoz When Marion Sang* An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change.  Fantasy  Avi Poppy Poppy, a timid dormouse, is a loyal, obedient subject of Ocax, the hoot owl who rules Dimwood Forest—until she sees Ocax devour her fiancé.  Babbitt, Natalie The Search for Delicious In this classic novel by a Newbery Honor author, the Prime Minister is compiling a dictionary, and when no one at court can agree on the meaning of delicious, the King sends his 12-year-old messenger Gaylen to poll the country.  Butterworth, O. The Enormous Egg When twelve-year-old Nate Twitc hell takes care of an gigantic egg laid by one of his hens, he is shocked to find that it hatches inot a triceratops.

     

       Cleary, Beverly Ralph S. Mouse Presents the further adventures of a motorcycle-riding mouse who goes to school and becomes the instigator of an investigation of rodents and the peacemaker for two lonely boys.  Eager, Edward Half Magic (series) Faced with a dull summer in the city, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha suddenly find themselves involved in a series of extraordinary adventures after Jane discovers an ordinary-looking coin that seems to grant wishes.

  •  Gannett, Ruth My Father's Dragon* (series) A young boy determines to rescue a poor baby dragon who is being used by a group of lazy wild animals to ferry them across the river on Wild Island.  Howe, Deborah & James Bunnicula (series) Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery to great acclaim. A beloved story that has become a modern classic with millions of copies in print worldwide, Bunnicula has made countless children laugh and carrots quake with terror.  King-Smith, Dick Babe, the Gallant Pig A piglet comes to Farmer Hogget's farm, where he is adopted by an old sheepdog and accomplishes amazing things.  Norton, Mary The Borrowers (series) Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock.  Peterson, John The Litt les Have a Wedding (series) Cousin Dinky announces that he and Della are getting married on Valentine's Day, and comes up with a plan to help the whole family get to the wedding.  Pinkwater, Daniel M. The Hoboken Chicken Emergency Arthur goes to pick up the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner but comes back with a 266- pound chicken.  White, E.B. Charlotte's Web* Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.  Williams, Margery The Velveteen Rabbit* By the time the Velveteen Rabbit is dirty, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of ever finding the magic called Real.

             Folklore  Aardema, Verna Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears Reveals the meaning of the mosquito's buzz.  Alexander, Lloyd The Fortune-Tellers This original folktale set in Cameroon is full of adventure and sly humor. A young man visiting--and then becoming--the village fortune-teller is brought to vibrant life.  Brown, Marcia Stone Soup* First published in 1947, this classic picture book has remained one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring books. The story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.

  •  Bryan, Ashley Beautiful Blackbird* In a story of the Ila people, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, whom they think is the most beautiful of birds, to decorate them with some of his "blackening brew."  Demi The Dragon's Tale A collection of fables about the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.  Gibbons, Gail Behold…The Dragons Explains how myths about dragons developed, different types of dragons, what draconologists do, and how different cultures portray dragons.  Goble, Paul Iktomi and the Berries Relates Iktomi's fruitless efforts to pick some buffalo berries.  Hamilton, Virginia The Girl Who Spun Gold In this West Indian version of the Rumpelstiltskin story, Lit'mahn spins thread into gold cloth for the king's new bride.  Kellogg, Steven Paul Bunyan; a Tall Tale Recounts the life of the extraordinary lumberjack whose unusual size and strength brought him many fantastic adventures.  Lester, Julius John Henry* Retells the life of the legendary African American hero who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain.  Martin, Rafe The Rough-Face Girl In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, the Rough-Face Girl and her two beautiful but heartless sisters compete for the affections of the Invisible Being.

     

       McDermott, Gerald Arrow to the Sun* An adaptation of the Pueblo Indian myth which explains how the spirit of the Lord of the Sun was brought to the world of men.

     

       Nolan, Jerdine Thunder Rose* Unusual from the day she is born, Thunder Rose performs all sorts of amazing feats, including building fences, taming a stampeding herd of steers, capturing a gang of rustlers, and turning aside a tornado.  San Souci, Robert Talking Eggs* A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.  Shepard, Aaron Master Man: a Tall Tale of Nigeria A boastful strong man learns a lesson harder than his muscles when he encounters one of Nigeria's superheroes in this Hausa tale which explains the origin of thunder.

  • Zemach, Margot I t Could Aways Be Worse Unable to stand his overcrowded and noisy home any longer, a poor man goes to the Rabbi for advice.  Zelinsky, Paul O. Rumpelsti ltskin* A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her first- born child.

     

       Fiction  Bunting, Eve Wednesday Surprise Anna loves Wednesday night when Grandma comes to visit and plans for Dad's birthday. And when Dad's birthday arrives, the best gift of all is The Wednesday Surprise. Full-color illustrations.  Cleary, Beverly Ramona Quimby, Age 8* Ramona's determined to enjoy the third grade, despite the trials and tribulations of being in the Quimby family.  Enright, Elizabeth The Saturdays (series) The Melendys live with their father, who is a writer, and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper. Enright's Melendy Quartet captures the lively adventures of a family as they move from the city to the country.  Estes, Eleanor The Hundred Dresses* In winning a medal she is no longer there to receive, a tight-lipped little Polish girl teaches her classmates a lesson.  Greene, Stephanie Owen Foote: Frontiersman (series) Second grader Owen Foote is looking forward to spending time with his friend Joseph in their tree fort, until some bullies visiting his neighbor, Mrs. Gold, threaten to wreck the fort.  Hill, Kirkpatrick The Year of Miss Agnes Ten-year-old Fred (short for Frederika) narrates the story of school and village life among the Athapascans in Alaska during 1948 when Miss Agnes arrived as the new teacher.  Kipling, Rudyard Just So Stories How the whale got his throat -- How the camel got his hump -- How the rhinoceros got his skin -- How the leopard got his spots -- The elephant's child -- The sing-song of old man kangaroo -- The beginning of the armadillos -- How the first letter was written -- How the alphabet was made -- The crab that played with the sea -- The cat that walked by himself -- The butterfly that stamped.  Kline, Suzy Song Lee in Room 2B (series) Spring becomes a memorable time for Miss Mackle's second-grade classroom because of the antics of Horrible Harry and the special insights of shy Song Lee.

  • Lowry, Lois Zooman Sam (series) Four-year-old Sam's appearance as a zookeeper at his nursery school's Future Job Day leads him to a number of exciting activities and discoveries, including reading. Color illustrations throughout  Morgenstern, Susie A Book of Coupons Elderly Monsieur Noel, the very unconventional new eighth-grade teacher, gives coupon books for such things as dancing in class and sleeping late, which are bound to get him in trouble with the military discipline of Principal Incarnation Perez.  Namioka, Lensey Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear (series) Recently arrived in Seattle from China, musically untalented Yingtao is faced with giving a violin performance to attract new students for his father when he would rather be working on friendships and playing baseball.  Osborne, Mary Pope Vacation Under the Volcano (Magic Tree House series) Their magic tree house takes Annie and Jack to Pompeii just as Vesuvius is about to erupt, and they must find a Roman scroll before everything is covered with burning ash. Warner, Sally Accidental Lily (series) With help from her mother and brother, six-year-old Lily begins to tackle her bed-wetting problem so that she can go to a sleepover party.  Parish, Peggy Amelia Bedelia (series) A literal-minded housekeeper causes chaos in the Rogers household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions  Scieszka, Jon See You Later, Gladiator (series) The animals at River Bottom School welcome you to their school with silly sayings.  Williams, Vera B. Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart A series of poems tells how two sisters help each other deal with life while their mother is working and their father has been sent to jail.  Historical Fiction  Bulla, Clyde R. The Ghost of Windy Hill A professor with a reputation for being unafraid of ghosts moves with his family into a house that is supposed to be haunted but his children find the neighbors more mysterious than the house.  Dalgleish, Alice The Courage of Sarah Noble* An eight-year-old gir l f inds courage to go alone with her father to build a new home in the Connecticut wilderness, and to stay with the Indians when her father goes back to bring the rest of the family.  Fleischman, Sid The Whipping Boy* A bratty prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws.

  • Lord, Betty Bao In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson In 1947, a Chinese child comes to Brooklyn where she becomes Americanized at school, in her apartment building, and by her love for baseball.  MacLachlan, Patricia Skylark When a drought tests the commitment of a mail-order bride from Maine to her new home on the prair ie, her stepchildren hope they will be able to remain a family.  Taylor, Sidney The All-of-a-Kind Family (series) The adventures of f ive sisters growing up in a Jewish family in New York in the early twentieth century.  Humor  Clements, Andrew Jake Drake, Bully Buster (series) When Jake was three years old at Miss Lulu's Danity Diaper Day Care Center, what did he know about bullies? Nothing. But he learned fast--too fast! Why? Because Jake is kind of smart, and he's not a tattletale, and he doesn't have a big brother to protect him..."  Hurwitz, Johanna Class Clown Lucas Cott, the most obstreperous boy in the third grade, finds it very hard to turn over a new leaf when he decides to become the perfect student.  King-Smith, Dick Lady Lollipop A quick-witted swineherd and a pig named Lollipop are royally rewarded after they reform a spoiled princess.  Manes, Stephen Make Four Mill ion Dollars by Next Tuesday Jason attracts a lot of attention when he starts following the zany advice in a get-rich- quick book by the bizarre Dr. Silverfish  McDonald, Megan Judy Moody Gets Famous (series) When a third grade classmate gets her picture in the paper for winning a spelling bee, Judy is determined to find a way to become famous herself.  Rockwell, Thomas How To Eat Fried Worms Two boys set out to prove that worms can make a delicious meal.  Sacher, Louis Wayside School Gets a Litt le Stranger Unusual things continue to happen in the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.  Scieszka, Jon 2095 While on a field trip to New York's Museum of Natural History, Joe, Sam, and Fred travel one hundred years into the future, where they encounter robots, anti-gravity disks, and their own grandchildren.

  • Massachusetts  Barner, Bob Which Way to the Revolution? (series) Text and maps describe the route traveled by Paul Revere when he warned the colonists of the approach of the British prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution.  Borden, Louise Sleds on Boston Common Henry complains to the royal governor, General Gage, after his plan to sled down the steep hill at Boston Common is thwarted by the masses of British troops camped there.

     

       Cocca-Leffler, Maryann Bus Route To Boston The everyday sights, sounds, and smells of a colorful and bustling city come alive in this book -- a child's view of Boston.  Kroll, Stephen The Boston Tea Party The story and significance of the rebellion against the British colonial authorities.  McCully, E.A. The Bobbin Girl A ten-year-old bobbin girl working in a textile mill in Lowell, Massachusetts, in the 1830s, must make a difficult decision--will she participate in the first workers' strike in Lowell?  Peters, Russell M. Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition Steven Peters, a twelve-year-old Wampanoag Indian in Massachusetts, learns from his grandfather how to prepare a clambake in the tradition of his people.  Yolen, Jane Letting Swift River Go Relates Sally Jane's experience of changing times in rural America, as she lives through the drowning of the Swift River towns in western Massachusetts to form the Quabbin Reservoir.  Mystery  Byars, Betsy The Dark Stairs (series) Now with a new look, these delightful middle-grade mysteries featuring Herculeah Jones, the daughter of a police officer and a private eye, are available once again.  Conford, Ellen A Case for Jenny Archer (series) After reading three mysteries in a row, Jenny becomes convinced that the neighbors across the street are up to no good and decides to investigate.  Landon, Lucinda Meg Mackintosh & the Case of the Missing Babe Ruth Baseball Meg follows a series of notes hidden in her grandfather's house to solve an old mystery of a missing baseball signed by Babe Ruth. The reader is challanged to interpret each clue before Meg solves it.  Torrey, Michele The Case of the Graveyard Ghost (series) Now in fifth grade, Drake Doyle and Nell Fossey continue to combine their detective and scientific investigation skills to solve a variety of cases, involving a noisy laundry chute, a ruined flower show, and a ghost.

  • Nonfiction  Adkins, Jan What If You Met a Pirate? Adkins's talent for combining words, illustration, and design is uniquely well-suited to the world of pirates. This large format, full-color picture book presents pirate history and pirate lore, pirate ships and equipment, and pirate life.  Aliki Mummies Made in Egypt A fine source (describes) Egyptian gods and goddesses of the dead; explains the symbols and foundation of the belief in the afterlife; (and presents) the elaborate rituals (and methods of mummification). . . . The art is stunning, the text uncompromisingly informative and clear.  Arnosky, Jim Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places (and other guides) Crinkleroot the forest dweller provides tips for walking in wild places and avoiding such hazards as ticks, poisonous plants, and wild animals.

     

       Bishop, Nic Backyard Detectives: Critters Up Close Describes a variety of animals and insects that can be found close to home and offers tips on how to observe them.  Bjork, Christina Linnea in Monet's Garden Linnea has visited Claude Monet's garden! In Paris, she got to see many of his actual paintings. Now she understands what it means for a painter to be called an Impressionist. This innovative art book for children contains full-color photos of many of Monet's famous paintings.  Burns, Marilyn Spaghetti and Meatballs for All! Mr. and Mrs. Comfort have arranged tables and chairs to seat 32 people at their family reunion. But the guests have their own ideas for seating. Area and perimeter come alive as the family makes room for everyone.  Chandra, Deborah George Washington's Teeth A tongue-in-cheek dental history of our first President "Poor George had two teeth in his mouth The day the votes came in. The people had a President, But one afraid to grin."  Curlee, Lynn Brooklyn Bridge* Describes the planning, construction, and history of the Brooklyn Bridge, celebrated as one of the greatest landmarks and grandest sights of New York City.  Heinz, Brian J. Butternut Hollow Pond Five vignettes, from dawn to midnight, present the dramatic dynamics of survival and competition in and around a typical North American pond, featuring such animals as a pickerel frog, water snake, and opossum.  Macauley, David Castle (and other t it les) What David Macaulay can draw--churches, cities, pyramids--he does better than any pen-and-ink illustrator in the world. Castle once again goes through a brick-by-brick assembly, employing cross-hatches and thin black lines to evoke a medieval place and period.

  • O'Brien, Patrick Megatooth Meet Megatooth -- the giant prehistoric shark that was even bigger than T-rex! Ten

    million years ago, giant beasts walked the earth. But the biggest one of all did not walk -- it swam.  Patterson, Francine Koko's Story The author recounts her experiences with Koko, a gorilla, during the fourteen years she has been teaching her to communicate through sign language.  Scieszka, Jon Math Curse When the teacher tells her class that they can think of almost everything as a math problem, one student acquires a math anxiety which becomes a real curse.  Simon, Seymour The Paper Airplane Book Step-by-step instructions for making paper airplanes with suggestions for experimenting with them.  Smith, David J. I f the World Were a Vil lage Welcome to the global village -- Nationalities -- Languages -- Ages -- Religions -- Food -- Air and water -- Schooling and literacy -- Money and possessions -- Electricity -- Village in the past -- Village in the future -- Teaching children about the global village -- Note on sources and how the calculations were made.  St. George, Judith So You Want to Be President!* Presents an assortment of facts about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Bill Clinton.  Wilcox, Charlotte Mummies, Bones & Body Parts Describes the wide variety of human remains, the use and abuse of them, what they reveal about life in the past, and contemporary attitudes toward the dead.  Tang, Greg The Grapes of Math: Mind-Stretching Math Riddles and others Illustrated riddles introduce strategies for solving a variety of math problems in using visual clues.  Yolen, Jane Welcome to the Green House Describes the tropical rainforest and the life found there.  Zoehfeld, Kathleen Dinosaur Parents, Dinosaur Young Is it possible that dinosaurs were good parents? For many years, scientists didn't think so. Then an amazing discovery revealed that Maiasaura covered its nest with vegetation to keep its eggs warm.  

    Picture Books for Older Readers

     Nelson, Vaunda M. Almost to Freedom* Tells the story of a young girl's dramatic escape from slavery via the Underground Railroad, from the perspective of her beloved rag doll.

  • Ryan, Pam Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride A fictionalized account of the night Amelia Earhart flew Eleanor Roosevelt over Washington, D.C. in an airplane.  Winer, Jeanette Follow the Drinking Gourd By following the directions in a song, "The Drinking Gourd," taught them by an old sailor named Peg Leg Joe, runaway slaves journey north along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada.  McKissack, Patricia Goin' Someplace Special* 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: the public library.  McCully, Emily A. Mirette on the High Wire* Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.  Steptoe, John Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters* Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.  Mollel, Tolowa My Rows and Pile of Coins* A Tanzanian boy saves his coins to buy a bicycle so that he can help his parents carry goods to market, but then he discovers that in spite of all he has saved, he still does not have enough money.  Stanley, Diane Raising Sweetness Sweetness, one of eight orphans living with a man who is an unconventional housekeeper, learns to read and writes an important letter to improve their situation.  Woodson, Jacqueline Show Way The making of "Show ways," or quilts which once served as secret maps for freedom- seeking slaves, is a tradition passed from mother to daughter in the author's family.  Howitt, Mary B. Spider and the Fly ( i l lus. By T. DiTerlizzi)* An illustrated version of the well-known poem about a wily spider who preys on the vanity and innocence of a little fly.  Polacco, Patricia Thank You, Mr. Falker At first, Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until, in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.  Oakley, Grahame The Church Mice Adrift The church cat and the church mice use brains instead of brawns to rout a scurvy gang of displaced rats who have taken over the church.  Paterson, Katherine The King's Equal In order to wear the crown of the kingdom, an arrogant young prince must find an equal in his bride. Instead, he finds someone far better than he.

  • Gerstein, Mordicai The Man who Walked Between the Towers* A lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.  Woodruff, Elvira The Memory Cat In the early 1900s, two cousins leave their Russian shtetl with the rest of their family to come to America, hopeful that they will all pass the dreaded inspection at Ellis Island.  Wiesner, David The Three Pigs* The three pigs escape the wolf by going into another world where they meet the cat and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon.  Stevenson, James The Worst Person in the World The worst person is having a terrible time on his vacation but he becomes even more miserable after he meets Miriam and her son.  Peet, Bill The Wump World The Pollutians invade the Wump World and turn the green meadows into a concrete jungle.  Best, Carl Three Cheers for Catherine the Great! Sara's Russian grandmother has requested that there be no presents at her seventy- eighth birthday party so Sara must think of a gift from her heart.  Wiesner, David Tuesday Frogs rise on their lily pads, float through the air, and explore the nearby houses while their inhabitants sleep.  Rylant, Cynthia When I was Young in the Mountains Reminiscences of the pleasures of life in the mountains as a child.

         Poetry  Janeczko, Paul, ed. A Poke In the I This volume of 30 concrete poems from visual poets such as John Hollander, Emmett Williams, Maureen W. Armour and others provide a playful, visually accessible collection that is illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Chris Raschka.  Thayer, Ernest Casey at the Bat ( I l lus. By Christopher Bing*) The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play....  Greenfield, Eloise Me and Neesie Janell's best friend is her invisible playmate Neesie, but things begin to change when Janell starts school.  Something Big Has Been Here! An illustrated collection of humorous poems on a variety of topics.

  • Taking Flight Describes how the Wright Brothers came to build and fly the first powered aircraft.  Where the Sidewalk Ends A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings.  Science Fiction  Walsh, Jill Paton The Green Book As their small stock of essential supplies dwindles, a group of refugees from earth struggle to make their strange new planet provide life's necessities.  Cameron, Eleanor The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet (series) A mystery man inspires two boys to build a space ship which takes them to the planet of Basidium to help the Mushroom people.