award winners

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatrix Arango

A poignant novel-in-verse explores the question: "What is home when your world turns upside-down?" Something Like Home, Andrea Beatrix Arango, Random House Books for Young ...
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2024 Caldecott Honor Books Roundup

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter by Aida Salazar, illustrated by Molly Mendoza. Scholastic, 2023, 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ...
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2024 Geisel Roundup: Fox Has a Problem, Henry, Like Always, and Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends

Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 The 2024 Geisel Award: One Winner and Three Honors The Geisel Award, which honors Dr. ...
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5 Ways to Encourage Art Appreciation with Picture Books

When are children old enough to begin appreciating quality art? As soon as they start looking at picture books. Note: even though this post references ...
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When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhhà Lai

When Clouds Touch Us follows up the award-winning Inside Out and Back Again with the further adventures of a Vietnamese refugee family in the 1970s. ...
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CSK Illlustrator Roundup: Standing in the Need of Prayer, Me and the Boss, and The Talk

The Coretta Scott King award, an prominent part of the annual ALA Youth Media Awards, honors African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for ...
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In the Blue by Erin Hourigan

In the Blue gently explores what it is like for a child to experience the depression of a loved one. In the Blue by Erin ...
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2023 Geisel Award Winner: I Did It! by Michael Emberley

I Did It!, winner of this year’s Geisel Award for early readers, charmingly illustrates a common childhood experience: trying and failing. I Did It! by ...
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2023 Newbery Winner: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Freewater, this year's Newbery Medal winner, is as much an adventure tale as little-known history. Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson. Little, Brown (James Patterson Presents), 2022, ...
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Caldecott Medal: Hot Dog by Doug Salati

Hot Dog by Doug Salati. Knopf, 2022. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4 Recommended for: ages 3-8 Dogs are everywhere these days: in ...
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The 2023 ALA Youth Media Awards

A Redeemed Reader Tradition This morning, a Redeemed Reader tradition of multiple years continued: listening to the ALA Youth Media Awards. Last year we gathered ...
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2023 Newbery Buzz #1: A Rover’s Story

It's that time again, readers! The hour for selecting winners of the world's most prestigious children's book award draws near. Redeemed Reader has little (that ...
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Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

A striking debut novel for older teens that is simultaneously gritty and tender, gripping and thought-provoking. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Henry Holt, 2021. 496 ...
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2022 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award Roundup: Vamos! Let’s Cross the Bridge, Bright Star, and May Your Life Be Deliciosa

The Pura Belpré award honors “Latinx writers and illustrators whose books portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.” This year the ALA named one ...
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2022 Newbery Honor Book Roundup: Red White and Whole, A Snake Falls to Earth, Watercress, Too Bright to See

In our continuing coverage of ALA Youth Media Award winners, we're closing in on the big one: the Newbery! Red, White, and Whole by Rajanni ...
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2022 Sidney Taylor Award Picture-Book Roundup: The Passover Guest, Nicky & Vera, Dear Mr. Dickens, and The Christmas Mitzvah

The Sidney Taylor Award, named for the author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series, is presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries to "outstanding books ...
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2022 Sidney Taylor Award MG Roundup: How to Find What You’re Not Looking For, The Genius Under the Table, and Linked

The Sidney Taylor Award, named for the author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series, is presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries to "outstanding books ...
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2022 Coretta Scott King Picture Book Roundup: Unspeakable, Nina, Soul Food Sunday, and More!

The 2022 Coretta Scott King Award The results for the 2022 Coretta Scott King Awards are IN! We already reviewed the winner, Unspeakable and one ...
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2022 Geisel Roundup: Fox at Night, Nothing Fits a Dinosaur, I Hop, and Beak and Ally

The 2022 Geisel Award: One Winner and Three Honors The results for the 2022 Geisel Award are IN! The Geisel Award is given to books ...
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ling and ting cover

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Nikki Grimes and Grace Lin

Unlike the Newbery or Caldecott, given for an author's or illustrator's work on a particular book, lifetime awards look at the author's or illustrator's work ...
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2022 caldecott watercress

2022 Caldecott Roundup: Watercress, Wonder Walkers, Have You Ever Seen a Flower?, Unspeakable, and Mel Fell

The 2022 Caldecott Award: One Winner and Four Honors The results for the 2022 Caldecott Award are IN! We reviewed the winner, Watercress, several months ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: DaVinci’s Cat, Playing the Cards You’re Dealt, Harry Versus the First 100 Days of School, and Black Boy Joy

It’s that time of year when librarians across the nation eagerly await the announcement of the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards, crossing fingers for ...
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*All He Knew by Helen Frost

All He Knew pictures grace in the midst of gloom as a deaf child learns to navigate life in an  institution. *All He Knew by ...
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Nicky & Vera by Peter Sís

Nicky & Vera, by Caldecott illustrator Peter Sís, celebrates the quiet heroism of Nicholas Winton, who saved 669 Czech children from the Holocaust. Nicky & ...
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WORLD Children’s Books of the Year: A Report

The ALA isn’t the only organization that rewards excellence in children’s books! Since 2014, WORLD News Group has recognized outstanding literature for kids in its ...
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The Geisels: A Beginning-Reader Roundup

This year's Theodor S. Geisel Honor Books: The Bear in My Family, Ty's Travels, What about Worms!?, and Where's Baby? The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award ...
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*See the Cat: Three stories about a dog

A dog on a rug is quite understandably aggravated by the narrative narrator through three very short stories for beginning readers. Brilliant, clever, and hilarious. ...
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*Catherine’s War by Julia Billet

An excellent new graphic novel translated into English, Catherine's War tells the story of one Jewish girl’s life in occupied France, often through the lens ...
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The 2021 ALA Youth Media Awards–How Did We Do?

After an hour of listening and scribbling madly as announcements were read, I can now pass on what we learned from this year's ALA Youth ...
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The Hour Approaches–Our Newbery Predictions!

Next Monday, Jan. 25, during its annual Midwinter Conference (which is virtual like everything else this year) the American Library Association will announce the winners ...
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Caldecott-Buzzy Picture Books

The Barnabus Project, Our Little Kitchen, and I Am Every Good Thing are all contenders for this year's Caldecott award for illustration. The Barnabus Project ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #4: Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri

We've been scanning the starred review lists and listening in on the chatter to tell you about the likely Newbery contenders for this year. So ...
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2021 Newbery Buzz #1: King and the Dragonflies

Betsy: Readers, we’re kicking off our annual Newbery Buzz discussion series with a book that has already garnered a major award: King and the Dragonflies, ...
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Picture Books about the Middle Ages for Middle School

Picture books aren't just for little kids! Picture books are every bit as enjoyable—and beneficial—for middle school kids. Use one (or all) of the books ...
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*The View from Saturday by e. l. konigsburg (Book Club Edition)

*The View From Saturday by e. l. konigsburg. Atheneum, 1995. 176 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Middle grades and up, ages ...
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5 Newbery Award Winners Better in Audio

What happens when Newbery award winners (and honors) are read aloud by skillful narrators? The books truly come alive. Audiobooks also bring diverse settings and ...
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Hey, Water! by Antoinette Portis

Hey, Water! pictures the gift of water in all its forms, providing an accessible explanation of the water cycle for preschoolers. Hey, Water! by Antoinette ...
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Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

In this classic survival story, Karana learns to fend for herself on an island after her tribe leaves for the mainland. Island of the Blue ...
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Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian Heidicker

Scary Stories for Young Foxes, a 2020 Newbery Honor Book, may be more disturbing than encouraging. Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian Heidicker. Henry ...
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Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Genesis, a black girl, struggles with self-image, much of which is fostered by her own family. Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams. Caitlyn Dlough ...
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Front Row Seat at the ALA Youth Media Awards

No, none of us were actually in the room in Philadelphia where the awards were announced. But anyone can get a front-row seat through the ...
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Newbery Roundup #2: All the Greys, This Was Our Pact, A Good Kind of Trouble, To Night Owl from Dogfish

Continuing our roundup of possible contender for the 2020 Newbery Medal All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker. Viking, 320 pages. Olympia’s artist ...
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2020 Newbery Buzz #2: New Kid and Guts

Every January, we love to discuss the merits (or demerits) of books we’ve seen getting “Newbery buzz” in the broader children’s literature world. The actual ...
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Newbery Roundup #1: The Line Tender, Tristan Strong, and 1919

Newbery season is upon us, culminating in the American Library Association Youth Media Awards on January 27. We've been keeping an eye on books that ...
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Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Lai

An unlikely romance tinged by tragedy makes Butterfly Yellow a winning read for mature teens. Butterfly Yellow by Thanhha Lai. Harper, 2019, 284 pages. Reading ...
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Hey Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady graphic novels, tells his own story in Hey Kiddo, a graphic novel memoir that is by turns harsh and tender. ...
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6 Noteworthy Nonfiction Picture Books

Me: "That school must be named after Lise Meitner. Didn't she do something with uranium?" {the school in question was on a TV show and ...
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4 New Multicultural Picture Books: Gratitude, Island Culture, Rap, and Hannukah!

Several of these picture books recently won awards (or honors) in the ALA YMA in January. And one of them is brand new, hot-off-the-press in ...
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*What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper

Moving and beautiful, this post-Holocaust novel offers hope after horror. *What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper.  Knopf, 2018, 249 pages. Reading Level: Teen, ages ...
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2019 Sibert Medal Winners are, well, Winners!

image from ALA website According to the ALA, "the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the ...
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2019 Newbery Buzz #1: The Season of Styx Malone

It’s that time again!  Children’s book titles are pouring into every librarians’ website as the kidlit community speculates on who will win Newbery gold this ...
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Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

A father-daughter hike from Phantom Ranch to the south rim of Grand Canyon reveals its geological wonders. Grand Canyon by Jason Chin.  Roaring Brook, 2017, ...
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Every Day by David Levithan

The movie version of Every Day, based on David Levithan's YA novel of the same title, opens today.  Here's our review from 2012 that addresses ...
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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give, one of this year’s most acclaimed YA novels, offers a well-rounded, realistic picture of challenges faced by the black community (see ...
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Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

In Piecing Me Together, a Newbery honor book, a black teen in a low-income neighborhood carves out a place in the world through art and ...
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Picture Book Round-Up: 6 Multicultural Youth Media Award Winners

The 2018 ALA Youth Media Awards were announced last week, and children's lit fans around the country live-streamed the event (unless they were privileged to ...
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Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Four sixth graders come together in a serendipitous turn of events in this year's Newbery award winner, Hello, Universe. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. Greenwillow, ...
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The 2018 ALAYMA Results: Redeemed Reader Reacts

Hot off the press! The Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scot King Awards and more were announced this morning. We've made our predictions, and now Betsy offers ...
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Retro Reads: *The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a modern classic with good reason: young Kit Tyler faces the questions all adolescents face as she tries to ...
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The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau

This fun, award-winning early reader series features two tough siblings who can't help being nice. The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers.  ...
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Rapid Fire: 10 Recent Award-Winning Picture Books

Rapid Fire: a quick, "rapid fire" list of mini-book reviews. Janie and I love to prognosticate the Newbery Award, discuss possible contenders, and dialogue during the announcement ...
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Freedom over Me by Ashley Bryan

An actual slave ledger from 1828 inspires this group portrait of eleven African Americans who remain free to dream. Freedom over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their ...
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2017 Newbery Buzz: Some Writer! and Snow White

Historically—and overwhelmingly—the Newbery Award has graced the covers of fictional prose novels. And yet, even “back in the day,” there were some outliers. Nancy Willard’s A ...
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*Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larsen

Hattie Big Sky draws upon the experience of the author's own grandmother to create this enthralling story of hard-won optimism and frontier grit. a review from ...
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*The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

The first book in a top-notch series about an extraordinary thief and the intertwining of three kingdoms is amazingly well done. *The Thief by Megan Whalen ...
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Winnie-the-Pooh: Two True Stories

Two picture books about the real Winnie-the-Pooh that both make delightful reading! *Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick and ...
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Newbery Buzz Discussion Series

We love discussing books here at Redeemed Reader! We also love "prognosticating the awards": discussing potential Newbery Medal candidates (these are potentials to us; the ...
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Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

The rough, tough world of girls' roller derby is the setting for this surprisingly sweet depiction of friendship, breakup, and change. Roller Girl by Victoria ...
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When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

A black teen in the 'hood struggles to maintain his focus when his best friend takes a wrong turn with potentially serious consequences. When I ...
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All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Rashad (a black guy) and Quinn (a white guy) take turns narrating this timely and moving young adult realistic fiction story about police brutality and ...
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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

In most science fiction, technological advances are not shown to advance humanity.   However, it would be tough to find a more negative view of ...
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*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss

*Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss. Random House, 1949. 56 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8 Recommended For: Ages 4-8 Bartholomew and the ...
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The 2015 PBOTY Committee Reflects….

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of a book award committee's deliberations? How a group of people can, with confidence, ...
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Reflections on Selections

It’s not easy being selective, especially when perusing book titles for the honor of World Magazine Children’s Book of the Year. For last year’s pick, ...
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Story Tea: Picture Books of the Year (+printable)

  World magazine has just announced their Children's Books of the Year! Both the Children's Book of the Year and the Picture Book of the ...
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The Winners’ Circle

World Magazine has chosen a "book of the year" for at least twenty years.  In 2013, the magazine diversified a little and chose three books ...
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*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

*The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Little, Brown, 2009. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: All Ages Stunning illustrations, a vast ...
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Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. Candlewick, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Recommended For: ages ...
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The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat. Little, Brown, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8 Bottom Line: The Adventures ...
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The Caldecott Committee Throws a Curve

The American Library Association (ALA) stages a huge event every winter when it names the winners of its coveted John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott awards. ...
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The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPré

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPré. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014. 32 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8, ages 8-10 ...
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cover of Caddie Woodlawn

*Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink. Aladdin, 2006 (reprint; originally published 1935). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: ages 8-12, especially girls Bottom ...
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cover of Nana in the City

*Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo. Clarion, 2014. 40 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8Recommended for: ages 0-8 In this 2015 Caldecott Honor, Castillo ...
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*You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang

*You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant.  Two Lions (Amazon), 2014. 30 pages. Reading Level: Easy Readers, ages 4-8 Recommended For: ...
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The 2015 ALA Youth Media Awards

Yesterday morning, the American Library Association announced their annual Youth Media Awards—which include, as any devotee of children’s literature knows, the celebrated Newbery and Caldecott ...
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*Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt’s masterpiece first published 40 years ago, is as timeless as its title characters. *Tuck Everlasting (40th Anniversary Edition) by Natalie Babbitt, ...
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*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

*The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. Houghton Mifflin, 1969. 44 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, Ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 4-8 A little house living out ...
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*The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

*The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Dutton Children’s Books, 1978. 182 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up ...
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Threatened by Eliot Schrefer

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer. Scholastic, 2014. 278 pages. Reading Level: Young Adults, ages 15-18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15-18) One-line Summary: Threatened, one of this year’s ...
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cover of Waiting is Not Easy

*Waiting is Not Easy! by Mo Willems

This book is a "Best of the Best" pick from ourWinter Book Fair. CLICK HERE to see more gift ideas! *Waiting Is Not Easy! by Mo Willems. ...
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El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell. Amulet, 2014. 241 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 (ages 8-10) Bottom Line: Author/illustrator Cece Bell ...
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Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin, 2014. 320 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) Bottom line: Award-winning author ...
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cover of Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (25th Anniversary)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2011 (reissue of 1989 copy). 156 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10Recommended for: Ages ...
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cover of Dash

Dash by Kirby Larson

Dash by Kirby Larson. Scholastic, 2014. 256 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12Recommended for: Ages 8-12 Eleven-year-old Mitsi's best friend is her little dog, Dash. ...
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*Carry on Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss.

*Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. Audiobook read by Jim Weiss, Greathall Productions, 2009. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Maturity Level: Levels 3-5 ...
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The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming. Shwartz & Wade, 2014. 292 pages including index and bibliography. Reading ...
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*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet

*The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014. 42 pages. Reading Level: Picture Books, ...
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A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Eerdmans, 2008. 34 pages. Reading Level: Picture ...
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*The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya by Jane Kelley

*The Desperate Adventures of Zeno and Alya, by Jane Kelley. Feiwel & Friends, 2013, 201 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, Ages 8-10 Maturity Level: 3 ...
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*The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

*The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Harcourt Mifflin Harcourt, 2014. 237 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grade, ages 10-12 Maturity Level: 4 (ages 10-12) and up Bottom ...
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