The following is a list of the 2009 Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate
Nominees. Connecticut students in grades 4, 5, or 6 read and vote for their
favorite title in January 2009.
All books nominated for the award must be:
1. A work of fiction
2. Published in the 5 years previous to the award
3. Available in paperback
4. Written by an author living in the United States
5. Well-written with strong characterization, vivid settings,
interesting plots, and a believable ending.
1. Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone
It is 1607 and 11 year-old Samuel Collier has just arrived in the settlement
of Jamestown, Virginia with Captain John Smith and a group of spoiled, rich
gentleman who are not accustomed to hard work. He is witness to the
dealings of the Virginia Company, the Powhatan tribe, and young Pocahontas.
I loved this book so much that I read some non-fiction books about Jamestown
to learn more about this fascinating time in history.
2. Close Encounters of a Third World Kind by Jennifer J. Stewart
12 year old Annie's world is turned upside down when her father, who is a
doctor, agrees to move his entire family to Nepal on a medical mission as
part of "Doctors Without Borders". Annie and her family learn some
important lessons, make new friends, and have many adventures while in this
interesting country.
3. Eager by Helen Fox
Gavin and his sister, Fleur, live in the future where robots do all the
work. The problem is that their robot is getting old and acting strange.
All Gavin and Fleur want is a "normal" new robot but instead they
get "Eager" - a robot who creates more problems than he solves.
4. Freebaseball - by Sue Corbett
11 year old Felix lives with his mother who for some reason, does not like
baseball. When Felix wins tickets to a minor league baseball game, he hides
on a team bus and becomes a batboy. This book is part mystery and part
adventure and is great for fans of baseball and for those (like me) who want
to learn about the game.
5. Golden and Grey by Louise Arnold
Tom Golden is the new boy at a school where he is bullied each day. Grey
Arthur is a ghost who is not very good at haunting places or scaring
people. Grey decides to become Tom's friend and protect him from the
bullies. The only trouble is that Tom doesn't know that Grey Arthur exists.
6. Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Littlest One has just started her training as a Dreamgiver in the home of an
elderly woman and her foster son. Her job is made more dificult because the
frightening Sinisteeds are trying to deliver terrifying nightmares to the
woman and the boy and Litlest One must work harder to keep the Sinisteeds
away.
7. The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
When the smartest member of the D Squad invents a Homework Machine, his
friends don't believe him until they see it for themselves. Can these four
friends keep the Homework Machine a secret, or will their plot be
discovered?
8. MVP* by Douglas Evans
Adam Story is chosen as a player in the MVP challenge to win the four
million dollar prize, Adam must circle the world in forty days-no planes are
allowed. Competing against other players in many countries and continents,
he faces danger, unknown risks and great adventure. This book is a page-
turner.
9. Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach
When Hero moves to a new town her next door neighbor asks if she ever heard
of the Murphy Diamond, an enormous antique diamond that is hidden in Hero's
new house. Together, Hero and Danny, the most popular boy in her school,
work together to solve the mystery of the missing million dollar diamond.
This is a great mystery for anyone who loves suspenseful stories.
10. Three Good Deeds by Vivian Vande Velde
When Howard steals eggs from a goose, an old woman changes Howard into a
goose. She tells him that he will not return to his true form until he
performs three good deeds.
