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PARENTS OFTEN ASK ME TO RECOMMEND BOOKS FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO READ. ONE WAY TO MEET THIS NEED IS TO OFFER YOU LINKS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER BOOK REVIEWs. 2009 Newberry Medal ___________________ * THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean, and published by HarperCollins Children's Books. A delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens. "A child named Nobody, an assassin, a graveyard and the dead are the perfect combination in this deliciously creepy tale, which is sometimes humorous, sometimes haunting and sometimes surprising," said Newbery Committee Chair Rose V. Trevi 2009 Newbery Honor Books ___________________________ * THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing) Underneath the canopy of the loblolly pines, amid the pulsating sounds of the swamp, there lies a tale. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. Appelt's lyrical storytelling heightens the distinguished characteristics of this work. * THE SURRENDER TREE: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle (Henry Holt & Comapny) The Surrender Tree utilizes compelling free verse in alternating voices to lyrically tell the story of Cuba's three wars for independence from Spain. Combining real-life characters (such as legendary healer Rosa La Bayamesa) with imagined individuals, Engle focuses on Rosa's struggle to save everyone--black, white, Cuban, Spanish, friend or enemy. * SAVVY by Ingrid Law (Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC This rich first-person narrative draws readers into a wild bus ride, winding through the countryside on a journey of self-discovery for Mibs Beaumont and her companions. Newcomer Law weaves a magical tall tale, using vivid language and lively personalities, all bouncing their way to a warm, satisfying conclusion. * AFTER TUPAC & D FOSTER by Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam's Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers) This tightly woven novel looks back on two years in a New York City neighborhood, where life changes for two 11-year-olds when a new girl joins their game of double Dutch. Bonded by Tupac's music, the three girls explore the lure of freedom and build a friendship that redefines their own identities. ___________________________________________________________________ 2008 Newberry Medal _________________________ * Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Robert Byrd, and published by Candlewick 2008 Newbery Honor Books ___________________________ * Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic) * The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion) * Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam) _____________________________________________________________________ 2007 Newbery Medal The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron, illustrated by Matt Phelan (Simon & Schuster/Richard Jackson) 2007 Newbery Honor Books * Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm (Random House) * Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson (Delacorte Press) * Rules by Cynthia Lord (Scholastic) _______________________________________________________________ 2006 Newbery Medal Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins (Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins) 2006 Newbery Honor Books * Whittington by Alan Armstrong, illustrated by SD Schindler (Random House) * Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell (Scholastic Nonfiction, an imprint of Scholastic) * Princess Academy by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury Children's Books) Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Hudson Talbott (G.P. Putnam's Sons) ______________________________________________________________________ PERSONAL FAVORITE: Da Chen was a guest in our class a few years ago and we read this book. It's a fun and exciting book with a feel for ancient Chinese culture. WANDERING WARRIOR by Da Chen Publisher: Delacorte Published: Jan 2003 (Hardcover 336 pages) Ages 12 and over Da Chen is a local author. He lives in Highland, NY. This book is said to be the 'Chinese Harry Potter'. According to the sacred ancient scriptures, the future emperor of China shall bear five black moles on the bottom of each foot. Eleven-year-old Lukas mother is dead, and he doesnt know his father, but his feet do bear the mark of the five black moles. Lukas caretaker, a wise monk named Atami, is determined to keep Luka alive so the prophecy can be fulfilled and to train Luka in the ways of the kung fu wandering warriors. But when Atami is captured by the enemy, Luka must begin his own journey, using what Atami has taught him, to become the warrior and leader he is destined to be. _____________________________________________________________________________

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