Description
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
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* 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
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* 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.
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2008 Newberry Medal
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* 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
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* Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic)
* The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion)
* Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam)
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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)
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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)
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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.
Use these links to access more book reviews
FOR MORE ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children)
Award
Winners (This is the organization that selects the Newbery and
Caldecott):
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm
Carol Hurst Book Reviews
http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/6th.html
Building Rainbows
http://www.buildingrainbows.com/home.php
I just read about this series of books in the NY Times book
review. The
author's name is Rick Riordan and he has a series featuring a boy
named Percy
Jackson, about a boy who is half human and half Greek god. Check
it out!
http://www.rickriordan.com/children.htm
Mrs. Mad's Book-A-Rama
http://www.mrsmad.com/
Kidsreads
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-chen-da.asp
Children's Book Council
http://WWW.CBCBOOKS.ORG
THIS IS A VERY GOOD SITE... NYS SPECIFIC. KIDS VOTE FOR THEIR
FAVORITE BOOKS.
http://www.3applesbookaward.org/
Added: Aug.2007 From TeachersFirst.com
http://www.teachersfirst.com/readlist2-new.cfm?age=6