To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles:
January, 2007 -- Guaranteed Good Reads With These Award List Titles
Guji, Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen. When a crocodile raised as a duck learns his true identity, he must decide whether to help the crocodile predators or remain loyal to his feathered family. ALSC Notable Book 2005. Grades K-3. Print/braille book BR 16013.
Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas by Cynthia Rylant. When Henry, his parents, and his dog Mudge go to visit Great-Grandpa Bill in a home where lots of other grandpas live, they all have wonderful adventures at the swimming pond. Giesel Award 2006. Grades K-3. Braille book BR 16523.
Dad, Jackie, and Me by Myron Uhlberg. In 1947 Brooklyn, a boy is surprised to learn that his deaf father faces discrimination similar to that faced by their favorite ball player, the Dodger's Jackie Robinson, who has recently become the first black player in the league. Schneider Family Book Award for disability content 2005. Grades 2-4. Print/braille book BR 16354.
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein. In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit spent an hour performing more than 1,300 feet in the air on a high-wire strung between the two unfinished towers of the World Trade Center. His death-defying feat was illegal, but his punishment. was light. Caldecott Award 2004. Grades 2-4. Print/braille book BR 15045. Braille book BRW 1105.
Frindle by Andrew Clements. Nick and his fifth-grade classmates begin referring to pens as "frindles". Initially it is a way of getting back at their language arts teacher, but unexpectedly they uncover strongly held beliefs and must decide how far to go to defend them. Christopher Award 1997. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 12547. Cassette book RC 46654. Large print book LP 1692.
Minn and Jake by Janet S. Wong. Fifth-grader Minn, the tallest girl in school, begins a rocky friendship with Jake, a new student who's not only very short, but also afraid of the worms and lizards that Minn likes to collect. Written in free-verse. Sasquatch Award nominee 2006. Grade 3-6. Braille book BRW 1125. Cassette book CBA 7780.
Runt by Marion Dane Bauer. Runt, the smallest wolf cub in the litter, has to prove his usefulness to his father, King, and the rest of the pack. But Runt can't seem to do anything right -- until one day he warns his father of trouble. Young Reader's Choice nominee 2005. Grades 3-6. Cassette book RC 56009.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins. When 11-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are sucked into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by an ancient prophecy. Young Reader's Choice nominee 2006. Grades 4-7. Braille book BRW 1121. Cassette book CBA 7791.
Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Anthony yearns to be rich. When his brother, Damian, finds a big bag stuffed with money, Anthony wants to spend it before England switches currency. Damian, enamored with Catholic saints, prefers to give it to the poor. Neither realizes robbers are pursuing the loot. Carnegie Medal 2004. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 60063.
Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay. Saffy adores her parents and siblings, but has always felt she doesn't quite fit in a family of artists. Learning she was adopted at age 3 sends her into a tailspin and on a secret mission to revisit a garden angel she remembers from her early life in Italy . Whitbread Award 2003. #1 in Casson Family Series. Grade 4 and up. Braille book BR 14553. Cassette book RC 56168. Large print book LP 19813.
Whittington by Alan Armstrong. A stray cat finds a home in a barn full of other castoffs, and entertains them with tales of the famous 14th century Londoner for whom he is named. The animals band together to support Ben, a human boy who struggles with dyslexia. Newbery Honor 2006. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 61516.
Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez. In this novelized autobiography, 14-year-old Francisco describes the difficulties of migrant life in California, focusing on the period when his parents are deported and he and his older brother are left alone. Thanks to some teachers and his own incredibly hard work, he is able to achieve his educational goals. Sequel to The Circuit, cassette book RC 46960. Pura Belpre Honor book 2002. Grade 5 and up. Cassette book RC 53946. Cassette book in Spanish RC 54980.
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech. In free-verse, twelve-year-old Annie ponders life, focusing particularly on her passions -- drawing and running. In a year of changes, her mother's pregnant, her grandfather's becoming forgetful, and her best friend, Max, is moody and distant. Carnegie shortlist 2004. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 62114. Large print book LP 20606.
The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson. When the magic that protects their Valley starts to fail, Tilja and her companions journey into the evil Empire to find the ancient magician, Faheel, who originally cast the spells. Printz Honor Book 2002. Grade 5 and up. Cassette book RC 54240.
Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson. Abandoned as an infant in pre-World War I Austria, Annika is lovingly raised by two servant women, but longs to know her real mother. She is thrilled when an aristocrat claims her, but begins to wonder if she has made a mistake when she experiences the tension and mysterious events at the woman's rundown estate. Young Readers' Choice nominee 2007. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 60293.
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. Six thousand years ago, twelve-year-old Torak and his guide, a wolf cub, go on a dangerous journey to fulfill his father's last wish. He must travel to the Mountain of the World Spirit and seek help to destroy a demon-possessed bear that threatens all the clans. Sasquatch nominee 2007. Book 1 in Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 61419.
Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins. Debbie, first met in All Alone In The Universe (RC 49604), wishes something good would happen to her. She and other young teens in her hometown experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities, and connect and disconnect as they search for love and meaning. Newbery Medal 2006. Grades 6-9. Cassette book RC 61389. Large print book. LP 22485.
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Autistic 15-year-old Christopher decides to record his investigation into the death of a neighborhood dog. His relentlessly logical approach leads him to uncomfortable truths about his own family, and provides the reader with insight into the realities of autism. Alex Award 2004. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 15215. Cassette book RC 56893.
Heir Apparent by Vivian Van Velde. Given the dangers of her own world in the future, Giannine approaches an immersion game set in medieval times lightheartedly, until failing equipment means she must win the game quickly or face brain damage. Sasquatch nominee 2005. Grades 6-9. Braille book BR 16979. Cassette book RC 56628.
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. When their older daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, Anna's parents created her to serve as a tissue match in numerous medical interventions. Now at thirteen, Anna is expected to donate a kidney. Although she loves her sister, she feels she must hire an attorney to have a say in what happens to her own body. Teen Top Ten nominee 2006. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 58402. Large print book 20485.
The River Between Us by Richard Peck. Tilly's brother is eager to fight for the Union, but when two young women from the South arrive in their small Mississippi town by steamboat, her mother takes them on as boarders. Gossip runs rampant, which only worsens the family's status in a town that already looks down on them for being poor. Scott O'Dell Award 2004. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 15090. Cassette book RC 57400.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. In a medieval fantasy world, Gen boasts he can steal anything, despite the fact that he's been caught and imprisoned. The King and his Magus offer Gen his freedom if he can recover the legendary Hamiathe Stone. The task is likely to result in his death, if the journey doesn't kill him first. Newbery Honor book 1997. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 11285. Cassette book RC 47183.
The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber. Lump, is an unattractive foundling abandoned as an infant, taken in by a witch, nursed by a bear, and tutored by a djinn. Despite the witch's warnings he enters the human world and then blames her for the painful rejection he faces. A series of adventures finally teach him to admit his own culpability. YALSA Best Book 2006. Grade 6 and up. Large print book LP 22201.
Stoner and Spaz by Ron Koertge. Ben, has learned to use self-deprecating humor to insulate himself from the unwanted attention that is a result of his cerebral palsy. Despite his overprotective grandmother, this year he's developed a strange friendship with Colleen, a classmate hooked on drugs, and he's planning to make a documentary, thanks to a new neighbor. Evergreen nominee 2005. For senior high readers. Cassette book RC 55396.
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. Fifteen-year-old Daisy is glad to get away from tensions at home by visiting her aunt and cousins in England . She's hoping to learn more about her long-dead mother, but too soon her aunt is called to emergency diplomatic talks in Oslo that not only fail to avert a war, but leave the cousins alone in an occupied country. Daisy's romantic attraction to her cousin complicates matters further. Prinz Award 2005. For senior high and older readers. Cassette book RC 59908. Large print book LP 22481.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.