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2010

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
King
Author's First Name: 
A.S.
Publisher: 
Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Date: 
2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
Vera's friend Charlie died a few months ago, but she doesn't know how to feel about it. She hates him because he ditched her to hang out with a bunch of losers, but he was also her best and only friend for years. Her dad keeps her on a short leash and her mother abandoned the family years ago. Vera is a wonderful character, a basically good but flawed girl trying to put these issues to rest without really dealing with them. Brief interludes from Vera's dad and Charlie expand the story beyond Vera's viewpoint. -Michelle Miller

Little Black Crow

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Raschka
Author's First Name: 
Chris
Publisher: 
Atheneum
Publication Date: 
2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
An understated book in both illustration and text, this is a story of potential friendship as one small child wonders about one small bird while both experience the seasons and forces of nature. It is beautifully realized on all levels.

Snook Alone

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Nelson
Author's First Name: 
Marilyn
Illustrator's First Name: 
Timothy
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Ewing
Publisher: 
Candlewick
Publication Date: 
2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
A story of love, friendship and loyalty. A monk lives on a small island with his faithful friend, a rat terrier. A terrible storm separates them and the dog has several adventures in the natural world (some quite scary) before being reunited with his very best friend. The pictures are lush and powerful, Nelson takes on a very different subject with subtly and grace.

THE ROCK AND THE RIVER [AUDIOBOOK]

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Magoon
Author's First Name: 
Kekla
Narrator's First Name: 
Dion
Narrator's Last Name: 
Graham
Publisher: 
Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: 
2010
Dion Graham's smooth baritone lends just the right note of humour and drama to this powerful story of a young boy caught in a time of change, both at home and in 1968 Chicago. Characters come to life with perfectly nuanced phrasing. Short, acoustic tracks alert listeners to cd breaks. Ages 14+.

Mockingbird

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Erskine
Author's First Name: 
Kathryn
Publisher: 
Philomel
Publication Month: 
April
Publication Date: 
April 15, 2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
Caitlin and her father try to find closure after her brother, Devon, is killed in a school shooting. This is especially difficult for ten-year-old Caitlin because she has Asperger's Syndrome. While the general storyline is heartwrenching, Caitlin's voice is often humurous as she negotiates recess and the power of friendship.

Word after Word after word

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
MacLachlan
Author's First Name: 
Patricia
Publisher: 
HarperCollins
Publication Date: 
2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
A book about the power of words and the power of teachers. This is similar to Love that Dog in terms of encouraging student writing, but follows the response of 5 students in a fourth grade class as a writing teacher comes into the class to share some special lessons.
A short read about how one visiting teacher helps students to find their "words" and discover more about themselves and their lives. This is a simple story with lots to discuss.

Arlington, the story of our nation's cemetery

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Demarest
Author's First Name: 
Chris
Illustrator's First Name: 
Chris
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Demarest
Publisher: 
Roaring Brook
Publication Month: 
October
Publication Date: 
10/26/2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
A well illustrated history of Arlington Cemetery with some little known information, including a time-line, author's note and additional sources included.\
An informative history of Arlington Cemetery including a time-line, note of the author's personal connection to the subject and additional sources.

The Six Rules of Maybe

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Caletti
Author's First Name: 
Deb
Publisher: 
Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 
2010
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 
When Scarlet's older sister Juliet returns home from the big city, pregnant and with a new husband (and dog) Scarlet thinks she knows exactly what is going to happen. In fact, Scarlet is an introvert who spends a lot of time figuring out what is going on with everyone, at least in her own head. Caletti perfectly paces this story, until we realize how no one really knows anyone. Some of the bombshells are foreshadowed, others are not - dare I say just like real life. I also loved the other characters in the neighborhood - by the time the book was over I could picture every house, yard, street. But inside her often beautiful writing is a real story with real people

The Six Rules of Maybe

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Caletti
Author's First Name: 
Deb
Publisher: 
Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 
2010
When Scarlet's older sister Juliet returns home from the big city, pregnant and with a new husband (and dog) Scarlet thinks she knows exactly what is going to happen. In fact, Scarlet is an introvert who spends a lot of time figuring out what is going on with everyone, at least in her own head. Caletti perfectly paces this story, until we realize how no one really knows anyone. Some of the bombshells are foreshadowed, others are not - dare I say just like real life. I also loved the other characters in the neighborhood - by the time the book was over I could picture every house, yard, street.

PEACE, LOCOMOTION [AUDIOBOOK]

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Woodson
Author's First Name: 
Jacqueline
Narrator's First Name: 
Dion
Narrator's Last Name: 
Graham
Publisher: 
Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: 
2009

Lonnie writes loving letters to his sister Lili who is in a different foster home. Dion Graham captures the warmth and longing that Lonnie pours out, fully realizing the lyricism of Woodson’s writing. Ages 10-14.

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