Book List for Children's Literature

The Glorious Flight across the Channel with Louis Blѐriot was the recipient of the Caldecott Medal for illustration in 1984.





Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940.





Always Room for One More written by Sorche Nic Leodhas and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian was a 1966 Caldecott Medal

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting; illustrated by David Diaz is a 1995 Caldecott Medal Winner.

“Where Did I Come From” by Peter Mayle and illustrated by Arthur Robins

Pompeii Lost & Found by Mary Pope Osborne is a 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Nominee

The Hallelujah Flight by Phil Bildner and illustrated by John Holyfield is a 2011 Texas Bluebonnet  nominee

 Surfer of the Century by Crowe E. & Waldrep, R. a Texas Bluebonnet Nominee

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill and Illustrated by Bryan Collier is a Coretta Scott King Award

Chalk by Bill Thomson is a 2011 selection for Notable Children’s Books

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee illustrated by Tony Fucile is a 2011 Children Notable Book

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty is on the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010

Ling & Ting Not Exactly the Same! By Grace Lin listed in the New York Times Notable Children's Books  2010

The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg is 1985 New York Times Best Illustrated nominee

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman is the winner of the 1996 Newbery Award



Old Yeller by Fred Gipson is a 1957 Newbery Honor



The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis is a 1987 Newbery Medal winner.

Eleanor Roosevelt a Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman is a Newbery Honor Book

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz and illustrated by Angela Barrett 2011 Notable Children’s Book

The Watsons Go To Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis was a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan received the Pura Belpré Award

The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales is a Pura Belpre Medal Book Narrative Award

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a 2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet nominee

The Giver by Lois Lowery is number eleven on the 100 Most Challenged Book list

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is number forty-eight on the 100 most Challenged Books list

Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is number 23 on the 100 Most Challenged Books list

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume; number sixty on the 100 most challenged books list

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Eleanor Rossevelt A Life of Discovery

Eleanor Roosevelt A Life of Discovery by Russell Freedman is a Newbery Honor Book.

This book is a biography about Eleanor Roosevelt.  Her story is very fascinating.  Eleanor started life as a fearful and shy child whose mother died when she was seven and whose father died of alcoholism two years later.  She was raised by her mother’s mother, Grandmother Hall.  The atmosphere of the house was gloomy and uncomfortable for children.  Eleanor attended classes taught by a private tutor at the home of a classmate.  She attended finishing school outside of London where Eleanor blossomed as a young woman and learned to think.  She came back to New York and made her debut with other socially prominent girls.  After her coming out debut, Eleanor volunteered and taught young immigrants until she met and married Franklin D. Roosevelt, her fifth cousin, in 1905.  Eleanor settled down and worked hard at learning how to be a wife and mother.  Franklin entered politics in 1910.  Eleanor supported her husband and listened to countless political discussions.  She volunteered for the war effort and sustained her husband in every way.  Eleanor started speaking at events and serving on committees.  When her husband became paralyzed as a result of polio, Eleanor became Franklin’s feet and went where he couldn’t and reported back to him.  She became a teacher and a reporter, by the time that Franklin was elected President, Eleanor was a world traveler, teacher, lecturer, broadcaster, and reporter.   After Franklin died, Eleanor traveled, wrote, and worked for the American Association for the United Nations.  Eleanor Roosevelt is considered America’s “Most Admired Woman”.  She feared no one and was unafraid to face new challenges.  The photos selected for this book advanced the story in many ways that words are unable to and because of them the story about Mrs. Roosvelt is richer and fuller.

I am very inspired by the dedication, hard work, compassion and volunteerism that Mrs. Roosevelt exhibited throughout her life.  Her boldness and willingness to try new experiences and to constantly further her education is truly inspirational.   

Freedman, R. (1993). Eleanor Roosevelt A Life of Discovery. New York: Scholastic Inc.

The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis is a 1987 Newbery Medal winner.

The Whipping Boy is fictional tale of a prince and his whipping boy.  This story could be considered historical fiction.  In past centuries, royal households did have whipping boys to stand-in for the royal prince when he misbehaved, this is the only part of the story that was true.  I delighted in the quick pace of the story and how the whipping boy, Jemmy of the streets, went from hating Prince Horace/Prince Brat to feeling the need to help the prince survive on the streets, to friendship.  The story showed how both boys developed important skills and learned from each other as they experienced their adventure. 

Fleischman, S. (1986). The Whipping Boy. New York: Scholastic Inc.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is a 2006-2007 Texas Bluebonnet nominee.   It was also a New York Times Notable Book of 2005.

 The Lightning Thief is a fun fast paced fantasy adventure.  Percy Jackson is a sixth grader that is always getting into trouble and getting kicked out of school.  He is ADHD and dyslexic, whenever he tries to read, the letters float off the page and reverse themselves.  He has been kicked out of another school at the end of his sixth grade year.  Percy is disappointed, but also excited to be going home and spend time with his mom.  Percy finally discovers why he is different from everyone else as his mom tries to desperately drive him to safety at Camp Half-Bloods.  He makes it there then watches in disbelief as his mom vanishes while a Minotaur chokes her.  Percy goes mad with anger and kills the Minotaur.  When Percy wakes up, he slowly comes to grips with the fact that his father is a Greek god and that he must go on a quest.  This story was fun and exciting.  I enjoyed how Greek Mythology was woven throughout this modern adventure.  The main character Percy Jackson is like any other six grader that doesn’t fit in and trouble seems to follow.

Riordan, R. (2005). The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

The Polar Express

The Polar Express written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg was 1985 New York Times Best Illustrated nominees.   It also earned the Caldecott Medal in 1986. 

This a wonderful, magical story about a little boy and his journey on the Christmas train to the North Pole.  The illustrations are captivating.  As I look through the book, I feel the concern of the little boy.   The worry of the little boy carries in his heart that there may be no Santa Claus and the wonder of the train appearing in the middle of the night with a conductor yelling "all aboard".  The young boy experienced the  excitement of the ride and the arrival at the North Pole as well as the shear joy of being selected to receive that first gift of Christmas from Santa.  The complete let down the boy feels knowing that he has lost the gift that had been given to him by Santa and then the discovery of the bell under the tree in the morning.  This story is a visual delight, and childlike innocence that brings joy every time the story is read.

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The Polar Express. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Pompeii Lost & Found

Pompeii Lost & Found by Mary Pope Osborne is a 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Nominee.

This book is illustrated by Bonnie Christensen who actually made the frescoes.   The frescoes that decorate each page lend to the feeling of actually being in Pompeii.  This book is a great read aloud that tells what Pompeii was like just prior to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, AD 79.  The story richly describes the eruption and the terror that the people must have felt.  It then discusses the finding of the ruins of the town of Pompeii in 1763.  More frescoes illustrate everyday objects that were found in the ruins of the city and of the people that died there that fateful day.   Mary Pope Osborne describes what the homes looked like, the food that the people ate, and the entertainment that the community enjoyed.  This story was relevant to me because my family and I survived a volcanic eruption and 36 hours of darkness and terror.  I am able to empathize with the people that escaped and the ones that didn’t.   It is amazing that no matter how much the world changes many things are the same.

Osborne, M. P. (2006). Pompeii Lost & Found. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is listed number forty-eight on the 100 most Challenged Books list.

I love this book.  It was the first book that I got on tape for my daughter who was a struggling reader.  We first listened to the book as we drove up to South Dakota, the summer Harry Potter was released.  Our family enjoyed listening to it and discussing the story.  When we got home, my daughter insisted that she had to have Harry Potter in hardback.  She would listen to the tapes and follow along in the book.  Rachel wore the tapes out and moved onto the CDs.  My daughter is no longer a struggling reader.   I feel that this book was the key that opened the door to the reading world for her.  I still have the book which I have just reread. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is still a great book about surviving, working hard, persevering, friendship, wizards, and magic.  It is an incredibly fun story that pulls you into a new world, Harry’s world.  I am not sure why this book is on the Challenged Book list.  There is magic and witchcraft, but mostly the book is about adventure and friendship. 

Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic Press.

Henry in Love

Henry in Love by Peter McCarty is on the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010 list.

Henry in Love is a picture book with illustrations that match what is happening in the story.  It is about Henry, a very young boy that is in love with an older football player’s sister.  Their teacher moves them at the end of recess.  Henry and the girl he loves get to set together.  Henry gives her his blueberry muffin and he gets a carrot.  This is a carefree picture book with simple sentences that follows the pictures and would allow a beginning reader to read this book by himself all the while keeping his attention.  The story line was simple and sweet and the illustrations were also simple and sweet.  Overall, it is an adorable book.

McCarty, P. (2010). Henry in Love. New York: HaperCollinis Children's Books.

Ling & Ting Not Exactly the Same!

Ling & Ting Not Exactly the Same! By Grace Lin listed in the New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2010.

This story was engaging.  It was about twins that look the same, but they are not in many ways.  Ling and Ting went on the show how they are different in many ways.  Whether it was making a dumpling, to sneezing during a haircut, to eating with or without chopsticks, twins may look alike, but they are not.  They are individuals that are different in many ways.  Yet, they are always sisters.  The illustrations enlarge the story and show that even though they are twins look alike they are unique.  I believe that it is an adorable story for young children that not only identify similarities, but also the different aspects of our individual personalities.

Lin, G. (2010). Ling & Ting Not Exactly the Same! New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Madeline

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940.

Madeline was the first book that I remember owning when I was a little girl.  As I reread it, I still enjoyed the antics of Madeline.  Reveled in the beauty of Paris and marveled at the twelve little girls lining up in two straight lines.  In the two straight lines, they walked, ate, brushed their teeth and slept.  This went on until Madeline had her appendix removed were she stayed in the hospital for at least ten days.  When I was little and had my appendix out, it was seven days.  The illustrations are animated and well done.  They convey a delightful lighthearted mood.  I believe that Madeline is just as enchanting today as the story was when I was a little girl.  I just love it.

Bemelmans, L. (1939). Madeline. New York: The Viking Press.

Bink & Gollie

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee illustrated by Tony Fucile is a 2011 Children Notable Book. 

This is a cute story about two girlfriends one tall and one short.  They like to roller skate together, have adventures and eat pancakes that Gollie has made.  The first story is about compromise and how the two friends meet half way.  The second story is about going on an adventure by yourself, but then your friend Bink keeps reminding you that she is still there and sharing the fun of making it to the top with your best friend.  The third story is a cute section about sharing your friendship with someone else.  Bink and Gollie is a picture book and the illustrations tell the story as much as the words do.  Even though the pictures are somewhat cartoonish, the emotions and exuberance experienced because of the friendship emanates throughout the book.  I enjoyed the stories and the illustrations found in this book.

DiCamillo, K. & McGhee, A. (2010). Bink & Gollie. Somerville: Candlewick Press.

The Midwife's Apprentice

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman is the winner of the 1996 Newbery Award and a 1996 Notable Children’s Book.

The Midwife’s Apprentice is historical fiction.  This is a story about a young girl that has no name, no home, and no one to love her.  She eventually decides to call herself Alyce because someone has mistaken her for another Alyce that can read.  This gives her hope.  A midwife has taken her in and for a lot of hard work; Alyce has a roof over her head and food to eat.  She is a kind, compassionate, and caring person.  Alyce rescues an orange cat and names it Purr.  Some of the people in the village treat her kindly and every positive thing that is spoken about her is tucked deep into her heart.   Alyce is called on to help deliver a baby because the mother likes her kind and gentle ways.  It is a difficult birth and the midwife is sent for.  Alyce becomes frightened and runs away.  She finds work in an inn and there she learns to read and write some.  She also learns exactly what the Midwife requires of an apprentice.  Alyce returns to the midwife and states that she will never give up and she will learn and work hard.  I enjoyed the theme of this story which is keep your eyes open, learn and never give up, only fear and no hope will hold you back.

Cushman. (1995). The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Dave the Potter

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill and Illustrated by Bryan Collier is a winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award.  This book is also a 2011 Caldecott Honor Book. 

Dave the Potter is a biography.  It is beautifully illustrated.  The illustrations have depth and superb detail the advances the story and makes the life of Dave genuine to the reader.  This story is about Dave, who lived over 200 years ago.  He is a potter, an artist, a poet, and a slave who has left behind a legacy of human inspiration and tangible artistry, both pottery and poetry.

I chose this book because I had seen one of Dave’s pots on the Antique Road show years ago and also saw a PBS special about Dave’s pots around that same time.  The legacy that Dave left behind is amazing.  The indomitable spirit infused in the clay pots and the poems leaves me wanting to know more about this man that was born a slave and died an artist and poet.  He is an inspiration.

Hill, L. C. (2010). Dave the Potter Artist, Poet, Slave. New York: Little, Brown, and Company.

Wrinkle In Time

Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is number 23 on the 100 Most Challenged Books list.

This book is a science fantasy.  The story is about a family that loves each other and looks out for each other.  It is also about good versus evil.  I had listened to this book on tape many years ago and didn’t really enjoy it then.  I read the book this time and really enjoyed it.    Mrs. L’ Engle did a fantastic job, describing the feelings of not quite fitting in, of not feeling like you really belong and focusing on your personal faults.  I like how in the story, the author took Meg's faults and used them as an asset.  I can’t wait to have some free time and finish the series.  I am not sure why this book is challenged except for several references to the New Testament, but these references are not quoted word for word and if you are unfamiliar with the Bible you would not realize where the quotations specifically came from.     

L'Engle, M. (1962). A Wrinkle In Time. New York: Dell Publishing.

Old Yeller

Old Yeller by Fred Gipson is a 1957 Newbery Honor Book.

Old Yeller is about a fourteen year old boy, Travis, in the late 1860’s in Texas.  His father has left on a cattle drive and he stays behind with his mother and younger brother to help take care of the farm.  An old yellow dog wanders onto the farm.  Initially, Travis tries to run the dog off, but his younger brother stops him.  Travis quickly realizes that Old Yeller, as he calls the dog is valuable after Old Yeller saves their lives.  Travis grows to love this dog as Old Yeller increasing proves his worth to the family.  Old Yeller saves Travis’s families lives by fending off a rabid lone wolf.  Since Old Yeller is bitten by the wolf, Travis has to put down Old Yeller.

I really did not want to read this book.  I saw the movie of Old Yeller when I was fairly young and I remembered it as being very sad.  I decided to read the story for this class.  I found the book to be exciting.  I pictured all the action in my mind as I read it.  It was heartwarming and sad just like the movie I saw when I was much younger.  The story was definitely worth my while to finally read.

Gipson, F. (1956). Old Yeller. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.

Chalk

Chalk by Bill Thomson is a 2011 selection for Notable Children’s Books.

Exposition:  Three children are walking in the park on a rainy day.

Conflict:  The children discover a bag of colored chalk and everything the children draw with the chalk comes alive.

Rising Action:  The children find a bag of chalk hanging a riding toy dinosaur.  They take the chalk out of the bag and begin to draw.

Climax:  One little boy draws a green dinosaur that comes alive and tries to eat them as they run and hide. 

Falling Action:  The same little boy quickly draws a rain shower on the inside of a tunnel slide.  It starts to rain again, washing away the green dinosaur.

Resolution:  The children hang the magical bag of chalk on the teeth of the riding dinosaur toy and walk away in the rain.

Illustrations:  The author in this book used only pictures to tell the story.   I believe that this book was well illustrated and the story came alive through the use of color and the expressions on the children’s faces.  The illustrations were vibrant and colorful.  I just loved this book.

Thomson, B. (2010). Chalk. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish Corportation.

Surfer of the Century

Surfer of the Century by Ellie Crowe and illustrated by Richard Waldrep was a Texas Bluebonnet nominee in 2011.

This is an illustrated biography about Duke Kakanamoku.  He was born in 1890, in Honolulu on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.  He had a large supportive family.  He learned to swim when he was young and worked hard to perfect his swimming.  Duke dropped out of high school so that he could focus on swimming and took odd jobs to be able to swim as much as he wanted.   So Duke and several of his friends started their own surf club.  In 1910, Hawaiian Amateur Athletic Union was formed so that athletes could be eligible to participate in the Olympic try-outs.  Duke broke many records, at first people did not believe that he had actually swam that fast.  Duke qualified for the Olympic try outs for the US, he was the first Hawaiian to do so.  He went to the mainland United States where he faced much discrimination, but he kept working hard.  Duke finally won a spot on the U.S.  team and went to Sweden, July 1912 to compete.   He won a gold medal.  1920, Duke went to Antwerp, Belgium and competed in the Olympics.   He won two more Gold medals.  Duke was able compete in 1932 Olympics in Berlin, Germany at the age of 41.  He won a total of 3 gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze.   Duke introduced surfing to both the United States and Australia.   While in California fishing boat capsized not far from shore.  Duke and his two friends used their surfboards.  They rescued a total of 16 fishermen.  Ever since this rescue, the surfboard has been standard equipment on emergency rescue trucks and lifeguard towers.  Duke went back to Hawaii and continued to promote swimming and surfing.  He died January 22, 1968.

This book was beautifully illustrated.  The illustrations are captivating and covey the wonder of swimming and surfing.

Crowe, E., & Waldrep, R. (2007). Surfer of the Century. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis was a recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newbery Honor Book in 1996.

Exposition:  The Watson family, Mom, dad, Kenny, Byron, Joetta, and Grandma Sands.  The story begins in Flint, Michigan in the winter in 1962, but most of the story occurs in the spring and summer of 1963.

Conflict:  Kenny is teased and picked on by his older brother Bryon and other students.  Internally Kenny is tormented by wanting to do the right thing and fear.

Rising Action:  The Watson family takes a car trip head south to Birmingham, Alabama.  Momma and Dad plan the trip.  When they arrive at Grandma Sands, Bryon starts following the rules and Kenny starts breaking them.  The three children go swimming and Kenny swims where Grandma Sands has told them not to.  Kenny almost drowns and Bryon saves his life.

Climax:  The church is bombed, Kenny runs into the bombed church looking for Joetta because she has went to Sunday School.  Kenny can’t find her and is afraid that Wool Pooh has got her.

Falling Action:  Kenny discovers that Joetta wasn’t in the church.  The entire family goes back to Flint, Michigan.  Kenny is very depressed and spends his days hiding behind the couch listening to his parents talk.

Resolution:  Bryon talks to Kenny and tells him about the bombing and convinces Kenny that he will be okay.

Theme is an important literary quality of this story.  Family is very important to survival, support and thriving in difficult times.  Allusion is another literary quality used to advance the story giving a relevance to the times.

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowery is number eleven on the 100 Most Challenged Book list; The Giver also won the Newbery Metal in 1994.

Exposition:  The Giver takes place sometime in the future, in a colorless place where everyone acts the same and every member of the community is assigned a job.  All rules must be followed or the member will be punished.  Jonas is a member of this community and he is eleven and lives with a sister, mother and father.

Conflict:  Jonas is becoming aware that he sees things differently than others in his community, this causes him to start question the way things are and the restrictions placed on him and the other members of the community.

Rising Action:  Jonas is excited and worried about the Ceremony of Twelve, where he will be given his adult job based on what the committee decides will be best for him.  He is given the job of the Receiver.  This job means that The Giver will give him all of the memories of the community’s past including the memories of pleasure and pain.  In exchange, the members of the community can live pain free, peaceful existence.  Meanwhile, Jonas’s family is nurturing a baby that was not doing well on the center and is in danger of being released.  The Giver grows close to Jonas and encourages him to ask questions.  Jonas asks what ‘being released’ means and the Giver shows him. 

Climax:  Jonas discovers that the baby, Gabriel, is going to be released in the morning and this is the last night with the baby.  After, everyone is asleep; Jonas takes the baby, food and his father’s bicycle and escapes.

Falling Action:  Jonas escapes with the baby, hiding from planes, and experiencing hunger, cold and pain. 

Resolution:  When Jonas thinks that he can go no further, he comes to a hill with a sled, just like his first memory the Giver gave him.  Jonas and Gabriel sled down the hill toward a home with lights on and music playing.  He is certain that the people below will welcome him and Gabriel when they get to the bottom.

One of the literary qualities found in this book is the use of foreshadowing and another literary quality is the symbolism.

Lowery, L. (1993). The Giver. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf.