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.