Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine - EC
A young girl stands in front of her wardrobe to select her attire and make her own fashion statement.

In this Vicki Cobb Science Play series book, children are asked to think like scientists as they are led through experiments and discussion about wind.

Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies - E 597.3 Dav

Bright colors, big print, and breezy writing distinguish this brief introduction to the great white, dwarf lantern, sand tiger, and other amazing sharks.

The Racecar Alphabet by Brian Floca - EF

A compelling, alliterative text and large, exuberant watercolors capture the excitement of racecar driving—beginning with a 1901 Ford and continuing through the alphabet to a 2001 Ferrari.

Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French - EF

In this endearing, hilarious tale about Australia’s most endangered mammal, a wombat keeps a diary of her daily activities, often writing no more than “slept” or “ate grass.” She has a bit more to describe when human neighbors arrive and she sets about training them to take care of her demands.

Little One Step by Simon James - EJ

Three ducklings lost in the woods encourage the smallest to take “one step” at a time until they find mama. The soft, golden-hued illustrations clearly enhance the feelings expressed in the text.

What Do You Do with a Tail like This?
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page - E 573.9 Jen

This innovative guessing book delivers a fun, playful science lesson about 30 animals’ body parts—legs, ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails.

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long - EL

In this rollicking pirate tale, young Jeremy joins a pirate crew and happily finds that no baths or vegetables are required. Unfortunately, he also learns that there is no one to tuck him in or read him a good-night story.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
by Yuyi Morales - E 511 Mor

Morales’ energetic, playful illustrations capture the essence of Mexican culture with bold, humorous motifs that illuminate Grandma Beetle’s vitality and Señor Calavera’s expressiveness.

My Name Is Yoon by Helen Recorvits - ER

Unusual perspectives and amusing detail capture Yoon’s transition from a shy newcomer to a happy schoolgirl who is willing, at last, to write the American version of her beloved Korean name.

One Is a Snail, Ten Is a Crab: A Counting by Feet Book by April Pulley Sayre and Jeff Sayre - ES

By counting the feet of a variety of creatures as they bicycle, limbo, and play volleyball across the beach, children can discover the basic concepts of counting, adding, and multiplying.

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems - EW

A persistent pigeon asks, pleads, wheedles, connives, negotiates, demands, and uses emotional blackmail to get behind the wheel. Pigeon won’t take no for an answer, putting the reader on the spot with his escalating series of tactics.

Middle Readers

Silent Movie by Avi - EA
Warm up the organ, bring out the popcorn, and watch as this melodramatic tale unfolds. Dramatic black-and-white illustrations and brief, caption like text effectively reveal the rags-to-riches tale of an immigrant family. Just like viewing an old-time movie.

Mack Made Movies by Don Brown - E 791.43 Bro
From his first role as a horse’s rear end to filming the first pie in the face, Mack Sennett made a lasting impact on the film industry.

The Shape Game by Anthony Browne - E 708 Bro

The celebrated illustrator recalls his unlikely introduction to fine art when his working-class family visited an art museum for the first time. Just as his mother helped the family become involved in the paintings, Browne provides children with amusing illustrations to explore.

George Washington’s Teeth
by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine - E 973.4 Cha

The sad saga of Washington’s terrible tooth problems is told through lively poetry and amusing pastel illustrations. In the midst of the fun, children painlessly learn interesting facts about colonial life.

Vote! by Eileen Christelow - E 324.973 Chr

From rallies to recounts, lively cartoons and a lucid text explain the intricacies of the electoral process using a fictional mayoral race as a model.

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech - J Cre

When Rosie and her best buddy, Bailey, have a falling out, it’s the warmth and wisdom of Granny Torrelli’s kitchen that provides the ingredients for understanding and growth until tutta va bene—all is well!

Iqbal: A Novel by Francesco D'Adamo - J DAd

Seamlessly translated from the Italian, this gripping, fictionalized story of Iqbal Masih, who was forced into child labor weaving carpets to pay off his family’s debts, demonstrates that one person can make a difference.

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo - J DiC

DiCamillo draws children into an enchanting account of a smaller-than-usual mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - J DuP

The City of Ember is dying: the mammoth underground generators that provide its only light are slowly breaking down. Lina and Doon hold the key to escape, but will they be able to persuade their fellow citizens to follow them into the unknown?

Snowed in with Grandmother Silk by Carol Fenner - J Fen

In this early chapter book with big print, humor, and a situation children can appreciate, Ruddy and his grandmother become best friends after being stranded by a surprise storm that leaves them without electricity or a telephone.

Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl by Virginia Hamilton - EH

In Hamilton’s retelling of a Gullah version of the beloved Tar Baby story, Bruh Rabbit once again fools the luckless Bruh Wolf.

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales - J Hor

Familiar themes take on the flavor of Mexico and the Southwest in these smooth retellings selected by an experienced anthologist. Well suited to telling or reading aloud.

Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
by Kathleen Krull - J 921 Cha

Morales uses brightly colored acrylics, handmade stamps, and computer-created cutouts to depict the life of civil rights leader Chavez.

The Man Who Made Time Travel by Kathryn Lasky - J 526.62 Las

Lasky’s accessible, well-researched picture-book biography of John Harrison, the brilliant seventeenth-century inventor of the marine chronometer, is supported by Hawkes’ intriguing, equally well researched paintings.

Hana’s Suitcase: A True Story by Karen Levine - J940.5318 Lev

A child’s suitcase in a museum display leads a teacher and her class to research and discover the life of a child caught up in the Holocaust.

The Man Who Went to the Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins
by Bea Uusma Schyffert - J629.45 Sch

Schyffert’s seamless integration of text, illustrations, charts, and photos draws readers into the amazing story of the astronaut who kept Apollo 11 circling the moon while his colleagues took a giant step for mankind. A 2004 Batchelder Honor Book.

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson - J Woo

As Lonnie settles into his foster home, he misses his parents, who died in a fire, and his sister, who has been adopted. Writing in free verse, Woodson tells the poignant story of a young boy who will be hard to forget.

Older Readers

Colibrí by Ann Cameron - J Cam

Twelve-year-old Rosa regains her identity and confidence in a riveting story steeped in the culture, traditions, and folk beliefs of modern Guatemala.

Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy
by Ilene Cooper - J921 Ken

Cooper’s compelling account of John F. Kennedy’s childhood and adolescence provides previously unknown details as well as a fascinating assortment of photographs and letters.

Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life by Candace Flemin - J 973.3092

Presented in the style of Franklin’s own original almanac, Fleming’s absorbing biography is chock- full of information that makes history jump right off the page.

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America’s Bill of Rights
by Freedman Russell - 342.73 Fre

In his eminently clear and careful text, Freedman explains why and how the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution came to be written and what they mean. A timely, valuable commentary on our freedoms.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke - J Fun

When Meggie’s father reads aloud, characters jump right out of the book into the real world. Funke creates an action-packed adventure-fantasy peopled with memorable characters, including some chilling villains.

Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes - J Hen
Twelve-year-old Martha receives a page from the journal of classmate Olive, who recently died in an accident. Olive’s entry, which talks about her desire to be Martha’s friend, to see the ocean, and to become a writer, propels Martha from childhood to the brink of adolescence. A 2004 Newbery Honor Book.

Keeper of the Night by Kimberly Willis Holt - Y Hol

Set against the lush beauty of Guam, exquisitely crafted, present-tense snapshots follow 13-year-old Isabel as she struggles to preserve her family and realize her own independence in the wake of her mother’s suicide.

The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne - Y Jon

Told alternately by Roddy and Nick, this complex, riveting fantasy moves swiftly along as the characters combine their newfound magical powers and learn that actions in one world may have long- reaching effects in other worlds.

Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit
by Betsy Harvey Kraft - J 973.911 Kra

Kraft draws from many sources for this complete biography of the reformer president “who erected his own monument.”

Mosque by David Macaulay - J 726.2 Mac

Meticulous pen-and-ink drawings and judicious application of color add to an infectiously enthusiastic text that documents the construction of a mosque and its role in the community.

Stop the Train! by Geraldine McCaughrean - J McC

In 1893, the future of newly settled Florence, Oklahoma, and its scrappy townspeople depends on getting the Red River Railroad to make a local stop. Colorful, eccentric characters, hair-raising escapades, and robust humor bring an unforgettable period of U.S. history to life.

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy - J 614.541 Mur

Murphy lends insight into the political, social, and cultural challenges of the tragic yellow fever epidemic. His compelling narrative pulls readers into the crisis, illuminates the community’s response, and shows the best and worst of humanity.

Ruby Electric by Theresa Nelson - J Nel

Ruby deals with her real-life problems by visualizing screenplays in her head. Full of humor and drama, Ruby’s voice crackles with electricity.

Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev - J Orl

When eight-year-old Srulik is left alone in the Warsaw Ghetto, he must fend for himself—even forgetting his name—in order to survive the Holocaust.

Cuba 15 by Nanci Osa - Y Osa

As Violet Paz unwillingly prepares for her quinceañera, the traditional Latina fifteenth-birthday celebration, she undertakes a journey of self-discovery that leads her to appreciate and understand her Cuban heritage for the first time in her life.

East by Edith Pattou - Y Pat

In this compelling retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” Rose saves her sister’s life by agreeing to live with a white bear. After her curiosity condemns the bear to enslavement by the Ice Queen, Rose sets out to rescue him on a journey filled with heart-stopping action.

The River Between Us by Richard Peck - J Pec

In a voice uneducated and wise, unsophisticated and ironic, the narrator spins a dramatic, poignant tale of family and racial identity, graced with unforgettable characters who struggle against a Civil War backdrop.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett - J Pra

With the help of the Nac Mac Feegle (the Wee Free Men), a shockingly rude band of blue six-inch-tall men, young Tiffany Aching leaves her family’s farm in the chalk country to rescue her brother from the fairy kingdom. An original fantasy, both hilarious and scary.

Remember the Lusitania! by Diana Preston - J 940.4514 Pre

Chapters chronicling personal accounts of passengers are juxtaposed with the chilling plan of the German U-boat captain and crew who lay in wait for the Big Lusy. A riveting account of the ocean liner’s last Atlantic crossing.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve - Y Ree

In this original, fast-paced sf novel set in a post- apocalypse future, cities of the world move around on tractor treads pursuing and scavenging one another.

Don’t Hold Me Back: My Life and Art
by Winfred Rembert - J 759.13 Rem

African American folk artist Rembert takes readers on a guided tour of his childhood and coming- of-age at the bloom of the civil rights movement.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - J Row

Fifteen-year-old Harry experiences the angst of being a teen, including feelings of abandonment, powerlessness, isolation, and grief. Budding romance, rib-tickling humor, and a darker sensibility characterize this action-packed fifth title in the series.

The Tree of Life: A Book Depicting the Life of Charles Darwin Naturalist, Geologist, and Thinker by Peter Sís - J 921 Dar

Darwin’s unique life and work unfold in a visually stunning, complex, and appealing book that begs multiple readings.

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud - J Str

An inexperienced apprentice magician summons Bartimaeus, a powerful 5,000-year-old djinni with a sarcastic bent. The results are danger, death, and a big dose of comic relief.

All Ages

Tell Me a Picture by Quentin Blake - J 750 Bla

In this innovative offering, comical cartoon children walk readers through an art exhibition, introducing and commenting on 26 works and, at the same time, allowing opportunities for individual contemplation.

Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee EF

Frazee’s text swerves, dips, and loops across the pages along with the cars of a roller coaster as a young girl enjoys a much anticipated first ride and then is ready to go again.

The Man Who Walked between the Towers
by Mordicai Gerstein - J 791.34 Ger

Gerstein’s true story recounts the daring feat of a spirited young Frenchman who walked a tightrope between the World Trade Center twin towers in 1974. The 2004 Caldecott Medal Book.

There’s a Frog in My Throat!
by Loreen Leedy and Pat Street - J 428.1 Lee

An energetic array of familiar sayings and idiomatic phrases is cleverly illustrated with lively collages that picture a variety of animal pranks.

Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo - J Mor

After 11-year-old Michael is washed over the side of his family’s yacht, he awakens on what he believes is a deserted island in the Pacific. In this riveting survival story, Michael discovers that he is not alone.

Blues Journey
by Walter Dean Myers - J 811.54 Mye

Poetry and art combine for a striking look at jazz as the author and artist present an overview of African American history.

The Hidden Alphabet by Laura Vaccaro - ES

In this beautifully designed interactive book, children peek through a keyhole and find a fresh way of seeing things. Each letter of the alphabet is introduced by a word and an arresting image; as the black frame on each page is lifted, the small illustration beneath is transformed into a large, elegant capital letter.

11/01/04