Book Wish List
Grades K - 2
And Then It’s Spring. By Julie Fogliano. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring
Brook/Neal Porter.
A spare, lyrical narrative and delicate woodblock print and
pencil illustrations capture the anticipation of spring. Accompanied by a coterie
of animals, a boy plants seeds and waits expectantly for them to sprout.
Bear Has a Story to Tell. By Philip C. Stead. Illus. by Erin E. Stead.
Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.
Seasons change but friendship remains as Bear patiently
awaits to tell his story in a world created through delicate illustrations and
a strong message.
Black Dog. By Levi Pinfold. Illus. by the author. Candlewick/Templar.
Here’s a story that demonstrates that even the smallest
family member has the courage to save everyone. Both the illustrations and the
text move from scary to comforting with a satisfying ending.
Charley's First Night. By Amy Hest. Illus. by Helen Oxenbury. Candlewick.
An adorable puppy is comforted his first night in a new home
by a young boy who cares for Charley throughout the long hours. Pastel
watercolors infuse the story with warmth and intimacy.
Creepy Carrots! By Aaron Reynolds. Illus. by Peter Brown. Simon &
Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots until he notices they are
everywhere and becomes convinced that they’re coming for him! (A 2013 Caldecott
Honor Book)
Demolition. By Sally Sutton. Illus. by Brian Lovelock.
Candlewick.
Through a mix of rhyming text, sounds, and onomatopoeia, and
large gritty illustrations, children are introduced to what machines do at a
construction site.
Dogs on Duty. By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Walker.
Brave, loyal dogs are hard to resist, especially those
trained to serve on difficult military missions. Easy-to-read blocks of text
are paired with photos to walk readers through the history of these hero
hounds.
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. By Christy Hale. Illus. by the author. Lee
& Low.
Poetry combined with images illustrates how children’s play
influences the creative process as it pertains to the buildings we inhabit and
will inspire readers to dream big.
Extra Yarn. By Mac Barnett . Illus. by Jon Klassen.
HarperCollins/Balzer and Bray.
A selfish archduke threatens to halt a little girl's
transformation of a colorless town and steal her box of magical yarn. (A
2013 Caldecott Honor Book)
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors. By Hena Khan. Illus. by Mehrdokht Amini.
Chronicle.
A look at Muslim life through the eyes of a child, sharing
family experiences; the warm illustrations and cultural details remind us how
similar we are.
Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs. By Mo Willems. Illus. by the author.
HarperCollins/Balzer and Bray.
A humorously fractured fairy tale tells the story of
Goldilocks. Sly humor underlies significant changes to the expected script and
setting.
Infinity and Me. By Kate Hosford. Illus. by Gabi Swiatkowska.
Lerner/Carolrhoda.
Children will relate to Uma's experience of feeling small as
she considers the universe and her place in it. Idiosyncratic illustrations
contrast with the warm relationship between Uma and her grandmother. Finally,
infinity in terms Uma can understand.
Just Ducks. By Nicola Davies. Illus. by Salvatore Rubbino.
Candlewick.
A young girl observes mallard ducks as they eat, swim, and dive.
Appealing watercolors draw readers into the informative but gentle narrative.
Let's Go for a Drive! By Mo Willems. Illus. by the author. Hyperion.
Good friends Elephant and Piggie’s best plans in preparing to
take a drive go awry when they realize they have no car. (A 2013 Geisel Honor
Book)
Machines Go to Work in the City. By William Low. Illus. by the author. Holt.
Elegant illustrations portray a variety of gritty, urban
machines in all their burly glory as they work under, through, and above the
city.
Magritte’s Marvelous Hat : A Picture Book. By D. B. (Donald B.) Johnson. Illus. by the
author. Houghton.
An imaginatively-constructed picture book captures the
essence of creativity and play while also introducing the paintings of the
unique artist, René Magritte.
More.
By I. C. Springman. Illus. by Brian Lies. Houghton.
Illustrations stunningly juxtaposed against a simple story
show what happens when Magpie’s greed leads to trouble.
Nighttime Ninja. By Barbara DaCosta. Illus. by Ed Young. Little, Brown.
A ninja stealthily goes about his mission until his mother
catches him and puts him to bed. A dark palette of cut paper and mixed-media
illustrations intensify the story's intrigue.
Oh, No! By Candace Fleming. Illus. by Eric Rohmann. Random/Schwartz
& Wade.
With exuberant rhythmic phrases and jungle colored
illustrations, five animals are disturbed by a grinning tiger and fall into a
hole, one by one. This suspenseful cumulative tale is an engaging read-aloud.
One Cool Friend. By Toni Buzzeo. Illus. by David Small. Dial/Penguin.
Energetic line and dizzying perspective combine for a
rollicking tale of Father, Elliot, and a highly improbable pet (or two).
(A 2013 Caldecott Honor Book)
Penny and Her Doll. By Kevin Henkes. Illus. by the author. Greenwillow.
Softly rendered illustrations in this beginning reader reveal
Penny's determination to find the perfect name for her doll.
Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. By Eric Litwin. Illus. by James Dean.
HarperCollins.
A blue mellow-eyed feline keeps losing his groovy buttons.
But does he cry? Goodness no! For after all, it’s all good! (A 2013 Geisel
Honor Book)
Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover. By Cece Bell. Illus. by the author. Candlewick.
Rabbit and Robot disagree about everything on Rabbit’s “To
Do” list at their sleepover, including Robot’s insistence for pizza toppings of
nuts, bolts, and screws. And everything comes to a halt when Robot’s batteries
run low. (A 2013 Geisel Honor Book)
Secret identity by Wendelin Van Draanen ; illustrated by
Brian Biggs.
Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd,
tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret
identity--Shredderman!
Sleep Like a Tiger. By Mary Logue. Illus. by Pamela Zagarenski. Houghton.
Parents coax their young child to bed in a whimsical bedtime
story with universal appeal. (A 2013 Caldecott Honor Book)
This Is Not My Hat. By Jon Klassen. Illus. by the author. Candlewick.
In this darkly humorous tale, a tiny fish knows it’s wrong to
steal a hat, but it fits him just right. And the big fish wants his hat back.
(The 2013 Caldecott Medal Book)
This Moose Belongs to Me. By Oliver Jeffers. Illus. by the author.
Philomel/Penguin.
Wilfred thinks he owns a moose, but the moose has other ideas.
This offbeat tale is humorously illustrated using an incongruous mix of stick
figures and painterly landscapes.
Up, Tall, and High! By Ethan Long. Illus. by the author. Putnam/Penguin.
A bevy of birds performs a play in three acts, while teaching
the concepts of up, tall, and high. Children will delight in reading additional
words hidden beneath thick flaps. (The 2013 Geisel Medal Book)
Z Is for Moose. By Kelly Bingham. Illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. Greenwillow.
An unconventional alphabet book features best friends, Moose
and Zebra, wreaking A-Z laugh-out-loud havock. Their zany actions are
highlighted in cartoon mixed-media illustrations.
Grades 3 - 5
Follows Hansel and Gretel as
they walk out of their own story and into eight more tales, encountering such
wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful
folk. Based in part on the Grimms’ fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hansel and
Gretel, The seven ravens, Brother and sister, The robber bridegroom, and The
devil and his three golden hairs.
Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: The Story behind an
American Friendship.
By Russell Freedman. illus. Clarion/Houghton.
Though one was born a free man and the other a slave, Abraham
Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had much in common. In this dynamic study,
Freedman explains how their influential lives intersected and benefitted a
nation.
The Beetle Book. By Steve Jenkins. Illus. by the author. Houghton.
With jewel-like collage art, this over-sized edition examines
different beetle species and their distinctive characteristics.
A Black Hole Is Not a Hole. By Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano. Illus. by
Michael Carroll. Charlesbridge.
Using analogies within a child's experience, this deceptively
clear, engaging introduction to black holes describes, explains, excites, and
sparks a sense of wonder.
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous
Weapon. By Steve Sheinkin. illus.
Roaring BrookFlash Point.
This riveting historical nonfiction drama explores the
complex series of events that led to the creation of the ultimate weapon and
introduces many memorable personalities involved in the pursuit. (A 2013
Newbery Honor Book, The Sibert Medal Book, and the YALSA Award for Excellence
in Nonfiction for Young Adults)
Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to not reading By Tommy Greenwald
Middle schooler Charlie Joe
is proud of his success at avoiding reading, but eventually his schemes go too
far.
Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to extra credit
By Tommy Greenwald
Bright but unenthusiastic
middle school student Charlie Joe Jackson signs up for the school play in an
attempt to get straight As on his last quarter report card in order to avoid
having to go to Camp Rituhbukkee over the summer
Charlie Joe Jackson's guide to summer vacation By Tommy Greenwald
Charlie Joe Jackson is back
and he’s at academic summer camp trying to convert all the other kids to
non-academics
Chuck Close: Face Book. By Chuck Close. illus. Abrams.
Playful and jam-packed with information in text and images,
including an unusually effective “mix ‘n match” insert of self-portraits,
this is an inspiring, hands-on profile of the artist.
Each Kindness. By Jacqueline Woodson. Illus. by E. B. Lewis. Penguin/Nancy
Paulsen.
A story of disconnections and regret when a child misses an
opportunity of being a friend; while the illustrations reflect a beautiful
outside world, the personal world shows isolation and loneliness. (A 2013
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book)
Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. By Robert Byrd. Illus. by the author.
Dial/Penguin.
Renaissance man and American founding father, Benjamin
Franklin, surges to life in this electrifying informational book. (A 2013 Sibert
Honor Book)
Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures By Kate DiCamillo
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic
accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum
cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read
every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the
just the right person to step in and save him.
Fortunately, the Milk By Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk
for his children’s cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on
a wild adventure through time and space
George Bellows: Painter with a Punch! By Robert Burleigh. Illus. by George Bellows.
Abrams.
Illustrated with Bellows' paintings, this biography captures
the essence of the painter's life and art -- his early years, training, and his
passion for the gritty underbelly of New York City.
Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller. By Doreen Rappaport. Illus. by Matt Tavares.
Disney/Hyperion.
Elegant text, direct quotes and big, beautiful illustrations
express how Helen Keller's world became larger once she found a way to identify
and give voice to her experiences.
Iceberg, Right Ahead!: The Tragedy of the Titanic. By Stephanie Sammartino McPherson. illus.
Lerner/Twenty-First Century.
Drawing from official documents, logs, and diaries and
illustrated with plentiful photographs, this well-organized, gripping chronicle
records the tragic story, from the original design and construction to the
discovery of the ship's remains and motion picture recreations.
In a Glass Grimmly. By Adam Gidwitz. illus. Dutton/Penguin.
Inspired by the tales of Grimm and Andersen, Gidwitz leads
Jack and Jill on a quest full of adventure and fantastical creatures. Wit and
wisdom packaged as fun.
Island: A Story of the Galápagos. By Jason Chin. Illus. by the author. Roaring
Brook/Neal Porter.
Vivid illustrations and brief text explain the evolution of
one Galápagos island and its animal inhabitants. Back matter adds
weight to the information and prompts further research.
Lulu and the Duck in the Park. By Hilary McKay. Illus. by Priscilla Lamont.
Albert Whitman.
Despite her teacher's stern warning, tender-hearted Lulu
inadvertently and unexpectedly adds a new animal to the classroom in a
laugh-out-loud transitional story.
May B. , By Caroline Starr Rose. Random/Schwartz & Wade.
In this verse novel, dyslexic May B. is sent to help a couple
in a soddy on the Kansas plains. Suddenly, May B. must fend for herself as
winter approaches. A girttier story for Little House fans.
The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit
and Opportunity. By
Elizabeth Rusch. illus. Houghton.
Follows the creation and launch of the first two Mars rovers
in 2004, their explorations of the Red Planet for the following six years, and
the challenges that faced the scientists who built and guided them.
Moonbird : A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95. By Phillip M. Hoose. illus. Macmillan/Farrar.
B95, a four-ounce shorebird, is the subject of this fast-paced
tale of endurance. (A 2013 Sibert Honor Book and a YALSA Finalist for
Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults)
Ranger’s Apprentice Books 1 -11. By John Flanagan
The series follows the adventures of Will, an orphan who is
taken as an apprentice Ranger, as he strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe
from invaders, traitors, and threats. He is joined on his adventures by his mentor Haltand his
best friend Horace.
See You at Harry’s. By Jo Knowles. Candlewick.
Fern's family life revolves around her family's restaurant
and upbeat-three-year-old Charlie until tragedy strikes. A surprisingly
funny book about a family coming together as they grieve.
Splendors and Glooms. By Laura Amy Schlitz. Candlewick.
Lizzie Rose, Parsefall, and Clara are caught in the clutches
of a wicked puppeteer and a powerful witch in this deliciously dark and complex
good-versus-evil tale set in Dickensian England. (A 2013 Newbery Honor Book)
Starry River of the Sky. By Grace Lin. Illus. by the author. Little, Brown.
Rendi, a runaway, finds work at a small inn. A mysterious
guest shares mystical stories, helping Rendi discover truths about himself and
the world. Lovely Chinese-style illustrations make the complete package.
Three Times Lucky. By Sheila Turnage. Dial/Penguin.
Rising sixth-grader Mo LoBeau leads eccentric residents of
Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, on a rollicking journey of mystery and
adventure as she investigates a murder and searches for her long-lost mother.
(A 2013 Newbery Honor Book)
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster. By Deborah Hopkinson. illus. Scholastic
Press/Scholastic.
This story of the ill-fated ship is told in compelling
detail, offering a gripping account through the voices of survivors. (A 2013
Sibert Honor Book and a YALSA Finalist for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young
Adults)
Twelve Kinds of Ice. By Ellen Bryan Obed. Illus. by Barbara McClintock.
Houghton.
In a nostalgic look back to childhood winters with her
close-knit family and neighbors, Obed describes the pleasures of playing and
skating on the ice.
Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad. By Henry Cole. Illus. by the author.
Scholastic Press/Scholastic.
In a wordless, yet eloquent, picture book, a courageous
farmgirl secretly provides food to a runaway slave. Evocative, monochromatic
pencil drawings capture the story's drama.
Wonder. By
R. J. Palacio. Knopf.
Born with facial deformities, August chooses to attend
"regular" school for the first time. Told from many
perspectives, this is a powerful novel about friendship and acceptance.
Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead. By Rebecca L. Johnson. illus.
Lerner/Millbrook.
Illustrated with amazing photographs, this shivery
introduction to some of the fungi, parasites and viruses that invade bugs,
mammals and sometimes humans, examines how they control the hosts' behavior to
ensure their own survival.
Graphic Novels
The Adventures of Polo by Régis Faller. Roaring Brook, 2006. ISBN: 9781596431607.
Little dog Polo takes up his backpack and umbrella and sets
out in his boat to explore exciting new places. First of a series. (There
are 6 books in the series)
Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires. Kids Can Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781554533091.
Binky has a dream: to become a space cat, blast into space,
and fight aliens. First of the "A Binky Adventure" series.(5
books in the series)
Hamster and Cheese by Colleen Venable. Illustrated by Stephanie Yue.
Lerner/Graphic Universe, 2010. ISBN: 9780761345985.
Sasspants the guinea pig and his sidekick, Hamisher the
hamster, get to the bottom of the case of the missing sandwiches. First of the
"Pet Shop Private Eye" series. (5 Books in the series)
The Shark King by R. Kikuo Johnson. TOON, 2012. ISBN: 9781935179160.
In this Hawaiian tale, Nanaue, born to a shark father and a
human mother, struggles to find where he fits in.
Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into
Comics by James Sturm, Andrew
Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost. Roaring Brook/First Second, 2009. ISBN:
9781596433694.
This fun and unique title is both an amazing adventure and a
tutorial into the basic elements of cartooning. The sequel is Adventures
in Cartooning
Chi's Sweet Home by Konami Kanata. Vertical, 2010. ISBN: 9781934287811.
A super-sweet manga series in which a spunky lost kitten is
rescued by the Yamadas, who are not allowed to have pets in their apartment.
While dreaming of finding her mother, Chi navigates such trials as litter
training, vet visits, and avoiding the nosy landlady. First of a series
of the same name. (10 books in the series)
Explorer: The Mystery Boxes edited by Kazu Kibuishi. Amulet Books,
2012. ISBN: 9781419700095.
Seven clever stories answer one simple question: what’s in
the box? Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique
short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the
marvels—or mayhem—inside.
Giants Beware by Jorge Aguirre. Illustrated by Rafael Rosado. Roaring
Brook/First Second, 2012. ISBN: 9781596435827.
Three stalwart companions and their trusty dog set out to
defeat a local giant. Though villains lurk at every turn, sometimes
giants just aren't the baddies they're reported to be.
Happy Happy Clover by Sayuri Tatsuyama. VIZ, 2009. ISBN: 9781421526560.
This sweet manga tale shares the adventures and misadventures
of Clover, a bunny, and her forest-dwelling friends. First of a series.
(5 Books in the series)
Hyperactive by Scott Christian Sava. Illustrated by Joseph Bergin III.
IDW/Worthwhile, 2008. ISBN: 9781600103131.
On the first day of school, Joey's metabolism kicks into high
gear, giving him superhuman speed. Adventures galore ensue.
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga. Abrams/Amulet, 2010. ISBN: 9780810984233.
Jimmy explores the lab of a mad scientist in this “Choose
Your Own Adventure” style graphic novel.
Sardine in Outer Space by Emmanuel Guibert. Illustrated by Joann Sfar. Roaring
Brook/First Second, 2006. ISBN: 9781596431263.
Space pirate girl Sardine and her crew battle dimwitted
galactic dictator Supermuscleman and evil genius Doc Krok in these adventures
filled with lots of low-brow humor, translated from the French. First of
the "Sardine" series.
Sidekicks by Dan Santat. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011.
ISBN: 9780439298193.
Captain Amazing is looking for a new sidekick...and his pets
want in on the action!
Books Needed to Complete Series
All the Wrong Questions Series By Lemony Snicket Book 2 ( When Did You See Her
Last?)
All the Wrong Questions is a children's novel series by Lemony Snicket, set before the events of A
Series of Unfortunate Events.
Artemis Fowl By
Eoin Colfer Books 7 and 8
The series introduces Artemis as an anti-hero and the
fairies' enemy, but as the series progresses, he assists the Fairies in
resolving conflicts with worldwide ramifications, with Artemis' character
developing and changing throughout the chronology.
Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanagan
Books 2 - 3
They are outcasts. Hal, Stig, and the others - they are the
boys the others want no part of. Skandians, as any reader of Ranger's
Apprentice could tell you, are known for their size and strength. Not these
boys. Yet that doesn't mean they don't have skills. And courage - which they
will need every ounce of to do battle at sea against the other bands, the Wolves
and the Sharks, in the ultimate race. The icy waters make for a treacherous
playing field . . . especially when not everyone thinks of it as playing.
Children of the Red King (Charlie Bone Series) Book 7 - 8
This series tells the story of Charlie Bone and other magical
descendants of the Red King and of the magical school, Bloor Academy, which
they attend.
H.I.V.E.
by Mark Walden Books 2-6
H.I.V.E. is a top secret school hidden inside a
still active volcano. The school is a part of G.L.O.V.E., the Global League of
Villainous Enterprises, and was built for the purpose of training children to
become criminal masterminds. Only children who have already been seen to have
some villainous skill are accepted to the school
Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini Books 2 - 4
The Inheritance Cycle is a four epic fantasy
novels.. Set in the fictional world of Alagaësia , the novels focus on the
adventures of a teenage boy named Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, as they struggle
to overthrow the evil King Galbatorix.
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