An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective NounsBetsy R.Rosenthal. Illus. by Jago. Lerner/Millbrook. This collection of humorous illustrations and clever word play introduces children to the wide variety of animal groups, such as a prickle of porcupines and a tower of giraffes.Younger ReadersView book detailsALSC Notable Children's Books 2016
Books selected by ALSC for children from birth through age 14.
2016 ALSC Notable Children's BooksSee the original list
Selections117
Published byAssociation for Library Service to Children (ALA)
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Younger Readers
54 selections
An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective NounsBetsy R.Rosenthal. Illus. by Jago. Lerner/Millbrook. This collection of humorous illustrations and clever word play introduces children to the wide variety of animal groups, such as a prickle of porcupines and a tower of giraffes.Younger ReadersView book details
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, & Harlem’s Greatest BookstoreVaunda Micheaux NelsonLewis Michaux Jr.takes readers through the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem. This one-of-a-kind store offered a place for African Americans to read, learn, and debate ideas for over 40 years.Younger ReadersView book details
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret SecretBob SheaBallet Cat loves ballet more than anything. What happens when her best friend Sparkles doesn’t want to play ballet every day? Find out in an early reader that breezily dances along.Younger ReadersView book details
Beep! Beep! Go to Sleep!Todd TarpleyThree rowdy robots keep a young boy awake with their requests for more oil, tightened bolts, loosened fan belts, and more. Will a bedtime story finally lead to sleep?Younger ReadersLexile AD320LATOS 1.8View book details
Boats for PapaJessixa BagleyBagley’s gentle artwork and warm story sensitively portray Buckley’s way of coping with the absence of his father by making boats from found beach objects.Younger ReadersLexile AD610LATOS 3.1View book details
A Chicken Followed Me Home! Questions and Answers about a Familiar FowlRobin PageWhether they own chickens or not, young readers will use this handy guide to answer their basic questions about the familiar fowl.Younger ReadersView book details
Detective Gordon: The First CaseUlf NilssonSquirrel’s nuts have been stolen! Never fear, a bulbous toad, Detective Gordon, and his new mouse assistant, Buffy, are on the case. A delightful mystery.Younger ReadersView book details
Don’t Throw It to Mo!David A. AdlerUnderdog football player Mo Jackson may be the smallest kid on his team, but Coach Steve has a plan for him to save the day. (Geisel Medal Book)Younger ReadersView book details
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed MusicMargarita EngleIn this story inspired by a real musician, a girl in Cuba longs to play the drums, and with perseverance, she breaks down the gender barrier, eventually becoming a famous drummer. (Belpré Illustrator Medal Book)Younger ReadersView book details
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu YeboahLaurie Ann ThompsonEmmanuel doesn't allow his malformed leg to deter him from riding a bike to crusade for disability rights in Ghana. His successes chronicled in this biography are inspirational.Younger ReadersView book details
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous BearLindsay MattickThis heartening tale is an incredible account of the friendship and love shared between a soldier and the real bear that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. (Caldecott Medal Book)Younger ReadersLexile AD590LATOS 3.4View book details
FloatDaniel MiyaresIn this wordless picture book, a gray, rainy day turns into an adventure when a boy makes a paper boat and plays outside in the rain.Younger ReadersView book details
Flop to the Top!Eleanor Davis, Drew WeingWanda is shocked to learn that her dog, Wilbur—not Wanda—has become an instant celebrity when a selfie goes viral. Bright, bold cartoon art tells this story, emphasizing that friendship and family are more important than fame.Younger ReadersView book details
Flutter & Hum / Aleteo y zumbido: Animal Poems / Poemas de animalesJulie PaschkisIllus. by the author. Holt. Fourteen poems of mammals, birds, insects, fish, and reptiles are presented in both English and Spanish. Embedded within the lively illustrations are additional words in both languages.Younger ReadersView book details
Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American RevolutionMara RockliffLittle-known hero baker of the American Revolution Christopher Ludwick stars in this engaging picture book biography with a tasty twist.Younger ReadersView book details
Grandma Lives in a Perfume VillageFang SuzhenXiao Le’s grandmother passes away soon after he spends a rare day visiting her. His mother is sad, but Xiao Le helps her feel better, telling her what Grandma is doing in Heaven. (Batchelder HonorYounger ReadersView book details
The Grasshopper and the AntsJerry PinkneyIn this adaptation of Aesop’s fable, vivid, intricate watercolors bring to life hardworking ants as they prepare for the winter, while a playful grasshopper wishes they would join in his merrymaking instead.Younger ReadersLexile 140LATOS 1.4View book details
Growing Up PedroMatt TavaresA young Pedro Martinez, inspired by his brother Ramon, rises from humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic to become one of the best Major League Baseball players of our time.Younger ReadersView book details
Hippos Are Huge!Jonathan LondonThe hippo, with its monstrous jaw and razor-sharp tusks, is the most dangerous animal in Africa. Filled with fascinating facts about the fierce, but sometimes playful, hippopotamus.Younger ReadersView book details
I Yam a Donkey!Cece BellCorrecting a donkey’s grammar and pronunciation comically leads to one yam’s demise.Younger ReadersLexile 370LATOS 2.6View book details
If You Plant a SeedKadir NelsonWhen some birds want part of the harvest, everyone learns being kind is the most fruitful way to be.Younger ReadersLexile AD340LATOS 2.5View book details
Last Stop on Market StreetMatt de la PeñaCJ’s journey with his Nana is not just a simple bus ride; it is a multi-sensory experience through which he discovers that beautiful music, nature, and people surround him. (Newbery Medal Book &Younger ReadersLexile AD610LATOS 3.3View book details
Lenny & LucyPhilip C. SteadHomemade guardians Lenny and Lucy protect Peter and his dog from the dark, scary woods and help him find fun and friendship at his new home. Pops of color bring life to the charcoal illustrations.Younger ReadersView book details
Leo: A Ghost StoryMac BarnettLeo, a child ghost, leaves his home when its new occupants fear him. He soon meets Jane and discovers the wonder and joy of a true friend. Cut-paper collages capture Leo’s emotional journey.Younger ReadersView book details
Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965Jonah WinterRecalling the fight for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a 100-year-old woman on the way to cast her ballot recounts the journey her family faced in gaining the right to vote.Younger ReadersView book details
Mango, Abuela, and MeMeg MedinaWhen Mia discovers that her Abuela can’t speak English, she finds the perfect gift that helps them both with their language barrier. Vibrant illustrations and Spanish words blend together to create a warm family story. (Belpré Author & Illustrator Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile AD560LATOS 3.4View book details
The Moon Is Going to Addy’s HouseIda PearleAddy and her family watch the moon follow them through the sky on a car ride home. Colorful cut- paper collage illustrations in luminescent tones illuminate the journey.Younger ReadersView book details
The Most Amazing Creature in the SeaBrenda Z.Guiberson. Illus. by Gennady Spirin. Holt. A dozen intriguing sea animals in the ocean explain their unique characteristics. Readers are invited to choose which is the most amazing.Younger ReadersView book details
Moving BlocksYusuke YonezuIllus. by the author. Michael Neugebauer/Minedition. In this small-format board book, three squares transform into a variety of vehicles, and with each page turn, shapes turn into objects in a fun visual twist.Younger ReadersView book details
Mr. Squirrel and the MoonSebastian MeschenmoserMr. Squirrel’s imagination runs wild when he mistakes a wheel of cheese for the moon. Gorgeous illustrations detail his efforts to get rid of the moon before anyone comes looking for it.Younger ReadersView book details
My Tata’s Remedies = Los remedios de mi tataRoni Capin Rivera-AshfordIllus. by Antonio Castro L. Cinco Puntos. Aaron learns first hand from his grandfather (Tata), who cares for family, friends, and neighbors, the significance of healing with a tender touch of wisdom and medicinal herbs. (Belpré IllustratorYounger ReadersView book details
A Pig, a Fox, and a BoxJonathan FenskeIn three humorous stories, not-so-clever Fox comes out the worst for wear when he uses a box to play tricks on his friend Pig. (Geisel Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile BR210LATOS 1.3View book details
Piper Green and the Fairy TreeEllen PotterPiper Green’s life is rich with family, friends, kittens, and magic. She meets her challenges head on and shows her spirit in everything she does.Younger ReadersLexile 650LATOS 3.5View book details
The Popcorn Astronauts: And Other Biteable RhymesDeborah RuddellSink your teeth into a delicious collection of poetry for all seasons, complete with imaginative watercolor illustrations that bring the whimsy to life.Younger ReadersView book details
The Princess and the PonyKate BeatonThe round, short, flatulent one she gets instead is not what she had in mind, but she learns it can be a secret weapon.Younger ReadersView book details
Raindrops RollApril Pulley SayreBeautifully detailed, up-close photos of the natural world demonstrate the wonder of raindrops as they splatter, drip, roll, and more.Younger ReadersLexile AD560LATOS 3.7View book details
RedJan De KinderA girl and her friends laugh when a classmate blushes on the playground. When one student takes the teasing too far, the girl must make a critical decision.Younger ReadersView book details
Roger Is Reading a BookKoen Van BiesenCinematic art and text illuminate exuberant Emily, whose loud hobbies interrupt Roger as he tries to peacefully read his book.Younger ReadersView book details
Sidewalk FlowersJonArno LawsonIllus. by Sydney Smith. Groundwood. A little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays little attention. In a wordless homage to the importance of small things, each flower becomes a gift, transforming the giver and the recipient.Younger ReadersView book details
The SkunkMac BarnettWhat is a man to do when a skunk appears on his doorstep? Readers follow the man and skunk on a quirky, humorous adventure.Younger ReadersLexile AD550LATOS 2.7View book details
Special DeliveryPhilip C. SteadMeeting some odd characters along the way, Sadie travels by plane, train, and alligator to deliver an elephant to lonely Great Aunt Josephine.Younger ReadersLexile 301LATOS 2.3View book details
SupertruckStephen SavageWhen a blizzard comes to town, an unassuming garbage truck secretly trades his glasses for a powerful snowplow and becomes the heroic "Supertruck.” (Geisel Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile AD370LATOS 1.5View book details
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna PavlovaLaurel SnyderElegant illustrations and poetic text tell the story of Anna Pavlova, an accomplished ballerina who shared the beauty and joy of dance with the entire world.Younger ReadersView book details
Tiptoe TapirsHanmin KimOther than Tapir and her little one, the jungle animals are all so noisy! When a hunter comes to the jungle, the other animals learn the value of quiet. Stylized illustrations convey the jungle sounds.Younger ReadersView book details
Trombone ShortyTroy AndrewsIn this autobiography, Trombone Shorty reminisces about his early life in the jazz music scene of his beloved hometown of New Orleans. (Caldecott Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile 760LATOS 4.2View book details
Two MiceSergio RuzzierTwo mice embark on adventures on the water and in the air, by both day and night. Beginning readers will enjoy the simple text, the counting experience, and the colorful illustrations.Younger ReadersView book details
WaitAntoinette PortisOn their way to catch a bus, a mother wants to hurry; her child wants to wait. A surprise stops them both, just short of the bus.Younger ReadersView book details
WaitingKevin HenkesIn this gentle story of five animal figurines waiting together by the window, readers and characters meet new friends, observe the unhurried passage of the seasons, and anticipate what may come next. (Caldecott & Geisel Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile 440LATOS 1.9View book details
Water Is Water: A Book about the Water CycleMiranda PaulThrough simple, poetic phrases and engaging watercolor illustrations, a sister and brother experience the water cycle throughout the seasons.Younger ReadersView book details
Who Done It?Olivier TallecFlip the pages to view the suspect line-ups and use the visual clues to determine the “who done it” on each page. A mystery designed for preschoolers.Younger ReadersView book details
Wolfie the BunnyAme DyckmanWhen her parents decide to raise a baby wolf as their own, Dot the rabbit fears that he will eat them all up, until a surprising encounter with a bear brings them closer together.Younger ReadersLexile AD440LATOS 1.8View book details
The Wonderful Fluffy Little SquishyBeatrice AlemagnaIllus. by the author. Tr. by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. Enchanted Lion. Five-year-old Eddie, after a spirited quest through the shops in her French village, parlays a brioche, a clover, a button, and a postage stamp into the perfect birthday gift for her mother. (BatchelderYounger ReadersView book details
Woodpecker Wham!April Pulley SayreIllus. by Steve Jenkins. Holt. Enter the world of woodpeckers and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of their everyday life. A variety of woodpecker species fly through these beautifully illustrated pages.Younger ReadersView book details
Written and Drawn by HenriettaLiniersHenrietta is writing and illustrating a story about a three-headed monster. Liniers’ thin-lined, expressive cartoons, complete with Henrietta’s crayon-thick scrawls, track her joyful creation of a scary and funny adventure. (Batchelder Honor Book)Younger ReadersLexile 490LATOS 2.29View book detailsMiddle Readers
34 selections
28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the WorldCharles R. Smith JrFrom the shooting of Crispus Attucks to the inauguration of President Barack Obama, 28 moments in Black history are celebrated through poetry, prose, and vivid illustrations.Middle ReadersView book details
Adam and ThomasAharon AppelfeldIllus. by Philippe Dumas. Tr. by Jeffrey M. Green. Seven Stories/Triangle Square. In the last months of World War II, two Jewish boys are taken from the Ghetto by their mothers to the forest of the Eastern Front and told to wait for their return. The boys forge a strong friendship, learning from one another and helping others escape through the woods. (Batchelder Honor Book)Middle ReadersView book details
Adventures with WafflesMaria ParrWhether sledding with chickens or boating with cows, there’s never a dull moment when neighbors Lena and Trille are together. The Norwegian village comes alive in this tale of family, friendship, and adventure.Middle ReadersLexile 720LATOS 4.6View book details
Blackbird FlyErin Entrada KellyEighth-grader Apple, a Filipino American, faces bullying, parental conflicts, fickle friends, and a lack of self-confidence with the help of a Beatles cassette, new friends, and the determination to play the guitar.Middle ReadersLexile 660LATOS 4.3View book details
The Blackthorn KeyKevin SandsAladdin. In 1665 London, Christopher, an apothecary’s apprentice, and his best friend Tom attempt to uncover the truth behind a mysterious cult. They follow a trail of puzzles, codes, pranks, and danger toward a powerful secret.Middle ReadersLexile 630LATOS 4.6View book details
EchoPam Muñoz RyanThis original fairytale intertwines with historical fiction to explore music and its power to save, heal, and set free. (Newbery Honor Book)Middle ReadersView book details
Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. CummingsMatthew BurgessIllus. by Kris Di Giacomo. Enchanted Lion. From an early age, poet E. E. Cummings loved words. Burgess’s text, enhanced by Di Giacomo’s collage illustrations, explores Cummings’ life from his childhood to his career as a poet.Middle ReadersView book details
Fish in a TreeLynda Mullaly HuntWith the help of an insightful teacher and quirky friends, Ally discovers how smart she really is in spite of being identified as dyslexic.Middle ReadersLexile 550LATOS 3.7View book details
Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick DouglassDoreen RappaportIllus. by London Ladd. Disney/Jump at the Sun. The story of Frederick Douglass’ inspirational life and quest for equal rights unfolds with dramatic illustrations and powerful language, including quotes from Douglass.Middle ReadersView book details
Full Cicada MoonMarilyn HiltonSet against the backdrop of the first lunar landing, this free verse novel features Mimi Oliver, a half Japanese, half African American girl who learns about fitting in and standing up for what’s right.Middle ReadersLexile 790LATOS 5View book details
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead CalaverasDuncan TonatiuhIn this book about artist José Guadalupe Posada, Tonatiuh juxtaposes his own artwork with Posada’s iconic Dia de Muertos illustrations and life, telling the story of a remarkable man and time in Mexican history. (Sibert Medal Book & Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)Middle ReadersView book details
Fuzzy MudLouis SacharTaking a shortcut through the off-limits woods to avoid a bully, Tamaya and Marshall encounter fuzzy-looking mud that unleashes a medical and environmental disaster.Middle ReadersLexile 700LATOS 5View book detailsGeorgeAlex GinoGeorge identifies as a girl; if only the rest of the world would too. With the help of best friend Kelly, George takes the first steps to becoming Melissa, her true self.Middle ReadersView book details
Gone Crazy in AlabamaRita Williams-GarciaSisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel to rural Alabama to visit Big Ma during the summer of 1969, where they find out about southern culture, animal rights, and the strength of their family, both past and present.Middle ReadersLexile 740LATOS 4.5View book details
Hamster Princess: Harriet the InvincibleUrsula VernonIn a spunky graphic novel retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Harriet, a hamster princess, embarks on many wild adventures until the curse on her backfires and she needs to save her parents.Middle ReadersView book details
Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan StoryReem FaruqiIllus. by Lea Lyon. Tilbury. Lailah, a young girl who has been looking forward to fasting for Ramadan for her first time, suddenly feels shy because she is at a new school in a new country.Middle ReadersView book details
Lost in the SunLisa GraffIn his efforts to make a fresh start in middle school, Trent struggles to put a traumatic event behind him. Fallon, the class outcast, strives to help Trent let go of his guilt.Middle ReadersLexile 700LATOS 4.5View book details
Mad about MonkeysOwen DaveyIllus. by the author. Flying Eye. Learn about more than 250 species of monkeys from around the world through a series of warm illustrations and fascinating facts.Middle ReadersLexile AD1050LATOS 7.2View book details
Mars EvacueesSophia McDougallA war between Earth and aliens leads to the evacuation of children to Mars. When the grown-ups disappear, Alice, her friends, and a robot goldfish make a discovery that might just change everything.Middle ReadersView book details
The MarvelsBrian SelznickTwo seemingly unrelated plots—Billy Marvel’s wordless, illustrated story set in 1776; and Joseph Jervis’s prose story set in 1990—come together in a tale of mystery, adventure, friendship, and family.Middle ReadersLexile 770LATOS 4.6View book details
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of FranceMara RockliffFollow along as Ben Franklin applies the scientific method to a new mysterious phenomenon Dr. Mesmer has been spreading across France. A whimsical look at science and history.Middle ReadersView book details
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin AileyLesa Cline-RansomeOnce Robert Battle’s leg braces were off, nothing could keep him from flying. With determination and love of dance, he became the artistic director of the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.Middle ReadersView book details
My Two BlanketsIrena KobaldWhile learning a new language in a new country, a young woman compares her native language to a warm, comfortable blanket. Soon she has two comfortable blankets—the old and the new language.Middle ReadersLexile AD480LATOS 2.3View book details
Murder Is Bad MannersRobin StevensHazel Wong and her best friend Daisy Wells form a secret detective agency at their boarding school. They open their first big case when their teacher, Miss Bell, turns up dead.Middle ReadersLexile 910LATOS 5.9View book details
The NestKenneth OppelSteve is always anxious and his baby brother’s health issues take it to another level. When he is approached by the Wasp Queen, who claims she can solve his worries, he learns agreeing with the wasps comes with a dangerous price. Haunting and eerie.Middle ReadersView book details
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses HortonDon TateGeorge Moses Horton overcame slavery and illiteracy to become a remarkable poet. His love of words and success as a poet will inspire readers.Middle ReadersView book details
Red ButterflyA. L. SonnichsenKara and her American mother are different from everyone they know in their Chinese neighborhood. When a medical emergency forces them into the mire of Chinese bureaucracy, Kara's future becomes desperate and unpredictable.Middle ReadersView book details
Roller GirlVictoria JamiesonAstrid falls in love with roller derby and learns how to be tougher, stronger, and fearless. Jamieson perfectly captures the highs and lows of growing up in this dynamic graphic novel. (Newbery HonorMiddle ReadersLexile GN440LATOS 3.2View book details
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOUCory SilverbergIllus. by Fiona Smyth. Seven Stories/Triangle Square. This age-appropriate and inclusive resource, featuring cartoon-style illustrations, is aimed at young children and their caregivers. It invites conversations about sex, gender, and the human body.Middle ReadersView book details
Stella by StarlightSharon M. DraperIn 1932 North Carolina, Stella feels the effects of a Klan cross burning, segregation, voter registration, and a major house fire in a story of change in a close-knit community.Middle ReadersLexile 740LATOS 4.8View book details
Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in AmericaSusan Campbell BartolettiKnown as a carrier of the deadly typhoid fever, Mary Mallon was also a victim of civil rights violations and overly harsh treatment. Her nuanced biography reveals the true complexity of her infamous case.Middle ReadersLexile 980LATOS 7.2View book details
Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel TowerGreg PizzoliAt the turn of the twentieth century, Czechoslovakian Robert Miller became a con artist. Calling himself Vic, he started with small schemes, working his way toward selling the Eiffel Tower.Middle ReadersView book details
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry FarmerKelly JonesTold primarily in letters, a series of humorous events kicks off when Sophie discovers chickens with astonishing abilities after her family inherits her great uncle’s farm.Middle ReadersLexile 880LATOS 5.7View book details
The War That Saved My LifeKimberly Brubaker BradleyBradley’s powerful plot, remarkably drawn characters, and sparse language are outstanding components of this novel about courage, community, and conviction. (Newbery Honor Book)Middle ReadersLexile 580LATOS 4.1View book detailsOlder Readers
19 selections
Baba Yaga’s AssistantMarika McCoolaUsing skills learned from her beloved grandma, Masha must pass a series of tests to become a witch’s assistant and get her annoying stepsister home safely. Graphic panels magically blend the contemporary with the traditional.Older ReadersView book details
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill ClubPhillip Hooseillus. This is a true World War II story of Danish teens who became resistance fighters while most adults in their country reacted passively to the Nazi takeover. Hoose weaves Pedersen’s words into an adventurous narrative about the young heroes. (Sibert Honor Book)Older ReadersView book details
Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in WarJessica Dee Humphreys, Michel ChikwanineIllus. by Claudia Dávila. Kids Can. Chikwanine chronicles the harrowing tale of his kidnapping at age five in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the horrors of life as a child soldier. A graphic-novel biography.Older ReadersView book details
Cuckoo SongFrances HardingeAfter almost drowning, Triss deals with gaps in her memory, her brother’s ghost, a vengeful sister, and The Architect who seems to be orchestrating so much of her life. A cinematic and spine-tingling tale.Older ReadersView book detailsDrowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New OrleansDon BrownHeroes surface, and people find courage in this exceptional graphic novel that addresses incompetence, racism, and the resilience of the people of the Crescent City. (Sibert Honor Book)Older ReadersView book details
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings: A MemoirMargarita EngleThe daughter of an American father and Cuban mother, poet and novelist Engle describes her childhood living between two countries during a time of political tension for Cuba and the U.S. (Belpré Auhtor Medal Book)Older ReadersView book details
First Flight around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the RaceTim GroveIn 1924, a group of brave men faced violent weather, unreliable navigation, crashes, and unfamiliar foreign cultures in their goal to win the race to be the first to circumnavigate the globe by plane.Older ReadersView book details
Goodbye StrangerRebecca SteadWith multiple perspectives, this tale explores the bonds and limits of friendship, as Bridge and her friends navigate the inevitable changes of growing up.Older ReadersLexile 560LATOS 3.9View book details
The Hired GirlLaura Amy SchlitzUsing diary entries, 14-year-old Joan shares her journey toward a better life. New surroundings and experiences in Baltimore lead to moments of adventure and self-discovery.Older ReadersView book details
The Lightning QueenLaura ResauAn unlikely friendship between Esma, a Romani girl, and Teo, a Mixteco boy, underpins an adventurous story that spans several generations and presents insights into two marginalized cultures.Older ReadersView book details
Listen, SlowlyThanhhà Lại. HarperCollinsCalifornia-born Mai learns the true meaning of family and friendship when she travels with her grandmother to her native Vietnam and learns about her grandfather’s fate.Older ReadersView book details
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam WarSteve SheinkinDaniel Ellsberg, a former Pentagon insider, risks everything in order to reveal the corruption and deception that led to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.Older ReadersView book details
My Seneca VillageMarilyn NelsonNamelos. Forty-one vivid poems, with voices inspired by actual individuals, present a historical glimpse at Seneca Village, the first thriving African-American community in the U.S., which, before it was razed, stood where Central Park is today.Older ReadersView book details
Orbiting JupiterGary D. SchmidtJack’s new 13-year-old foster brother, Joseph, has a checkered past, including fathering a daughter named Jupiter. While Joseph’s love for Jupiter compels Jack’s family to do everything they can to help him, it may not be enough.Older ReadersView book details
Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip through the Motown SoundAndrea Davis PinkneyTake a ride with “the Groove” through Motown. Discover how Berry Gordy Jr. created musical hits and grew his company from a small business in Detroit to a huge studio in California.Older ReadersView book details
The Seventh Most Important ThingShelley PearsallAfter throwing a brick at the Junk Man’s head, 13-year-old Arthur is sentenced to assist him. Little does he know that the junk he collects is part of a significant work of art.Older ReadersView book details
The Smoking MirrorDavid BowlesIFWG. In an action-packed, fantasy novel, that combines Aztec and Mayan mythology with life in contemporary South Texas and Mexico, 12-year-old twins descend into the Land of the Dead to find their mother. (Belpré Author Honor Book)Older ReadersView book details
The Thing about JellyfishAli BenjaminSuzy Swanson suspects that a rare jellyfish sting caused the death of her friend. With imagination and determination, she sets out on a journey to prove her theory—and starts her journey of healing.Older ReadersLexile 740LATOS 5View book details
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights MarchLynda Blackmon Lowery, as told to Elspeth Leacock, Susan BuckleyThis highly personal account of the historic 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery gives voice to activists participating in Civil Rights history. (Sibert Honor Book)Older ReadersView book detailsAll Ages
10 selections
Bird and DizGary GolioSpare rhythmic text and swirling abstract illustrations take readers of all ages into the bebop world of John “Dizzy” Gillespie and Charlie “Bird” Parker.All AgesView book details
Counting LionsKatie CottonWritten in free verse poems, this oversize counting book features striking detailed portraits filled with emotion, which showcase a variety of creatures.All AgesView book details
Hiawatha and the PeacemakerRobbie RobertsonAfter losing his family to war, the grieving Hiawatha is asked by the Peacemaker to help him unite the five warring Iroquois nations. Vivid oil paintings illustrate the fictional retelling of the true story.All AgesLexile AD740LATOS 5View book details
Lost in NYC: A Subway AdventureNadja SpiegelmanIllus. by Sergio García Sánchez. TOON Graphics. Explore the New York City subway system with Pablo and Alicia as they get separated from their class while finding their way to the Empire State Building. Includes maps, archival photos, and historical notes.All AgesView book details
My PenChristopher MyersIn detailed, pen-and-ink illustrations, Myers relates the story of a boy and his pen, who, together, can build worlds, ride dinosaurs, and show love—all they have to do is let the worlds inside themselves out!All AgesView book details
National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: More Than 200 Poems with Photographs That Float, Zoom, and Bloom!J. Patrick LewisWhen words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens! Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems.All AgesView book details
The Only ChildGuojingAn only child trying to find her way to grandma’s house becomes lost in an unknown world, but imaginative companions help her find her way back. A stunning wordless graphic novel that explores isolation and resourcefulness.All AgesView book details
PoolJiHyeon LeePastel tones plunge readers into a world of discovery as a shy boy overwhelmed by a crowded pool discovers worlds of imagination in the watery realm below.All AgesView book details
Sail AwayLangston HughesPoems by legendary African American poet Langston Hughes celebrate water in many forms. His words are brought to life with brightly colored collage art by Ashley Bryan.All AgesView book details
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights MovementCarole Boston WeatherfordThe inspirational singer and Civil Rights activist comes to life in 22 brief, first person, free verse poems that seamlessly incorporate Hamer’s own words. The biography takes her from a sharecropping child to a community leader. (Caldecott & Sibert Honor Book) Members of the 2016 Notable Children's Books Committee are: Maralita (Micki) Freeny , College Park, Md., Chair; Allison Barney , Nashville (Tenn.) Public Library; Keary Bramwell , Mount Prospect (Ill.) Public Library; Paige Bentley-Flannery , Deschutes Public Library, Sisters, Ore.; Brenda Dales , Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; Kimberly Probert Grad , Brooklyn (NY) Public Library; Sharon Haupt , San Luis Coastal Unified School District, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Danielle Jones , Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Joyce Laiosa , University at Albany (SUNY), Albany, NY; Gwen M. Taylor , Lewis Clark State College Library, Lewiston, Idaho; and Bina Williams , Bridgeport (Conn.) Public Library.All AgesView book details