These are books for 3rd to 6th graders to read, and vote on in April 2008.
[printable list]

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeamme Birdsall
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.

Rosy Cole's Best Yet Tour of New York City by Sheila Greenwald
Rosy plans to show her small-town cousin all the amazing sights that make New York City such a great place to live, but things do not go as she had hoped.

Lucy Rose: Here's the Thing About Me by Kate Kelly
Eight-year-old Lucy Rose keeps a diary of her first year in Washington, D.C., her home since her parents separation, where she spends time with her grandparents, makes new friends, and longs to convince her teacher to let her take care of the class pet during a holiday.

The Boy on Fairfield Street by Katherin Kull
Introduces the life of renowned children's author and illustrator Ted Geisel, popularly known as Dr. Seuss, focusing on his childhood and youth in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Stink and the Incredible Super Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald
Seven-year-old Stink Moody discovers that he can get free samples by writing letters to candy companies and plans a surprise for his best friend's birthday.

The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts by Richard Peck
In rural Indiana in 1904, fifteen-year-old Russell's dreams of quitting school and joining a wheat threshing crew are disrupted when his older sister takes over the teaching at his one-room schoolhouse after mean, old Myrt Arbuckle "hauls off and dies."

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pat Muñoz Ryan
When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father.

Liberty Rising: The Story of the Statue of Liberty by Pegi Deitz Shea
The story behind Liberty's construction and the visionaries who made it happen Liberty Rising

Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg
When Jackie Robinson signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 as first baseman, the historic event captures the imagination of one middle-aged man in Brooklyn-the author's father.

Winchell Mink: The Misadventure Begins by Steve Young
When a bullied eleven-year-old boy is transformed into his pet turtle, he finds himself catapulted on a series of bizarre adventures.

These are books for 6th to 9th graders to read, and vote on in April 2008.
[printable version]

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister. trolls.

Harvey Girl by Sheila Foard
In 1919, fourteen-year-old Clara Fern Massie runs away from her family's farm in Missouri to earn a living and find adventure as a Harvey Girl, one of the waitresses who worked at Harvey House restaurants along the railroads in the Southwest United States.

The Cottonmouth Club by Lance Marcum
School's finally out, and eleven-year-old Mitch Valentine is ready to get started on his extensive list of things to do with his best friend - until his mom ruins everything with a surprise announcement.

A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann Martin
Squirrel, a stray puppy, tells her life story, from her nurturing mother and brother to making her own way in the world, facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal.

The Secret Notebook Project by Carolyn Reeder
Exactly what are his father and the other scientists working on at the lab? With the help of Kathy, his seventh grade classmate, Fritz searches for clues, and evades bullies who have it in for him. He records each observation and rumor in a notebook he doesn't dare let out of his sight.

The Schwa Was Here by Neal Schusterman
Anthony, also known as "Antsy," is fascinated by "The Schwa Effect"--the fact that no one ever sees Calvin Schwa. Even when acting weird and dressed like a total freak, The Schwa is only barely noticed. The two boys form a partnership and get away with all kinds of mischief, from conducting experiments at school to confounding opponents on the basketball court. When The Schwa senses that even Antsy is beginning to lose sight of him, he vows to do something that will make him so visible, no one will ever forget him.

Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson
Twelve-year-old Colton, son of a black mother and a white father, takes a job with the Pony Express in 1860 after his father abandons the family on their California-bound wagon train, and risks his life to deliver an important letter that may affect the growing conflict between the North and South.

Quake by Karwoski
Tells the story of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake as seen through the eyes of Jacob, a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy who lives in a boarding house with his father and younger sister.

The Time Hackers by Gary Paulsen
Seventh-grader Dorso Clayman opens his locker door to find a dead body. Thirty seconds later it disappears. It's not the first bizarre thing that has appeared in his locker and then vanished. Something's going on. Somebody has decided to make Dorso and his buddy Frank the target of some strange techno-practical jokes. Dorso and Frank have got to beat the time hackers at their own game by breaking the code, before they get lost in the past themselves.

Win Free Books! When you submit your school or organization's ballot by April 30, 2008, you are entered into a drawing for free books. One lucky winner will recieve the next year's Children's Nominees, and another will recieve the next year's Young Adult Nominees!

updated 11.29.07