Books of Top Ten Children's Authors

release date: Jan 01, 1987

This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared—and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery Honor.

LOST

Brian Robertson, sole passenger on a Cessna 406, is on his way to visit his father when the tiny bush plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness. With nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present, Brian finds himself completely alone.

Challenged by his fear and despair -- and plagued with the weight of a dreadful secret he's been keeping since his parent's divorce -- brian must tame his inner demons in order to survive. It will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed.

Dogteam

release date: Apr 01, 1993

On a moonlit winter night, a team of dogs pulls a sled, taking the narrator and readers on a wondrous ride through the snow, into and out of the woods. It is a ride you'll wish would never end.

Through this exquisite prose poem, Gary Paulsen shares the joy, the beauty, and the grandeur of the outdoors. With his joyous text and Ruth Wright Paulsen's exuberant and expressive illustrations, Dogteam is a celebration of nature, a dance that invites everyone to join in.

Quilt

release date: Oct 01, 2005

1944. Wartime.

A six-year-old boy goes to spend the summer with his grandmother Alida in a small town near the Canadian border. With the men all gone off to fight, the women are left to run the farms. There's plenty for the boy to do—trying to help with the chores, getting to know the dog, and the horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.

But when his cousin Kristina goes into labor, he can't do a thing. Instead, the house fills with women come to help and to wait, and to work on a quilt together. This is no common, everyday quilt, but one that contains all the stories of the boy's family. The quilt tells the truth, past and future: of happiness, courage, and pain; of the greatest joy, and the greatest loss. And as they wait, the women share these memorable stories with the boy.

From the Hardcover edition.

The River

release date: Jan 01, 2005

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Brian was stranded alone in the wilderness for fifty-four days with nothing but a small hatchet. Yet he survived. Now the government wants him to do it again, so that astronauts and the military can learn the survival techniques that kept him alive.

Hattie And The Fox

by: Mem Fox

release date: Jan 01, 2006

I can see a nose and two eyes in the bushes!" cries Hattie.
But nobody is listening.
"I can see a nose, two eyes, two ears, two legs, and a body in the bushes!" cries Hattie.
But no one is paying a bit of attention.
Not goose. Not pig. Not horse. Not cow.
She tries again and again to warn her friends of danger, but nobody listens to Hattie.
That is, until they all realize that what Hattie is saying is true!

Koala Lou

by: Mem Fox

release date: Jan 01, 1988

When Koala Lou's mother becomes so busy that she forgets to tell her firstborn how much she loves her, Koala Lou enters the Bush Olympics, intending to win an event and her mother's love all at one time. “A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud.”--The Horn Book

Long Night Moon

release date: Nov 30, 2004

Have you ever stopped to consider what might be revealed in one spot over one year by twelve unique and exquisite full moons?

Night in the Country

release date: Mar 01, 1991

There is no night so dark, so black as night in the country. And while the people dream of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Owls swoop, a rabbit patters, and in the yard an apple falls -- pump! -- from the tree.
Listen. Go to the window. Across the field a light glows. Who else is up so late? Who else watches and hears the sights and sounds of night in the country -- the many stirrings of silence, the many colors of the dark?
Lyrical text and velvety pictures present a very different kind of nighttime: a mysterious, moving night that will lull small children to sleep.

When I Was Young in the Mountains

When I Was Young in the Mountains: Caldecott Honor Book & Reading Rainbow Book (PZ7R982WH1981E815359AACR2) (Paperback) by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Ann Durrell (Editor), Riki Levinson (Editor), Reading Rainbow (Editor), Caldecott Honor (Editor), Diane Goode (Illustrator). Paperback: 36 pages. Publisher: Reading Rainbow Books; 2nd edition (1982). Language: English. ISBN 0781535921. EAN 9780781535922. Special Limited Edition.

The Whales

release date: Apr 01, 2000

Applies lyrical text and lavish, bold illustrations to an uplifting introduction to whales, profiling the different varieties from the Blue and Humpback through the Fin and Bowhead, and considering the whale's spiritual relationship with humans.

The Old Woman Who Named Things

release date: Aug 01, 2000

Picture books recommended by 'Reading together'

How does an old woman who has outlived all her friends keep from being lonely? By naming the things in her life she knows she will never outlive--like her house, Franklin, and her bed, Roxanne. When a shy brown puppy appears at her front gate, the old woman won't name it, because it might not outlive her. Tender watercolors capture the charm of this heartwarming story of an old woman who doesn't know she's lonely until she meets a plucky puppy who needs a name--and someone to love.

Other List with This Book:

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

release date: Feb 08, 2011

Can Mercy Watson outwit . . . Animal Control? The porcine wonder's on the lam in her latest tongue-in-snout adventure!

Eugenia and Baby Lincoln may live next door to a pig, but that doesn't stop them from living a gracious life. And the amiable Mercy Watson is equally determined to follow the delightful scent (and delicious taste) of the pansies her thoughtful neighbors are planting to beautify their yard. "Where have all the flowers gone?" shouts Eugenia, who is finally ready to take extreme measures —- and dial Animal Control! Has Mercy's swine song come at last? Or will her well-pampered instincts keep her in buttered toast?

From the Hardcover edition.

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken

by: Kate DiCamillo, Harry Bliss

release date: Sep 23, 2008

She longed for adventure.

So she left her home and ventured out into the wide world.

The pleasures and perils she met proved plentiful: marauding pirates on the majestic seas, a ferocious lion under the bright lights of the big top, a mysterious stranger in an exotic and bustling bazaar.

Yet in the face of such daunting danger, our heroine . . .

She was brave.

She was fearless.

She was feathered.

She was a chicken.

A not-so-chicken chicken.

Her name?

Great Joy

release date: Oct 09, 2007

In her first picture book, America's beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo
reunites with Bagram Ibatoulline to offer readers an unforgettable holiday gift.

It is just before Christmas when an organ grinder and monkey appear on
the street corner outside Frances's apartment. Frances can see them from
her window and, sometimes, when it's quiet, she can hear their music. In fact, Frances can't stop thinking about them, especially after she sees the man and his monkey sleeping outside on the cold street at midnight. When the day of the Christmas pageant arrives, and it's Frances's turn to
speak, everyone waits silently. But all Frances can think about is the organ grinder's sad eyes — until, just in time, she finds the perfect words to
share. Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo pairs once again with acclaimed
artist Bagram Ibatoulline as she presents a timeless story of compassion
and joy.

The Tiger Rising

release date: Dec 01, 2002

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Eleven-year-old Rob Horton, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger.

Because of Winn-dixie

release date: Jan 01, 2004

Kate DiCamillo's beloved, best-selling story is now one of the biggest family movie events of 2005--celebrate with this irresistible movie tie-in!
One summer day, Opal goes into a supermarket and comes out with a scraggly dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, her preacher father finally tells her ten things about her absentee mother, and Opal makes lots of unusual friends in her quirky Florida town. And because of Winn-Dixie, Opal grows to learn that friendship -- and forgiveness -- can sneak up on you like a sudden storm. Now available in a delightful tie-in edition, here is the original Newbery Honor-winning book that inspired the major motion picture.
________
BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE film artwork copyright © 2005 by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Tale of Despereaux

release date: Jan 01, 2008

From the master storyteller who brought readers Because of Winn-Dixie comes another classic, a fairy tale full of quirky, unforgettable characters, with 24 stunning black-and-white illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. This paperback edition pays tribute to the book's classic design, featuring a rough front and elegant gold stamping.

Jumanji

by: Todd Strasser

release date: Jan 01, 1996

The Polar Express

release date: Jan 01, 1986

For twenty years, The Polar Express has been a worldwide bestseller and Christmas classic. A perfect keepsake for any family, this beautiful edition can be handed down to each new generation of readers.

In 1986 The Polar Express was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal and hit the New York Times bestseller list. Since that time, more than six and a half million copies have been sold, and every December it faithfully reappears on national bestseller lists. In 2004, The Polar Express became a blockbuster holiday movie. The DVD release in 2005 assures, that like the book, the movie will become a holiday classic.

The Sweetest Fig

release date: Oct 25, 1993

"These figs are very special," the woman whispered. "They can make your dreams come true." -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack. Although it was possibly the finest, sweetest fig he had ever tasted, it wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed had the power to make his dreams come true. While dragging his poor dog, Marcel, out for his walk, he discovered that his strange dream from the night before was becoming all too real. Determined to make good use of the second fig, Monsieur Bibot learns to control is dreams. But can he control Marcel? Once again Chris Van Allsburg explores the mysterious territory between fantasy and reality in an uncanny tale that will intrigue readers of all ages.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

Fourteen black-and-white drawings, each accompanied by a title and a caption, entice readers to make up his or her own story.

The Stranger

release date: Oct 28, 1986

The enigmatic origins of the stranger that Farmer Bailey hits with his truck and brings home to recuperate seem to have a mysterious relation to the weather. Could he be Jack Frost?

Peeled

by: Joan Bauer

release date: Jun 25, 2009

Hildy Biddle wants something monumental to happen so she can finally prove herself to be more than a high school journalist. The problem? Her town?s biggest story stars a ghost, which is not an easy interview. But while the local paper is playing up people?s fears with shocking headlines of creepy happenings, Hildy is determined to discover what?s really going on. Unfortunately, her desire to uncover the truth is starting to cause a stir. With rumors swirling and tensions high, can Hildy push past all the hype and find out the real truth?

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

by: Patricia Polacco

release date: Jan 01, 1999

Tricia can't stand her rotten redheaded older brother Richie, who cain do everything better than she can. So when her grandmother tells her a wish made on a shooting star will come true, she knows exactly what to wish for -- to be able to do something, anything, better than Richie. When a traveling carnival comes to town, Tricia decides what that something will be -- she'll ride the merry-go-round longer than Richie. And that's how she finds out just what wishes -- and rotten redheaded older brothers -- can really do.

Rechenka's Eggs

by: Patricia Polacco

release date: Apr 01, 1988

Old Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs.

But the next morning Babushka has a surprise awaiting her in the basket. She cries: "A miracle!" It is one of many in this charmingly told tale of friendship and caring.

With vibrant illustrations, Patricia Polacco has joyously re-created the flavor of Old Moscow and its festivals. The eggs, stunningly colored and intricately designed, are authentic reproductions of eggs painted in the Ukrainian style. Rechenka's Eggs is a timeless story of classic beauty.

Chicken Sunday

by: Patricia Polacco

release date: Jan 01, 1998

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. To thank Miss Eula for her wonderful Sunday chicken dinners, three children sell decorated eggs to buy her a beautiful Easter hat.

Bridge to Terabithia

by: Scholastic Books

Best Books for Young Adults

Literature Guides
A complete guide to teaching the Newbery Award winner, Bridge to Terabithia. Includes an author biography, background information, summaries, thought-provoking discussion questions, as well as creative, cross-curricular activities and reproducibles that motivate students.

Other Lists with This Book:

Great Books for Girls (9-12)

Classics for Young Adults (12+)

Good Books for Children (9-12)

Newbery Medal Winnners

Popular Childrens Books

Home library Created by ALA for 8-11 age

Lyddie

by: Katherine Paterson

release date: Jan 01, 1994

This series offers classic and contemporary fiction for schools to suit a range of ages and tastes. In this book, set in 19th-century New England, Lyddie is determined to buy back her family's farm. She earns enough money, but has neglected those around her and is forced to re-think her values.

Bread and Roses, Too

by: Katherine Paterson

release date: Jul 01, 2006

Rosa's mother is singing again, for the first time since Papa died in an accident in the mills. But instead of filling their cramped tenement apartment with Italian lullabies, Mamma is out on the streets singing union songs. Rosa is terrified that her mother and older sister, Anna, are endangering their lives by marching against the corrupt mill owners. After all, didn't Miss Finch tell the class that the strikers are nothing but rabble-rousers–an uneducated, violent mob? Suppose Mamma and Anna are jailed or, worse, killed? What will happen to Rosa and little Ricci?

When Rosa is sent to Vermont with other children to live with strangers until the strike is over, she fears she will never see her family again. Then, on the train, a boy begs her to pretend that he's her brother. Alone and far from home, she agrees to protect him . . . even though she suspects that he is hiding some terrible secret.

From a beloved, award-winning author, here is a moving story based on real events surrounding an infamous 1912 strike.

The Birthday Room

by: Kevin Henkes

release date: Jan 01, 1999