Siria loves everyone at Pop’s firehouse. And she loves the stars in the winter sky. Her mother, who died, named her after Sirius—the Dog Star, brightest in January. But starry nights can fill with flames, and Siria sneaks out to chase the fire trucks. If she’s there, everyone will be safe. Still, Siria’s not brave like Pop. Her best friend Douglas used to chase with her, and it wasn’t so scary. But she did something wrong; they’re not friends now. This winter, Siria must learn to be brave. Because she’s got to fix things with Douglas; and when Pop is injured, she needs courage, and her friends, more than ever.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 3.8
Published by Wendy Lamb Books
Copyright January 6, 2014
ISBN# 978-0375838927 (PB)
An orphaned African grey parrot who can speak 127 words. A girl so sick, she has forgotten what it means to try. Fate––and a banana nut muffin––bring them together. Will their shared encounter help them journey through storms inside and out? Will they lose their way, or will they find what really matters?
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 3.8
Published by Square FIsh
Copyright July 14, 2015
ISBN# 978-1250062826 (PB)
Someone’s stealing nuts from the forest, and it’s up to Detective Gordon to catch the thief! Unfortunately, solving this crime means standing in the snow and waiting for a long time…. If only he had an assistant—someone small, fast, and clever―to help solve this terrible case. A brilliant detective story by one of Sweden’s top children’s writers and illustrated in full color throughout. A book to read alone or aloud!
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.0
Published by Gecko Press
Copyright February 28, 2015
ISBN# 978-1927271490 (HB)
When Lily’s blind dog, Lucky, slips his collar and runs away across the wide-open blueberry barrens of eastern Maine, it’s Salma Santiago who manages to catch him. Salma, the daughter of migrant workers, is in the small town with her family for the blueberry-picking season. After their initial chance meeting, Salma and Lily bond over painting bee boxes for Lily’s grandfather, and Salma’s friendship transforms Lily’s summer. But when Salma decides to run in the upcoming Blueberry Queen pageant, they’ll have to face some tough truths about friendship and belonging. Should an outsider like Salma really participate in the pageant-and possibly win?
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.4
Published by Scholastic, Inc.
Copyright May 26, 2015
ISBN# 978-0545700276 (HB)
This is the story of Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, who transformed a poor neighborhood in Chicago by opening up her house as a community center.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.5
Published by Henry Holt and Co.
Copyright June 23, 2015
ISBN# 978-0805090499 (HB)
Zoologist Nicola Davies presents an illustrated novel for young readers that proves you don’t need two arms to be strong. Pedru has always wanted to be a great hunter like his father, but after a lion takes his arm, he worries that he’ll always be the crippled boy instead. Pedru longs to kill the lion that mauled him and strengthens himself to be ready for the hunt. But when the opportunity arises, will Pedru have the strength to turn his back on revenge? Zoologist Nicola Davies perfectly merges a heart-pounding adventure with an important message about conservation, and Annabel Wright’s gorgeous black-and-white illustrations bring Pedru’s story to life.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 5.4
Published by Candlewick Press
Copyright February 24, 2014
ISBN# 978-0763666200 (HB)
In this unique nonfiction picture book, the main character is a bicycle that starts its life like so many bicycles in North America, being owned and ridden by a young boy. The boy, Leo, treasures his bicycle so much he gives it a name—- Big Red. But eventually Leo outgrows Big Red, and this is where the bicycle’s story takes a turn from the everyday, because Leo decides to donate it to an organization that ships bicycles to Africa. Big Red is sent to Burkina Faso, in West Africa, where it finds a home with Alisetta, who uses it to gain quicker access to her family’s sorghum field and to the market. Then, over time, it finds its way to a young woman named Haridata, who has a new purpose for the bicycle—- renamed Le Grand Rouge—- delivering medications and bringing sick people to the hospital.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.0
Published by Kids Can Press
Copyright February 28, 2015
ISBN# 978-1771380232 (HB)
When Theo gets off a bus in Destiny, Florida, he’s left behind the only life he’s ever known. Now he’s got to live with Uncle Raymond, a Vietnam War vet and a loner who wants nothing to do with this long-lost nephew. Thank goodness for Miss Sister Grandersole’s Rooming House and Dance School. The piano that sits in Miss Sister’s dance hall calls to Theo. He can’t wait to play those ivory keys. When Anabel arrives things get even more enticing. This feisty girl, a baseball fanatic, invites Theo on her quest to uncover the town’s connection to old-time ball players rumored to have lived there years before. A mystery, an adventure, and a musical exploration unfold as this town called Destiny lives up to its Name.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.1
Published by Scholastic Press
Copyright May 10, 2016
ISBN# 978-0545538251 (PB)
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