Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her and to everyone than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 3.7
Published by Nancy Paulsen Books
Copyright February 4, 2015
ISBN# 978-0399162596 (HB)
Franny Katzenback, while recovering from polio, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte’s Web. Bored and lonely and yearning for a Charlotte of her own, Franny starts up a correspondence with an eloquent flea named Fleabrain who lives on her dog’s tail. While Franny struggles with physical therapy and feeling left out of her formerly active neighborhood life, Fleabrain is there to take her on adventures based on his extensive reading.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 5.3
Published by Harry N. Abrams
Copyright August 11, 2015
ISBN# 978-1419716768 (PB)
Abraham Dee Bartlett knew from a young age that he wanted to spend his life working with animals. But in Victorian London, there weren’t many jobs that provided an opportunity to do that. Still, Abraham spent years gaining knowledge and pursuing his dream until he eventually became superintendent in the London Zoo. Driven by his compassion for the animals, Abraham dramatically improved the conditions of the zoo to ensure that the animals could be happy and healthy.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 5.1
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Copyright August 10, 2015
ISBN# 978-0802854322 (HB)
Jed, TsTs, and Chai are the very best of friends. So when Jed is snatched up by a hawk and carried away to another realm, TsTs and Chai resolve to go after him. Mysteriously, the hawk has dropped him. They saw it. Jed could be alive. New communities are discovered, new friends are made, huge danger is encountered (both man-made and of the fox and bobcat variety) and the mysteries of squirrel culture are revealed.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.2
Published by Greenwillow Books
Copyright August 26, 2014
ISBN# 978-0060092757 (PB)
In the nineteenth century, North Carolina slave George Moses Horton taught himself to read and earned money to purchase his time though not his freedom. Horton became the first African American to be published in the South, protesting slavery in the form of verse.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 4.5
Published by Peachtree Publishers
Copyright September 1, 2015
ISBN# 978-1561458257 (HB)
Passing exams will earn young Neel a much-coveted scholarship for a private boarding school in Kolkata, and the boy’s family has their dreams pinned on him, feeling that a good education will ensure him a better quality of life. But Neel is too attached to the “golpata branches swaying in the monsoon rains…the evening smell of jasmine flowers…mingling with green chilies and fresh ilish fish simmering in mustard-seed oil” to ever consider leaving his home. He studies only halfheartedly for his tests, incurring the wrath of his serious headmaster. When a female tiger cub escapes from a neighboring animal reserve, Neel is determined to find her before she’s snagged by greedy poachers led by Mr. Gupta, a corrupt local businessman. Gupta employs several of the villagers, including Neel’s father, tempting them with additional income if they assist in the illegal effort.
2017-2018 Crown Award
Reading Level: 5.1
Published by Charlesbridge
Copyright April 14, 2015
ISBN# 978-1580896603 (HB)
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)
