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JT, summer is here!! Don't forget to log your minutes in the Nashville Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge Tracker: npl.readsquared.com/
Prizes and drawings await you! Don't know what to read? Check out some of the titles below-you can find these at your local public library.
Ms. Dark's Summer Reading Recommendations
The American Library Association’s Notable Book List for 2019
Ages 8-10
*Denotes favorites of the JT Moore 5th/6th Grade from the 2018-2019 School Year
Ana María Reyes Does NOT Live in a Castle. By Hilda Eunice Burgos. Lee & Low/Tu.
Ana María Reyes tries to win a scholarship to a prestigious New York academy, only to find herself facing obstacles. In the process, she discovers herself and the importance of family.
All that Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff. By Meghan McCarthy. Illus. by the author. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
In 1987, a garbage barge spends five months adrift in the Atlantic, unsuccessfully attempting to find a place to dump its contents.
Aru Shah and the End of Time. By Roshani Chokshi. Disney/Hyperion.
In this story inspired by the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, Aru Shah discovers she must enter the Kingdom of Death to save the world.
*The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge. By M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin. Illus. by Eugene Yelchin. Candlewick.
A diplomatic meeting of the Elves and the Goblins is more treacherous than expected in this brilliantly illustrated novel.
Beavers. By Rachel Poliquin. Illus. by Nicholas John Frith. HMH.
Wit and fact intertwine in an enjoyable guide to the frequently overlooked beaver.
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery. By Sandra Neil Wallace. Illus. by Bryan Collier. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
Growing up, Ernie Barnes had two passions: art and football. Detailed, lively paintings help reveal how, with years of practice, he excelled in both fields.
*The Book of Boy. By Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Greenwillow.
In 1350, Boy, an orphaned servant, is hired to accompany a pilgrim seeking the seven relics of St. Peter. (Newbery Honor Book)
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs. By Kate Messner. Illus. by Matthew Forsythe. Chronicle.
Ken Nedimyer's single-minded passion for restoring the ocean’s coral reefs is reflected through riveting illustrations and accessible narrative.
Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild. By Catherine Thimmesh. HMH.
What does a panda suit have to do with species conservation? As this comprehensive book about a panda rehabilitation program in China reveals, quite a lot. (Sibert Honor Book)
*Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship. By Irene Latham and Charles Waters. Illus. by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko. Carolrhoda.
A school writing assignment is the catalyst for conversations around race, class, and privilege in this illustrated poetic conversation between two fifth-graders who learn to honor each other’s differences.
*Dragons in a Bag. By Zetta Elliott. Illus. by Geneva B. Random.
When nine-year-old Jaxon is left in the care of an eccentric old witch, he begins training as her new apprentice by leaving Brooklyn to return three dragons to a magical world.
*Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure. By Torben Kuhlmann. Illus. by the author. Tr. by David Henry Wilson. NorthSouth.
Naturalistic illustrations enhance this story of an intrepid mouse, who builds a submersible and makes a surprising deep-sea discovery. (Batchelder Honor Book)
The Eye that Never Sleeps: How Detective Pinkerton Saved President Lincoln. By Marissa Moss. Illus. by Jeremy Holmes. Abrams.
Modern illustrations and lively text combine to relate the early history of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and how they thwarted an attempt to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.
Finding Langston. By Lesa Cline-Ransome. Holiday.
After his mother’s death, lonely Langston and his emotionally distant father migrate from rural Alabama to Chicago, where he finds solace in the poetry of his namesake.
*Front Desk. By Kelly Yang. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine.
Mia not only helps manage the front desk of the motel where her immigrant Chinese parents work; she also helps keep secrets about the guests, whose immigration status puts everyone at risk.
*Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams. By Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illus. by James Ransome. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
This engaging picture-book biography of tennis' greatest superstars focuses attention on the ways they changed the game by their attitude, power as athletes, personal strength, and relationship with each other.
Hammering for Freedom. By Rita Lorraine Hubbard. Illus. by John Holyfield. Lee & Low.
In informative paragraphs and expressive paintings, this picture book tells the story of an enslaved blacksmith who steadfastly worked to buy freedom for himself and his family.
Knights vs. Dinosaurs. By Matt Phelan. Illus. by the author. Greenwillow.
Merlin sets a new challenge for the Knights of the Round Table when he sends them back in time to battle dinosaurs.
*Louisiana’s Way Home. By Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick.
Louisiana finds her own inner strength when her granny abandons her in a run-down motel while they attempt to lift a curse that has plagued their family for generations.
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish. By Pablo Cartaya. Viking.
After Marcus is suspended from school for fighting, his frustrated mother takes him and his brother to Puerto Rico for a week to reconnect with family he didn’t know existed.
Martin Rising: Requiem for a King. By Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illus. by Brian Pinkney. Scholastic.
Dr. King’s final months of life and the emotional aftermath of his assassination are recounted in this collection of poignant poetry.
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968. By Alice Faye Duncan. Illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek.
Nine-year-old Lorraine, whose daddy is a sanitation worker, recounts the two-month sanitation strike led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears. Meg Medina. Candlewick.
Eleven-year-old Cuban American Merci Suárez balances the demands of her multi-generational family with the challenges of being a scholarship student at a private school in Florida. (Newbery Medal Book)
No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas. By Tonya Bolden. Illus. by Don Tate. Knopf.
Junius G. Groves went from being enslaved in Kentucky to owning 500 acres in Kansas and making his fortune by growing potatoes.
Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented. By Tanya Lee Stone. Illus. by Steven Salerno. Holt/Christy Ottaviano.
This picture-book history offers a spirited account of the evolution of the popular board game and the people who were involved over the years in its creation.
Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere. By Barb Rosenstock. Illus. by Katherine Roy. Little, Brown.
Daring aquanauts Otis Barton and Will Beebe designed and dove in a leaky bathysphere that allowed them to explore 800 feet below the ocean surface.
*The Parker Inheritance. By Varian Johnson. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine.
Issues of race, bullying, and identity are interwoven in this buried-treasure mystery that spans multiple decades as tween Candice unravels a series of puzzles in her community.
*Saving Winslow. By Sharon Creech. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler.
Through vignettes of sparse text, this story follows 10-year-old Louie as he takes on the challenge of saving a fragile, newborn mini-donkey that has been rejected by its mother.
The Season of Styx Malone. By Kekla Magoon. Random/Wendy Lamb.
Despite their father’s attempts to keep them safe in small town Indiana, brothers Caleb and Bobby Gene go on a wild adventure with new neighbor Styx Malone as they attempt the fabled “Escalator Trade.”
So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth's Long Walk toward Freedom. By Gary D. Schmidt. Illus. by Daniel Minter. Roaring Brook.
This poetic and haunting picture-book biography reflects the larger-than-life experiences of abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say. By Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook.
In this timely book about immigration, citizenship, and identity, third-grader Stella grapples with a fear of public speaking, a complicated family dynamic, and her place between cultures.
Tiger vs. Nightmare. By Emily Tetri. Illus. by the author. First Second.
Tiger relies on her friend, Monster, to keep her nightmares at bay each night, until one nightmare slips through, causing Tiger has to rethink the arrangement. (Geisel Honor Book)
Thirty Minutes over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot's World War II Story. By Marc Tyler Nobleman. Illus. by Melissa Iwai. Clarion.
This is the little-known story of a Japanese WWII pilot who unsuccessfully attempted to bomb the Oregon coast, and years later reconciled with Oregonians he had targeted.
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. By Leslie Connor. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen.
In this poignant and powerful mystery, Mason, a seventh-grade boy who can barely read and write, finds a way to finally tell the truth about what happened the day his best friend died.
The United States v. Jackie Robinson. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illus. by R. Gregory Christie. HarperCollins/Balzer+Bray.
Although he is well known for breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson went to court years earlier to integrate troops while serving in the U.S. Army.
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. By Chris Barton. Illus. by Ekua Holmes. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane.
Stirring words and vibrant collage illustrations showcase the commanding voice of congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who shaped the political arena and created a powerful legacy.
When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana. By Michael Mahin. Illus. by Jose Ramirez. Atheneum.
Bold, folk art–style illustrations and exhilarating language come together to convey the life of groundbreaking musician Carlos Santana. (Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book & Sibert Honor Book)
Ages 8-10
*Denotes favorites of the JT Moore 5th/6th Grade from the 2018-2019 School Year
Ana María Reyes Does NOT Live in a Castle. By Hilda Eunice Burgos. Lee & Low/Tu.
Ana María Reyes tries to win a scholarship to a prestigious New York academy, only to find herself facing obstacles. In the process, she discovers herself and the importance of family.
All that Trash: The Story of the 1987 Garbage Barge and Our Problem with Stuff. By Meghan McCarthy. Illus. by the author. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
In 1987, a garbage barge spends five months adrift in the Atlantic, unsuccessfully attempting to find a place to dump its contents.
Aru Shah and the End of Time. By Roshani Chokshi. Disney/Hyperion.
In this story inspired by the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, Aru Shah discovers she must enter the Kingdom of Death to save the world.
*The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge. By M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin. Illus. by Eugene Yelchin. Candlewick.
A diplomatic meeting of the Elves and the Goblins is more treacherous than expected in this brilliantly illustrated novel.
Beavers. By Rachel Poliquin. Illus. by Nicholas John Frith. HMH.
Wit and fact intertwine in an enjoyable guide to the frequently overlooked beaver.
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery. By Sandra Neil Wallace. Illus. by Bryan Collier. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
Growing up, Ernie Barnes had two passions: art and football. Detailed, lively paintings help reveal how, with years of practice, he excelled in both fields.
*The Book of Boy. By Catherine Gilbert Murdock. Greenwillow.
In 1350, Boy, an orphaned servant, is hired to accompany a pilgrim seeking the seven relics of St. Peter. (Newbery Honor Book)
The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the World’s Coral Reefs. By Kate Messner. Illus. by Matthew Forsythe. Chronicle.
Ken Nedimyer's single-minded passion for restoring the ocean’s coral reefs is reflected through riveting illustrations and accessible narrative.
Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild. By Catherine Thimmesh. HMH.
What does a panda suit have to do with species conservation? As this comprehensive book about a panda rehabilitation program in China reveals, quite a lot. (Sibert Honor Book)
*Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship. By Irene Latham and Charles Waters. Illus. by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko. Carolrhoda.
A school writing assignment is the catalyst for conversations around race, class, and privilege in this illustrated poetic conversation between two fifth-graders who learn to honor each other’s differences.
*Dragons in a Bag. By Zetta Elliott. Illus. by Geneva B. Random.
When nine-year-old Jaxon is left in the care of an eccentric old witch, he begins training as her new apprentice by leaving Brooklyn to return three dragons to a magical world.
*Edison: The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure. By Torben Kuhlmann. Illus. by the author. Tr. by David Henry Wilson. NorthSouth.
Naturalistic illustrations enhance this story of an intrepid mouse, who builds a submersible and makes a surprising deep-sea discovery. (Batchelder Honor Book)
The Eye that Never Sleeps: How Detective Pinkerton Saved President Lincoln. By Marissa Moss. Illus. by Jeremy Holmes. Abrams.
Modern illustrations and lively text combine to relate the early history of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and how they thwarted an attempt to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.
Finding Langston. By Lesa Cline-Ransome. Holiday.
After his mother’s death, lonely Langston and his emotionally distant father migrate from rural Alabama to Chicago, where he finds solace in the poetry of his namesake.
*Front Desk. By Kelly Yang. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine.
Mia not only helps manage the front desk of the motel where her immigrant Chinese parents work; she also helps keep secrets about the guests, whose immigration status puts everyone at risk.
*Game Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams. By Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illus. by James Ransome. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman.
This engaging picture-book biography of tennis' greatest superstars focuses attention on the ways they changed the game by their attitude, power as athletes, personal strength, and relationship with each other.
Hammering for Freedom. By Rita Lorraine Hubbard. Illus. by John Holyfield. Lee & Low.
In informative paragraphs and expressive paintings, this picture book tells the story of an enslaved blacksmith who steadfastly worked to buy freedom for himself and his family.
Knights vs. Dinosaurs. By Matt Phelan. Illus. by the author. Greenwillow.
Merlin sets a new challenge for the Knights of the Round Table when he sends them back in time to battle dinosaurs.
*Louisiana’s Way Home. By Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick.
Louisiana finds her own inner strength when her granny abandons her in a run-down motel while they attempt to lift a curse that has plagued their family for generations.
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish. By Pablo Cartaya. Viking.
After Marcus is suspended from school for fighting, his frustrated mother takes him and his brother to Puerto Rico for a week to reconnect with family he didn’t know existed.
Martin Rising: Requiem for a King. By Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illus. by Brian Pinkney. Scholastic.
Dr. King’s final months of life and the emotional aftermath of his assassination are recounted in this collection of poignant poetry.
Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968. By Alice Faye Duncan. Illus. by R. Gregory Christie. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek.
Nine-year-old Lorraine, whose daddy is a sanitation worker, recounts the two-month sanitation strike led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears. Meg Medina. Candlewick.
Eleven-year-old Cuban American Merci Suárez balances the demands of her multi-generational family with the challenges of being a scholarship student at a private school in Florida. (Newbery Medal Book)
No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas. By Tonya Bolden. Illus. by Don Tate. Knopf.
Junius G. Groves went from being enslaved in Kentucky to owning 500 acres in Kansas and making his fortune by growing potatoes.
Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented. By Tanya Lee Stone. Illus. by Steven Salerno. Holt/Christy Ottaviano.
This picture-book history offers a spirited account of the evolution of the popular board game and the people who were involved over the years in its creation.
Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere. By Barb Rosenstock. Illus. by Katherine Roy. Little, Brown.
Daring aquanauts Otis Barton and Will Beebe designed and dove in a leaky bathysphere that allowed them to explore 800 feet below the ocean surface.
*The Parker Inheritance. By Varian Johnson. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine.
Issues of race, bullying, and identity are interwoven in this buried-treasure mystery that spans multiple decades as tween Candice unravels a series of puzzles in her community.
*Saving Winslow. By Sharon Creech. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler.
Through vignettes of sparse text, this story follows 10-year-old Louie as he takes on the challenge of saving a fragile, newborn mini-donkey that has been rejected by its mother.
The Season of Styx Malone. By Kekla Magoon. Random/Wendy Lamb.
Despite their father’s attempts to keep them safe in small town Indiana, brothers Caleb and Bobby Gene go on a wild adventure with new neighbor Styx Malone as they attempt the fabled “Escalator Trade.”
So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth's Long Walk toward Freedom. By Gary D. Schmidt. Illus. by Daniel Minter. Roaring Brook.
This poetic and haunting picture-book biography reflects the larger-than-life experiences of abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Stella Díaz Has Something to Say. By Angela Dominguez. Roaring Brook.
In this timely book about immigration, citizenship, and identity, third-grader Stella grapples with a fear of public speaking, a complicated family dynamic, and her place between cultures.
Tiger vs. Nightmare. By Emily Tetri. Illus. by the author. First Second.
Tiger relies on her friend, Monster, to keep her nightmares at bay each night, until one nightmare slips through, causing Tiger has to rethink the arrangement. (Geisel Honor Book)
Thirty Minutes over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot's World War II Story. By Marc Tyler Nobleman. Illus. by Melissa Iwai. Clarion.
This is the little-known story of a Japanese WWII pilot who unsuccessfully attempted to bomb the Oregon coast, and years later reconciled with Oregonians he had targeted.
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle. By Leslie Connor. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen.
In this poignant and powerful mystery, Mason, a seventh-grade boy who can barely read and write, finds a way to finally tell the truth about what happened the day his best friend died.
The United States v. Jackie Robinson. By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Illus. by R. Gregory Christie. HarperCollins/Balzer+Bray.
Although he is well known for breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson went to court years earlier to integrate troops while serving in the U.S. Army.
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. By Chris Barton. Illus. by Ekua Holmes. Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane.
Stirring words and vibrant collage illustrations showcase the commanding voice of congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who shaped the political arena and created a powerful legacy.
When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana. By Michael Mahin. Illus. by Jose Ramirez. Atheneum.
Bold, folk art–style illustrations and exhilarating language come together to convey the life of groundbreaking musician Carlos Santana. (Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book & Sibert Honor Book)
Older Ages 11-14
*Denotes favorites of the JT Moore 7th/8th Grade from the 2018-2019 School Year
*Amal Unbound. By Aisha Saeed. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Unknowingly, Amal insults a corrupt but powerful man in her small Pakistani village. As retribution, he claims her as an indentured servant.
Apollo 8: The Mission that Changed Everything. By Martin W. Sandler. Illus. Candlewick.
With riveting text and stunning archival photos capturing the excitement and danger, this compelling account of the Apollo 8 mission emphasizes the turning point of the space program.
Attucks! Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team that Awakened a City. By Phillip Hoose. Illus. Farrar.
This is a comprehensive account of the people and the events involved in the first all-Black high school basketball team that confronted segregation in Indianapolis and won.
*Be Prepared. By Vera Brosgol. Illus. by Vera Brosgol and Alec Longstreth. First Second.
Brosgol comically recounts her experiences at a summer camp for Russian American kids in this graphic memoir.
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam. By Elizabeth Partridge. Illus. Viking.
People who lived through the Vietnam War discuss its history and politics in this illuminating book featuring dramatic photographs and first-person accounts.
*Children of Blood and Bone. By Tomi Adeyemi. Holt.
In an adventure infused with West African mythology, Zélie’s magic reawakens and she battles to restore magic to the oppressed kingdom of Orïsha.
Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America. By Marc Favreau. Little, Brown.
This account of American life during the 1930s covers the economic hardships and political changes of the period, as well as the lingering influences on America today.
The Cruel Prince. By Holly Black. Little, Brown.
In this dark high fantasy, twin mortal girls are caught up in the political machinations of powerful, blood-thirsty Faeries.
*The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science. By Joyce Sidman. Illus. HMH.
On pages featuring Merian's illustrations, this inviting volume demonstrates how her fascination with observing life cycles led her to create realistic and detailed drawings that changed scientific research. (Sibert Medal Book)
*Ghost Boys. By Jewell Parker Rhodes. Little, Brown.
This novel explores the issues of racial violence and police brutality from the viewpoint of Jerome, the ghost of a 12-year-old black boy gunned down by a white police officer.
*Harbor Me. By Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Six children learn the power of sharing their stories when their teacher assigns them to spend Fridays in a weekly conversation circle.
*Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction. By Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Illus. by the author. Scholastic/Graphix.
This graphic memoir offers an intimate portrait of a young artist growing up in challenging circumstances, including his single mother’s lifelong battle with drug addiction.
Hurricane Child. By Kheryn Callender. Scholastic.
As a hurricane approaches her Caribbean island home, 12-year-old Caroline desperately searches for her mother in this story of abandonment, mysterious spirits, and a first crush.
The Hyena Scientist. By Sy Montgomery. Illus. by Nic Bishop. HMH.
Montgomery profiles biologist Kay Holekamp at her research camp in Masai Mara, Kenya, where she studies the social structure, communication, biology, and habits of spotted hyenas.
*Illegal. By Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin. Illus. by Giovanni Rigano. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky.
Determined preteen Ebo leaves his impoverished Nigerian village to follow his older siblings, all of whom have one dream: to make it to Europe, by any means possible.
*Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. By Ashley Herring Blake. Little, Brown.
As her family deals with the devastating aftermath of a tornado, Ivy loses a sketchbook in which she has drawn pictures that reveal her secret same-sex crushes.
Jazz Owls: A Novel of the Zoot Suit Riots. By Margarita Engle. Illus. by Rudy Gutierrez. Atheneum.
In this novel-in-verse set in 1940’s Los Angeles, several Mexican American teens are swept into the chaos of the Zoot Suit Riots.
Lifeboat 12. By Susan Hood. Simon & Schuster.
Ken Sparks drifts at sea on a lifeboat with a group of passengers after the sinking of a ship carrying evacuated British children to Canada during WWII.
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter. By Diane Magras. Penguin/Kathy Dawson.
Drest sets out on a medieval quest in the Scottish highlands to rescue her five brothers and father, who have been captured by a neighboring Lord.
March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine. By Melba Pattillo Beals. Illus. by Frank Morrison. HMH.
This compelling memoir about Melba Pattillo’s childhood focuses on her growing understanding of the impact of racism in the years leading up to her role as one of the historic Little Rock Nine.
The Night Diary. By Veera Hiranandani. Penguin/Kokila (originally Dial).
Told in the form of diary entries addressed to Nisha’s dead mother, this novel traces a mixed-faith family’s flight from Mirpur Khas, Pakistan, to Jodhpur, India, during the partitioning of India in 1947. (Newbery Honor Book)
Nowhere Boy. By Katherine Marsh. Roaring Brook.
When Max finds Syrian refugee Ahmed hiding alone in his basement in Belgium, Max decides to help Ahmed by keeping him secret and safe.
*The Poet X. By Elizabeth Acevedo. HarperTeen.
Poetry provides teenage Xiomara an outlet to express herself as she struggles with her demanding mother’s religious expectations, a secret romance, and self acceptance. (Pura Belpré Author Award Book)
*The Prince and the Dressmaker. By Jen Wang. Illus. by the author. First Second.
Prince Sebastian secretly likes to wear dresses and hires talented dressmaker Frances to transform him into fashionista Lady Crystallia in this graphic novel. How long can the duo keep Sebastian’s secret?
*Rebound. By Kwame Alexander. Illus. by Dawud Anyabwile. HMH.
After being sent to his grandparents’ house for the summer, Chuck Bell finds his groove through basketball, comics, and exploring his roots in this companion title to 2015 Newbery winner The Crossover.
Run for Your Life. By Silvana Gandolfi. Tr. by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Yonder/Restless.
In alternating voices, this Italian novel tells the story of two brothers separated by Mafia violence. (Batchelder Honor Book)
Small Spaces. By Katherine Arden. Putnam.
Horror fans will appreciate this suspenseful tale of a field trip gone wrong, as 11-year-old Ollie races against the clock to save herself and her classmates.
Spooked! How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America. By Gail Jarrow. Illus. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek.
This account of the infamous War of the Worlds radio show explores the key players and development of the broadcast as well as its aftermath. (Sibert Honor Book)
Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill. By Heather L. Montgomery. Illus. by Kevin O'Malley. Bloomsbury.
Endlessly entertaining, this is a scientific look into the world of roadkill and how it informs statistics, news, and environmental challenges.
Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York. By Amy Hill Hearth. Greenwillow.
The little-known story of a young African American teacher, who was thrown off a streetcar in 1854 and won a court case against the railway company, comes to life in this account.
They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems. By David Bowles. Cinco Puntos.
Güero describes his neighborhood on the Mexican border, his hard-working family, and his growing love of poetry in this novel-in-verse. (Pura Belpré Author Honor Book)
*Tight. By Torrey Maldonado. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Bryan’s friendship with new friend Mike highlights the young teen’s journey through peer pressure and family dynamics as he struggles to navigate the consequences of choosing between right and wrong.
The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees. By Don Brown. Illus. by the author. HMH.
This graphic novel account of the Syrian refugee crisis examines both the horror and the hope of the world's response. (Sibert Honor Book)
*Denotes favorites of the JT Moore 7th/8th Grade from the 2018-2019 School Year
*Amal Unbound. By Aisha Saeed. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Unknowingly, Amal insults a corrupt but powerful man in her small Pakistani village. As retribution, he claims her as an indentured servant.
Apollo 8: The Mission that Changed Everything. By Martin W. Sandler. Illus. Candlewick.
With riveting text and stunning archival photos capturing the excitement and danger, this compelling account of the Apollo 8 mission emphasizes the turning point of the space program.
Attucks! Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team that Awakened a City. By Phillip Hoose. Illus. Farrar.
This is a comprehensive account of the people and the events involved in the first all-Black high school basketball team that confronted segregation in Indianapolis and won.
*Be Prepared. By Vera Brosgol. Illus. by Vera Brosgol and Alec Longstreth. First Second.
Brosgol comically recounts her experiences at a summer camp for Russian American kids in this graphic memoir.
Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam. By Elizabeth Partridge. Illus. Viking.
People who lived through the Vietnam War discuss its history and politics in this illuminating book featuring dramatic photographs and first-person accounts.
*Children of Blood and Bone. By Tomi Adeyemi. Holt.
In an adventure infused with West African mythology, Zélie’s magic reawakens and she battles to restore magic to the oppressed kingdom of Orïsha.
Crash: The Great Depression and the Fall and Rise of America. By Marc Favreau. Little, Brown.
This account of American life during the 1930s covers the economic hardships and political changes of the period, as well as the lingering influences on America today.
The Cruel Prince. By Holly Black. Little, Brown.
In this dark high fantasy, twin mortal girls are caught up in the political machinations of powerful, blood-thirsty Faeries.
*The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science. By Joyce Sidman. Illus. HMH.
On pages featuring Merian's illustrations, this inviting volume demonstrates how her fascination with observing life cycles led her to create realistic and detailed drawings that changed scientific research. (Sibert Medal Book)
*Ghost Boys. By Jewell Parker Rhodes. Little, Brown.
This novel explores the issues of racial violence and police brutality from the viewpoint of Jerome, the ghost of a 12-year-old black boy gunned down by a white police officer.
*Harbor Me. By Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Six children learn the power of sharing their stories when their teacher assigns them to spend Fridays in a weekly conversation circle.
*Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction. By Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Illus. by the author. Scholastic/Graphix.
This graphic memoir offers an intimate portrait of a young artist growing up in challenging circumstances, including his single mother’s lifelong battle with drug addiction.
Hurricane Child. By Kheryn Callender. Scholastic.
As a hurricane approaches her Caribbean island home, 12-year-old Caroline desperately searches for her mother in this story of abandonment, mysterious spirits, and a first crush.
The Hyena Scientist. By Sy Montgomery. Illus. by Nic Bishop. HMH.
Montgomery profiles biologist Kay Holekamp at her research camp in Masai Mara, Kenya, where she studies the social structure, communication, biology, and habits of spotted hyenas.
*Illegal. By Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin. Illus. by Giovanni Rigano. Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky.
Determined preteen Ebo leaves his impoverished Nigerian village to follow his older siblings, all of whom have one dream: to make it to Europe, by any means possible.
*Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. By Ashley Herring Blake. Little, Brown.
As her family deals with the devastating aftermath of a tornado, Ivy loses a sketchbook in which she has drawn pictures that reveal her secret same-sex crushes.
Jazz Owls: A Novel of the Zoot Suit Riots. By Margarita Engle. Illus. by Rudy Gutierrez. Atheneum.
In this novel-in-verse set in 1940’s Los Angeles, several Mexican American teens are swept into the chaos of the Zoot Suit Riots.
Lifeboat 12. By Susan Hood. Simon & Schuster.
Ken Sparks drifts at sea on a lifeboat with a group of passengers after the sinking of a ship carrying evacuated British children to Canada during WWII.
The Mad Wolf’s Daughter. By Diane Magras. Penguin/Kathy Dawson.
Drest sets out on a medieval quest in the Scottish highlands to rescue her five brothers and father, who have been captured by a neighboring Lord.
March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine. By Melba Pattillo Beals. Illus. by Frank Morrison. HMH.
This compelling memoir about Melba Pattillo’s childhood focuses on her growing understanding of the impact of racism in the years leading up to her role as one of the historic Little Rock Nine.
The Night Diary. By Veera Hiranandani. Penguin/Kokila (originally Dial).
Told in the form of diary entries addressed to Nisha’s dead mother, this novel traces a mixed-faith family’s flight from Mirpur Khas, Pakistan, to Jodhpur, India, during the partitioning of India in 1947. (Newbery Honor Book)
Nowhere Boy. By Katherine Marsh. Roaring Brook.
When Max finds Syrian refugee Ahmed hiding alone in his basement in Belgium, Max decides to help Ahmed by keeping him secret and safe.
*The Poet X. By Elizabeth Acevedo. HarperTeen.
Poetry provides teenage Xiomara an outlet to express herself as she struggles with her demanding mother’s religious expectations, a secret romance, and self acceptance. (Pura Belpré Author Award Book)
*The Prince and the Dressmaker. By Jen Wang. Illus. by the author. First Second.
Prince Sebastian secretly likes to wear dresses and hires talented dressmaker Frances to transform him into fashionista Lady Crystallia in this graphic novel. How long can the duo keep Sebastian’s secret?
*Rebound. By Kwame Alexander. Illus. by Dawud Anyabwile. HMH.
After being sent to his grandparents’ house for the summer, Chuck Bell finds his groove through basketball, comics, and exploring his roots in this companion title to 2015 Newbery winner The Crossover.
Run for Your Life. By Silvana Gandolfi. Tr. by Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Yonder/Restless.
In alternating voices, this Italian novel tells the story of two brothers separated by Mafia violence. (Batchelder Honor Book)
Small Spaces. By Katherine Arden. Putnam.
Horror fans will appreciate this suspenseful tale of a field trip gone wrong, as 11-year-old Ollie races against the clock to save herself and her classmates.
Spooked! How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America. By Gail Jarrow. Illus. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek.
This account of the infamous War of the Worlds radio show explores the key players and development of the broadcast as well as its aftermath. (Sibert Honor Book)
Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill. By Heather L. Montgomery. Illus. by Kevin O'Malley. Bloomsbury.
Endlessly entertaining, this is a scientific look into the world of roadkill and how it informs statistics, news, and environmental challenges.
Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York. By Amy Hill Hearth. Greenwillow.
The little-known story of a young African American teacher, who was thrown off a streetcar in 1854 and won a court case against the railway company, comes to life in this account.
They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems. By David Bowles. Cinco Puntos.
Güero describes his neighborhood on the Mexican border, his hard-working family, and his growing love of poetry in this novel-in-verse. (Pura Belpré Author Honor Book)
*Tight. By Torrey Maldonado. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Bryan’s friendship with new friend Mike highlights the young teen’s journey through peer pressure and family dynamics as he struggles to navigate the consequences of choosing between right and wrong.
The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees. By Don Brown. Illus. by the author. HMH.
This graphic novel account of the Syrian refugee crisis examines both the horror and the hope of the world's response. (Sibert Honor Book)
Project LIT
Project Lit Book Club will begin again next year!
Stories Change Us.
OUR MISSION is to support the development of lifelong learners and meet the information needs of all patrons by
- Providing a welcoming place where students and faculty will find up-to-date, quality resources that support the academic curriculum
- Engaging in ongoing collaboration with classroom teachers
- Teaching information literacy skills using both print and non-print resources
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- Providing enrichment opportunities through special programming