Notable Children's Books

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Notable Children's Books - 2012

Selected annually by the American Library Association, these titles were published in 2011.
Call numbers for the Duluth Public Library are in ( ); for other titles, ask about our interlibrary loan service.

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For Younger Readers:

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, Illus by Katherine Tillotson
From deserts to the kitchen sink, the water cycle is lyrically yet economically described in Lyon’s poem emphasizing the importance of water conservation. Katherine Tillotson’s digital paintings splash, surge and drip off the page. (j551.48 Lyon)

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
A wordless tale of an irrepressible little dog whose most prized possession is accidently destroyed. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery, and friendship. (2012 Caldecott Medal Book) ( j Raschka)

Blackout by John Rocco
A summer power outage draws an urban family up to their building’s roof and then down to the street for an impromptu block party. (A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book) ( j Rocco)

Bring on the Birds by Susan Stockdale
Rhyming couplets and clear, identifiable illustrations remind readers that birds vary in many ways, but all have feathers and are hatched from eggs. Colorful acrylics help provide just the right of information for preschool ornithologists. (j598 Stockdale)

The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos, Illus by Rafael López
Nothing is better than a delicious bowl of arroz con leche unless, of course, a host of farm animals have a hand in the preparation! (A 2012 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book) ( j Vamos)

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For Middle Readers:

America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown
A straightforward account of the September 11th tragedy, Brown’s restrained watercolors and sensitive text focuses on small stories of those who were in the Towers and the people who responded to the disaster. (j973.931 Brown)

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet
This story of Tony Sarg, the artistic inventor who conceived the huge balloons that float through New York City each Thanksgiving, joyously celebrates his life’s creative process. (2012 Sibert Medal Book) (j921 Sa73s)

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
On the eve of his induction into the Young Pioneers, Sasha’s world is overturned when his father is arrested by Stalin’s guard. (A 2012 Newbery Honor Book) (Juv Fic Yelchin)

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright, Illus by Barry Moser
Alley-cat Skilley finds a perfect home, gets help from a friend to return an injured raven to the Tower of London and saves all the Cheshire Cheese Inn mice from the evil Pinch. (Juv Fic Deedy)

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh
The accomplishments of Mexican painter, activist, and muralist Diego Rivera are highlighted in stylized illustrations. (2012 Belpré Illustrator Medal Book) (j759.972 Tonatiuh)

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For Older Readers:

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
In her clear, readable style, Fleming shows how Earhart captured the public imagination. Chapters of background information alternate with the chilling account of her final flight. Enhanced with maps, archival documents, news photos, and other contemporary sources. (j921 Ea72f)

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol
This graphic novel tells the story of Anya, a Russian immigrant, whose lack of self-esteem changes when her life is almost taken over by a determined ghost. (YA 741.5 Brosgol)

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Stalin’s deportation and imprisonment of Lithuanian families in Siberia is brought to vivid life in Sepetys’ searing novel, narrated by Lina, a 15-year-old who writes, “They took me in my nightgown.” (A YALSA Morris Award Finalist) (YA Fic Sepetys)

Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution by Laurence Pringle, Illus by Steve Jenkins
Pringle looks at the evidence from geology, biology, botany, and scientific reason to explain evolution. Readable text, pertinent illustrations matter of factly clarify concepts and the meaning of theory. (j575 Pringle)

Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene 'Bull' Connor by Larry Dane Brimner
This powerful examination of a crucial dichotomy in the civil rights movement focuses on two polar opposites—one man committed to ending segregation, and one just as determined to see it maintained. (A 2012 Sibert Honor Book) (j323.1 Brimner)

Click here for the complete list (printer-friendly version)

Previous Years' Lists: 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011

8/14/12
Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802

	All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, Illus by Katherine Tillotson From deserts to the kitchen sink, the water cycle is lyrically yet economically described in Lyon’s poem emphasizing the importance of water conservation. Katherine Tillotson’s digital paintings splash, surge and drip off the page. (j551.48 Lyon)
	A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka A wordless tale of an irrepressible little dog whose most prized possession is accidently destroyed. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery, and friendship. (2012 Caldecott Medal Book) ( j Raschka)
	Blackout by John Rocco A summer power outage draws an urban family up to their building’s roof and then down to the street for an impromptu block party. (A 2012 Caldecott Honor Book) ( j Rocco)
	Bring on the Birds by Susan Stockdale Rhyming couplets and clear, identifiable illustrations remind readers that birds vary in many ways, but all have feathers and are hatched from eggs. Colorful acrylics help provide just the right of information for preschool ornithologists. (j598 Stockdale)
	The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos, Illus by Rafael López Nothing is better than a delicious bowl of arroz con leche unless, of course, a host of farm animals have a hand in the preparation! (A 2012 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book) ( j Vamos)

	America is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell by Don Brown A straightforward account of the September 11th tragedy, Brown’s restrained watercolors and sensitive text focuses on small stories of those who were in the Towers and the people who responded to the disaster. (j973.931 Brown)
	Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet This story of Tony Sarg, the artistic inventor who conceived the huge balloons that float through New York City each Thanksgiving, joyously celebrates his life’s creative process. (2012 Sibert Medal Book) (j921 Sa73s)
	Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin On the eve of his induction into the Young Pioneers, Sasha’s world is overturned when his father is arrested by Stalin’s guard. (A 2012 Newbery Honor Book) (Juv Fic Yelchin)
	The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright, Illus by Barry Moser Alley-cat Skilley finds a perfect home, gets help from a friend to return an injured raven to the Tower of London and saves all the Cheshire Cheese Inn mice from the evil Pinch. (Juv Fic Deedy)
	Diego Rivera: His World and Ours by Duncan Tonatiuh The accomplishments of Mexican painter, activist, and muralist Diego Rivera are highlighted in stylized illustrations. (2012 Belpré Illustrator Medal Book) (j759.972 Tonatiuh)

	Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming In her clear, readable style, Fleming shows how Earhart captured the public imagination. Chapters of background information alternate with the chilling account of her final flight. Enhanced with maps, archival documents, news photos, and other contemporary sources. (j921 Ea72f)
	Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol This graphic novel tells the story of Anya, a Russian immigrant, whose lack of self-esteem changes when her life is almost taken over by a determined ghost. (YA 741.5 Brosgol)
	Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys Stalin’s deportation and imprisonment of Lithuanian families in Siberia is brought to vivid life in Sepetys’ searing novel, narrated by Lina, a 15-year-old who writes, “They took me in my nightgown.” (A YALSA Morris Award Finalist) (YA Fic Sepetys)
	Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution by Laurence Pringle, Illus by Steve Jenkins Pringle looks at the evidence from geology, biology, botany, and scientific reason to explain evolution. Readable text, pertinent illustrations matter of factly clarify concepts and the meaning of theory. (j575 Pringle)
	Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene 'Bull' Connor by Larry Dane Brimner This powerful examination of a crucial dichotomy in the civil rights movement focuses on two polar opposites—one man committed to ending segregation, and one just as determined to see it maintained. (A 2012 Sibert Honor Book) (j323.1 Brimner)