2012-2013 Master Lists
Grades 3-5
Prairie Peter Pan: The Story of Mary White / Beveley Olson Buller
In her brief life, Mary White's spunk and spirit left their mark on her hometown. After she died in a riding accident, her father poured his heart and his renowned storytelling skills into a loving essay that left its mark on American literature. Using William Allen White s essay as a framework, author Beverley Buller tells about the life of Mary White. Buller is also author of a book about White's life, From Emporia: The Story of William Allen White, published in 2007.
Used by permission of Kansas City Star Books Copyright 2010
Out of My Mind / Sharon Draper
Melody has a photographic memory. She remembers everything that has ever happened to her in precise, exact detail—from the words to a song she once heard when she was little to what she ate for a typical mundane breakfast. She also knows thousands and thousands of facts. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always—and there’s no delete button. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school—but, NO ONE knows because she has virtually no way of communicating. Melody has cerebral palsy. All most people see is a special needs kid--never suspecting that trapped inside this eleven-year old girl is more information and insight than they ever imagined.
Used by permission of Atheneum, Copyright 2010
Turtle in Paradise / Jennifer Holm
Inspired by family stories, this novel, set in 1935 Key West, follows eleven-year-old Turtle as she adjusts to life with relatives she’s never met and finds herself coming out of her shell.
Used by permission of Random House Children’s Books, Copyright 2010
Guinea Dog / Patrick Jennings
Rufus is desperate for a dog, but his father simply will not allow it. When Mom brings home a guinea pig, Rufus is skeptical—until he discovers this guinea pig thinks he’s a dog!
Used by permission of Egmont USA, Copyright 2010
Emily’s Fortune / Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
In this Wild West melodrama, orphaned Emily Wiggins and her turtle travel by stagecoach to live with an aunt, but a devious Uncle has other plans which Emily and fellow orphan Jackson must derail.
Used by permission of Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Books, Copyright 2010
Junkyard Wonders / Patricia Polacco
Polacco again draws from her own life for this story of Trisha whose special education class is known as the Junkyard. Thanks to a teacher who is special in her own way, each child in the class discovers their own unique talent.
Used by permission of Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, Copyright 2010
Star in the Forest /Laura Resau
When Zitally and her friend discover a dog in the forest near their trailer park, Zitally
Used by permission of Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Books, Copyright 2010
2012-2013 Master's list
Grades 6-8
Strange Case of Origami Yoda / Tom Angleberger
Unpopular student Dwight talks to his classmates through an origami finger puppet of Yoda, who seems able to help each of them. This novel’s point of view varies as each classmate tells his side of the story.
Used by permission of Amulet Books, Copyright 2010
Zora and Me / Victoria and T.R. Simon Bond
In this authorized novel depicting the early years of author Zora Neale Hurston, her best friend Carrie relates how Zora came to love stories in their childhood town of Eatonville, FL.
Jacket illustration Copyright 2010 by A.G. Ford, Reproduced by permission of publisher, Candlewick Press Somerville, MA
Mockingbird / Kathryn Erskine
In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger's, she doesn't know how. When she reads the definition of closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white--the world is full of colors-messy and beautiful.
Used by permission of Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Your Readers Group, Copyright 2010
Tale Dark and Grimm / Adam Gidwitz
Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm fairy tales. A colorful narrator leads us through encounters with witches, warlocks, dragons, and other Grimm-inspired creatures.
Used by permission of Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Your Readers Group, Copyright 2010
Ghost Dog Secrets / Peg Kehret
Each day, sixth-grader Rusty feeds a dog that's left chained in the frigid weather with no shelter, food, or water. When he realizes the dog has been injured, he tries to have Animal Control help - but when that fails, Rusty and his friend Andrew unchain the dog and take it. With the dog in their hideout, the boys face multiple challenges, including Andrew's snoopy sister and the escalating threats of the dog's abusive owner. Even more challenging? The appearance of a ghost dog that appears in Rusty's room, and is trying to lead him to an even deeper secret. . . .
Used by permission of Dutton Children’s Books, Copyright 2010
Extraordinary Mark Twain / Barbara Kerley
Colorful biography of Mark Twain using excerpts from his own daughter Susy’s biography of him
Used by permission of publisher, Illustrations by Edwin Fothingham Copyright 2010
Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift’s “Chocolate Pilot” / Michael Tunnell
Biography, illustrated with photos, of U.S. Air Force flier Gail Halverson, who dropped candy to children in West Berlin following World War II.
Used by permission of publisher. Book jacket used by permission of Charlesbridge Publishing
Copyright 2010
Moon Over Manifest / Clare Vanderpool
Abilene Tucker rides a train to her father’s hometown of Manifest, Kansas, where new friends join her in a hunt for spies and learns secrets from her father’s past and the town’s. 2011 Newbery Winner
Used by permission of Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Books, Copyright 2010