Science Fiction & Sports Lit

Gym Shorts: Basketball Bats by Betty Hicks

In this adorable story about teamwork and persistence, Henry and his four friends are an unstoppable basketball team, until they meet the Tigers. The Tigers have a player on their team who looks old enough to shave and a home court at the brand new YWCA- how on earth is Henry’s team going to beat them? When Henry steps up and scores the majority of the points in their first game against the Tigers, his teammates call him a ball hog. Henry comes up with an idea to unify his team and accomplish a team-win. I loved this book and believe it is a wonderful example of team bonding and good sportsmanship.

Horrid Henry and the Soccer Fiend by Francesca Simon

Horrid Henry daydreams that he is the best soccer player in the world only to be woken up by his teacher Miss Battle-Axe. When Miss Battle-Axe tells her class about a soccer competition her class will be able to participate in to win tickets to the Ashton Athletic National game, Henry knows he needs to be the winner. The only problem is Moody Margaret is the best player in the class. When Henry tries to cheat his way into winning, Miss Battle-Axe makes a surprising call on whom the winner is. Horrid Henry is a character I “loved to hate” and found this story to teach a valuable lesson about working hard for a fair win.

Banana Split From Outer Space by Catherine Siracusa

This is a lovable science fiction story about Stanley, a pig who owns his own ice cream shop. He has twenty-six flavors and all the toppings, but is having a hard time gaining customers because the store is away from the big highway. When a spaceship lands on top of Stanley’s ice cream sign, he discovers Zelmo, a green pig from outter space. The two decide to work together on the ice cream business and eventually land their store by the busy highway, attracting customers and building a partnership. I liked this book because the sci-fi element is something that is used to enhance the friendship between Stanley and Zelmo and bring them together to create a successful business.

Soccer Cats: Hat Trick by Matt Christopher

When Stookie sees his brother Greg’s picture in the paper for scoring three goals in one soccer game, he has his mind set on scoring three goals in his own game.  Instead of working hard to get three goals, Stookie ends up all over the field taking the ball from his teammates and taking over other positions on the field. Lou, Stookie’s best friend, resents him for how he’s been acting, just as Greg’s best friend has been resenting him. Both Stookie and Greg realize their friends are looking out for them and in the end, each boy learns the meaning of teamwork and working hard to win as a team. This book was a quick read and very relatable for young athletes who are looking to be the “best”. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it for young readers.

The Time Hackers by Gary Paulsen

When Dorso finds a dead body hanging in his locker, not the first strange thing that has appeared, it disappears thirty seconds later. Dorso and his best friend Frank are victims of a time travel computer chip that has been implanted in Dorso’s laptop. When the two jump back in time, they discover two other time travelers who are playing games with the historical chip in Dorso’s computer. The boys realize they need to meet the engineer who designed the chip in order to restore time back to normalcy. I found this book to be interesting in that the two boys were able to catch glimpses of historical figures and events. I can definitely see this book being favored by young male readers in grades 5-8.

Aliens For Dinner by Stephanie Spinner

When Richard opens a huge fortune cookie after his Chinese dinner, an alien named Aric comes out and tells Richard about the planet Dwilb’s plan to overtake Earth and turn it into a “theme park” of litter and pollution. Aric explains that the aliens from Dwilb look like humans and repeat things twice.  Immediately, Richard begins to think his mother’s boyfriend Bob is an alien from Dwilb. Aric and Richard must find a way to get rid of all the Dwilb aliens before they take over the Earth. This book was clever and entertaining. I can definitely see young readers enjoying the characters of Aric and Richard.

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

In this classic tale about a man who invents a time machine, his friends are skeptical about what the future will hold and if the machine even works. When the inventor does travel into the future, he reaches the year 802,701 A.D. Once he lands, the man sees small, slender people who make clapping noises and do not talk. They don’t even seem to notice he is there and no one makes eye contact with him. Things get worse when he runs in to the Morlocks but he manages to escape them and find his time machine hidden in the base of the Sphinx. He successfully makes it back to 1895 and proves to his friends he really did time travel by showing them flowers from the future. I always enjoyed this classic story and enjoyed reading it again for my blog. I believe it is a timeless tale that all children can enjoy.

A Peach Street Mudders Story: Shadow Over Second by Matt Christopher

Nicky Chong is a superstitious baseball player who always performs the same rituals before each game. The night before a big game, Nicky is afraid his father has jinxed him before he can break the record for most RBIs in one game. But a bigger worry is on the horizon for Nicky: an hour before his big game, Nicky and his friend Turtleneck are locked in Nicky’s shed! After falsely accusing his father of locking him in the shed, Nicky is allowed to play in the game regardless of his tardiness and was able to get 2 RBIs, making him one step closer to breaking the RBI record. Nicky also learns that Stick from the opposing team was the one who locked him in the shed and finally learns to let go of his superstitious ways. This story touches on many life lessons including honesty, good sportsmanship, and hard work. I would absolutely recommend this book to young readers

Chick Lit & Fractured Fairy Tales

The Princess School: Apple-y Ever After by Jane B. Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens
In this fractured fairytale, Snow White’s father is lost a sea. When he suddenly appears onshore, Snow White is relieved but realizes her father has no idea who she is. She and her friends come up with a plan to help her father remember her, even if that means sneaking into her evil stepmother’s castle and facing the dreadful magic mirror.

The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: Two Heads Are Better Than One by Anne Mazer

In this humorous book, Abby is home sick with the flu when her teacher announces the science fair the fifth grade will be a part of. When Abby comes back to school, she learns her partner for the science fair is a boy named Casey Hoffman. And, to make things worse, she has given herself a horrible haircut as a result of trying to put life back into her hair after being sick. After being teased for having a boy partner by her classmates, Abby makes it clear to Casey that she does not want to be his friend. Casey’s feelings are hurt and Abby realizes she needs to swallow her pride and find a way to work with him.

Main Street: September Surprise by Ann M. Martin

As a new school year approaches, Flora, Olivia, and Nikki move from their old elementary school to the middle school where they’ll be among kids from other towns for the firs time. Everyone is excited but Olivia because she is the youngest girl in her grade and now, the youngest girl in the entire school. When Olivia tries to fit in with the popular girls, one of them uses her to get good grades and as a result, bullies Olivia. Never comfortable in her own skin, Olivia decides it’s time for her to step up and be secure in herself.

Gender Bender by Blake Nelson

Up until the sixth grade, Emma Baker and Tom Witherspoon were childhood friends. Now, the two are enemies, hanging out in their own groups. The two are paired up in health class for a section on gender issues and are forced to work together, spending 15 minutes together each day talking to each other about how gender affects their lives. When the two knock heads jumping on the trampoline, they blacked out and woke up in each other’s bodies! With the narrative told in alternating view points from Emma and Tom, insights into each gender is revealed and often times hilarious.

Alone in the Universe by Lynn Rae Perkins

This story centers around Debbie, a young middle school girl and the hardships she faces when her best friend Maureen is “claimed” by her classmate Glenna as her new best friend. Debbie tries everything in her power to fix her relationship with Maureen to regain her “best friend status”. In the end, Debbie’s plan does not work and Maureen and Glenna remain best friends. Debbie feels “alone in the universe” and is forced to deal with the loss of a friendship.

Camp Confidential: TTYL by Melissa J. Morgan

Summer has ended and the girls from Camp Lakeview’s bunk 3C are excited to begin the new school year. Things do not go as planned once they get home: Natalie is having trouble with her best friend and boys, Jenna is feeling trapped by her family, Alex faces competition as a sports star at her new school, and Grace wants to find a way to do what she loves and do well in school. The only way the girls can stay in touch is through email, but when one of their bunkmates is going through a tougher time than imagined, they wonder how they can help from so far away.

The Sisters Eight Book 6: Petal's Problems by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Sisters Eight each have a talent or gift after their parents have disappeared, leaving them to discover what actually happened to them. In Book 6, the month of May is almost over and that means only one thing: Petal's month is about to begin. For most people, this would be a good thing because her talent would be soon discovered, but as fas as Petal is concerned, it could stay May forever and she unsuccessfully tries to keep the month of May from ending.

Red, White & True Blue Mallory by Laurie Friedman
Mallory is so excited to be in Washington, D.C. with her 4th grade class until she realizes her best friend Mary Ann is spending so much time with the new boy in their class. Mallory keeps a journal to express how she feels after being "ditched" by Mary Ann. Mallory wonders off to wiggle her loose tooth, but realizes she is the one lost from her group!

Graphic Novels

Backyard Bug Battle: A Buzz Beaker Brainstorm by Scott Nickel

Buzz Beaker’s latest invention is “Buzz Beaker’s Super Sticky Bug Goo” which attracts bugs but prevents them from harming the plants. When Buzz’s dad invents a “super top-secret” juice of his own, Buzz mistakenly uses it as he would his own “bug goo”. After using his dad’s invented juice by mistake, the bugs begin to grow abnormally large and begin to attack Buzz and his friend. Buzz eventually learns that he mixed up his juice with his dad’s and Buzz is relieved to know he won’t be grounded for mixing them up.

A Day in the Office of Doctor Bugspit by Elise Gravel

Dr. Bugspit is an eccentric doctor with a “cure” for everything such as a melting patient, a woman who is growing toes all over her body, and a little boy who says, “beep” instead of “burp”. His “fix-it syrup” is given to the woman’s toes to make them look “pretty” instead of making them disappear. The “fix-it syrup” is given to the boy who “beeps” instead of “burps”, causing him to “beep” louder and win contests. Dr. Bugspit believes his “fix-it syrup” can “fix” everything until he sneazes and asks for a “real doctor”.

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Kay Melchisedech Olson

The story of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination is portrayed in graphic novel style, recounting the details of John Wilkes Booth’s plan to shoot the President at Ford’s Theater.  The graphic style provides an easy to read experience for children while teaching them about one of the most infamous events in American history.

Red Ted and the Lost Things by Michael Rosen

This adorable story is one of a teddy bear named Red Ted who was left of the train by his owner Stevie. Red Ted is placed on a shelf by the train conductor and he finds himself in the company of the other things that have been left on the train over time. Red Ted meets another a crocodile stuffed animal and the two go in search of Stevie. On their way they meet a cat and the cat helps them find Stevie’s house. Eventually they are reunited with Stevie and she keeps the crocodile, the cat, and Red Ted for her own.

Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith

Little Mouse is excited to go to the barn with his brothers and sisters and to look for food and find good hiding spots. Little Mouse decides he needs to get ready so he starts to put on his underwear, socks, pants, shirt, and shoes. Once he is finally done getting ready, his mother tells him mice don’t wear clothes! Little Mouse quickly takes his clothes off and rushes to the barn to meet his brothers and sisters. As mother mouse says at the end, “What a silly little mouse!”

Johnny Boo:  Twinkle Power by James Kochalka

Johnny Boo is confident in his boo power while Squiggle has his squiggle power. But when Squiggle wants to sparkle like the stars, Johnny boo finds himself alone in the dark until the Ice Cream Monster comes to keep him company. After showing the Ice Cream Monster how to “boo”, Squiggle comes back down from the stars and helps Johnny discover his “wiggle” power. Squiggle finds Johnny’s wiggling hair to be so funny that Johnny believes his hair has giggle power.

A Buzz Beaker Brainstorm: Attack of the Mutant Lunch Lady by Scott Nickel

The lunch lady at Buzz and Larry’s school is mean and won’t let them talk in line while she’s serving mystery meat and “schlop” for lunch.  When the lunch lady falls into the next day’s soup, she turns into a mutant and starts eating everything in the school. Buzz and Larry take a sample from her mutant body and discover that feeding her fresh fruit will return her back to her human form. Successful in their efforts, the lunch lady now serves fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch instead of mystery meat and everyone is healthy.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline is a preteenager that moves into an old mansion with her family and discovers a secret door that leads her to an alternate life. Here she meets her “other” parents who give her the attention she craves from her real parents. When Coraline wants to go back to her real family, her “other” mother won’t let her leave and Coraline needs to find her real parents and save the souls of three ghosts of children in order to make things better in her real universe. This graphic novel has a creepy but entertaining quality to it and was adapted from text to graphic novel.

Picture Books for Older Readers

Seal Surfer by Michael Foreman

This loveable story is one about a boy named Ben who likes to go to the beach with his grandfather and look for mussels. One day, he sees a baby seal next to its mother on the rocks and continues to visit them while he and his grandfather look for mussels in the water. After a terrible storm, Ben loses sight of the baby seal and believes him to have died in the torrential waves. Ben he finds himself in a similar situation when the currant pulls him under while he is surfing. To Ben’s surprise, the baby seal carries him above the waves to the safety of his surfboard and Ben realizes the seal was safe the whole time. Ben continues to watch the seals even after his grandfather has passed and looks forward to the time when he can bring his own grandchildren to the sea to watch the seals.

Zeee by Elizabeth Enright

Zeee is a “bad fairy” that hates people because they can never see her or hear her. The bee-sized Zeee tries to make her home in an empty wasp’s nest and a toy pail on the beach, but every time she does, a person who can’t see her, comes and ruins her home. Just as Zeee is convinced people don’t like her, a girl named Pandora rescues her from being eaten by a cat and the two become lifelong friends.

The Fisherman’s Family by Maryke Reesink

Jan is a boy who lives in Holland and dreams of going fishing with his father. His father, however, thinks Jan is too young to go fishing and thus forbids him to go. When Jan’s father’s boat doesn’t come back with the others after a terrible storm, Jan is left to provide for his family by carving animals out of driftwood and sells them to a gift shop. In the end, Jan’s father returns home and he finally gets to go fishing with him.

Were You A Wild Duck Where Would You Go? by George Mendoza

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of wild ducks who are looking for a home when America was a “birds fairy tale”. Narrated by a mallard, the reader learns that mankind has greedily taken over the land, causing pollution and destruction, and the wild ducks are left to search for the paradise they once had. This book pleads with the reader to value our wildlife and conserve our planet.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

This classic story is about Ichabod Crane, an extremely superstitious schoolmaster competing for the hand of Katrina Van Tassel against the handsome “Brom Bones”. After leaving a party one night, Ichabod is followed by the Headless Horseman, a ghost who was beheaded by a cannon and rides through the woods every night with a flaming pumpkin. Ichabod mysteriously disappears after being followed by the Headless Horseman, leaving Katrina to marry Brom Bones, implying that the Horseman was really Brom in disguise.

Bonjour Lonnie by Faith Ringgold

Lonnie is an orphan living in Paris who is visited by a magical Love Bird one night. The bird inspires Lonnie to look for his family.  Through his magical journey, Lonnie meets the spirits of his grandparents and parents, learning about his mixed racial heritage. This aspect of the book sheds light on the issue of acceptance and love while highlighting different cultures through the inclusion of French phrases and a historical index.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest

This is a Christopher Award winning book about thirteen year-old Jessie who journeys from a poor village in Eastern Europe to New York City and must leave her grandmother behind. While aboard the ship, Jessie meets a young shoemaker named Lou and he helps her get through the hardships of being alone and experiencing a brand new world. Jessie uses her skills as a lace maker, which she learned from her grandmother, to get a job in a dressmaker’s shop and eventually saves enough of her money to buy her grandmother a ticket to come to New York.




The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Inga Moore
A young boy named Franz was always meddling in things he couldn't fix when finally his father throws him out of the house. Franz comes across a sign for an "apprentice wanted" and finds out the job is within a huge and mysterious castle with a sorcerer named Ludvig Hexenmeister. During his stay, Franz sees objects moving on their own and eventually, hones the skills of the sorcerer. In the end, Franz uses what he has learned and becomes a sorcerer himself.

Multicultural Perspective Books

The Island-below-the-stars by James Rumford

When little Manu tells his older brothers he wants to go with them to the far island they saw under the stars, they laughed at him. As the brothers prepared for their long journey, Manu snuck aboard to join them as they venture out to the far island. After a dangerous storm that required the brothers to all work together to keep their ship afloat, Manu sees a bird among the rain and sees it’s about to land. After being teased by his brother for his love of birds, Manu’s spotting of the bird solves the mystery as to where the island was. This book was inspired by navigational techniques of the Polynesians who first came to the Hawaiian Islands.

Gift Horse: A Lakota Story by S.D. Nelson

A young Indian boy named Flying Cloud is given a horse by his father in celebration of him becoming a man. The boy names the horse Storm and they become inseparable. When enemies of the Lakota tribe steal horses from them, Storm is taken away from Flying Cloud, fueling him to become the Warrior he wanted to be. After saving his beloved horse, Flying Cloud is given the shirt of the Lakota Warrior and transitions from boyhood to manhood.

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson

Melanin Sun is an African American boy living with his mother in Brooklyn. When Melanin learns his mother is gay and in love with a white woman, he feels confused and ashamed by the constant gossip surrounding his mother. Melanin begins to resent his mother and longs for the days when life was simple. This story brings to light issues of race and sexuality in the midst of adolescence.

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

Pacey is a young Chinese-American girl whose mother tells her that the Year of the Dog is a good year for friends, family, and “finding herself”. Pacey is so excited about all the good things in store for her that she immediately goes searching for them, but struggles along the way with disappointments. After meeting a new friend, Pacey sees her luck change and starts to believe in the good things the Year of the Dog could bring. 

Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins

This Jane Addams Honor book focuses on a young girl named Naima who is talented at creating traditional patterns called alpana for Bangladesh women and girls to paint in their homes for special occasions. Naima, however, longs to earn money for her family, causing her to contemplate disguising herself as a boy to drive her father’s rickshaw. When Naima finds out the owner of the rickshaw repair shop is a woman, she is able to help them with painting decorations on the rickshaws, causing them to help the business grow. Thus, Naima finds a way for her to use her own talents in a way to earn money and stay true to herself.

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Eleven year old Lucy is a second-generation Chinese-American who would rather eat American food than Chinese traditional food and prefers basketball to violin. When her grandmother’s sister Yi-Po comes to visit, Lucy finds herself in the company of an unwanted relative who is stuck in her ancient Chinese ways and traditions. Yo-Po’s visit slowly connects Lucy to her Chinese heritage, causing her to see the little ways in which she can be proud of her nationality.

No Ordinary Day by Deborah Ellis

Valli is a young girl living in the coal town Jharia, India. She discovers the abusive family she has been living with is not her real family and decides to leave Jharia and start a new life in Kolkata. She realizes she is self-sufficient until she is in desperate need of care by Dr. Indra, who tells Valli she has leprosy. Dr. Indra helps treat Valli, leading Valli to look up to her. 

The Gold-Threaded Dress by Carolyn Marsden

In this story, Oy a young girl from Thailand struggles with the differences she encounters in her American school. Her teacher calls her Olivia and she is teased and left out by her classmates. When a popular girl in her class sees Oy in a picture wearing her Thai dancing dress, she says she’ll let Oy be part of her group if she brings her dress to school. Oy struggles with what she should do. If she is to be part of the popular crowd, she’ll be betraying her family’s traditions. This book is a beautiful portrait of the dilemmas children goes through in order to belong to a community.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Three sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are sent from Brooklyn to Oakland to meet their estranged mother Cecile. Expecting a mother figure, the girls are extremely mistaken when Cecile shows little interest in spending time with them, instead sending them for Chinese takeout every night as dinner and sending them to a summer camp for breakfast and activities. Delphine, being the eldest, takes on the role as protector and mother to her two sisters, increasing their strong bond as sisters throughout the book. Though Delphine discounts Cecile to hold any motherly traits, Cecile gives important advice to Delphine in the end: “Be 11, Delphine. Be 11 while you can”. 

Newberry Award Winners and Honor Books

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Newberry Medal-winning novel about Marty Preston, who finds an abused dog, Shioh, and debates whether he should keep him and save him from his brutal owner Judd Travers, or return him in order to do the right thing. Marty sees Judd shooting a deer out of season and uses that as blackmail for Judd to sell Shiloh to him. This story is one that focuses on moral dilemmas and following your instincts to do the right thing.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

A Newberry Medal-winner from 1968 tells the story of Claudia Kincaid, an 11-year-old girl who runs away from home and goes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with her brother Jamie. After coming across a beautiful angel statue at the museum, Claudia is determined to find the statue’s maker. This leads Claudia and her brother on an adventure to Connecticut where they meet the statue’s owner Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and try to uncover the answer to their question by going through her mixed up filing cabinet.

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett 

A Newberry Honor book about a young boy, Elmer Elevator, who runs away to Wild Island to rescue a baby Dragon. With the help of an alley cat, Elmer jumps onto a ship that will take him to the island where he can rescue the baby Dragon from the lazy animals who use the dragon to fly back and forth. This tale is one that will be enjoyed by all young readers with its use of black and white drawings on every other page and the clever way Elmer is able to outsmart each animal he comes across in order to save the dragon.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Winner of the 1995 Newberry Medal and a personal favorite from my childhood, Walk Two Moons tells the story of 13-year-old Sal Tree Hiddle as she travels with her grandparents to find her mother in Idaho. Along the way, Sal tells a story of Phoebe Winterbottom, but in reality, reveals a story more about herself.

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

This Newberry Honor book is both entertaining and loveable, with its main character Joey who has controlled his attention deficit disorder with new and improved meds. When he reconnects with his estranged dad, his dad gets rid of the meds Joey has depended upon and is forced to decide if being friends with his dad is worth giving up the control he had over his ADD.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

This Newberry Award winning book is about a boy name Jonathan who is asked to run an errand for his family to Aunt Emma's house in search of a big pot for their family dinner. Reassured there were no bears on the mountain, Jonathan can't help but imagine running into one when the cold winter air blows. This tale instills a sense of pride within Jonathan as he runs an errand for the sake of his family.

On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer 

This is a Newberry Honor award winner book about two boys named Joel and Tony who go swimming in a dangerous and forbidden river. Tony gets sucked into the current and cannot swim. Joel tries to save him but it is too late. With Tony dead, Joel is afraid to tell his parents and Tony’s parents about this horrible incident. In the end, Joel learns about life’s uncertainties, unfairness, and also life’s forgiveness.

Along Came a Dog by Meindert DeJong
This Newberry Honor book is a cute tale of a cocky red hen that befriends a lonesome dog. Though they were an unlikely pair, the hen and the dog compliment each other and the lonesome dog finally finds his place with the farmer and the hen.

Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books

The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi

This book, which is based on the cautionary poem by Mary Howitt, tells the story of a lady fly who is reluctant to follow a spider into his den.  The spider finally lures the fly with words of flattery and she is forever in his den and she “never came out again!” This book is a Caldecott Honor book.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

This Caldecott Honor book teaches the reader what animals do with their noses and tails. For example, “if you’re an elephant, you use your nose to give yourself a bath”. This book is a wonderful way to teach children about different animals and facts about the way they function. The book comes with beautiful illustrations and facts in the back of the book about each animal featured.

Blackout by John Rocco

Another Caldecott Honor book about a summer night when the power goes out in the city. This incident forces the family to find their own fun without phones or computers. When the family goes on their roof to escape the heat in the house, they see a star-filled sky, leading them to a block party where all their neighbors are there. Though the power finally gets restored, the family learns that board games by candle light and interacting with neighbors is still more fun than electricity. The comic-strip illustrations add to the engagement of this book!

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont

This Caldecott Honor book tells the story of a stray dog whom a family picnicking in the park finds. The children want to keep the dog but their parents tell them the dog may belong to someone who would miss him if the family took him home. After returning for another picnic, the dog shows up again, and the kids name him Willy. They save him from a dog ward that is trying to collect him and Willy lives comfortably with his new family.

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Winner of the 2012 Caldecott Medal, this book tells of a dog named Daisy who loses her favorite ball to a bigger dog who eventually destroys it. Heartbroken, Daisy eventually finds another ball that she can claim as her own. Though this story is told without words and only pictures, it nonetheless evokes a powerful feeling among the reader.

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman

This Caldecott Medal book is about Officer Buckle, a policeman who instills safety tips to his students. When his dog pal Gloria steals the spotlight during school assemblies, Officer Buckle believes the students are not cheering for his safety tips, but rather, for Gloria’s tricks. When Gloria is up on stage alone, she is lonely and realizes she is better with Officer Buckle up there with her. This leads Officer Buckle to discover his 101^st safety tip: “always stick with your buddy!”

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

This Caldecott winner tells the story of a little girl named Sal who is helping her mother pick blueberries on the hill. Her mother encourages her to go off and pick her own blueberries, just as a momma bear encourages her baby bear to go find as many blueberries as he can to stock up for the winter. Each child gets separated from his/her mother until their mothers eventually come and find them, taking them back to their own homes.

Mirette on the Highwire by Emily Arnold McCully

Caldecott Medal winner. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young girl named Mirette who helps her mother at the hotel they run in Paris. When a shy and mysterious guest named Bellini starts to walk across a highwire, Mirette is intrigued and begs him to teach her his talent. Once she teaches herself how to walk the highwire, she shows Bellini her talents, only to learn he is a famous highwire walker. In the end, Bellini comes to see Mirette’s talents and decides to take her on tour with him.