Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award (K-3) Charlie May Simon Children’s Book Award (4-6)

2015-2016

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), the Arkansas Reading Association (ARA) and the Arkansas State Library (ASL) are the primary sponsors of the annual selection process, in conjunction with the two separate reading committees. There are overlapping functions by the three primary sponsors. The general policy for the past few years features the winning authors and illustrators being invited to the annual ARA statewide meeting for presentation of awards, and book signings. The awards presentations covering the 2014-15 school year will take place on November 19-20, 2015, at the ARA Literacy Conference in Little Rock at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel. Books for the 2015-2016 school year must have a 2013 copyright. The two reading committees will meet on the last Saturday of each month beginning in September and ending in February. Those book titles and administrative support for the selection process is performed by ASL personnel. Electronic voting for the winners of the 2014- 2015 school year was moved by ADE to the middle of May 2015, to better fit the academic school year.

These eleven Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award titles, for the 2015-2016 school year, represent the eighteenth consecutive year this program has been active. The award and honor books will be selected by students (K-3) voting across Arkansas, near the middle of May 2016, with an exact ending date to be announced by the ADE. Students will read, or have read to them, at least three books from the reading list to be eligible to vote in the spring. Each student will vote for only one title.

These thirteen Charlie May Simon Book Award reading selections, for the 2015-2016 school year, represent the forty-sixth consecutive year this program has been in existence. The award and honor books will be selected by students (4-6) voting across Arkansas, near the middle of May 2016, with an exact ending date to be announced by the ADE. Students will read, or have read to them, at least three books from the reading list to be eligible to vote in the spring. Each student will vote for only one title.

For further information on these reading lists, you may contact the following representatives:

Cassandra Barnett, ADE Program Adviser for School Libraries Phone 501-682-6576 Email [email protected]

Susan Peterson, ARA Executive Secretary Phone 501-908-4461 Email [email protected]

Cathy Howser, ASL, Coordinator of Children’s and Institutional Programs Phone 501-682-2860, Fax 501-682-1693 Email [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARKANSAS DIAMOND PRIMARY BOOKS AWARD LIST (K-3) 2015-2016 (Eleven titles)

Author Title Page

Arkansas Diamond Primary Award Suggested Subject Reading Areas ...... 2 Ashburn, Boni The Fort That Jack Built ...... 3 Daywalt, Drew The Day the Crayons Quit ...... 4 Greene, Rhonda Gowler No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou ...... 5 Johnson, Angela Lottie Parks and the Best Place ...... 6 Kasza, Keiko My Lucky Birthday ...... 7 Long, Loren Otis and the Puppy ...... 8 Pinborough, Jan Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne ...... 9 Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children Polacco, Patricia The Blessing Cup ...... 10 Say, Allen The Favorite Daughter ...... 11 Tavares, Matt Becoming Babe Ruth ...... 12 Tobin, Jim The Very Inappropriate Word ...... 13 Arkansas Diamond Primary Award Past Winners and Overview Schedule ...... 14

CHARLIE MAY SIMON CHILDREN’S BOOKS AWARD LIST (4-6) 2015-2016 Thirteen Titles)

Charlie May Simon Suggested Subject Reading Areas ...... 15 Appelt, Kathi The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp ...... 16 Burg, Ann E. Sarafina’s Promise ...... 17 Creech, Sharon The Boy on the Porch ...... 18 Harley, Bill Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year ...... 19 Hill, Kirkpatrick Bo at Ballard Creek ...... 20 Hopkinson, Deborah The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the ...... 21 Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel Kadohata, Cynthia The Thing About Luck ...... 22 Kurtz, Chris The Adventures of a South Pole Pig ...... 23 La Valley, Josanne The Vine Basket ...... 24 Long, Susan Hill Whistle in the Dark ...... 25 Pileggi, Leah Prisoner 88 ...... 26 Sloan, Holly Goldberg Counting by 7s ...... 27 Voigt, Cynthia The Book of Lost Things ...... 28 Past Charlie May Simon Book Award Winners ...... 29

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SUGGESTED SUBJECT READING AREAS 2015-2016 ARKANSAS DIAMOND AWARD BOOKS (K-3)

The Fort That Jack Built – Pg. 3 He borrowed something from every other family member to build the fort.

The Day the Crayons Quit – Pg. 4 Several boxes of unhappy crayons. Overworked – Not properly used.

No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou – Pg. 5 Big Pirate Pete needs a bath real bad. Is there a treasure in the public library?

Lottie Paris and the Best Place – Pg. 6 The best place is the public library. Lots of books there. New friends to be made too!

My Lucky Birthday – Pg. 7 Alligator Al is planning on a nice pork birthday dinner. Piglet has other plans for Al.

Otis and the Puppy – Pg. 8 A new animal has moved to the farm. He and Otis become fast friends.

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries For Children – Pg. 9 She was the first to push the most for children to be allowed in the public libraries.

The Blessing Cup – Pg. 10 The Jewish families had to leave Russia. They could only take a few things with them.

The Favorite Daughter – Pg. 11 Also, his only daughter. For a little while she is ashamed for being Japanese.

Becoming Babe Ruth – Pg. 12 Babe had a very restless young life. The reformatory school was just what he needed.

The Very Inappropriate Word – Pg. 13 There is never mention in the story of exactly what the inappropriate word is.

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The Fort That Jack Built Written by Boni Ashburn Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Fiction (32 pages) (Story in rhyme) Setting: Built in the safety of his family’s home, using borrowed materials. Guiding Principles: Initiative; Perseverance; Optimism; Adaptability; Imagination. Awards and Reviews: Horn Book (4/1/14); Kirkus Reviews; Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (12/1/13). Main Characters: Jack; His youngest sister (Small chair); His brother (Stack of books); His older sister (Shower curtain with hooks); His mother (Sheets and the pillows-stack); His dad (“I need my chair, Jack”); His Photo by Ryan Greenleaf grandma (Her quilt); Milo (Jack’s dog—a leash).

About the Story: Jack barely got his amazing fort built before each of the other family members began coming to the living room to claim their part of his special building project. His fort quickly began to sag and Jack begged everyone to leave their property in place. Finally, Grandma came to the former fort site and claimed her quilt. Then, Jack realized his building a fort idea was finished. Grandma wondered if Jack would like to share her beautiful quilt.

Author – Boni Ashburn: Beginning with her earliest school days: “I loved absolutely everything about school including: my teachers, my school supplies, the smell of the school, the first day, the last day, and every day in between. Books have been a part of every day of my life. I have always read everything I could get my hands on. No matter where we lived, I always felt at home at the library. I dreamed of being a librarian, or a teacher, but never a writer. In college I settled on an English degree because it allowed me to do the most reading. I realized that reading a perfect picture book brings me joy like nothing else. I set out to write one myself, and to my surprise, it was easier than I thought it would be.” Some other books Ms. Ashburn has recently written: Hush, Little Dragon (2008); Over at the Castle (2010); I Had a Favorite Dress (2011); Builder Goose: It’s Construction Rhyme Time (2012); I Had a Favorite Hat (2015). She lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her four children.

Illustrator – Brett Helquist: He was born in Ganado, Arizona in 1966, and grew up in Orem, Utah. His main source for his early art background came from his joy of reading numerous comic books and strips. Brett’s Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts was earned at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Of all the art work he has done, Brett’s effort on Lemony Snicket’s thirteen titles known as A Series of Unfortunate Events has gained him the most praise and attention of all his illustrating works. He, and his wife, currently live in New York City.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 161285 – Reading Level 2.9 – Points 0.5.

[3] The Day the Crayons Quit Written by Drew Daywalt Pictures by Oliver Jeffers

Fiction (40 pages) Setting: In a K-3 school classroom, where there is a student named Duncan with used crayons. Guiding Principles: Initiative; Honesty; Respect; Optimism. Awards and Reviews: #1 New York Times Bestseller. Reviews by: ALA Booklist (7/1/13); Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Kirkus Reviews; Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (7/1/13); Wilson’s Children’s Catalog.

Main Characters: Duncan (K-3 student); Red Crayon (Overworked); Purple Crayon (Coloring outside the line); Beige Crayon (Being used as sub); Gray Crayon (BIG animals only); White Crayon (White on white?); Black Crayon (Black beach ball?); Green Crayon (I’m o.k., my friends Yellow & Orange Crayons are not speaking to each other); Yellow Crayon (I’m the color of the sun); Orange Crayon (No, I’m the color of the sun!); Pink Crayon (Only used me once in the last year); Peach Crayon (You peeled off my paper wrapping. I’m naked and I can’t leave the crayon box).

About the Story: When Duncan arrived at school one morning, he found a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he was treating them. It was obvious the majority of his set of crayons had personal griefs against him and were on some type of strike. Duncan is never physically visible in the book, The Day the Crayons Quit. We only see his crayons and his artwork. The letters written by the crayons are listed on individual pages. Poor Duncan just wanted to color, and he wished for his crayons to be happy. After Duncan allowed his crayons to color any subject they desired, the result was positive from the teacher’s view.

Author – Drew Daywalt: This is Mr. Daywalt’s first book for young children. He is most known for writing horror stories. As an author he is now drawn to writing stories of hope and stories of fear. This book begs for students to open up their uses of crayons and other drawing instruments and use them freely. Although Mr. Daywalt grew up in a haunted house, he now lives in a Southern California home, haunted only by his wife, two kids, and a German Shepard dog. By the way, his favorite crayon is Black.

Illustrator – Oliver Jeffers: He is an artist, designer, illustrator and writer. Mr. Jeffers was born in 1977 in Australia, and was raised in Northern Ireland. His picture books have been translated into over 30 languages. Mr. Jeffers’ distinctive paintings have been exhibited in multiple cities and countries. He now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159597 – Reading Level 3.8 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 3.5 – Points 1.0 Lexile AD730L.

[4] No Pirates Allowed! Said Library Lou Written by Rhonda Gowler Greene Illustrated by Brian Ajhar

Fiction (40 pages) (Story in rhyme) Setting: At Seabreezy Public Library. On board Big Pirate Pete’s ship. Guiding Principles: Contemplation; Optimism; Compassion; Courage. Awards and Reviews: School Library Journal (6/1/13). Main Characters: Big Pirate Pete; Igor (His parrot); Library Lou (Stern librarian); Library patrons.

About the Story: What a great moment in the history of libraries! Through the door of Seabreezy Public Library glides a real live Pirate, waving an unofficial treasure map not prepared by Rand McNally, and being escorted by a multi-colored gorgeous parrot that could easily pass for being a Myna ‘Yes bird.’ Despite Big Pete speaking in a near whisper, Ms. Library Lou felt he was demanding assistance in locating the hidden treasure. The closer she got to the pirate’s face the more she could smell the obnoxious odors of his clothing and body. Besides insisting he bathe, she also suggested Pirate Pete change his underwear before returning to the library. Though Pete could not understand what being clean had to do with locating the treasure, he did return the next day with a fresh, soapy scent. Ms. Lou thought he was still talking too loud.

Author – Rhonda Gowler Greene: She is the author of over twenty books. Ms. Greene attended Northern KY University for undergrad studies and earned a B.A. in elementary and special education; summa cum laude. She is a former learning disabilities teacher and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Media. Ms. Greene shared, “I love books, and kids. Growing up, I dreamed of being a teacher, when I was out of college. When I had kids of my own, though, I quit teaching and was a stay-at-home mom. I read and read to my kids, and the more I read really delightful children’s books, the more they made me want to write books like that. So after I tucked my kids into bed at night—I wrote. I had 220 rejections before I made my first sale. It takes a tremendous amount of the 3 P’s to get published…Passion, Persistence, and Patience.” Rhonda and her husband, Gary, live in Michigan. They have four grown children, and some grandchildren.

Illustrator – Brian Ajhar: His career as an artist has spanned three decades. Mr. Ajhar’s illustrated children’s books have been published in a multitude of languages and appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. “Expressive characters and ideas have always been a passion of mine,” he stated. Mr. Ajhar’s work is widely recognized for it’s distinctive and humorous point of view. His work has been featured in many articles and books written about the field of illustration. He lives with his wife and two children in Canadensis, Pennsylvania.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 161641 – Reading Level 2.4 – Points 0.5.

[5] Lottie Paris and the Best Place Written by Angela Johnson Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer

Fiction (32 pages) Setting: In the Public Library. At home. Guiding Principles: Friendship; Adaptability; Respect. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist (2/1/13); Kirkus Reviews; School Library Journal (3/1/13). Main Characters: Lottie Paris; Her dog; Her Papa Pete; Her toy space rocket; Carl; Eva (Carl’s sister); Carl’s plastic dinosaur.

About the Story: Each morning Lottie Paris awakens in her bedroom surrounded by a theme of stars and planets, allowing her to imagine she is somewhere out in deep space. After breakfast Papa Pete escorts her to the best place in the world, the local library. Perhaps today there will be a new book title available about the galaxies of space. Meanwhile, Carl wakes up at his house with a dinosaur theme in his bedroom, which he really enjoys. He is also headed to the library to check out more books. They just happened to meet in the children’s book room in the library, and spoke to each other. Both knew there were certain rules they had to follow while using the library. Somehow, after talking with each other, Lottie Paris left the library with several dinosaur books, and Carl was taking home books about space. The two had become friends and were already looking forward to their next visit to the best place in the world.

Author – Angela Johnson: Ms. Johnson and, Illustrator, Scott M. Fischer first introduced Lottie Paris in a 2011 book titled Lottie Paris Lives Here. In 2013 they teamed up again for Book 2 called Lottie Paris and the Best Place. Ms. Johnson was born June 18, 1961 in Tuskegee, AL, and grew up in Windham, OH. She is well known as a writer of children’s books, and has over 40 titles to her credit. Her children’s picture books are simple yet poetic stories about African-American families. Ms. Johnson attended Kent State University, but left school short of earning her degree. According to Wikipedia, she was employed by author Cynthia Rylant, who recommended her to her own publisher. That was the break she needed in launching her writing career. Ms. Johnson said she expects to be a writer until she dies.

Illustrator – Scott M. Fischer: Mr. Fischer graduated with honors from Savannah College of Art and Design in 1994, and since that time his brush has steadily been carving a path along the illustration landscape. In addition to being a renowned cover illustrator, he is a children’s book writer/illustrator. His first children’s book Twinkle hit the shelves in 2007. Mr. Fischer lives in Belchertown, MA with his wife, daughter, and a menagerie of animals.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159155 – Reading Level 2.9 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 3.2 – Points 1.0 Lexile AD670L.

[6] My Lucky Birthday Written and Illustrated by Keiko Kasza

Fiction (32 pages) Setting: Alligator Al’s house. Guiding Principles: Initiative; Courage; Respect; Perseverance; Friendship. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist; Horn Book (8/1/13); Kirkus Reviews; School Library Journal (7/1/13). Main Characters: Piglet; Alligator Al; Fierce rhino; Heavyweight hippo; Nasty-looking wild boar; Biggest gorilla; Little Al (Piglet’s birthday gift).

About the Story: Alligator Al is getting ready for his huge birthday party. The only thing he lacks is trying to figure out what special food he will have to eat. There is a knock at his door and standing on his front porch is Piglet. Right away Piglet knows he has the wrong house, but Mr. Al with visions of roast pork dancing in his head grabs the young pig and ties him up in a potato sack. Though Piglet says it’s his birthday too Alligator Al won’t release him. Then the Piglet suggests to Mr. Al that no birthday party is complete without a cake, and perhaps some friends to share in the fun. Piglet told the Alligator he had some friends that would like to come. Mr. Al liked the cake idea and the friends would be great as he could see that several more piglets would be coming for the huge meal. Alligator Al then told Piglet to phone his friends right away and invite them over. The bully alligator was shocked when he saw the four guests when they arrived at the party.

Author/Illustrator – Keiko Kasza: Keiko was born on a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She came to the United States in 1973 to continue her education, and in 1976 she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts from California State University at Northridge. While working as a graphic designer, Keiko became interested in picture books and began experimenting with them in her free time. Her first picture book was published in 1981 in Japan. The Wolf’s Chicken Stew, a 1987 ALA notable book and winner of the 1989 Kentucky Bluegrass Award, was her first work to be published in the United States. Keiko now has 18 books to her credit and her works are translated into 14 languages. Her last name Kasza (pronounced as KA–ZA), sounds Japanese, but it is actually her husband’s Hungarian family name. Keiko lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, a professor of Japanese politics at Indiana University, and they have two sons.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160530 – Reading Level 2.3 – Points 0.5.

[7] Otis and the Puppy Author and Illustrator, Loren Long

Fiction (40 pages) Setting: On the farm, with other animals, Otis, and the farmer. Guiding Principles: Optimism; Friendship; Compassion; Courage; Adaptability. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist (3/1/13); Horn Book (8/1/13); Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (3/1/13); Wilson’s Children’s Catalog. Main Characters: Otis (The friendly little tractor); Puppy (New friend); Little calf; Ducks; Horse; Sheep; Bull; Farmer.

About the Story: Each year when springtime arrives the farmer and Otis spend much of the day in the fields working the land. After the work day is finished, Otis enjoys playing hide-and-seek with his many friends. This year there was a special surprise at the end of one day’s work. The farmer called everyone together in front of the barn and placed a burlap sack on the ground. Soon, the sack began to wiggle, and out stepped a cute little puppy with long ears. He bounced around greeting everyone, which included Otis and all the other animals. They could tell the puppy was going to be happy to join their games of hide-and-seek in the near future. First, he went over to Otis, leaned against his front tire and fell fast asleep.

Author/Illustrator – Loren Long: According to Mr. Long: “I grew up in Lexington, KY in the 1970’s. We had no artist of any kind in the family. We didn’t know any artists. I liked sports, especially baseball. My mother read to me a lot. I also liked to draw. My parents encouraged me to keep drawing. By the time I was in junior high school, art was holding a close second place to gym as my two favorite subjects. Not much changed in high school. I took every art class they offered. I entered the University of Kentucky not having any idea of what I would do with my life. I had five different majors in five years in college. At the end of my junior year, I decided to become a professional artist. By the end of college, I had gotten the bug to be an illustrator. I got my first job as an illustrator at a greeting card company. I then worked for nearly ten years as a freelance illustrator for mostly editorial clients such as Sports Illustrated, Time, Reader’s Digest, and Forbes. I began getting calls to do book covers for mostly YA novels and eventually an editor called me to do my first picture book, I Dream of Trains, by Angela Johnson. I loved it.” 0tis books available by Mr. Long: Otis (2009); Otis and the Tornado (2011); An Otis Christmas (2013); Otis and the Puppy (2013); Otis and the Scarecrow (2014).

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 157475 – Reading Level 4.2 – Points 0.5. Lexile AD820L.

[8] Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries For Children Written by Jan Pinborough Illustrated by Debby Atwell

NonFiction (40 pages) Setting: Beginning in the 1870s in Limerick, Maine and spreading to all libraries of America. Guiding Principles: Courage; Initiative; Perseverance; Optimism. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist (2/1/13); Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Horn Book (8/1/13); Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (3-1-13). Main Characters: Miss Anne Carroll Moore; Several other librarians involved.

About the Story: In the 1870s many people thought a young woman should stay inside and do quiet things such as sewing and embroidery. Early in life, Miss Moore could glimpse the White Mountains in the far away distance and begin to dream about the world that lay beyond, and what role she might play someday. Medical problems killed her mother, father, and a sister-in-law, creating a delay in her job future. In the late 19th century children were not allowed to go inside most public libraries. Then she heard some exciting news that libraries were hiring women as librarians. She traveled to Brooklyn, New York where she enrolled in the Pratt Institute Library School. Upon graduating, her first job was becoming the head librarian at Pratt Free Library. Though some libraries were allowing children to come inside, Miss Moore had something new---a room just for children.

Author – Jan Pinborough: In Ms. Pinborough’s own words: “I had two goals in writing Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: One was to encourage ‘otherwise-thinking’ children to value and pursue their own individualistic ideas, and thus to make their own unique contributions to the world. The second was to prompt people to think about that indispensable yet much-taken-for- granted gift, the public library. When I was a little girl my mother took me down a shady sidewalk that led to the door of the children’s room of the Midland Public Library. It was a safe place to be out of sight of the librarian in the main room. We’d carry home bags full of books to read on sweltering West Texas afternoons. How grateful I am to Anne Carroll Moore for helping make libraries all over the world more welcoming places for children.”

Illustrator – Debby Atwell: Ms. Atwell was born May 28, 1953 in Providence, RI. She received her BFA from the University of New Hampshire in 1976. Ms. Atwell is a published author and illustrator on several books. She was author/illustrator on Barn (1996); River(1999); Pearl (2001); The Thanksgiving Door(2003); The Warthog’s Tail (2005). She was an illustrator only on two books: Sleeping Moon (1994); The Day Hans Got His Way: A Norwegian Folktale (1992). She lives in Rockland, ME.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 156569 – Reading Level 5.6 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 7.5 – Points 2.0 Lexile AD1060L.

[9]

The Blessing Cup Author and Illustrator, Patricia Polacco

Fiction (48 pages) Setting: Rural Russian village in the early 1900s. Coming to America with The Blessing Cup. Guiding Principles: Courage; Perseverance; Optimism; Compassion; Loyalty. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews. Other reviews: ALA Booklist ; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Horn Book; Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal. Main Characters: Anna; Rachel (Anna’s mother); Anna’s papa; Magda (Anna’s baby sister); Mother’s aunt Rebecca; Several family generations to follow.

About the Story: Anna begged her mother, Rachel, to tell the story again about how the beautiful china tea set came to be in their family, and the wonderful power the pieces offered. Mother explained that a horse-drawn cart with a large wooden crate had arrived in their Russian village of Roynovka and many people gathered around, wondering who the mystery box belonged to. The set contained a tea pot and four drinking cups. Inside the pot was a note from mother’s aunt Rebecca who lived in the City of Minsk. It read, “Rachel, this is for you to celebrate your marriage. This tea set is magic. Anyone who drinks from it has a blessing from God. They will never know a day of hunger. Their lives will always have flavor. They will know love and joy, and they will never be poor.” It was true Anna decided. Later, when the czar’s soldiers came and ordered all of the people in the Jewish communities to leave Russia, mother carefully packed the china tea set for the long trip by pull cart as the family tried to travel to a port for boarding a ship to America. By the time they reached port many miles later the family only had one cup left from the entire set. It was later called “The Blessing Cup.”

Author/Illustrator - Patricia Polacco: Ms. Polacco shares some of her past with us: “When I was in elementary school I wasn’t a very good student. I had a terrible time with reading and math. As a matter of fact, I did not learn how to read until I was almost 14-years-old. When I was nearly fourteen one of my teachers decided that I had a learning disability. It was called dyslexia. Once I learned how to read and caught up with the rest of my fellow students, I did very well. I attended college, majored in Fine Art, then went on to do a graduate degree and even ended up with a Ph.D. in Art History. I married, chef and cooking instructor, Enzo Polacco and we eventually became the parents of two children Steven and Traci (now grown). I devoted much of my days to their education and upbringing. I did not starting writing children’s books until I was 41-years-old. I started putting stories that I told down on paper and did drawings to help illustrate them. It has been a wonderful career of writing books for children. I guess the rest is history.”

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160746 – Reading Level 4.2 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 4.5 – Points 2.0 Lexile 740L.

[10]

The Favorite Daughter Author and Illustrator, Allen Say

Fiction (32 pages) Setting: Visiting at father’s home for the weekend. Guiding Principles: Adaptability; Courage; Honesty; Respect. Awards and Reviews: Starred Reviews: School Library Journal (5/1/13) and Kirkus Reviews. Other reviews: The New York Times Book Review; Publisher’s Weekly (6/13); Children’s Literature. Main Characters: Yuriko; Father (Her daddy); Mrs. Riley (Teacher).

About the Story: The kindergarten teacher at school requested each student bring a picture of themselves for a class album project. Yuriko, with daddy’s help, chose a cute photo of when she was two-years-old and wearing a kimono her father had bought on a trip to Japan. On Friday, some students made fun of her picture, because it did not show her with black hair— as they had seen on Japanese dolls, and a teacher made a joke about her name. She was very upset when she arrived back at daddy’s house in the afternoon. Yuriko told him she wanted an American name instead of Yuriko, which is Japanese. Daddy offered the names of Suzy, or Maggie, and maybe Louise? Yuriko said she liked Michelle and followed that up with Jennifer being okay too. Daddy then said it sounded like he was getting a new daughter, and thought it would be a good idea for them to go out and talk about the situation. Both agreed a nearby Japanese restaurant was a good place to start.

Author/Illustrator – Allen Say: He is an Asian American writer and illustrator. Mr. Say was born in 1937 in Yokohama, Japan, to a Japanese/Korean family. His mother was Japanese American and he had a Korean father. During Mr. Say’s childhood his family moved frequently. This meant he didn’t stay in any home very long, and there were numerous schools he attended. To stay focused he spent many hours each day reading and practicing his drawing. As he began illustrating, having the pictures in front of him often led to most of the text coming later in finishing the book. Mr. Say was a Caldecott Honor winner for his illustrations on The Boy of the Three-Year Nap (1988), written by Dianne Snyder. He later won the Caldecott Medal for being the author/illustrator on Grandfather’s Journey (1993). Mr. Say dedicated The Favorite Daughter (2013) to his daughter, Yuriko. His books often pay tribute to Japanese culture and folk tales as well as his own personal experiences.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159016 – Reading Level 2.3 – Points 0.5. Lexile 300.

[11]

Becoming Babe Ruth Author and Illustrator, Matt Tavares

True American Fairy Tale (40 pages) Setting: Early in the 20th century (1902 – 1935). Baltimore, Boston, New York, (Baseball teams). Guiding Principles: Compassion; Courage; Perseverance; Respect; Loyalty. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review – ALA Booklist. Other reviews: The New York Times; USA Today; Horn Book (8/1/13); Publisher’s Weekly; Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books; Kirkus Reviews; School Library Journal (3/1/13); Wilson’s Children’s Catalog. Main Characters: George Herman Ruth (Babe Ruth); Brother Matthias (Monk, St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys); Baltimore Orioles (Minor league team); Boston Red Sox (Major league team); New York Yankees (Major league team); Boston Braves (Major league team).

About the Story: Pays homage to one of baseball’s legends, offering a rare view into Babe Ruth’s early years. George Herman Ruth Jr. (Babe) was born on February 6, 1895, in a poor waterfront neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. George lived with his parents and a sister in a tiny apartment above a saloon. He skipped school, roamed the streets and ‘borrowed’ money from a family cash register. On June 13, 1902, when he was seven-years-old, his parents decided to enroll George in St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys, located in Baltimore. He did not like following the school’s tough rules. He did enjoy playing lots of baseball during his twelve years in the reformatory, and under the guidance of a monk named Brother Mathias, George was allowed to leave the school and become a professional baseball player. His first stop was with the minor league Baltimore Orioles on February 1, 1914. They sold his contract to the Boston Red Sox, a major league team, on July 10, 1914. It was with the Red Sox his teammates and others began calling George Ruth, “Babe.” On January 5, 1920 Babe was sold to the New York Yankees. His last year in baseball was in 1935 when he signed a one-year-contract with the Boston Braves.

Author/Illustrator – Matt Tavares: He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1975. He grew up in Winchester, a suburb just outside of Boston. Matt wrote and illustrated his first picture book, Sebastian’s Ball, as his senior thesis at Bates College. Three years later, after much revision, Sebastian’s Ball became Zachary’s Ball, his first published picture book, and it went on to win many awards. Since then, Matt has been the author/illustrator on fifteen more books he has published, garnering numerous awards and recognition. His artwork has been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, the Brandywine River Museum, and the Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art. Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 156563 – Reading Level 4.1 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 4.3 – Points 2.0 Lexile AD810L.

[12] The Very Inappropriate Word Written by Jim Tobin Illustrated by Dave Coverly

Fiction (36 pages) Setting: At School, home, and just about everywhere. Guiding Principles: Adaptability; Respect; Contemplation; Initiative. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review: Publisher’s Weekly. Other reviews: ALA Booklist (10/1/13); School Library Journal (7/1/13); A New York Times Editor’s Choice; Kirkus Reviews; Children’s Literature. Main Characters: Michael; Mom; Dad; Sister; Mrs. Dixon (Teacher); School friends.

About the Story: Some people collect stamps, others seek old money pieces, and both cost money. Meanwhile, Michael is finding new words everywhere he travels and there is no cost. He pays close attention to the wording on highway advertisement signs; watches for new words while enjoying his favorite TV programs; listens closely while attending sporting events; and his teacher introduces a new spelling word to the class each day. While Michael was riding the school bus a fellow student used a new word that was immediately tagged by other students as being “inappropriate.” Though Michael felt the word was strange, it was a catchy word and he did not hesitate to pass it on to other students. When a classmate used the word, Mrs. Dixon asked the class where they first heard it. They answered that Michael used it so Mrs. Dixon advised Michael to stay in after class.

Author – Jim Tobin: Mr. Tobin is an award winning biographer and the author of The Very Inappropriate Word (2013); Ernie Pyle’s War (1999); To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight (2008). He earned a PhD in history at the University of Michigan, and he teaches narrative nonfiction in the Department of Media, Journalism, and Film at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. To quote Childrens Books Heal concerning Mr. Tobin’s book, The Very Inappropriate Word: “Jim Tobin has written a very clever and humorous book that encourages children to learn and use new vocabulary. This book is a collaboration between Tobin and illustrator Dave Coverly, and is very well presented from beginning to end.”

Illustrator – Dave Coverly: His “Speed Bumps” comics now appear in over 400 newspapers and websites. Mr. Coverly grew up in Plainwell, Michigan, and began cartooning seriously in 1986 as an undergraduate student at Eastern Michigan University. In 2009, he was given the prestigious Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the year, the highest honor awarded by The National Cartoonists Society. In reference to Mr. Coverly illustrating Mr. Tobin’s The Very Inappropriate Word book: Teachers can use his very pertinent illustrations to help children with vocabulary building. The drawings fit Mr. Tobin’s text perfectly. He works out of an attic studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is married to Chris and they have two daughters, Alayna and Simone.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160750 – Reading Level 2.6 – Points 0.5. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 2.5 – Points 1.0 Lexile AD490L. [13]

PAST ARKANSAS DIAMOND PRIMARY AWARD WINNERS (K-3)

Year Author Title

1998-99 De Groat, Diane Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink 1999-00 Kellogg, Steven The Three Little Pigs 2000-01 Rand, Gloria A Home For Spooky 2001-02 Lester, Helen Hooway For Wodney Wat 2002-03 Jordan, Deloris Salt In His Shoes: Michael Jordan In Pursuit Of A Dream 2003-04 Smith, Maggie Desser The Best Ever Cat 2004-05 Salley, Coleen Epossumondas 2005-06 Wilcox, Leah Falling For Rapunzel 2006-07 Bateman, Teresa April Foolishness 2007-08 Crimi, Carolyn Henry & The Buccaneer Bunnies 2008-09 Beaumont, Karen Move Over, Rover! 2009-10 Cronin, Doreen Diary Of A Fly 2010-11 Kirby, Larson & Two Bobbies: A True Story Of Hurricane Katrina, Mary Nethery Friendship, And Survival 2011-12 Van Dusen, Chris The Circus Ship 2012-13 Birtha, Becky Lucky Beans 2013-14 Crosby, Jeff Wiener Wolf 2014-15 Shannon, David Jangles: A Big Fish Story

2015-2016 OVERVIEW SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS

(Three hours of Professional Development credit will be given.)

6/18/15 Great Rivers Ed. Service Co-op (West Helena) 8:30-11:30 AM 6/22/15 Dawson Ed. Service Co-op (Arkadelphia) 9:00-12:00 Noon 6/24/15 Wilbur Mills Ed. Co-op (ASU-Beebe) 8:30-11:30 AM 6/29/15 Northeast AR Ed. Service Co-op (Walnut Ridge) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/02/15 Arch Ford Ed. Service Co-op (Plumerville) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/06/15 South Central AR Ed. Service Co-op (Camden) 9:00-12:00 Noon 7/07/15 Southeast AR Ed. Service Co-op (Monticello) 9:00-12:00 Noon 7/08/15 Crowley’s Ridge Ed. Service Co-op (Harrisburg) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/09/15 Northwest AR Ed. Service Co-op (Farmington) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/13/15 North Central AR Ed. Service Co-op (Melbourne) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/20/15 Southwest AR Ed. Service Co-op (Hope) 9:00-12:00 Noon 7/22/15 Western AR Ed. Service Co-op (Branch) 9:00-12:00 Noon 7/23/15 Ozark Unlimited Resources Ed. Co-op (Valley Springs) 8:30-11:30 AM 7/27/15 De Queen/Mena Ed. Service Co-op (Gillham) 9:00-12:00 Noon 7/29/15 Arkansas River Ed. Service Co-op (Pine Bluff) 9:00-12:00 Noon 8/04/15 Parochial and Private Schools of Central Arkansas 9:00-12:00 Noon

[14]

SUGGESTED SUBJECT READING AREAS 2015-2016 CHARLIE MAY SIMON BOOKS

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp – Pg. 16 Seventeen bad feral hogs are charging the swamp. Wake up the Sugar Man!

Serafina’s Promise – Pg. 17 Brother Pierre didn’t survive. His sister, Serafina, made a graveside pledge.

The Boy on the Porch – Pg. 18 Who could have dumped that mute young child on the front porch and left?

Charlie Bumpers vs the Teacher of the Year – Pg. 19 “I didn’t intend to hit Mrs. Burke in the head with that sneaker when I threw it last year!”

Bo at Ballard Creek – Pg. 20 Two gold mining senior citizen men want to adopt a young baby girl in the Alaska bush country.

The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, The Blue Death, And a Boy Called Eel – Pg. 21 A Cholera Epidemic has hit London, and Dr. Snow asked Eel and Pia to help find the source.

The Thing About Luck – Pg. 22 Involved in an annual wheat harvest in the Midwest can be tiresome, thrilling, or dangerous.

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig – Pg. 23 Flora, a young female piglet, has never been to the South Pole before as a snow sled puller!

The Vine Basket – Pg. 24 Mehrigul, a 14-year-old female, has been pulled from school to be a housekeeper and farmer.

Whistle in the Dark – Pg. 25 Just short of his 13th birthday, Clem is pulled out of school to begin work in the local lead mine.

Prisoner 88 – Pg. 26 Ten-year-old Jake has been sentenced to the Idaho Territorial Jail for a guilty manslaughter charge.

Counting by 7s – Pg. 27 Willow, a 12-year-old middle school female genius, is orphaned and seeking help to survive each day.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things – Pg. 28 Why would Max’s actor parents decide to fake an overseas trip and leave him behind with Grammie?

[15]

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Written by Kathi Appelt

Fiction (326 pages) Setting: Early in the 21st century, within the confines of Sugar Man Swamp, enhanced by Bayou Tourterelle as it ambles along, passing through the deep southern United States. Guiding Principles: Optimism; Loyalty; Respect; Courage; Perseverance. Awards and Reviews: Starred Reviews: ALA Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal. Other reviews: Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, Wilson’s Children’s Catalog, Wilson’s Junior High Catalog.

Main Characters: Chap Brayburn (12); The ancient Sugar Man (Eons old); Gertrude (Sugar Man’s pet rattlesnake); Raccoon brothers--Bingo and J’miah (Sugar Man’s Swamp Scouts); Feral pigs (Clydine and Buzzie); The greedy Sunny Boy Beaucoup; Ms. Jaeger Stitch (Alligator wrestler); Sweetums (Big ginger cat).

About the Story: The natural beauty of Bayou Tourterelle and Sugar Man Swamp with the wild surgarcane, many animals, and being the home of the famous Ivory-Billed Woodpecker placed the area in serious jeopardy. Seventeen bad feral hogs (known as the Farrow Gang) led by Clydine and Buzzie are rooting their way across the country. Thank goodness the Official Scouts, young raccoons Bingo and J’miah, are considering waking up the sleeping Sugar Man to seek his guidance in this dangerous situation. Meanwhile Chap is trying to discourage Sunny Boy from selling the swamp to a woman alligator wrestler.

Author – Kathi Appelt: She was born in Fayetteville, NC on July 6, 1954. Her military family next moved to El Paso, TX, and then to Houston where she grew up. Ms. Appelt graduated from Texas A&M University. She presently teaches writing to both children and adults. In the meantime, she has authored more than forty books. Her novel, The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp was named a National Book Award finalist. It also won the Green Earth Award, the Texas Institute of Letters Award, and the Judy Lopez Memorial Award. Her family home is located in College Station, TX.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159788 – Reading Level 5.4 – Points 8.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 5.3 – Points 12.0 Lexile 810L.

[16]

Serafina’s Promise Written by Ann E. Burg

Fiction (299 pages) (A Novel in Verse) Setting: Rural village outside Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, early in the 21st century. Guiding Principles: Optimism; Adaptability; Respect; Courage; Honesty. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist (10/1/13); Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (11/1/13); Voice of Youth Advocates. Main Characters: Serafina (11); Manman (Mama); Louis (Papa); Pierre (Deceased brother); Gregory (New brother); Granpe (Grandpa); Gogo (Grandmother); Julie Marie and Nadia (Friends); Antoinette Solaine (Medical doctor); Banza (Stray dog).

About The Story: Serafina begged her parents to let her return to school. However, there was little money for the family to spend, food was scarce, natural disasters were frequent, and a third child would be born soon. Both parents assigned her to nearly all the family’s home chores. Serafina, and her best friend Julie Marie, wanted to finish classes at the local schools and attend college together so they could both become medical doctors. Sadly, the second child born in the family, a boy named Pierre, only survived for a few weeks before he died from what the doctor called, “lack of enough nutrition.” The family wrapped Pierre in a clean white cloth and buried him in their yard. Serafina stood at her deceased brother’s grave site and promised she would become a doctor to help solve problems like the one that killed him. While the family discussion about going back to school continued, heavy rains caused mass flooding and forced the family to flee. After moving to another location, a major earthquake hit the area causing extended damage. The idea of returning to school seemed to be farther and farther away as time passed.

Author – Ann E. Burg: Ms. Burg was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to New Jersey when she was in the third grade. She said, “Even at four years old I didn’t think that anything could be more wonderful than writing books! I became a teacher but throughout my life I wrote poems and stories. I had a number of articles in local papers but it wasn’t until 2003 that my first books were published.” Two of her most recent books, All the Broken Pieces (2009), and Serafina’s Promise (2013) were written as verse novels for children in middle school. Ms. Burg is working on her third verse novel, and already gathering information for a fourth. With support from her husband, daughter and son, Ms. Burg decided to leave teaching and pursue her writing career full time. She lives with her family in Albany, NY.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160994 – Reading Level 3.6 – Points 3.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 4.3 – Points 9.0 Lexile HL590L.

[17]

The Boy On The Porch Written by Sharon Creech

Fiction (151 pages) Setting: On a rural American farm. Somewhere in the USA. Guiding Principles: Responsibility; Compassion; Honesty; Courage; Initative. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews. Other reviews: ALA Booklist; Hornbook; Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. Main Characters: John and Marta (Young married couple); Jacob (6, 7, or 8-years-old); Beagle (Dog’s name); Sheriff (Lawman); Jacob’s father; Lucy (Jacob’s friend); Lucy’s mother; Mrs. Floyd (Foster children placement); Barnyard animals.

About The Story: John and his wife Marta were shocked to discover a young boy sleeping in an old chair on their front porch. Who is he? Where did he come from? Does he have any family? The couple soon discovered he understood part of their questions and talk, but could not speak back to them. A note he pulled out of his pocket offered very little solid information. It read, “Plees taik kair of Jacob. He is a god good boy. Wil be bak wen we can.” There was no signature on the paper. John and Marta opened their home to Jacob and shared their daily lives with him, to include the many animals on their small farm. As each day passed they became more and more attached to Jacob, and began dreading the day the writer of the short note returned. They hesitated to discuss the direction their daily lives would take after he was gone.

Author – Sharon Creech: She was born on July 29, 1945 in South Euclid, OH, a suburb of Cleveland. She grew up with one sister, three brothers, her parents and a group of cousins from Kentucky. The results of her Kentucky visits found their way into several of her books once she became an author. After taking several literature and writing courses in college she became impressed with the story telling aspect of her studies. She later became a secondary teacher of English and Writing in Europe. Ms. Creech spent 18 years abroad before returning to the United States in 1998. Her first book published in the United States was Walk Two Moons (1994), and it won the Newbery Medal Award in 1995. In 2000 her book The Wanderer was chosen as a Newbery Honor selection. In 2002 British librarians recognized her novel Ruby Holler as the year’s best children’s book published in the United Kingdom. She continues to write novels and picture books. She is married to Lyle Rigg and they have two grown sons. Ms. Creech and her husband live in upstate New York.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160663 – Reading Level 4.0 – Points 3.0.

[18]

Charlie Bumpers vs. the Teacher of the Year Written by Bill Harley Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

Fiction (138 pages) Setting: At home. Fourth grade at King Philip Elementary School. Guiding Principles: Respect; Trustworthiness; Honesty; Responsibility. Awards and Reviews: Horn Book; School Library Journal. Main Characters: Charlie Bumpers (9); Matt (11); (Brother); Mabel (6) (Sister); Dad; Mom; Tommy Kasten (Charlie’s best friend). Mrs. Burke (Fourth grade, Teacher of the Year); Ginger (Family dog).

About the Story: Charlie is sure he does not stand a chance of getting along with his fourth grade teacher for the coming year, especially if he is assigned to Mrs. Burke’s classroom. It was the final weekend before the new school year and Charlie was trying to clean out his bedroom closet and pacing the floor while feeling fright, fear, anger, and helplessness. His mom yelled upstairs saying, “Guess what? I found out who your teacher is going to be!” Charlie replied, “You know who my teacher is?” Mom shouted, “Yes you have Mrs. Burke! Isn’t that great? Last year she was Teacher of the Year!” His non-answer was really a silent recall from last year, “It is terrible. Mrs. Burke hates me because of an incident that happened at school last year when I was eight-years-old. Tommy and I threw our sneakers at each other in the school hall. As I was throwing his sneaker back to him, Mrs. Burke just happened to open her classroom door and stepped out into the hall directly into the flight path of Tommy’s sneaker. The shoe accidently struck her in the head. Then, Mrs. Burke said words I’ll never forget, if I ever see you throw another shoe in school, you will stay in from recess for the rest of your life.”

Author – Bill Harley: Born in Greenville, Ohio, Mr. Harley is an award winning artist who used song and story over the past 20 plus years to paint a picture of growing up, schooling and family life. In addition to children’s music, he performs at storytelling festivals around the country. His Charlie Bumpers vs. The Teacher of the Year (2013) book is the first book of the Charlie Bumpers series. He has followed that effort with Charlie Bumpers vs. the Squeaking Skull (2014), and Charlie Bumpers vs. The Really Nice Gnome (2015). Some other popular titles by Mr. Harley include: Sitting Down to Eat (2005); Night of the Spadefoot Toads (2012); Lost and Found (2012); Dirty Joe, the Pirate, A True Story (2008). He lives in Massachusetts.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160430 – Reading Level 3.5 – Points 3.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 2.7 – Points 6.0 Lexile 510L.

[19]

Bo at Ballard Creek Written by Kirkpatrick Hill Illustrations by LoUyen Pham

Historical Fiction (304 pages) Setting: In the 1920s the Klondike gold rush in Alaska had slowed down, with many mines closing. Guiding Principles: Courage; Adaptability; Responsibility; Optimism. Awards and Reviews: Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Starred Review, Horn Book. Other reviews: Kirkus Reviews; Book List; ALSC Notable Children’s Book. Main Characters: Bo—Marta (Young girl); Gideon “Black Jack” Jackson (Cook – Blacksmith - Papa); Arvid “Big Swede” Ivorsen (Blacksmith – Tailor - Papa); Oscar (Bo’s young friend); Crafton (Orphaned young boy); Gitnoo (Eskimo Maid); Mean Millie (Bo’s Mama).

About the Story: Jack and Arvid had come to Alaska during the beginning of the 1897 Klondike gold rush. The Rampart mine on the Yukon River was closing and they were moving on downriver to Ballard Creek. While waiting for a boat Arvid was shocked when Mean Millie, a “good time girl” walked over and handed him her weeks old baby girl and said she didn’t want the child anymore, and to place her in an orphanage. Jack named the little girl Bo. He and Arvid looked the orphanage over, held a brief meeting, and decided to become parents. As they settled in at Ballard Creek, mine workers and local Eskimos gave the two older men a lot of support. As Bo learned to talk she called both men Papa. At a very young age she was helping prepare meals for the miners and doing other chores. When an orphaned young boy about Bo’s age was discovered in a nearby home, she approached Papa and Papa while wondering aloud if they would be interested in expanding their family size.

Author – Kirkpatrick Hill: Ms. Hill graduated from Syracuse University. She was an elementary school teacher for more than thirty years, most of that time in the Alaskan “bush.” Other popular titles she has written: The Year of Miss Agnes (2002); Miss Agnes and the Ginger Tom (2011); Do Not Pass Go (2011); Toughboy and Sister (2000); Winter Camp (2007); Dancing at the Odinochka (2005); Bo at Iditarod Creek (2014). She is the mother of six children, grandmother of nine, and great-grandmother of two. She lives in Fairbanks, and spends as much time as possible at the family home in Ruby, on the Yukon River.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159204 – Reading Level – 5.2 – Points 7.0.

[20]

The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, The Blue Death, And a Boy Called Eel Written by Deborah Hopkinson

History and Historical Fiction, 19th Century (249 pages) Setting: London neighborhood in 1854, including the contaminated River Thames. Guiding Principles: Compassion; Contemplation; Courage; Responsibility. Awards and Reviews: Starred Reviews by School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly; Other reviews: Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Kirkus Reviews; Wilson’s Children’s Catalog; Wilson’s Junior High Catalog. Main Characters: Eel (12/13); Henry (Eel’s younger brother); Florrie Baker (Eel’s best friend); Dr. John Snow; Dr. William Rogers; Thumbless Jake; Nasty Ned; Fisheye Bill Tyler (Eel’s stepfather); Reverend Henry Whitehead.

About The Story: Besides being an orphan, Eel is a mudlark---meaning he digs through the mud and muck in the shallows and banks of the River Thames in London trying to recover discarded bits of coal, rope, rags, wood, or metals to cash in for small sums of money. With his part time low paying job at the Lion Brewery, Eel is trying to earn enough money monthly to keep his bother Henry in school and living in a boarding home. When the cholera epidemic (The Blue Death) struck the Broad Street Water Pump area some of Eel’s friends and neighbors began dying. He contacted Dr. John Snow and asked for his help in fighting the deadly dilemma. Eel and best friend Florrie, a talented young artist, were asked by Dr. Snow to join the project to help find the source of The Great Trouble.

Author – Deborah Hopkinson: About her background, “I was a kid who loved to read. And I always wanted to be a writer. Although I don’t write directly about my own life, my books reflect what I care about. I grew up in Lowell, MA, the oldest of three girls. I was the first person in my family to go to college, and education is important to me.” Deborah received a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Massachusetts. She also holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she met her husband, Andy. She is the author of more than 45 books for young readers including picture books, short fiction, and nonfiction. Her books have gained many awards from organizations throughout the educational spectrum. She is a frequent speaker in schools and conferences and presently lives near Portland, OR.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 161212 – Reading Level 4.6 – Points 7.0.

[21]

The Thing About Luck Written by Cynthia Kadohata Illustrated by Julia Kuo

Fiction (269 pages) Setting: Early in the 21st century. At home in Littlefield, Kansas. On the road in Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma. Guiding Principles: Responsibility; Courage; Optimism; Honesty. Awards and Reviews: Winner of the National Book Award. Starred Review by Horn Book. Other reviews: Kirkus Reviews; School Library Journal; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Wilson’s Children’s Catalog. Main Characters: Summer (12); Jaz (Her younger brother); Obaachan (Grandmother); Jiichan (Grandfather}; Thunder (Dog); Five harvest workers (Two Americans, three Irish); Lonny and Jeanna Parker (Custom harvesters); Robbie Parker (14) (Son).

About The Story: This had been a year of exceptionally bad luck for Summer’s family. For example, there were seven flat tires in only six weeks. She got “Airport Malaria Fever” after being infected by a stray mosquito when in Florida, and went through a rough recovery time. As the annual Wheat Harvest time approached, her parents had to make a hurried trip to Japan when some elderly members of their extended family made an emergency call for help. Jaz felt very insecure as it seemed he didn’t have any friends. For family financial reasons Summer’s 67- year-old grandparents had to sign on for the Wheat Harvest, he as a driver and she as the chief cook. Obaachan told Summer she was paying too much attention to 14-year-old Robbie Parker. When Jiichan became ill and could no longer drive his combine, it was Summer that stepped forward and applied her limited skills on the complicated piece of equipment to keep the harvest moving ahead of a predicted rainstorm.

Author – Cynthia Kadohata: She was born July 2, 1956 in Chicago, IL. Though Chicago was considered home, much of Cynthia’s childhood was spent travelling with her family throughout America. They moved from Illinois to Arkansas, where her father had a job working at a poultry plant separating male and female chickens. From there they moved to Georgia, then Michigan, and back to Illinois. Cynthia earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Southern California. She later did graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University. She became best known as a children’s writer when she won the Newbery Medal in 2005 for Kira-Kira. Her second children’s book Weedflower was published in 2006. It was about the Poston Internment Camp where her father was imprisoned during World II. Next, her popular book Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam was published in 2007. It was followed in 2008 by Outside Beauty. After The Thing About Luck in 2013 she released Half a World Away in 2014.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160447 – Reading Level 4.7 – Points 7.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading level 4.3 – Points 13.0 Lexile 700L.

[22]

The Adventures of a South Pole Pig Written by Chris Kurtz Illustrations by Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Fiction (278 pages) Setting: In a pigpen. On a ship to the South Pole. Helping a dog pull a snow sled. Guiding Principles: Trustworthiness; Perseverance; Adaptability; Initiative. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review—School Library Journal; Other reviews: ALA Booklist; Horn Book. Main Characters: Flora (Adventurous young female piglet); Mother pig (Sow); Seven brothers (Piglets); Barking dogs; Nessie (Horse); Luna (Farm cat); Oscar (Lead sled dog); Sophia (Ship cat); Aleric (Young ship hand); Ship’s Captain.

About The Story: Flora is a runt female piglet, first born in a litter of eight. She has seven brothers that enjoy very little beyond eating at their mother’s call, and sleeping. Flora is always on the move while searching for ways to escape the pigpen, and to explore farm activities-- including the other animals. Luna, a rat killing cat and best friend, visits Flora often at the pen fence and shares all the local gossip. She told Flora that the barking dogs are being trained, starting when they are puppies, for expeditions and adventures. They wear a harness and pull sleds loaded with materials. Flora decided that sounded like a fun job for her. When she finally managed to escape from the pigpen her travels took her through the barnyard, across a cornfield, and to a little road where she came face to face with some dogs pulling one of the sleds. By running fast she was able to keep up with the working dogs. Several days after being returned to her pigpen by the dog trainer, a truck with barking dogs on board pulled up near the pen. They finally chose Flora from the rest of the litter as the pig to be placed on board ship for a mystery trip, perhaps to the cold North Pole or maybe to the colder South Pole. Flora then decided her fast running that day near the cornfield with the dog team was the reason she was selected for the adventure ahead. It wasn’t until the ship Explorer was about half way to the South Pole than one of her animal friends on board told her she was brought along as a probable food source for the boat’s crew.

Author – Chris Kurtz: He is a talented teacher, storyteller and writer. In 2010 Mr. Kurtz wrote the middle–grade novel The Pup Who Cried Wolf, next in 2013 he penned The Adventures of a South Pole Pig that was chosen for the Arkansas Charlie May Simon 2015-2016 reading list. He has co-written picture books with his sister, Jane Kurtz. Mr. Kurtz said, “The most important thing I learned was to love books. Reading words connected me to a page of paper. Reading books connected me to the entire universe, hundreds of new thoughts, millions of people, and to myself.” He lives in Portland, OR with his family.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 155743 – Reading Level 4.6 – Points 6.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 3.7 – Points 10.0 Lexile 660L.

[23]

The Vine Basket Written by Josanne La Valley Map art by Jennifer Thermes

Fiction (252 pages) Setting: In a small rural community located on the edge of the Taklamakan Desert and near the Kunlun Mountains in East Turkestan, Xinjiang Uyghur ( pronounced WEEgur) Autonomous Region’s Hotan Prefecture, part of today’s Communist China. (Refer to the map on page 242). Guiding Principles: Initiative; Courage; Optimism; Honesty. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review: School Library Journal 5/1/13. Other reviews: ALA Booklist 4/1/13; Horn Book 8/1/13. Main Characters: Mehrigul (14) (Female); Ata (Father); Ana (Mother); Memet (Older brother); Lali (Younger sister); Chong Ata (Grandfather); Pati (Best friend); Hajinsa (Classmate); Susan Chazen (American—San Francisco); Abdul Khalil (Guide).

About the Story: Mehrigul’s family ekes out a living through farming a few acres, raising fruit and vegetables, then hauling their products to an open air market in the nearest city. She has been pulled out of school to handle most of the family chores including dealing with her erratic alcoholic father, a very depressed mother, and a young sister that is in school. Her older brother Memet has left home, and only Mehrigul knows he is involved with an anti-Chinese Communist movement to protect the independence of Uyghur. Girls her age that are not in school are often sold by their parents, or forced by authorities to move to Chinese factories many miles away. She has been trained by her grandfather on willow and grapevine basket weaving. Mehrigul recently added a bamboo basket to her selection, in hopes of earning additional family funds. Meanwhile, her father kept complaining that she was wasting time with her baskets, when she should be planting and harvesting other farm products.

Author – Josanne La Valley: The Vine Basket is Ms. La Valley’s first novel. She shared, “No one would be more astonished to know that I have published a book than my English teachers from grade school through college. I struggled to put words on paper and only read books that were assigned. I reinvented myself and received an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Maybe I didn’t write when I was younger because I didn’t know I had stories to tell. I discovered I had many stories to tell and that I loved to tell them. I began to plan my own travels. A trip with World Craft Tours took our small group to northwest China, to East Turkestan (Xinjiang), where I met Uyghur craftsmen and their families. I visited the home of a basket maker who lived on a farm in the countryside surrounding Hotan. While we watched the grandfather weave, his granddaughter gathered some peaches in the orchard. I took a peach from her basket. She paused in front of me, took the peach I had chosen and handed me another one.” Ms. La Valley lives in New York City.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 158123 – Reading level 5.0 – Points 7.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading level 4.5 – Points 13.0 Lexile 740L.

[24]

Whistle in the Dark Written by Susan Hill Long

Historical Fiction: (181 pages) Setting: In a small southeast Missouri town, in the 1920s (City of Leadanna). Guiding Principles: Adaptability; Contemplation; Courage. Awards and Reviews: Reviews by: Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Horn Book (4/1/14); Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal (10/1/13). Main Characters: Clem Harding (13) (Clemson J.); Esther (9) (Ettie--Sister); Pap (Clemson Sr., Clem’s step-father); Ma (Mae); Grampy (Pap’s father); Miss Bedelia Pipe (Teacher); Linda Jean (Lindy—Clemson J’s classmate); Otto (Young miner); Pally (Dog).

About the Story: Clem was perhaps attending his last day of school ever, just short of his thirteenth birthday. He had hoped to receive a pet dog for the special occasion, plus, as an honor student he would be allowed to continue with his school studies. However, because his sister Ettie was having severe epileptic seizures, and other family members had medical and financial problems, he began working in the local lead mine immediately. Though he had been receiving a lot of advice about the mine job from his step-father---Pap, and Grampy, Clem hated the thought of having to go underground every work day. Pap had several years of experience in the mine, while Grampy had retired only two years ago because the dreaded miners’ consumption made him so sick he couldn’t continue working. Clem learned many new safety rules and other regulations that first day. Nearing noon he had developed blisters on both hands from using a shovel. Trying to sound upbeat, despite the aches and pains, Clem began whistling a popular tune. Some nearby miners told him it was bad luck to whistle while working in the mine. After work hours Clem was getting more acquainted with his former classmate, Linda Jean, and her dangerous moonshine making father.

Author – Susan Hill Long: Ms. Long stated in her official author biography, “I was born back in the 1960s which, I can tell from my black-and-white school pictures, was a long time ago. I was the youngest of four kids. I was always rushing to catch up. A typical day was doing my homework, eating well, exercising, practicing my flute, and doing something nice for someone else. I don’t rate my days anymore. In some ways I was smarter at 12-years-old than I have been since.” She is a graduate of Bowdoin College, a private Liberal Arts School located in Brunswick, Maine. As she grew up Ms. Long began to write. “At first I wasn’t very good, but with practice I improved, and I hope I will always continue to improve. I write as a way to sort out the world, to put some order to it, and to appreciate it.” She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two daughters.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 162924 – Reading Level 5.1 – Points 7.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 4.5 – Points 11.0 Lexile 740L.

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Prisoner 88 Written by Leah Pileggi

Historical Fiction (144 pages) Setting: The Idaho Territory in 1885. Life in the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary for a 10-year-old boy. Guiding Principles: Adaptability; Responsibility; Perseverance. Awards and Reviews: ALA Booklist (10/1/13); Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Kirkus Reviews; School Library Journal (11-1-13); Horn Book; Wilson’s Children’s Catalog; Wilson’s Junior High Catalog. Main Characters: Jake Oliver Evans (10); Pa; Warden Johnson; Brother Nance (Teacher); Henry (Prison guard); Mr. Criswell (Hog farm boss); Charles (Mr. Criswell’s son). Photo by Lauren Demby About the Story: In the late spring of 1885 ten-year-old Jake Oliver Evans and three adult convicts were being transported to the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary near Boise to begin serving their prison terms. Jake had never ridden on a train before, plus, the last leg of the prison trip was by stagecoach. He had been charged and found guilty of manslaughter after shooting a saloon manager who was mistreating Pa. As a result the judge sentenced Jake to a five-year prison term. It was never made clear, during the jury trial, of exactly what happened and who pulled the trigger on the pistol. Jake’s lawyer advised him to plead guilty to the manslaughter charge and accept the sentence. There were no juvenile prisons in the territory to handle his sentence. Upon arriving, Jake was re-identified as Prisoner 88. Warden Johnson and his staff were not sure of exactly how to handle their young prisoner. Since Jake had not received any formal schooling during his young life they decided to teach him to read, gave him a job tending hogs on a nearby farm, and he was “adopted” by some of the prison guards and other prisoners. The Territorial Governor got involved and was closely monitoring his progress. Pa did not visit Jake in prison, and wrote a letter disclaiming him for the future.

Author – Leah Pileggi: She was born in Kane, Pennsylvania, a tiny town in the middle of the Allegheny National Forest. Prisoner 88 is Ms. Pileggi’s first published book. She has written poems and articles for children’s magazines and publications, and studied literature at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. This fictional account of Jake Oliver Evans serving at least part of his five-year term at the territorial jail is patterned after the real life sentence of ten-year-old James Oscar Baker in the 1800s at the same prison. Ms, Pileggi, in a Charlesbridge Publishing interview, said she had learned during a 2007 business trip with her husband to the Boise area about the old penitentiary and some of its’ history. After deciding to read a book covering the situation, she found there was no text available. She then stated, “It was my book to write.”

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 159661 – Reading Level 3.9 – Points 4.0. Reading Counts Information: Reading Level 3.5 – Points 8.0 Lexile 620L.

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Counting by 7s Written by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Fiction (378 pages) Setting: San Joaquin Valley of California (Bakersfield). Early in the 21st century. Guiding Principles: Compassion; Perseverance; Courage; Initiative. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review: ALA Booklist. Other reviews: Horn Book; Publishers Weekly; School Library Journal. Main Characters: Willow Chance (12); Roberta and Jimmy Chance (Parents); Mai (14) (Willow’s friend); Quang-ha (15) (Mia’s brother); Pattie Nguyen (Quang-ha and Mia’s mother); Dell Duke (Middle school counselor); Jairo Hernandez (Taxi driver). Photo by Gary Rosen About the Story: Willow, a twelve-year-old genius, referred to her new Sequoia Middle School as a forced prison camp. After she made a perfect score on a standardized test given to all students at her grade level in the state of California the school principal accused her of cheating. Willow was sent to Mr. Dell Duke, a behavioral counselor at the school district’s main offices. She was not a cheater. During her kindergarten year she had been evaluated to be “highly gifted.” She did have three major obsessions. The first dealt with the number 7. Twelve years ago she was adopted by Roberta and Jimmie Chance on the 7th day of the 7th month. Thereafter, as she grew up, any number that could be associated with a 7 was important to her life. Her second obsession was her ability at a very young age to recognize serious human medical conditions (diseases) at a quick glance. The third area dealt with plants that grow, and the role they play in our everyday lives. Next, her parents were leaving a Doctor’s clinic when a medical supply truck ran a red light and smashed into their vehicle. Both of Willow’s parents died as a result of the crash. When asked about her next of kin, she said, “Only my Grandma Grace who is in a care facility for patients suffering from dementia.” Willow must restart her life at age twelve.

Author – Holly Goldberg Sloan: She was born in 1958 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her father’s job as a consultant to the Peace Corps meant her family had a new address frequently. For example, her childhood was spent in the Netherlands, California, Turkey, Washington D.C. and Oregon. Later, she attended school at Wellesley College in MA and Dartmouth College in NH. Ms. Sloan’s first novel I’ll be There was published in the spring of 2011. Her second book Counting by 7s entered the market in 2013. Just Call My Name the sequel to I’ll be There was released on August 5, 2014. She is also known in the media world as a highly respected writer, producer and director of numerous films. Ms. Sloan lives in Santa Monica, CA with her husband Gary Rosen.

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 160220 – Reading Level 5.6 – Points 10.0. Lexile 770L.

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Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things Written by Cynthia Voigt Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

Fiction (367 pages) Setting: Early in the 20th century. Guiding Principles: Courage; Responsibility; Adaptability; Optimism. Awards and Reviews: Starred Review by Kirkus Reviews. Other reviews: ALA Booklist; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Horn Book; Publisher’s Weekly; School Library Journal; Wilson’s Children’s Catalog; Wilson’s Junior High Catalog. Main Characters: Mister Max---Starling (12); William (Father); Mary (Mother); Grammie (Mary’s mother); Pia (Max’s friend); Joachim (Art teacher); Ari (Math tutor); Gabrielle (Waitress).

About the Story: Max knows his actor parents have received an invitation letter from the Maharajah of Kashmir, Country of India, to move there and create a theater company for teaching the citizens how to be actors and actresses, and introduce them to producing plays. Twelve-year-old Max thought he was going with his parents. However, he was late in arriving at the port, and couldn’t find the pier their boat was supposed to be docked at. The only family contact he had left was his Grammie who lived next door. She was wise, yet bossy, worked as a public librarian, and offered Max the security of having food and a place to sleep. While searching for a job he rode his bicycle and wore his father’s old theater costumes. There were no immediate jobs available so Max and his friend Pia decided he would advertise that he could solve people’s problems by becoming a Solutioneer, “Finder of lost things.” This led him to activities such as looking for a runaway child’s parents, a stray dog, a lost love, and a missing heirloom. People in the community were calling him “Mister Max.” There was no word that his parents had arrived in India as scheduled. Max and Grammie began to wonder if they would ever hear from them again.

Author—Cynthia Voigt: “I liked school. How could I not? I was good at it, mostly; never in Algebra or the sciences, but anything that asked me to read and write. By the time I started high school, I knew I wanted to be a writer. After graduating from Smith College in MA, I moved to New York City. In 1964 I moved to Santa Fe, NM, where I ended up teaching in college. I had vowed I would never teach, but the minute I walked into a classroom, I loved it. While working full-time, I decided to take up writing again. I taught English to second, fifth, and seventh graders at the Key School in Annapolis, MD. My writing process often begins with a question. I write down ideas and let them stew for about a year. Then when I sit down to write, I make a list of characters and try to see how they fit.” The Book of Lost Things is Volume 1 of a planned trilogy. Volume 2, The Book of Secrets, was released in 2014. Volume 3, The Book of Kings, will be released 09/08/15. (Parts of this interview were gathered by Scholastic students.)

Accelerated Reader Information: Quiz No. 161403 – Reading Level 5.8 – Points 14.0.

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CHARLIE MAY SIMON CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD WINNERS (4-6)

Year Author Title 1970-71 Lexau, Joan Striped Ice Cream 1971-72 Walker, David Big Ben 1972-73 Cleary, Beverly Runaway Ralph 1973-74 Keith, Harold The Runt Of Rogers School 1974-75 Blume, Judy Tales Of A Fourth Grade Nothing 1975-76 Evarts, Hal Big Foot 1976-77 Fleischman, Sid The Ghost On Saturday Night 1977-78 Bulia, Clyde Robert Shoeshine Girl 1978-79 Hicks, Clifford Alvin’s Swap Shop 1979-80 Byars, Betsy The Pinballs 1980-81 Heide, Florence Parry Banana Twist 1981-82 Brittain, William All The Money In The World 1982-83 Gilson, Jamie Do Bananas Chew Gum? 1983-84 Cleary, Beverly Ramona Quimby, Age 8 1984-85 Manes, Stephen Be A Perfect Person In Just Three Days 1985-86 Roos, Stephen My Horrible Secret 1986-87 Byars, Betsy The Computer Nut 1987-88 MacLachlan, Patricia Sarah, Plain And Tall 1988-89 Fleischman, Sid The Whipping Boy 1989-90 Sachar, Louis There’s A Boy In The Girls’ Bathroom 1990-91 Lowry, Lois All About Sam 1991-92 Lowry, Lois Number The Stars 1992-93 Anderson, Margaret J. The Ghost Inside The Monitor 1993-94 Naylor, Phyllis Shiloh 1994-95 Lowry, Lois Attaboy, Sam! 1995-96 Woodruff, Elvira The Secret Funeral Of Slim Jim The Snake 1996-97 Robinson, Barbara The Best School Year Ever 1997-98 Fleischman, Sid The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story 1998-99 Clements, Andrew Frindle 1999-00 Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds Saving Shiloh 2000-01 Fletcher, Ralph Flying Solo 2001-02 Cleary, Beverly Ramona’s World 2002-03 DiCamillo, Kate Because Of Winn-Dixie 2003-04 Bruchac, Joseph Skeleton Man 2004-05 Spinelli, Jerry Loser 2005-06 DiCamillo, Kate Tale Of Despereaux 2006-07 Clements, Andrew The Report Card 2007-08 Martin, Ann M. A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography Of A Stray 2008-09 DiCamillo, Kate The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane 2009-10 Clements, Andrew No Talking 2010-11 Korman, Gordon Swindle 2011-12 Korman, Gordon Zoobreak 2012-13 Grisham, John Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer 2013-14 LaFleur, Suzanne Eight Keys 2014-15 Palacio, R. J. Wonder [29]

More than 59,000 Arkansas students voted for their favorite Charlie May Simon and/or Arkansas Diamond Award Books for 2014-2015.

PERMA-BOUND BOOKS