M I S S O U R I
S T A T E
T E A C H E R S
2016
A S S O C I A T I O N
New Books
for Missouri
Students
New Books
For Missouri
Students
An annotated list of selected books for schools from the Reading Circle Committee of
the Missouri State Teachers Association
This recommended reading list has been prepared as a service for Missouri educators
by the Reading Circle Committee of the Missouri State Teachers Association. It is the
committee’s intent that this publication assists educators in:
• Ordering books for school and classroom libraries.
• Encouraging summer reading programs.
• Helping parents who are looking for good reading suggestions.
• Planning literature programs.
In addition to providing this recommended reading list, the committee sponsors the
Reading Circle Certificate program. Missouri students who read a specified number
of books become eligible to receive a Reading Circle Certificate from MSTA. Students
who earn certificates for five years are issued lifetime memberships in the Reading
Circle. The certificates are signed by the executive director of MSTA and the Missouri
commissioner of education.
For more information about the Reading Circle Certificate program, visit www.
msta.org/resources/readingcircle. On the website, you’ll find the program’s policies
and procedures, as well as Reading Circle Certificate originals. You will also find
downloadable materials.
For additional assistance in implementing the program, contact the MSTA Member
Care Center at 800-392-0532 or [email protected].
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
©2016 Missouri State Teachers Association
P.O. BOX 458, COLUMBIA, MO 65205
800-392-0532
Materials evaluated in this publication were contributed by the publishers at no charge to MSTA.
CONTENTS
Preschool/Kindergarten................................................................................. 4
Primary, 1-4........................................................................................................... 8
Intermediate, 5-8..............................................................................................20
Senior, 9-12..........................................................................................................27
Missouri award-nominated books..........................................................33
Missouri Building Block............................................................................33
Show–Me Award nominees....................................................................34
Mark Twain Award nominees.................................................................35
Truman Award nominees........................................................................36
Gateway Award nominees......................................................................37
Reading Circle Committee
Brenda Steffens
Debbie Anderson
Jenn Baldwin
Lysha Thompson
Sarah Kohnle
Chair, Morgan Co. R-1
Waynesville R-6 (retired)
Jasper R-5
Miller Co. R-3
Staff liaison
Key to abbreviations
ALA............................... ALA Notable Books for the current year
BB.................................. Best Books
BCCB............................ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
BL.................................. Booklist
HB................................. Horn Book
KR.................................. Kirkus Reviews
LMC.............................. Library Media Connection
OSTB............................ Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children
SLJ................................ School Library Journal
PW................................ Publisher’s Weekly
VOYA........................... Voice of Youth Advocates
Schneider................. Schneider Family Book Award
Caldecott.................. Caldecott Medal
Newbery.................... Newbery Medal
CS King....................... Coretta Scott King Book Award
PCA-color.................. Parent’s Choice Award, gold/silver
Greenaway............... Kate Greenaway Medal
Seuss........................... Theodore Seuss Geisel Award
* indicates a starred review (a book of distinction)
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
Are You My Mommy?, by Mary Murphy. Candlewick Press, ©2015. A puppy asks all
different animals if they are his mother, in a book that asks readers to lift flaps to reveal the
other animals’ babies. (animals, board books)
Baa, Baa, Black Sheep, by Jane Cabrera. Holiday House, ©2015. In this take-off of the
familiar nursery rhyme, black sheep graciously offers bag after bag of wool to Miss, who
handcrafts mittens and more for her friends, then produces a sweater for the shivering sheep
when all the wool is gone. (nursery rhymes) (ALA, SLJ)
The Bear Report, by Thyra Heder. Harry N. Abrams, Inc, ©2015. Sophie is uninterested
in writing a report on polar bears, until a polar bear named Olafur swoops her away to the
Arctic, where she learns all about the playful bear’s habits and habitats. (polar bears) (ALA,
SLJ)
Bear and Bunny, by Daniel Pinkwater. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Bunny and Bear search for
the perfect pet, but find that a pine cone is not very interesting, and a caterpillar is not much
fun. (pets) (SLJ*, ALA)
Because Your Grandparents Love You, by Andrew Clements, Houghton Mifflin, ©2015.
Grandparents are the reassuring heroes in this story about a boy and girl who go on an
overnight visit at their grandparent’s farm. (grandparents, farm life)
Bernice Gets Carried Away, by Hannah E. Harrison. Dial, ©2015. Having missed out on
the other treats at a friend’s birthday party, a grumpy cat grabs all of the balloons and floats
into the sky, where she sees that her problems are not so big. (birthday parties, friends) (ALA, SLJ)
Boats for Papa, by Jessixa Bagley. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Buckley and his mother cope
with the loss of their father/husband by sending small wooden boats, built by Buckley, off
into the ocean. (death, mother/son) (ALA*, *SLJ)
Bob and Flo, by Rebecca Ashdown. Houghton Mifflin, ©2015. On her first day of preschool,
penguin Flo loses her lunch bucket – and finds a funny new friend. (school, friendship) (SLJ,
ALA)
Boom, Snot, Twitty, This Way That Way, by Doreen Cronin. Penguin, ©2015. Three
unlikely friends spend a day together, despite their very different ideas about how to spend
their time. (friendship) (ALA, SLJ)
Bunny Roo, I Love You, by Melissa Marr. Penguin, ©2015. A mother makes her baby feel
safe by sharing how all kinds of mama animals care for their little ones. (animals, mothers)
(ALA, HB, SLJ)
By Mouse & Frog, by Deborah Freedman. Penguin, ©2015. An unlikely collaboration ensues
when the contrasting storytelling approaches of fastidious Mouse and free-spirited Frog
collide. (friendship, mouse, frog) (SLJ)
The Day the Crayons Came Home, by Drew Daywait. Penguin, ©2015. One day, Duncan
is happily coloring with his crayons, when a stack of postcards arrives in the mail from his
former crayons – each of which has run away or been left behind. (friendship, crayons, letter
writing) (ALA*, *SLJ, HB)
4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
A Dog Wearing Shoes, by Sangmi Ko. Random House, ©2015. When Mini finds a small
moppet of a dog, with fluffy ears, no collar, and wearing yellow booties, she understandably
wants to take it home. But when the pup runs off one day at the park, Mini comes to
understand how someone else out there might be missing the little guy too. (dogs, lost)
(ALA, KR, SLJ)
Duck’s Vacation, by Gilad Soffer. Feiwel & Friends, ©2015. Duck is trying to enjoy a
relaxing vacation, but with each turn of the page, the reader causes some calamity. (duck,
vacation) (SLJ)
Duncan the Story Dragon, by Amanda Driscoll. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, ©2015. Duncan
the dragon struggles to keep his enthusiasm in check while reading library books that
causes his imagination to catch fire, igniting the books in the process. (dragons, reading,
imagination) (HB, SLJ)
Families, by Shelley Rotner and Sheila Kelly. Holiday House, ©2015. An inclusive look at
many varieties of families that will help young readers see beyond their own immediate
experiences and begin to understand others. 306.85 (families) (ALA, HB, SLJ)
Fetch, by Jorey Hurley. Simon & Schuster, Inc, ©2015. Illustrations and simple text follow a
dog as it chases a ball at the beach. (dog, beach) (ALA, SLJ)
A Fine Dessert Four Centuries, Four Families, One Delicious Treat, by Emily Jenkins.
Random House, ©2015. Explores changes in families and technology over time, as it depicts
four families – from England in 1710 to California in 2010 – preparing the traditional
English dessert called “blackberry fool.” (England, family traditions, desserts) (ALA, *SLJ,
HB)
Get Out of My Bath, by Britta Tackentrop. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Ellie the elephant
relaxing bath is disrupted by splashing friends, prompting her to suck up all the water into
her trunk until everyone else leaves. (elephant, bath) (ALA, SLJ)
How to Read a Story, by Kate Messner. Chronicle Books, ©2015. A picture book
celebration of the act of exploring, and sharing, a book. (stories, books) (SLJ)
I Don’t Like Koala, by Sean Ferrell. Atheneum, ©2015.Adam does not like his stuffed koala
because of its terrible eyes, terrible face, and terrible paws, but each time he tries to get rid
of it, Koala comes back until Adam realizes that Koala is on his side. (koala, friendship)
(ALA*, HB )
It’s Only Stanley, by Jon Agee. Dial, ©2015. Very strange noises that keep awakening the
Wimbledon family one night have an even stranger source. (noises, bedtime) (ALA*, SLJ)
Job Wanted, by Teresa Bateman. Holiday House, ©2015. Arriving at a farm with sore paws
and an empty stomach, a dog tries to convince the farmer that he could be just as valuable
as a cow, a horse, or a chicken. (farm life) (ALA, SLJ)
5
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Jumping Off Library Shelves, by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Publishers Group West, ©2015.
Fifteen poems celebrate the thrill of getting your first library card, the excitement of
story hour, the fun of using the computer, the pride of reading to the dog, and the joy of
discovering that the librarian understands you and knows exactly which books you’ll love.
811.008 (libraries, poetry) (ALA)
Just Itzy, by Lana Krumwiede. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Tired of being called “Itzy Bitzy,”
Itzy tries to catch his own lunch on the first day of spindergarten to prove he is a big spider,
but a girl sitting on a tuffet, a dangerous waterspout, and other nursery rhyme characters get
in his way. (nursery rhymes, spider, school, nicknames) (HB, KR, SLJ)
Look!, by Jeff Mack. Penguin, ©2015. Using only two words – “look” and “out” – relates a
story about an attention-loving gorilla, a television-loving boy, and a friendship that develops
over books. (books, friendship) (ALA, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
My Dog is the Best, by Laurie Ann Thompson. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2015. A little boy
identifies what makes his dog so special. (dog) (ALA, SLJ)
My Dog, Bob, by Richard Torrey. Holiday House, ©2015. A dog unlike any other, he cooks
breakfast for himself and his family, dries the family car and digs for dinosaur bones with a
paleontologist, loses a best-dog contest. (dog, contests) (ALA*, SLJ)
Night Animals, by Gianna Marino. Penguin, ©2015. Possum is hiding from the sounds in
the night, and his fear sets off a chain reaction in the other night animals. (possum, scary
sounds) (ALA*, SLJ)
One Family, by George Shannon. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2015. A family can be many
things, in this story that introduces numbered groups from one to 10. (counting, numbers)
(*SLJ, ALA)
Orion and the Dark, by Emma Yarlett. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Orion is scared of lots of
things, but most of all he is scared of the dark, so one night Dark decides to pay Orion a visit
and take him on an adventure. (dark, adventure) (ALA*, SLJ)
A Rock Can Be…, by Laura Purdie Salas. Millbrook Press, ©2015. With illustrations and
rhyming text, describes all the things a rock can be, from a hopscotch marker to a fire
sparker and a dessert dune to a harvest moon. 552 (rocks) (ALA, HB, SLJ)
The Skunk, by Mac Barnett. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Discovering that he is being
followed by a skunk, a tuxedoed man finds himself in a frantic race through the city as he
tries to outmaneuver the stinky little creature. (skunk) (*SLJ, ALA)
So Cozy, by Lerryn Korda. Candlewick Press, ©2015. When Dog’s bed looks so inviting to
his numerous animal friends that a tearing pileup of coziness ensues, a sneeze triggered by
Mouse’s presence on Elephant’s trunk. (animals) (SLJ)
Special Delivery, by Philip C. Stead. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. A little girl goes on a long
journey to deliver an elephant to her great aunt. (family, elephant) (ALA, PW, SLJ)
6
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
Strictly No Elephants, by Lisa Mantchev. Simon & Schuster, Inc, ©2015. A boy is excluded
from joining his friends’ pet club because of his unusual pet. (pets) (HB, SLJ)
To the Sea, by Cale Atkinson. Walt Disney Press/Hyperion, ©2015. Tim, a boy, and Sam, a
blue whale lost in the city, both feel unnoticed until they meet, and they become best friends
as Tim tries to help Sam get back home. (lost, sea) (HB, SLJ)
Tommy Can’t Stop, by Tim Federle. Walt Disney Press/Hyperion, ©2015. Tommy has worn
out his parents and sister with his bouncing, clomping, and leaping but when they convince
him to try to tap dancing, he finds it the perfect outlet for his energy. (tap dancing) (ALA,
SLJ)
The Totally Secret Secret, by Bob Shea. Walt Disney Press/Hyperion, ©2015. While Ballet
Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play, they each share an important
secret. (secrets, friendship) (*SLJ, ALA)
Vincent Paints His House, by Tadd Arnold. Holiday House, ©2015. Vincent’s animal
friends disagree on how he should paint his house, so Vincent comes up with a colorful
solution. (painting) (ALA, SLJ)
Waiting, by Kevin Henkes. Harper Collins, ©2015. Five toys that are also friends, an owl,
a puppy, a bear, a rabbit, and a pig, sit on a windowsill together, waiting for something
amazing to happen. (waiting, animals) (ALA*, *SLJ, Caldecott Honor, Theadore Seuss Geisel
Honor )
We Forgot Brock!, by Carter Goodrich. Simon & Schuster, Inc, ©2015. Phillip and Brock
are best friends (even though everyone else thinks Brock is imaginary). When Phillip gets
tired at the Big Fair while Brock is still having fun, they become separated –and it will take
a very special twosome to bring them back together again. (imaginary friends, lost) (ALA*,
SLJ)
The Whale in My Swimming Pool, by Joyce Wan. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2015. A young
boy discovers a whale in his pool and tries everything he can think of to get it out. (whale,
swimming) (SLJ)
Wish, by Emma Dodd. Candlewick Press, ©2015. This little wolf has someone special who
always wants the very best for him. (wolves, wishes)
The Wonder, by Faye Hanson. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Throughout the morning, his
daydreams transform the world around him, but lots of other people all tell him to get his
head out of the clouds, and it is only in art class that he realizes he can bring the wonder out
of his head for the whole world to enjoy. (art, daydreaming) (ALA)
Yard Sale, by Eve Bunting. Candlewick Press, ©2015. Callie must sell most of her
possessions when her family is forced to relocate to a small apartment. It is hard to let go –
until she starts to realize what truly makes a home. (yard sale, family) (*SLJ, ALA, HB)
7
PRIMARY, 1-4
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World, by Charles R. Smith Jr.,
illustrated by Shane W. Evans. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Twenty-eight important people
and events from history are depicted, one for each day in February. [973] (African American
biography, African American history, poetry, United States heroes, successful people) (BL*, HB,
KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ)
After the Bell Rings: Poems About After-School Time, by Carol Diggory Shields, illustrated
by Paul Meisel. Dial Books, ©2015. Twenty-two illustrated poems describe what happens after
school is finished. [811] (poetry) (BL, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
All for a Dime!: A Bear and Mole Story, written and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. Holiday
House, ©2015. Bear, Mole and Skunk try their luck at Market Day. Mole and Skunk end up
trading their dime back and forth buying worms and perfume. Bear manages to sell most of his
blueberries and buy ice cream for all. [Fic] (bears, farmers’ markets, moles, skunks) (BL, KR, PW)
An A From Miss Keller, written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco. Putnam, ©2015. Trisha
is chosen for Miss Keller’s writing class and kids say she has never given an A. A tragedy gives
Trisha’s words wings and earns an A. [Fic] (authorship, teacher-student relationships) (BL, KR,
LMC, SLJ)
Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History, written and illustrated
by Don Brown. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton had a lot in
common during their lives. Despite this, they became political enemies and Hamilton lost his
life during a duel. Includes biographical information. [973.4] (Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton,
Burr-Hamilton duel) (BB, BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
Abe Lincoln: His Wit and Wisdom From A to Z, by Alan Schroeder, illustrated by John O’Brien.
Holiday House, ©2015. Offers an event about Lincoln for each letter of the alphabet. Includes
quotes and antidotes. [921, 973.7] (alphabet, Abraham Lincoln, presidents) (HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
Animal Eyes. Animal Mouths, by Mary Holland, illustrated with photographs. Arbordale
Publishing, ©2015. Both volumes describe one feature from a variety of animals. Includes
additional information. [591.4] (adaptation, animals habits and behavior, animals, eyes, mouths)
(HB)
The Baby Swap, by Jan Ormerod, illustrated by Andrew Joyner. Little Simon, ©2015. Caroline
Crocodile is jealous of all the attention her baby brother gets. She takes him to a baby shop to swap
for a better model. Unfortunately each swap poses more problems and she is glad to get her “just
right” brother back. [Fic] (animals infancy, babies, brothers and sisters, crocodiles, jealousy) (BL,
BCCB, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ)
The Baseball Player and the Walrus, by Ben Loory, illustrated by Alex Latimer. Dial Books,
©2015. An unhappy baseball player finds happiness with his new pet walrus and builds him
a walrus habitat. He misses his pet so much while he’s on the road that he quits. Now they’re
together but he cannot afford to keep a walrus, returns him to the zoo and finds a new job. [Fic]
(baseball players, human-animal relationships, walrus, pet responsibility) (BL, HB, KR, LMC,
SLJ)
8
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
Bear and Duck, written and illustrated by Katy Hudson. Harper, ©2015. Bear is tired of sleeping
all winter, hot fur and stinging bees, so he decides to be a duck. His friend, a duck, shows him the
three rules to be a duck, but to no avail. They decide he makes a great bear and a better friend.
[Fic] (bears, ducks, friendship, self-acceptance) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
The Bear and the Piano, written and illustrated by David Litchfield. Clarion Books, ©2015. A
bear finds a piano in the woods and eventually learns to play beautiful music for his forest friends.
A girl and her father discover the bear and take him to the city to play for thousands. The bear
finds success but misses home and returns to play for the bears. [Fic] (bears, friendship, music,
piano) (BL, KR*, PW, SLJ)
Bear and Squirrel Are Friends…Yes, Really!, written and illustrated by Deb Pilutti. Simon &
Schuster Books, ©2015. The other bears don’t understand how one of their own can be friends
with a squirrel. Everything is great until bear wakes up in the spring and he is sooo hungry. [Fic]
(bears, friendship, squirrels) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
Boy, Were We Wrong about the Human Body!, by Kathleen V. Kudlinski, illustrated by
Debbie Tilley. Dial Books, ©2015. Compares how ancient beliefs and cures compare to modern
day knowledge. Includes a human body timeline. [610.9] (human body, scientific errors,
medicine) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, LMC, SLJ)
The Buk Buk Buk Festival, by Mary Jane Auch, illustrated by Herm Auch. Holiday House,
©2015. Author and chicken, Henrietta is invited to participate in a book festival. However,
when she arrives, no one believes she is an author until a children’s librarian saves the day. [Fic]
(authorship, books and reading, chickens, humorous stories) (BL, HB, KR, SLJ)
The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, by Selina Alko, illustrated by Sean
Qualls and Selina Alko. Arthur A Levine Books, ©2015. Describes the struggles of Richard and
Mildred Loving to validate their marriage in Virginia when interracial marriage was against the
law. [306.84] (interracial marriage, civil rights, multicultural) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR*,LMC, PW*,
SL)
Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony Inspired
by Historical Facts, by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michele Wood. Orchard Books, ©2015.
Imagines a teatime conversation between Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony discussing
events in their lives and how they fit into the scheme of history. [Fic] (Susan B. Anthony, Harriet
Tubman, slavery, underground railroad, women suffrage, women’s rights) (BL*, BCCB, HB, KR*
LMC, PW, SLJ*)
A Chicken Followed Me Home!: Questions and Answers About a Familiar Fowl, written
and illustrated by Robin Page. Beach Lane Books, ©2015. Provides information about the
care, feeding and life of a chicken through a question and answer format. Includes additional
information. [636.5] (chickens) (BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, PW*, SLJ*)
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, retold by Adam McKeown, illustrated by Gerald Kelley.
Doubleday Books, ©2015. Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas with the help
of three ghostly visitors in this adaptation of the classic tale. [Fic] (Christmas, ghost stories) (KR,
PW, SLJ)
9
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Clover’s Luck, by Kallie George, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. Disney-Hyperion, ©2015.
Clover feels that her luck has changed when she finds the Magical Animal Adoption Agency and
Mr. Jams allows her to volunteer. During her first few days, she finds a home for a dragon and
outsmarts a wicked witch. [Fic] (fantasy, imaginary creatures, luck, magic, pet adoption) (BL, HB,
KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Completely Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Frazee. Disney-Hyperion,
©2015. It’s almost the end of third grade and Clementine is not ready to say goodbye to her
teacher. Also she is not speaking to her dad and her mom is expecting a baby. Will the newly
focused Clementine be able to deal with all these changes? [Fic] (babies, change, family life) (BL,
HB*, KR, SLJ)
Dear Yeti, written and illustrated by James Kwan. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. Two intrepid
hikers venture into the forest to find yeti. Corresponding through letters, the shy yeti meets their
needs while remaining hidden. He comes out of hiding to save his new friends from a grizzly bear.
[Fic] (hiking, friendship, letters, yeti) (BL, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ)
Dinosaur Dilemma, written and illustrated by Frank Cammuso. Amulet Books, ©2015. Salem
Hyde needs a science project fast. After a visit to Dinosaurs Alive! (they weren’t so she uses magic),
she picks up a real dinosaur egg that hatches. Her cat, Whammy, helps clean up this magical
mess and Salem ekes out a project. [Fic] (cartoons and comics, dinosaurs, fantasy, graphic novels,
magic, museums, witches) (BL, HB, SLJ)
The Disappearing Magician, by Kate Egan and Mike Lane, illustrated by Eric Wight. Feiwel
and Friends, ©2015. Learning magic tricks has helped Mike focus in school and gain confidence.
Performing at the school talent show might be more than he can handle. Includes instructions for
several magic tricks. [Fic] (magic tricks, magicians, stage fright) (HB)
Draw What You See: The Life and Art of Benny Andrews, by Kathleen Benson, illustrated
with paintings by Benny Andrews. Clarion Books, ©2015. Benny loved to draw and used the
people and things around him as his inspiration. This love took him from the fields of Georgia to
becoming one of the most important African American artists of the 20th century. [921, 759.13]
(African American artists, Benny Andrews) (BL, HB, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music, by Margarita Engle, illustrated
by Rafael López. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. In Cuba girls could not be drummers.
One girl dreamed, practiced, and proved that girls can drum. Based on the story of Millo Castro
Zaldarriaga. [Fic] (Cuba history, dance music, drummers, sex role) (BB, Not Bks, Zolotow, Belpre,
BL, BCCB, HB*, KR*, LMC*, PW, SLJ*)
Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package, by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. Compares the eggs of 54 different creatures – size, care,
incubation, placement, and even shape. Includes additional information. [591.468] (life cycles,
eggs, animals)(BL, BCCB, HB, KR, LMC, SLJ)
Elephant in the Dark, by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by Eugene Yelchin. Scholastic Press,
©2015. Based on a poem by Rumi sometimes known as the “The Blind Men and the Elephant”.
Villagers try to guess what the strange animal in a dark barn is when they only have a small part
of the information. [389.21] (elephants, folklore India, perception) (BL, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
10
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles, by Susanna Reich, illustrated by Adam
Gustavson. Henry Holt, ©2015. Provides an account of how the famous rock band, The Beatles,
formed and biographical sketches of each member. Includes additional information. [920, 782.42]
(rock musicians, Beatles) (BL, HB*. KR, LMC, SLJ)
Fable Comics, edited by Chris Duffy. First Second, ©2015. Twenty-seven cartoonists retell
twenty-eight fables (mostly Aesop). [398.24] (fables, comics, graphic novels) (BL, BCCB*, HB,
KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
Fancy Nancy: Peanut Butter and Jellyfish, by Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Ted Enik. Harper,
©2015. A trip to the aquarium helps cure Nancy’s fear of jellyfish. Her school project finishes off
her dad’s homemade peanut butter. [Fic] (Fancy Nancy, jellyfishes, public aquariums, school field
trips) (HB)
Frankie Liked to Sing, by John Seven, illustrated by Jana Christy. Abrams Books, ©2015.
Frankie sang everywhere he could in his hometown of Hoboken, N.J. as a child and later he made
it big in New York City and became known as “The Voice”. [921, 782.421] (Frank Sinatra, singers)
(BL, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by
London Ladd. Disney/Jump at the Sun, ©2015. Provides a look at the life of a man who rose from
slavery through the power of words to a respected abolitionist. [921, 973.8] (abolitionists, African
Americans, Frederick Douglass) (ALA, BL, BCCB, HB*, KR*, SLJ)
Funny Bones: Posada and his Day of the Dead Calaveras, written and illustrated by
Duncan Tonatiuh. Abrams Books, ©2015. Portrays the life of Jose Guadalupe Posada who is best
known for his funny skeleton pictures often seen during Day of the Dead celebrations. Includes
additional information. [921, 769.92] (art history, Hispanic American, engravers, human skeleton
in art, Jose Guadalupe Posada) (ALA, BB, BL*, BCCB, HB*, KR*, LMC, PW*. SLJ*)
The Girl Who Buried her Dreams in a Can, by Tererai Trent, illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.
Viking, ©2015. Tells the true story of a young girl in Africa and her quest for education. Provides
additional information. [921, 370.92] (Zimbabwe, educators, teachers, Tererai Trent) (BL, HB, KR,
LMC*, SLJ)
Grandma in Blue with Red Hat, by Scott Menchin, illustrated by Harry Bliss. Abrams Books,
©2015. After a visit to an art museum a young artist decides his grandma has all the qualities to
belong in the museum. After the museum declines his offer, he makes his own home exhibits.
[Fic] (art, grandmothers, museums) (BL, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Grandma’s House, written and illustrated by Alice Melvin. Tate Publishing, ©2015. Cut outs and
flaps provide a view into grandma’s house as a young girl searches for her missing grandmother.
[Fic] (dwellings, grandmothers, toy and movable books) (PW, SLJ)
Help! My Brother’s a Zombie, by Annie Graves, illustrated by Glenn McElhinney. Darby Creek,
©2015. At a ghost story club sleepover, Jack tells about his older brother turning into a zombie and
living in the attic. [Fic] (brothers, family life, horror stories, zombies) (HB, SLJ)
11
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Henry Holton Takes the Ice, by Sandra Bradley, illustrated by Sara Palacios. Dial Books, ©2015.
Everyone in Henry’s family plays hockey, even grandma until she broke her hip. Henry is an
embarrassment until he discovers figure skating. [Fic] (hockey, ice skating, individuality, skating
stories) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, by Robert Robertson, illustrated by David Shannon. Abrams
Books, ©2015. After his family is massacred, Hiawatha vows to seek revenge. Peacemaker
convinces him rather than fighting each other, the Iroquois should band together. Together the
men work to bring this dream to fruition. Includes a music cd. (Fic] (Indians of North America,
peace, Six Nations) (ALA, BL*, HB, KR, LMC*, PW, SLJ*)
Horrible Harry and the Top-Secret Hideout. Horrible Harry and the Wedding Spies, by
Suzy Kline, illustrated by Amy Wummer. Viking, ©2015. Harry and his friends save the vacant
lot next to the school and gain an outdoor classroom. In the second book, they are not invited
to their teacher’s wedding, so they sneak into the church and save the day. [Fic] (realistic fiction,
schools, teachers, weddings, outdoor education) (HB)
How to Catch Santa, by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish. Alfred P Knopf, ©2015. Siblings
provide instructions on how to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve in order to ask questions and
tell him things. [Fic] (Christmas, Santa Claus) (BCCB, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice From the Animal Kingdom, by Steve Jenkins
and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. Learn how to
spin a web, build a nest, catch a wildebeest, and other useful things from the experts in step-bystep instructions. [591.5] (animals, questions and answers) (OSTB, BL*, BCCB*, HB, KR, LMC,
PW*, SLJ*)
Hurricane Watch, by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Taia Morley. Harper, ©2015. Explains how
hurricanes form, how scientists track them, and how to stay safe. Includes extension activities and
glossary. [551.55] (hurricanes] (BL, HB, SLJ)
Hypnotize a Tiger: Poems About Just About Everything, written and illustrated by Calef
Brown. Collection of nonsense poems features odd animals, creatures and people. [811] (poetry)
(BL, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
I Am Helen Keller, by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. Dial Books, ©2015. A
beginning biography of Helen Keller is told from her point of view. Contains the word Helen in
braille. [921, 362.4] (deaf blind people, Helen Keller, disabilities)
I Am Yoga, by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Abrams Books, ©2015. A young girl
relaxes by imagining different scenarios while practicing yoga poses. [Fic] (imagination, yoga)
(BL, HB, KR*, SLJ)
I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are, by Bridget Heos, illustrated by
Jennifer Plecas. Henry Holt, ©2015. A fly tries to persuade students to study the lifecycle of a fly
rather than the butterfly by providing facts and answering their questions. Includes glossary.
[595.77] (housefly life cycles, Insects) (BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, LMC, SLJ)
12
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
I Had a Favorite Hat, by Boni Ashburn, illustrated by Robyn Ng. Abrams Books, ©2015. A
young girl wears her favorite beach hat though the year by adding a little of this and that to make
it appropriate for every season. [Fic] (handicraft, hats, seasons) (SLJ)
If You Plant a Seed, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Balzer + Bray, ©2105. A rabbit and
a mouse plant vegetable seeds and care for the plants. They decide to share with the birds after
considering the consequences of sowing seeds of kindness vs. seeds of selfishness. [Fic] (animals,
gardening, kindness) (ALA, BL, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ)
In Mary’s Garden, by Tina Kugler, illustrated by Carson Kugler. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
©2015. Mary liked making things with her hands. After traveling and drawing around the world,
she returned to Wisconsin. She transformed her yard into a museum of sculptures made with
found objects. [921, 709.2] (Mary Nohl, environmental art) (BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
In the Canyon, by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Beach Lane Books, ©2015.
Join a young girl in her visit to the Grand Canyon on a hike to the bottom. [Fic} (Grand Canyon
(AZ), hiking, stories in rhyme) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
Leaflets Three Let it Be!: The Story of Poison Ivy, by Anita Sanchez, illustrated by Robin
Brickman. Boyds Mills Press, ©2015. Humans are the only ones that get a rash from poison ivy. It
is a very beneficial plant for animals. Learn how to identify and appreciate it. [581.6] (poison ivy,
poisonous plants) (HB, KR, LMC, SLJ)
Lenny & Lucy, by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Peter
and Harold, his dog, move to a new house near the scary woods. Peter builds Lenny and Lucy to
guard the bridge. After Peter made friends with Millie the woods didn’t seem so frightening. [Fic]
(friendship, moving) (BB, ALA, BK, BCCB, HB*, KR*, LMC, PW*, SLJ*)
Little Robot, written and illustrated by Ben Hatke. First Second, ©2015. A little girl with a tool
belt discovers a robot in the woods and powers him up. They explore the woods and make robot
friends until a recovery unit tries to take the little robot. [742.5] (friendship, girls, good and evil,
robots, graphic novels) (BL*, BCCB, HB*, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
The Little Tree, written and illustrated by Loren Long. Philomel Books, ©2015. A little tree in
a grove loves his leaves and refuses to let them drop. Eventually with the help of his friends he
realizes that in order to grow he needs to let go. [Fic] (courage, change, forest animals, seasons,
trees) (BL*, KR, PW*, SLJ)
The Loch Ness Punster, by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise. Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, ©2015. Seymour and ghostly Olive go to Scotland to claim an inheritance. While
they deal with a dodgy developer and ancient tortoise, Iggie is back home with his uncle’s ghost
and trying to buy insurance. The story is told through letters and articles. [Fic] (ghost stories,
inheritance, letters, Scotland, turtles, uncles) (HB, SLJ) MISSOURI AUTHOR
The Lucky Litter: Wolf Pups Rescued From Wildfire, by Jennifer Curtis Keats, illustrated by
John Gomes. Arbordale Publishing, ©2015. After a wildfire five orphaned wolf pups are rescued
and cared for at an Alaskan zoo. Includes additional information. [599.773] (animal rescue,
wildfires, wolves infancy, zoo animals) (HB, KR)
13
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
M is for Money: an Economics Alphabet, by Debbie and Michael Shoulders, illustrated by
Marty Kelly. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2015. Rhymes provide a simple explanation of economic terms
with more in depth information provided on each page. [330] (economics, money and currency)
Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation, by Edwidge Danticat and
illustrated by Leslie Staub. Dial Books, ©2015. Saya’s mother is in an immigration detention
center while waiting for her “papers.” Each night Saya listens to her mother read a story on
tape. After Saya writes a story and the media picks it up, she and her father are reunited with
her mother. [Fic] (emigration and immigration, Haitian Americans, mothers and daughters,
separation) (BL, HB*, KR*, PW, SLJ*)
Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter, by Barbara Herkert, illustrated by Gabi
Swiatkowska. Henry Holt, ©2015. Mary was determined to become an artist even thought art was
not a proper pastime for a lady. She went to Paris and was rejected until she met Edgar Degas and
became one of the great impressionists. [921, 759.13] (artists, Mary Cassatt, women) (BL, HB, KR,
LMC PW*, SLJ)
Meet the Dullards, by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri. Balzer + Bray, ©2015.
The Dullard family moves to a new neighborhood after reading has over stimulated the children.
As the parents tone down the house, the children go on adventures. [Fic] (family life, moving)
(BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, SLJ*)
Melonhead and the Later Gator Plan, by Katy Kelly, illustrated by Gillian Johnson. Delacorte
Press, ©2015. Adam, a.k.a Melonhead, and best friend, Sam, have a busy week visiting his
grandparents’ retirement home in Florida. Among other things, acquiring a pet is at the top of the
list maybe an alligator, armadillo or a parrot. [Fic] (friendship, humorous stories, grandparents)
More Caps for Sale: Another Tale of Mischievous Monkeys, by Esphyr Slobodkina,
illustrated by Ann Marie Mulhearn Sayer. Harper, ©2015. After 75 years there is a sequel to the
classic tale. The monkeys follow the peddler home and on his next sales trip, they mimic his every
move as he sells all the caps. [Fic] (monkeys, peddlers) (PW, SLJ)
Mother Bruce, written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. Disney/Hyperion, ©2015. Bruce
was a grumpy bear who only wanted hard-boiled goose eggs with honey-salmon sauce. Instead
he became a mother to four baby geese no matter what he did to get rid of them. [Fic] (animals
infancy, bears, eggs geese, humorous stories) (BL, HB, KR*, PW)
Mr. Putter & Tabby Smell the Roses, by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Arthur Howard.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. Mr. Putter takes Mrs. Teaberry (and their pet) to the
conservatory for her birthday. Things were heavenly until Zeke destroys a banana plant and
lemon tree. [Fic] (birthdays, cats, conservatories, dogs) (BL, HB, SLJ)
My Leaf Book, written and illustrated by Monica Wellington. Dial Books, ©2015. A girl and
her dog collect leaves for a leaf book and learn facts along the way. Contains directions for leaf
projects. [Fic] (Autumn, leaves, trees) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
14
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth, by Ann Warren Turner, illustrated by James
Ransome. Harper, ©2015. Sojourner Truth recounts the story of her life describing each of her
owners and what caused her to run away. She explains how she became a champion of both Civil
and women’s rights. [921, 306,3] (abolitionists, African Americans, slaves, Sojourner Truth,
women) (BL, HB, PW*, SLJ*)
My Religion, Your Religion, by Lisa Bullard, illustrated by Holli Conger. Millbrook Press,
©2015. David learns how several religions compare to his own. [200] (religions) (HB, LMC, SLJ)
My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey, by Lesa Cline-Ransome,
illustrated by James Ransome. Simon & Schuster Books, ©2105. Follow Robert’s journey as he
goes from a boy with leg braces, to dancing at Julliard, and then as the artist director for Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theater. [921, 792.82] (African Americans, Robert Battle, choreographers,
dancers) (ALA, BL, HB, KR*, PW, SLJ)
Mustached Baby Meets His Match, by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Joy Ang. Clarion Books,
©2015. Mustache Baby has a play date with the new kid in town, Beard Baby. They each try to
outdo each other until Billy (Mustache Baby) finds the one race he is able to win, apologize first.
[Fic] (babies, competition, mustaches) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
Nerdy Birdy, by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Matt Davies. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. The
cool birds don’t want to hang out with Nerdy Birdy, so he joins the other nerd birds. This group
ignores the vulture, so Nerdy befriends the vulture. [Fic] (birds, friendship) (BL HB, KR*, PW)
New Shoes, by Susan Lynn Meyer, illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Holiday House, ©2015. Ella Mae
and Charlotte need new shoes, but they are not allowed to try on shoes in the store because they
are black. The girls decide open their own shoe store by doing odd jobs for shoes that they clean
up. [Fic] (African Americans, discrimination, segregation, shoes) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, LMC,
PW*, SLJ)
No Way…Way! Are You My Dinner?, by Tracey West, illustrated by Luke Flowers. Grosset &
Dunlap, ©2015. Depicts 300 odd facts about what we eat, where it came from and why we eat it.
[641.3] (food habits, food)
The Nonsense Show, written and illustrated by Eric Carle. Philomel Books, ©2015. Presents
absurd images and text to spark imagination and introduce surrealism. [Fic] (imagination,
surrealism, stories in rhyme) (BL*, HB*, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
Oskar and the Eight Blessings, by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon, illustrated by Mark Siegel.
Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. It was the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve in 1938
when Oskar arrived in Manhattan after escaping Nazi Europe. Armed with a picture and an
address, he walks the length of the island looking for his aunt and finding acts of kindness. [Fic]
(Hanukkah, Jewish Holocaust, Jews, kindness, refugees) (BL*, HB*, KR, PW*, SLJ*)
Otter in Space, written and illustrated by Sam Garton. Balzer + Bray, ©2015. After visiting a
museum, Otter and her teddy build a rocket to go to the moon for their own moon rock. [Fic]
(friendship, imagination, moon rocks, museums, otters, teddy bears) (BCCB, HB, KR*, SLJ)
15
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Otto the Owl Who Loved Poetry, written and illustrated by Vern Kousky. Nancy Paulsen
Books, ©2015. Otto has to gain acceptance from the other owls because he would rather recite
poetry, read books and make friends than hunt. [Fic] (individuality, mice, owls, poetry) (BL, HB,
KR, PW, SLJ)
Out of the Woods: A True Story of an Unforgettable Event, written and illustrated by
Rebecca Bond. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. A young boy staying in a hotel with lumberjacks
in the Canadian wilderness experiences a forest fire that sends both humans and animals into
a lake to survive. [971.3] (forest fires Ontario, hotels, human-animal relationships, survival,
Antonio Willie Giroux) (BL, BCCB*, HB*, KR*, LMC)
Peace is an Offering, by Annette LeBox, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. Dial Books, ©2015.
Peace is all around us, even in times of hardship or tragedy, if we know where to look. This poem
provides suggestions of where to look or how to provide it for others. [Fic] (peace, stories in
rhyme)
Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale, by Joe McGee, illustrated by Charles
Santoso. Abrams Books, ©2015. Reginald brings peace to Quirkville by convincing his fellow
zombies that peanut butter and jelly is much better than brains. [Fic] (food habits, zombies,
humorous horror) (BL, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
The Popcorn Astronauts: And Other Biteable Rhymes, by Deborah Ruddell, illustrated by
Joan Rankin. Margaret K. McElderry Books, ©2015. Twenty-one whimsical poems about food
are arranged by the season. [811] (food, poetry) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, LMC, PW*, SLJ)
Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story, written and illustrated by Emily Arnold
McCully. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. Lizzie Murphy was born in 1894 and was VERY good at
baseball, not a girl’s game according to most. Lizzie proved them wrong not only playing on the
boy’s teams and becoming a professional player. [921, 796.357] (baseball players, Lizzie Murphy)
(BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, LMC*, PW, SLJ)
Red: A Crayon’s Story, written and illustrated by Michael Hall. Greenwillow Books, ©2015. A
blue crayon has a red label. No matter what he tries, he cannot be red. Luckily a purple crayon
discovers the problem and now red is a happy blue. [Fic] (color, crayons, identity) (BL*, HB*, KR.
PW, SLJ)
Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas, written and illustrated by Rubin Pingk. Simon &
Schuster Books, ©2015. Yukio wants a snowball fight for Christmas but none of the other ninjas
will because they’re being good for Santa. Yukio decides to scare the red intruder away. [Fic]
(Christmas, ninja, Santa Claus, snow) (BCCB, HB, KR, PW*, SLJ)
Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers’ Journey from Slave to Artist, by Barbara Herkert,
illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Alfred A. Knopf, ©2015. Harriet learned to sew and
quilt as a slave. She used those skills to take care of her family and make quilts to display at the
local fairs. Today those quilts are in museums as examples of African American folk art. [921,
746.46] (African American quiltmakers, quilts, Harriet Powers, arts and crafts, slavery) (BL, HB,
KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
16
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
Sharks Have Six Senses, by John F. Waters, illustrated by Bob Barner. Harper, ©2015. Sharks
have all the senses humans do, plus one more. Find out how sharks use their senses to survive.
Includes additional information. [597.3] (fish and marine life, senses and sensation sharks) (BL,
HB, KR, SLJ)
Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of his People, written and illustrated by S.D.
Nelson. Abrams Books, ©2015. Sitting Bull received his name after killing a buffalo at age 10 and
became one of the greatest leaders of his people against the encroaching whites. He and Crazy
Horse were the last to surrender and go to the reservation. Includes additional information. [921,
978.004] (Dakota Indians, Sitting Bull, Native Americans, Hunkpapa Indians history) (BL*, HB,
KR, LMC*, PW*, SLJ*)
Sleepy Snoozy Cozy Coozy: A Book of Animal Beds, by Judy Young, illustrated by Michael
Glenn Monroe. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2015. Rhymes describe different animal’s beds and
text provides more information. [590] (animal habitations North America, poetry) (HB, SLJ)
MISSOURI AUTHOR
Spidermania: Friends on the Web, by Alexandra Siy, illustrated by Dennis Kunkel. Holiday
House, ©2015. Provides a very close look at spiders and disproves many of the myths about these
amazing creatures. Includes additional information. [595.4] (spiders) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR, PW,
SLJ)
Stick and Stone, by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
©2015. Stick rescues Stone from a mean pinecone and they become best friends. Will Stone be
able to return the favor? [Fic] (best friends, friendship, sticks, stones, stories in rhyme) (BL, HB*,
KR, PW, SLJ*)
Super Basketball Infographics, by Jeff Savage, illustrated by Rob Schuster. Lerner Publications,
©2015. Graphics, charts, and text illustrate facts about basketball and its players. [796.323]
(basketball, infographics) (HB, LMC, SLJ)
Swing Sisters: The Story of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, by Karen Deans,
illustrated by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House, ©2015. The story of an internationally famous
all-girl jazz band that started out in an orphanage in Mississippi. [781.65] (African American,
discrimination, music, jazz musicians, International Sweethearts of Rhythm) (BL, HB, KR, LMC,
PW, SLJ)
Talkin’ Guitar: A Story of the Young Doc Watson, written and illustrated by Robbin Gourley.
Clarion Books, ©2015. Describes how a young blind boy from the Appalachian Mountains
learned to play the guitar and become a bluegrass legend. Includes additional information. [921,
787.87] (bluegrass musicians, folk musicians, guitarists, Doc Watson) (BL, HB*, LMC, KR, PW, SLJ)
Teddy Mars: Almost a World Record Breaker, by Molly B. Burnham. Katherine Tegen Books,
©2015. Teddy wants to be in the Guinness Book of World Records to stand out from his five
siblings. He will try almost anything from stuffing grapes in his mouth, sleeping in a tent and
even cleaning up after pigeons. [Fic] (brothers and sisters, family life, friendship, pigeons, world
records) (BL, HB, KR, PW, SLJ)
17
PRIMARY, 1-4
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Thomas Jefferson Grows a Nation, by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Calkins
Creek, ©2015. Thomas Jefferson was a farmer and he helped our nation grow just like he did his
crops. Contains additional information. [921, 973.4] (Thomas Jefferson, presidents) BL, HB, KR,
PW, SLJ*)
Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book, written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Doubleday
Books, ©2015. An owl sits in a hole in an apple tree during winter. Other pages introduce more
animals in their holes in the tree as the seasons change until it’s winter and only the owl remains.
[Fic] (season, trees, animals, toy and moveable books) (BL, KR, PW, SLJ)
Trombone Shorty, by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Abrams
Books, ©2015. Explains how Trombone Shorty received his nickname and tracks his rise from
New Orleans to Grammy-nominated musician. Includes additional information. [921, 788.9]
(Troy Andrews, jazz musicians, trombonists, African American, music) (CS King, ALA,
Caldecott honor, BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, LMC, PW*, SLJ)
The Turnip, written and illustrated by Jan Brett. Putnam, ©2015. Badgers play a major role in this
adaptation of the old Russian tale. [Fic] (animals, turnips, cumulative tales) (BL, HB, KR, PW*)
W is for Webster: Noah Webster and his American Dictionary, by Tracey E. Fern, illustrated
by Boris Kuilikov. Farrar Straus and Giroux, ©2015. Noah Webster was not very popular but
persevered for 20 years compiling a dictionary that is still used today. Includes additional
information. [921, 423] (educators, English language, lexicographers, Noah Webster) (BL, BCCB,
HB, KR, LMC*, PW, SLJ*)
Weird & Wild Animal Facts, Jessica Loy, illustrated with photographs. Henry Holt, ©2015.
Provides odd facts about 14 different animals. [590.2] (animals, questions and answers) (BL, KR,
LMC, PW, SLJ)
Wild About Us!, by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by Janet Stevens. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
©2015. Animals celebrate the characteristics that make them unique. [Fic] (individuality, selfacceptance, stories in rhyme, zoo animals) (BL*, HB, KR, LMC, SLJ)
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh, by Sally M. Walker,
illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss. Henry Holt, ©2015. Veterinarian, Harry Colebourn, was on his
way to an army training camp when he saw a baby bear for sale at the train station. He bought it
and took it with him; the bear quickly became the regiment’s mascot. When Harry left to fight in
France he left Winnie in the London Zoo. Christopher Robin met Winnie and then it’s a story for
the books. [599.78] (bears, Harry Colebourn, Winnie-the-Pooh (fictional character), Canada) (BL,
BCCB, HB*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Whale Trails: Before and Now, by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Henry
Holt, ©2015. A young girl and her father come from a long line of whalers. Compares and
contrasts todays whale watching ships with whale hunting ships of long ago. [Fic] (endangered
species, whale watching, whales, whaling) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR* LMC*, SLJ)
18
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
PRIMARY, 1-4
When Otis Courted Mama, by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Jill McElmurry. Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, ©2015. Cardell has a mostly wonderful life even though his daddy lives in a different
part of the desert with his new family. When mama meets Otis will that life change? [Fic] (coyote,
fathers and sons, mothers and sons, stepfathers) (BL, BCCB, HB, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
When Sophie’s Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt, written and illustrated by Molly Bang. Blue
Sky Press, ©2015. Sophie’s feelings are hurt when her classmates make fun of her painting of her
favorite tree. After she explains why she painted it that way, they understand. [Fic] (behavior,
emotions, painting, schools, trees) (BL, BCCB, HB*, KR, PW*, SLJ)
Where Are My Books, written and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Simon & Schuster Books,
©2015. Spencer loves books and reads one each night until one night his favorite book is missing
and has been replaced by a flower. One by one his books are disappearing and being replaced with
other objects. Who is the thief? [Fic] (books and reading, lost and found possessions, squirrels) (BL,
HB, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ)
A Wonderful Year, written and illustrated by Nick Bruel. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Follow
a little girl on her imaginative adventures through the seasons with her pets. [Fic] (cartoons and
comics, seasons, year) (BL, HB, KR*, PW*, SLJ)
Yeti and the Bird, written and illustrated by Nadia Shireen. Atheneum Books, ©2015. Yeti was
the scariest and loneliest animal in the forest until a lost little bird befriended him. [Fic] (birds,
friendship, yeti) (BL, HB, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Zen Socks, written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Scholastic Press, ©2015. Leo, Molly and their
friend Stillwater, the panda, teach each other about patience, sharing and compassion through
stories. [Fic] (brothers and sisters, conduct of life, pandas) (BL, KR, PW*, SLJ*)
19
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
After the Ashes, by Sara K. Joiner. Holiday House, ©2015. In 1883, Katrien must use skills
she has learned from studying Charles Darwin’s work and nature around her to survive the
eruption of the nearby island volcano Krakatau and the tsunami waves that follow. [Fic]
(Darwin, Indonesia, survival, tsunami, volcano) (BL, KR, OSTB, PW, SLJ)
Ancient Egypt, by Ken Jennings, illustrated by Mike Lowery. Little Simon, ©2015.
Interactive guide that contains facts, games, activities, and quizzes about ancient Egypt.
Covers geography, pharaohs, pyramids, mummification, mythology, and more. Ken
Jennings’ Junior Genius Guides series. [932] (ancient Egypt, history) (BL, SLJ)
Beastkeeper, by Cat Hellisen. Henry Holt and Company, ©2015. Once her mom leaves for
good, and her dad takes her to live with her grandparents, Sarah learns about her family’s
curse that has been changing them into animals. Retelling of Beauty and the Beast. [Fic]
(curses, fairy tales, fantasy, family, magic) (BCCB*, BL, HB Guide, KR*, LMC*, PW*, SLJ)
Been There, Done That: Writing Stories from Real Life, edited by Mike Winchell. Grosset
& Dunlap, ©2015. Twenty-one authors share the details of an event in their life growing up.
Then, they write a fictionalized short story inspired by that event. [813] (authors, memoirs,
short stories) (BCCB, BL, HB Guide, KR, PW, SLJ)
Beneath, by Roland Smith. Scholastic, ©2015. Following the details that his brother Coop
has left him via recorded messages, Pat travels to New York City. There, Pat encounters a
secret underground community. Now, he must track down Coop and escape from those that
don’t like their secret being known. [Fic] (adventure, New York City, tunnels) (BL Online, HB
Guide, LMC, PW Annex, SLJ)
The Blackthorn Key, by Kevin Sands. Aladdin, ©2015. Christopher must use the skills
he has learned as Master Benedict’s apothecary apprentice to track down a group of serial
killers responsible for murdering apothecaries, including Master Benedict. [Fic] (apothecary,
London, murder, mystery) (BCCB, BL*, HB Guide, KR*, PCA-Gold, PW*, SLJ*)
Blood Will Tell, by April Henry. Christy Ottaviano Books, ©2015. Nick is a member of the
Portland Search and Rescue team, but now his DNA has been found at the scene of a murder.
Can Nick prove he’s innocent? Point Last Seen series. [Fic] (crime scene investigation, DNA,
murder, mystery, Portland, Search and Rescue) (BL, HB Guide, KR, SLJ)
Book Scavenger, by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman, illustrated by Sarah Watts. Christy
Ottaviano Books, ©2015. Emily, James, and Matthew cooperate to solve Garrison Griswold’s
newest game found in the pages of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Gold-Bug. [Fic] (adventure, books,
ciphers, Edgar Allen Poe, San Francisco, scavenger hunt) (BCCB, BL, HB, HB Guide*, KR,
LMC, PW*, SLJ)
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pederson and the Churchill Club, by Phillip
Hoose. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. A group of boys from Denmark secretly work together
to sabotage the German forces during World War II. [940.53] (interview, primary sources,
sabotage, World War II) (BB, BCCB*, BL*, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC*, PW*, Sibert Honor,
SLJ*)
20
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
Chasing Secrets, by Gennifer Choldenko. Wendy Lamb, ©2015. In 1900, San Francisco’s
Chinatown has been quarantined due to the plague. Lizzy works to get her friend’s father
rescued, while using her knowledge of medicine to encourage proper immunization and
eradication of the rats that spread the disease. [Fic] (Chinatown, disease, medicine, San
Francisco) (BCCB, BL*, HB Guide, HB, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Circus Mirandus, by Cassie Beasley, illustrated by Diana Sudyka. Dial Books for Young
Readers, ©2015. Micah’s grandfather Ephraim is dying and has asked Lightbender from the
magical, yet real, Circus Mirandus to grant one last wish. [Fic] (circus, magic) (BCCB, BL,
HB, HB Guide, KR*, LMC, PW*, SLJ*)
Crenshaw, by Katherine Applegate. Feiwel and Friends, ©2015. The summer before 5th
grade, Jackson’s imaginary cat, Crenshaw, reappears. Jackson shares his many past memories
of Crenshaw, while coping with his family’s impoverished current situation. [Fic] (family,
homeless, imaginary friend, poverty) (BL, HB*, HB Guide*, KR, LMC*, PW*, SLJ*)
Dead Boy, by Laurel Gale. Crown Books for Young Readers, ©2015. Melody Plympton has
just moved to the neighborhood and wants to spend time with her new neighbor, Crow. The
only problem is that he is the walking, smelling dead. [Fic] (curses, death, friendship, magic)
(BCCB, BL Online, HB Guide, KR, SLJ)
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans, written and illustrated by Don Brown.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. In graphic novel form, the events of Hurricane Katrina
and its aftermath in New Orleans is depicted. [741.5, 976.3] (Hurricane Katrina, natural
disasters, New Orleans) (BB, BCCB*, BL*, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC, PW*, Sibert Honor,
SLJ*)
Echo, by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Scholastic, ©2015. Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennyslvania,
and Ivy in California each realize the importance music can have in one’s life, while they
each face their own challenges during WWII. [Fic] (Hitler Youth, Japanese internment
camps, music, orphans, World War II) (BCCB*, BL Online, HB, HB Guide*, KR*, Newbery
Honor, PCA-Gold, PW*, SLJ*)
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings-A Memoir, by Margarita Engle. Atheneum
Books for Young Readers, ©2015. Told in verse, Ms. Engle describes her experiences as a
child growing up as a Cuban American during the Cold War. [811, 920] (autobiography, Cold
War, Cuba, memoir, poetry, United States) (BCCB, BL*, HB, HB Guide, KR*, LMC, Pura
Belpre Author, SLJ*, YALSA)
Escape to the World’s Fair, by Wendy McClure. Razorbill, ©2015. Agreeing to deliver a
mysterious medallion to the St. Louis World’s Fair leads the Wanderville orphans on their
next adventure. Wanderville series. [FIC] (adventure, orphans, St. Louis, World’s Fair) (HB
Guide) MISSOURI TOPIC
First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the
Race, by Tim Grove. Abrams, ©2015. Details the experiences and challenges of the eight
Army men sent by plane to be the first to circumnavigate the Earth. [910.4] (Army, flight,
plane, primary sources) (BCCB*, BL, HB Guide, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ, YALSA)
21
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Nancy Paulsen Books, ©2015. Ally has always
struggled with reading and writing. Now that she is in sixth grade, her teacher, Mr. Daniels
wants to help her succeed. [Fic] (bullying, dyslexia, friendship, reading) (BB, BCCB, BL*, HB,
HB Guide*, KR, LMC*, PW, Schneider, SLJ*)
Fort, by Cynthia DeFelice. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. Wyatt and Augie spend their
summer having adventures, including getting revenge on a couple neighborhood bullies,
near a fort that they have built together. [Fic] (adventure, bullying, fort, friendship, summer)
(BCCB, BL, HB Guide, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Freedom’s Price, written by Michaela MacColl and Rosemary Nichols. Calkins Creek,
©2015. The daughter of Dred Scott, Eliza is looking forward to the day she will be considered
free. Hidden Histories series. [Fic] (cholera, Dred Scott, fire, slavery, St. Louis) (BL Online,
HG Guide, KR, LMC, SLJ) MISSOURI TOPIC
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess, written and illustrated by Meg Cabot.
Feiwel & Friends, ©2015. Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison is surprised when she
finds out her sister is Princess Mia Thermopolis of Genovia. Now Princess Olivia is meeting
her dad for the first time, not having to ride the school bus, and moving into the palace in
Genovia. [Fic] (bullying, family, princess) (BCCB, BL, HB Guide, KR, PW, SLJ)
Fuzzy Mud, by Louis Sachar. Delacorte Press, ©2015. SunRay Farms is located not too far
from Woodridge Academy where Chad is missing and Tamaya is suffering from a blister
rash. Could the mutating mud found in the nearby woods be responsible? [Fic] (disease,
mud, mutation, transcripts) (BCCB, BL*, HB Guide, HB, KR, PCA-Gold, PW, SLJ)
George, by Alex Gino. Scholastic, ©2015. With the help of her friend, George/Melissa is able
to fulfill the role of Charlotte in the school play, despite being told by her teacher that the role
is only for girls. [Fic] (acceptance, drama, friendship, gender identity, transgender) (BB, BL*,
HB, HB Guide, KR*, PW*, SLJ*, Stonewall)
Goodbye Stranger, by Rebecca Stead. Wendy Lamb Books, ©2015. Emily, Tabitha, and
Bridget enter seventh grade as best friends. Throughout the year, the girls deal with budding
relationships with boys, cyberbullying, and the school talent show. Can their friendship
survive? [Fic] (cyberbullying, friendship, relationships, talent) (BB, BCCB*, BL*, HB*, HB
Guide*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
A Handful of Stars, by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic, ©2015. Salma Santiago is in Maine
because her parents are migrant workers for the blueberry fields. When Lily’s almost-blind
dog, Lucky, gets loose, it is Salma who helps Lily stop Lucky. The girls’ friendship begins that
day and continues through the Blueberry Festival at the end of the summer. [Fic] (artistry,
blueberries, cooking, friendship, Maine, migrant workers, pageant, racism) (BL, BCCB*, HB
Guide, KR, LMC*, PW*, SLJ)
The Honest Truth, by Dan Gemeinhart. Scholastic, ©2015. Mark’s cancer prognosis is not
good. This doesn’t deter him from telling his best friend, Jessie, of his plans to run away with
his dog, Beau, so that he can mark one last thing off of his bucket list—climbing Mt. Rainier.
[Fic] (cancer, friendship, haiku, Mt. Rainier, photography, survival, Washington) (BL, HB
Guide, KR, LMC*, PW*, SLJ)
22
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives, by Caitlin Alifirenka,
Martin Ganda, and Liz Welch. Little, Brown, and Company, ©2015. In alternating chapters,
Caitlyn (Pennsylvania) and Martin (Zimbabwe) detail how being pen pals for six years
led to their deep friendship and meeting in real life. [305.23] (friendship, letter writing,
Pennsylvania, travel, Zimbabwe) (HB Guide, KR, LMC, PCA-Silver, PW, SLJ)
Into the Killing Seas, by Michael P. Spradlin. Scholastic, ©2015. Patrick and Teddy have
stowed away on the USS Indianapolis with the help of their friend Benny. When the ship is
sunk by the Japanese submarine torpedoes, they must survive in the shark-infested waters
near the Philippines. [Fic] (Philippines, US Navy, USS Indianapolis, sharks, survival, World
War II) (BL, HB Guide, KR, LMC, SLJ)
The Intrepid: A Missouri River Steamboat and Her Young Apprentice, by Ross Malone.
Bluebird Publishing, ©2015. Caleb Kirk has been hired as a river steamboat apprentice.
On the Intrepid’s trip down the Missouri River, Caleb learns more about the Missouri
river communities and the people that make this state great. Boys from our Past series. [Fic]
(adventure, Missouri, Missouri River, steamboat) MISSOURI AUTHOR, MISSOURI TOPIC
The Island of Dr. Libris, by Chris Grabenstein. Random House Books for Young Readers,
©2015. Billy is spending the summer with his mom on Dr. Libris’s island. As he reads the
books found in Dr. Libris’s library, Billy begins to realize that main characters are coming
alive on the island. [Fic] (books, fantasy, reading) (BL, HB Guide, KR, PCA-Recommended,
PW, SLJ)
The Isle of the Lost, by Melissa De La Cruz. Disney-Hyperion, ©2015. In an attempt to earn
the love they long for from their parents, four evil descendents take out on an adventure.
They were searching to restore evil, but found something quite the opposite – friendship.
[Fic] (adventure, friendship, magic, villains) (BL, HB Guide, KR, SLJ)
Kid Owner, by Tim Green. Harper, ©2015. Ryan unexpectedly becomes the new owner of
the Dallas Cowboys after his father dies. Things go well until Ryan must play a football game
against his stepbrother to keep control of the team. [Fic] (competition, Dallas Cowboys,
football) (BL, HB Guide, KR, SLJ)
Lost in the Sun, by Lisa Graff. Philomel Books, ©2015. In fifth grade, Trent’s hockey shot
accidentally killed one of his friends. Now that he is a sixth grader, Trent’s life doesn’t seem
to improve (parents + school = drama). How will a friendship with Fallon, who has a secret
of her own, help Trent? [Fic] (disfigurement, friendship, grief, remarriage, relationships) (BB,
BCCB*, BL*, HB, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC, PW*, SLJ*)
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan.
Disney-Hyperion, ©2015. Magnus Chase and his friends, Sam, Blitz, and Heartz, travel the
Nine Worlds on a quest to stop Surt from beginning Ragnarok. [Fic] (adventure, Boston,
fantasy, Norse mythology) (BCCB, BL, HB, HB Guide*, KR, PW, SLJ)
Mark of the Thief, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, ©2015. Nic discovers a magical bulla
from Julius Caesar, which he thinks will give him the freedom that he longs for. Instead, Nic
has to stop a rebellion. [Fic] (Julius Caesar, magic, mythology, rebellion, Rome) (BCCB, BL,
HB Guide, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ, TTT)
23
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
The Marvels, written and illustrated by Brian Selznick. Scholastic, ©2015. In 1776, Billy
Marvel survives a shipwreck and later finds work in a London theater. In 1990, Joseph Jervis
moves in with his eccentric story-telling Uncle Albert. [Fic] (graphic novel, mystery, London,
story-telling, theater) (BCCB*, BL*, HB, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC*, PW*, SLJ*)
Masterminds, by Gordon Korman. Balzer + Bray, ©2015. Serenity, New Mexico, is a quiet
town with a secret. In alternating points of view, Amber, Eli, Hector, Malik, and Tori work
together to learn they have been cloned from the DNA of criminal masterminds, and need to
leave Serenity for good. [Fic] (adventure, cloning, criminals, DNA, New Mexico) (BCCB, BL*,
HB Guide, KR, LMC*, PW, SLJ)
Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsburg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War, by
Steve Sheinkin. Roaring Book Press, ©2015. Pentagon worker Daniel Ellsburg leaks secret
Vietnam War Pentagon Papers to multiple press outlets throughout the United States. [959.7]
(newspapers, Pentagon Papers, primary sources, Washington DC, Vietnam War) (BB,
BCCB*,BL*, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*, YALSA*)
My Seneca Village, by Marilyn Nelson. Namelos, ©2015. Historical poems written to bring
to life New York City’s Seneca Village that existed from 1825-1857. [811] (New York City,
poetry) (BCCB, BL*, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, SLJ*)
A Night Divided, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. Scholastic, ©2015. Gerta’s family is split in two
when the Berlin Wall is erected overnight. Will she, her brother, and mother ever be reunited
with her father and other brother? [Fic] (Berlin Wall, Cold War, family, Germany, Stasi) (BL,
BCCB, HB Guide, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Omaha Beach on D-Day, written by Jean-David Morvan and Séverine Tréfouël, translated
by Edward Gauvin, illustrated by Dominique Bertail, and photographs by Robert Capa. First
Second, ©2015. Details the Allied invasion of Normandy and Robert Capa’s photojournalism
career, which was made famous with photos taken that day. [741.5, 940.54] (graphic novel,
Normandy, photojournalism, primary sources, World War II) (BL)
The Only Game, by Mike Lupica. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2015.
Jack’s brother unexpectedly dies. Now, Jack doesn’t feel like doing anything, including play
baseball. Will friendships with Cassie and Teddy be able to help Jack enough that he returns
to the game that he used to love? Home Team series. [Fic] (baseball, friendship, grief) (BL
Online, HB Guide, KR, PCA-Silver, PW Annex, SLJ)
Promise, by Judy Young. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2015. When Kaden’s father is released
from prison and returns to the town of Promise, Kaden isn’t for sure how his middle school
friends, and the community, will handle the change. [Fic] (friendship, loyalty, prison,
rehabilitation) (BL, HB) MISSOURI AUTHOR
Roller Girl, written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson. Dial Books for Young Readers,
©2015. Astrid decides to spend the summer at a Roller Derby camp, preparing for her first
bout, even though she doesn’t skate very well. To make matters worse, Astrid’s best friend,
Nicole, decides attending a ballet camp would be more fun. [741.5] (friendship, graphic novel,
roller derby, summer camp) (BB, BCCB*, BL, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, Newbery Honor, PW*,
SLJ*)
24
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
SENIOR, 9-12
Secret Coders, written by Gene Luen Yang and illustrated by Mike Holmes. First Second,
©2015. Hopper and her friend Eni, students at Stately Academy, use their computer coding
skills to solve puzzles and discover secrets about their school. [741.5] (coding, graphic novel,
mystery, technology) (BL, HB, HB Guide, KR, PW, SLJ)
Secrets of Blueberries, Brothers, Moose, and Me, by Sara Nickerson. Dutton Books for
Young Readers, ©2015. Instead of going to summer camp, Missy and her brother, Patrick,
spend the summer working at a blueberry farm. This allows Missy to accept the many
changes occurring in her personal life. [Fic] (blueberries, change, mystery, remarriage,
summer) (BCCB, BL, HB Guide, KR, SLJ)
The Seventh Most Important Thing, by Shelley Pearsall. Alfred A. Knopf, ©2015. Arthur
is sentenced to community service for throwing a brick at Junk Man’s head. By working
closely with the Junk Man, Arthur is able to learn the value in “junk.” [Fic] (community
service, folk art) (BCCB*, BL*, HB Guide, KR*, SLJ*)
Stella by Starlight, by Sharon M. Draper. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, ©2015.
Stella learns a lot the year she first uses a typewriter, the Ku Klux Klan invades her North
Carolina community, her dad is able to vote for the first time, and her mom is bitten by
a venomous snake. [Fic] (Civil Rights, family, segregation, writing) (BCCB, BL, HB, HB
Guide*, KR*, LMC*, PCA-Silver, PW*, SLJ*)
Story Thieves, by James Riley. Aladdin, ©2015. Owen and his half-fictional friend, Bethany,
become characters in the Kiel Gnomenfoot series. [Fic] (adventure, books, fantasy, magic)
(BL, HG Guide, KR*, LMC, PW, SLJ)
Sunny Side Up, written by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm. Graphix, ©2015. Sunny is
sent to spend the last part of her summer vacation with her Gramps at a retirement village in
Florida. Back home, Sunny’s brother is dealing with substance abuse issues. [741.5] (family,
graphic novel, substance abuse, summer) (BCCB, BL, HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, PW, SLJ*)
The Terrible Two, written by Mac Barnett and John Jory, illustrated by Kevin Cornell.
Amulet Books, ©2015. Miles has just moved to Yawnee Valley, where he meets Niles. Both
boys believe they are the best pranksters in the school and try to prove it through a prank
war. [Fic] (cows, friends, pranks, school) (BL, HB, HB Guide*, KR, LMC, PW, SLJ)
The Thing about Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin. Little, Brown, and Company, ©2015. Suzy
would like to make amends with her friend Franny. However, Franny has died unexpectedly
(due to a jellyfish sting?) and now Suzy must deal with her grief. [Fic] (friendship, forgiveness,
grief, jellyfish, research) (BB, BCCB ,BL*, KR*, PCA-Gold, PW*, SLJ*)
This Side of Wild, by Gary Paulsen. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, ©2015.
Takes a humorous look at Paulsen’s relationship with animals and shows how animals can
be more than friends (or scary enemies). [813] (animals, autobiography, memoir, wilderness)
(BL, HB Guide, PCA-Gold, PW Annex, SLJ)
25
INTERMEDIATE, 5-8
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights
March, by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, as told to Elspeth Leacock and Susan Buckley,
illustrated by PJ Loughran. Dial Books, ©2015. First-hand account of the 1965 Civil Rights
movement in Alabama, including the effect from Jimmie Lee Jackson’s death, Bloody Sunday
and a four-day march from Selma to Montgomery. [323.11] (Alabama, Bloody Sunday, Civil
Rights movement, interview) (BCCB*, BL*, HB, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC, PW, Sibert Honor, SLJ)
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer, written by Kelly Jones, illustrated
by Katie Kath. Alfred A. Knopf, ©2015. Sophie Brown has just moved to the farm where she
encounters some unusual chickens. She details the escapades in letters. [Fic] (chickens, farm
living, friendship, letter writing) (BCCB, BL, HB, *HB Guide, *KR, LMC, PW, SLJ*)
The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Dial Books for Young
Readers, ©2015. Jamie and Ada, who has a crippled foot, leave London in order to avoid the
WWII bombings. The time they spend in the country with Susan Smith will change all of
their lives forever. [Fic] (disability, education, family, London, World War II) (BCCB, BL,
HB*, HB Guide*, KR*, LMC, Newbery Honor, PW*, Schneider, SLJ)
The Worst Class Trip Ever, written by Dave Barry, illustrated by Jon Cannell. DisneyHyperion, ©2015. While on the plane headed to Washington, D.C. for their eighth-grade
class trip, Wyatt and Matt find themselves in front of two men from Gadakistan. Is there
going to be a terrorist attack on the White House during their class trip? Not if Wyatt and
Matt, and their two friends Cameron and Suzana have their say. [Fic] (field trips, friendship,
school, terrorism, Washington DC) (BCCB, BL, HB Guide, KR, LMC, PW*, SLJ)
26
SENIOR, 9-12
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
SENIOR, 9-12
The Alex Crow, by Andrew Smith. Dutton Books, ©2015. Ariel, a refugee and the only
survivor of an attack on his village, tells his story along with that of a schizophrenic bomber,
a failed late 19th century arctic expedition, and his adoptive father’s lab created crow. [Fic]
(adoption, death, science fiction) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2016, Kirkus Reviews – Best
Books of 2015 – Teens (BL*, BCCB*, HB*, KR*, PW*)
All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. Atheneum Books for Young
Readers, ©2015. Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing and beaten by the responding
police officer, who just happens to be the brother of his best friend. Quinn, a fellow classmate,
witnessed the beating. [Fic] (African Americans, police brutality, race relations, racial
profiling in law enforcement, racism) Best Books of 2015, Best Young Adult Books 2015,
Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honors 2016, PW’s Best Books of the Year 2015 (BL*,
HB*, PW*, SLJ*)
Alive, by Chandler Baker. Hyperion, ©2015. Stella Cross receives a heart transplant that
saved her life. Stella is determined to experience life like she has never been able to before.
Nightmares, hallucinations, and a mysterious new boy, who she is sure is her soul mate, all
combine to an exciting conclusion. [Fic] (heart transplantation, romance)
All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven. Alfred A. Knopf, ©2015. All Theodore Finch can
think about is death. Theodore meets Violet Markey on the ledge of the bell tower at school.
The two begin a project that takes them around the state of Indiana. Violet and Finch’s lives
become entwined but is their friendship enough to save them? [Fic] (emotional problems,
friendship, Indiana, suicide) Best Fiction for Young Adults 2015, PW’s Best Books of the Year
2015, Young Adult’s Choices 2016 (BCCB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*, VOYA*)
Anastasia and her Sisters, by Carolyn Meyer. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
©2015. Anastasia, the youngest daughter of the Romanovs, tells the family’s story from 1911
to their fateful death. [Fic] (Anastasia, Grand Duchess, daughter of Nicholas II, Emperor of
Russia, 1901-1918, historical fiction, princess fiction, Russia history Nicholas II, 1894-1917,
Soviet Union History Revolution, 1917-1921)
The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen, by Katherine Howe. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ©2015.
Wes Auckerman is spending the summer in a NYU summer program for filmmakers.
While helping his friend Tyler film a séance, he first sees Annie. Annie slowly tells Wes her
story while the two search for her lost ring. [Fic] (New York (N.Y.), producers and directors,
secrets, romance) (PW*, SLJ*)
The Bargaining, by Carly Anne West. Simon Pulse, ©2015. While spending the summer
restoring an old house, Penny is tormented by the recent death of her best friend and
the local lore surrounding the house. Miller, the local general store owner, can’t seem to
overcome his own ties to the strange house where Penny slowly becomes aware of the many
secrets it contains. [Fic] (horror stories, missing children, paranormal, stepfamilies)
Battle of the Bulge, by Rick Atkinson. Henry Holt and Company, ©2015. A historical
exploration of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. [943] (Ardennes (France), Battle of the,
1944-1945, military & wars, narrative nonfiction)
27
SENIOR, 9-12
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Blood and Salt, by Kim Liggett. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ©2015. Ashlyn’s mother leaves her
and her brother in New York City to return to the spiritual commune she grew up in. Ash
has always seen visions of the dead girl. When she and her brother follow their mother to
Quivira, Kansas, Ash discovers the secrets of the dead girl and the commune, and gets herself
enmeshed in a centuries’ old ritual. [Fic] (alchemy, cults, immortality, Kansas, paranormal)
Blood Will Tell, by April Henry. Henry Holt and Company, ©2015. Nick Walker, a member
of Portland’s Search and Rescue team, becomes the prime suspect when a body is in a
Portland park. Book 2 of the Point Last Seen series. [Fic] (mystery, criminal investigation,
friendship, murder)
The Boy in the Black Suit, by Jason Reynolds. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, ©2015.
Following the death of his mother, Matt wears his black suit every day – for his job at a
funeral home. Mr. Ray and the people he meets help Matt to begin to accept his mother’s
death. [Fic] (African American, grief & loss, realistic fiction, urban fiction) Best Fiction
for Young Adults 2016, Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honors 2016, Top Ten Best
Fiction for Young Adults 2016, YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2016 (BCCB*)
The Boys in the Boat: the true story of an American team’s epic journey to win gold
at the 1936 Olympics, by Gregory Mone. Viking, ©2015. The story of the University of
Washington rowing team that competed in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Adapted for young
adults. [797.12] (Olympic Games Berlin, Germany, rowers, University of Washington History,
narrative nonfiction) Teachers Choices 2016 (BL*, LMC*, VOYA*)
The Boys who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club, by Phillip
M. Hoose. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2015. Fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen, his brother,
and a handful of schoolmates formed a secret club when Denmark did not resist German
occupation. Their efforts led to a full-blown Danish resistance. [940.53] (Pedersen, Knud,
1925-2014, Sabotage Denmark History 20th century, World War, 1939-1945, Narrative
Nonfiction) Best Books of 2015, Best Books of the Year 2015: 940.53 Booklist Books for Older
Readers- 2015, Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Winners 2015- Nonfiction, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2015 – Teens, Notable Children’s Books 2016 – Older Readers, Robert F. Sibert
Informational Book Medal Honors – 2016, Teachers Choices 2016 (BL*, BCCB*, HB*, KR*,
LMC*, PW*, SLJ*)
The Bunker Diary, by Kevin Brooks. Carolrhoda Lab, ©2015. Linus Weems, son of a wealthy
business man, is kidnapped after running away. Linus awakes in an underground bunker
with several others, ranging in age from 9 to 70. Their unseen captor is obviously watching
them and they must conform to his wishes to be cared for. [Fic] (diaries, interpersonal
relations, kidnapping, torture) Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016, Booklist Books for
Older Readers – 2015, Booklist Top of the List – 2015, Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults
– 2016, YALSA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016 (KR*, LMC*, SLJ*)
Chocolate: sweet science and dark secrets of the world’s favorite treat, by Kay
Frydenborg. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ©2015. Presents the history, science, and economic
and cultural implications of harvesting of cacao and the creation of chocolate.[338.7]
(chocolate history, narrative nonfiction) Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
– 2016 (SLJ*)
28
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
SENIOR, 9-12
Conviction, by Kelly Loy Gilbert. Hyperion, ©2015. Braden’s father, a popular Christian
radio host, is accused of murder and Braden is the only witness. Braden’s estranged brother,
Trey returns from New York to care for Braden while their father is jailed. Braden’s father is
not the man his many listeners believe him to be and Braden feels an obligation to keep his
family’s secrets. [Fic] (faith, fathers and sons, realistic fiction) Best Books of 2015, Best Fiction
for Young Adults – 2016, Best Young Adult Books – 2015, Kirkus Reviews – Best Books of
2015 – Teens, William C. Morris Debut YA Award Finalist – 2016 (BL*, KR*, LMC*, SLJ*)
Cuckoo Song, by Frances Hardinge. Amulet Books, ©2015. Eleven-year old Triss nearly
drowns in “The Grimmer” and has trouble remembering certain aspects of her life. Her
parents seem distant but her sister, Pen is hostile. As Triss tries to determine what really
happened, she learns secrets about her family. [Fic] (family life England, Great Britain
History George V, 1910-1936, identity, magicians, memory, paranormal, historical fiction)
Best Books of 2015, Best Books of the Year 2015 – Middle Grade, Notable Children’s Books
2016 – Older Readers (BL*, BCCB*, KR*, PW*, SLJ*, VOYA*)
Devoted, by Jennifer Mathieu. Roaring Brook Press, ©2015. Rachel Walker is the second
oldest in a deeply religious family. Rachel spends her days helping to care for her younger
siblings while preparing to be a wife and mother who serves the Lord. But her curiosity of
the world leaves her wondering about her devotion. [Fic] (brothers and sisters, Christian life,
home schooling, Texas, Realistic Fiction) (BL*)
Diary of a Waitress: the not-so-glamorous life of a Harvey Girl, by Carolyn Meyer.
Calkins Creek, ©2015. Kitty’s family cannot afford college, so she takes a job as a Harvey
Girl, a waitress in one of the Harvey Eating House chain restaurants serving railroad
passengers in the West. [Fic] (friendship, railroads, waiters and waitresses, historical fiction)
Distance From Me to You, by Marina Gessner. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ©2015. McKenna has
decided to defer her freshmen year of college and begins the trip of a lifetime, hiking the
Appalachian Trail – alone. Along the trail, McKenna meets Sam, who is hiking the trail to
get away from his abusive father. [Fic]. (action and adventure, Appalachian Trail, hiking,
romance, survival)
Edgewater, by Courtney Sheinmen. Amulet Books, ©2015. Lorrie’s mother left her with
aunt Gigi 12 years ago in the family’s decrepit mansion. Now the mansion is in worse repair
and it appears the family is also without funds. Lorrie is ashamed of her family and lifestyle
but soon finds others are hiding something too. [Fic] (family life, secrets, realistic fiction)
(PW*)
Either the Beginning or the End of the World, by Terry Farish. Carolrhoda Lab, ©2015.
It has always been just Sofie and her dad until he feels the need to take the fishing boat south in
hopes of a good winter catch. Her father asks Sofie’s mother and grandmother to stay while he is
away. Sofie has little knowledge of her mother and doesn’t wish to know more. Combined with her
situation at home, Sofie has begun a new relationship with Luke, her father’s sometime deck hand. [Fic]
(Cambodian Americans, fishing, New Hampshire, secrets, single-parent families, veterans) (SLJ*)
First Man: reimagining Matthew Henson, by Simon Schwartz. Graphic Universe, ©2015. Matthew
Henson, an arctic explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on six voyages to Greenland, but his claim
to reach the Pole first was ignored because he was an African American. Mr. Henson’s story is told in a
fictionalized, biographical graphic novel. [910.911] (African American, exploration and discovery,
graphic novel & comics).
29
SENIOR, 9-12
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Hit, by Delilah S. Dawson. Simon Pulse, ©2015. Patsy didn’t have a choice in becoming an
assassin. Valor National Bank is calling in all debts. You either pay, be killed, or become one
of their assassins. Patsy has five days to complete her mission and save her mother’s life. [Fic]
(assassins, science fiction)
Hold Tight Don’t Let Go: a novel of Haiti, by Laura Rose Wagner. Amulet Books, ©2015.
Nadine and Magdalie have been raised as sisters. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Nadine
goes to live with her father in Miami while her cousin Magdalie remains behind in a refugee
camp. [Fic] (cousins, earthquakes, Haiti, Port-au-Prince, refugee camps) Best Fiction for
Young Adults – 2016 (KR*, PW*, SLJ*)
Illuminae, Amie Kaufman. Alfred A. Knopf, ©2015. Kady and Ezra have just broken up.
That very afternoon, their planet, Kerenza, is attacked, and the survivors find themselves on a
space fleet fleeing the enemy. The ship’s artificial intelligence system plus a deadly plague sets
in motion a terrifying series of events and Kady and Ezra will need all of the courage they
possess to survive. [Fic] (artificial intelligence, interplanetary voyages, plague, science fiction)
Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016, Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror 2016, Kirkus
Reviews – Best Books of 2015 – Teens, Perfect Tens – The Top Books Reviewed in VOYA –
2015 (BL*, KR*, PW*, VOYA*)
The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak, by Brian Katcher. Katherine Tegen Books,
©2015. Ana Watson and her younger brother Clayton are super smart and driven. Zac, not
so driven. Ana is the captain of the quiz team they are all part of. When Clayton disappears
from the quiz team competition to attend Washingcon, Ana relies on Zac to help find him
without anyone knowing, hopefully. [Fic] (brothers and sisters, contests, genius, high schools,
science fiction Congresses, Seattle (Wash.), Tacoma (Wash.)) MISSOURI AUTHOR
In a World Just Right, by Jen Brooks. Simon & Schuster BFYR, ©2015. To escape a world
without his parents and sister in it, Jonathan Aubrey created his own world. Jonathan is
everything he wishes to be in his created world, track star and boyfriend to Kylie. Confusing
his two worlds does not work well and Jonathan has to make a decision as to where he
belongs. [Fic] (dating, disfigured persons, high schools, orphans, paranormal, supernatural,
fantasy) Perfect Tens – The Top Books Reviewed in VOYA – 2015 (VOYA*)
The Last Leaves Falling, by Sarah Benwell. Simon & Schuster BFYR, ©2015. Abe Sora
is going to die, and he’s only 17 years old. Abe has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Abe finds
friendship in online chat rooms and enlists the help of his new friends to help him end
his suffering. [Fic] (ALS, assisted suicide, friendship, Japan, mothers and sons, online chat
groups, single-parent families, terminally ill) (BL*, HB*, LMC*, PW*, SLJ*)
Mosquitoland, by David Arnold. Viking, ©2015. Mim is living in Mississippi with her
father and stepmother when she learns her mother is sick in Ohio. Mim travels by Greyhound
to be with her mother. Mim’s trip from Mississippi to Ohio is laced with a colorful cast
of characters that opens her eyes to many things about her own life. [Fic] (mental illness,
mothers and daughters, runaways, stepfamilies, voyages and travels) Booklist Books for
Older Readers – 2015 (BL*, KR*, LMC*, PW*)
30
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
SENIOR, 9-12
No Such Person, by Caroline B. Cooney. Delacorte Press, ©2015. The Allerdon sisters are
on vacation at the family’s river cottage. Lander, 22 and Miranda,15 are two very different
people. But when Lander is accused of murder, Miranda looks for evidence to prove her sister
is innocent. [Fic] (detective and mystery, murder, mystery) (PW*)
Reawakened, by Colleen Houck. Delacorte Press, ©2015. Lilliana Young has her life
planned out, at least her parents are pleased. When Lilliana visits an Egyptian exhibit at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art and encounters a recently awakened mummy/handsome
sun god, she can’t even imagine how her life is about to change. [Fic] (action and adventure,
Amon (Egyptian deity), Egypt, gods, Egyptian, paranormal fiction)
Saint Anything, by Sarah Dessen. Viking, ©2015. Sydney’s brother Peyton has always
been the center of the family’s attention and now he really is. Peyton is serving a prison
sentence after an accident that leaves a young boy crippled. It is not until Sydney befriends
Layla Chatham and is drawn into their family, that she can look within her own family and
begin to heal her wounds. [Fic] (brothers and sisters, dating, family life, family problems,
friendship, love, realistic fiction) Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016, Perfect Tens – The
Top Books Reviewed in VOYA – 2015, PW’s Best Books of the Year 2015, Young Adult’s
Choices 2016 (LMC*, PW*, VOYA*)
Sophomores and Other Oxymorons, by David Lubar. Dutton Books, ©2015. Sophomore
year is certain to be better than freshman year, right? Scott Hudson’s first week of sophomore
year is full of challenges and disasters. Companion to Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie. [Fic]
(conduct of life, dating, family life Pennsylvania, friendship, high schools, self-confidence,
humor).
These Shallow Graves, by Jennifer Donnelly. Delacorte Press, ©2015. Jo’s dream is to be
a newspaper reporter. But wealthy young ladies are expected to complete finishing school
and marry. When Jo’s father dies from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Jo know
something more is at play. [Fic] (death, fathers and daughters, New York (N.Y.), sex role,
social classes, historical fiction) Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016 (BL*, LMC*, PW*)
The Third Twin, by Cynthia Jaynes Omololu. Delacorte Press, ©2015. Twins, Ava and Lexi,
made up a third sister, Alicia, as someone to blame when they were little. Now the girls are
seniors and weird things are happening. A boy is dead and DNA evidence points to one of the
twins. Or could it be Alicia? [Fic] (adoption, dating, identity, murder, mystery, sisters, twins)
Three More Words, by Ashley Rhodes-Courter. Atheneum, ©2015. Ashley Rhodes-Courter
continues her story of the American child welfare system in her second book. She begins
where Three Little Words left off, with her adoptive family, her struggles with self-esteem,
her marriage, job, and becoming foster parents. [Autobiography] (adopted children, foster
children, foster home care, narrative nonfiction)
The Trouble in Me, by Jack Gantos. Farrar Straus Giroux, ©2015. The story of 14-year-old
Jack and his rebellious neighbor, Gary. Jack, who would like to be anyone but himself, is
easily impressed and encouraged by Gary, the kid most parents warn about. [Fic] (behavior,
Florida, friendship, juvenile delinquency, moving, humorous fiction) Best Books of 2015, Best
Young Adult Books – 2015 (BL*, SLJ*)
31
SENIOR, 9-12
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Under a Painted Sky, by Stacey Lee. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ©2015. Samantha wants nothing
more than to move back to New York to be a musician but life doesn’t always work the way
one thinks it should and Samantha finds herself in a very difficult situation. With the help of
Annamae, an African American Slave, they escape to the Oregon trail in hopes of reaching
California from Missouri. [Fic] (adventure, African Americans, Chinese Americans,
runaways, sex role, slavery, West (U.S.) History 1848-1860, historical fiction) Best Fiction for
Young Adults – 2016, Kirkus Reviews – Best Books of 2015 – Teens (KR*, PW*, VOYA*)
The Wrath and the Dawn, by Renee Ahdieh. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, ©2015. Shahrzad
volunteers to become the king’s wife, knowing she will be put to death at dawn. Shahrzad
has a plan though, to stay alive to avenge the death of her best friend. A reimagining of The
Arabian Nights. [Fic] (Fairy tales, Love stories, Murder) Best Fiction for Young Adults – 2016
(BL*, LMC*, SLJ*)
32
MISSOURI
AWARD-NOMINATED
BOOKS
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI
STUDENTS
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED
BOOKS
MISSOURI BUILDING BLOCK
Bunnies!!!, by Kevan Atteberry. HarperCollins. ©2015. A monster searches everywhere
to find the things he loves, bunnies. (Monsters)
Dad’s First Day, by Mick Wohnoutka. Bloomsbury. ©2015. Oliver and Dad have spent a
fun summer together but when it comes time for the first day of school, Dad discovers that
he is not ready and does everything he can to postpone the big day. (First Day of School)
Get Out of My Bath!, by Britta Teckentrup. Candlewick Press. ©2015. Ellie the elephant’s
relaxing bath is disrupted by splashing friends, prompting her to suck up all of the water
into her trunk until everyone else leaves. (Elephants, Baths)
I Don’t Want to Be A Frog, by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt. Random House,
© 2015. A frog who yearns to be any animal that is cute and warm discovers that being wet,
slimy, and full of bugs has its advantages. (Frogs, Self acceptance)
Little Penguin Gets the Hiccups, by Tadgh Bentley. HarperCollins. ©2015. A little
penguin enlists the help fo the reader to get rid of his major hiccups. (Hiccups, Penguins)
Ragweed’s Farm Dog Handbook, by Anne Vittur Kennedy. Candlewick Press. ©2015.
Being a farm dog is a tough job, but luckily, Ragweed’s handbook will tell you everything
you need to know. (Dog, Farm Life)
Rex Wrecks It, by Ben Clanton. Candlewick Press. ©2015. Little dinosaur Rex smashes
his way through his long-suffering friends’ block buildings, testing their playtime fun and
friendship. (Building, Friendship, Dinosaurs)
Simon’s New Bed, by Christian Trimmer, illustrated by Melissa Van der Paardt.
Atheneum. ©2015. A humorous picture book about a dog’s new bed being taken over by a
cat.
Vincent Paints His House, by Tedd Arnold, Holiday House. ©2015. Vincent’s animal
friends disagree on how he should paint his house, so Vincent comes up with a colorful
solution. (Color, House Painting)
Whale in my Swimming Pool, by Joyce Wan. Farrar, Straus, Giroux. ©2015. A young
boy discovers a whale in his pool and tries everything he can think of to get it out. (Whales,
Swimming Pool)
33
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
SHOW ME AWARD NOMINEES, GRADES 1-3
Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas, by Lynne Cox, illustrated by Brian Floca. Random House,
©2014. Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home
in the Avon River in the cty of Christchurch, New Zealand. (elephant seals) (ALA)
Gaston, by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Atheneum, ©2014. A proper
bulldog raised in a poodle family, and a tough poodle raised in a bulldog family, meet one
day in the park. (poodles, bulldog, dogs) (KR)
I Love You Just Enough, by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen, illustrated by Gijsbert van
Frankenhuyzen. Sleeping Bear Press,, ©2014. Young girl finds a wood duckling separated
from his family and teaches him to swim, hunt for bugs, and how to fly. She loved him just
enough so that he could find his place in nature and return to his family. (wood duck, wildlife
rescue)
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mail Gorilla, by Katherine Applegate,
illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Houghton Mifflin, ©2014. Tells the true story of Ivan, known
as the Shopping Mall Gorilla, who lived alone in a small cage for almost 30 years before being
located to the gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta. [599.884] (gorilla, animal welfare)
Mogie: The Heart of the House, by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal.
Atheneum, ©2014. A rambunctious puppy finds a home at the Ronald McDonald House,
a place that houses sick children and their families while they undergo treatment. (dogs,
animals, sick)
A Mom for Unmande, by Maria Fasal Faulconer, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung.
Penguin, ©2014. Because his own mother is too young to take care of him, Umande, a
newborn gorilla, is fed and cuddled by human zookeepers until a surprise mother is found.
(gorilla, parental behavior in animals)
Ninja Red Riding Hood, by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat. G.P. Putnam’s
Sons, ©2014. In this twist on “Little Red Riding Hood,” a certain wolf trains to be a ninja in
order to catch his prey, but he is not the only one mastering a martial art. (stories in rhyme,
wolves, ninja, martial arts)
Strongheart: The World’s First Movie Star Dog, by Emily Arnold McCully. Henry Holt
& Co., ©2014. When director Larry Trimble decides to put Strongheart, a police dog, into
his movies, he must train him to play with toys and walk like a regular dog, but Strongheart
becomes a sensation until his military training leads to trouble. (silent film, dogs)
The Tooth Fairy Wars, by Kate Coombs, illustrated by Jake Parker. Simon & Schuster, Inc.,
©2014. A determined young boy and a no-nonsense Tooth Fairy tussle over who gets to keep
his baby teeth. (teeth, tooth fairy)
Yoda: The Story of a Cat and his Kittens, by Beth Stern and K. A. Alistir, illustrated by
Devin Crane. Simon & Schuster, ©2014. Sometimes miracles have bright blue eyes, a long
fluffy tail, soft white fur, and are named Yoda. (cats, kittens, pets)
34
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
MARK TWAIN AWARD NOMINEES, GRADES 4-6
All Four Stars, by Tara Dairman. Penguin, ©2014. Eleven-year-old Gladys Gatsby loves food
and cooking, so when she lands an assignment to write a restaurant review for a New York
City newspaper, she will do anything to make it happens, even risk the wrath of her fast-food
loving parents. (cooking, family life, New York, journalism)
Half a Chance, by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic Book Service, ©2014. When Lucy – the daughter
of a photographer, whose family has just relocated to rural New Hampshire – begins taking
photos for a contest, she discovers that pictures sometimes reveal more than their subjects
want to see. (photography, fathers and daughters, friendship) (SLJ)
The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky, by Holly Schindler. Dial, ©2014. Auggie and her
grandfather use found objects to transform the appearance of their home and, in the process,
change a whole town’s perceptions of beauty and art. (folk art, dwelling, neighborhoods,
grandfathers.)
Loot: How to Steal a Fortune, by Jude Watson. Scholastic Book Service, ©2014. When Alfie
McQuinn, the notorious jewel thief, is killed on a job, his last words to his son, March, are to
“find jewels” and this instruction leads the boy to Jules, the twin sister he never knew he had,
and the perfect partner to carry on the family business. (jewel thieves, brothers and sisters)
A Million Ways Home, by Dianna Dorisi-Winget. Scholastic Book Service, ©2014. When
her grandmother and guardian suffers a stroke, 12-year-old Poppy Parker’s life turns upside
down, but when she witnesses a murder and has to go into witness protection with Detective
Brannigan’s mother it becomes hard to believe she will ever find a way home, let alone save
Gunner, a beautiful German shepherd with an uncertain future. (witnesses protection,
German shepherd dog, grandmothers)
The Missing Pieces of Me, by Jean Van Leeuwen. Two Lions, ©2014. Weezie, with friends
Calvin and Louella, sets off to find her father, believing that if she does she can please her
momma. (parents, missing persons) (SLJ)
Pack of Dorks, by Beth Vrabel. SkyHorse/Skypony, ©2014. Propelled from coolest to lamest
after trying to kiss Tom Lemmings, Lucy tries to navigate the social hierarchy of fourth
grade. (bullying, friendship, schools) (KR)
Pennyroyal Academy, by M.A. Larson. Penguin, ©2014. A girl from the forest enlists
at Pennyroyal Academy, where princesses and knights are trained to battle the two great
menaces of the day: witches and dragons. (fantasy, magic)
Rain, Reign, by Ann M. Martin. Feiwel & Friends, ©2014. Struggling with Asperger’s, Rose
shares a bond with her beloved dog, but when the dog goes missing during a storm, Rose is
forced to confront the limits of her comfort levels, even if it means leaving her routines in
order to search for her pet. (Asperger’s syndrome, dogs,) (ALA, KR, SLJ)
Red Berries, White Clouds Blue Sky, by Sandra Dallas. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2014. After
Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese, 12-year-old Tomi and her Japanese-American
family are split up and forced to leave their California home to live in internment camps in
New Mexico and Colorado. (World War II, Asian American, historical fiction)
35
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Space Case, by Stuart Gibbs. Simon & Schuster, Inc., ©2014. Dashiell Gibson, who lives on
Moon Base Alpha, has to solve a murder of one of the moon’s most prominent doctors. (space
colonies)
Zane and the Hurricane, by W. R. Philbrick. Scholastic Book Service, ©2014. A 12-year-old
boy and his dog become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.
(Hurricane Katrina, survival)
TRUMAN AWARDS, GRADES 6-8
The Blood Guard, by Carter Roy. Two Lions, ©2014. Thirteen-year-old Ronan Truelove
learns that he is a member of the Blood Guard, a secret society sworn to protect the pure, and
must use his skills to save his kidnapped father, the girl of his dreams, and the world. (secret
societies, kidnapping)
The Body in the Woods, by April Henry. Square Fish, ©2014. While helping the Portland
County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue to seek a missing autistic man, teens Alexis, Nick, and
Ruby find, instead, a body and join forces to find the girl’s murderer, forming an unlikely
friendship, as well. (murder, friendship)
Buzz Kill, by Beth Fantaskey. Houghton Mifflin, ©2014. Seventeen-year-old Millie joins
forces with her classmate, gorgeous but mysterious Chase Colton, to try to uncover who
murdered head football coach “Hollerin’ Hank” Killdare, and why. (murder, high schools,
coaches)
Codename: Zero, by Chris Rylander. HarperCollins, ©2014. When a desperate man in a
nondescript black suit asks 13-year-old Carson Fender to deliver a mysterious package for
him, he discovers there’s something going on in his sleepy North Dakota hometown he had
never expected, something involving the CIA. (spies, middle schools)
Famous Last Words, by Katie Alender. Scholastic Book Service, ©2014. Doubting her
sanity in the wake of visions of a body in her pool, messages on her walls, and someone else’s
reflection in the mirror, Willa suspects that her experiences may be related to the work of a
serial killer at large. (paranormal, serial murderers)
Falls the Shadow, by Stefanie Gaither. Simon & Schuster, Inc., ©2014. Cate’s sister may be
a clone, but that doesn’t make her a killer. Does it? Murder, morality, and a slow-burning
romance fill the pages of this futuristic thriller. (cloning, science fiction, sisters) (VOYA)
Grandmaster, by David Klass. Farrar, Straus, Giroux, ©2014. Invited to a parent-child
weekend chess tournament, freshman Daniel discovers that his father was once one of the
country’s leading young players but that the intense competition surrounding the game
proved to be unhealthy, a past they are forced to confront when they meet a former rival.
(chess, fathers and sons)
I Have a Bad Feeling About This, by Jeff Strand. Sourcebooks, ©2014. Everything unathletic 16-year-old Henry was dreading about survival camp turns out to be true, or
even worse, when armed killers arrive and survival takes on a whole new meaning for the
campers. (camps, survival)
36
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
Just a Drop of Water, by Kerry O’Malley Cerra. W. W. Norton, ©2014. Jake and Sam are
best friends, but after the attacks on Sept. 11, their friendship is in danger of crumbling
as Sam and his family succumbs to hatred for being Muslim American. (best friends,
friendship, Sept. 11 terrorist attacks)
Midnight Thief, by Livia Blackburne. Walt Disney Press/Hyperion, ©2014. Kyra, a highly
skilled 17-year-old thief, joins a guild of assassins with questionable motives, while Tristam,
a young knight, fights against the vicious Demon Riders that are ravaging the city. (robbers
and outlaws, assassins)
Pieces of Me, by Amber Kizer. Random House, ©2014. After a car accident leaves her braindead, Jessica tries to prevent her parents from donating her organs and tissues, but then
follows the lives of four fellow teens who are able to survive because she did not. (donation of
organs, death) (KR)
Popular: a Memoir: How a geek in pearls discovered the secret to confidence, by
Maya Van Wagenen. Penguin, ©2014. In this off-beat memoir, unpopular Maya, on the cusp
of eighth grade, decides to follow the advice of a 1950s social guide to see if she can boost her
social life, and ends up on the path to self-discovery. (self-confidence, life skills)
GATEWAY NOMINEES, GRADES 9-12
The Book of Ivy, by Amy Engel. St. Martin’s Press,, ©2014. In an apocalyptic future where
girls from the losing faction are forcibly married to boys of the winning faction, 16-year-old
Ivy is tasked to kill her fiance Bishop, although when she finally meets him, he is not the
monster she has been led to believe. (forced marriage, dystopias)
Call Me by My Name, by John Ed Bradley. Atheneum, ©2014. Growing up in Louisiana in
the late 1960s, where segregation and prejudice still thrive, two high school football players,
one white, one black, become friends, but some changes are too difficult to accept. (race
relations, prejudices, friendship, football)
Don’t Look Back, by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Walt Disney Press/Hyperion, ©2014.
Seventeen-year-old Sam seems to have everything until she and her best friend, Cassie,
disappear one night and now Sam has returned with amnesia, striving to be a much better
person and aware that her not remembering may be the only thing keeping Cassie alive.
Don’t Look Back Series. (missing persons, amnesia, identity, dating, family life)
Free to Fall, by Lauren Miller. HarperCollins, ©2014. In a near-future world where
everyone is controlled by their smartphones, 16-year-old Rory Vaughn suddenly begins
listening to the voice within, which kids are taught to ignore, and discovers a terrible plot at
the heart of the corporation that makes the devices.(boarding schools, smartphones)
The Kiss of Deception, by Mary E. Pearson. Square Fish, ©2014. Princess Lia flees an
unwanted marriage and expectations about her supernatural legacy only to be pursued by
her jilted fiancé and a ruthless assassin. Remnant Chronicles. Remnant Chronicles Series
(princesses, love) SLJ
37
MISSOURI AWARD-NOMINATED BOOKS
NEW BOOKS FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS
Love and Other Foreign Words, by Erin McCahan. Penguin, ©2014. Brilliant 15-yearold Josie has a knack for languages, but her sister’s engagement has Josie grappling with the
nature of true love, her feelings for her best friend Stu, and how anyone can be truly heself,
or truly in love, in a social language that is not her own. (friendship, siblings, love stories)
(BCCB, PW)
Made For You, by Melissa Marr. HarperCollins, ©2014. Southern smalltown darling Eva
Tilling wakes up in the hospital with the frightening ability to see through the eyes of the
victims of a serial killer, and realizes that she, too, is a target of the depraved stalker. (fantasy,
thriller, romance)
Nil, by Lynne Matson. Square Fish, ©2014. Transported through a “gate” to the mysterious
island of Nil, 17-year-old Charley has 365 days to escape, or she will die. Nil Series. (survival)
Red Rising, By Pierce Brown. Random House, ©2014. A tale set in a bleak future society
torn by class divisions follows the experiences of secret revolutionary Darrow, who after
witnessing his wife’s execution by an oppressive government joins a revolutionary cell and
attempts to infiltrate an elite military academy. Red Rising Trilogy (government, resistance,
dystopias)
Since You’ve Been Gone, by Morgan Matson. Simon & Schuster, Inc., ©2014. Quiet Emily’s
sociable and daring best friend, Sloane, has disappeared leaving nothing but a random list
of bizarre tasks for her to complete, but with unexpected help from popular classmate Frank
Porter, Emily gives them a try. (self-reliance, best friends, friendships, dating)
Some Boys, by Patty Blount. Source Books, ©2014. Shunned by her friends and even her
father after she accuses the town golden boy of rape, Grace wonders if she can ever trust
Ian, a classmate who is funny, kind, and has secrets of his own. (dating, rape, school, father/
daughter relationships)
Torn Away, by Jennifer Brown. Little, Brown, & Co., ©2014. In the aftermath of a tornado
that has devastated her hometown of Elizabeth, Missouri, 16-year-old Jersey Cameron
struggles to overcome her grief as she is sent to live with her only surviving relatives.
(tornadoes, grief, families) MISSOURI TOPIC, MISSOURI AUTHOR
Young Elites, by Marie Lu. Penguin,, ©2014. Scarred and cast out after surviving the blood
plague, Adelina finds a place for herself among the Young Elites who use their magic to
advocate on behalf of young innocents and who are targeted by the soldiers of the Inquisition
Axis. Young Elites Series (supernatural, secret societies) (ALA)
We Were Liars, By E. Lockhart. Random House, ©2014. Spending the summer on her
family’s private island off the coast of Massachusetts with her cousins and a special boy
named Gat, teenaged Cadence struggles to remember what happened during her 15th
summer. (friendship, families, amnesia, wealth) (ALA)
Winner’s Curse, by Marie Rutkoski. Square Fish, ©2014. An aristocratic girl who is a
member of a warmongering and enslaving empire purchases a slave, an act that sets in
motion a rebellion that might overthrow her world as well as her heart. Winner’s Trilogy
(slavery)
38