Librarians' Choices 2008

About Librarians' Choices

The Librarians' Choices project began as a class assignment in Fall 2003 at Texas Woman's University, with graduate students in Library Science enrolled in a Book Reviewing class. It has since evolved into a significant professional development activity involving volunteer teachers, librarians, and librarians-in-training associated with the School of Library and Information Studies at TWU. They spent the spring, summer, and fall of 2007, semester reading and discussing hundreds of new books for children and young adults provided by major publishers. In addition, other titles by other publishers were also sought out, read, and discussed. Participants determined which titles were most outstanding based on literary quality, appeal to children and young adults, the typical needs of a school or community library, and a comparative study of other professional review sources. Although we did not have access to ALL the children's and YA books published in 2008, nor did every student read every book as one would expect in a formal review or award committee, we did our best to be comprehensive and thorough.

In the end, a limit of 100 titles was set, with approximately half of the list being designated for picture books and half of the list designated for novels. Poetry and nonfiction titles were also incorporated as appropriate. As a culminating activity, each participant chose approximately nine titles to study closely and review. These reviews include a complete bibliography of each title with a description and analysis of the book, as well as connections for sharing the book with child/teen audiences and recommendations for related books to combine or compare with the featured title. The goals of the project are twofold, to develop participant knowledge base about current books for children and young adults and the ability to read and write critically about these books and to use this experience to create a professional resource for others interested in choosing outstanding and intriguing books for the young people they serve.

Past Librarians' Choices Lists

[Librarians Choices 2003 Librarians' Choices 2004, Librarians' Choices 2005, Librarians' Choices 2006. Librarians Choices 2007]

2008 Reviewers

Jane Claes; Susie Demarest; Shirley Smith Duke; Cay Geisler; Kathlene A. Goldin; Janet Hilbun; Jane Jergensen; Kimberly C. Kinnaird; Tammy Korns; Becky Laney; Rebecca S. McKee; Suzy Parchman; Sylvia M. Vardell

Texas Woman’s University School of Library and Information Studies LIBRARIANS’ CHOICES MASTER LIST 2008

1.Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. CHAINS. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1416905855 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-12]
2.Anderson, M.T. 2008. THE ASTONISHING LIFE OF OCTAVIAN NOTHING TRAITOR TO THE NATION; THE KINGDOM ON THE WAVES. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9780763729502 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
3.Appelt, Kathi. 2008. THE UNDERNEATH. Ill. by David Small. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 1416950583 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
4. Beck, Carolyn. 2008. BUTTERCUP’S LOVELY DAY. Ill. by Andrea Beck. Custer, WA: Orca Book Publishers. ISBN 1554691222 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK–5]
5. Berne, Jennifer. 2008. MANFISH: A STORY OF JACQUES COUSTEAU. Ill. by Eric Puybaret. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811860635 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
6.Birdsall, Jeanne. 2008. PENDERWICKS ON GARDAM STREET. New York: Knopf. ISBN 9780375840906 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
7. Blundell, Judy. 2008. WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439903462 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
8.Bryant, Jen. 2008. A RIVER OF WORDS: THE STORY OF WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. New York: Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 0802853021 [Suggested Grade Levels 3–7]
9. Burg, Shana. 2008. A THOUSAND NEVER EVERS. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780385734707 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-8]
10.Cabot, Meg. 2008. ALLIE FINKLE’S RULES FOR GIRLS BOOK ONE: MOVING DAY. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545039475 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
11.Cammuso, Frank. 2008. KNIGHTS OF THE LUNCH TABLE: THE DODGEBALL CHRONICLES. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439903226 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
12. Capaldi, Gina. 2008. A BOY NAMED BECKONING: THE TRUE STORY OF DR. CARLOS MONTEZUMA, NATIVE AMERICAN HERO. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. ISBN 9780822576440 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
13.Collins, Suzanne. 2008. THE HUNGER GAMES. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439023481 [Suggested Grade Levels 7–12]
14.Crane, E.M. SKIN DEEP. 2008. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780385734790 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
15.D’Aluisio, Faith. 2008. WHAT THE WORLD EATS. Photography by Peter Menzel. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 1582462461 [Suggested Grade Levels 2 and up]
16. de la Peña, Matt. 2008. MEXICAN WHITE BOY. New York: Random House. ISBN 978385733106 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
17.Dessen, Sarah. 2008. LOCK AND KEY. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780399251061 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
18. DiPucchio, Kelly. 2008. SIPPING SPIDERS THROUGH A STRAW: CAMPFIRE SONGS FOR MONSTERS. Ill. by Gris Grimly. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439584012 [Suggested Grade Levels 2-4]
19. Doctorow, Cory. 2008. LITTLE BROTHER. New York: Macmillan. ISBN 9780765319852 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
20.Dowd, Siobhan. 2008. THE LONDON EYE MYSTERY. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375849763 [Suggested Grade Levels 4–7]
21.Dowell, Frances O’Roark. 2008. SHOOTING THE MOON. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 1416926909 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-9]
22.Dunkle, Clare B. 2008. THE SKY INSIDE. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 9781416924227 [Suggested Grade Levels 6 and up]
23.Enderle, Dotti. 2008. MAN IN THE MOON. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780385735667 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-8]
24.Engle, Margarita. 2008. THE SURRENDER TREE: POEMS OF CUBA’S STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805086749 [Suggested Grade Levels 5–9]
25. Fleischman, Sid. 2008. THE TROUBLE BEGINS AT 8: A LIFE OF MARK TWAIN IN THE WILD, WILD WEST. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061344312 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-10]
26. Fleming, Candace. 2008. THE LINCOLNS: A SCRAPBOOK LOOK AT ABRAHAM AND MARY. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375836183 [Suggested Grade Levels 5 and up]
27. Freedman, Russell. 2008. WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 9780823420698 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-9]
28.Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. ISBN 9780374317768 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-10]
29.Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060530938 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-9]
30.Gardner, Sally. 2008. THE RED NECKLACE. New York: Dial. ISBN 9780803731004 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-12]
31.George, Jean Craighead. 2008. THE WOLVES ARE BACK. Ill. by Wendell Minor. New York: Dutton. ISBN 078052547945 [Suggested Grade Levels 2-7]
32.Gifford, Peggy. 2008. MOXY MAXWELL DOES NOT LOVE WRITING THANK-YOU NOTES. Ill. by Valorie Fisher. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375842702 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-7]
33.Giovanni, Nikki. 2008. HIP HOP SPEAKS TO CHILDREN: A CELEBRATION OF POETRY WITH A BEAT. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks. ISBN 1402210485 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK–6]
34.Gravett, Emily. 2008. MONKEY AND ME. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1416954570 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-K]
35.Green, John. 2008. PAPER TOWNS. New York: Dutton. ISBN 9780525478188 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
36.Hague, Michael. 2008. IN THE SMALL. New York: Hachette Book Group. ISBN 9780316013239 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
37.Hale, Shannon and Dean. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599902883 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-10]
38.Hall, Katy and Lisa Eisenberg. 2008. SIMMS TABACK’S GREAT BIG BOOK OF SPACEY, SNAKEY, BUGGY RIDDLES. Ill. by Simms Taback. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670011216 [Suggested Grade Levels 1-6]
39. Harmon, Michael. 2008. THE LAST EXIT TO NORMAL. New York: Knopf. ISBN 0375840982 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
40. Hirahara, Naomi. 2008. 1001 CRANES. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780385735568 [Suggested Grade Levels 4–7]
41. Holbrook, Sara and Allan Wolf. 2008. MORE THAN FRIENDS: POEMS FROM HIM AND HER. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 9781590785874 [Suggested Grade Levels 7 and up]
42. Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2008. AMERICA AT WAR. Ill. by Stephen Alcorn. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1416918329 [Suggested Grade Levels 4–12]
43.Horvath, Polly. 2008. MY ONE HUNDRED ADVENTURES. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375845826 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-8]
44.Howie, Betsy. 2008. THE BLOCK MESS MONSTER. Ill. by C.B. Decker. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 9780805079401 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-2]
45.Jenkins, Emily. 2008. SKUNKDOG. Ill. by Pierre Pratt. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. ISBN 9780374370091 [Suggested Grade Levels K–3]
46. Ji, Zhaohua. 2008. NO! THAT’S WRONG! Ill. by Cui Xu. La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller. ISBN 1933605669 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-2]
47. Kehret, Peg. 2008. STOLEN CHILDREN. New York: Dutton. ISBN 9780525478355 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]
48.Kerby, Mona. 2008. OWNEY, THE MAIL-POUCH POOCH. Ill. by Lynne Barasch. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. ISBN 9780374356859 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
49. Kerley, Barbara. 2008. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY! Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439922319 [Suggested Grade Levels 2-5]
50.Khan, Hena. 2008. NIGHT OF THE MOON: A MUSLIM HOLIDAY STORY. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811860628 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
51.Kibuishi, Kazu. 2008. AMULET, BOOK ONE: THE STONEKEEPER. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439846806 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-7]
52.Kimmel, Eric A. 2008. THE MYSTERIOUS GUESTS: A SUKKOT STORY. Ill. by Katya Krenina. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823418930 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-7]
53.Klages, Ellen. 2008. WHITE SANDS, RED MENACE. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670062355 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
54.Kluger, Steve. 2008. MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR: A NOVEL OF LOVE, MARY POPPINS, AND FENWAY PARK. New York: Dial. ISBN 9780803732278 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
55.Korman, Gordon. 2008. SWINDLE. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439903448 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
56.Kuklin, Susan. 2008. NO CHOIRBOY: MURDER, VIOLENCE, AND TEENAGERS ON DEATH ROW. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805079505 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
57.Lee, Ingrid. 2008. DOG LOST. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545085786 [Suggested Grade Levels 5 and up]
58. Lee, Suzy. 2008. WAVE. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. ISBN 9780811859240 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-4]
59. Lockhart, E. 2008. THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 978078683818 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
60. Look, Lenore. 2008. ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO GIRLS, SCHOOL, AND OTHER SCARY THINGS. Ill. by LeUyen Pham. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375839146 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
61.Lowry, Lois. 2008. THE WILLOUGHBYS. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618979745 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
62.Marchetta, Melina. 2008. JELLICOE ROAD. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061431838 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
63. Martin, Ann M. and Laura Godwin. 2008. THE RUNAWAY DOLLS. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9780786855841 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
64. McKissack, Patricia C. 2008. STITCHIN’ AND PULLIN’: A GEE’S BEND QUILT. Ill. by Cozbi A. Cabrera. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375831638 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
65. Myers, Walter Dean. 2008. SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439916240 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
66.Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 978078680832 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-12]
67.Nelson, Marilyn. 2008. THE FREEDOM BUSINESS. Ill. by Deborah Dancy. Asheville, NC: Front Street. ISBN 1932425578 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
68.Nicholls, Sally. 2008. WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780545069489 [Suggested Grade Levels 4–7]
69.Nobleman, Marc Tyler. 2008. BOYS OF STEEL: THE CREATORS OF SUPERMAN. Ill. by Ross MacDonald. New York: Knopf. ISBN 9780375828036 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-7]
70. Nye, Naomi Shihab. 2008. HONEYBEE. New York: Greenwillow. ISBN 0060853905 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-8]
71.O’Connor, Barbara. 2008. GREETINGS FROM NOWHERE. Vancouver, BC: D&M Publishers. ISBN 9780374399375 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
72.Olson, Arielle North and Howard Schwartz. 2008. MORE BONES: SCARY STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. Ill. by E.M. Gist. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670063390 [Suggested Grade Levels 3 and up]
73.Palmer, Robin. 2008. CINDY ELLA. New York: Penguin. ISBN 9780142403921 [Suggested Grade Levels 6-12]
74. Pearson, Mary E. 2008. THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805076689 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
75.Pfeffer, Susan Beth. 2008. THE DEAD AND THE GONE. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 0152063110 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
76. Raczka, Bob. 2008. THE ART OF FREEDOM: HOW ARTISTS SEE AMERICA. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. ISBN 9780822575085 [Suggested Grade Levels 3–5]
77.Rappaport, Doreen. 2008. ABE’S HONEST WORDS: THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9781423104087 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]
78. Rappaport, Doreen. 2008. LADY LIBERTY: A BIOGRAPHY. Ill. by Matt Tavares. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9780763625306 [Suggested Grade Levels 2–5]
79. Recorvits, Helen. 2008. YOON AND THE JADE BRACELET. Ill. by Gabi Swiatkowska. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. ISBN 9780374386894 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
80. Reibstein, Mark. 2008. WABI SABI. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316118255 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-2]
81. Reynolds, Aaron. 2008. METAL MAN. Ill. by Paul Hoppe. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. ISBN 9781580891509 [Suggested Grade Levels 1-4]
82. Rodriguez, Edel. 2008. SERGIO MAKES A SPLASH. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316066167 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-2]
83. Schulman, Janet. 2008. PALE MALE: CITIZEN HAWK OF NEW YORK CITY. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Knopf. ISBN 9780375945588 [Suggested Grade Levels K–3]
84. Scieszka, Jon. 2008. KNUCKLEHEAD: TALL TALES AND MOSTLY TRUE STORIES ABOUT GROWING UP SCIESZKA. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670011063 [Suggested Grade Levels 3–6]
85. Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. 2008. DOG AND BEAR: TWO’S COMPANY. New York: Roaring Brook Press. ISBN 9781596432734 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-1]
86.Slater, Dashka. 2008. THE SEA SERPENT AND ME. Ill. by Catia Chien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618723942 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
87.Smith, Jr. Charles R. 2008. WINNING WORDS: SPORTS STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9780763614454 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-10]
88. Smith, Hope Anita. 2008. KEEPING THE NIGHT WATCH. Ill. by E.B. Lewis. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805072020 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]
89.Sutton, Sally. 2008. ROADWORK. Ill. by Brian Lovelock. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9780763639129 [Suggested Grade Levels K-2]
90.Swanson, Susan Marie. 2008. THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT. Ill. by Beth Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618862443 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-1]
91.Thomson, Melissa. 2008. KEENA FORD AND THE SECOND GRADE MIX-UP. Ill. by Frank Morrison. New York: Dial. ISBN 0803732635 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
92. Venkatraman, Padma. 2008. CLIMBING THE STAIRS. New York: Putman. ISBN 0399247467 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]
93.Walsh, Melanie. 2008. TEN THINGS I CAN DO TO HELP MY WORLD. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9781406310863 [Suggested Grade Levels PreK-2]
94.Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2008. BECOMING BILLIE HOLIDAY. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 159078507X [Suggested Grade Levels 5–10]
95. Werlin, Nancy. 2008. IMPOSSIBLE. New York: Dial. ISBN 9780803730021 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]
96.Williams, Marcia. 2008. MY SECRET WAR DIARY, BY FLOSSIE ALBRIGHT: MY HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 9780763641115 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]
97. Winters, Kay. 2008. COLONIAL VOICES: HEAR THEM SPEAK. Ill. by Larry Day. New York: Penguin. ISBN 978052547820 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-8]
98.Wood, Don. 2008. INTO THE VOLCANO. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 978043972719 [Suggested Grade Levels 5-8]
99. Zarr, Sara. 2008. SWEETHEARTS. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316014557 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
100.Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. 2008. 42 MILES. Ill. by Elaine Clayton. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0618618678 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-8]

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