Publications
Reading Circle Program
Show-Me Readers Award Nominees (Grades 1-3)
For the Love of Autumn, written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco. Penguin, ©2008. New teacher Danielle adopts a kitten, Autumn. Shortly after they settle into their new life, the kitten gets lost in a thunderstorm. Autumn reappears a few weeks later after being well-cared for by a stranger.
Grace for President, by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Disney-Hyperion, ©2008. Grace is shocked to learn the United States has never had a female president. She decides to change that tradition and kicks off her political career as a candidate in the school's mock election. The story allows young readers to grasp the American electoral process.
Lucky Star, by Judy Young, illustrated by Chris Ellison. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2007. Ruth doesn't have much hope for the future, with her father working for the Civilian Conservation Corps hundreds of miles away and her mother also working outside the home. To make it worse, the town can't afford to run its school. She decides to improve herself and her community by teaching the neighborhood children herself.
Mrs. Muddle's Holidays, by Laura Nielsen, illustrated by Thomas Yezerski. Macmillan, © 2008. The residents of Maple Street celebrate all the usual holidays, until Mrs. Muddle moves in. Mrs. Muddle makes every day a holiday, whether it's First Robin Day or the Garlic Jubilee.
My Chincoteague Pony, by Susan Jeffers. Disney-Hyperion, ©2008. Julie has worked hard to save money for her dream — owning a pony from Chincoteague Island. When she attends the annual pony auction, she realizes the money she so carefully earned will not be enough. Luckily, her enthusiasm captures the attention and generosity of other auction-goers.
Owney the Mail Pouch Pooch, by Mona Kerby, illustrated by Lynne Barasch. Macmillan, ©2008. After a rainy night in 1888, workers at the Albany, N.Y., post office find a stray dog asleep on a pile of mail pouches. The dog sticks around and the postal workers name him Owney. For nine years, Owney became known as a loyal assistant who guarded the mail in Albany and on mail trains across the country. Based on a true story.
Two Bobbies, A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, by Kirby Lawson and Mary Nethery, illustrated by Jean Cassels. Walker and Co., ©2008. A dog and blind cat are abandoned during the Hurricane Katrina evacuation. For months, they depend on each other for survival until they can be rescued and adopted into a loving home.
Titanicat, by Marty Crisp, illustrated by Robert Papp. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2008. Young Jim Mulholland is thrilled to be a crew member on the Titanic, and he assumes the duties of caring for the ship's cat. Just before the ship is supposed to depart, he realizes the cat has left, taking her kittens with her. Jim is worried when he sees that she has left one behind. His determination to reunite the kitten with its mother forces him to miss the ship's tragic journey.
Violet the Pilot, by Steve Breen. Penguin, ©2008. Violet is so swept up by her passion for all things mechanical that she doesn't quite fit in at school. She decides to enter a plane she built in an air show, but faces some setbacks on her way to the competition. Accompanied by her faithful dog, Orville, she wins recognition for her quick thinking and valor.
Willow, by Denise Brennan Nelson and Rosemarie Nelson, illustrated by Cyd Moore. Sleeping Bear Press, ©2008. Willow's teacher does not appreciate her unusual, imaginative painting style. At Christmas, Willow brings her discouraging teacher an art book, and creates a transformation in both her teacher and her classroom.
