Younger Readers

Barnett, Mac. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole.
Two boys, accompanied by their dog, set out to dig a hole. Readers will find an unexpected treasure and be challenged to ponder the meaning of “spectacular.” (2015 Caldecott Honor Book) E BAR

Barnett, Mac. Telephone.
Clever page turns, hilarious details, and delightful wordplay abound in the bird world’s version of the classic game of telephone. Colorful illustrations give each bird’s personality its due. E BAR

Blackall, Sophie. The Baby Tree.
Where do babies come from? This question is delicately handled in Blackall's gentle and charming book. After asking around with amusing results, a boy finally learns the true facts from his parents. With a page of tips for "the conversation.” E 612.6 BLA

Bluemle, Elizabeth. Tap Tap Boom Boom.
When a spring storm pops up in New York City, lots of people seek refuge in the subway station. Dogs, children and adults young and old enjoy a brief moment of community that ends with a surprise in the sky. E BLU

Bolden, Tonya. Beautiful Moon: A Child's Prayer.
A gorgeous full moon shines on a young boy praying for the homeless, the hungry, those at war and his family. The stunning illustrations set a reverent tone that reflects the thoughtful and universal text. E BOL

Boyd, Lizi. Flashlight.
In mostly black and white illustrations, a young child with a flashlight discovers many of the mysteries and joys of the night, then suddenly the tables are turned. Cut outs add to the fun of this highly imaginative book. E BOY

Brown, Peter. My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I am Not).
Bobby thinks his teacher is the worst...that is until he accidentally meets her in the park. This hilarious book will tickle the funny bones of children (and their monstrous teachers). E BRO

Burns, Loree Griffin. Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey.
In this handsome book with glorious photographs, children can follow the life cycle of a butterfly from a farm in Costa Rica to a live museum exhibit in the U. S. J595.78 BUR

Camcam, Princesse. Fox's Garden.
A young boy's kindness to a fox and how that fox repays him are at the heart of this wordless book. Cut paper images in subtle tones bring warmth to a cold winter night. E PRI

Castillo, Lauren. Nana in the City.
The story of a young boy’s visit to his grandmother, and the reassuring way she helps him to lose his fear and experience the loud, busy city in a new way. (2015 Caldecott Honor Book) E CAS

Colón, Raúl. Draw!
Colón celebrates the power of imagination and creativity to heal a bedridden boy. The lush illustrations need no words as the boy goes on an artistic and exciting adventure. E COL

Copeland, Misty. Firebird.
Famed ballerina Misty Copeland encourages a young African-American girl to follow her dreams to be a prima ballerina in this poetic text vividly illustrated with evocative collages. E COP

Cronin, Doreen. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure.
Tail, a scaredy-squirrel, seeks refuge and help from the Chicken Squad, four problem-solving chicks. This illustrated chapter book brings each chicken's zany personality to life. J CRO

Davies, Nicola. Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes.
This straightforward narrative introduces young readers to microbes through simple descriptions, colorful examples, and concise writing. Watercolor images illustrate the examples and create a nostalgic feel. E 579 DAV

Dempsey, Kristy. A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream. An inspirational message told in lyrical language about the power of dreams and one young girl's desire to dance. Soft colorful images support the poignant text. E DEM

DiPucchio, Kelly. Gaston.
Gaston looks and acts different from his poodle sisters and a brief encounter in the park reveals the reason why. A lively and rhyming text is emphasized by the stylish illustrations. E DIP

Elya, Susan Middleton. Little Roja Riding Hood.
This spin on the classic fairy tale provides glimpses into a contemporary Hispanic family. Guevara’s illustrations are a visual treat full of suspense and humor. (2015 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book) E ELY

Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems. Selected by Paul B. Janeczko.
The four seasons are explored in short poems from both famed and newer poets and enhanced by Sweet's exquisite illustrations. J 811.6 FIR

Frazee, Marla. The Farmer and the Clown.
Muted browns and grays permeate the farmer's world until a small child falls off a circus train, bringing with him color and light. No words are needed in this quiet story of an unlikely friendship. E FRA

Hanlon, Abby. Dory Fantasmagory.
In this charming take on family life, irrepressible Dory drives her siblings crazy with her wild imagination until she finally gets them to join in on the fun. J HAN

Hatanaka, Kellen. Work, An Occupational ABC.
This visually appealing look at some unusual careers opens readers eyes to possibilities for their futures. E 372.4 HAT

Haughton, Chris. Shh! We Have a Plan.
Four friends creep through the woods on a search for prey. Vibrant illustrations help tell the story of how even carefully laid plans can go awry. E HAU

Jenson-Elliott, Cindy. Weeds Find a Way.
These often overlooked plants take center stage in this touching tribute to weeds. Jenson-Elliott highlights weeds' resilience with a catchy text full of attention. Fisher uses mixed media and digital collage to create bold, vibrant illustrations. E JEN

Kennedy, Anne Vittur. The Farmer's Away! Baa! Neigh!
Energetic barnyard animals use rollicking nonsense words to amusingly bring the farm to life. E KEN

Kuang, Anna. You Are (Not) Small.
A heated debate quickly ensues when two furry creatures can’t agree on who is big and who is small. Expressive illustrations and cleverly simple text come together to provide a humorous tale with an unexpected and satisfying conclusion. (2015 Geisel Medal Book) E KAN

Light, Steve. Have You Seen My Dragon?
Join a little boy on a journey through the city in search of his dragon. Against a black-and-white background, colorful icons of city life help him on his adventure. E LIG

MacLachlan, Patricia. The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse.
Using only two evocative sentences, MacLachlan's gentle and engaging portrait supports Hooper's stunning visual homage to the boy who would become a famous painter. E-B MATISSE

Morales, Yuyi. Viva Frida.
Vibrant photographs and minimal, evocative text beautifully portray the unique imagination and creativity of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. (2015 Belpré Illustrator Medal Book & Caldecott Honor Book) E MOR

Moüy, Iris de. Naptime.
When naptime arrives on the Savannah, a little girl knows just how to get all the grumpy animals to go to sleep. Colorful images, and the use of bold and black outlines help animals stand out on each page. E MOU

Muth, Jon J. Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons.
An exuberant journey through the alphabet with panda bear, Koo. This investigates the seasons through watercolor illustrations and haiku poems. E 811.54 MUT

Portis, Antoinette. Froodle.
Brown Bird is tired of his song so he makes up new words. The other animals follow suit and the neighborhood is never the same. E POR

Rabinowitz, Alan. A Boy and a Jaguar.
Alan Rabinowitz's story of feeling broken as a child yet experiencing great empathy for animals kept in cages at the zoo. He went on to become a zoologist and conservationist known around the world. E-B RABINOWITZ

Rocco, John. Blizzard.
A young boy's experience in a blizzard and the adventure of going to the market are vividly portrayed through Norman Rockwell-like illustrations that give personality to the child and the weather. E ROC

Rosenstock, Barb. The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art.
The story of abstract artist Vasily Kandinsky, who experienced colors as sounds and sounds as colors and created work that was bold and groundbreaking. (2015 Caldecott Honor Book) E-B KANDINSKY

Russell-Brown, Katheryn. Little Melba and Her Big Trombone.
A little known story of a self-taught prodigy and world-class trombone player, composer, and arranger whose music mirrors the black musical sounds of the 20th century. J-B LISTON

Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page.
Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby are excited to participate in a library read-aloud program, but they are nervous when Mrs. Teaberry and her unpredictable dog Zeke want to join. (2015 Geisel Honor Book) 3 428 RYL

Santat, Dan. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. Little Brown.
In four delightful chapters, Beekle, an imaginary friend, undergoes an emotional journey looking for his human. Vibrant illustrations add to the fun. (2015 Caldecott Medal Book) E SAN, E-REF-CC SAN

Sidman, Joyce. Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold.
A collection of 12 poems about northern tundra wildlife uses a variety of poetic structures and includes additional information on each creature. Vivid linoleum-cut illustrations. J 811.54 SID

Sisson, Stephanie Roth. Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos.
The simple text describes how Sagan's childhood curiosity and persistence eventually lead to his involvement in the Voyager mission. Lively images and design reflect this notable life. E-B SAGAN

Spire, Ashley. The Most Magnificent Thing.
A little girl, with the help of her dog, tries to build a magnificent thing. But it is harder than expected! See how her persistence pays off. E SPI

Stewart, Melissa. Feathers: Not Just for Flying.
Feathers fulfill a number of different purposes. Lovely watercolor paintings illustrate a variety of birds and the many roles their feathers play. E 598.147 STE

Thong, Roseanne Greenfield. Green Is a Chile Pepper.
This lively color-concept book presents a slice of Latino culture through food and fun. Vibrant folk art perfectly complements the text. (2015 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book) E THO

Ward, Jennifer. Mama Built a Little Nest.
Lively couplets describe birds and the nests they build for their young, while beautiful cut-paper collages are a feast for children's natural curiosity. E 598.2 WAR

Whelan, Gloria. Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine.
A playful rhyming text brings us to Victorian times and a queen who cannot be seen by her subjects when partaking of such an indelicate activity as swimming. Amusing illustrations partner well with the tone of the book. E WHE

Willems, Mo. The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
Pigeon returns--this time he needs a bath but has other things to do. When he is finally convinced, he won't get out of the tub. It's a pleasure to join pigeon in another of his wild adventures. E 428 WIL

Willems, Mo. Waiting Is Not Easy!
Piggie has a big surprise for Gerald, but does he have the patience to wait? As the day wears on, Piggie remains calm while Gerald experiences a roller coaster of emotions, anticipating his reward. As night falls, their patience pays off with a breathtaking conclusion. (2015 Geisel Honor Book) E 428 WIL

Yuly, Toni. Early Bird.
Early bird rises before the sun to find breakfast. He's tired after so much activity, so he and a surprising friend--early worm--enjoy what he's found. E YUL

Middle Readers

Barnhill, Kelly. The Witch's Boy.
Follow the adventures of new friends Ned and Aine in this imaginative tale of tricky magic. A complex journey about finding your voice. J-FAN BAR

Bell, Cece. El Deafo.
In this insightful and humorous graphic novel memoir, Bell portrays growing up with a giant hearing aid strapped to her chest. Themes of navigating a new school, sleepovers, finding a true friend, and a first crush make this book universal in appeal. (2015 Newbery Honor Book) J-GRAPHIC BELL

Campbell, Sarah C. Mysterious Patterns: Finding Fractals in Nature.
Found everywhere in nature, fractals are shapes that are not perfect but change in the same way over and over. Photographs show where these marvels can be found and clear language will engage readers to be more observant and see the correlation between nature and math. J 516.15 CAM

Durham, Paul. The Luck Uglies.
When wicked Bog Noblins threaten her village, Rye turns to a mysterious stranger and the notorious Luck Uglies for help, ending up more involved than she imagined. A fast-paced fantasy. J-FAN DUR

Ehrlich, Esther. Nest.
Chirp's safe, secure home life changes when her mother is diagnosed with a serious disease. As her family works to pick up the pieces, Chirp learns just how much love and friendship can overcome. An emotional story. J-HF EHR

Elvgren, Jennifer. The Whispering Town.
During WWII, a Danish family and their village help hide a Jewish family from the Nazis until they can safely escape. The artwork's graphic-novel quality enhances the story. GOLDSTAR ELV

Fern, Tracey. Dare the Wind: The Record-Breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud.
A thrilling, true story of a clipper ship race from New York to San Francisco navigated by Eleanor Prentiss, the first woman to make the journey. J-B PRENTISS

Freedman, Russell. Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain.
More than half a million people from 80 countries arrived at Angel Island California between 1910 and 1940. Freedman tells their stories in this well documented and handsomely illustrated book that illuminates a little known piece of history. J 979.46 FRE

Graff, Lisa. Absolutely Almost.
In this relatable tale, fifth grader Albie is not very good at a lot of things, but with a little help from a new babysitter, he finds out that being himself is the most important thing. J GRA

Herrera, Robin. Hope Is a Ferris Wheel.
Fifth grader Star tries to fit in but seems to be failing miserably. To connect with classmates that only seem to care about her trailer-park home, she starts a poetry club. An insightful look at the process of self-discovery. J HER

Holm, Jennifer L. The Fourteenth Goldfish.
With humor and a light tone, eleven-year-old Ellie deals with serious issues related to family relationships, friendships, the cycle of life, and life's possibilities. A great introduction to science fiction. J-SF HOL

Jeffers, Oliver. Once Upon an Alphabet.
A creative, fresh take on the alphabet book! Jeffers tells a short story for each letter, giving each one its due glory. Full of humor and whimsy. Complete with distinctive illustrations that are one of a kind. GOLDSTAR JEF

Jenkins, Steve. Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World.
With a mixture of extraordinary artistry and jaw-dropping creativity, Jenkins has produced a colorful, large-format volume crafted with vivid, cut-paper collages that provide amazing details about the eyes of animals from bullfrogs to buzzards.J 591.44 JEN

Johnson, Varian. The Great Greene Heist.
Reformed schemer and middle schooler Jackson Greene comes out of retirement, assembling a top-notch team to pull off Maplewood Middle School's biggest con ever in a fast-paced caper. J JOH

Levy, Dana Alison. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher.
The Fletcher family, with 2 dads, 4 boys, a dog, cat, and invisible cheetah, is always full of adventure. As the school year unfolds, they face many challenges with love and humor. J LEV

Lloyd, Natalie. A Snicker of Magic.
Felicity Pickle, a word collector and poet, hopes Midnight Gulch, Tennessee proves to be a permanent home for her wandering family. She uses her words to restore the town's magic in an endearing story of community. J-FAN LLO

Lord, Cynthia. Half a Chance.
A young girl struggles to determine her place when her family moves to a new community. An authentic story of friendship, loss, and self-identity told through the lens of her interest in photography. J LOR

Markle, Sandra. The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery.
Follow the scientific method as a group of researchers notice something wrong with the little brown bat population and search for a way to save them. Stunning photographs make the discovery even more fascinating. J 599.472 MAR

Martin, Ann M. Rain Reign.
Rose’s obsession with homophones and rules distinguishes her from most other fifth graders, but also provides insights into the world of a child challenged by Asperger’s Syndrome. When Rain, Rose’s beloved dog, goes missing, readers will be moved by the decisions she makes to find and care for her pet. J MAR

Montgomery, Sy. Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa's Fastest Cats.
Montgomery and Bishop join the Cheetah Conservation Fund in the African wilderness, studying the cheetah's ecological, genetic, and behavioral patterns in order to chase down the fastest animal in the world. J 599.759 MON

Neri, G. Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.
This brief overview of Johnny Cash's early life takes him from his harsh but music-filled boyhood to early stardom. Told through intriguing poetry and beautifully expressive illustrations. E-B CASH

Oppel, Kenneth. The Boundless.
Suspense and adventure race alongside Will through the Canadian wilderness on the Boundless, the largest and fastest train ever built. Middle-grade steampunk filled with intrigue. J-ADV OPP

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. The Red Pencil.
In spite of the limited expectations for the girls in her village, Amira wants to learn and will not be stopped. Told in verse capturing the desperation of the people living in the middle of the Darfur conflict in Sudan. J PIN

Powell, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker.
A dynamic dance of beautifully written verse and lively illustrations describe the life of the effervescent entertainer Josephine Baker. (2015 Sibert Honor Book) J-B BAKER

Ramstein, Anne-Margot & Matthias Arégui. Before After.
A clever wordless picture book that challenges the reader to figure out connections. Each reading reveals something new and different. E RAM

Roy, Katherine. Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands.
With vivid paintings and clear, accessible text, Roy creates a heart-stopping look at what great white sharks do best—hunt for their next meal. (2015 Sibert Honor Book) J 597.3 ROY

Rubin, Susan Goldman. Freedom Summer: The 1964 Struggle for Civil Rights in Mississippi.
A well-researched and beautifully written explanation of the attempts to enfranchise Mississippi blacks. Rubin writes about the murder of three young civil rights workers with a superb sense of suspense and dread. J 323.1 RUB

Telgemeier, Raina. Sisters.
A family car trip highlights the tensions between two sisters, the cause of which is explored through flashback sequences in this comedic graphic novel. J-GRAPHIC TEL

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation.
Tonatiuh draws upon traditional Mixtec codex art to tell the story of 11-year-old Sylvia Mendez, who helped end school segregation in California seven years before Brown v. Board of Education. (2015 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book & Sibert Honor Book) J 323.1 TON

Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming.
Woodson’s lyrical memoir chronicles her life as an African-American girl growing up in the 1960s and 1970s. Elegant and evocative stand-alone poems weave a story of her development from a struggling reader and dreamer into a confident young woman and writer. (2015 Newbery Honor Book & Sibert Honor Book) J-B WOODSON

Yelchin, Eugene. Arcady's Goal.
Arcady longs to play for the Red Army Soccer Club. Many obstacles interfere with attaining his goal because his family is considered enemies of the state. J-HF YEL

Older Readers

Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover.
Twelve-year-old narrator Josh uses the rhythms of a poetry jam to emulate the "moving & grooving/popping and rocking" of life on the basketball court. This novel in verse paints an authentic portrait of a closely-knit family on the brink of crisis. (2015 Newbery Medal Book) J ALE

Auxier, Jonathan. The Night Gardener.
As two abandoned siblings try to find their way in Victorian England, they discover the value of storytelling as well as the dark side of greed. A spine-tingling tale. J-HOR AUX

Freedman, Russell. Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America.
The fiftieth anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama is brought back to life in a detailed and moving account of this pivotal event in Civil Rights history. J 323.1 FRE

Herrera, Juan Felipe. Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes.
The lives of 20 Hispanic people are celebrated in poignant biographical sketches that succinctly present the essence of each hero’s life and legacy to future generations. (2015 Belpré Author Honor Book) J 920.009 HER

Sheinkin, Steve. The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights.
The bravery of African-American sailors who refused to work in unsafe conditions is recounted in this little known and dramatic World War II story. Their heroism helped desegregate the Navy but not without great sacrifice for the 50 men. J J940.54 SHE

Wiles, Deborah. Revolution: The Sixties Trilogy, Book Two.
The summer of 1964 was known as "Freedom Summer," as civil rights workers, students, and organizers went to Mississippi to help register African-American voters. Twelve-year-old Sunny of Greenwood, Mississippi is caught up in the frightening events between black and white Americans, choosing sides and standing up for themselves. Photographs and memorabilia enhance an understanding of the tumultuous period. J-HF WIL

All Ages

Bryant, Jen. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus.
With lovely storytelling and intricate illustrations, this picture book biography introduces readers to Peter Mark Roget, whose boyhood passion for list making and finding the right word for every situation, led him to create his “treasure house” of a book, the thesaurus. (2015 Sibert Medal Book & Caldecott Honor Book) J-B ROGET

Ehlert, Lois. The Scraps Book: Notes from a Colorful Life.
This is a fascinating look into the creative process. Author/illustrator Lois Ehlert shares her story using numerous examples from her picture books as she encourages others to engage in a colorful life. E-B EHLERT

Escoffier, Michaël. Take Away the A: An Alphabeast of a Book!
Ingenious and fun images introduce the letters of the alphabet by removing one letter at a time to make new words. This clever word-within-a-word alphabetical approach is useful and hilarious. The illustrations add whimsy to the wordplay and language building. E 428.1 ESC