For Younger Readers

For Teens/Adults

Lillys Big Day
By Kevin Henkes

The star of Lillys Purple Plastic Purse returns! When she learns that her teacher, Mr. Slinger, is getting married, Lilly is certain that she will be the flower girl. Unfortunately he asks his niece instead, but Lilly may still find a way to be part of the wedding.

Ages 5 and up

Journey from the Land of No
By Roya Hakakian

Roya Hakakian recalls her childhood and adolescence in pre-revolutionary Iran in this beautifully written coming-of-age story. Part of the Jewish population in Tehran, the Hakakians witnessed the iron fist of the Islamic fundamentalists increasingly tightening its grip. Remarkably, she manages to re-create a time and place dominated by religious fanaticism, violence, and fear with an open heart and often with great humor.

In Gods Hands
By Lawrence Kushner & Gary Schmidt; illustrated by Matthew J. Baek

In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, two men discover that God works through human hands in unexpected and miraculous ways.

Ages 5 & up

Memories of Survival
By Esther Nisenthal Krinitz & Bernice Steinhardt

This 2005 Sydney Taylor honor book tells the story of Esther Krinitzs childhood and how she survived World War II in Poland. The book is illustrated with a series of 36 embroidered panels Esther created as a way to share her memories with her family.

The Monster Health Book
By Edward Miller

This illustrated guide to healthy eating is kid-friendly and chock full of fun facts and great advice.

Ages 7-10

Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads
By Rosalind Wiseman & Elizabeth Rapoport

The follow-up to the bestseller Queen Bees & Wannabes, which was the inspiration for the movie Mean Girls, Rosalind Wiseman's new book looks at the peer pressure and conflicts that exist among parents. Wiseman provides tools to handle difficult situations with grace.

Poetry Speaks to Children
Edited by Elise Paschen

A wonderful introduction to poetry, this volume includes works by Emily Dickinson, Ogden Nash, Roaldan> Dahl, and Robert Frost, among others. The book includes a CD with poems read by some of the poets.

All Ages

The Book Thief
By Marcus Zusak

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's ground breaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist - books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

Anne Frank
By Josephine Poole; illustrated by Angela Barrett

This beautifully illustrated picture book biography introduces Anne Frank's life in a way that is accessible to younger readers.

Ages 8-12

 The Boy Who Loved Words
By Roni Schotter; illustrated by Giselle Potter

Selig loves words so much that he writes them down on slips of paper and keeps them in his pockets. But when his pockets are too full, he must find a way to share his words with others.

Ages 5 and up

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
By Erica Silverman; illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Cowgirl Kate and her horse Cocoa, who is always hungry, count cows, share a story, and help each other fall asleep in this entertaining early chapter book. A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

Ages 5-8

Roanoke: The Lost Colony
By Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple; illustrated by Roger Roth

In 1587 John White led a group of colonists to Roanoke off the Atlantic coast. White then went back to England to gather supplies for the long winter, but when he finally returned to the fort almost three years later, he found that all of the colonists had vanished. Now readers can attempt to solve this mystery from history on their own.