Award+Winners

=This page is for reading recommendations. Please add a review when you find a great Newbery winner or honor "read."=

**ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL** by Nora Raleigh Baskin - This Schneider Family Book Award winner is told from sixth-grade student Jason's point of view. What makes it so powerful is that Jason is autistic and has a number of unusual behaviors that accompany his autism. When you read about life from his viewpoint, you learn that his experiences in the world are very different from what is considered "normal." For example, when the librarian puts her hands on his shoulders, it feels like "metal cutting my body body right off my head." Ouch! You see that even when people are trying to help him, they are often causing him pain. And with these special needs, he is going through all the longings and desires of every other student. Read this book for an eye-opening experience.


 * TANGERINE** by Edward Bloor - Have you ever moved to a new school? Well, you don’t know how crazy it is until you read Paul’s story. In this 300-page thriller by Edward Bloor, Paul moves from Houston, Texas, to Tangerine County, Florida. His mother enrolls him at Lake Windsor Downs Middle School, and tells them that Paul is visually impaired, even though Paul claims that he is not. He then tries out for the soccer team, but cannot play because his mother says that he is close to blind. After a sinkhole sucks his school in, he goes to Tangerine Middle School and joins the soccer team there.

This book took home the //**Maud Hart Lovelace Award**//. Minnesota kids from grades 6-8 awarded this prize. The author made this book in first person. So I felt whatever Paul felt. I saw what Paul saw. I heard what Paul heard.

I give this book 4-stars. This book was Edward Bloor’s first novel, but this one was one of the best I have ever read. The theme of this book is honesty. “The truth shall set you free,” said Antoine Thomas, star quarterback of the Lake Windsor High School Seagulls. Read to the end to find out the surprising truth about Paul’s eyes. Also find out what led Antoine to say what he said. Reviewed by Yasir H.
 * HURT GO HAPPY** by Ginny Rorby, //**Schneider Family Book Award**// winner – Joey is a 13-year-old girl living in a silent world. Joey is deaf and her mom, Ruth, forbids her to learn sign language. Although she can read lips life is very hard for her.

One day while Joey is collecting mushrooms, she comes across an old man named Charlie. Charlie takes Joey to his house and has her meet his chimpanzee.Sakuri, who knows sign language. Charlie understands how Joey feels so he is determined to convinced Ruth that letting Joey learn sign language will open doors and let her pursue any thing she wants in life. Ruth starts to understand and lets Joey start to learn to sign.

One horrible day there is an earthquake and Charlie dies. Just before he dies he tells Joey that Sakuri is hers. In his will Charlie gave money for Joey to go to a deaf school if she takes the offer. Joey really wants to go to the school but Ruth isn’t so sure. Finally Ruth allows Joey to go. Sakuri goes to stay with Lynn, Charlie’s niece, but when Lynn has a baby she can’t take care of Sakuri anymore. Lynn decides to give Sakuri away. Joey longs to meet up with Sakuri again but is that even possible?

This book has a powerful message about friendships but it also shows the awful truths about what humans have done to animals. This book also has a strong message about diversity. I found it helpful that this book takes place in the present because it makes it easier to relate to although I thought is was very ironic that Joey would meet a man like Charlie who has a signing chimpanzee.

I thought this was a very good book especially because Joey’s mom Ruth added a “twist” to the story by not wanting Joey to learn sign language. I also like this book a lot because it lets you into Joey’s head and lets you know how she feels. I would suggest Hurt Go Happy to anyone who enjoys a deep realistic fiction book. Reviewed by: Lauren F.


 * WHEN YOU REACH ME** by Rebecca Stead - //**2009 Newbery Award**// - A 12-year-old, 6th grade girl lives in New York City with her single mom. Every night they practice for a hoped-for appearance by Mom on a game show. But the girl finds strange notes from an anonymous person saying that he/she has come to save a friend of hers. She doesn't really have close friends because her childhood sidekick is a neighbor boy who is distancing himself from her, and she isn't all that popular in school. She has a tough sixth grade year; there is even a homeless guy living outside near her apartment who creeps her out. There's an element of time travel, along with fond remembrances of Madelaine L'Engle's classic **A WRINKLE IN TIME**. This is an excellent book!


 * WHEN YOU REACH ME BY REBECCA STEAD-**12 year old Miranda thinks that her life is normal. She has a best friend, Sal, who makes walking past the crazy guy on the corner not so scary. When Sal gets punched, Miranda starts receiving mysterious notes. They tell her that they (the writer of the notes) are coming to save her friend’s life and their own. Miranda doesn’t believe what’s happening. She thinks the notes are for someone else, until the mystery person starts giving her proofs.

Stead uses wonderful writing techniques. There is foreshadowing and always a sense of mystery. There is a hazy beginning, middle and end. It seemed to me like I was in Miranda’s head as she told her story. This book contains talk about time travel, and often refers to **L’Engle’s A WRINKLE IN TIME.** I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and/or time travel. - Review by Della Anne


 * FRINDLE** by Andrew Clements **-** Have you ever had a great idea? Well, Nick sure does! In "Frindle," Nick finds out that he has Mrs. Granger, the worst of the 5th grade teachers, who assigns him to find out how words are invented. In a later part of the book, Nick and his friend Janet are walking home when Janet drops her pen. Instead of saying, "You dropped your pen", Nick says, "You dropped your Frindle." Soon, Nick creates a Frindle club. However, Mrs. Granger decides to defend "pen" and the word war begins!

Andrew Clements does great in his hilarious 3rd book. This is a great read for ages 8-12 (Grades 2-6). It also took home the Maud Hart Lovelace Award several times. Clements won the award for writing the book in the 3rd person so people could see everyone's point of view. Supporting characters in "Frindle" include Nick's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allen; the school principal, Mrs. Chatman; and newspaper reporters Judy Morgan and Alice Lunderson. For fans of Andrew Clements, I also recommend "The Landry News, "The Janitor's Boy", "The School Story", "The Jacket, "A Week In The Woods", ''The Report Card", and "Lunch Money", all by Andrew Clements. I give this book (4 stars) because of Clements' creativity. Who will win the word wars? Nick? Mrs. Granger? Or will an entirely new contestant step in and change everything? You'll have to read "Frindle" to find out! Reviewed by Matthew S. :)