Special Collections
Young Reader's Choice Award Winners
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred D. TaylorWinner of the Newbery Medal, this remarkably moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers. Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. And it is also Cassie's story--Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers over the course of an important year why having land of their own is so crucial to the Logan family, even as she learns to draw strength from her own sense of dignity and self-respect.* "[A] vivid story.... Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence."--Booklist, starred review
McElligot's Pool
by Dr SeussA young man dreams of all the fish that might just be coming to be caught in McElligot's pool, from whales, to dogfish, from catfish to eels. Let your imagination run wild in this delightful story.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O'Brien and Zena BernsteinMrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.
Newbery Medal Winner
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Henry and the Paper Route
by Beverly Cleary and Tracy DockrayNewbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary gives readers a hero they'll relate to--and root for--in this comical and inspiring novel about Henry Huggins's mission to prove himself worthy of his very own paper route.
All the older kids work their own paper route, but because Henry is not eleven yet, Mr. Capper won't let him. Desperate to change his mind, Henry tries everything he can think of to show he's mature and responsible enough for the job. From offering free kittens to new subscribers, to hauling hundreds of pounds of old newspapers for his school's paper drive, there's nothing Henry won't try. But it might just be the irrepressible Ramona Quimby who shows Mr. Capper just how capable Henry is.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Homer Price
by Robert MccloskeyWelcome to Centerburg! Where you can win a hundred dollars by eating all the doughnuts you want; where houses are built in a day; and where a boy named Homer Price can foil four slick bandits using nothing but his wits and pet skunk.
The comic genius of Robert McCloskey and his wry look at small-town America has kept readers in stitches for generations!
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
by Louis SacharBradley Chalkers IS the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls. No one likes him--except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try. But when you feel like the most-hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .Winner of 19 Children's Choice AwardsFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
Henry and Ribsy
by Beverly Cleary and Tracy DockrayHenry's father promises to take him salmon fishing if he can keep Ribsy out of trouble for the next month. But that's no easy task, especially when Ramona gets into the act.In this humorous and heartfelt novel from Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary, the bond between a boy and his dog proves strong, as Henry vows to stick up for Ribsy... even if he is a trouble-maker!
From the first moment Henry found Ribsy, the curious mutt was poking his nose into things he shouldn't be. Whether terrorizing the garbage man, chasing cats, or gobbling Ramona Quimby's ice-cream cone, Henry's four-legged pal has walked himself into one problem too many. So when Henry asks his dad if he can go along on the big fishing trip, Mr. Huggins agrees, but on one condition: Ribsy must stay out of mischief for two whole months. Henry is confident in his loyal dog... until Ribsy goes overboard with his appetite for chaos... literally!
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Snow Treasure
by Marie McswiganA daring adventure based on a true story about a group of Norwegian children who smuggled nine million dollars in gold past Nazi sentries during World War II.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
John F. Kennedy and PT-109
by Richard TregaskisThe author describes the life of John F. Kennedy and his PT-109, focusing on the wreck of his ship and how the crew members were saved.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
by Beverly Cleary and Jacqueline RogersIn this imaginative adventure from Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary, a young mouse named Ralph is thrown into a world of excitement when a boy and his shiny toy motorcycle check in to the Mountain View Inn. This timeless classic now features a foreword written by New York Times bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, as well as an exclusive interview with Beverly Cleary herself.
When the ever-curious Ralph spots Keith's red toy motorcycle, he vows to ride it. So when Keith leaves the bike unattended in his room one day, Ralph makes his move. But with all this freedom (and speed!) come a lot of obstacles. Whether dodging a rowdy terrier or keeping his nosy cousins away from his new wheels, Ralph has a lot going on! And with a pal like Keith always looking out for him, there's nothing this little mouse can't handle.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard Atwater and Florence AtwaterMr. Popper and his family have penguins in the fridge and an ice rink in the basement in this hilarious Newbery Honor book that inspired the hit movie! How many penguins in the house is too many? Mr. Popper is a humble house painter living in Stillwater who dreams of faraway places like the South Pole. When an explorer responds to his letter by sending him a penguin named Captain Cook, Mr. Popper and his family&’s lives change forever. Soon one penguin becomes twelve, and the Poppers must set out on their own adventure to preserve their home. First published in 1938, Mr. Popper&’s Penguins is a classic tale that has enchanted young readers for generations. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Richard and Florence Atwater including rare photos from the authors&’ estate.
Encyclopedia Brown Keeps the Peace
by Donald J. SobolEncyclopedia Brown has an uncanny knack for trivia. With his unconventional knowledge, he solves mysteries for the neighborhood kids through his own detective agency. But his dad also happens to be the chief of the Idaville police department, and every night around the dinner table, Encyclopedia helps him solve some of the most baffling crimes. With ten confounding mysteries in each book, not only does Encyclopedia have a chance to solve them, but readers are given all the clues as well and can chime in with their own solutions. Interactive and fun--it's classic Encyclopedia Brown!
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Blubber
by Judy BlumeBlubber is a good name for her, the note from Wendy says about Linda. Jill crumples it up and leaves it on the corner of her desk. She doesn't want to think about Linda or her dumb report on the whale just now. Jill wants to think about Halloween.But Robby grabs the note, and before Linda stops talking it has gone halfway around the room.That's where it all starts. There's something about Linda that makes a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go -- but nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
Lassie Come-Home
by Eric KnightLassie, the prize dog of a humble household, is sold to a wealthy family when hard times befall her original owners. Taken hundreds of miles away, she does what many collies have done before her, she starts for home so that she can be faithful to a duty--that of meeting a boy by a schoolhouse gate.
There is something epic in Eric Knight's story of this dog and the saga of its weary trek, guided only by instinct. It is told with profound understanding, in moving prose. Marguerite Kirmse's illustrations blend into the spirit of one of the most poignant and best-loved dog stories in the world.
"This is more than a good dog-story; it may well be found, a long time hence, among the dog-stories that do not go out of print." So wrote May Lamberton Becker, reviewing the book in the fall of 1940, when it was published for the first time. Her prediction has been borne out.
The outstanding dog classic of all time, Lassie Come-Home has since appeared in twenty-five languages throughout the world. In 1942 an M-G-M movie based on the book launched the career of Elizabeth Taylor. In the spring of 1978 a new movie version was released, starring James Stewart, Alice Faye and Mickey Rooney and the best-loved dog of all time, the collie Lassie.
The book has been in print continually in various editions since the time of its first publication.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Wait Till Helen Comes
by Mary Downing HahnTwelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, Michael, have never liked their seven-year-old stepsister, Heather. Ever since their parents got married, she's made Molly and Michael's life miserable. Now their parents have moved them all to the country to live in a house that used to be a church, with a cemetery in the backyard. If that's not bad enough, Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and warning Molly and Michael that Helen is coming for them. Molly feels certain Heather is in some kind of danger, but every time she tries to help, Heather twists things around to get her into trouble. It seems as if things can't get any worse.
But they do—when Helen comes.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
The Incredible Journey
by Sheila Burnford and Carl BurgerInstinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all time--and has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
The Swamp Fox of the Revolution
by Stewart H. HolbrookHistory of a small band of backwoodsmen who carried on a private war with the British redcoats in South Carolina during the American Revolution. Led by Francis Marion, these guerrilla fighters struck fear into the hearts of the English.
Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You
by Barthe DeclementsHelen figures that she'll coast through sixth grade-until she comes face to face with her new teacher, Mrs. Lobb. Strict "Mrs. Blob" rules the class like a sergeant, and Helens' practical jokes make her crack down even more. It wouldn't be so bad if Helen got good grades-but the harder she works, the more she fails. Is Helen going to be stuck in sixth grade forever?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
by Ian FlemingWen resourceful inventor Caractacus Pott saves the enormous green roadster from the scrap heap, it doesn't take long for his family to realize that they have a pretty amazing auto. Their day trip to the beach turns into an exciting sea voyage, complete with a secret cave and a gang of ruthless mobsters (who have a giant stockpile of explosives)! The Potts quickly learn that CHITTY CHITTY Bang Bang may be their only hope!
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
by Ian FlemingChitty Chitty Bang Bang is the story of a magical transforming car that helps a family to foil a group of gangsters. It is the only children's novel by Ian Fleming, the British author best known for the James Bond stories. The novel was dedicated to his son, though Fleming died before it was published. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in ebook form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.
By the Shores of Silver Lake
by Laura Ingalls WilderThe fifth book in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s treasured Little House series, and the recipient of a Newbery Honor—now available as an ebook! This digital version features Garth Williams’s classic illustrations, which appear in vibrant full color on a full-color device and in rich black-and-white on all other devices.Laura Ingalls and her family move from the banks of Plum Creek to the wilderness of the unsettled Dakota Territory. Here Pa works on the new railroad until he finds a homestead claim that is perfect for their new home. Laura takes her first train ride as she, her sisters, and Ma come out to live with Pa on the shores of Silver Lake. After a lonely winter in the surveyors' house, Pa puts up the first building in what will soon be a brand-new town on the beautiful shores of Silver Lake. The Ingalls's covered-wagon travels are finally over.The nine Little House books are inspired by Laura’s own childhood and have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America’s frontier history and as heartwarming, unforgettable stories.
Henry Reed's Baby-Sitting Service
by Keith RobertsonThis book is actually in the form of a diary or journal. It tells about the different experiences of Henry when he worked as a baby sitter during his summer vacation.
Rascal
by Sterling NorthSkunks, woodchucks, a crow named Poe, an absent-minded father, aneighteen foot, half-finished canoe in the living room--welcome to the North home!
Nothing's surprising at the North residence. Not even eleven-year-old Sterling's new pet raccoon. Rascal is only a baby when young Sterling brings him home to join his unusual family. The mischievous raccoon and Sterling are partners and best friends for a perfect year of adventure--swimming, fishing, exploring the countryside together--until the spring day when everything suddenly changes and Sterling realizes he must let Rascal go.
This heartwarming and delightful memoir of a boy's friendship with a wild animal, and his growing awareness of the world around him, has become a treasured classic. Rascal has taken his place among literature's most captivating and endearing animals.
Newbery Medal Honor Book
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
King of the Wind
by Marguerite HenryHe was named “Sham” for the sun, this golden-red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco’s stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was swift as the desert winds, Sham’s pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel masters and owners. This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France, and finally to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned Godolphin Arabian, whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior thoroughbred. Sham’s speed—like his story—has become legendary.
The Black Stallion
by Walter FarleyFirst published in 1941, Walter Farley's best-selling novel for young readers is the triumphant tale of a boy and a wild horse. From Alec Ramsay and the Black's first meeting on an ill-fated ship to their adventures on a desert island and their eventual rescue, this beloved story will hold the rapt attention of readers new and old.
This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades 4-5, Stories) in Appendix B.
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award