Special Collections
Young Reader's Choice Award Winners
- Table View
- List View
Smoke
by William CorbinChris is a 14-year-old with a new stepfather on the farm. A wolf came and killed some chickens, and his stepfather wants to wants to the dog. Chris spends time alone on the mountain and befriends the wild dog, which turns out to be a wild and very ill German Shepherd. Chris learns many things about his stepfather and manhood. His much younger sister is a drama queen and quite funny, and his mother is too. Overall, a very serious topic, but compelling and full of wisdom. The ending is unexpected.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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
Danny Dunn on the Ocean Floor
by Jay Williams and Raymond AbrashkinDanny Dunn, Professor Bullfinch's headstrong young sidekick, is at it again. Trapped in the Professor's submersible research vessel at the bottom of the sea, time is running out!
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.
Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine
by Raymond Abrashkin and Jay WilliamsCan Danny program Miniac, a miniature automatic computer, to do his homework for him? His attempts seem to be going well until an old enemy, Snitcher, tries his hand at sabotage.
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
Old Yeller
by Fred GipsonAt first, Travis couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller
The stray dog was ugly, and a thieving rascal, too. But he sure was clever, and a smart dog could be a big help on the wild Texas frontier, especially with Papa away on a long cattle drive up to Abilene.
Strong and courageous, Old Yeller proved that he could protect Travis's family from any sort of danger. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?
Newbery Medal Honors book
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
Golden Mare
by William CorbinThere are a great many horses in the high country of the West, and some of them are lucky enough to have a boy to look after them and love them. But there aren't nearly enough boys to go around. That is why Magic, the golden mare, was most particularly lucky to have a boy like Robin Daveen. It was the greatest kind of luck for both of them, as a matter of fact, that they had each other, because Magic was not an ordinary horse and Robin was not an ordinary boy.
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
Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars
by Ellen MacgregorMiss Pickerell goes to visit her pet cow one morning and finds a rocketship in the pasture! It's a mission to Mars, and a curious Miss Pickerell finds herself accidentally locked inside!
Sea Star
by Marguerite HenryAn orphaned Chincoteague colt restores happiness to his new owners in this beloved horse story from Newbery Award–winning author Marguerite Henry.Movie men have come to Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning, and Paul and Maureen are thrilled—until they learn that the producers want to buy their beloved Misty. Reluctantly, they agree to sell in order to send their uncle to college. But how will they ever fill the lonely place that Misty leaves behind?Finding an orphaned colt helps Paul and Maureen deal with their loss, and they soon discover that little Sea Star needs them just as much as they need him.
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.
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.
The Black Stallion Returns
by Walter FarleyIn this, the second book in the series, the heart-stopping adventures of the Black Stallion continue as Alec discovers that two men are after the Black. One claims to be the Black's rightful owner and one is trying to kill the beautiful steed. An Arab chieftain proves his ownership of the Black and takes him away, but Alec is determined to find his horse again. Following the pair to Arabia, Alec encounters great evil and intrigue, as only a horse as spectacular as the Black could inspire.
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
The Return of Silver Chief
by Jack O'BrienThe moving story of the bond between a man and a wild dog.
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
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