2008-2009 Sunshine

StateYoung Readers

Information in this presentation is provided by Follett Library Resources

Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual

connection because of a valuable diamond supposedly hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school.

BL = 4.0 Pts = 6Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach

An ancient and terrifying Narragansett Native American legend begins to come true for a teenage long-distance runner whose recovery from the accident that killed her parents has stunned everyone, including her guardian

aunt in Providence, Rhode Island.

BL = 5.5 Pts = 5Whisper in the Darkby Joseph Bruchac

Living near the water on Maryland's Eastern Shore, thirteen-year-old Brady and his best friends J.T. and

Digger become entangled in a tragedy which tests their friendship and their ideas about right and wrong.

BL = 4.9 Pts = 8Red Kayakby Priscilla Cummings

Two sisters, aged ten and twelve, are accused of witchcraft in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1692 and await trial in a miserable prison while their mother desperately searches for some way to obtain their

freedom.

BL = 4.6 Pts = 5The Sacrificeby Kathleen Benner Duble

After getting caught lying on a school project about who his grandfather was, fourteen-year-old Joseph

Claderno is forced to redo the assignment and learns more about his adopted Italian-American family and

Korean heritage than he ever thought possible.

BL = 4.6 Pts = 6Kimchi & Calamariby Rose Kent

Years afterwards, Ruben Hart tells the story of how, in 1929 Newport, Rhode Island, his family and his best

friend's family were caught up in the violent competition among groups trying to control the local

rum-smuggling trade.

BL = 4.8 Pts = 8Black Duckby Janet Taylor Lisle

Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her

world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic.

BL = 3.9 Pts = 4Rulesby Cynthia Lord

Just before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy Fink receives a keyless locked box--set aside by his father before his death five years earlier--that purportedly contains the

meaning of life.

BL = 4.5 Pts = 11Jeremy Fink & the Meaning of Lifeby Wendy Mass

Twelve-year-old Jake Waters cannot wait to escape the small town of Patience, Kansas, until the arrival of a cursed toilet plunger causes him to reevaluate his

feelings toward his family and its history.

BL = 4.9 Pts = 9Out of Patienceby Brian Meehl

Five young teens hired as models for theme park guides find themselves pitted against Disney villains

and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world as a whole.

BL = 4.2 Pts = 9Kingdom Keepersby Ridley Pearson

Thirteen-year-old Joey Willis has been deaf since age six, but her mother has refused to let her learn sign

language, leaving Joey struggling to connect with those around her until she meets Dr. Charles Mansell and his baby chimpanzee, who secretly teach Joey how to sign.

BL = 5.2 Pts = 9Hurt Go Happyby Ginny Rorby

A fourteen-year-old boy attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest.

BL = 5.0 Pts = 9Peakby Roland Smith

Mourning the loss of his mother, nine-year-old David forms an unlikely friendship with independent, quirky thirteen-year-old Primrose, as the two help each other

deal with what is missing in their lives.

BL = 3.5 Pts = 4Eggsby Jerry Spinelli

While serving as co-editors of their school newspaper, middle-schoolers Adam and Jennifer uncover fraud and corruption in their school and in the city's government.

BL = 5.4 Pts = 9Adam Canfield of the Slashby Michael Winerip

Through a series of dangerous and violent misadventures, teenage loser Alfred Kropp rescues

King Arthur's legendary sword Excalibur from the forces of evil.

BL = 4.9 Pts = 10Extraordinary Adventuresof Alfred Kroppby Rick Yancey

Where are they?Where are they?

Last Year’s Winner…Last Year’s Winner…

The Miraculous Journey The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulaneof Edward Tulane by by Kate DiCamilloKate DiCamillo

State WinnerState Winner

And the winner is…And the winner is…

Read 3 and cast your vote Read 3 and cast your vote for the best book.for the best book.

Media Challenge…Media Challenge…

Read at least 7 Sunshine Read at least 7 Sunshine State BooksState Books

Voting in March/AprilVoting in March/April