2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Balliett, Blue. THE DANGER BOX. New York:Scholastic Press, 2010. 320p. (Gr. 5-7).
Annotation:
Zoomy is legally blind, doesn’t have any friends, lives with his grandparents, and has never met his father until the day he shows up and drops off a box with a mysterious battered notebook inside.
Booktalk:
Zoomy’s life with his grandparents began when then opened their door one morning and found him on the porch in a cat carrier. Taped to the top of the crate was a note, “Buck Chamberlain Is My Father / My Name is Zoomy / Kep Me please.” In spite of being legally blind, having no friends, and not having a father, Zoomy’s life is a good one. Until one day his father shows up with a mysterious box and leaves it with them to keep. Inside is an old battered notebook kept by someone who made a lot of lists, just like Zoomy does, and methodically checks things off. When he decides to investigate the notebook he makes friends with Lorrel at the library and they begin to wonder if the notebook might be a lost notebook of the great Darwin’s.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews08/15/2010
School LibraryJournal(starred) 09/01/2010
Publishers Weekly09/27/2010
Booklist10/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books11/01/2010
Hornbook Guide01/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Chosen for state reading lists in New Jersey, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Vermont
Author Website:
Other Books by Blue Balliett:
Chasing Vermeer
The Wright 3
The Calder Game
Related Books:
Slob by Ellen Potter
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Buckingham, Royce. THE DEAD BOYS. New York: Putnam’s, 2010. 201 p. (Gr. 5-8)
Annotation:
Twelve-year-old Teddy Matthews gets wrapped up in his new town’s history when a nuclear waste-infected tree attempts to eat him and use his life energy for itself.
Booktalk:
The day twelve-year-old Teddy Matthews and his mom move to Richland, is the day that the definition of “creepy,” takes on a real meaning for him. The abandoned house next door seems to draw Teddy onto its porch. While the huge green sycamore tree, turns to observe him. Or did he just feel that it did? After all, the tree is the most alive plant on the block that is not receiving a regular watering.
Teddy explores Richland on his bicycle and has adventures with several boys who seem happy to meet him, but curiously out of the mainstream of the local area. When he returns to places in his new hometown that he had visited with his new friends, nothing is the same. Where can he find answers to his questions about Richland and his new friends? Why is the old sycamore reaching out to Teddy—even through his bedroom window?
Reviews:
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2010
Library Media Connection (recommended) 01/01/2011
School Library Journal11/01/2010
VOYA12/01/2010
Wilson’s Junior High School09/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Chosen for the Louisiana and New Hampshire state reading lists
Author Website:
Other Books by Royce Buckingham:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Demonkeeper
Goblins!
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
The Light by D.J. MacHale
All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Connor, Leslie. CRUNCH. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2010. 330 p. (Gr. 6-8)
Annotation:
The Bike Barn is running smoothly even though Dewey’s folks are away, but strange things start happening that worry the kids.
Booktalk:
Walk or bike. Those are your choices when all the fuel pumps dry up in the gas crunch. Now Dewy Marriss is in a crunch too. His parents left him in charge of the family business and they are caught short of gas and can’t get back home. At first Dewey enjoys the work. Helping people get their bikes up and running is a great job. But as parts get scarcer and in greater demand Dewey suspects a thief right in their community.
Reviews:
Booklist04/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/2010
Horn Book10/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews(starred)04/15/2010
Library Media Connection(starred)11/01/2010
Wilson's Children10/01/2010
Wilson's Junior High School10/01/2010
Awards and Honors:
Indiana: Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees 2013
South Carolina: Junior Book Award Nominees 2013
Author Website:
Other books by Leslie Connor:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Waiting for Normal
Dead on Town Line
Miss Birdie Chose a Shovel
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
Self-reliance
Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
R My Name is Rachel by Patricia Reilly Giff
Energy Conservation & Conservation of Natural Resources
Luz Sees the Light by Claudia Davila
The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Fishy Business by Maxwell Eaton III
Business Enterprises
The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
Too Many Blooms by Catherine Daley
The Funeral Director’s Son by Colleen Murtagh Paratore
Cummings, Priscilla. BLINDSIDED. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2010. 226p. (Gr. 6-12)
Annotation:
Natalie knew from an early age that she could become totally blind, but at fourteen she isn’t prepared to face a life without her sight, but the time has now come to learn to deal with friends, family, and most of all, a school for the blind.
Booktalk:
Natalie must pack a small part of her life into a suitcase, leave her family and friends behind and start this unwanted chapter of her life. It doesn’t matter if Natalie is ready or not her vision will soon be gone. This young lady must now face the reality of many changes in her life. Natalie will encounter situations no sighted person has to deal with. Many people fear losing their sight and Natalie is no different. Experience this journey with Natalie and be encouraged by the way she deals with each situation.
Reviews:
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books07/01/2010
Booklist06/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews06/15/2010
Romantic Times07/01/2010
School Library Journal07/01/2010
Voice of Youth Advocates10/01/2010
Horn Book05/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Children’s Books of the Year 2011
Children’s Choices 2011
Chosen for South Carolina YA reading list
Author Website:
Other Books by Priscilla Cummings:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
What Mr. Mattero Did
Red Kayak
Saving Grace
The First Face
Autumn Journey
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Susy Flor
The Beautiful Between by Alyssa Sheinmel
Flyaway by Lucy Christopher
Under the Mesquiteby Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Flood, Nancy Bo. WARRIORS IN THE CROSSFIRE. Honesdale, PA: Front Street, 2010. 142 p. (Grades 5-9)
Annotation:
During WWII on the island of Saipan, Joseph finds himself the only one who can save his family from the dangers of the Japanese and American’s crossfire by leading them on a difficult path to a secret hidden cave his family has used before to hide from the enemy.
Booktalk:
During WWII on the island of Saipan, Joseph finds himself the only one who can save his family from the dangers of the Japanese and American’s crossfire by leading them on a difficult path to a secret hidden cave his family has used before to hide from the enemy. Joseph and his cousin have always played by their own rules, but with the war coming ever closer to their village they both begin to learn the ways of warriors to survive.
Reviews:
School Library Journal05/01/2010
Booklist (starred) 04/15/2010
KirkusReviews05/01/2010
Publishers Weekly04/12/2010
Awards or Honors:
ALA YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
Booklist Editor’s Choice for popular appeal and literary excellence 2010
VOYA Magazine: Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers, Feb 2011 issue
Author Website:
Other Books by Nancy Bo Flood:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
No-Name Baby
The Hogan That Great-Grandfather Built
Sand to Stone
The Navajo Year
From The Mouth of the Monster Eel
Pacific Island Legends
Mariana Islands Legends
Micronesian Legends
I’ll Go to School If…
Born Early
Working Together Against World Hunger
The Counseling Handbook
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related books
Fire in the Hills by Donna Jo Napoli
I Had Seen Castles by Cynthia Rylant
Flores-Galbis, Enrique. 90 MILES TO HAVANA. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2010. 304p. Gr. 5-8.
Annotation:
Julian and his brothers leave the dangers of Cuba via Operation Pedro Pan only to find new types of dangers await them in Miami.
Booktalk:
It’s 1961 and turmoil is spreading across Cuba leaving Julian’s parents no choice but to send their children to safety in the United States. As part of Operation Pedro Pan, the brothers flee to a Miami-based camp for Cuba exiled children and await their parent’s arrival. Once there, though, the boys discover the camp is overrun by bullies and gangs and when Julian’s brothers are sent to a home in Colorado, Julian must step up and defend himself and other camp refugees. This fast-paced adventure is based on the author’s real-life experiences of danger, betrayal, kindness and rescue.
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly Annex 11/08/2010
Booklist 05/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 10/01/2010
School Library Journal 08/01/2010
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 12/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2010
Wilson's Children 10/01/2010
Library Media Connection 08/01/2010
Wilson's Junior High School 09/01/2011
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Books 2011
Pura Belpre Author Honor 2011
Author Websites:
Other Books by Enrique Flores-Galbis:
Raining Sardines (publisher indefinitely out of stock)
Related Books:
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney
A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux
My Havana by Rosemary Wells
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino
Trouble by Gary Schmidt
Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys ofSudan by Mary Williams
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson
Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
Hughes, Mark Peter. A CRACK IN THE SKY. New York: Delacorte Press, 2010. 395 p. (Gr. 6-10.
Annotation:
A boy, a mongoose, a family business, and secrets galore, await you under the Infinicorp domes. Infinicorp takes care of everything, but not everything is right with the world. Can Eli save the world, as he knows it from collapse?
Booktalk:
“Don’t Worry! Infinicorp is taking care of everything!” The large purple logo of Infinicorp is everywhere in the domes. Infinicorp is the large corporation that now owns everything. But Eli is worried, worried about the frequent malfunctions in the sky dome, about the outsider he discovered in a tunnel under the dome, about how he will fit into the Infinicorp Company that his family owns, and he is worried about why his cousin, Spider, heir to Infinicorp, does not like him
After an explosion in the dome, Sebastian and Eli sneak outside. While running from an Infinicorp Guardian, Eli meets an outsider that tells him that The Final Days are near and asks him if he is prepared. Eli now has one more thing to worry about. As Eli searches for answers, Foggers, the enemies of Infinicorp, offer to help Eli find the answers he seeks. Family members become concerned about Eli as he seeks answers to his questions. Will being a Papadopoulos be enough to protect him from the fate of those who do not ago along with the Infinicorp indoctrination? Join Eli and Marilyn the mongoose as they hunt for the answers to all of his questions.
Reviews:
Booklist 07/15/2010
Library Media Connection(starred) 11/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 10/01/2010
Wilson's Children 09/01/2011
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Wilson's Junior High School 09/01/2011
Kirkus Review07/01/2010
Publishers Weekly08/02/2010
School Library Journal10/01/2010
Author Website:
Other Books by Mark Peter Hughes:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Lemonade MouthI am the Wallpaper
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rot & Ruinby Jonathan Mayberry
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld
McMullan, Margaret. SOURCES OF LIGHT. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010. 233 p. (Gr. 5-9)
Annotation:
In 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, fourteen-year-old Samantha and her mother witness and experience much of the cruelty of the Deep South’s prejudices and violence while Samantha learns from a friend about the importance of capturing life through photography.
Booktalk:
After fourteen-year-old Samantha loses her dad to the Vietnam War, she and her mom pull up stakes and relocate to Jackson, Mississippi, where her mom continues her career as a university professor. A photographer friend of her mother, Perry, gives Samantha a Pentax camera and tells her “Life is what it is at any second. A snapshot. Nothing more…Just look for shadows. Know where your light is coming from.” Life is a challenge in Jackson in the early sixties and, with the lunch counter sit-ins, the pop bottle bombs on the front yard, and the horrors of the Ku Klux Klan, Samantha looks for the best sources of light to “snap” and record these life’s events forever, regardless of the dangerous consequences. Read Sources of Light, by Margaret McMullan.
Author Website:
Book Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2010
School Library Journal(starred) 05/01/2010
Booklist 04/15/2010
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 05/2010
Horn Book(starred) 05/2010
Other books by Margaret McMullan:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Cashay
When I Crossed No-Bob
How I Found the Strong
In My Mother’s House
When Warhol was Still Alive
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Awards and Honors:
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults 2011
Best Book of Indiana, YA Category Children/Young Adult Category 2011
Nominated for the National Book Award, Young Adult Fiction Division
An Indie Bound Children's Book for Summer 2010
The Indie Next List: The "next great read" the "next best seller" 2010
A Teen Book Selection for Dozens of Reading Programs Including:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
- Columbus, OH Public Library
- OhioUniversity Library
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Evansville, Indiana's 2010 One Book/One Community Youth Selection
Chicago Public Library and the American Library Association feature Sources of Light as part of their 2010 ENGAGE Summer Reading Program, which focuses on art and civic engagement
Related Books:
Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
The Jacket by Andrew Clements
Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt
A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg
To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee
Paulsen, Gary. WOODS RUNNER.New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2010. 164p. (Gr. 5-8)
Annotation:
When twelve-year-old Samuel’s Pennsylvania village is raided by British Redcoats and Iroquois Indians, he sets off hot on their trail, intent on freeing his parents and any other captives they may have taken.
Booktalk:
Twelve-year-old Samuel left his peaceful Pennsylvania village to hunt for a bear and when he returned, the village was burned to the ground, raided by British Redcoats and Iroquois Indians. Samuel searched through the rubble and did not find the bodies of his parents. He set off hot on the trail of these raiders, intent on freeing his parents and any other captives they may have taken. Along his journey, Samuel receives help from unexpected friends on the trail, and slowly makes his way to New York City, where thousands of American prisoners are being held with little to no food. Will Samuel find his parents or will war take all their lives?
Reviews:
Booklist 01/15/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 03/01/2010
Horn Book 10/01/2010
Kirkus Review (starred) 01/01/2010
Library Media Connection (starred) 05/01/2010
Publishers Weekly (starred) 12/21/2009
School Library Journal 02/01/2010
Teacher Librarian 02/01/2011
Voice of Youth Advocates 04/01/2010
Wilson’s Junior High School 10/01/2010
Awards and Honors:
Parents’ Choice Gold Award 2010
Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award Nominee for Juvenile 2011
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award Nominee 2012
Chosen for state lists in Delaware, Florida, Arkansas, Illinois, South Carolina, Kentucky, Maine,
Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Iowa, Tennessee, and West Virginia
Author Website:
Other Books by Gary Paulsen (full list can be found at the website):
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Hatchet
Dogsong
Lawn Boy
Brian’s Return
Notes from the Dog
Mr. Tucket
The Quilt
The Rifle
The Winter Room
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Woodsong
My Life in Dog Years
Harris and Me
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
Moon of Two Dark Horses by Sally Keehn
My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
Chainsby Laurie Halse Anderson
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Poblocki, Dan. THE NIGHTMARYS. New York: Randomhouse, 2010. 325p. (Gr. 6-10).
Annotation:
Abigail is the new girl in school and Timothy isn’t quite sure what to make of her when, after her class humiliates her, two sinister little girls start haunting her and beckoning her to come and play.
Booktalk:
When Abigail and Timothy are paired together for a school project they have no idea how much they have in common. Both are haunted! Timothy has a secret that is giving him nightmares and Abigail has nightmares that are haunting her. It turns out they are more linked than they could ever imagine as they become the target of an ancient curse that gains strength by devouring human souls…and it is time for the curse to feed.