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Seven to Ten

This view shows all of the books in this age group that have been selected in years past and nominated for the current year (but not yet selected). The nominations are marked by a "Nomination(not yet selected):" label.

CHLOE AND THE LION

chloe and the lion cover
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Barnett
Author's First Name: 
Mac
Illustrator's First Name: 
Adam
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Rex
Publisher: 
Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: 
2012

Author and illustrator learn they must work together despite artistic differences, or the book they each imagine will never exist. The story about Chloe differentiates from the story of the story through cartoon art including balsa backdrops, Sculpey clay figures, and computer graphics.

THE MATCHBOX DIARY

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Fleischman
Author's First Name: 
Paul
Illustrator's First Name: 
Ibatoulline
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Bagram
Publisher: 
Candlewick
Publication Month: 
March
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

When a little girl visits her great-grandfather's house for the first time, he invites her to choose something from the room and he will tell her its story. She finds a cigar box filled with matchboxes. Her great-grandfather explains that before he was able to read or write, he collected his memories in these matchboxes. Each matchbox contains an object attached to a memory; a journey from Italy to the United States, and the challenges and joys that he and his family experienced. Each matchbox connects the great-grandfather and great-daughter more and the idea and importance literacy and preservation. The book is beautifully written and illustrated. The text is moving and warm. It is easy for any immigrant or descendant of immigrants to identify with the great-father's experience. The reader can appreciate small details on each artifact, such as a a warp on a bottle cap or edges on a broken tooth. Similar to Sharon Bell Mathis' "Hundred Penny Box," or Allen Say's "Grandfather's Journey," "The Matchbox Diary" is another beautiful addition to these journeys through a family's history. Seven to Ten. Ariana Hussain

BLUEBIRD

Bluebird
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Staake
Author's First Name: 
Bob
Publisher: 
Schwartz & Wade
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

In this wordless allegory of friendship between and bird and a boy, Staake uses digital renderings of geometric shapes and shades of grey and blue, along with comic-style framing, to portray the urban setting. When a bluebird perks up a boy's miserable day, they frolic together on the street and in the park. A tragic event (that may shock some readers) leads to an inspirational, unforgettable ending. Seven to Ten. Todd Krueger

FOLLOW FOLLOW

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Singer
Author's First Name: 
Marilyn
Illustrator's First Name: 
Josee
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Masse
Publisher: 
Dial
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Singer has delivered a collection of reverso poems that proves worthy of its companion book, Mirror Mirror. She has tackled all kinds of folk and fairy tales with stories like Tortoise and the Hare, the Princess and the Pea, Puss in Boots, and the Emperor's New Clothes. Anyone who enjoyed the first volume will be thrilled with the publication of this book. Seven to Ten. Joan Kindig

NELSON MANDELA

Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Nelson
Author's First Name: 
Kadir
Publisher: 
Katherine Tegen
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

This picture book biography highlights the life of Mandela from his childhood through to his election as President of South Africa including the 27-1/2 years he spent imprisoned for his political beliefs. It focuses on Mandela's sense of the injustice of Apartheid and his compulsion to speak out against it. This volume is a great introduction to a famous and important statesman for young readers. It goes without saying that Kadir Nelson's art work is striking. Seven to Ten. Joan Kindig

A SPLASH OF RED: THE LIFE AND ART OF HORACE PIPPIN

Horace Pippin
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Bryant
Author's First Name: 
Jen
Illustrator's First Name: 
Melissa
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Sweet
Publisher: 
Knopf
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Horace Pippin was a self-taught African American painter who worked around the time of WWI. Serving in France during the war, he was wounded in such a way that his right arm was relatively useless. Upon returning home he turned to other jobs but nothing fulfilled him the way painting did. By training his left arm to support his right arm, he was able to pick up painting where he left off. The famous painter, N.C, Wyeth, saw Pippin's paintings and arranged for him to show his work. Pippin's determination paid off and his primitive paintings are considered American classics. The prose is lovely and Sweet's illustrations are superb. The back matter tells much about Pippin's life, his painting style, and where his work can be seen. Seven to Ten. Joan Kindig

THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU

The World is Waiting for You
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Kerley, Barbara
Publisher: 
National Geographic
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

A striking combination of photographs of children enjoying the out-of-doors and adult explorations illustrate an ode to discovering the possibilities of the natural world. Many of the images come from National Geographic archives, and the back matter identifies them, with names and actions for the adults, and geographic location for all. One photograph is a paleontologist, another Sylvia Earle, another an astronaut,and another a bunch of spelunkers, scientists and explorers climbing among giant crystals in a Mexican cave. 7-10, Kathy Isaacs

BUILDING OUR HOUSE

Building our House
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Bean
Author's First Name: 
Jonathan
Publisher: 
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Publication Date: 
2013
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Based on the true experience of the author's parents who constructed their family's home literally from scratch. Endpapers show the before and after of what one family working together can accomplish. Illustrations tell a side story of Mother's pregnancy, the family cat's pregnancy and everyone lending a hand: baby carrying a hammer, big sister mixing cement. All-around beautiful story. Seven to Ten. Anne Womack

PERFECT GAME

Perfect Game
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Bowen
Author's First Name: 
Fred
Publisher: 
Peachtree
Publication Date: 
2014
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Kyle obsesses about pitching the perfect game and needs to be reminded that it is the team win that counts. His coach involves him with some special athletes, those who wouldn't make the most competitive teams but who are just as energetic and dedicated players. A read that introduces some new ways to look at sports participation and what it means to be part of a team or a partner. Seven to Ten. Edie Ching

THE FANTASTIC JUNGLES OF HENRI ROUSSEAU

Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Markel
Author's First Name: 
Michelle
Illustrator's First Name: 
Amanda
Illustrator's Last Name: 
Hall
Publisher: 
Eerdmans
Publication Date: 
2012

Self-taught artist Henri Rousseau ignored harsh critics by continuing to paint in his surrealistic, primitive style until younger painters like Picasso recognized his uniqueness. Illustrations in Rousseau’s dreamy style feature vibrant colors in both watercolor and acrylic. Backmatter enlarges Rousseau’s story.

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