Kids Give Book Award to Their Favorite Books
The Children’s Choice Book Awards is the only national children’s book awards program where winning titles are selected by young readers of all ages. The good news here is that there is a very high probability that your child will like these books too! The children (and teens) have spoken! These are their favorite books for 2011!
Illustrator of the Year
David Wiesner for Art and Max We all love this book from my Kindergartner to my 5th grader. It is no surprise that David Wiesner won; he’s won 3 Caldecott Awards. I’m actually more surprised that he didn’t win the Caldecott this year. Not only are the illustrations amazing, but the storyline is crazy-creative, as per usual! My son picked this book as one of his 3 favorite books this year.
Author of the Year
Rick Riordan for The Lost Hero Just about every kid I know loves the Percy Jackson series from 3rd grade through Middle School, and this latest series combines Greek Mythology with Roman, so what could be better?! My 5th grader and I both loved this book, especially the new cast combined with old favorites. And, I just found out the second book of the Kane Chronicles is out. My 5th grader is reading it and she said that she screamed with excitement when she opened the box. Not all the kids who like Percy Jackson are loving The Kane Chronicles which delves into ancient Egypt, but we are big fans! I have a post on it here.
2011 Winners and Nominees
K – Grade 2
• Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby–Winner!
• Shark vs. Train by Tom Lichtenheld
• How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
I read this book at a book store and it’s a cute book. It’s especially great for kids who are also learning to read.
• Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
We have this book and my Kindergartener son LOVES it. It has an unusual rhyming pattern in that a word in the middle will rhyme from line to line. My son likes to pick out parts for his own hot rod on the page. I also like how the story demonstrates that it’s not the size that matters, it’s determination. This is Cynthia Lord’s first picture book and her chapter book, Rules, won a Newbery. This made our Top 10 Picture Books to LOL With Your Child.
• Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott
Grades 3-4
• Lunch Lady and the Summer Shakedown by Jarrett J. Krosoczka—Winner!
• Finally by Wendy Mass
My fifth grader and I really liked this book. It’s a great coming of age book for girls who feel like they have waited a long time to finally be able to do certain things. The lesson here is “be careful what you wish for”! I have a post here.
• Bad Kitty vs Uncle Murray by Nick Bruel
• Enclycopedia Mythologica: Gods & Heroes by Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda
My neighbor is best friends with Robert Saduba. The big story here is that Robert Sabuda will be going solo going forward, but that’s ok because he’s the brains behind the operation. This is another great pop-up “encyclopedia”. We have most of them but we really, really need this one!
• Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
More adorable Babymouse; graphic novels that appeal to girls.
Grades 5-6
• The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan–Winner!
The Red Pyramid is book 1 of the Kane Chronicles and the winner of 2011 Children’s Book Awards. The good news is that book two is out. The best news of all is that kids are learning about ancient Egypt!
• Zebrafishby Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision
• Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
• It’s a Book by Lane Smith
• Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Teen Choice
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan—Winner!
• Burned by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I thought The Hunger Games series would be too scary for my 5th grader and I was hesitant to read them myself but I was wrong. She loved them and posts on this series here.
• Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
• Fang by James Patterson
My 5th grader loves the Maximum Ride series and it’s action-packed with short manageable chapters. As half bird-half human-engineered mutants, the flock, led by Maximum Ride, must save the world. She wrote a post for me here.
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