THE DANGER BOX. Annotation:

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 Reviews 08/15/2010
School Library Journal (starred) 09/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 09/27/2010
Booklist 10/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 11/01/2010
Hornbook Guide 01/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Chosen for state reading lists in New Jersey, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Vermont
Author Website:
http://www.blueballiettbooks.com/index2.html
Other Books by Blue Balliett:
Chasing Vermeer
The Wright 3
The Calder Game
Related Books:
Slob by Ellen Potter
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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 Journal 11/01/2010
VOYA 12/01/2010
Wilson’s Junior High School 09/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Chosen for the Louisiana and New Hampshire state reading lists
Author Website:
http://www.demonkeeper.com/
Other Books by Royce Buckingham:
Demonkeeper
Goblins!
Related Books:
The Light by D.J. MacHale
All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
2
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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:
Booklist 04/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 06/01/2010
Horn Book 10/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews (starred) 04/15/2010
Library Media Connection (starred) 11/01/2010
Wilson's Children 10/01/2010
Wilson's Junior High School 10/01/2010
Awards and Honors:
Indiana: Young Hoosier Book Award Nominees 2013
South Carolina: Junior Book Award Nominees 2013
Author Website:
www.leslieconnor.com
Other books by Leslie Connor:
Waiting for Normal
Dead on Town Line
Miss Birdie Chose a Shovel
Related Books:
Self-reliance
Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
R My Name is Rachel by Patricia Reilly Giff
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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
4
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Cummings, Priscilla. BLINDSIDED. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 2010. 226p. (Gr. 612)
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 Books 07/01/2010
Booklist 06/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2010
Romantic Times 07/01/2010
School Library Journal 07/01/2010
Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2010
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
Children’s Books of the Year 2011
Children’s Choices 2011
Chosen for South Carolina YA reading list
Author Website:
http://www.priscillacummings.com
Other Books by Priscilla Cummings:
What Mr. Mattero Did
Red Kayak
Saving Grace
The First Face
Autumn Journey
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 Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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 Journal 05/01/2010
Booklist (starred) 04/15/2010
Kirkus Reviews 05/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 04/12/2010
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:
http://www.nancyboflood.com/
Other Books by Nancy Bo Flood:
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
Related books
Fire in the Hills by Donna Jo Napoli
I Had Seen Castles by Cynthia Rylant
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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:
http://www.enriquefloresgalbis.com/efgportraits.com/Home.html
http://www.efgportraits.com/
http://www.facebook.com/enrique.floresgalbis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozty5FRtpZs
Other Books by Enrique Flores-Galbis:
Raining Sardines (publisher indefinitely out of stock)
7
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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 of Sudan by Mary Williams
Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson
Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard
8
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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 Review 07/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 08/02/2010
School Library Journal 10/01/2010
Author Website:
http://markpeterhughes.com
Other Books by Mark Peter Hughes:
Lemonade Mouth
I am the Wallpaper
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Mayberry
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld
10
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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:
http://www.margaretmcmullan.com/
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:
Cashay
When I Crossed No-Bob
How I Found the Strong
In My Mother’s House
When Warhol was Still Alive
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:
- Columbus, OH Public Library
- Ohio University Library
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:
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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 Mockingbird by Harper Lee
12
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/
Other Books by Gary Paulsen (full list can be found at the website):
Hatchet
Brian’s Return
The Quilt
Dogsong
Notes from the Dog
The Rifle
Lawn Boy
Mr. Tucket
The Winter Room
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
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
14
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
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.
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly 07/26/2010
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2010
Booklist 08/01/2010
Bulletin of Center for Children’s Books 09/01/2010
School Library Journal 12/01/2010
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2010
Author Website:
http://www.danpoblocki.com/
Other Books by Dan Poblocki:
The Stone Child
The Mysterious Four Series
Hauntings & Heists
Clocks & Robbers
Monsters & Mischief
Related Books:
Pricker Boy by Reade Scott Whinnem
Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn
A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts by Ying Chang Compestine
15
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Shulman, Mark. SCRAWL. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2010. 234p. (YA)
Annotation:
When eighth-grader Tod Munn gets in trouble for bullying, his guidance counselor insists that he
come to detention every day after school and fill a notebook with several pages a day describing
his daily life and his past bullying incidents.
Booktalk:
When eighth-grader Tod Munn gets in trouble for bullying, his guidance counselor insists that he
come to detention every day after school with her and her alone. While there, he must fill in a
notebook with several pages a day describing his daily life and his past bullying incidents. His
counselor swears she will not break confidentiality, so Tod feels fairly comfortable letting the
stories flow. Tod says that his acts of bullying have been necessities – such as taking kids’
money for lunch, defending his friends, or to save himself from embarrassment. Now he’s been
roped into making the costumes for the school play and trying to maintain his friendships while
locked in detention day after day, scrawling his thoughts into the notebook. Is he really just
doing the best he can with the life he was born into, or is he taking advantage of those around
him? Listen to Tod explain in his own words in this interesting narrative.
Reviews:
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Kirkus Review 07/15/10
Library Media Connection (starred) 11/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 09/13/2010
School Library Journal 11/01/2010
Voice of Youth Advocates 10/01/2010
Wilson’s Junior High School 09/01/2011
Awards and Honors:
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
Chosen for state lists in New Hampshire, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky
Author Website:
(none)
Other Books by Mark Shulman (full list can be found on GoodReads):
“A” is for Zebra
The Wicked Wit of Benjamin Franklin
Nutsy the Robot Goes to School
Outsmart Math
Related Books:
Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn
Diary of a Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Bystander by James Preller
Journal of a Schoolyard Bully: Notes on Noogies, Wet Willies, and Wedgies by Farley Katz
16
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Shulman, Polly. THE GRIMM LEGACY. New York: Putnam, 2010. 336p. Gr. 6-9.
Annotation:
Elizabeth takes an after school job as a page at the New-York Circulating Material Repository,
which lends items, including the magical ones straight out of the Grimm fairy tales; but when
items start to go missing, it is up to her and the other pages to catch the magical thief before they
are accused themselves.
Booktalk:
Elizabeth has had trouble making friends at school, so when her teacher recommends her for a
job at the New-York Circulating Material Repository, she jumps at the task. Elizabeth soon
learns things are not what they seem at the repository when she discovers the Grimm Collection:
magical items taken straight from fairy tales that can be checked out and used for their magical
abilities! Soon though, items go missing and Elizabeth and her new friends must prove their
innocence while trying to catch the thief.
Reviews:
Booklist 05/15/2010
Publishers Weekly 06/28/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 09/01/2010
School Library Journal starred 06/01/2010
Horn Book 07/01/2010
Teacher Librarian 10/01/2010
Horn Book 05/01/2011
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 06/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2010
Library Media Connection 10/01/2010
Wilson's Junior High School 09/01/2011
New York Times 11/01/2010
Awards and Honors:
Arkansas Teen Book Award Nominee 2011-2012
Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award Nominee 2013
Missouri Truman Book Award Nominees 2012-2013
Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Nominees 2012-2013: Middle School
Texas Lone Star Reading List 2011
Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominees 2011-2012
Author Website:
http://pollyshulman.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIepgXWeE0
Other Books by the Author:
Enthusiasm
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Related Books:
The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series by Michael Scott
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Fablehaven Series by Brandon Mull
The Charlie Bone Series by Jenny Nimmo
Wings by Aprilynne Pike
18
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Sonnenblick, Jordan. AFTER EVER AFTER. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010. 272 p.
(Gr. 5-9)
Annotation:
Having both experienced the frightening cancer disease, eighth graders, Jeff and Tad, offer each
other support and encouragement as they deal with trials of the school year and focus on end-ofthe-year graduation.
Booktalk:
There’s this girl, Lindsey, newly transplanted from California…beautiful, funny, gorgeous legs,
neck like a swan’s! And there’s math to pass, always confusing, seldom understood, critical to an
eighth grader. And Steven, the older brother who was always there for answers to countless
important questions, gone to Africa to join a group of international hand drummers. Jeffrey Alper
has a lot to contend with…but wait! Throw in that he’s also a cancer survivor dealing with the
after-effects of the disease and chemo treatments. With all that, Jeffrey has a goal this year…to
graduate eighth grade! Will he make it? Find out in Jordan Sonnenblick’s After Ever After.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2010
School Library Journal (starred) 01/01/2010
Booklist (starred) 12/15/2009
Horn Book (starred) 03/2010
Awards and Honors:
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Middle School 2011
Schneider Family Book Award Middle School 2011
Chosen for state lists in Alaska, Arkansas, Utah, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Arizona,
Texas, Maine, Missouri, Rhode Island, Iowa, Tennessee, Vermont, and Indiana
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
Author Website:
http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/
Other Books by Jordan Sonnenblick:
Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie
Notes from the Midnight Driver
Zen and the Art of Faking It
Dodger and Me
Dodger for President
Dodger for Sale
Related Books:
A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin
Six Innings by James Preller
Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss
19
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Stanley, Diane. SAVING SKY. New York: Harper, 2010. 208p. (Gr. 4-12)
Annotation:
During a time of terrorist strikes in New Mexico a young girl named Sky is living on 60 acres of
land where her parents farm and survive off the land, when terrorist strikes start to cause panic
Sky’s family hides one of her classmates to keep him from going to a Deportation center.
Booktalk:
During a time of terrorist strikes in New Mexico a young girl named Sky is living on 60 acres of
land where her parents farm and survive off the land, when terrorist strikes start to cause panic
Sky’s family hides one of her classmates to keep him from going to a Deportation center. Her
family is secluded and many of the people in town think they’re a little strange since they don’t
have television, internet, and use solar energy for everything. One of Sky’s school assignments
is to write an essay on patriotism. She ends up winning a contest and gets to read her essay to
her town, what she does instead rocks the boat and brings changes to the way everyone thinks.
Reviews:
Booklist 06/01/2010
School Library Journal 09/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 11/22/2010
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2010
Awards or Honors:
The New England Children’s Booksellers Advisory Council, Top Ten Books for Fall
Bank Street College of Education, Best Books of the Year
Arab American Book Award 2011
New Mexico Battle of the Books selection
New Hampshire’s Great Stone Face Award nominee
Toledo Blade Holiday Roundup
Author website:
http://dianestanley.com/
Other Books by Diane Stanley (see the complete list on her website):
The Silver Bowl
The Mysterious Matter of I.M. Fine
Bella at Midnight
The Mysterious Case of the Allbright
Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter
Academy
Related Books:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowery
Borderline by Allan Stratton
20
2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Williams-Garcia, Rita. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad, 2010. 215 p. (Gr. 6-8)
Annotation:
Sisters Delphine, Vonetta and Fern never expected to attend Black Panther day camp during a
visit with their mother that crazy summer of 1968.
Booktalk: excerpt from page 3
“All the way to the airport, Pa had tried to act like he was dropping off three sacks of
wash at the Laundromat. I’d see through Pa. He’s no Vonetta, putting on performances. He has
only one or two faces, nothing hidden, nothing exaggerated. Even though it had been his idea
that we fly out to Oakland to see Cecile, Pa’d never once said how exciting our trip would-be. He
just said that seeing Cecile was something whose time had come. That it had to be done. Just
because he decided it was time for us to see her didn’t mean he wanted us to go.
My sisters and I had stayed up practically all night California dreaming about what
seemed like the other side of the world. We saw ourselves riding wild waves on surfboards,
picking oranges and apples off fruit trees, filling our autograph books with signatures from
movie stars we’d see in soda shops. Even better, we saw ourselves going to Disneyland.”
What the sisters found when they got to California was a cold and carless mother with totally
different plans for their summer.
Reviews:
Book Links 01/01/2011
Booklist (starred) 02/01/2010
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 02/01/2010
Horn Book (starred) 03/01/2010
Kirkus Reviews (starred) 01/15/2010
Library Media Connection (starred) 03/01/2010
Multicultural Review 06/01/2010
Publishers Weekly 01/04/2010
School Library Journal (starred) 03/01/2010
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 06/01/2010
Wilson's Children 10/01/2010
Wilson's Junior High School 10/01/2010
Awards and Honors:
ALA Notable Children's Books 2011
Amelia Bloomer Project 2011
Booklist Editor's Choice 2010
Coretta Scott King Author Award 2011
Horn Book Fanfare 2010
Newbery Honor 2011
Parents' Choice Gold Award 2010
Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award 2011
SLJ Best Books for Children 2010
Chosen for state reading lists in: Tennessee, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Maryland, Indiana,
Illinois, and Georgia
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2013 Intermediate Sequoyah Masterlist Smorgasbord
Author website:
www.ritawg.com
Other books by Rita Williams-Garcia:
Jumped
No Laughter Here
Every Time a Rainbow Dies
Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee
Like Sisters on the Homefront
Fast Talk on a Slow Track
Blue Tights
Related books:
The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon
My Life with the Lincolns by Gayle Brandeis
A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg
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