Maud Hart Lovelace Division I Nominees

One-Handed Catch by Mary Jane Auch
It’s 1946, and eleven year old Norm helps out by working at his family’s store. He’s just a regular guy, who loves baseball and has an artistic side as well. When he loses his hand in a meat grinding accident at the store, all of his dreams and ambitions are turned upside down by this shocking event. Through the support of his family and his own determination, Norm overcomes many of the obstacles his handicap presents to him. This is a positive, uplifting story of a kid overcoming adversity.

Extraordinary Adventure of an Ordinary Boy: The Hero Revealed by William Boniface
Ordinary Boy lives in Superopolis where people with superpowers are the rule.  Unlike his friends, Stench Boy and Halogen Boy, O Boy has no superpowers.  But then, Stench Boy doesn’t always smell so good and Halogen Boy is not the brightest superchild around, so maybe that’s not so bad after all. He and his friends get a chance to help out Ordinary Boy’s hero, the Amazing Indestructo against the evil designs of Professor Brain-Drain. Maybe Ordinary boy is not so ordinary after all!

No Talking by Andrew Clements is a quick and fun book to read! Lynsey and Dave are classmates in the fifth grade. In fact, along with many others in their class they have been attending Laketon Elementary together since they were all in kindergarten! Early on their class earned the nickname “Unshushables” from their teachers because they could not be quieted. Not only that, the girls and boys in the fifth grade did not get along with each other. Before you know it, it’s boys against girls and their contest involves quiet. A lot of it. Two days of complete silence in fact. Who will win in the end? There are plenty of funny stories to be told about the 48 hours of silence. This would make a great read-aloud for a fourth or fifth grade class.

Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
This is an excellent book about a brother and sister who have their issues. So what’s new about that? Well, Jessie and Evan get into an all out competition over who will sell the most lemonade, and there is a lot at stake. Check out this great book trailer to find out more about Lemonade War!

Sloppy Copy Slipup by DyAnne DiSalvo
Brian Higman hasn’t done his homework! He goes to school anyway, and his teacher and class listen to his excuses for not having his “sloppy copy” ready. As it turns out, he manages to interest everyone with his “story”.  This is a great book for teaching about the importance of telling your own story and writing what you know when you write, but it’s also a quick, engaging and fun read.

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sam doesn’t read too well, but when he discovers an old newspaper clipping in his grandfather’s attic, he reads enough to wonder whether he was kidnapped as a very young child. Why was he missing? Are the people in his life who they seem to be? Are they really his family? The mystery unfolds with the help of Sarah, a new friend from school who helps Sam discover his past.

Found by Margaret Haddix is a book I was looking forward to reading because I had thoroughly enjoyed the Shadow Children Series and an earlier novel by her called Running out of Time. This book begins with a mysterious plane that arrives at Cleveland airport with only 36 babies on board. Who are they? Fast forward thirteen years, and we meet Jonah, his sister Katherine and his good friend Chip. Jonah and Chip receive some unsettling letters that say, “You are one of the missing.” and “Beware! They’re coming back to get you!”  The two boys become aware that they are not just adopted kids–there’s a lot more to their stories and they are just beginning to find out what it all means. The three of them become involved in the adventure of their lives. If you love fantasy, time travel and historical fiction, you might just want to join them in the ride!

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn is a spooky good read! Ali has been invited to spend the summer with her 4 year cousin Emma and her Aunt Dulcie at the family cottage on the coast of Maine. Ali’s mother Claire, a troubled, rather sad figure who is prone to migraines is reluctant to let her go. Ali’s more positive father decides finally that Ali, at thirteen, needs to get away from her protective environment for awhile. What begins as a warm and fun adventure for the three, quickly changes when a young girl named Sissy appears on the beach while the two cousins are playing. Sissy seems to gain fast influence over four year old Emma who wants very much to have a friend in her life. As fun and exciting as she is to be with, Sissy can just as easily turn cruel and spiteful. Ali tries her best to protect Emma, but no one, including her aunt will listen! As the story unfolds we learn that the mysterious Sissy is a key to past tragedy at the Maine cottage. She is determined the truth about the lake and three young girls from many years ago will be told, but before it is there are many shivery moments to enjoy!

Bob the Rat has been captured by the very hungry palace cats, Brutus and Muffin. In order to save his own life he must tell them stories that keep them wanting more! But first he offers them cookies and then…you might recognize some of these stories, as they do resemble The Three Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rumplestiltskin. Cookies, stories and more–they all seem to take on Bob the Rat’s own ratty twist!

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor is a story that is both sad and funny. Georgina Hayes lives with her mom and little brother Toby. It wasn’t so long ago that her dad lived with them too, but he took off suddenly one day, leaving them with not enough money to pay the rent. Now, they are forced to live in their car, while her mom tries to find work and save enough money to get them back into a real home. At school, Georgina covers up the truth of her situation. She tries to keep up, but over time her appearance and grades both get worse. Then, one day, she sees a sign for a lost dog with a reward for $500 and that gives her an idea to steal a dog, hide it and collect her own substantial reward. The perfect solution to their homelessness! Even though she knows it’s wrong, when she finds a cute little dog with personality plus named Willy, she decides that he’s the perfect dog to steal and carry out her plan. Once she has Willy,  she’s in over her head and she needs to find a way out!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban is about eleven year old Zoe Elias. She aspires to be a musical prodigy on the piano, but instead of getting her a piano Zoe’s dad buys her an electric organ. She dutifully takes lessons, and then enters an organ competition. Her dad is reclusive and fearful of leaving his house. Mom is often busy working for her family, so much that she is unable to take Zoe to the competition. It takes the help of Wheeler, a friend from school to convince her dad to get her there.

CoastWatcher by Elise Weston
You will learn about what it was like to live in the United States during World War II when you read this book. Nine year old Hugh is spending the summer with his mother, sister and cousin at his family’s cottage on the East coast. They are trying to avoid the polio epidemic that is threatening the health of many children at that time. Hugh is also very interested in the news of the war. In addition to reading about it he uses his binoculars to scan the ocean for enemies. When he spots some suspicious evidence of enemy ships, no one takes him very seriously. But eventually no one can ignore what is happening, and there are some very suspenseful moments as Hugh uncovers a serious threat to our country! The story will keep you on your toes and made me want to learn even more about the history of our country during World War II.