Robert F. Sibert Award

Awarded by:  an ALSC (Assoc. for Library Services to Children), a division of ALA, committee looking for the best U.S. informational book.

Kerley, Barbara (2008).  What To Do About Alice?  New York, New York:  Scholastic Press.

Genre:  Historical Fiction Biography

Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter Alice was determined to “eat up the world”.  She was fun loving, adventurous and always curious.  This caused problems for her famous father who was told proper young ladies did not act like that.  As much trouble as she caused, she was also her father’s greatest ally and supporter.  She grew up to be quite an unusual political force in Washington herself.  The cartoon-like illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham add a true sense of fun and whimsy that matches Alice’s personality perfectly.  This book would be a welcome addition to a collection of early biographies.  It would also be a good tool to use to compare lives of the Obama girls (or previous White house residents) and Alice’s life.  While times change, it is still hard to be growing up in the public eye. 

Other Awards:

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Irma Black Award Honor Book

Parents Choice Award

Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award

California Collections

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

An ALA Notable Book

Capitol Choices

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Nominated for Young Reader awards in Texas, Illinois, Utah and Tennessee

O’Connell, Caitlin, Jackson, Donna (2011).  The Elephant Scientist.  New York, New York: 

            Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture books

This beautifully photographed book follows the daily lives of scientists studying elephants in the Namibian desert.  This book about these amazing animals is so interesting and informative.  It can be understood on so many levels depending on how it is read or presented.  For younger students, a teacher can select sections to read and photos to share.  For older readers, the book can be read straight through or by using the table of contents to focus on certain desired facts.  There are recommended websites to visit as well.  There is so much here to enjoy and recall.  This book is one that readers will return to again and again. 

Other Awards:

 2012 Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12

 ALA Notable Children 's Book 2012

2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, Nonfiction

Montgomery, Sy (2010).  Kakapo Rescue Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot.   New York,

            New York:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This book follows 10 days of the work of scientists working hard to save the Kakapo from extinction.  This flightless parrot only lives on Codfish Island off the southern coast of New Zealand.  They used to be found all over New Zealand but were killed off through the thoughtless acts of people until now there are only 91 left in the world.  These scientists are working to help incubate eggs and protect nests.  It is round the clock  work but worth it for these trusting, funny and beautiful birds.   This well written book would captivate older readers from the beginning.  The beautiful photos by Nic Bishop are crucial to help to carry the story and information along.  Readers are invited to follow the scientists’ progress on  a regularly updated website.

Other Awards: 

2011 ALA Notable Children’s Books, Middle Readers;

2011 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended;

2011 Top 10 Books for Youth, Environment;

Booklist 2010 Editor’s Choice, Books for Youth, Nonfiction, Middle Readers;

Booklist Lasting Connections of 2010, Science;

Booklist 2010 Top 10 Books for Youth, Sci-Tech;

Horn Book ; Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12:

2011Fanfare, Best Books of 2010, Nonfiction;

Kirkus Reviews 2010 Best Children’s Books;

BCCB Blue Ribbon 2010, Nonfiction