Young Reader's Choice Award

 

2009 Nominees - Junior Division (grades 4 - 6)

Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements
In his very small town of Hamilton, Nebraska, fifth-grader Ted Hammond looks for a connection between the dying town's dwindling school numbers and the face in the window of the empty Anderson house.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.

Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Frustrated at her seeming lack of talent for anything, a young Taiwanese American girl sets out to apply the lessons of the Chinese Year of the Dog, those of making best friends and finding oneself, to her own life.

Rules by Cynthia Lord
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry
While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life.

To Dance by Siena Cherson Siegel
The author describes how she first decided she wanted to be a ballerina at the age of six, and how that dream carried her from her home in Puerto Rico to dance class in Boston to performing with the New York City Ballet.

 

2009 Nominees - Middle Division (grades 7 - 9)

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A Fable by John Boyne
Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called "Out-With" in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence.

Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer
When Fletcher Moon, the youngest detective in the world, is framed for a crime he did not commit, he must team up with the unlikeliest of allies, run from the authorities, and solve the case within twelve hours to clear his name.

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz
After recovering from a near fatal gunshot wound, teenage spy Alex Rider embarks on a new mission to stop a group of eco-terrorists from sabotaging the launch of the first outer space hotel.

The Pinhoe Egg by Diana Wynne Jones
Marianne Pinhoe, a young witch discovering her powers, stumbles upon a mysterious egg in her grandmother's attic, which leads her on a magical adventure, along with her fellow enchanter Cat.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
After spending her summer running the family farm and training the quarterback for her school's rival football team, sixteen-year-old D.J. decides to go out for the sport herself, not anticipating the reactions of those around her.

Small Steps by Louis Sachar
Three years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is trying hard to keep his life on track, but when his old pal X-Ray shows up with a plan to make some easy money scalping concert tickets, Armpit reluctantly goes along.

Endymion Spring by Matthew Skelton
While visiting Oxford with his mother and kid sister, Blake finds a strange, wordless book in the college library, but as Blake looks, words begin to appear on the page--words no one else can see.