State Award Reading List
California State Reading Lists
California Young Reader Medal
2011 - 2012 California Young Reader Medal Winner
Middle School / Junior High
Cracker!
The Best Dog in Vietnam
By: Cynthia Kadohata
This edition: Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication date: February 6, 2007
Ages: 10 - 14
CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS: a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she...
2011 - 2012 California Young Reader Medal Nominees
Primary
The Odd Egg
By: Emily Gravett
Illustrated by: Emily Gravett
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: January 27, 2009
Ages: 4 - 8
Each of the birds has an egg...except for Duck. So when Duck finds a beautiful egg of his own he's delighted -- even though the other birds make fun of it. But everyone's in for a BIG surprise when his egg finally hatches! ...
Yound Adult
Unwind
By: Neal Shusterman
This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: November 6, 2007
Ages: above 14
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is...
Eureka Excellence in Nonfiction
2011 Eureka Excellence in Nonfiction Gold Award
Rah, Rah, Radishes!
A Vegetable Chant
By: April Pulley Sayre
Photographs by: April Pulley Sayre
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: June 14, 2011
Ages: 3 - 7
Rah, rah, radishes, red and white! Carrots are calling. Take a bite! Oh boy, bok choy, Brussels sprout. Broccoli! Cauliflower! Shout it out! Know any kids who don't like veggies? Here is a book that's sure to change their...
Other Formats: eBook
California Readers Collection
2012 California Readers Collection
Elementary School
The Brothers Kennedy
John, Robert, Edward
By: Kathleen Krull
Illustrated by: Amy June Bates
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: January 26, 2010
Ages: 4 - 8
An inspiring picture book about John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy, by acclaimed author Kathy Krull and New York Times bestselling artist Amy Bates.
Other Formats: eBook
Lucky for Good
By: Susan Patron
Illustrated by: Erin McGuire
This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: August 9, 2011
Ages: 8 - 12
Will Lucky solve life’s mysteries before she turns twelve? The adventures that began with the Newbery Award–winner The Higher Power of Lucky come to a grand finale.For eleven-year old Lucky, the universe is full of...
Mama Miti
Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya
By: Donna Jo Napoli
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson
This edition: Hardcover, 40 pages
Publication date: January 5, 2010
Ages: 4 - 8
Through artful prose and beautiful illustrations, Donna Jo Napoli and Kadir Nelson tell the true story of Wangari Muta Maathai, known as “Mama Miti,” who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African...
Other Formats: eBook
The Tortoise or the Hare
By: Toni Morrison and Slade Morrison
Illustrated by: Joe Cepeda
This edition: Hardcover, 32 pages
Publication date: September 7, 2010
Ages: 4 - 8
Everyone knows that in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare the slow and steady tortoise wins always wins. Or does he? In this energetic retelling Hare wins but the Tortoise has the story to tell. So you decide, what makes a...
Other Formats: eBook
The Trouble with May Amelia
By: Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson
This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: April 5, 2011
Ages: 8 - 12
May Amelia Jackson captured readers' hearts in the Newbery Honor Book Our Only May Amelia. Now, after over ten years, Jennifer Holm is bringing this beloved character back in a beautiful way. The Trouble with May Amelia is a...
SPHDZ Book #1!
(Part of Spaceheadz)
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Shane Prigmore / with: Francesco Sedita
This edition: Hardcover, 176 pages
Publication date: June 22, 2010
Ages: 7 - 10
The perfect combination of the age old experience of holding and poring over a physical book with newest media technology that kids love! Michael K. just started fifth grade at a new school. As if that wasn't hard enough, the...
Other Formats: Trade Paperback
Trucks Line Up
(Part of Jon Scieszka's Trucktown)
By: Jon Scieszka
This edition: Hardcover, 24 pages
Publication date: February 22, 2011
Ages: 4 - 6
Jack truck takes the lead in this Ready to Roll, calling out colors and characteristics. All the trucks of Trucktown line up when it's their turn. But what about Pete? He's not red, or green, or pink, or blue. He doesn't have...
Other Formats: Trade Paperback
Middle School
Alienated
By: Andrew Auseon
Created by: David O. Russell
This edition: Trade Paperback, 352 pages
Publication date: October 12, 2010
Ages: 8 - 12
Aliens are among us, and eighth-graders Gene and Vince regularly report on their existence via the Globe, their weekly tabloid. Most readers don’t take the articles seriously, but when the pair outs the school guidance...
The Light
(Part of Morpheus Road)
By: D.J. MacHale
This edition: Trade Paperback, 352 pages
Publication date: December 21, 2010
Ages: 10 - 14
BR>Marshall Seaver is being haunted.It begins with mysterious sounds, a fleeting face outside a window, a rogue breeze—all things that can be explained away. That is, until he comes face-to-face with a character who only...
A Million Shades of Gray
By: Cynthia Kadohata
This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: January 5, 2010
Ages: 10 - 14
A boy and his elephant escape into the jungle when the Viet Cong attack his village immediately after the Vietnam war.
The Trouble with May Amelia
By: Jennifer L. Holm
Illustrated by: Adam Gustavson
This edition: Hardcover, 224 pages
Publication date: April 5, 2011
Ages: 8 - 12
May Amelia Jackson captured readers' hearts in the Newbery Honor Book Our Only May Amelia. Now, after over ten years, Jennifer Holm is bringing this beloved character back in a beautiful way. The Trouble with May Amelia is a...
Shooting Kabul
By: N. H. Senzai
This edition: Hardcover, 272 pages
Publication date: June 22, 2010
Ages: 8 - 12
In the summer of 2001, twelve year old Fadi’s parents make the difficult decision to illegally leave Afghanistan and move the family to the United States. When their underground transport arrives at the rendezvous point,...
Everfound
(Part of Skinjacker Trilogy, The)
By: Neal Shusterman
This edition: Hardcover, 512 pages
Publication date: May 3, 2011
Ages: above 12
While Mary lies in a glass coffin aboard a ghost train heading west, her minions are awaiting her re-awakening by bringing lots of new souls into Everlost to serve her. Meanwhile Jackin’ Jill has met Jix, a...
High School
Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
By: Morgan Matson
This edition: Hardcover, 352 pages
Publication date: May 4, 2010
Ages: above 12
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from...
Everfound
(Part of Skinjacker Trilogy, The)
By: Neal Shusterman
This edition: Hardcover, 512 pages
Publication date: May 3, 2011
Ages: above 12
While Mary lies in a glass coffin aboard a ghost train heading west, her minions are awaiting her re-awakening by bringing lots of new souls into Everlost to serve her. Meanwhile Jackin’ Jill has met Jix, a...
