Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, 2020, Grades 3-5
1 Army Brats by Daphne Benedis-Grab
o Author website: http://daphnebg.com/
o Book Website: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/army-brats-by-daphne-benedis-grab/
o Educator Guide Forthcoming
2. Balderdash: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
o Author website: http://www.michellemarkel.com/
o Illustrator website: http://www.nancycarpenter.website/
o Book website: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/balderdash.html
o Teacher guide: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/pdfs/balderdash_teachersguide.pdf
o Animated presentation of color layers from illustrator: https://vimeo.com/209109455
3. A Boy Called Bat (#1) by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Author website: http://elanakarnold.com/
o Illustrator website: http://www.charlessantoso.com/wp/
o Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062445827/a-boy-called-bat/
o Teacher guide: https://b0f646cfbd7462424f7a-f9758a43fb7c33cc8adda0fd36101899.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/teaching-guides/TG-9780062445827.pdf
o Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJAevNdF9rI
4. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
o Author website: https://derrickdbarnes.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.gordoncjames.com/
o Book website: https://www.agatepublishing.com/titles/crown
o Study Guides:
1. Teaching ideas from Classroom Bookshelf: http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/02/crown-an-ode-to-the-fresh-cut/
5. Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
o Author/Illustrator website: http://www.bethanybarton.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/315651/give-bees-a-chance-by-bethany-barton-illustrated-by-bethany-barton/9780670016945/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
6. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
o Author website: https://www.lauriewallmark.com
o Illustrator website: http://katycwwu.tumblr.com/
o Book website: https://www.sterlingpublishing.com/9781454920007/
o Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOW2TUJY8Qk
o Study Guides:
1. Discussion guide from publisher: http://files.constantcontact.com/6cd8da1c001/7d5d0f42-d699-4d61-ac7b-50209ce260d9.pdf
2. Discussion questions from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13476
7. Imagine That!: How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
o Author website: https://www.judysierra.net/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kevinhawkes.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/246774/imagine-that-by-judy-sierra-illustrated-by-kevin-hawkes/9780553510973/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
8. Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Keith Knight
o Author website: http://www.adammansbach.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kchronicles.com/bio.html
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/248986/jake-the-fake-keeps-it-real-by-craig-robinson-and-adam-mansbach-illustrated-by-keith-knight/9780553523546
o Interview with author/actor Craig Robinson and “Jake”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urodLJ9LOq4
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
9. Lemons by Melissa Savage. This title was first released under the name Bigfoot, Tobin & Me in 2017 in the UK. There may be some additional resources for this title under its UK name.
o Author website: https://melissadsavage.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545674/lemons-by-melissa-savage/9781524700157/
o Publisher Study Guide: Please note the guide in the UK version of title of the book.
o https://resource.scholastic.com.au/resourcefiles/8506225_64567.pdf
10. Malala – Activist for Girl’s Education by Raphaelle Frier, illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
o Author website: N/A
o Illustrator website: http://www.aureliafronty.com/
o Book website: https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/malala
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
11. Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson
o Author website: http://www.terrylynnjohnson.com/
o Book website: https://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/Sled-Dog-School/9780544873315
o Study Guides: Curriculum guide from author’s personal website: http://www.terrylynnjohnson.com/pdfs/sled-dog-school-curriculum-guide.pdf
Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
12. The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress
o Author website: http://www.adriennekress.com/author/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534022/the-explorers-the-door-in-the-alley-by-adrienne-kress/9781101940082/
o Study Guides:
1. Teaching ideas from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13561
2. Study guide from author’s personal website: http://www.adriennekress.com/author/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Study-Guide-For-The-Explorers-The-Door-In-The-Alley.pdf
13. The Princess and the Peas by Rachel Himes
o Author website: http://www.rachelhimes.com/
o Book website: https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/princess-and-the-peas
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
14. Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Barbara Fisinger
o Author website: https://www.suzanneselfors.com/
o Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062447630/wedgie-and-gizmo/
o Study Guides:
1. Activity Guide from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019: https://texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com/wedgie-and-gizmo/
o Illustrator interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exmtuwCLLDw
15. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Author website: http://katherineapplegate.com/
o Book website: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250043221
o Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P5TSKKBIyo#action=share
o Study Guides & resources:
1. Teacher's Guide from Macmillan: https://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9781250043221TG.pdf
2. Activity Kit from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-activity-kit-final.pdf
3. Discussion Guide from Children's Book Review: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2018/02/wishtree-by-katherine-applegate-a-mother-daughter-book-discussion.html
4. Teaching Ideas from Classroom Bookshelf: http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/01/wishtree/
5. Discussion Guide from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/brochure-site.pdf
6. Leaf Cutouts from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-leaf-cut-outs.pdf
7. Pledge to Welcome All Poster from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-poster-site.pdf
o Author website: http://daphnebg.com/
o Book Website: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/army-brats-by-daphne-benedis-grab/
o Educator Guide Forthcoming
2. Balderdash: John Newbery and the Boisterous Birth of Children’s Books by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
o Author website: http://www.michellemarkel.com/
o Illustrator website: http://www.nancycarpenter.website/
o Book website: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/balderdash.html
o Teacher guide: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/pdfs/balderdash_teachersguide.pdf
o Animated presentation of color layers from illustrator: https://vimeo.com/209109455
3. A Boy Called Bat (#1) by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Author website: http://elanakarnold.com/
o Illustrator website: http://www.charlessantoso.com/wp/
o Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062445827/a-boy-called-bat/
o Teacher guide: https://b0f646cfbd7462424f7a-f9758a43fb7c33cc8adda0fd36101899.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/teaching-guides/TG-9780062445827.pdf
o Book trailer (unofficial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJAevNdF9rI
4. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
o Author website: https://derrickdbarnes.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.gordoncjames.com/
o Book website: https://www.agatepublishing.com/titles/crown
o Study Guides:
1. Teaching ideas from Classroom Bookshelf: http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/02/crown-an-ode-to-the-fresh-cut/
5. Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton
o Author/Illustrator website: http://www.bethanybarton.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/315651/give-bees-a-chance-by-bethany-barton-illustrated-by-bethany-barton/9780670016945/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
6. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, illustrated by Katy Wu
o Author website: https://www.lauriewallmark.com
o Illustrator website: http://katycwwu.tumblr.com/
o Book website: https://www.sterlingpublishing.com/9781454920007/
o Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOW2TUJY8Qk
o Study Guides:
1. Discussion guide from publisher: http://files.constantcontact.com/6cd8da1c001/7d5d0f42-d699-4d61-ac7b-50209ce260d9.pdf
2. Discussion questions from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13476
7. Imagine That!: How Dr. Seuss Wrote the Cat in the Hat by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
o Author website: https://www.judysierra.net/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kevinhawkes.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/246774/imagine-that-by-judy-sierra-illustrated-by-kevin-hawkes/9780553510973/
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
8. Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Keith Knight
o Author website: http://www.adammansbach.com/
o Illustrator website: https://www.kchronicles.com/bio.html
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/248986/jake-the-fake-keeps-it-real-by-craig-robinson-and-adam-mansbach-illustrated-by-keith-knight/9780553523546
o Interview with author/actor Craig Robinson and “Jake”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urodLJ9LOq4
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
9. Lemons by Melissa Savage. This title was first released under the name Bigfoot, Tobin & Me in 2017 in the UK. There may be some additional resources for this title under its UK name.
o Author website: https://melissadsavage.com/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/545674/lemons-by-melissa-savage/9781524700157/
o Publisher Study Guide: Please note the guide in the UK version of title of the book.
o https://resource.scholastic.com.au/resourcefiles/8506225_64567.pdf
10. Malala – Activist for Girl’s Education by Raphaelle Frier, illustrated by Aurelia Fronty
o Author website: N/A
o Illustrator website: http://www.aureliafronty.com/
o Book website: https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/malala
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
11. Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson
o Author website: http://www.terrylynnjohnson.com/
o Book website: https://www.hmhco.com/shop/books/Sled-Dog-School/9780544873315
o Study Guides: Curriculum guide from author’s personal website: http://www.terrylynnjohnson.com/pdfs/sled-dog-school-curriculum-guide.pdf
Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
12. The Explorers: The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress
o Author website: http://www.adriennekress.com/author/
o Book website: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534022/the-explorers-the-door-in-the-alley-by-adrienne-kress/9781101940082/
o Study Guides:
1. Teaching ideas from Unleashing Readers: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=13561
2. Study guide from author’s personal website: http://www.adriennekress.com/author/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Study-Guide-For-The-Explorers-The-Door-In-The-Alley.pdf
13. The Princess and the Peas by Rachel Himes
o Author website: http://www.rachelhimes.com/
o Book website: https://www.charlesbridge.com/products/princess-and-the-peas
o Discussion Guide created by LSU SLIS Graduate Student
14. Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Barbara Fisinger
o Author website: https://www.suzanneselfors.com/
o Book website: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062447630/wedgie-and-gizmo/
o Study Guides:
1. Activity Guide from Texas Bluebonnet Award 2019: https://texasbluebonnetaward2019.wordpress.com/wedgie-and-gizmo/
o Illustrator interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exmtuwCLLDw
15. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso
o Author website: http://katherineapplegate.com/
o Book website: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250043221
o Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P5TSKKBIyo#action=share
o Study Guides & resources:
1. Teacher's Guide from Macmillan: https://images.macmillan.com/folio-assets/teachers-guides/9781250043221TG.pdf
2. Activity Kit from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-activity-kit-final.pdf
3. Discussion Guide from Children's Book Review: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2018/02/wishtree-by-katherine-applegate-a-mother-daughter-book-discussion.html
4. Teaching Ideas from Classroom Bookshelf: http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2018/01/wishtree/
5. Discussion Guide from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/brochure-site.pdf
6. Leaf Cutouts from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-leaf-cut-outs.pdf
7. Pledge to Welcome All Poster from Book's Website: http://wishtreebook.com/static/pdf/wishtree-poster-site.pdf