What Can You Do With a Rebozo? by Carmen Tafolla

2009 Notable Children's Books

This book inspires creativity using a rebozo or Mexican shawl. It recognizes the rebozo as a cultural icon. The rebozo has been and still is used by the Mexican-American culture. The bright and colorful illustrations demonstrate the vivid colors of the Mexican-American culture.

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

2009 Newberry Honor Book

An abandoned cat about to have kittens befriends a lonely chained up hound underneath the porch of a home in the forest. An unsual friendship develops into an unsual family. A mama cat, two kittens and a hound are the members of such family. The family is safe as long as they stay in the underneath. This changes when the curiosity of a playful kitten sets off a chain of events. If only he had stayed in the underneath like he was told. Separated from his family, the only thing that keeps him going is the promise he made to his mother. He needs to go back and take care of his sister, but how if he had never been out of the underneath.

Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan

2009 Printz Medal Winner

Liga lives with her two daughters, Branza and Urdda, in her own personal heaven. A heaven in which the cruelties of the the real world are not present. After being sexually abused by her father and then raped by several town boys, Liga feels that her daughters are protected. The fantasy of this world would soon be invaded by wild bears and magic. How long would Liga be able to protect her daughters from the real world? Entering the real world would mean facing her past. A past her daughters don't know about. A past filled with sexual abuse and rape. Take a journey into Liga's heaven and then back to reality.

Before John Was A Jazz Giant by Carole Boston Weatherford

2009 Corretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book

Before John Coltrane was a famous jazz saxophonist, he learned to listen to music in every situation. Music is all around us all we have to do is to listen. (2008 Henry Holt & Co.)

Buster goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming

2009 Notable Children's Book List

Buster is going to Cowboy Camp. Buster is not happy. He will miss his home, Brown Shoes and Betty. Learn some Cowpoke words along with Buster as he learns that everyday is a busy day at Cowboy Camp. (2008 Henry Holt & Co.)

Savvy by Ingrid Law

2009 Newberry Honor Book

Being part of the Beaumont family meant receiving a Savvy(supernatural powers) at the age of 13. A couple of days before Mississippi Beaumont's 13th birtday her Poppa is involved in a horrible accident. Mibs had always dreamed of receiving an extraordinary savvy just like her brothers. Now all she wants is a savvy that will help heal her father. What will be Mibs savvy? Will it help save her Poppa? Discover your savvy as you join Mibs and friends on their adventure aboard the pink bus.

We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson

2009 Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Kadir Nelson provides the reader with this inspirational story about the history of the Negro Baseball League. Despite the discrimination and segration these baseball players endured, they played because they loved baseball. The author plays tribute to these heroes through the words and illustrations in this book.