Book Finder

Instead of celebrating her 13th birthday in her prosperous Mexican home as she expected, Esperanza must adjust to the murder of her father, the loss of her house and wealth, and her new life as a farm worker in California. This readable coming-of-age novel is based on the life of the author’s grandmother.

Geraldine’s parents think it’s time for her to give up her old, tattered, but much loved pink baby blanket. Instead, Geraldine comes up with an inventive way to keep it with her always.

When the moving van is all packed, a small bear returns to say goodbye to the old house before moving to his new home. He and his family bid farewell to everything except the memories. Simple illustrations present a possible way to help younger children cope with a move.

Though Jamaica wonders who lost the stuffed dog and struggles with the decision to try and find its owner, she ultimately returns it to the playground where she found it. When the dog is reunited with its rightful and very relieved young owner, Jamaica finds a new friend.

This tender novel describes a loving Japanese-American family from the point of view of the younger sister. Personal challenges and family tragedy, particularly the older sister’s struggle with lymphoma, are set against the oppressive social climate of the South during the 1950s and early 1960s. (2005 Newbery Medal Winner)

What happened to D.W.’s blankie? Though Arthur and her dad try to help, it is D.W.’s mom who solves the mystery and saves D.W.’s day.

Charlie (aka Charlene) doesn’t miss her old home on Monroe Street for long once she meets the kids on Magnolia Street. Each chapter is as lively as the young protagonist in this short novel.

Jackie loved to pitch baseball. Her long practices paid off when at 17-years old she pitched for the Chattanooga Lookouts in a demonstration game against the New York Yankees. Jackie struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig — and forever changed baseball’s rules. The excitement of Jackie Mitchell’s story is well-paced, illustrated with slightly exaggerated and altogether winning illustrations.

A hermit crab is looking for the perfect home. He does ultimately find it, though getting there is what makes the fun. The comic illustrations add to the humor in this rhyming, cumulative look at the crab’s move out and up.

A young mouse digs in his heels while his mother is packing up their house for the inevitable move. Adults and children will see familiar behavior when the small mouse insists that he’s not going. The satisfying conclusion makes this book especially helpful.

Owen’s neighbor thinks that Owen is getting too old to take Fuzzy, his beloved yellow blanket, to kindergarten. With a snip, however, Owen’s inspired mom comes up with a creative solution for all.

Ramona is ready for the challenges of a new school — without her older sister. It’s a year of change for the Quimby family and if everyone else can adjust, so can Ramona. The normal challenges of family life come alive here with verve and humor.

Set in the 1800s, a widowed farmer advertises for a wife and mother for his two children. A tall, plain woman answers the ad; Sarah leaves her Maine home and the sea for the Plains as she grows to love Caleb and Anna. An elegantly simple telling.

Avon the snail’s voracious reading convinces him that having an adventure is the key to a happy life. So, he sets out on a journey with his new friend, Edward the ant. In a series of very short chapters, the two travel – at a snail’s pace – the length of a branch, meeting assorted characters along the way.

Though Wanda says she has a hundred dresses at home, her classmates tease her because she wears the same worn dress everyday. Only one girl feels badly when Wanda no longer attends school, and she tries to make amends. This girl learns what Wanda already knows — that words really hurt.

Inseparable from her blanket, little Julia carries it with her everywhere until both her blanket and her need for it gradually disappear. Readers will appreciate the gentle humor in this recognizable story.

Stunning, bold collage illustrations carry the action in this reworking of the traditional Greek myth. Here, Icarus becomes Ikarus, a boy of color, who learns to fly in spite of the society in which he lives.

The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she? Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her.