Sunshine State Young Readers
Award 2006-2007
Sunshine State Young Readers
Award 
Attack of the Mutant UnderwearCody Lee Carson, a new fifth grader, resolves
to become a changed man and create a new image for
himself. No longer will he be the old-Cody doofus, but, instead, an
ace-brilliant fifth grade hero, class
president candidate, and confident person. In this day-to-day diary,
Cody becomes involved in practical
jokes, preadolescent awkward moments, and silly fifth grade fun on his
way to becoming a new man.
Attack of the TaggerAs a secret cyber-hero, fifth grader Nolan
Byrd wields his digital camera in defense of truth and justice.
Nolan, as Shredderman, posts clever messages on his web site to help
unmask the vandals that are
painting silly faces all over town. Twists and turns in this fast-paced
story show how Shredderman uses
brain over brawn to finally uncover the true culprit.
Because of AnyaThe unthinkable occurs when 10-year-old Anya’s
hair falls out and she is diagnosed with alopecia
areata (an autoimmune disease that makes hair fall out in clumps).
While Anya is dealing with her
feelings and fears about wearing a wig to school, an unlikely, quiet
classmate, Keely, demonstrates
courage and compassion by finding a constructive way to help Anya. This
informative story switches
points of view from Anya and her feelings about the loss of her hair
and fear of discovery to Keely and
her resolve to support Anya through this difficult time.
The Beloved DearlyTwelve-year-old Ernie’s father has forbidden
him to create any more offbeat businesses. However,
after he discovers an empty lot, the young business entrepreneur starts
a pet funeral business that
quickly proves profitable. Although the business is successful, Ernie
becomes increasingly more hard-
hearted toward his employees and customers. His friendships suffer and,
in the end, Ernie learns that
there are more important things in life than making money.
The Boy Who Spoke DogJack, a young apprentice sailor, washes up on
a mysterious island that is populated by two groups of
dogs and a herd of sheep. Jack finds that years after the people have
deserted the island, one group of
dogs, the honorable shepherds, continue to herd the sheep and protect
them from the other wild forest-
dwelling dogs or fangos. Jack and the young Border collie, Moxie,
alternately tell this heart-warming
story, giving insights into both the human and canine worlds. Engaging
characters and fast-paced
action bring this novel, which is based on a New Zealand Maori legend,
to life for today’s readers.
Chasing the FalconersAiden and Meg Falconer are on a quest to prove
their parents’ innocence. In this fast-paced story,
Aiden and Meg travel across the United States in search of Frank
Lindenauer, a man who also worked
for the CIA and who may be able to help them. The two children evade
the police with the help of
Miguel, another escapee from the Sunnydale Farm. Miguel saves Aiden and
Meg from danger more
than once during the journey. In this first novel of Gorman’s On the
Run series, Chasing the Falconers
delivers a quick, high-action cliff-hanger that will prompt readers to
seek other books in the series.
Colder Than IceMark and Skye befriend the new sixth grader,
Josh, as the school year begins in Idaho. Overweight
Josh is also quickly pulled into smooth-talking Corey’s circle of
friends who supposedly want him to join
the hockey team, but really only want him to test the pond’s ice.
Eventually, Mark, who is borderline
autistic, and Skye talk Josh out of skating on the unsafe ice. Corey
then shoves Alex out onto the ice
with disastrous results. In the end, it is up to Skye, Mark, and Josh
to prove their friendship and
courageously save Alex.
Cryptid Hunters
*****WINNER!!****When 13-year-old twins Grace and Marty are
sent to live with their Uncle Wolfe, they find that their
anthropologist uncle is obsessed with finding cryptids, mysterious
creatures believed to be long extinct.
After parachuting from an airplane into the Congolese jungle, Marty and
Grace quickly show their
courage and ingenuity as they survive the wilderness and elude capture
by evil Noah Blackwood’s
men. The creative plot and fast-paced action make this a good choice
for adventure fans.
Frog PrincessIn this twist on the familiar fairy-tale,
instead of the frog becoming a prince after Princess Emeralda
kisses him, the princess also becomes a frog. From that moment to the
end of the story, the two green,
insect-eating frogs struggle to undo the spells that have bewitched
them. As they pursue this quest, the
two must also avoid a dragon, a frog-eating dog, and an angry witch.
Witty dialogue, comical
situations, and hilarious characters quickly move this tale to its
satisfying ending.
Lily's GhostsThirteen-year-old Lily and her mom move to her
great-uncle’s summer home in Cape May, New
Jersey. Immediately, Lily is drawn into an adventure involving a new
friend, a fake medium, and ghosts
of all ages and shapes. Lily quickly learns that the drafty old
Victorian house is haunted when
mysterious events occur and objects appear and reappear in different
rooms, including her mother’s
old Kewpie doll. As the tension builds, Lily is determined to uncover
the truth about her family’s tragic
secrets and finally rid the house of the unwanted ghosts. (For
mature readers)
Lowji Discovers AmericaBombay is very different from Hamlet,
Illinois, for nine-year-old Lowji, who moves with his parents
during early summer vacation. At first, Lowji is lonely and bewildered
in this strange country. He yearns
for a pet and finally persuades his cranky landlady to adopt a cat,
dog, and goat that he happily learns
to care for while finally making new friends. Details about Indian
culture are thoughtfully interwoven in
this gentle and age-appropriate tale.
Made You LookSixth grader Jason Percy and his family are
planning a trip from Texas to California. Jason is excited
about the trip because he will finally ride on an airplane and have an
opportunity to try out for his
favorite television show, “Masquerade Mania.” Unfortunately, the plans
quickly change to traveling
across country by automobile with a small camper or “big sardine can.”
To make matters worse, Jason
almost misses his chance to appear on the television show when his
allosaurus head costume is
missing. This fast-paced novel filled with snappy dialogue will appeal
to reluctant readers.
My Brother's HeroThirteen-year-old Ben, mentioned in Crossing
Jordan, narrates this story about a North Florida family
spending the Christmas holiday in the Florida Keys in order to oversee
the uncle’s marina. As soon as
they arrive, Ben meets Mica, the daughter of a marine biologist, who
has traveled the world with her
father and who introduces Ben and his brother to a life of adventure on
the water. Unfortunately, Mica’s
impulsiveness leads to several mishaps and Ben’s family soon discovers
that Mica’s seemingly idyllic
life is filled with real life problems. (For mature readers)
Quake! Disaster in San Francisco,
1906In 1906, daily life was difficult in San
Francisco for thirteen-year-old Jacob Kaufman and his family.
Then the disastrous earthquake destroyed the city. Alone and
frightened, Jacob, with his stray dog
Quake, wander around the city looking for his family. During his
ordeal, Jacob is befriended by a young
Chinese boy, San, and an Irish family, the Flanagans. Although Jacob
and the San Franciscans must
endure many hardships, they learn the true meaning of friendship,
generosity, and courage.
RuntAs the smallest and youngest of the litter,
Runt tries hard to keep up with his brothers and sisters as
they venture into the woods of Minnesota. The young cub is determined
to prove his worth to his
father, King, and the wolf pack by performing a heroic deed. An
opportunity finally occurs when Bider,
a white male, challenges King for leadership of the pack. This
compelling and memorable tale offers
insights into the complex culture of these wild animals.
