Realistic Fiction from the Caudill Nominees

One For The Murphys by Lynda Hunt gives readers a behind the headlines view of being in foster care. 12 year old Carley Connors struggles with a range of emotions as she finds herself the sixth member of the Murphy family. With her mother in the hospital for an unknown length of time, Carley has to start school in a new place very far from her Las Vegas home. Carley is mad at her mom, mad at the Murphys and mad at the world.
Well developed characters and settings bring Carley's new world to life. She slowly learns to connect with her foster family, a difficult kid at school with her own problems and finally her mother.
Readers will have a new appreciation for kids in foster care and the challenges and benefits that are presented to them. A fast, engaging read for anyone.

Another great title from the Caudill 2015 nominee list!

The False Prince (part 1 of a trilogy) by Jennifer Nielsen is set in an alternate history middle ages. Four teenage orphans living in the realm of Carthya are picked up by a nobleman named Conner. Conner forces the boys into a brutal competition for the chance to impersonate the heir to the realm, long lost Prince Jaron. Political intrigue, unforeseen alliances, deadly combat and lies and truths all mix to make an exceptionally well written thriller full of surprises.
All three parts of the series are available in the LTC: The Runaway King and The Shadow Throne.

A great read - Caudill Nominee Joan Bauer's Almost Home

Joan Bauer continues to be an enormously popular author in our LTC. She does it again in the modern realism genre with Almost Home, a 2015 Caudill Nominee.  6th grader Sugar Mae Cole finds herself homeless and the adult in charge when circumstances beyond her control land her mom, Reba, in the psychiatric wing of a hospital and she in foster care. Set in Missouri and then Chicago, Sugar braves many hardships and scary situations. Her talent for poetry and her determination help her to connect with the right people that come into her life. Ultimately, those connections are what save her and her mom. Secondary characters are richly drawn adding to the depth and detail of this outstanding story. Readers will leave this story with a better understanding of homelessness but also what strength of character can look like.

Caudill 2015 non-fiction nominee - Dogs On Duty Rocks!!

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, one of the great non-fiction writers for young people, brings us the world of dogs in the military. Readers will be instantly engaged by the opening shot of a soldier and his Belgian Malinois (one of the preferred breeds in such dangerous work) partner jumping fearlessly out of a helicopter! The book covers the history of dogs used in war and battle. The progression from dog as weapon to dog as crucial partner is well developed. The careful explanation of breeding, choosing, training, testing and partnering are fascinating. Ms Patent does not shy away from the rigors and dangers of work as soldiers both human and canine. If you ever thought dogs were amazing as friends you will be blown away by dogs as soldiers. Don't miss this non-fiction Caudill nominee for 2015.