Another Caudill and a new Clements

Flygirl by Sherri Smith is one of the historical fiction titles from this year's Caudill nominees. Many of our students purchased this title at the Book Fair and they will not be disappointed.  Louisiana native, Ida Mae Jones has inherited her father's love of flying. It's World War II and she wants to do her part by joining the WASPs. Only one problem: Ida Mae is African American and there is no room for her in the WASPs. Ida Mae is also so fair in complexion that she can "pass" and she decides to do just that. The rest of the story enfolds with Ida Mae heading for training, meeting other women pilots, making lasting friends and connections. Back at home her family is torn by her decision, her brother is missing in the war in the Pacific and her friendships are strained. Readers will experience many little known facts about the WASPs and women's roles in the military as well as African American life in the 1940's. Flygirl is full of aviation action, thoughtful personal exchanges and a unique part of American history. Do not pass up the excellent afterword by the author.

Andrew Clement continues his winning ways with realistic school set fiction. His latest entry is Trouble-Maker. Meet Clayton Hensley, 6th grader, who's file in the Principal's office is several inches thick dating back to first grade. More than the average cut-up, Clayton has made a career of causing trouble of varying degrees his entire school life. Clayton's older brother comes home early in the story from a month stay in the county jail. A tough love discussion from the older brother he idolizes, sets Clayton on the path to redemption. Or does it? Clayton soon realizes that changing your ways and changing your reputation are not so quickly achieved. Engaging, believable characters will draw any reader along to see how Clayton manages his last year in elementary school.

Another Baseball Caudill 2011

MJ Auch's One-Handed Catch will appeal to many readers even non-baseball fans.  Set right after WW II in a small town in New York, 6th grader Norm Schmidt loves playing baseball and drawing. His life takes a huge unexpected turn when he loses his left hand while working in his dad's grocery store. You would think that this would be a sad story but quite the contrary.  Norm's story, based on true events that happened to the author's husband, is a realistic, funny journey that you will take with Norm and his friends Leon and Carl. There is plenty about baseball, drawing, life at school, scouting and family.  You will learn a lot about post-war America but many of Norm's feelings and experiences will ring true for you today.  You will cheer Norm's determination. You will relate to his frustrations and then understanding about his mom, his dad and his sister, and ultimately about himself.

Gary Paulsen's Caudill 2011 will thrill his fans

There are a lot of Gary Paulsen fans out there. You are use to his wonderful style and ability to get you right into the story no matter the setting or the characters, or the genre.  With Woods Runner you will be transported to the American Revolution where 13 year old Samuel lives in wilderness Pennsylvania. The war seems very distant and unimportant to teenage Samuel until his parents are attacked and kidnapped by British and Iroquois soldiers.  Samuel's life is turned upside down but his natural tracking abilities and love of his family drive him to risk everything to find them.  Unlikely friends and alliances develop over the course of his journey that brings him to British occupied New York city. Fast paced, rich in detail, and gripping action will keep you turning pages while experiencing war through the eyes of this young boy.  Each chapter is separated by short informational pieces about aspects of the Revolution most history classes fail to mention.  Do not skip them or Gary Paulsen's brief author's note at the beginning of the novel that explains why he included them. If you are not yet a Gary Paulsen fan now is your chance to change that. This book is available in the LTC in paper and at the Winnetka Library in paper, ebook, audio CD and podcast.

Another two great Caudill choices!

Various peoples' lives converge in this modern day story of transitions. Aging Aggie Duncan can't keep her Sleepy Time Motel now that her husband Harold is gone. As she realizes that she must sell her little motel in the Smoky Mountains, she and her cat Ugly welcome several families who decide to stay at Sleepy Time. Willow and her dad Clyde who wants to buy the motel; Loretta and her mom and dad looking to find Loretta's birth mother's travels; and Kirby and his mom who is dropping him off at his "last chance" boarding school. Soon, every one's lives are overlapping and affecting each other in ways they did not expect. You will find yourself cheering for everyone in this quiet but satisfying story of family, friendship, loss and new beginnings. Greetings from Nowhere is by Barbara O'Connor.

Knuckle balls are like butterflies. Just ask 8th grader Molly whose ability to throw one lands her a spot on her school's boys baseball team. A great sports novel needs great sports scenes, language and emotion so you feel you are there with the players. A great sports novel also needs a great story with realistic scenes, language and emotion so you feel you are there with the characters. Not many sports novels do this successfully especially with girls as main characters but The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane does. Girl or boy, baseball fan or not, this is a story for everyone.

2 more Caudills for your consideration!

What if Ignatius is your name, you have 4 much bigger brothers and your nickname is Brother? What if you are left with your grandparents on your family's ranch while your dad goes to Iraq to lead soldiers in battle? You are in charge and you are 12! Beautifully written you will feel like you are in Oregon on this vast cattle ranch seeing the stars, feeling the weather and smelling the fresh open air. Brother is determined to show everyone he can do this even though ranching has never been his calling. This is a story of outdoor action, family faith and the realism of the impact of war on a community. Heart of a Shepherd is Roxanne Parry's first novel.

In 1977, Matt Pin has been living with his adoptive family in the US after being airlifted out of Vietnam at the end of the war. Matt loves his family, is a great pitcher and now is playing the piano but all is not well. Matt cannot forget his past. He remembers his mom and his little brother back in Vietnam. He is haunted by sounds, smells and guilt. He is struggling to make sense of his life, old and new. His piano teacher with his parents approval decide to have him visit Vietnam vets at a local community center who meet to support one another.
Told in free verse you will hear all the voices of Matt's life including his own a he tries to cope during this unique time in our history. You will be amazed at the richness of the images and depth of emotion told with few words. A beautifully threaded story about healing any reader will long remember. All the Broken Pieces is by Ann Burg.