 | Chicken Feathers by Joy Cowley (2008) IL: 3-6 RL: 5.8 Relates the story of the summer Josh spends while his mother is in the hospital awaiting the birth of his baby sister, and his pet chicken Semolina, who talks but only to him, is almost killed by a red fox. Discussion Guide from publisher (pdf)Author's Web Site |
 | The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson (2008) IL: YA Tally and her friends at Dalderton Boarding School form a dance troupe and travel to Bergania, where she befriends Karil, the crown prince, and helps him flee the Nazis after his father is assassinated. |
 | Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard (2006) IL: 5-8 RL: 4.4 Web page about book from publisher with links and history. Scholastic Books Discussion/Activity Guide (pdf) William Allen White Discussion Guide and Questions Discussion Guide with vocabulary (great resource) (pdf) |
 | Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff (2008) IL: 3-6 RL: 4.1 When Sam, who can barely read, discovers an old newspaper clipping just before his eleventh birthday, it brings forth memories from his past, and, with the help of a new friend at school and the castle they are building for a school project, his questions are eventually answered. Lesson Plans and Activities from Publisher |
 | The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman (2008) IL: 5-8 RL: 4.0 Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling money from Golly Toy and Game Company. Gollywhopper Games Web SiteResearch and Extension Links Reader's Guide by Jody Feldman (pdf) Video Book Trailer from YouTube |
 | Highway Cats by Janet Taylor Lisle (2008) IL: 5-8 RL: 5.8 A hard-bitten group of mangy highway cats is changed forever after the mysterious arrival of three kittens. Author's Website Discussion Guide (pdf) Discussion Guide with vocabulary and lesson Ideas see pg. 16 (pdf) |
 | The Leanin' Dog by K.A. Nuzum (2008) IL: 3-6 RL: 4.4 Eleven-year-old Dessa Dean, mourning the death of her mother, finds
an injured dog on her porch, which allows both Dessa and the dog to heal
together with a friendship that shapes both of their lives. Harper Collins Reader's Guide (pdf) |
 | Little Audrey by Ruth White (2008) IL: 5-8 RL: 3.8 In 1948, eleven-year-old Audrey lives with her father, mother, and three younger sisters in Jewell Valley, a coal mining camp in Southwest Virginia, where her mother still mourns the death of a baby, her father goes on drinking binges on paydays, and Audrey tries to recover from the scarlet fever that has left her skinny and needing to wear glasses. |
 | Seer of Shadows by Avi (2008) IL: 3-6 RL: 6.1 Photographer Horace Carpetine is commissioned to do a portrait for
society matron Mrs. Frederick Von Macht; however, the photos evoke both
the image and the ghost of the Von Macht's dead daughter, Eleanora, who
has returned to seek vengeance on those who killed her. Discussion Guide from Publisher (pdf) |
 | The Sky Inside by Clare Dunkle (2008) IL: YA Martin, a genetically-engineered boy living in the perfectly ordered world of HM1, finds himself questioning the citizens' acceptance of the world around them when children begin to disappear, including Martin's little sister, and no one is willing to search for them, forcing Martin to set out on a dangerous mission to escape the suburb and explore the world outside, looking for answers. Author's Website |
2011 Intermediate Nominees |