More Award Winning Books

Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing
by Ann Angel
2011 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Winner

Here is a link to a great review of this book:  Abby the Librarian

And to put you in the mood for this book, check out this video:







Seeds of Change
By Jen Cullerton Johnson
Coretta Scott King/Steptoe Illustrator Award 2011

The vividly colorful illustrations will draw you in to the this story.  I love the illustrator's use of white lines to highlight the illustrations.  This is the story of a young girl named Wangari who grew up in Kenya.  Although unusual, Wangari was allowed to attend school and she used this education to later promote the rights of women in Kenya and to help save the Kenyan land.  Wangari was the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.


Links:  Author's website

     Illustrator's website

    The Green Belt Movement (founded by Wangari)




The Pirate of Kindergarten
By George Ella Lyon
Illustrated by Lynne Avril
Schneider Family Book Award Winner 2011: Childrens


This is the story of young Ginny who is having some trouble with her vision.  We see how Ginny struggles with the activities of Kindergarten.  We see that Ginny sees the world differently than most  people.  After a vision screening at school, it is determined that Ginny has double vision.  She gets to wear a patch to help train her eyes to see only one of everything.  This is how she becomes the Pirate of Kindergarten who can do everything that the other children can do!!

Here is a more in depth review and information about Amblyopia (double vision) at:  Amblyopia Kids