2015 Books Awards
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12
About Parrots. Cathryn Sill. Illustrated by John Sill. Peachtree Publishers.
Animalium. Jenny Broom. Candlewick Press/Big Picture Press.
At Home in Her Tomb. Christine Liu-Perkins. Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. Charlesbridge.
A Baby Elephant in the Wild. Caitlin O’Connell. Photos by Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy
Rodwell. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.
Behold the Beautiful Dung Beetle. Cheryl Bardoe. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Charlesbridge..
Beneath the Sun. Melissa Stewart. Illustrated by Constance R. Bergum. Peachtree Publishers.
Chasing Cheetahs. Sy Montgomery. Photos by Nic Bishop. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for
Young Readers.
Eye to Eye. Steve Jenkins. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for
Young Readers.
Eyes Wide Open. Paul Fleischman. Candlewick Press.
Get the Scoop on Animal Puke. Dawn Cusick. Charlesbridge/Imagine Publishing.
Neighborhood Sharks. Katherine Roy. David Macaulay Studio/Roaring Brook Press.
Park Scientists. Mary Kay Carson. Photos by Tom Uhlman. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for
Young Readers.
Sniffer Dogs. Nancy F. Castaldo. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers.
Star Stuff. Stephanie Roth Sisson. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press.
Tiny Creatures. Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Emily Sutton. Candlewick Press.
Tooling Around. Ellen Jackson. Illustrated by Renné Benoit. Charlesbridge.
Wild About Bears. Jeannie Brett. Illustrated by Jeannie Brett. Charlesbridge.
ALA Books
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
“The Crossover,” written by Kwame Alexander, is the 2015 Newbery Medal winner. The book is
published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Newbery Honor Book:
“Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson and published by Nancy Paulsen Books,
an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
Randolph Caldecott Honor Books for the most distinguished American picture book for
children:
“Sam & Dave Dig a Hole,” illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and published by
Candlewick Press.
“Viva Frida,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring
Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book.
“This One Summer,” illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki and published by
First Second.
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator
of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson, is the King Author Book winner. The
book is published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
King Author Honor Books:
Kwame Alexander for “The Crossover,” published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.
Kekla Magoon for “How It Went Down,” published by Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
“Firebird,” illustrated by Christopher Myers, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book was
written by Misty Copeland and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group
(USA) LLC.
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
“I’ll Give You the Sun,” written by Jandy Nelson, is the 2015 Printz Award winner. The book is
published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group USA, a Penguin Random House Company.
Printz Honor Book:
“This One Summer,” by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, and published by First
Second.
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability
experience:
“A BOY AND A JAGUAR” written by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Catia Chien and published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, wins the award for children ages 0 to 10.
“RAIN REIGN” written by Ann M. Martin and published by A FEIWEL AND FRIENDS BOOK, is the
winner of the middle-school (ages 11-13).
The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is “Girls Like Us,” written by Gail Giles and published by
Candlewick Press.
Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Books for an outstanding children’s book translated from a
foreign language and subsequently published in the United States:
“Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust,” published by First Second an imprint of Roaring
Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership, written by Loic
Dauvillier, illustrated by Marc Lizano, color by Greg Salsedo, translated by Alexis Siegel.
Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books
best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:
“Viva Frida,” illustrated by Yuyi Morales, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was
written by Yuyi Morales and published by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book.
Robert F. Sibert Honor Books for most distinguished informational book for children:
“Brown Girl Dreaming,” written by Jacqueline Woodson, and published by Nancy Paulsen
Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) LLC.
“Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands,” written
and illustrated by Katherine Roy, and published by David Macaulay Studio, an imprint of
Roaring Brook Press.
Stonewall Honor Book- Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature
Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional
merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:
“Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out,” by Susan Kuklin, photographed by Susan
Kuklin and published by Candlewick Press.
“I’ll give you the sun,” written by Jandy Nelson, published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin
Group (USA) LLC.
William C. Morris Award Finalist for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for
teens:
“The Scar Boys” written by Len Vlahos and published by Egmont Publishing
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults finalists:
“Laughing at My Nightmare” written by Shane Burcaw, and published by Roaring Brook Press,
an imprint of Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group.
“Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business—and Won!” written by Emily Arnold
McCully, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for
Young Readers.
“The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights” written by Steve Sheinkin,
and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
2015 Notable Children’s Books
Young Readers
A Boy and a Jaguar. By Alan Rabinowitz. Illus. by Cátia Chien. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Alan Rabinowitz's story of feeling broken as a child yet experiencing great empathy for animals
kept in cages at the zoo. He went on to become a zoologist and conservationist known around
the world.
Dory Fantasmagory. By Abby Hanlon. Illus. by the author. Penguin/Dial.
In this charming take on family life, irrepressible Dory Drivers her siblings crazy with her wild
imagination until she finally get them to join in on the fun.
Early Bird. By Toni Yuly. Illus. by the author. Feiwell and Friends.
Early bird rises before the sun to find breakfast. He's tired after so much activity so he and a
surprising friend-early worm-enjoy what he's found.
The Farmer’s Away! Baa! Neigh!. By Anne Vitur Kennedy. Illus by the author.
Energetic barnyard animals use rollicking nonsense words to amusingly bring the farm to life.
Firebird. By Misty Copeland. Illus. by Christopher Myers. G. P. Putnam's.
Famed ballerina Misty Copeland encourages a young African-American girl to follow her dreams
to be a prima ballerina in this poetic text vividly illustrated with evocative collages.
Firefly July: a Year of Very Short Poems. By Paul B. Janeczko. Illus. by Melissa Sweet.
Candlewick.
The four seasons are explored in short poems from both famed and newer poets and enhanced
by Melissa Sweet's exquisite illustrations.
Froodle. By Antoinette Portis. Illus. by the author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.
Brown Bird is tired of his song so he makes up new words. The other animals follow suit and
the neighborhood is never the same. ,
Hi,Koo!:A Year of Seasons. By Jon Muth. Illus. by the author. Scholastic.
An exuberant journey through the alphabet with panda bear, Koo. This investigates the
seasons through watercolor illustrations and haiku poems.
The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse. By Patricia MacLachlan. Illus. by Bradley
Hooper. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.
Using only two evocative sentences, MacLachlan's gentle and engaging portrait supports
Hooper's stunning visual homage to the boy who would become a famous painter.
The Most Magnificent Thing. By Ashley Spires. Illus. by the author. Kids Can Press.
A little girl, with the help of her dog, tries to build a magnificent thing. But it is harder than
expected! See how her persistence pays off.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. By Mac Barnett. Illus. by Jon Klassen. Candlewick.
Two boys, accompanied by their dog, set out to dig a hole. Readers will find an unexpected
treasure and be challenged to ponder the meaning of “spectacular.” (2015 Caldecott Honor
Book)
Shh! We Have a Plan. By Chris Haughton. Illus by the author. Candlewick Press.
Four friends creep through the woods on search for prey. Vibrant illustrations help tell the story
of how even carefully laid plans can go awry.
Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos. By Stephanie Roth Sisson. Illus. by the
author. Roaring Brooks.
The simple text describes how Sagan's childhood curiosity and persistence eventually lead to his
involvement in the Voyageur mission. Lively images and design reflect this notable life.
Viva Frida. By Yuyi Morales. Illus. by the author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.
Vibrant photographs and minimal, evocative text beautifully portray the unique imagination
and creativity of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. (2015 Belpré Medal Book & Caldecott Honor Book)
Middle Readers
Arcady’s Goal. By Eugene Yelchin. Illus by the author. Henry Holt & Co.
Arcady longs to play for the Red Army Soccer Club. Many obstacles interfere with attainting his
goal because his family is considered enemies of the state.
Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain. By Russell Freedman. Chinese poems tr. by Evans
Chan. Clarion.
More than half a million people from 80 countries arrived at Angel Island California between
1910 and 1940. Freedman tells their stories in this well documented and handsomely
illustrated book that illuminates a little known piece of history.
Before After. By Anne-Margot Ramstein & Matthias Arégui. Illus. by the authors. Candlewick.
A clever wordless picture book that challenges the reader to figure out connections. Each
reading reveals something new and different.
Brown Girl Dreaming. By Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen.
Woodson’s lyrical memoir chronicles her life as an African-American girl growing up in the
1960s and 1970s. Elegant and evocative stand-alone poems weave a story of her development
from a struggling reader and dreamer into a confident young woman and writer. (2015
Newbery Honor Book & Sibert Honor Book)
Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa's Fastest Cats. By Sy Montgomery. Photographs by
Nic Bishop. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Montgomery and Bishop join the Cheetah Conservation Fund in the African wilderness studying
the cheetah's ecological, genetic and behavioral patterns in order to chase down the fastest
animal in the world.
Dare the Wind: The Record-Breaking Voyage of Eleanor Prentiss and the Flying Cloud. By Tracy
Fern. Illus. by Emily Arnold McCully. Farrar Straus Giroux/Margaret Ferguson.
A thrilling true story of a clipper ship race from New York to San Francisco navigated by Eleanor
Prentiss, the first woman to make the journey.
The Great Greene Heist. By Varian Johnson. Scholastic Press, Arthur A. Levine.
Reformed schemer and middle schooler Jackson Greene comes out of retirement, assembling a
top-notch team to pull off Maplewood Middle School's biggest con ever in a fast-paced caper.
Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. By G. Neri. Illus. by A. G. Ford. Candlewick.
This brief over view of Johnny Cash's early life takes him from his harsh but music filled
boyhood to early stardom. Told through intriguing poetry and beautifully expressive
illustrations.
Hidden: A Child's Story of the Holocaust. By Loïc Dauvillier. Illus. by Marc Lizano. Color by Greg
Salsedo. Tr. By Alexis Siegel. First Second.
In this evocative graphic novel, a grandmother recounts her childhood experiences hiding from
the Nazis in World War II France. (2015 Batchelder Honor Book)
Kinda Like Brothers. By Coe Booth. Scholastic Press.
Eleven-year-old Jarrett learns the value of friendship when an expected foster baby comes to
stay, along with an unexpected big brother.
Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands. By
Katherine Roy. Illus. by the author. Roaring Brook/David Macaulay Studio.
With vivid paintings and clear, accessible text, Katherine Roy creates a heart-stopping look at
what great white sharks do best—hunt for their next meal. (2015 Sibert Honor Book)
Rain Reign. By Ann M. Martin. MacMillan.
Rose’s obsession with homophones and rules distinguishes her from most other fifth graders,
but also provides insights into the world of a child challenged by Asperger’s Syndrome. When
Rain, Rose’s beloved dog, goes missing, readers will be moved by the decisions she makes to
find and care for her pet.
A Snicker of Magic. By Natalie Lloyd. Scholastic Press.
Felicity Pickle, a word collector and poet, hopes Midnight Gulch, Tennessee proves to be a
permanent home for her wandering family. She uses her words to restore the town's magic in
an endearing story of community.
Sisters. By Raina Telgemeier. Illus. by the author. Scholastic/Graphix.
A family car trip highlights between two sisters, the cause of which is explored through
flashback sequences in this comedic graphic novel.
Three Bird Summer. By Sara St. Antoine. Candlewick.
Adam and his new friend spend the summer in the quiet setting of Three Bird Lake solving the
mystery of notes left by his grandmother to a romance of long ago. Gentle and heartfelt.
Older Readers
Caminar. By Skila Brown. Candlewick.
During the Guatemalan Civil War, Carlos embarks on a solitary journey. A difficult coming-ofage story told through lyric, emotionally-charged poems.
The Crossover. By Kwame Alexander. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Twelve-year-old narrator Josh uses the rhythms of a poetry jam to emulate the "moving &
grooving/popping and rocking" of life on the basketball court. This novel in verse paints an
authentic portrait of a closely-knit family on the brink of crisis. (2015 Newbery Medal Book)
The Port Chicago 50. By Steve Sheinkin. Roaring Brook Press.
The bravery of African-American sailors who refused to work in unsafe conditions is recounted
in this little known and dramatic World War II story. Their heroism helped desegregate the
Navy but not without great sacrifice for the 50 men.
Revolution: The Sixties Trilogy, Book Two. By Deborah Wiles. Scholastic.
The summer of 1964 was known as "Freedom Summer: as civil rights workers, the students,
and organizers went to Mississippi to help register African-American voters. Twelve-year-old
Sunny of Greenwood Mississippi, is caught up in the frightening events between blacks-andwhite Americans, choosing sides and standing up for themselves. Photographs and
memorabilia enhance an understanding of the tumultuous period.
This One Summer. By Mariko Tamaki. Illus. by Jillian Tamaki. First Second.
Intricately-detailed illustrations and text come together masterfully in this graphic novel. Pacing
and strong imagery evoke myriad emotions and ground this poignant, realistic coming-of-age
story. (2015 Caldecott Honor Book)
All Ages
Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World. By Steve Jenkins. Illus. by the author. Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt.
With a mixture of extraordinary artistry and jaw-dropping creativity, Jenkins has produced a
colorful, large-format volume crafted with vivid, cut-paper collages that provide amazing details
about the eyes of animals from bullfrogs to buzzards.
Once Upon an Alphabet. By Oliver Jeffers. Illus. by the author. Penguin/Philomel.
A creative, fresh take on the alphabet book! Jeffers tells a short story for each letter, giving
each one its due glory. Full of humor and whimsy. Complete with distinctive illustrations that
are one of a kind.
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes. By Nicola Davies, Illus. by Emily Sutton. Candlewick.
This straightforward narrative introduces young readers to microbes through simple
descriptions, colorful examples, and concise writing. Watercolor images illustrate the examples
and create a nostalgic feel.
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2015 Nominations
Kindergarten to Second Grade
Boy and a Jaguar. Alan Rabinowitz. Illustrated by Catia Chen. HMH Books for Young Readers.
Goal! Sean Taylor. Illustrated by Caio Viela. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt.
Hidden: A Child's View of the Holocaust. LoÏc Dauvillier. Illustrated by Marc Lizano. Macmillan
Children's Publishing Group, First Second Books.
Little Humans. Brandon Stanton. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, FSG.
Monday, Wednesday, and Every Other Weekend. Karen Stanton. Macmillan Children's
Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends.
Music Everywhere! Maya Ajmera, Elise Hofer Derstine, and Cynthia Pon. Charlesbridge.
The Pilot and the Little Prince: The Life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Peter Sis. Macmillan
Children's Publishing Group, Frances Foster Books, FSG.
Tuesday Tucks Me In. Luis Carols Montalván and Bret Witter. Illustrated by Dan Dion.Macmillan
Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press.
Under the Same Sun. Sharon Robinson. Illustrated by A. G. Ford. Scholastic Press.
Wall. Tom Clohosy Cole. Candlewick Press.
Third to Fifth Grade
The Badger Knight. Kathryn Erskine. Scholastic Press.
Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. Suzanne Slade.
Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell. Charlesbridge.
Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. G. Neri. Illustrated by A. G. Ford. Candlewick Press.
Jubilee!: One Man’s Big, Bold, and Very, Very Loud Celebration of Peace. Alicia Potter.
Illustrated by Matt Tavares. Candlewick Press.
Little Author in the Big Woods: A Biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Yona Zeldis McDonough.
Illustrated by Jennifer Thermes. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Christy Ottaviano
Books, Henry Holt.
Lives of the Explorers: Discoveries, Disasters (and What the Neighbors Thought). Kathleen Krull.
Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. HMH Books for Young Readers.
Stand There! She Shouted. Susan Goldman Rubin. Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick
Press.
Stone Giant. Jane Sutcliffe. Illustrated by John Shelley. Charlesbridge.
The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy is Enlightening. Chris Raschka. Candlewick
Press.
Sixth to Eighth Graders
At Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui. Christine LiuPerkins. Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. Charlesbridge.
Brown Girl Dreaming. Jacqueline Woodson. Penguin, Nancy Paulsen Books.
Children Growing Up with War. Jenny Matthews. Candlewick Press.
Fighting Fire!: Ten of the Deadliest Fires in American History and How We Fought Them.
Michael L. Cooper. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt.
Frida & Diego: Art, Love, Life. Catherine Reef. HMH Books for Young Readers, Clarion Books.
The Great Greene Heist. Varian Johnson. Scholastic, Arthur A. Levine Books.
Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged Big Business—and Won! Emily Arnold McCully.
HMH Books for Young Readers, Clarion Books.
The Madman of Piney Wood. Christopher Paul Curtis. Scholastic Press.
Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World’s Most Memorable Photographs. Ruth Thompson.
Candlewick Press.
Port Chicago 50. Steve Sheinkin. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press.
Rain Reign. Ann M. Martin. Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends.
Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal. Margarita Engle. HMH Books for Young Readers.
Revolution. Deborah Wiles. Scholastic Press.
The Story of Buildings. Patrick Dillon. Illustrated by Stephen Biesty. Candlewick Press.
The History of Money: From Bartering to Banking. Martin Jenkins. Illustrated by Satoshi
Kitamura. Candlewick Press.
Ninth to Twelfth Grade
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out. Susan Kuklin. Candlewick Press.
Eyes Wide Open: Going Beyond the Environmental Headlines. Paul Fleischman. Candlewick
Press.
The Freedom Summer Murders. Don Mitchell. Scholastic Press.
Girls Like Us. Gail Giles. Candlewick Press.
If You're Reading This. Trent Reedy. Scholastic, Arthur A. Levine Books.
The White House is Burning: August 24, 1814. Jane Sutcliffe. Charlesbridge.