The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
LOWER SCHOOL BOOK SELECTION
GRADES K-2
A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz
A 2015 LIA Book Fair Top Seller
Alan loves animals, but the great cat house at the Bronx Zoo makes him sad. Why are they all alone
in empty cages? More than anything, he wants to be their champion—their voice—but he stutters
uncontrollably. Except when he talks to animals… Then he is fluent.
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
2015 Caldecott Medal Winner and a 2015 LIA Book Fair Top Seller
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently
waits his turn to be chosen, but when he is overlooked, he sets off on an incredible journey until he
finally meets his perfect match and is given his special name: Beekle.
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
After spending the summer with her artist grandmother, Trisha knows she wants to be an artist, too.
She’s thrilled when her sketches get her into Miss Chew’s special art class at the high school. A
substitute teacher tells her she’s wasting time on art when she should be studying - but fortunately,
this is one battle that Miss Chew and Trisha are up for! This true story shows just how important a
teacher can be in a child’s life - and celebrates the power of art itself.
Carmen Learns English by Judy Cox
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
The first day of school can be scary, especially when no one else speaks your language. Carmen,
who speaks only Spanish, knows she must be brave. Her teacher’s Spanish is “muy” terrible; but
with a little encouragement from la Senora, Carmen teaches the class Spanish words and numbers,
and she in turn learns English from her new friends.
The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Teacher’s Pick
A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist’s perspective. Seven-year-old Lena is
going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her
mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different
shades. Through the eyes of a little girl who begins to see her familiar world in a new way, this
book celebrates the differences and similarities that connect all people.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane Derolf
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
“While walking through a toy store, the day before today, I overheard a
crayon box with many things to say...” This picture book, illustrated in every color in the crayon
box, conveys the sublimely simple message that when we all work together, the results are much
more interesting and colorful.
Daniel’s Tales by Daniel A. Kumi
New for 2016 and Parent’s Pick
Enter the mind of 7-year-old author, Daniel Kumi, and discover if a puppy can be courageous, why
a dinosaur ran away from home, if a rooster can fly, and many other tales in "Daniel's Tales."
Daniel takes readers on a journey full of imagination and creativity.
Dear Juno by Soyung Pak
New for 2016
Juno’s grandmother writes in Korean and Juno writes in drawings, but that doesn’t mean they can’t
exchange letters. From the photo his grandmother sends him, Juno can tell that she has a new cat.
From the picture he makes for her, Juno’s grandmother can tell that he wants her to come for a
visit. So she sends Juno a miniature plane, to let him know she’s on the way.
Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
Tired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries
swimming with the seals. He spends a day lounging with the lions. He even does a stint slithering
with the snakes. But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all.
And so he returns to his pen, only to find a big surprise awaiting him. . . .
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
A 2014 and 2015 LIA Book Fair Top Seller
It was the perfect summer. That is, until Jeremy Ross moved into the house down the street and
became neighborhood enemy number one. Luckily Dad had a surefire way to get rid of enemies:
Enemy Pie.
Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
New for 2016
A wondrous book of poems and drawings by the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light
in the Attic. Here you will also meet Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the
dancin’ bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold. So come, wander through the Nose
Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, eat in the Strange Restaurant, and let the magic of Shel Silverstein
open your eyes and tickle your mind.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
New for 2016
With breathtaking illustrations and informative text, Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is sure to
inspire questions and observations about world religions and cultures.
Grandfather Gandhi by Arum Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson tells the story of how his grandfather taught him to turn darkness
into light in this uniquely personal and vibrantly illustrated tale that carries a message of peace.
Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
Harriet doesn’t mean to be pesky. Sometimes she just is. And her mother doesn’t mean to lose
her temper. Sometimes she just does.
But Harriet and her mother know that even when they do things they wish they hadn’t, they
still love each other very much.
Home by Carson Ellis
New for 2016
A loving look at the places where people live – home might be a house in the country, an
apartment in the city, or even a shoe. Home may be on the road or the sea, in the realm of
myth, or in the artist’s own studio.
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
A 2015 LIA Book Fair Top Seller and Teacher’s Pick
Jeremy Jacob is a boy who joins Captain Braid Beard and his crew in this witty look at the
finer points of pirate life with fantastically silly, richly textured illustrations.
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
When Koala Lou’s mother becomes so busy that she forgets to tell her firstborn how much she
loves her, Koala Lou enters the Bush Olympics, intending to win an event and her mother’s
love all at one time.
Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi
New for 2016
Lailah is in a new school in a new country, thousands of miles from her old home, and missing
her old friends. When Ramadan begins, she is excited that she is finally old enough to
participate in the fasting but worried that her classmates won’t understand why she doesn’t
join them in the lunchroom. With help from the school librarian and her teacher, Lailah learns
that she can make new friends who respect her beliefs.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou
This brilliant introduction to poetry and contemporary art create a place where every child may
experience his or her own fearlessness.
Little Melba & Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown
New for 2016
At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play
the instrument. Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning
rhythms and melodies into songs for jazz greats including, Duke Ellington, Count Basie,
Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
New for 2016 and Headmaster’s Pick
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his
character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth’s
natural beauty.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
New for 2016, 1942 Caldecott Medal Winner and Teacher’s Pick
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place
for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the
busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack,
Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arrive safely at their new home.
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown
Teacher’s Pick
Marisol McDonald has flaming red hair and nut-brown skin. Polka dots and stripes are her
favorite combination. She prefers peanut butter and jelly burritos in her lunch box. PeruvianScottish-American Marisol McDonald doesn’t match. And that’s just fine with her.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Teacher’s Pick
Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her so instead of
introducing herself, she tells the class that she will choose a new name. Her classmates fill a glass
jar with names for her to pick from. But, one of her classmates discovers her real name and its
special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared.
Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone
pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Ninja! By Aree Chung
New for 2016
A ninja must be strong, courageous, and silent! He creeps through the house on a secret mission.
There may be obstacles! But have no fear―a true ninja can overcome all challenges.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
New for 2016 and Headmaster’s Pick
From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch,
Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations,
while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within.
One Word from Sophia by Jim Averbeck
New for 2016
Sophia has one true desire for her birthday. But she has Four Big Problems in the way: Mom, Dad,
Uncle Conrad...and Grand-mama. She gives each member of her biracial family an individualized
presentation. Will her proposals and pie charts convince them? Turns out, all it takes is one word.
The Only Child by Guojing
New for 2016
A little girl—lost and alone—follows a mysterious stag deep into the woods, and, like Alice down
the rabbit hole, she finds herself in a strange and wondrous world. But home and family are very
far away. How will she get back there? A magnificently illustrated—and wordless—masterpiece
that captures the rich and deeply-felt emotional life of a child, filled with loneliness and longing as
well as love and joy.
Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya Simon and Richard Simon
New for 2016
A refugee seeking sanctuary from the Kristallnacht, Oskar arrives in NYC with only a photograph
and an address for an aunt he has never met. It is the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas
Eve, 1938. As Oskar walks the length of Manhattan, he experiences the city’s many holiday
sights and encounters its various residents. Each offers Oskar a small act of kindness, welcoming
him to the city and helping him on his way to a new life in the new world.
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
Grandma Poss uses her best bush magic to make Hush invisible. But when Hush longs to be able
to see herself, the two possums must make their way across Australia to find the magic food that
will make Hush visible once more.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
In a rainbow-colored station wagon, the relatives came. When they arrived, they hugged and
hugged from the kitchen to the front room. All summer they tended the garden and ate up all the
strawberries and melons. They plucked banjos and strummed guitars. When they finally had to
leave, they were sad, but not for long. They all knew they would be together next summer.
This is Sadie by Sara O’Leary
New for 2016
Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. She has been a girl who lived under the sea and a boy
raised by wolves. She has had adventures in wonderland and visited the world of fairytales. She
whispers to the dresses in her closet and talks to birds in the treetops. She has wings that take her
anywhere she wants to go, but that always bring her home again. She likes to make things –
boats out of boxes and castles out of cushions. But more than anything Sadie likes stories,
because you can make them from nothing at all.
Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter
New for 2016
As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when
she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon
all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something and starts by planting nine
seedlings in her own backyard. As they grow, so do her plans. This true story of Wangari
Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one
woman’s passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.
What I Like About Me! By Allia Zobel Nolan
Teacher’s Pick
The kids in What I Like About Me! are as different as night and day and they love it. Some adore
the fact that their braces dazzle and gleam, others feel distinguished when they wear their
glasses. Still others wouldn’t trade their big feet for a lifetime of free video games.
Yoko by Rosemary Wells
Teacher’s Pick
Mmm, Yoko’s mom has packed her favorite for lunch today-sushi! But her classmates don’t
think it looks quite so yummy. They’re not even impressed by her red bean ice cream dessert.
Mrs. Jenkins has a plan that might solve Yoko’s problem. But will it work?
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
GRADES 3-5
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
A New York Times Bestseller
Two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a
boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home.
The boy, Salva, becomes one of the “lost boys” of Sudan, refugees who cover the continent on foot
as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from
loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor,
and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.
A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen
New for 2016
From a NYT bestselling author comes a stunning thriller about a girl who must escape to freedom
after the Berlin Wall divides her family between east and west. Based on clues sent by her father,
Gerta concludes that her father wants Gerta and her brother to tunnel beneath the wall, out of East
Berlin to join him in the West. If they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. No one can be
trusted. Will Gerta and her family find their way to freedom?
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day
freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19
as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This
stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates,
and a glossary of relevant terms.
Audacity by Melanie Crowder
New for 2016
A novel written in verse, Audacity is inspired by the real-life story of Clara Lemlich, a girl who
emigrated from Russia to New York at the turn of the twentieth century and fought tenaciously for
equal rights. Bucking the norms of her traditional Jewish family and societal conventions,
Clara refuses to accept substandard working conditions in the factories on Manhattan’s Lower
East Side.
Auggie and Me: Three Wonder Stories by R.J. Palacio
New for 2016
A companion to NYT bestseller Wonder, these stories are an extra peek at Auggie before he
started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through the eyes of
Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s new friend at
school. Together, these three stories are a treasure for readers who don’t want to leave Auggie
behind when they finish Wonder.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Benny Goodman & Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in
History
New for 2016 and Librarian’s Pick
The true story of jazz musicians Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson is told in expressive poetry.
The biographical back matter will shed light on how a love of music helped the two break down
color lines.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin
Olympics by Daniel James Brown
New for 2016 and a New York Times Bestseller
It was an unlikely quest from the start – with a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard
workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to
defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain. Yet they did, going on to shock the
world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
2015 Newbery Medal Winner
Dread-locked, 12-year old Josh and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh
has more than basketball in his blood, he’s got mad beats, too, that tell his family’s story in verse.
Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the
rules comes at a terrible price, as their story’s heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the
entire family.
Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
New for 2016 and a 2016 Newbery Honor Book
Lost and alone in a forbidden forest, Otto meets three mysterious sisters and suddenly finds himself
entwined in a puzzling quest involving a prophecy, a promise, and a harmonica. Decades later,
Friedrich in Germany, Mike in Pennsylvania, and Ivy in California each, in turn, become
interwoven when the very same harmonica lands in their lives. All the children face daunting
challenges and ultimately, their suspenseful solo stories converge in an orchestral crescendo.
Enormous Smallness: A story of e.e. cummings by Matthew Burgess
New for 2016
A nonfiction picture book about the poet e.e. cummings, Enormous Smallness will lead children to
play with words and ask plenty of questions. Lively and informative, the book also presents some
of cummings’s most wonderful poems, integrating them seamlessly into the story to give the reader
the music of his voice and a spirited, sensitive introduction to his poetry.
Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World by Steve Jenkins
New for 2016
Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator explains how, for most animals, eyes are the most
important source of information about the world. The simplest eyes – clusters of light-sensitive
cells – appeared more than one billion years ago, and provided a big survival advantage. Since
then, animals have evolved an amazing variety of eyes, along with often surprising ways to use
them.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Falling Up by Shel Silverstein
New for 2016
A wondrous book of poems and drawings by the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in
the Attic. Here you will also meet Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O’Dare, the
dancin’ bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold. So come, wander through the Nose
Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, eat in the Strange Restaurant, and let the magic of Shel Silverstein
open your eyes and tickle your mind.
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Teacher’s Pick
The arrival of new girl Jessica Feeney changes everything; Jessica, who is attending a local hospital
for treatment, has been badly burned by a fire, and her terrible disfigurement shocks the class into
confusion. This is a book that explores the kids’ struggle to manage the intrusion of abnormality in
their lives.
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh
New for 2016 and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2015
José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada’s calavera drawings have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día
de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. This book explores how the amusing Calaveras –
skeletons performing various every day or festive activities – came to be.
Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus
New for 2016 and a Newbery Honor Book
After a Japanese fishing vessel sinks and its crew is rescued by a passing American ship, the crew
sets off to America. Manjiro, a 14-year-old boy, is curious and eager to learn everything he can
about this new culture. After many years, he comes back to Japan, only to be imprisoned as an
outsider. With his knowledge of the West, Manjiro is in a position to persuade the emperor to ease
open the boundaries around Japan; he may even achieve his unlikely dream of becoming a samurai.
The Girl in the Torch by Robert Sharenow
New for 2016
At the dawn of the 20th century, Sarah journeys across the Atlantic, though, tragedy strikes and
Sarah finds herself being sent back before she sets foot in the U.S. She makes a life-or-death
decision, jumping off the back of the boat and swimming as hard as she can toward a new life.
Now Sarah must find a way to Manhattan while avoiding the night watchman and scavenging
enough food to survive. When a surprising ally helps bring her to the city, Sarah finds herself
facing new dangers and a life on her own. Will she ever find a true home in America?
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang
Lucy Wu, aspiring basketball star and interior designer, is on the verge of having the best year of
her life. But her plans are shattered when she finds out that Yi Po, her beloved grandmother’s
sister, is coming to visit for several months, and is staying in Lucy’s room. Lucy’s perfect year
begins to crumble — or does it? As the Chinese saying goes: Events that appear to be good or bad
luck often turn out to be quite the opposite.
House of Robots by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
It was never easy for Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez to fit in, so he’s dreading the day when his genius
mom insists he bring her newest invention to school: a walking, talking robot he calls E—for
“Error.” Will E be Sammy’s one-way ticket to Loserville? Or will he prove to the world that it’s
cool to be square?
I Will Always Write Back by Martin Ganda and Caitlin Alifirenka
New for 2016
It started as an assignment. Caitlin’s class wrote to unknown students somewhere in a distant
place. Martin was the top student so he got the first pen-pal letter sent to his class. That letter was
the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives. In this dual
memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends – and better people – through
their long-distance exchange.
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
New for 2016 and NYT Bestseller, Newbery Honor Book, and National Book Award Winner
Hà has only ever known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, and the warmth
of her friends close by. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are
forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope—toward America.
The Librarian of Bashra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeannette Winter
New for 2016
Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in Basra, Iraq. For fourteen years, her library has been a
meeting place for those who love books. Until now. Now war has come, and Alia fears that the
library will be destroyed forever. In a war-stricken country where civilians – especially women –
have little power, this true story about a librarian’s struggle to save her community’s priceless
collection of books reminds us all how, throughout the world, the love of literature and the respect
for knowledge know no boundaries.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
New for 2016 and a Headmaster’s Pick
Long before saving the earth became a global concern, Dr. Seuss, speaking through his
character the Lorax, warned against mindless progress and the danger it posed to the earth’s
natural beauty.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Malala Yousafzai: Warrior with Words by Karen Leggett Abouraya
New for 2016
The inspiring, true story of a young Pakistani girl who stands up and speaks out for every
child’s right to education. Though she and two of her schoolmates were targeted by a Taliban
gunman, a life-threatening injury only strengthened her resolve. Malala spoke at the U.N. on
her 16th birthday in 2013, nine months after she was shot.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
New for 2016, 1991 Newbery Medal Winner and Student’s Pick
Jeffrey Lionel “Maniac” Magee might have lived a normal life if a freak accident hadn’t made
him an orphan. After living with his unhappy and uptight aunt and uncle for eight years, he
decides to run–and not just run away, but run. This is where the myth of Maniac Magee begins,
as he changes the lives of a racially divided small town with his amazing and legendary feats.
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
Newberry Honor Book and Librarian’s Pick
Elmer Elevator who hears about the plight of an overworked and underappreciated baby flying
dragon stows away on a ship and travels to Wild Island to rescue the dragon. Along the way, we
meet some tigers, a rhinoceros, a lion, and a gorilla.
Nerd Camp by Elissa Brent Weissman
New for 2016
Ten-year-old Gabe has just been accepted to the Summer Center for Gifted Enrichment – a summer
home to some legendary middle-school smarty-pants (and future Jeopardy! contestants), but it has a
reputation for being, well, a Nerd Camp. But is Gabe really a geek? He’s never thought about it
much – but that was before he met Zack, his hip, LA-cool, soon-to-be stepbrother. Gabe worries
that Zack will see him only as a nerd, until a wild summer at camp – complete with a midnight
canoe ride to “Dead Man’s Island” – helps Gabe realize that he and Zack have the foundations for a
real friendship.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss
New for 2016 and a Headmaster’s Pick
From soaring to high heights and seeing great sights to being left in a Lurch on a prickle-ly perch,
Dr. Seuss addresses life’s ups and downs with his trademark humorous verse and illustrations,
while encouraging readers to find the success that lies within.
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Newberry Honor Book and Teacher’s Pick
Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a
brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She’s spent years trying to
teach David the rules from “a peach is not a funny-looking apple” to “keep your pants on in
public.” But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the
next-door friend she’s always wished for, it’s her own shocking behavior that turns everything
upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr and Ronald Himler
New for 2016 and Student’s Pick
The star of her school’s running team, Sadako is lively and athletic…until the dizzy spells start.
Then she must face the hardest race of her life—the race against time. Based on the true story of a
young Japanese girl who contracts leukemia as a result of the atom bomb that was dropped on
Hiroshima. In the hospital, she first begins making origami cranes to pass the time. Her ultimate
goal is to make 1000, but she dies with only 644 completed. Sadako’s classmates finish making the
remaining cranes, and all 1000 are buried with her.
Separate is Never Equal Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan
Tonatiuh
New for 2016
When Sylvia Mendez moved to Westminster, California, in the 1940s, she quickly found out that
not everyone was welcome in her new neighborhood. Sylvia and her brother have to attend the
“Mexican” school while local white children went to a much better school. Eventually, the Mendez
family and others filed a lawsuit that would desegregate schools in California, affecting more than
5,000 Latino children.
Tor and Other Stories by Daniel A. Kim
New for 2016 and Parent’s Pick
Tor and Other Stories is a compilation of three short stories written by child author, Daniel Kumi. It
is a literary journey filled with mystery, adventure and fun. Young readers will meet interesting
characters and explore strange lands, enjoying every word along the way.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Rising 6th Grade Social Studies Book
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and
thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the
enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches,
Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his
heart aches for Albert, the farmer’s son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?
When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick
Hill
New for 2016
On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973, Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-school party at a
South Bronx park. Her brother Clive, who called himself DJ Kool Herc, spun the records. He had a
new way of playing the music to make the breaks between verses longer for dancing. From his
childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, this book tells how Kool Herc’s story, how kids in
gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a
culture and transform the world.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
New for 2016 and a Newbery Honor Book
In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the
evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the
Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on
an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her
family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the
way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
New for 2016 and Teacher’s Pick
Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up
enough money for two pups to call his own – Old Dan and Little Ann – he’s ecstatic. It doesn’t
matter that times are tough; together they’ll roam the hills of the Ozarks. Soon Billy and his
hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread
throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s
sheer will seems unbeatable. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters – now friends – and
Billy learns that hope can grow out of despair, and that the seeds of the future can come from the
scars of the past.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
A 2015 LIA Book Fair Top Seller and Teacher’s Pick
Rising 6th Grade English Book
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from
going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to
be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.
Told from multiple points of view, Wonder is a portrait of one community’s struggle with
empathy, compassion, and acceptance.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
AUGUST HOUSE
*A Tale of Two Frogs by Martha Hamilton
In this story from Russia, two frog sisters learn the truth of that old saying, It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,
or, The opera isn’t over until the fat frog sings.
*Anasi and the Pot of Beans by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk
Did you ever wonder why spiders have no hair? After reading this African trickster tale, you will
know. When Anansi goes to help his grandmother, he can’t resist her steaming, hot pot of beans.
*Anasi and the Sky Kingdom by Bobby Norfolk and Sherry Norfolk
In this story, the world is dark and King Lion wants someone to go to the King of the Sky and ask
for light. After many animals try and fail, Anansi the spider offers to go. In this timeless story from
Africa, Bobby and Sherry Norfolk show us how Anansi uses his wits, his trickster skills, and the
help of his friends to bring light to the world.
*Anansi and the Tug O’ War by Bobby Norfolk
In this trickster tale from Africa, Anansi proves to Elephant and Killer Whale that in a battle of
wits, brains definitely outdo brawn.
*Anansi and Turtle Go to Dinner by Bobby Norfolk, Sherry Norfolk and Baird Hoffmire
In this trickster tale from Africa, Anansi learns the value of being a good host. He also learns the
truth of the old saying, what goes around, comes around.
*Anansi Goes to Lunch by Nofolk and Sherry Bobby Norfolk
Anansi is invited to three concurrent parties and wants to attend them all. He gives each of his hosts
a rope to tug, ties the other end around his own waist, and waits to be summoned when the food is
served ― but when all of the food is ready at the same time, Anansi is caught in the middle! That's
why Spiders have small waists today.
*The August House Book of Scary Stories: Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud
Scary stories: everybody loves to hear them, and everybody loves to tell them. Selected especially
for appeal to upper-elementary and middle-school students, each story has been crafted through
multiple performances in school and library settings. Stories include traditional folktales, local
legends, and original stories; some have historical settings and some are set in current times. All
are sure to engage the most reluctant reader.
* The Bear, the Bat, and the Dove by Rob Cleveland
In this collection, Rob Cleveland brings you three of Aesop's lesser known, but equally powerful
fables. You will learn why bats fly at night, why you should pick your friends carefully, and why
even a tiny ant could be your guardian angel.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
*Clever Monkey Rides Again by Rob Cleveland
Story Cove was developed to meet the specific needs and interests of young readers. These
captivating tales come from a variety of cultures and share timeless values and simple, universal
lessons. Every story has been carefully selected, edited and leveled.
*The Drum: A Folktale from India by Rob Cleveland
A Folktale from India is an excellent little story that teaches love, respect, compassion, hope,
charity, and good citizenship.
*Feathers: A Jewish Tale from Eastern Europe by Heather Forest
New for 2016
This retelling of an 18th-century tale explores the cruel and uncontrollable nature of gossip.
Appearing before a wise rabbi, a woman who has damaged the reputation of another insincerely
vows to make amends. The rabbi, fearing that she has not learned her lesson, instructs her to
gather all the feathers released into the wind from a feather pillow.
*Growing Gold by T.V. Padma
In this story from India, a farmer’s three lazy sons don’t want to work. They sit around dreaming
of making a lot of gold. When their mother tells them of gold buried in a field, they discovery the
value of a good day’s work.
*Holy Mole: A Folktale from Mexico by Carline McAlister
New for 2016
When the Spanish viceroy comes for an unscheduled visit, the cook goes into a frenzy. What
will they feed this important ambassador to the king? Carlos, the orphan boy who works in the
kitchen, tries to stay out of the way as lunch is hastily prepared, but his curiosity gets the best of
him. His eagerness results in a moment of crisis, followed by what Brother Roberto can only
assume is a miracle. This story, inspired by the Mexican folk tradition, explains the origins of
mole, the popular dish that combines chocolate with turkey, spices, and nuts.
* How Tiger Got His Stripes: A Folktale from Vietnam by Rob Cleveland
Many years ago, the proudest animal in the jungle was not the peacock. The proudest animal was
the tiger. In this folktale from Vietnam, we see how Tiger's pride leads him to covet wisdom, and
with the help of a wise farmer, earn his stripes.
* The Magic Apple: A Folktale from the Middle East by Rob Cleveland
Three brothers embark on separate journeys to fulfill their father's dying wish. In their journey's
they go to distant lands, find curious treasures, and learn the true meaning of giving.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
*The Magic Pot by Pleasant DeSpain and Tom Wrenn
In this story from China, when a woodcutter finds a magic pot that makes two of everything that
he puts inside of it, he thinks all of his troubles have disappeared! Or have they just doubled?
*The Ogre Bully by A. B. Hoffmire
In this story, a farmer and his wife match wits with a large, mean-spirited ogre. If they can't
outwit him, they will end up with no crops of their own to eat or sell. This whimsically drawn
story is based on an old Swedish folktale.
*Rooster’s Night Out by Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss and Baird Hoffmire
In this chain story from Cuba, Rooster learns that he needs s lot of help to get cleaned up for
Heron’s party.
*The Stolen Smell by Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss and Tom Wrenn
In this story from Peru, we meet a baker who is so stingy that he wants to charge people just for
smelling his baked goods. When the baker takes his case to court, the wise judge decides to teach
the greedy man a well-deserved lesson.
*When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation by Tim Tingle
New for 2016
Maybe you think you know the story of the big race between Rabbit and Turtle. Think again! This
tale from the Choctaw People shows that it was not being slow and steady that won Turtle the big
race, it was those feathers!!!
*The Woman Who Flummoxed The Fairies by Heather Forest
According to this Scottish folktale, long ago sweet-toothed fairies flew into people’s homes and
feasted on leftover cake crumbs. Annoyed that crumbs never remained from the very best cakes,
the King of the Fairies orders the fairies to capture a talented bakerwoman and bring her to the
Fairy Kingdom. The resourceful woman requests items from her kitchen at home, where her
bewildered husband looks on as utensils and ingredients float out of the window, borne by
invisible fairies. Eventually she strikes a clever bargain with the impatient Fairy King to win her
freedom and return home.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
PARENT SELECTIONS
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Recommended by Jonathan Newman, US English Teacher
On a hot summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a moment’s flirtation
between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant and Cecilia’s childhood
friend. But Briony’s incomplete grasp of adult motives –together with her precocious literary gifts–
brings about a crime that will change all their lives. Atonement follows that crime’s repercussions
through the chaos and carnage of World War II and into the close of the twentieth century and engages the reader on
every conceivable level, with an ease and authority that mark it as a genuine masterpiece.
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Recommended by Jonathan Newman, US English Teacher
Cloud Atlas begins in 1850 with Adam Ewing, an American notary voyaging from the Chatham
Isles to his home in California. Along the way, he is befriended by a physician who begins to treat
him for a rare species of brain parasite. . . . Abruptly, the action jumps to Belgium in 1931, where a
disinherited bisexual composer, contrives his way into the household of an infirm maestro who has a
beguiling wife and a nubile daughter. . . . From there we jump to the West Coast in the 1970s and a
troubled reporter who stumbles upon a web of corporate greed and murder that threatens to claim
her life. . . . And onward, with dazzling virtuosity, to an inglorious present-day England; to a Korean superstate of
the near future where neocapitalism has run amok; and, finally, to a postapocalyptic Iron Age Hawaii in the last days
of history. But the story doesn’t end even there. The narrative then boomerangs back through centuries and space,
returning by the same route, in reverse, to its starting point. Along the way, the disparate characters connect, their
fates intertwine, and their souls drift across time like clouds across the sky.
Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
Recommended by Andrea Morgan, MS Math Teacher
This four-book set includes paperbacks of the three books in the #1 New York Times bestselling
Divergent trilogy, plus the companion volume told from the perspective of the immensely popular
character Tobias, all wrapped up in a dazzling keepsake box. Divergent: One choice can
transform you. A gripping dystopian tale of electrifying choices, powerful consequences,
unexpected romance, and a deeply flawed “perfect society.” Insurgent: One choice can destroy
you. As war surges in the factions all around her, Tris attempts to save those she loves—and
herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Allegiant: One choice will define you. The explosive conclusion reveals the secrets of the dystopian world. Four: A
Divergent Collection: A companion volume told from the perspective of Tobias give readers a fascinating glimpse
into the history and heart of Tobias, and set the stage for the epic saga of the Divergent trilogy.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Evidence of Things Unseen: A Novel by Marianne Wiggins
Recommended by Jennifer Achilles, MS Math Teacher
In the years between the two world wars, the future held more promise than peril, but there was
evidence of things unseen that would transfigure our unquestioned trust in a safe future. Fos has
returned to Tennessee from the trenches of France. Intrigued with electricity, bioluminescence, and
especially x-rays, he believes in science and the future of technology. On a trip to the Outer Banks
to study the Perseid meteor shower, he falls in love with Opal, whose father is a glassblower who
can spin color out of light. Fos brings his new wife back to Knoxville where he runs a photography
studio with his former Army buddy Flash. A witty rogue and a staunch disbeliever in Prohibition,
Flash brings tragedy to the couple when his appetite for pleasure runs up against both the law and the Ku Klux Klan.
Fos and Opal are forced to move to Opal’s mother’s farm on the Clinch River, and soon they have a son, Lightfoot.
But when the New Deal claims their farm for the TVA, Fos seeks work at the Oak Ridge Laboratory – Site X in the
government’s race to build the bomb. And it is there, when Opal falls ill with radiation poisoning, that Fos’s great
faith in science deserts him. Their lives have traveled with touching inevitability from their innocence and
fascination with “things that glow” to the new world of manmade suns.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Recommended by Angela Morris-Long, Lovett Director of Civic Engagement
With courage, grace and powerful insight, The Nightingale captures the epic panorama of WWII
and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. The Nightingale tells
the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance,
each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in Germanoccupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and
the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
Paper Love: Searching for the Girl my Grandfather Left Behind by Sarah Wildman
Recommended by Angela Morgan, MS Math Teacher
Years after her grandfather’s death, journalist Sarah Wildman stumbled upon a cache of his letters
in a file labeled “Correspondence: Patients A- G.” What she found inside weren’t dry medical
histories; instead what was written opened a path into the destroyed world that was her family’s
prewar Vienna. One woman’s letters stood out: those from Valy—Valerie Scheftel—her
grandfather’s lover, who had remained behind when he fled Europe six months after the Nazis
annexed Austria. Obsessed with Valy’s story, Wildman began a quest that lasted years and
spanned continents. She discovered, to her shock, an entire world of other people searching for the same woman. In
the course of discovering Valy’s ultimate fate, she was forced to reexamine the story of her grandfather’s triumphant
escape and how this history fit within her own life and in the process, she rescues a life seemingly lost to history.
Same Kind of Different as Me: A Modern Day Slave, an International Are Dealer, and
the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Recommended by Jennifer Achilles, MS Math Teacher
A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art
dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A
story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in
Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood
hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch.
The Lovett International Alliance (LIA) Book Fair 2016
Tuesday April 26th - Wednesday April 27th. 7:30 am- 4:00p.m.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
A NYT Best Seller
Recommended by Jonathan Newman, US English Teacher
A narrative of humanity’s creation and evolution that explores the ways in which biology and
history have defined us and enhanced our understanding of what it means to be “human.”
One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet
today there is only one—homo-sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to
us? From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting
the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past
developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Dr.
Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural
selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the
world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?
Suburban Gospel by Mark Beaver
Written by Mark May-Beaver, US English Teacher
When the deacons at Mark Beaver’s Bible Belt church cue up an evangelical horror flick aimed at
dramatizing Hell, he figures he’d better get right with God, and soon. Convinced he could die at
age seven and spend eternity roasting on a spit in the fiery furnace of Hades, he promptly gets
Saved. But once adolescence hits, the Straight and Narrow becomes a tight squeeze. But Suburban
Gospel offers more than a look inside Bible Belt suburbia, circa Jerry Falwell and the Moral
Majority—it’s a tale of faith and flesh. The reader is invited into a world filled with Daisy Duke
fantasies and Prince posters, Nerf Hoops and Atari joysticks, raggedy Camaros and the neon light of strip malls.
Suburban Gospel is a tale of growing up Baptist, all right but also of just growing up.
The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
2012 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction and 2011 National Book Award for Non-Fiction
Recommended by Dan Alig, US Principal
Nearly six hundred years ago, a man took a very old manuscript off a library shelf, saw with
excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. That book was the last surviving
manuscript of an ancient Roman philosophical epic, On the Nature of Things, by Lucretius―a
beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functioned without the aid of gods,
that religious fear was damaging to human life, and that matter was made up of very small
particles in eternal motion, colliding and swerving in new directions. The copying and translation
of this ancient book fueled the Renaissance, inspiring artists such as Botticelli and thinkers such as
Giordano Bruno; shaped the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein; and had a revolutionary influence
on writers such as Montaigne and Shakespeare and even Thomas Jefferson.
With Malice Toward None by Stephen B. Oates
Recommended by Headmaster Billy Peebles
An award-winning biography that charts Lincoln’s rise from bitter poverty in America’s
Midwestern frontier to a self-made success in business, law, and regional politics. The second half
of the book examines his legendary leadership on the national stage as president during one of the
country’s most tumultuous and bloody periods, the Civil War years, which concluded tragically
with Lincoln’s assassination.