Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award 2008 Nominees

The Caudill Award Outstanding book for 4 th to 8 th grade students Books nominated by librarians, teachers, and students Winner is chosen by student vote Copyright must be within 5 years

The Caudill Award: Voting Students must read or listen to at least 3 nominated titles Vote for favorite book by Feb. 28 Winner will be announced in March 2008

Adam Canfield of the Slash by Michael Winerip

As co-editors of the Slash, their middle school newspaper, Adam and Jennifer investigate a story and uncover fraud and corruption both in their school and in the city’s government.

Chicken Boy by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Since the death of his mother, Tobin's family life and school life have been a mess, but after he starts raising chickens with his seventh-grade classmate, Henry, everything starts to fall into place.

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

After being taught in a boarding school run by whites that Navajo is a useless language, Ned Begay and other Navajo men are recruited by the Marines during World War II to become Code Talkers, sending secret messages in their native tongue.

Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall

When twelve-year old Rebecca Carver's father brings a Native American accused of murder into their 1812 Ohio settlement town, Rebecca witnesses the town's reaction to the Indian and struggles with the idea that an innocent man may be convicted and sentenced to death.

Defiance by Valerie Hobbs

While vacationing in the country, eleven- year-old Toby, a cancer patient, learns some important lessons about living and dying from an elderly poet and her cow.

Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complex emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.

East by Edith Pattou

When a huge white bear offers to save her sister, Rose agrees to live with him in his castle. Rose soon learns to love the bear. But when the Troll Queen steals him away, Rose discovers that her bear is really an enchanted prince and realizes that she must save him.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

Left an orphan after the influenza epidemic in British East Africa in 1918, thirteen-year-old Rachel is tricked into assuming a dead neighbor's identity and is forced to travel to England. There her only dream is to return to Africa and rebuild her parents' mission hospital.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a cold- hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him. Edward travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

The Misadventures of Maude March by Audrey Couloumbis

After the death of the strict aunt who raised them since they were orphaned, eleven-year- old Sallie and her fifteen-year-old sister escape their mean guardians and begin a Wild West adventure much like those in the dime novels Sallie loves to read.

MVP* by Douglas Evans

Twelve-year-old Adam Story is challenged by the deposed ruler of Babababad and his mongoose companion to become the first youngster to travel around the world in forty days without an adult.

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

Diana and her brother Georgie have been living a cursed existence behind the old Willis place. But when a new caretaker comes to the run-down mansion, Diana dares to show herself in order to make a new friend and to free herself and Georgie from their situation.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, four sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the alarm of his snobbish mother.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

While attending a strict academy for potential princesses with the other girls from her mountain village, fourteen- year-old Miri discovers unexpected talents and connections to her homeland.

Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battle school, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger named Halt and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger.

The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

A Brooklyn eighth- grader nicknamed Antsy befriends the Schwa, an "invisible- ish" boy who is tired of blending into his surroundings and going unnoticed by nearly everyone.

Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach

Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual connection because of a valuable diamond that is supposed to be hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school.

Thunder from the Sea by Joan Hiatt Harlow

Just when his dreams of being part of a family and having a dog seem to be coming true, Tom wonders if trouble with neighbors on his new island home and the impending birth of a new baby will change everything.

Worth by A. LaFaye

After breaking his leg, eleven-year-old Nate feels useless because he can’t work on the family farm in 19 th century Nebraska, so when his father brings home an orphan boy to help with the chores, Nate feels even worse.

Yankee Girl by Mary Ann Rodman

When her FBI-agent father is transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1964, eleven-year-old Alice wants to be popular, but she also wants to reach out to the one black girl in her class in a newly- integrated school.

The Abe Award: Voting Reminder Students must read or listen to at least 3 nominated titles Vote for favorite book by Feb. 28 Winner will be announced in March 2008