Holiday Book List

Parents, grandparents and others can give the gift of reading and learning. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has created a list of new books recommended for holiday gift-giving, as well as reading about the holidays themselves.

The gift-giving guide features titles suitable for readers from preschool age through 8th grade and includes picture books, novels, fiction and nonfiction.

"Research shows that kids who read for fun - not just for school - score significantly higher on reading tests," said ALSC President K.T. Horning. "I hope parents and caregivers will join us in celebrating the holidays with
reading. Whether you buy or borrow these books from your local library,
reading with your child encourages lifelong learning."

Children's librarians and educators on the ALSC Quicklists Consulting Committee compiled the lists. Jan E.V.W. Hanson, Youth Services Librarian, has linked the titles to our catalog, and added some of her own recommendations.

BOOKS ABOUT HOLIDAYS

Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. Illus. by Lisbeth Zwerger. Picture Books Studio. This attractively designed edition of the holiday classic, enlivened with graceful illustrations, would make a good holiday read-aloud edition.

McCutcheon, John. Christmas in the Trenches. Illus. by Henri Sørensen. Peachtree A grandfather tells about the special Christmas during the Great War when German and English soldiers sang carols together and celebrated a rare night of peace and friendship. (The link is to the CD)

BOOKS FOR HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING

Preschool - Grade 2

This Little Piggy: And Other Rhymes to Sing and Play. Edited by Jane
Yolen. Illus. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick.
This beautiful book will be a treat for young and old alike when adults lead their babies and toddlers through the fingerplays and lap games. A CD is included.

Grades 3-5

DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick. Reminiscent of classic tales and exquisitely illustrated, this short fantasy about a china rabbit's search for meaning is particularly appropriate for thoughtful, book-loving children.

Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Beach Babe. Random.
Babymouse hits the beach for summer, and it will take more than a shark, a sunburn, and a surfboard wipeout to ruin her vacation.

Jenkins, Steve. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. HarperCollins. Each page is devoted to an animal that is close to extinction with specifics such as its current population, why the animal is threatened, and where it lives, as well as an eye-popping illustration.

McKissack, Patricia C. Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters. Illus. by André Carillho. Schwartz & Wade. These short stories capture the authentic flavor of tall tales told on front porches in simpler times, but their humor will easily capture contemporary children's interest.

Grades 6-8

Colfer, Eoin. Half-Moon Investigations. Miramax. Twelve-year-old Fletcher Moon, an online graduate of a private detective academy in Washington, D.C., is the youngest P.I. on the planet.

Lowry, Lois. Gossamer. Houghton.
Sprightly creatures Littlest One and Thin Elderly gather memories from household objects to create warm, safe dreams for an old woman and her foster son.

Riordan, Rick. Sea of Monsters. Miramax.
Boys, especially, will be hooked on this adventure series featuring Percy Jackson, a modern-day son of Poseidon and a human mother.

For more recommended reading suggestions and award-winning literature for children, young adults and adult readers, please visit the American Library Association (ALA) online at www.ala.org/recommendedreading.

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