Great Stone Face nominees for 2006

With summer coming, it is time to get a head start on reading the nominees for next year. Here's the new list (with links to Ms. Keane's page describing the books):

Barry, Dave. PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS
Byars, Betsy. SOS FILE
Clements, Andrew. THE LAST HOLIDAY CONCERT
Colfer, Eoin. THE LEGEND OF SPUD MURPHY
Collier, James Lincoln. THE EMPTY MIRROR
D'Adamo, Francesco. IQBAL
Farmer, Nancy. SEA OF TROLLS
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. THE HOUSE ON THE GULF
Hannigan, Katherine. IDA B : AND HER PLANS TO MAXIMIZE FUN, AVOID DISASTER, AND (POSSIBLY) SAVE THE WORLD
Ibbotson. Eva. THE STAR OF KAZAN
Kessler, Liz. THE TAIL OF EMILY WINDSNAP
Lasky, Kathryn. THE CAPTURE
Levine, Karen. HANA'S SUITCASE
Morgan, Clay. THE BOY WHO SPOKE DOG
Peck, Richard. THE TEACHER'S FUNERAL : A COMEDY IN THREE PARTS
Ray, Delia. GHOST GIRL : A BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN STORY
Rodman, Mary Ann. YANKEE GIRL
Stewart, Paul. BEYOND THE DEEPWOODS
Tocher, Timothy. CHIEF SUNRISE, JOHN MCGRAW, AND ME
Van Draanen, Wendelin. SHREDDERMAN : SECRET IDENTITY
Van Leeuwen, Jean. CABIN ON TROUBLE CREEK
Wait, Lea. WINTERING WELL
Whelan, Gloria. CHU JU'S HOUSE
Whitesel, Cheryl Aylward. BLUE FINGERS : A NINJA'S TALE
Woodruff, Elvira. THE RAVENMASTER'S SECRET : ESCAPE FROM THE TOWER OF LONDON

Shadow of Ghadames by Joelle Stolz

Life at the end of the nineteenth century Libya is one of separation of the sexes. Malika is on the verge of adolescence and she begins to see how things are changing for her and her brother. While she is restricted more and more to the home, her brother is now banned from sharing the women's space and must now work with his uncle. The childhood play is over. This is a world that may seem very strange to us in the 21st century but it is a world that makes sense to Malika's mother. But the arrival of a wounded young man makes Malika begin to question her limited opportunities.

Makeovers by Marcia by Claudia MIlls

Eighth grade should be starting better than this. Marcia has gained 5 pounds over the summer, she has a zit, Alex hasn't asked her to the dance and on top of that, her teacher is making the kids do a community service project. Marcia isn't interested in picking up trash in the parks or reading to kids. All she is interested in is makeup and boys. Somehow she gets roped into working in the nursing home doing makeovers for the residents. Can it get any worse?

Author Visit -- Lee Wardlaw

On May 11, Rundlett Middle School was fortunate to have author Lee Wardlaw visit us for the day. Ms. Wardlaw spoke with all the 6th grade students via 2 assemblies. The presentations were interactive with several students called out of the audience to participate! The kids had a really great time. They have been excited about writing and now many of them are writing their own books! Ms. Wardlaw also spent time in the library with students who came in to get her autograph or get a chance to talk with her. The whole day was electric and one the kids will long remember.

B for Buster by Iain Lawrence

For 16 year old Kak, joining the air force was a good way to escape his abusive father. He had dreams of flying and being a hero in the war. Stationed in England in 1943, Kak soon found himself flying ops over enemy territory. But it was not as exciting as he had believed. It was down right terrifying. He didn't know how he could go on flying. Surely no one else was as frightened as he was. But then he met an unusual man. Bert was the keeper of the homing pigeons that were used to send messages back to base from the airplanes that went on the missions. Bert seemed to understand what Kak was feeling and was a source of strength for him. Join Kak as he learns that war is not all he had imagined it to be.

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw

Sneeze is back. He has achieved notoriety after publishing his book 101 Ways to Bug Your Parents. But that is behind him. He is happy with his inventions and his friends. But then his parents hit them with the news. They are going to have him skip a grade and start high school in the fall. How will he ever fit in? He doesn't want to be without his friends. He doesn't tell his parents that he doesn't want to go. That would disappoint him. Maybe there is another way. What if his teachers decide he's too immature to go to high school? Will that keep him with his friends? What if he figures out 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher?

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet

Do you like a good mystery book? Well, this just may be what you are looking for. When Petra finds a mysterious letter, the mystery begins. "Dear Friend: I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old." Unfortunately, the letter blows away before Petra can read the rest. Meanwhile, a priceless Vermeer painting on route to the Art Museum is stolen and the thief vows not to return the painting until the experts admit that some of the Vermeer paintings have been done by impostors. And Petra's new teacher takes a particular interest in the missing painting. And then there's Mrs. Sharpe whose husband was killed years ago after proclaiming he had new information about the Vermeer painting. And let's not forget Petra's new friend Calder. Just what is it about his pentominoes?

Bollywood Babes by Narinder Dhami

The Dhillon sisters are back with a new adventure. Forced to participate in endless school fundraisers due to the alleged indiscretion of the principal, the girls are excited to help with the latest idea. The school is hosting a Bollywood party. Both Auntie and Mr. Arora are working on the planning. But the girls get a great idea. They have found out that Molly Mahal is living nearby. She was big in the 1980s but hasn't done any Bollywood films in a long time. But the girls can't help but think what a big draw a real Bollywood start would be. So off they go in search of Molly Mahal. What they find is not at all what they expected. Actually, nothing goes as expected.

A Kick in the Head by Paul Janeczko

"Why, you may ask, does a poem have rules? The answer is: rules make the writing of a poem more challenging, more exciting." Janeczko goes on to explain different forms of poetry and gives examples of them. The poems are written by a variety of children's writers and classic writers.

Giant Rat of Sumatra by Sid Fleischman

After being shipwrecked Edmund was saved by pirates. Nicknamed Shipwreck by the captain, he becomes the cabin boy for the pirate ship. The year is 1846 and Shipwreck is about to return to North America for the first time in almost two years. Anxious to return home to Boston, he finds his plans may not go as he hopes. The United States has declared war with Mexico and San Diego will soon be in the midst of battle. And Shipwreck is an American. Now he is the enemy. Will his Mexican captain be willing to protect him?