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Notable Children's Books for 2015 for Older Readers

Older Readers

Because They Marched: The People's Campaign for Voting Rights That Changed America. By Russell Freedman. Illus. Holiday. 
 
The fiftieth anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama is brought back to life in a detailed and moving account of this pivotal event in Civil Rights history.
 
Caminar. By Skila Brown. Candlewick. 
 
During the Guatemalan Civil War, Carlos embarks on a solitary journey. A difficult coming-of-age 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 Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & the Fall of Imperial Russia. By Candace Fleming. Illus.  Schwartz & Wade/Random House.
 
Fleming brilliantly delineates the tragic fall of the Russian royal family, contrasting their opulent lives with primary source voices from the rebellion. (2015 Sibert Honor Book)
 
How I Discovered Poetry. By Marilyn Nelson. Illus. by Hadley Hooper. Penguin/Dial.
 
Marilyn Nelson powerfully captures glimpses of her life growing up in a military family in the 1950s. 
 
The Night Gardener. By Jonathan Auxier. Abrams/Amulet.
 
As two abandoned siblings try to find their way in Victorian England, they discover the value of storytelling as well as the dark side of greed.  A spine-tingling tale.
 
Nine Open Arms. By Benny Lindelauf. Illus. by Dasha Tolstikova, Tr. by John Nieuwenhuizen. Enchanted Lion.
 
Fing’s loving but fractious family moves into a new house outside of town and gradually discovers a “tragical tragedy” concerning the mysterious man living in the hedge. (2015 Batchelder Honor Book)
 
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights. By Steve Sheinkin. Illus. Roaring Brook.
 
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.
 
Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes. By Juan Felipe Herrera. Illus. by Raúl Colón. Penguin/Dial.
 
The lives of 20 Hispanic people are celebrated in poignant biographical sketches that succinctly present the essence of each hero’s life and legacy to future generations. (2015 Belpré Author Honor Book)
 
Revolution: The Sixties Trilogy, Book Two. By Deborah Wiles. Scholastic. 
 
The summer of 1964 was known as "Freedom Summer," as civil rights workers, 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 black and white 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)
 
A Time to Dance. By Padma Venkatraman. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen. 
 
An emotional novel-in-verse about a young Indian dancer disabled in a freak car accident. With hard work, she adapts to dancing with a prosthesis.

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