2000 Notable Children's Books
  TITLE AUTHOR ANNOTATION GRADE LEVEL Misc. CALL NO. PUBLISHER Reccomemded by Genre
Ugly Duckling. Andersen, Hans Christian. Panoramic end papers set the scene for the creation of the familiar Anderson tale, "The Ugly Duckling." Pinkney's illustrations make the animals come alive. Caldecott Honor Book. Younger Readers Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Morrow. 068815932X  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry… Bang, Molly. Sophie's indignation over being required to share a favorite toy with her sister leads her on a lonely internal journey from anger to equilibrium. Caldecott Honor Book. Younger Readers Scholastic/Blue Sky Press. 0590189794.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Three Cheers for Catherine the Great! Best, Cari. Sara struggles to find just the right "no present" for her Russian grandmother's birthday. Teaching her English is the perfect solution in this story of family love. Younger Readers Illustrated by Giselle Potter. DK INK. 0789426226.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Sleepytime Rhyme. Charlip, Remy. Soft lavender backgrounds provide the perfect soothing setting to a mother's timeless love song, extolling the grandness of her baby. Younger Readers Greenwillow. 0688162711.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
What Do Illustrators Do? Christelow, Eileen. As two illustrators retell "Jack and the Beanstalk" in their own unique styles, readers will discover the many choices that are important in the creation of a picturebook. Younger Readers Clarion. 0395902304.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Red-Eyed Tree Frog. Cowley, Joy. A playful text and "eye-catching" photographs follow a Central American tree frog on its daily nocturnal adventures and survival in the rain forest. Younger Readers Photographs by Nic Bishop. Scholastic. 0590871757.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Jamela's Dress. Daly, Niki. Accidentally ruining her mother's new dress fabric, Queen Jamela's day is saved when prize money from a winning photograph provides the funds to buy fabric for two dresses. Younger Readers Farrar, Straus & Giroux. 0374336679.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
26 Fairmount Avenue. DePaola, Tomie. In this book dePaola looks back to 1938 when his family, overcoming fire and flood, builds a new house. That year Tomie "quits" kindergarten, shares "chocolates" with Nana upstairs, critiques a movie, practices mural art, and finally moves to 26 Fairmount Avenue. Newbery Honor Book. Younger Readers Putnam. 039923246X.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Hatseller and the Monkeys. Diakite, Baba Wague. In the tradition of the storyteller, the tales of BaMusa and his mischievious monkeys is festively embellished with vivid ceramic tile paintings. The "monkey-see, monkey-do" is infectious. Younger Readers Scholastic. 0590960695.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Bark, George. Feiffer, Jules. George, the puppy, says only "meow, " "moo" or "quack" until a visit to the veterinarian solves his problem…or does it? Expressive line drawings heighten the hilarity. Younger Readers HarperCollins/Michael di Capua Books. 0062051857.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Little Dog Poems. George, Kristine O'Connell. From morning until night, "puppy-sized" poems follow Little Dog and his loving owner through the day, revealing with humor and insight their happy friendship. Younger Readers Illustrated by June Otani. Clarion. 0395822661.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Hush, Little Baby. Bold, expressive illustrations transform an old lullaby into a rollicking story, as a jealous older sister searches for ways to stop the new baby from crying. Younger Readers Illustrated by Marla Frazee. Harcourt Brace/Browndeer Press. 0152014292.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Hooway for Wodney Wat. Lester, Helen. Line drawings add hilarious details to the story of Rodney Rat, whose humiliating speech impediment becomes the source of his triumph when he unwittingly foils the class bully. Younger Readers Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books. 0395923921.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
What! Cried Granny:An Almost Bedtime Story. Lum, Kate. Not ready for bed? This bedtime story comes with a new twist, as a purple-haired granny makes everything her grandson needs for his first sleepover at her house. Younger Readers Illustrated by Adrian Johnson. Dial. 0803723822.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
I, Crocodile. Marcellino, Fred. A sly googly-eyed Nile crocodile becomes the toast of Napoleonic Paris in a witty and sophisticated tale enhanced by grand and sumptuously-detailed illustrations. Younger Readers HarperCollins/Michael di Capua Books. 0062051687.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
My Rows and Piles of Coins. Mollel, Tololwa M. Aaruni, a Tanzanian boy wants a bicycle to help carry his mother's daily load to market. Only by saving coin after coin does he come to realize his dream. Younger Readers Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Clarion. 0395751861.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Two Bullies. Morimoto, Junko. Action and humor abound when two bullies, one from Japan and one from China, challenge each other in a comical contest of wit and strength. Younger Readers Crown. 0517800616.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Here Comes Mother Goose. Opie, Iona. A companion volume to My Very First Mother Goose offers sixty more favorite rhymes, whimsically illustrated in bright colors; just perfect for babies and toddlers. Younger Readers Illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Candlewick. 0763606839.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Emeline at the Circus. Priceman, Marjorie. Delicious irony abounds as Emeline takes part in thrilling and "death-defying" circus acts, as her teacher recites "circus facts"…oblivious to it all. Younger Readers Alfred A. Knopf. 0679876855.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Not My Dog. Rodowsky, Colby. Ellie wants a puppy, not this full-grown adopted dog. Determined not to accept him, Preston's wonderful personality finally wins her over. Younger Readers Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 0374355312.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Tasty Baby Belly Buttons. Sierra, Judy. "Belly buttons, belly buttons, tasty baby belly buttons," chant the giant oni of Japanese folklore when they kidnap the village babies, until a tiny heroine comes to the rescue. Younger Readers Illustrated by Meilo So. Alfred A. Knopf. 0679893695.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Trucks, Trucks, Trucks. Sis, Peter. Time to clean up! Imagination bulldozes Matt into the driver's seat of the trucks, whose construction-yellow bodies litter the floor of the toddler's room. Younger Readers Greenwillow. 0688162762.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Raising Sweetness. Stanley, Diane. Rising and shining with homespun humor, Sweetness finds Pa a wife after he feeds his brood of eight too many servings of his favorite pickle and banana pie. Younger Readers Illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Putnam. 0399232257.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Taback, Simms. "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat," is the story of a resourceful and resilient tailor who transforms his worn-out overcoat into smaller and smaller garments. The book is illustrated in watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink, and collage. Caldecott Medal Book. Younger Readers Viking. 0670878553.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
A Child's Calendar. Updike, John. Twelve seasonal poems spanning the calendar year are accompanied by pen and ink and watercolor paintings that complement and enhance the text in this book of poetry. Caldecott Honor Book. Younger Readers Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Holiday House.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Hare and the Tortoise. Ward, Helen. Slow and steady still wins the race as humor blends with scientific information and dramatic watercolor perspectives in a favorite Aesop fable. Younger Readers Millbrook. 0761309888.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Sector 7. Wiesner, David. "Sector 7" tells the story of a small boy on a class trip to the Empire State Building who is transported by a friendly cloud to Sector 7, a great cloud factory high in the sky. Once there, they conspire with clouds that are bored with their shapes and long for a new way to express their individuality. Caldecott Honor Book. Younger Readers Clarion. 0395746566.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Trashy Town. Zimmerman, Andrea and David Clemesha. Ride along with Mr. Gilly, sing his lively, tongue-twisting refrain and collect refuse in a town whose bold, geometric design is clutter-free. Younger Readers Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. HarperCollins. 0060271396.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Carroll, Lewis. With fresh exuberance, Oxenbury's full-color illustrations capture Alice's feisty spirit as she cavorts through that topsy-turvy world just down the rabbit hole. Middle Readers  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Strong to the Hoop. Coy, John. Energetic graphic design and tinted photo collages illustrate the story of young James, who wants to prove his skill in the pick-up basketball game. Middle Readers Illustrated by Leslie Jean-Bart. Lee & Low. 1880000806.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Bud, Not Buddy. Curtis, Christopher Paul. Ten-year-old Bud Caldwell runs away from a foster home and begins an unforgettable journey in search of his father. His only clues are old flyers left by his now-deceased mother that point to a legendary jazz bandleader. Newbery Medal Winner. Middle Readers Delacorte. 0385323069.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Francie. English, Karen. While waiting to move north, spunky Francie navigates the segregated society of rural "Jim Crow-era" Alabama, helping an African-American boy accused of assault to escape. Middle Readers Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 0374324565.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Birchbark House. Erdrich, Louise. Eight-year-old Omakayas, an Ojibwa girl living in 1847, survives smallpox, but loses a beloved family member in this richly detailed, sensitive historical novel, illustrated by the author's pencil sketches. Middle Readers Hyperion. 0786803002.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Weslandia. Fleischman, Paul. A strange backyard plant becomes the center of Wesley's newly created civilization. Lush, detailed illustrations zero in on this free-thinker's magical and enviable world. Middle Readers Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Candlewick . 0763600067.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
In Search of the Spirit: The Living National Treasures of Japan. Hamanaka, Sheila and Ayano Ohmi. Honored for perpetuating the rich culture and traditions of the Japanese culture, the lives of six men and their crafts are strikingly depicted in an illuminating presentation. Middle Readers Morrow. 0688146074.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
It's So Amazing: A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families. Harris, Robie H. Using bird and bee cartoon characters, straightforward explanations offer an opportunity for children to find answers to their questions in a friendly and sensitive guide to sex and reproduction. Middle Readers Illustrated by Michael Emberley. Candlewick. 0763600512.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Our Only May Amelia. Holm, Jennifer L. Growing up as the only girl in a large Finnish-American farming family along Washington's Nasel River in 1899, 12-year-old May Amelia prefers tricks and adventures to being a "Proper Young Lady." Unjustly blamed for tragedy, May must leave home before returning to claim her rightful place. Middle Readers HarperCollins.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Band of Angels. Hopkinson, Deborah. Awash in sepia tones, a grandchild's reminiscences tell the powerful story of former slave, Ella Sheppard and the Jubilee Singers who are determined to save Fisk College. Middle Readers Illustrated by Raul Colon. Atheneum/An Anne Schwartz Book. 0689810628.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Trolls. Horvath, Polly. Eccentric Aunt Sally's daily installments of the family's history, full of colorful people and guarded secrets, mesmerize the three Anderson children. Middle Readers Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 0374377871.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Top of the World:Climbing Mount Everest. Jenkins, Steve. An informative introduction, remarkably illustrated in cut-paper collage, investigates the history, geography, climate and dangers of the world's tallest mountain. Middle Readers Houghton Mifflin. 0395942187.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Man of the Family. Karr, Kathleen. Istvan works alongside his father learning about resilience and pride in a rich, heartfelt novel of a Hungarian immigrant family struggling to keep their farm afloat. Middle Readers Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 0374347646.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Honest Pretzels and 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Cooks Ages 8 & Up. Katzen, Mollie. Sixty-five, kid-tested vegetarian recipes are illustrated with step-by-step instructions that rate highly on the "scrumptious scale," with ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Middle Readers Tricycle Press.1883672880.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Gorilla Walk. Lewin, Ted & Betsy. A journal, in text and lush watercolors, chronicles the authors' journey into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, experiencing the danger, adventure and awe of the mountain gorilla. Middle Readers Lothrop, Lee & Shepard. 0688165095.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Lost Flower Children. Lisle, Janet Taylor. Olivia and Nellie find wonder, hope and perhaps even magic in their Great Aunt's garden abounding with endearing characters and tangible emotions. Middle Readers Philomel. 0399233938.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Molly Bannaky. McGill, Alice. Aglow in the richness of watercolors, the story of Benjamin Banneker's grandmother is infused with determination, as a dairymaid exiled to America, is indentured and eventually stakes her claim in a new land. Middle Readers Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. Houghton Mifflin. 039572287X.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Black Cat. Myers, Christopher. Striking collages and rhymed text journey through city streets following a lean and independent cat on his nightly rambles. Middle Readers Scholastic. 0590033751.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Me and Rupert Goody. O'Connor, Barbara. With heart and humor, Jennalee describes the evolving relationship between herself, beloved Uncle Beau and his newly discovered son, Rupert. Middle Readers Farrar, Straus, Giroux/ Frances Foster. 0374349045.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Strudel Stories. Rocklin, Joanne. Family stories created and passed down by seven generations of a Jewish family, are as richly layered as the apple strudels they bake. Middle Readers Delacorte. 0385326025.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride. Ryan, Pam Munoz. From a footnote in history, the midnight flight over Washington D.C. of two truly great women and friends of the twentieth century, soars to great heights of authenticity and detail. Middle Readers Scholastic.059096075X. Illustrated by Brian Selznick.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Tea with Milk. Say, Allen. Carefully restrained paintings illuminate the story of Masako, an outsider in her own country, who learns that home is a place she will have to make for herself. Middle Readers Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books. 0395904951.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Rimshots:Basketball Pix, Rolls and Rhythms. Smith, Charles R. Jr. Poems, personal reflections, and photographs bounce and swish across the pages with the energy of a fast pick-up game on the streets or in the gym. Dutton. 0525460993.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Candy Corn. Stevenson, James. A much-used screen door, a field of daisies and other everyday objects highlight this playful collection of poetry treats. Middle Readers Greenwillow. 0688158374.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Skellig. Almond, David. Amidst the turmoil of a new home and a baby sister hovering near death, Michael discovers a mysterious man in the dilapidated garage covered in cobwebs and craving bluebottle flies. Older Readers Delacorte. 038532653X.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Folk Keeper. Billingsley, Franny. Shrouded in mystery and adventure, and steeped in ancient Selkie legend, a self-taught orphan girl becomes keeper of the wild and dangerous underground folk. Older Readers Atheneum/Jean Karl. 0689828764.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Perilous Journey of the Donner Party.  Calabro, Marian. Photographs, diaries, letters and other primary documents vividly recreate a complex scenario of ultimate survival spurred by the excitement of America's westward expansion. Older Readers Clarion. 0395866103.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Elements of Pop-Up. Carter, David A. and James Diaz. The basic essentials of moveable and dimensional books; parallel folds, angle folds, wheels and pull-tabs are accurately detailed, verbally and visually for aspiring paper engineers. Older Readers Simon & Schuster. 0689822243.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Getting Near to Baby. Couloumbis, Audrey. "Getting Near to Baby" tells the story of 12-year-old Willa Jo and Little Sister, whose voice is "lost in sadness," as they live with bossy Aunt Patty following the death of their baby sister. It focuses on Willa Jo who finds haven on the roof and from sunrise to sunset recalls recent events and helps her family come to terms with its tragedy. Older Readers Putnam. 039923389X.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Babe Didrikson Zaharias:The Making of a Champion. Freedman, Russell. Sleek and graceful like the Babe herself  this well-researched biography gives insight into the fierce determination and drive of the greatest female athlete of all time. Clarion. 0395633672.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. Goldin, Barbara Diamond. Eight vibrant tales of the prophet Elijah, lavishly complemented with watercolor illustrations rich in detail, travel the world capturing the spirit of history and Jewish folklore. Older Readers Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace/Gulliver Books. 0152004459.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Holt, Kimberly Willis. Nothing much happened in the sleepy Texas town of Antler, until the fattest boy in the world visits, and changes Toby and Cal's life forever. Older Readers Henry Holt. 0805061169.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Dave at Night. Levine, Gail Carson. Recently orphaned, Dave is sent to the Hebrew Home for Boys, where he is mistreated and finds a way to sneak out and enjoy the nightlife of the Harlem Renaissance. Older Readers HarperCollins. 0060281537.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
All Alone in the Universe. Perkins, Lynne Rae. Noting that three is a lousy number, Debbie is devastated when she is dumped by her best friend in this sharp and funny exploration of loss and growth. Older Readers Greenwillow. 0688168817.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Clara Schumann:Piano Virtuoso. Reich, Susanna. Remarkable pianist and composer Clara Schumann is profiled in this elegantly designed biography, resounding with numerous photographs and quotations from her diaries and letters. Older Readers Clarion. 0395891191.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Through My Eyes. Bridges, Ruby. A collage of sepia-toned photographs becomes the backdrop for a moving, personal account of a young girl and her family crossing the lines of segregation in a quest for equality in education. All Ages Scholastic. 0590189239.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Jump Back, Honey. Dunbar, Paul Laurence. Six of the most renowned African-American children's illustrators capture the spirit of childhood that is reflected in a noteworthy selection of poems by a distinguished poet. All Ages Illustrated by Ashley Bryan, Carole Byard, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Brian Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney,Faith Ringgold. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun. 0786804645.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Troll with No Heart in His Body and Other Tales of Trolls, from Norway. Lunge-Larsen, Lise. With a rich knowledge and appreciation of the Norwegian tradition, an extraordinary collection of nine folktales centered on trolls, is illustrated in vigorous woodcuts reminiscent of ancient carvings of Norway. All Ages Illustrated by Betsy Bowen. Houghton Mifflin. 0395913713.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Rowlings, J.K. After a miserable summer with his relatives, Harry returns for a second year of school, where whispers of murder and death emanate from the halls of Hogwarts. All Ages Scholastic. 0439064864.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rowlings, J.K. As he makes his way through the third year of Hogwarts, Harry has to cope with feuding friends, old enemies and the mysterious Sirius Black. All Ages Scholastic. 0439136350.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books
Huckabuck Family and How They Raised Popcorn in Nebraska and Quit and Came Back. Sandburg, Carl. Delicate and humorous illustrations expressively reintroduce a timeless story to a new generation, who will revel in the language and sheer nonsense of Sandburg's creation. All Ages Illustrated by David Small. Farrar, Straus, Giroux. 0374335117.  ALA's  2000 Notable Children's Books