Hope

This is the story of a young girl, named Hope, who is visiting her great aunt Poogee in the country. Readers will follow their adventures together and learn the story about how Hope got her name, and about her biracial heritage. An uplifting story about families by Isabelle Monk, illustrated by Janice Lee Porter.

Tale of Despereaux

The Newbery Medal winner from 2004, this has become a widely read and loved story by Minnesotan Kate DiCamillo. It is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with a human, Princess Pea. Other major characters are Roscuro, a rat who lives in a dungeon, but craves the light; and Miggery Sow a slow-witted serving girl who longs to be a princess. The author skillfully weaves these four storylines together into a tale that is a wonderful read-aloud. The book was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award in 2004, and has been a nominee or winner in a number of other state book awards.

Up North at the Cabin

As winter creeps closer and closer, this book is a pleasant reminder of summer just past. In this story a girl anticipates a vacation at a cabin in the northwoods, experiences several wonders of nature while there, and returns home with fond memories to save until next summer. Authored by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Steve Johnson, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1993.

Dear Papa

Set in Minnesota during World War II, this story is told through the letters written by nine-year old Isabelle to her dead father and others. What starts as a brief school assignment soon has a life of its own, and readers will get a close look at a girl struggling with changes in her life. This is sure to be popular with "diary" book readers.

The Raven's Gift; A True Story from Greenland

Minnesota author and illustrator Kelly Dupre uses a picture book to tell the story of her husband Lonnie's trip around Greenland via kayak, dogsled, and skiis. Sidebars illustrate artic animals and explain the history and culture of Greenland. Central to the story is an encounter with a raven whose leg had become entangled with a stick and musk ox fur. The bird allowed Lonnie to free it, in turn giving him renewed strength and resolve to finish the journey. This book could be used to supplement a study of the artic.

What Dads Can't Do

In this light humorous story, a little green dinosaur gives examples of the things that regular people can do, but dads can't; such as crossing the street without holding hands, hitting the baseball very hard, or giving a bath without getting wet. This book, and a companion story "What Moms Can't Do" are written by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Doug Cushman, and are wonderful read-alouds for young children.

The Wolfhound

It is wintertime in Russia and a boy named Pavel discovers a dog half frozen in the snow, and saves it. When he shows it to his father, he learns that it is a wolfhound, a breed kept only by the nobility and the Tsar himself. His father fears that they will be accused of stealing the dog. The story has a heartwarming ending after Pavel tries to send the dog home through the Tsar's forest. Written by Minnesotan Kristine Franklin, illustrated by Kris Waldherr, this will touch the heart of animal lovers.