VIRGINIA READERS' CHOICE ANNOTATIONS Primary List 2008-2009

Bad Boys Get Cookie!  Marjorie Palatini, Harcourt, 2006.
The return of the bad, bad wolves takes new twists and turns as they try to capture a runaway cookie to satisfy their big, bad sweet teeth.  Readers will laugh as they watch the bad boys plans go astray and cheer when the annoying little cookie gets his “just reward.”

Duck at the Door.  Jackie Urbanovic, HarperCollins, 2007.
One winter night a house full of cozy, warm animals are awakened by a knock at the door. The animals are shocked to see a duck at their door and even more shocked when the duck makes himself at home. When spring arrives, Max (the duck) reunites with his flock. The animals are lonely and miss Max, until winter comes again!  Who can be at the door with a surprise? 

The Great Fuzz Frenzy.  Janet Stevens and Susan S. Crummel, Harcourt, 2005.
Deep, deep down in their underground town, a peaceful colony of prairie dogs has a strange and curious object dropped into their midst.  Readers will love watching the story unfold as a tennis ball is poked and prodded and finally attacked by the prairie dogs who all want to share in the fun.  A cool story about curiosity, greed and finally, cooperation, prairie dog style.

I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track.  Joshua Prince, Sterling, 2006.
A railroad switchman named Jack is trying to save an ant traveling toward an oncoming train. All the while, the ant is in search of a snack from the switchman’s lunch bag.  The strong rhythmic “clickety clack” of this humorous story places the reader on the track along with the hungry ant.

Library Lion. Barbara Knudsen, Candlewick, 2006.
An African lion comes to the library and feels at home. He loves story hour, but roars his disapproval when it ends.  The librarian informs him of the library rules, telling him he must leave if he cannot follow them. The lion does follow the rules and becomes an important part of the library until an emergency arises.

Little Lost Bat. Sandra Markle, Charlesbridge, 2006.
A little bat is born and within weeks of life leaves his mother.  He struggles to survive without food and a mother.  In this fact-filled story readers learn about bats, and become the little bat’s biggest cheerleader.

Mammoths on the Move.  Lisa Wheeler, Harcourt, 2006.
“Plodding, trekking, trudging, treading, willful wooly mammoths!”  This lyrical description of the woolly mammoth’s migration is enhanced by two-page spread illustrations.

Once I Ate a Pie. Patricia MacLachlan, HarperCollins, 2004.
This delightfully illustrated poetry book is written from the perspective of thirteen dogs.  Their tales give an insightful look at a dog’s life.

Stars Beneath Your  Bed.  April Sayre, HarperCollins, 2005.|
The author presents the true story of dust! This adventure provides an opportunity for children to travel around the world and back to ancient times.  Dust is amazing! It colors the sunset, creates a raindrop and challenges their imagination.

Wolves! Emily Gravett, Simon & Schuster, 2006.
As he reads the nonfiction book Wolves from the West Bucks Public Borrowing Library, Rabbit is unaware that he is being threatened by a real wolf.