Pick of the Decade 1995-2005:
3rd Grade

Picture Books for Older Readers

Keller, Laurie. The Scrambled States of America , 1998.

When the states become bored with their place on the map, they decide to change places.

Kimmel, Eric. A Cloak for the Moon: A Tale of Rabbi Nachman Bratslov , 2001.

Haskel, a tailor, loves the moon. Dreaming that she is cold, he goes in search of just the right.

Lester, Julius. Let's Talk About Race , 2005.

The author introduces the concept of race as only one component in an individual's or nation's "story."

MacDonald, Margaret. The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle , 1995.

A generous fairy tries to help a cranky old woman, but in the end decides the vinegar bottle might be the best place for her after all.

Maloney, Peter. The Magic Hockey Stick , 1999.

When Tracy begins to play hockey with Wayne Gretzky's stick, she suddenly becomes the star of the team, but Wayne is in the worst slump of her career.

McKissick, Patricia. Goin' Someplace Special , 2001.

As Tricia Ann journeys through the segregated Nashville of the 1950's, she experiences the harsh reality of exclusion at place after place until she reaches the integrated public library.

Melmed, Laura. Little Oh , 1997.

In old Japan , a little origami doll comes to life, but when she gets separated from her creator, she undertakes a perilous journey to return home.

Osborne, Mary Pope. New York's Bravest , 2002.

Mose Humphreys, a larger-than-life firefighter, works tirelessly to rescue those in need in 19th century New York City .

Pak, Soyung. Dear Juno , 1999.

Juno receives a letter from his grandmother in Korea . Although he must wait for his parents to translate, he understands her from the picture he sends and creates his own picture to send to her.

Stanley, Diane. The Giant and the Beanstalk , 2004.

Unlike other giants, young Otto is gentle and polite. When Jack steals his beloved pet chicken (who just happens to lay golden eggs), Otto climbs down the beanstalk in search of him, but encounters a plethora of nursery rhyme Jacks before working out a trade with the right one. (See also, Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter .)