The 2008-2009 Nominees for the

SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS

Archer’s QuestBy Linda Sue Parks

Twelve-year-old Kevin Kim helps Chu-mong, a legendary king of ancient Korea, return to his own time.

Big One-ohBy Dean Pitchford

Charley Maplewood decides to throw himself a tenth birthday party, complete with a "house of horrors" theme.

Bringing Ezra BackBy Cynthia DeFelice

In the mid-1800s, twelve-year-old Nathan journeys from his farm on the Ohio frontier to Western Pennsylvania to rescue a friend held captive by the owners of a freak show.

ClementineBy Sara Pennypacker

While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles.

Melvin Beederman Superhero:

Curse of the Bologna Sandwich

By Greg Trine

After graduating from the superhero academy, Melvin Beederman heads for Los Angeles, where he unexpectedly teams up with Candace Brinkwater, school play actress, to nab the evil McNasty Brothers.

Dexter, the ToughBy Margaret Peterson Haddix

A sympathetic teacher and her writing assignment help fourth-grader Dexter deal with being the new kid in school after he punches a kid on the first day.

Drita, My HomegirlBy Jenny Lombard

When ten-year-old Drita and her family Drita is teased about not speaking English well. Popular student Maxine is forced to learn about Kosovo as a punishment for teasing Drita, the two girls soon bond.

Earth Dragon Awakes, The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906By Laurence Yep

Eight-year-old Henry and nine-year-old Chin love to read about heroes in popular "penny dreadful" novels, until they both witness real courage while trying to survive the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

FeathersBy Jacqueline Woodson

When a new, white student nicknamed "The Jesus Boy" joins her sixth grade class, Frannie's friendship with him makes her see some things in a new light.

Free BaseballBy Sue Corbett

Eleven-year-old Felix becomes a bat boy for a minor league baseball team, hoping to someday be like his father, a famous Cuban outfielder.

GossamerBy Lois Lowery

While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds.

Homework MachineBy Dan Gutman

Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.

How to Save Your TailBy Mary Elizabeth Hanson

Bob the rat is captured by two of the queen's cats and survives by sharing fresh-baked cookies.

How to Steal a DogBy Barbara O’Conner

In North Carolina, her family living in a car, Georgina comes up with a way for the family to make money by stealing a dog for ransom.

Jack Plank Tells TalesBy Natalie Babbitt

Because he is too nice to be a pirate, Jack Plank looks for a new career, but each night he tells tales of why the one job he looked into that day is wrong.

Miraculous Journey of Edward TulaneBy Kate DiCamillo

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories.

Pompeii: Lost and FoundBy Mary Pope Osborne

Presents a short, illustrated narrative of the city of Pompeii before the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city; and describes how in 1763 the city was discovered.

Room One: A Mystery or TwoBy Andrew Clements

Ted Hammond, the only sixth grader in his small Nebraska town's one-room schoolhouse, searches for clues to the disappearance of a homeless family.

Roxie and the HooligansBy Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Roxie Warbler, the niece of a famous explorer, follows Uncle Dangerfoot's advice on how to survive any crisis when she becomes stranded on an island with a gang of school bullies and a pair of murderous bank robbers.

Winner’s WalkBy Nancy Ruth Patterson

Surrounded by a multitalented family, nine-year-old Case Callahan feels driven to succeed, but his failed attempts at various competitions discourage him until he finds a stray dog with a surprising past.