RILINK Schools: Edward S. Rhodes Library: RICBA Award Nominees 2024

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Click the icon below to log the books you've read.

Submit 3 or more books to be eligible to vote for your favorite in March.

Past RICBA Winners

2023 Winner: Allergic

2022: The Oldest Student

2021: Titan and the Wild Boars

2020: Inky's Amazing Escape

2019: Sergeant Reckless

2018: Wish

Standards

Standards
RI Department of Education Cross Curricular Proficiencies

AASL

V. A. 1: Reading widely and deeply in multiple formats and write and create for a variety of purposes.

1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning. 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning 3.1.3 Use writing and speaking skills to communicate new understandings effectively. 4.1.3 Respond to literature and creative expressions of ideas in various formats and genres. 4.1.5 Connect ideas to own interests and previous knowledge and experience.

Common Core

C.3.SL.1.d: Comprehension and Collaboration - Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

CC.5.R.L.2: Key Ideas and Details - Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.

RI Department of Education Cross Curricular Proficiencies

The Cross Curricular Proficiencies aligned to this activity include:

Collaboration
Communication

Fiction Nominees

A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow
This spellbinding book tells of a grieving girl and a vengeful mermaid. Ever since her mother's death, Kela feels every bit as broken as the shards of glass known as "mermaid's tears." When Kela and her friend Lissy stumble across an ancient-looking comb in a coral cave Kela can't help but bring home her very own found treasure. Far away, deep in the cold ocean, the mermaid Ophidia can feel that her comb has been taken. Despite her hatred of all humans, her magic requires that she make a bargain: the comb in exchange for a wish. But what Kela wants most is for her mother to be alive. And a wish that big will exact an even bigger price... -- Fantasy
A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga
Meet Resilience, a Mars rover determined to live up to his name. Res was built to explore Mars. He was not built to have human emotions. But as he learns new things from the NASA scientists who assemble him, he begins to develop humanlike feelings. Maybe there's a problem with his programming.... Human emotions or not, launch day comes, and Res blasts off to Mars, accompanied by a friendly drone helicopter named Fly. But Res quickly discovers that Mars is a dangerous place filled with dust storms and giant cliffs. As he navigates Mars's difficult landscape, Res is tested in ways that go beyond space exploration. As millions of people back on Earth follow his progress, will Res have the determination, courage, and resilience to succeed... and survive? -- Science Fiction
Flipping Forward Twisting Backward by Alma Fullerton
A diagnosis of dyslexia could change everything for an aspiring fifth-grade gymnast struggling at school in this authentic, high-energy novel in verse. The gym is where Claire shines and she's on her way to qualifying for the state championships. But at school, she's known as a troublemaker-which is fine with her since it helps her hide her reading problem. Claire has never been able to make sense of the wobbling jumble of letters on a page. When a sympathetic principal wonders if she's acting out because she may have dyslexia, she's stunned. Claire has always assumed she's dumb, so she's eager to get evaluated. But her mother balks. Afraid Claire will be labeled "stupid," she refuses testing. Can Claire take on both her reading challenges and her mother's denial? Is it worth jeopardizing her dream of the state championships? -- Novel in Verse
Keepunumuk by Danielle Greendeer; Anthony Perry; Alexis Bunten; Garry Meeches (Illustrator)
In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Wee chumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Wee chumun (corn), the Native people wouldn't have helped. -- Picture Book
Marya Khan and the Incredible Henna Party (Marya Khan #1) by Saadia Faruqi; Ani Bushry (Illustrator)
Perfect for fans of Ivy & Bean and Dory Fantasmagory. Marya's eighth birthday is coming up in a week, and all she wants is an over-the-top birthday party just like the ones Alexa, her rich neighbor, always throws. When Alexa parades into school with fancy invitations, Marya can't help herself--she claims that she's having the most epic henna party ever. Now she has to convince her family to make it happen. Enter Operation Help the Khans! Marya's siblings clearly need help with their projects. Maybe she could cook dinner for her parents, or clean her grandmother's room? Except everything Marya does seems to end in disaster. Will Marya and her family be able pull it together and throw the best party ever? -- Realistic Fiction
King of the Ice by Kelly Starling Lyons; Wayne Spencer (Illustrator)
Publication Date: 2022-07-19
Miles Lewis loves science and sports. But when his teacher announces a class field trip to an ice skating rink to learn about physics, he isn't so excited. He's never ice skated before, and his friend RJ won't let him forget it. RJ even challenges him to a bet-If Miles skates without falling, RJ will put a "Miles is the man" sign on his backpack. But if Miles falls, he has to put one on his that says the same about RJ. Miles can barely focus on the bet, though, because he suspects his beloved Nana has plans to move out of his family's house-and that's just too much to bear. Can he keep his cool with all the pressure from RJ while finding a way to make his grandma stay? -- Realistic Fiction
Nothing Is Little by Carmella Van Vleet
The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail. Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school. At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, "Short-lock Holmes," is perfect for someone who's killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal. Then Felix learns that his dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, "To a great mind, nothing is little." The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn't want to be found? And what if Felix's family--his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way--needs him right where he is? -- Realistic Fiction
Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle
Cuban-born eleven-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. When she discovers that someone is threatening the life of a baby elephant at her parents' clinic, Oriol is determined to take action. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage and strength to do what she thinks is right-even if it means keeping secrets from those she loves. -- Novel in Verse
The Button Box by Bridget Hodder; Fawzia Gilani-Williams; Harshad Marathe (Illustrator)
After Jewish fifth-grader Ava and her Muslim best friend Nadeem are called hateful names at school, Ava's Granny Buena rummages in her closet and pulls out a glittering crystal button box. It's packed with buttons that generations of Ava's Sephardic ancestors have cherished. With the help of Granny's mysterious cat Sheba, Ava and Nadeem discover that a button from the button box will take them back in time. Suddenly, they are in ancient Morocco, where Nadeem's ancestor, Prince Abdur Rahman, is running for his life. Can Ava and Nadeem help the prince escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny, creating a legendary Golden Age for Muslims, Jews and Christians? -- Fantasy
When Winter Robeson Came by Brenda Woods
The whole world seems to transform during the summer of 1965, when Eden's cousin from Mississippi comes to visit her in L.A. just as the Watts Riots erupt. When Eden's cousin Winter comes for a visit, it turns out he's not just there to sightsee. He wants to figure out what happened to his dad, who disappeared ten years earlier from the Watts area of L.A. So the cousins set out to investigate together, and what they discover brings them joy--and heartache. It also opens up a whole new understanding of their world, just as the area they've got their sights on explodes in a clash between the police and the Black residents. For six days Watts is like a war zone, and Eden and Winter become heroes in their own part of the drama. -- Novel in Verse
Zia Erases the World by Bree Barton
This is an extraordinary tale of a headstrong girl and the magical dictionary she hopes will explain the complicated feelings she can't find the right words for-or erase them altogether. One moment she was laughing with her best friends, and the next a dark room of shadows had crept into her chest. Zia has always loved words, but she can't find a real one for the fear growing inside her. How can you defeat something if you don't know its name? Then Zia discovers an old family heirloom- the C. Scuro Dictionary, 13th Edition. This is no ordinary dictionary. Hidden within its magical pages is a mysterious blue eraser. But things quickly dissolve into chaos, as the words she erases turn out to be more vital than Zia knew. -- Fantasy

Nonfiction Nominees

Amazing Landmarks! by Rekha S. Rajan; Alex Asfour (Illustrator)
Could you build the world's most iconic landmarks? Could you design the Golden Gate Bridge? Could you construct the Eiffel Tower? Could you decorate the Burj Khalifa? Could you make a budget, draw up the plans, and handle every problem that arises to create something that withstands the test of time? This book explores the creation of 10 global landmarks, from the first spark of an idea to the final layer of paint.
Fighting for YES! by Maryann Cocca-Leffler; Vivien Mildenberger (Illustrator); Judith Heumann (Afterword by)
From a very young age, Judy Heumann heard the word NO. When she wanted to attend public school, the principal said, "NO." When she wanted her teaching license, the New York Board of Education said, "NO." Judy and people with disabilities everywhere were tired of hearing "NO." In the 1970s an important disability rights law, Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was waiting to be signed. Judy and other disability rights activists fought for "YES!" They held a sit-in until Section 504 was signed into law. Along with a personal reflection from Judy herself, this picture book biography captures the impact and influence of one of America's greatest living activists.
Forest Fighter by Anita Ganeri; Margaux Carpentier (Illustrator)
Forest Fighter is a picture book that tells the inspiring story of Chico Mendes. Chico Mendes lived in the depths of the Amazon rainforest where trees grew tall and strong and wildlife roamed freely. From the age of 8, Chico worked with his father collecting sap from trees that could be sold to make rubber. Rubber tappers were very poor and the rainforest was increasingly being destroyed by burning and logging, threatening their livelihoods. Chico knew he had to take a stand. He became a spokesperson for the community, fighting hard to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and speaking up for the rights of other rubber tappers. The book depicts the incredible wildlife and peoples who co-exist there and shows why it is so important that all rainforests are protected.
Going Places: Victor Hugo Green and His Glorious Book by Tonya Bolden; Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)
Victor Hugo Green, a Black postal worker from Harlem wrote The Green Book, a travel guide, to help African Americans stay safe while traveling during segregation. As a mail carrier, Victor Hugo Green traveled across New Jersey every day. But with Jim Crow laws enforcing segregation since the late 1800s, traveling as a Black person in the US could be dangerous. Victor created a guide--The Negro Motorist Green-Book--compiling information on where to go and what places to avoid so that Black travelers could have a safe and pleasant time.
The Whale Who Swam Through Time by Alex Boersma (Illustrator); Nick Pyenson
Our journey begins with the birth of a bowhead whale, the longest-living mammal in the world. Over the course of her life in the Arctic, the bowhead whale witnesses many changes: from an era of peace and solitude to one of oil rigs and cruise liners.

Graphic Novel Nominees

Expedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco; Binglin Hu
Join two best friends--a mole and vole--on their everyday expeditions to find beautiful plants, meet new animals, and learn more about the world all around them. Each day, Mole and Vole venture out into the world - never forgetting their nature journal - to see what they can find in their own backyard. From pigeons and jumping spiders to swamp milkweed and maple trees, these two explorers get to know every part of their local environment. But after an accidental move from the country to the city, Mole and Vole worry that everything will be different. As they explore, they discover plants to look at and animals to meet in their new home as well. -- Nonfiction
Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee; Molly Brooks (Illustrator)
New Friends. New grade. New worries? Katie's always felt different. She's homeschooled, she has freckles, and her teeth are really crooked. But none of these things matter to Kacey. They're best friends forever-just like their necklaces say. But when they go to summer camp, Kacey starts acting weird. What happened to the "forever"? And when Katie gets home, she can't stop worrying. About getting braces. About 6th grade. About friends. She knows tapping three times or opening and closing a drawer won't make everything better . . . but sometimes it helps stop the worrying. Is something wrong with her? -- Realistic Fiction
Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel
Can peanuts give you super strength? Were unicorns discovered on the moon? Did Martians really invade New Jersey? For anyone who has ever encountered outrageous stories like these and wondered whether they were true, this funny, yet informative book breaks down what fake news is, why people spread it, and how to tell what is true and what isn't. -- Nonfiction
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas (Illustrator)
Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees--until she's stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she's forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta's training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school's failing team around. But that's easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap--for good? -- Realistic Fiction