1998 Nominees
Jennifer Murdley's Toad
by Bruce Coville
Jennifer, the "kid in the plain brown wrapper," buys a talking toad
who can speak only the truth and sets out on an extraordinary adventure.
The Gold Dust Letters
by Janet Lisle
Nine-year-old Angela carries on a correspondence with an invisible, enchanted
being, whose letters shower gold dust. Angela and her friends try to find the
source of these wonderful letters.
Lostman's River
by Cynthia DeFelice
Early in this century, thirteen-year-old Tyler tries to prevent vicious hunters
from ruining his beloved Florida Everglades and all its special places.
Mr. Tucket
by Gary Paulsen
In 1848, fourteen-year-old Francis Tucker is on his way to Oregon but gets
kidnapped by Pawnee Indians, rescued by a trapper and learns to survive in
the wilderness.
Breaking Free
by LouAnn Gaeddert
In 1800, young Richard is sent to live with this stern uncle in upstate New
York. There he teaches a young slave to read and encourages her to escape.
Poison Ivy and Eyebrow Wigs
by Bonnie Pryor
Martin, an imaginative nine-year-old, has a busy year in the fourth grade as
he tries to find his own identity, both at school and among his large and busy
family.
The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11
by Amy Hest
After Katie's father dies in World War II, she reluctantly moves to Texas with
her mother and stepfather. She confides her unhappiness in her private journal
and in letters to an old friend.
Twin in the Tavern
by Barbara Wallace
A young orphan is forced to work for the nasty owner of a tavern in Alexandria,
Virginia. Meanwhile, he tries to solve the mystery of his past and a missing
twin.
Alien Secrets
by Annette C. Klause
Puck, expelled from school, is joining her parents on the planet of Schoon.
As she travels there on a space ship, she encounters a troubled alien whom
she seeks to help, despite grave danger.
The Magnificent Mummy Maker
by Elvira Woodruff
For his fifth-grade project, Andrew creates a mummy that seems to have special
powers and helps him understand his feelings about himself, his dead mother,
and his stepbrother, "Mr. Gifted."
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