2003 Nominees

FEVER 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson
In August, 1793, high-spirited Mattie has plans. She wants to turn the family coffee-house into the finest business in Philadelphia, but word from the waterfront tells of a strange fever. As the epidemic moves through the city, fear turns into panic and thousands flee the stricken city. Overnight, Mattie's dream of a better life turns into a nightmare battle of life and death.

PERLOO THE BOLD
by Avi
Perloo is no good at being a hero, but he has no choice when he is chosen to lead his tribe of Montmers. The rabbit-like Montmers are preparing for a war with the fox-like Felberts. Can Perloo avert a war?

WILLIWAW
by Tom Bodett
How far would you go for a video game? Twelve-year-old Ivan makes a fateful decision when he and his sister September are left alone in backcountry Alaska. While their father is away fishing, the two children struggle to remain responsible and take care of a spiraling series of problems. Eventually, their questionable decisions leave them in the direct path of a wild and unpredictable storm, the legendary "williwaw."

HEART OF A CHIEF
by Joseph Bruchac
Chris Nicola, a member of the Penacook Indian tribe, struggles to be accepted at his new school off the reservation. At home, his family and his tribe are trying to decide if a new casino will ensure the tribe's future. If the casino is built it will destroy a beautiful island that is very special to Chris and his grandfather.

BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE
by Kate DiCamillo
India Opal Buloni is new to town. When her father sends her to the store for a box of macaroni and cheese, some white rice and two tomatoes, she comes home instead with a dog that she names Winn-Dixie, after the store. He is just about the ugliest, mangiest dog she has ever seen, but oh, what a beautiful smile he has! It is not easy to be new in town, without a mother or a friend, but in finding Winn-Dixie she has a new best friend. Every good thing that happens to her that summer happens because of Winn-Dixie.

ELEVATOR FAMILY
by Douglas Evans
When the San Francisco Hotel's only vacant room turns out to be its elevator, the Wilson family doesn't hesitate to check in. After all, the Wilson family motto has always been "Only the best!" Despite the small size of the 'Otis' room, the Wilsons attract many visitors, including a poodle, a rock group, and a band of high class kidnappers. Join the Wilson family for laughs on every floor.

FLYING SOLO
by Ralph Fletcher
When the substitute teacher fails to show up, Mr. Fabiano's sixth grade class votes to run the class themselves. It starts out as a prank, but becomes a challenge. Can the kids prove they can run a class as well as any teacher before the principal finds out?

STAR IN THE STORM
by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Maggie's big black dog is named Sirius, after the brightest star in the sky. When all dogs are banned from living on Maggie's island home off the coast of Nova Scotia, she hides the dog in a cave. A huge winter storm is sinking a steamer in the bay. Sirius can help save the people, but bringing him out of hiding will risk his life.

DAVE AT NIGHT
by Gail Carson Levine
Life is tough at the orphanage, but Dave can take care of himself. He has good friends, and one obsession - to retrieve the beautiful carving of Noah's Ark that his father had made. It is locked in the superintendent's office at the orphanage. While Dave plots to get it back, he makes several secret trips outside at night where he discovers new friends, a new kind of music, and the exciting world of New York City in 1926.

HOMELESS BIRD
by Gloria Whelan
Although arranged marriages in India may be common, thirteen-year-old Koly discovers nothing is as she expected when she moves in with her young husband and his family. Widowed before her marriage truly begins, Koly finds herself deserted by her in-laws in the city of Vrindavan. Freed from the expectations and the support of her family, Koly must carve an independent future out of the traditions that surround her.

Last updated on: 14 February, 2007

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