CCBC Choices 2024 -- Tweens (ages 9-11)

The Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison compiles a yearly list of excellent books for young readers.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12  There are a total of 103 valid entries on the list.
Book cover for Desert queen.
Notes:
The Arts;10-up
Description:
"This picture book biography in verse follows the life of beloved Rajasthani drag performer Queen Harish, known as the Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan. Lit by an inner fire and propelled by a family tragedy, Harish defied the gender conventions of middle class Indian life, battled discrimination and intimidation, and eventually grew up to dance with Bollywood movie stars and on stages across the world. Jyoti Gopal's rhythmic phrases evoke the particular...
Book cover for The fire of stars.
Notes:
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir;8-12
Description:
Astronomer and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne was the first person to discover what burns at the heart of stars. But she didn't start out as the groundbreaking scientist she would eventually become. She started out as a girl full of curiosity, hoping one day to unlock the mysteries of the universe. With lyrical, evocative text by Kirsten W. Larson and extraordinary illustrations by award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, this moving biography powerfully...
Book cover for Good books for bad children.
Notes:
The Arts;6-10
Description:
"'Ursula Nordstrom was a grown-up who never forgot what it was to be a child.' The girl who'd always loved to read would grow up to work in the Department of Books for Boys and Girls at Harper & Brothers Publishers. Soon she was editing books by Margaret Wise Brown and E. B. White, discovering new talent like John Steptoe and Maurice Sendak, and reinventing what a book for children should be. 'Children want to be seen,' she'd tell her writers. 'Not...
Book cover for Holding her own.
Notes:
The Arts;8-12
Description:
"When Jackie Ormes sees an opportunity, she takes it. She's a journalist, cartoonist, fashionista, philanthropist, and activist -- and she wants to use her artistry to bring joy and hope to Black people everywhere. But in post-World War II America, Black people are still being denied their civil rights, and Jackie has a dilemma: How can her art remain true to her signature Jackie joy, while also staying honest about the inequalities Black people have...
Book cover for How do you spell unfair?.
Notes:
Historical People, Places, and Events;6-9
Description:
A true story of determination and groundbreaking achievement follows eighth grade African American spelling champion MacNolia Cox, who left Akron, Ohio, in 1936 to compete in the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., only to be met with prejudice and discrimination.
Book cover for Rock, Rosetta, rock! Roll, Rosetta, roll!.
Notes:
The Arts;7-10
Description:
"Award-winning author Tonya Bolden and acclaimed illustrator R. Gregory Christie deliver an inspiring true story about the life, career, and impact of twentieth-century blues and gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who was a trailblazer for rock and roll. Before there was Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The godmother of rock and roll started as a little girl from Arkansas with music in her air,...
Book cover for Rooting for plants.
Notes:
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir;6-9
Description:
"In 1882, Black botanist and mycologist Charles S. Parker sprouted up in the lush, green Pacific Northwest. From the beginning, Charles's passion was plants, and he trudged through forests, climbed mountains, and waded into lakes to find them. When he was drafted to fight in World War I, Charles experienced prejudice against Black soldiers and witnessed the massive ecological devastation that war caused. Those experiences made him even more determined...
Book cover for To boldly go.
Notes:
Historical People, Places, and Events;6-9
Description:
"Perfect for fans of Hidden Figures and Mae Among the Stars! To Boldly Go tells the true story of Nichelle Nichols and how she used her platform on Star Trek to inspire and recruit a new generation of diverse astronauts and many others in the space and STEM fields. As Lieutenant Uhura on the iconic prime-time television show Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols played the first Black female astronaut anyone had ever seen on screen. A smart, strong, independent...
Book cover for To see clearly.
Author:
Notes:
The Arts;8-11
Description:
"Growing up under the gray skies of England during WWII, David Hockney used art to brighten his world. He discovered that the more he looked and drew, the more he could see beyond the surface to find beauty, possibility, and new perspectives. In the most ordinary things, whether a splash of water, a changing landscape, or the face of a friend, David always found something to love, uniquely capturing the vibrancy and life of his subjects. Lyrically...
Book cover for A tulip in winter.
Notes:
The Arts;7-10
Description:
"Painting a vivid portrait of the beloved folk artist known for her joyful landscapes, plants and animals, this gorgeous picture book shows how she, despite spending much of her life in poverty with rheumatoid arthritis, celebrated the beauty of the world around her"--
Book cover for Virginia wouldn't slow down!.
Notes:
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir;7-10
Description:
Recounts the story of Dr. Apgar, who invented the eponymous test, used worldwide, for evaluating newborn health.
Book cover for You gotta meet Mr. Pierce!.
Notes:
The Arts;7-11
Description:
"A picture book biography about the barber shop of woodcarver Elijah Pierce, recipient of the highest folk art honor in the United States." --