Runners-up/Suitable for Ages 9-13

Absolutely Truly: A Pumpkin Falls Mystery

Heather Vogel Frederick

When Truly Lovejoy’s family moves from Austin, Texas, to tiny Pumpkin Falls, N.H.—in January, no less—she faces more than a weather adjustment. Her father is mourning the loss of his arm in Iraq and the derailment of his career plans. Her mother is going back to school, leaving Truly and her four siblings to pitch in and help run the bookstore that has been in the family for generations. But a note found in a rare, autographed edition of Charlotte’s Web propels Truly into a mystery that will make her life more interesting as it brings her family and community together.

The Green Ember

S.D. Smith

Pickett and his older sister Heather enjoy a peaceful life with their family in a quiet burrow in Nick Hollow—even though their father appears to be hiding from a painful past. When a ferocious band of wolves invades their home and apparently kills their parents and little brother, the young rabbits learn that they are heirs to a glorious heritage and a present task that will test their loyalty, resilience, and courage to the breaking point. This is the first in a series of Christian fantasy novels that promises thrills, heartbreak, and triumph as Heather and Pickett mature.

Tiger Boy

Mitali Perkins

Though he lives in India’s Sunderman Islands, 11-year-old Neel is similar to boys everywhere when it comes to homework. His fisherman father dreams of the boy winning a scholarship to school on the mainland, but Neel doesn’t see the point of study if it cuts into his playtime. News that a tiger cub has escaped the nearby wildlife preserve, and risks being captured and sold, propels Neel into an adventure that will test his resolve and courage. This absorbing story for younger readers will expand their understanding of other cultures as it underscores the importance of using their gifts.

Walking Home

Eric Walters

Thirteen-year-old Muchoki’s life changed forever the day a hostile tribe destroyed his village and killed his father. Weeks later, his mother succumbs to tuberculosis and the boy must decide whether to stay in the refugee camp or take his little sister on a long walk to relatives in south Kenya. Though a bit slow-paced at first, the action picks up as Muchoki shoulders responsibility far beyond his years, encounters unexpected kindness, and learns the value of forgiveness as he ponders God’s providence. The story is based on true events, and the author shares an abundance of video, audio, and photographic resources on the Walking Home website.

Honorable Mentions

In All the Answers, by Kate Messner, Ava discovers that a pencil hastily grabbed from the kitchen drawer seems to “know” the answers to her test questions—and some of her social and philosophical questions, also.Arcady’s Goal, by Eugene Yelchin, introduces young readers to Stalinist Russia through the eyes of a 10-year-old soccer prodigy who seeks to ride his talent out of the orphanage.

The Cottage in the Woods, by Katherine Coville, retells the story of The Three Bears as a Charlotte Bronte–style romance, with the participation of other fairy-tale characters. El Deafo is a funny and touching graphic memoir of author Cece Bell’s experience of growing up deaf. M.M. Vaughan’s Six launches a brother and sister on a dangerous quest to find their kidnapped father, using a device that allows them to communicate telepathically. —J.B.C.