Staff Picks
SC Children's Book Award Nominees 2024-2025
- Ashley S.
- Wednesday, January 31
Collection
Check out the 2024-2025 SC Children's Book Award nominees!
Just Harriet
Published in 2022
"There are a few things you should know about Harriet Wermer: She just finished third grade. She has a perfect cat named Matzo Ball. She doesn’t always tell the truth. She is very happy to be spending summer vacation away from home and her mom and dad and all the wonderful things she had been planning all year. Okay, maybe that last one isn’t entirely the truth. Of course, there’s nothing Harriet doesn't like about Marble Island, the small island off the coast of California where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast. And nobody doesn’t love Moneypenny, Nanu’s old basset hound. But Harriet doesn’t like the fact that Dad made this decision without even asking her. When Harriet arrives on Marble Island, however, she discovers that it's full of surprises, and even a mystery. One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island. One that Harriet is absolutely going to solve. And that's the truth."-- Amazon.
Freddie Vs. the Family Curse
Published in 2022
"Freddie Ruiz is cursed. While other people may have bad days, Freddie and his family have had bad generations: from bird poop splatting on him during picture day to the many tumbles and trips that earned him the nickname Faceplant Freddie. He's learned to lay low and keep himself out of trouble--which means no fun, no friends, and definitely no risks. But when he discovers a family heirloom, a century-old amulet from the Philippines that's supposed to bring good fortune, Freddie thinks his luck is finally about to change. He couldn't be more wrong. Because the spirit of Freddie's cranky great-granduncle Ramon is trapped in the heirloom, and the evil spirits responsible for his death have returned with a vengeance. Now, Freddie and his cousin, Sharkey, have thirteen days to break the curse, or Freddie will join Ramon for an untimely afterlife in the amulet."-- Amazon.
Duet
Published in 2022
The life of a musically gifted bird changes forever after she discovers the music of Chopin and helps a talented young pianist solve the mystery of a long-lost Chopin piano.
A Perfect Mistake
Published in 2022
Eleven-year-old Max struggles with his ADHD and making mistakes, so when a mistake leaves one friend in a coma and another shutting him out, Max resolves to find out what really happened that night.
The Girl in White
Published in 2022
Mallory is still adapting to life in her new town of Eastport when she is haunted by a reoccurring nightmare, leading her to investigate the legend of Sweet Molly.
Controlled Burn
Published in 2022
"Twelve-year-old Maia's parents say she's lucky she noticed something as early as she did. Lucky to have smelled the smoke, lucky to have pulled her sister, Amelia, out of their burning house. But is it really "lucky" when Amelia's stuck in the hospital, covered in burns? And is it "lucky" when Maia knows it was her candle, left unattended, that started the fire in the first place?...As she begins to figure out how to face her guilt and paralyzing fears, she'll discover there's a fine line between fear and adventure. And when danger strikes again, Maia must summon all her bravery and overcome her self-doubt if she wants to save those she loves most."-- Adapted from publisher description.
Manatee Summer
Published in 2022
"Peter and his best friend, Tommy, have a goal for their last summer before middle school: finish their Discovery Journal, a catalog of the wildlife around their Florida town. When they spot a manatee in a canal, Peter knows they've found something special--and when the manatee is injured by a boat, something to protect! As Peter joins the fight to save Florida manatees, he also finds himself taking care of his ailing grandfather and facing an unwelcome surprise that jeopardizes his friendship with Tommy. Soon Peter is adrift, navigating shifting tides and realizing that he has as much to discover about himself as he does about the world around him"-- Provided by publisher
Nellie Vs. Elizabeth
Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race Around the World
Published in 2022
"Join two daredevil journalists, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, as they race against each other--and the ticking clock--to circle the globe in fewer than 80 days. And by any means possible--ship, train, even foot! Bly, energetic and scrappy, and Bisland, poetic and sophisticated, shared one common goal: to prove that women could not only travel the world but were just as curious, capable, and courageous as any man. Did it really matter who won the race?"--Jacket flap.
Wildoak
Published in 2022
Twelve-year-old Maggie's stutter causes her much heartache and only her menagerie of pets, whom she can speak with fluidly, provide her comfort, but when she finds Rumpus, an abandoned snow leopard, in a forest in Cornwall, their chance encounter will change their lives forever.
Out of Range
Published in 2022
Abby, Emma, and Ollie are squabbling sisters on a punishment hike up a mountain with their camp counselor, Dana. They suddenly find themselves completely on their own, and they spot the smoke of a forest fire above them. In order to survive, they need to learn to depend on each other - or the name of the hiking area, No Return Wilderness, may prove to be prophetic.
Haven
A Small Cat's Big Adventure
Published in 2022
A warm, cozy lap. The toasty smell of baking bread. Tasty food served in a bright-blue bowl. These make Haven's life as an indoor pet heaven. All thanks to her beloved human and rescuer, Ma Millie. But when Ma Millie becomes too sick to care for her, the cat's cozy life is turned upside down, and Haven decides she must seek out another human for help. Anything for Ma Millie! Her vow pulls her out of her safe nest into the shadowy forest and down unfamiliar and dangerous roads. When her first plan fails, Haven meets a wilderness-savvy fox who volunteers as an ally, and their perilous journey together brings some victories. But Haven finds herself pitted against creatures far wilder than she ever could be, testing her strength and spirit to their limits. Will her loyalty to Ma Millie--and her newfound confidence in herself--be enough to help Haven see the quest through to its conclusion? Can she stand up against the fierce predator that is tracking her every move?-- Publisher's description.
Hummingbird
Published in 2022
When twelve-year-old Olive, who suffers from brittle bone disease and has been homeschooled all her life, finally attends school in person she soon discovers fitting in is not that easy, but if she can find the magical wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives nearby, and prove herself worthy, maybe her deepest wish will be granted.
Honestly Elliott
Published in 2022
Struggling with ADHD, loneliness, and connecting with his divorced father who would rather see him embrace sports instead of cooking, sixth-grader Elliott finds an unlikely friend in popular, perfect Maribel when the two are paired in a school-wide contest.
Trex
Published in 2022
"A mystery following Trex, a boy with an experimental implant, Mellie, a reclusive girl training to be a spy, and their adventures together as they're pitted against middle school bullies, their own parents, and an evil, brain-hacking corporation"-- Provided by publisher
Witchlings
Published in 2022
"Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches. And twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can't wait to be placed in the most powerful coven with her best friend! But on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire town, Seven isn't placed in one of the five covens. She's a Spare! Spare covens have fewer witches, are less powerful, and are looked down on by everyone. Even worse, when Seven and the other two Spares perform the magic circle to seal their coven and cement themselves as sisters, it doesn't work! They're stuck as Witchlings and will lose their magic. Seven invokes her only option: the impossible task. The three Spares will be assigned an impossible task: If they work together and succeed at it, their coven will be sealed and they'll gain their full powers. If they fail... Well, the last coven to make the attempt ended up being turned into toads. Forever. But maybe friendship can be the most powerful magic of all…"-- Amazon.com.
We Own the Sky
Published in 2022
"It's Maine, 1924, and the Ku Klux Klan is on the rise. Davy and Jo Michaud have been recently orphaned. Taken in by a distant relative-a famous aviator-they are now working with a group of stunt pilots who spend their time wing walking, leaping from plane to plane, and flying through fireworks! But though the stunts are dangerous, the real threat is building behind the scenes. The KKK is on the rise in Maine that summer, inspired by the racial fears promoted in Birth of a Nation. They spew hatred of immigrants, Blacks, Jews, and French Catholics-that last, a rage that will be directed at Davy and Jo. When Davy and Jo cross paths with the Klan, they get tangled up in a terrible revenge plan, and held as hostages. Can they escape with their lives?"-- Amazon.com.
Your Pal Fred
Published in 2022
Accidentally activated in a future world where only the savage survive, a life-size toy named Fred is programmed to be a friend and spread kindness and good will wherever he goes, but in this world that is going to be difficult--so Fred decides that his first task is to get Lord Bonkers and Papa Mayhem, two warlords, to make peace and become friends.
A Rover's Story
Published in 2022
Built to explore Mars, Resilience begins to develop human-like feelings as he learns from the NASA scientists who assembled him, and as he blasts off and explores Mars, Resilience must overcome different obstacles as he explores the red planet.
Finally Seen
Published in 2023
When ten-year-old Lina Gao leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, she must reckon with her hurt, anger, and curiosity and find a way to get her bearings in this new country--and the almost-new family that comes along with it.