The link above references Kathy Isaacs' article, "Promoting Literature through Book Discussion: Capitol Choices." It offers an excellent overview of the history and mission of Capitol Choices.
Join us for the "Breathless" tour. Four new and popular authors of books for teens (Marie Lu, Beth Revis, Andrea Cremer and Jessica Spotswood) will take part in a panel discussion at the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda MD 20814 at 5pm on Thursday Feb. 16th, 5pm. Annette Curtis Klause (author and librarian) will moderate the panel. All are invited.
Would you like to become or remain a reading group member for Capitol Choices? Be sure to email the facilitator for whichever group you'd like to join. We are welcoming four new facilitators this year, so be sure to check the Join Us page to see who they are! As an added bonus you'll also find the 2012 meeting dates!
This view shows all of the books in this age group that have been selected in years past and nominated for the current year (but not yet selected). The nominations are marked by a "Nomination(not yet selected):" label.
With thoughts of Eloise, we meet Minerva, a spoiled and neglected rich kid whose turn around is thanks to a clever nanny (the 53rd) who encourages her to be crowned the queen of petulant peak, with the result that Minerva decides herself to change her ways. Up to Seven
Green means many things these days, but Seeger's exploration reminds us, as well, of the varieties of the color itself. Most of her images are taken from the natural world and some show or imply people outside. This is one long poem revealed with only two words per page. Each painting leads into the next in these die-cut pages. There's humor and surprise and plenty to think about for the young listener and even the older reader. Up to Seven. Kathy Isaacs
As the only child (sheep) for four years, Davy’s dismay grows rapidly when twelve brothers arrive. When they copy everything Davy does, he becomes frustrated. But things soon change again. The line and watercolor illustrations highlight the brothers as they all eat Toot Loops or hang from monkey bars. Up to Seven. Lynda Adamson
A father and child ski through a winter landscape observing the animals who live in the forest and learning about those who live beneath the icy crust. Simple illustrations evoking woodcuts form a lovely backdrop for this exploration of nature at its coldest. Back matter includes additional information about each of the animals mentioned in the text. Up to Seven. Kristi Jemtegaard
As a father and daughter ski through a snow-blanketed woodland observing squirrels, foxes and hares, cutaway views give readers a window into a fascinating hidden animal kingdom under the snow that scientists call the subnivean zone. There the mice, chipmunks, and bumblebees sleep.
Peter Bently's rhyming text skips nimbly from page to page, begging to be read aloud, while Oxenbury's illustrations invite the slower delights of poring over details and pondering expressions. Up to Seven. Kristi Jemtegaard
A trio of pint-sized knights, a bouncy rhyming text, and gloriously detailed illustrations add up to a tale of fearsome beasts, fabulous feasts, and backyard bravery.
A host of children celebrate the beauty of stars both as far-off wonders and as earthly tokens of hope and companionship in their daily lives. Up to Seven. Kristi Jemtegaard
A host of children celebrate the beauty of stars both as far-off wonders and as earthly tokens of hope and companionship in their daily lives. Simple vignettes alternate with panoramas, amplifying and echoing the poetic text.
Lush, highly-textured green images on luxurious white expanses depict the topiary bushes that a great-grandfather fashions to help him remember important events in his life: getting the chicken-pox, experiencing his first kiss, going off to war. His great-grandson follows in his footsteps--literally and figuratively--and his actions indicate the depth of his skill and love. This departure for Smith is both aesthetically and emotionally satisfying. Up to Seven. Wendy Lukehart
A young boy learns about the past through the topiary his grandfather planted and lovingly shaped over a lifetime. Brush and ink outlines create the human figures while watercolor, oil paint, and digital paint contour the foliage in this multi-layered tale.
Nearly wordless, save a number of well-selected onomatopoeia, this flight of fancy down a snowy hill at night is pure fun. When a sled is left outside a cozy home, a bear and his forest dwelling friends borrow it and take a joyride. The child-friendly watercolor illustrations evoke warmth, friendship, and, during the ride, speed, without seeming frenetic. Up to Seven. --Todd Krueger
A winter moon and a snowy hill form the serene backdrop for this almost wordless tale of a bear who co-opts a child’s sled and takes his animal friends on a wild midnight ride…only to have the sled’s owner join them in the end.
A glorious retelling of of Aesop's fable, lushly presented with Nancy Burkert's intricate drawings, setting the story in the Aha Hills on the border of Botswana and Namibia in southern Africa. These extraordinary illustrations emphasize the space around the animals as well as details of their bodies and coloration but the retelling matches them in quality, giving the mouse top billing, using interesting language and plentiful dialog. It's a treat to read aloud. This complements Pinkney's version; they make a grand pair. Up to Seven (and older).
Delicately detailed watercolors on luxuriously thick cream-colored paper reveal a brave little mouse’s encounter with a fearsome feline in this retelling of Aesop’s famous fable. Generous use of white space lets readers focus on and delight in the world as this tiny hero sees it.
When Gus loses his old dog, Ella, he is comforted by Ella's promise that she will always be with him. On Halloween when skeletons surround Gus and are about to do whatever it is skeletons do to small boys, Ella appears as a skeleton herself - a dog skeleton. This doesn't bother the skeletons until Ella and Gus howl for reinforcements. Rohmann's signature artwork is so bold and satisfying with its black outline and a special treat on the title page. This book is handsomely done and is a book that dog lovers with love. Up to Seven. Joan Kindig
Ella, Gus’s elderly dog, promises Gus that she will always be with him, but after she dies, Gus spends a lonely Halloween cavorting with skeletons in the cemetery. Gus’s reappearance is part of the night’s spooky but endearing magic. Firm horizontals and thickly outlined figures keep the story grounded.
