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| . | Tennessee Library Association and Tennessee Association of School Librarians |
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| . | Tennessee Library Association and Tennessee Association of School Librarians |
2006 K-3 Winner |
2006 4-6 Winner |
2006 7-12 Winner |
Bad Boys
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The Tale of Despereaux
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Eragon
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Marge Palatini
Harpercollins, 2003
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Kate DiCamillo |
Christopher Paolini |
| From School
Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 3-Palatini weaves this tale of two bad wolves "on the lam," as Willy and Wally dress up in sheep's clothing. They disguise themselves as Willimina and Wallanda, Little Bo Peep's lost sheep, and cozy up to the flock. But they've got their eyes on a lamb-chop cookbook while befriending the ewes. However, old Betty Mutton and Meryl Sheep are not so easily fooled and lead the two bad boys into a shearing experience and expose them for the scoun-drels they are. Puns abound in the sidesplitting narrative, and kids will want to chime in on the "Bad, Bad. Really, really bad" refrain. Cole's vibrant artwork captures the fun and adds to the humor. An outstanding read-aloud and a fine collaboration of text and art, this is a surefire hit for all who enjoy fairy-tale variations, fun puns, and a good laugh. Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego |
From School
Library Journal Grade 3 Up-A charming story of unlikely heroes whose destinies entwine to bring about a joyful resolution. Foremost is Despereaux, a diminutive mouse who, as depicted in Ering's pencil drawings, is one of the most endearing of his ilk ever to appear in children's books. His mother, who is French, declares him to be "such the disappointment" at his birth and the rest of his family seems to agree that he is very odd: his ears are too big and his eyes open far too soon and they all expect him to die quickly. Of course, he doesn't. Then there is the human Princess Pea, with whom Despereaux falls deeply (one might say desperately) in love. She appreciates him despite her father's prejudice against rodents. Next is Roscuro, a rat with an uncharacteristic love of light and soup. Both these predilections get him into trouble. And finally, there is Miggery Sow, a peasant girl so dim that she believes she can become a princess. With a masterful hand, DiCamillo weaves four story lines together in a witty, suspenseful narrative that begs to be read aloud. In her authorial asides, she hearkens back to literary traditions as old as those used by Henry Fielding. In her observations of the political machinations and follies of rodent and human societies, she reminds adult readers of George Orwell. But the unpredictable twists of plot, the fanciful characterizations, and the sweetness of tone are DiCamillo's own. This expanded fairy tale is entertaining, heartening, and, above all, great fun. Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. |
From School Library Journal Grade 5 Up-Eragon, 15, is hunting for wild
game when he witnesses a mysterious explosion. At the center of the blast
radius he finds a polished blue stone marked with white veins. Brom, the
village storyteller, has shown interest in it, so it is to him that Eragon
turns when it starts squeaking, then wobbling, and then hatches into a
majestic sapphire blue dragon. His decision to keep and raise Saphira starts
him on an epic journey of Tolkienesque proportions that is only partially told
in the 500 pages of this book. Eragon learns that the Empire's cruel and
oppressive king will stop at nothing to get Eragon and Saphira to serve him.
Training and traveling with Brom, the teen and dragon learn to work together
in war and peace, using a combination of traditional fighting arts and magic.
They encounter massive humanoid warriors with savage intentions and are
befriended by Murtagh, a human warrior with mysterious ties to the Varden and
the Empire. Eventually, they seek refuge with dwarves who harbor the Varden,
who exist to free the Empire. Eragon does not approach the depth, uniqueness,
or mastery of J. R. R. Tolkien's works, and sometimes the magic solutions are
just too convenient for getting out of difficult situations. However, the
empathetic characters and interesting plot twists will appeal to the legions
of readers who have been captivated by the "Lord of the Rings"
trilogy and are looking for more books like it. |
Runners Up K-3 |
Runners Up 4-6 |
Runners Up 7-12 |
2nd Togo by Robert J. Blake3rd Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, ill. by Betsy Lewin4th Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler ill. by S.D. Schindler 5th Martin MacGregor's Snowman by Lisa Cook ill. by Adam McCauley |
2nd Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret3rd The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau4th Trading Places with Tank Talbott by Dori Hillestad Butler 5th Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler |
2nd Geography Club by Brett.Hartinger3rd The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by CarolynMackler4th The First Part Last by AngelaJohnson 5th Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L Going |
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We had wonderful participation at all levels. Send your email address to kpatten@mtsu.edu to be added to the VSBA email list |
K-3 |
Carolyn Chandler & Connie Reed at Central Heights Elementary in Blountville, TN |
4-6 |
Michelle Donnelly at Concord Christian School in Knoxville, TN |
7-12 |
Ellen Taylor at Rossview HS in Clarksville, TN |
2005-2006 Nominees Lists |
Primary
K-3
Middle 4-6 Grade 7-12
Free from here: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ |
Previous Winners at TASL |
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| TASL November 21, 2003
Photos of Vivian VandeVelde and Laurie Halse Anderson Speeches from Vivian and Laurie and Helen Lester |
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| TASL October 18, 2002 : See Pictures of Lois Duncan and Margaret
Read
MacDonald. Read Margaret Read MacDonald's and Lois Duncan's
acceptance
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TASL Web Site |
VSBA Winners 1978-present
here
Contact:
Kathy Patten or Patty Williams
www.mtsu.edu/~kpatten/vsba.html
Updated 04/12/2006
kpatten@mtsu.edu
