Aug. 5, 2024 – The 2024-2025 Iowa Children's Choice books have been announced, and the library has them available at both the Downtown and Ladd locations. Each spring, 3rd through 6th grade students across Iowa take part in the nomination of books for the Iowa Children's Choice Award, which is put on by the Iowa Association of School Librarians. Students around Iowa will get the chance to vote for their favorite, and a winner will be announced in the spring of 2025.
Come into the library to check these books out, or put them on hold in our catalog by clicking on their covers below.
"Over and Out" by Jenni L. Walsh
A young girl from Cold War East Berlin is forced to spy for the secret police... but is determined to escape to freedom.
"Singing With Elephants" by Margarita Engle
Cuban-born eleven-year-old Oriol lives in Santa Barbara, California, where she struggles to belong. But most of the time that's okay, because she enjoys helping her parents care for the many injured animals at their veterinary clinic. Then Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American winner of a Nobel Prize in Literature, moves to town, and aspiring writer Oriol finds herself opening up. As she begins to create a world of words for herself, Oriol learns it will take courage to stay true to herself and do what she thinks is right – attempting to rescue a baby elephant in need – even if it means keeping secrets from those she loves.
"Thirst" by Varsha Bajaj
A heroic girl in Mumbai fights for her belief that water should be for everyone.
"A Duet for Home" by Karina Yan Glaser
It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?
"On Air with Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks
You are listening to On Air with Zoe Washington ... Two years ago, Zoe Washington helped clear Marcus's name for a crime he didn't commit. Now her birth father has finally been released from prison and to an outpouring of community support. So, everything should be perfect. Right? With Zoe and Marcus now co-workers at Aris Cakes, life has never been better. When Marcus reveals his lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant, Zoe becomes determined to help him achieve it – with her as his pastry chef, of course. She still has a lot of new desserts to invent! However, starting a new place is much more difficult than it looks, and despite being innocent, Marcus is having a harder time re-entering society than anyone expected. Determined to find a solution, Zoe starts a podcast to bring light to the struggles exonerees experience and fundraise for their restaurant. Between hosting her show, testing recipes, managing shifting friend dynamics, and trying to make sure Marcus and her stepdad each have enough time with her, Zoe is stretched thin. She knows the power of using her voice. But with waning public interest in their story, will anyone still be listening?
"Maizy Chen's Last Chance" by Lisa Yee
Eleven-year-old Maizy Chen visits her estranged grandparents, who own and run a Chinese restaurant in Last Chance, Minnesota; as her visit lengthens, she makes unexpected discoveries about her family's history and herself.
"Swim Team" by Johnnie Christmas
Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees — until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap — for good?
"Lines of Courage" by Jennifer A. Nielsen
From the assassination that triggers World War I in 1914 to Armistice Day in 1918, the story follows the fates of five young people on both sides of the conflict – each facing their portion of the war with courage, until the end of the war brings them together. Includes information on the history of the war.
"Wildoak" by C. C. Harrington
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.
"Lasagna Means I Love You" by Kate O'Shaughnessy
What are the essential ingredients that make a family? Eleven-year-old Mo is making up her own recipe in this unforgettable story that's a little sweet, a little sour, and totally delicious.
"The Midnight Children" by Dan Gemeinhart
When lonely Ravani Foster discovers his new friend Virginia and her six mysterious runaway companions are in danger, he must fight to keep them safe, or lose the only person who has ever understood him.
"A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
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" by Kelly Yang
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.
"The Secret Letters" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
When Colin finds a shoebox full of letters hidden in a stranger's attic, he knows he's supposed to throw them away. That's his summer job, getting rid of junk. But Colin wants to rescue the letters – and find out what really happened to best friends Rosemary and Toby way back in the 1970s. Meanwhile, across town, Nevaeh also finds a mysterious letter. But this one reads like a confession to a crime. And Nevaeh knows her father, the 'Junk King,' expects her to join the rest of the family in blaming a single suspect: his business rival, Colin's mom.
"Playing Through the Turnaround" by Mylisa Larsen
In a timely, insightful story told with sparkling wit and heart, young musicians protesting plans for budget cuts navigate miscalculations, indifferent adults, and unexpected loss as they discover the power of speaking out and the value of listening.
"Falling Short" by Ernesto Cisneros
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home — not without each other’s help. This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows to finally win his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team. But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?
"The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore.
"Hummingbird" by Natalie Lloyd
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.
"Home Away From Home" by Cynthia Lord
Mia is spending her summer with her grandmother in a small Maine town, expecting it to be an oasis of stability in her changing life, but there is a new know-it-all boy next door, and soon she finds herself competing with Cayman in identifying an injured bird of prey – and pretty much everything else.
"The Hurricanes of Weakerville" by Chris Rylander
Thirteen-year-old Alex Weakerman gets more than he bargains for when his grandfather passes away and names Alex the new manager of his hometown's scrappy independent-league baseball team.