2020-2021 SSYRA Jr. Annotated Book List

  •   Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas

    Piranhas Don't Eat Bananas

    by Aaron Blabey Year Published: 2015

    In this rhyming book, Brian tries to get other piranhas to eat his fruit and vegetable platter, but they all prefer to eat meat.

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  • Can I Be Your Dog

    by Troy Cummings Year Published: 2018

    Arfy, a dog who lives in a box in an alley writes letters to everyone about what a great pet he'd make. 

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  • When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree

    by Jamie L. B. Deenihan Year Published: 2019

    Told in second person, readers discover that no matter how clear your gift list is, grandma sometimes has her own plans. When you get a lemon tree instead of cool electronic device you learn to make the best of the situation.

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  • Dandy

    by Ame Dyckman Year Published: 2019

    Daddy is proud of his perfect lawn and ready to remove the dandelion weed ruining it until his daughter Sweetie names it and tells Daddy it is her best friend. Every time Daddy thinks he can sneak past and get rid of the dandelion Sweetie is there to stop him.

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  •  Pencil: A Story with a Point

    Pencil: A Story with a Point

    by Ann Ingalls Year Published: 2020

    Pencil and his boy Jackson are a great pair: they draw, they sketch, they scribble. But then Jackson gets Tablet and Pencil finds himself dumped in the dreaded junk drawer. How will Pencil ever reclaim Jackson’s attention? Pencil sketches out a plan to draw Jackson back into their friendship.

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  •  Superbuns! Kindness Is Her Superpower

    Superbuns! Kindness Is Her Superpower

    by Diane Kredensor Year Published: 2019

    Kindness is Buns’ superpower, but her know-it-all sister, Blossom knows everything about everything and she is sure kind is kind but not a superpower. Can Buns prove her wrong and prove kindness is truly a superpower?

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  • T-Bone the Drone

    by Shanda McCloskey Year Published: 2019

    Lucas has a new best friend when he bring T-Bone the Drone home from the store. They enjoy playing, flying, and even recharging together–but Lucas has been spending so much time with his new toy that he’s on the sidelines when he tries to join the neighborhood wiffle ball game. When the ball sails over the fence where a scary dog lives, it’s the perfect opportunity for Lucas and T-Bone to do what friends do best: work together! It turns out that they’ll need help from the whole team, though, to save the day.

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  •  Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen

    Ella McKeen, Kickball Queen

    by Beth Mills Year Published: 2019

    First grader Ella McKeen is the undisputed kickball queen until a new girl named Riya shows up―and shows her up at recess. How does Ella handle losing? By throwing herself on the grass and screaming while the rest of the class watches her fall apart. Yikes!

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  •   The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

    The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family

    by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali Year Published: 2019

    With her new backpack and light-up shoes, Faizah knows the first day of school is going to be special. It's the start of a brand new year and, best of all, it's her older sister Asiya's first day of hijab--a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky. But not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah will find new ways to be strong.

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  •  The Panda Problem

    The Panda Problem

    by Deborah Underwood Year Published: 2019

    Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn't have a problem. Unless...Panda is the problem. Just who is the main character of the story? A funny book about how books work.

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  •  Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!

    Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!

    by Cece Bell Year Published: 2019

    Meet Chick and Brain. And their friend Spot. Chick likes to follow the rules. Brain might not be as smart as he looks. And Spot just wants to eat lunch. In a graphic reader loaded with verbal and visual humor, Cece Bell offers a comical primer on good manners gone awry. 

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  •  Truman the Dog

    Truman the Dog (My Furry Foster Family)

    by Debbi Michiko Florence Year Published: 2019

    "T" is for Truman, tricks, and TROUBLE! Truman the black lab might be an older rescue dog, but he's still got enough mischief beneath his collar to keep eight-year-old Kaita Takano and her animal-fostering family on their toes from morning till night. Chewed through and through, the playfully illustrated, Kaita-narrated chapter book promises plenty of canine fun.

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  •  Frank and Bean

    Frank and Bean

    by Jamie Michalak Year Published: 2019

    Frank likes peace and quiet. He likes his tent, his pencil, and writing in his secret notebook. Bean likes noise. He likes his bus, his trumpet making music. Loud music. But Bean is missing something: he does not have words. What will happen if Frank shares his words with Bean? 

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  • Fox & Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride: And Other Stories

    by Sergio Ruzzier Year Published: 2019

    Fox and Chick are off on three new adventures involving a boat ride, a mysterious box, and an early morning trip to see the sunrise. Despite the antics ensuing from their different personalities, the contradictory duo always manages to have fun together.

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  •  Happy Fell #3

    Happy Fell #3

    by Erica S. Perl Year Published: 2019

    Arnold wants to celebrate the start of the cozy autumn season indoors. Louise does not. How can they celebrate fell if they're not celebrating together?

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