2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners & Honor Books

2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Fiction

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2011

No Crystal Stair

By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, R Gregory Christie (Illustrator)

Defy the odds and build a legacy in a world that says you can't.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2012)

192 pages· 31,734 words· Est. 3 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,575 ratings

$17.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Lewis Michaux defies societal expectations by opening a bookstore in Harlem with just five books and a dream. As his store becomes a hub for intellectuals and activists, he challenges the notion that 'Negroes don't read.' In a world that tries to limit him, Lewis's journey is about more than books—it's about empowering a community and proving doubters wrong. Will his vision thrive against the odds, or will the crooked system break him? Discover the true story of a man who dared to walk his own path.

2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Nonfiction

Sale price

$2138

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

Chuck Close: Face Book

By Chuck Close

Discover the art and resilience of a paralyzed painter overcoming life's challenges.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2012)

64 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 795 ratings

$22.50Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Explore the life of a remarkable artist who defies physical limitations to create stunning portraits. Through a unique Q&A format, uncover how he battles dyslexia, face blindness, and paralysis. Engage with interactive elements that let you mix and match his self-portraits, offering a hands-on glimpse into his creative process. What drives him to paint against all odds, and how does he transform adversity into art? This book invites readers to delve into the mind of an artist who sees the world differently, inspiring creativity and perseverance in all who turn its pages.

2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Picture Book

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012

Extra Yarn

By Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen (Illustrator)

A magical yarn box transforms a town.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2012)Caldecott Honor (2013)The E.B. White Read Aloud Award (2013)

40 pages· 592 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

5.9/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 20,511 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a town draped in monochrome, a young girl discovers a box of magical yarn. As she knits, vibrant colors spill into the world, transforming her community. But when a greedy archduke tries to steal the yarn, will the magic unravel? Dive into this enchanting tale where creativity and kindness weave a tapestry of change.

2012 Honor Books

Sale price

$1049

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2011

The Elephant Scientist

By Caitlin O'Connell, Donna M. Jackson, Timothy Rodwell (Illustrator) · Scientists in the Field series

Discover how elephants communicate through their limbs in the African desert.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2012)

80 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 450 ratings

$10.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In Namibia's Etosha National Park, scientist Caitlin O'Connell observes a matriarch elephant leading her herd with an unexpected form of communication. As the elephants stand still, Caitlin uncovers a groundbreaking discovery: they listen with their limbs. This revelation could change our understanding of these majestic creatures. What secrets will Caitlin unveil in the vast African scrub desert?

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2012

And Then It's Spring

By Julie Fogliano, Erin E. Stead (Illustrator)

A boy plants seeds, waiting for brown to turn green.

Ezra Jack Keats Award (2013)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)

32 pages· 177 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 4,871 ratings

Hardcover

Summary: A young boy and his dog plant a garden, hoping to transform the brown winter landscape into vibrant spring. As they wait, doubt creeps in—will their seeds ever sprout? Discover the magic of patience and nature's promise as the world slowly turns green.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2011

Life: An Exploded Diagram

By Mal Peet

Can love endure when the world teeters on the brink of war?

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)

416 pages

3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,846 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the shadow of the Cold War, Clem Ackroyd, a young man from a modest background, falls for Frankie Mortimer, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. As the Cuban Missile Crisis looms, their love faces the ultimate test. With the threat of bombs hanging over the English countryside, Clem must navigate a world where survival is uncertain. This gripping tale weaves through three generations, exploring the enduring power of love amidst the chaos of history. Will Clem and Frankie’s love withstand the storm, or will the past repeat itself?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

And the Soldiers Sang

By J. Patrick Lewis, Gary Kelley (Illustrator)

Enemies pause war for a Christmas truce on the Western Front.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)

32 pages

4.1/5 Goodreads · 134 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In the chaos of World War I, young soldier Owen Davies leaves Wales for Belgium's brutal battlefields. Amidst relentless warfare, an extraordinary Christmas truce unfolds, where foes become friends. What drives enemies to lay down arms and sing together? Discover the power of humanity in the heart of conflict.

Sale price

$1425

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2012

Code Name Verity

By Elizabeth Wein · Book #1 in the Code Name Verity series

A mission goes awry; captured, she must decide between truth and survival.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)Michael L. Printz Honor (2013)Golden Kite Honor (2013)

452 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 130,639 ratings

$15.00Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In WWII, two unlikely friends—a Manchester pilot and a Scottish aristocrat—face the ultimate test of loyalty. When a mission fails, one is captured by the Gestapo. As she writes her story for her captors, she must navigate the thin line between truth and deception. Will her words betray her friend or save them both? The stakes are life and death, and every word could be her last. Dive into a tale of courage, espionage, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship in the darkest of times.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2012

Georgia in Hawaii

By Amy Novesky

An artist defies expectations on a Hawaiian journey. Will she paint what she's told?

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2012)

40 pages· 883 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

3.8/5 Goodreads · 501 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1939, renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe embarks on a Hawaiian adventure, commissioned to capture the islands' beauty. As she paints lush landscapes and vibrant flowers, she faces pressure to conform to her sponsor's demands. Will Georgia's artistic integrity prevail, or will she yield to the commercial expectations of the pineapple company? Discover the captivating story of creativity and conviction amidst the enchanting backdrop of Hawaii.

The 2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

No Crystal Stair

Chuck Close: Face Book

Extra Yarn

The Elephant Scientist

And Then It's Spring

Life: An Exploded Diagram

And the Soldiers Sang

Code Name Verity

Georgia in Hawaii

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