2019 Golden Kite Award Winners & Honor Books

2019 Golden Kite Award Winner · Picture Book Text

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2018

The Remember Balloons

By Jessie Oliveros, Dana Wulfekotte (Illustrator)

A boy struggles to preserve his grandpa's fading memories as they drift away.

Golden Kite Award (2019)Schneider Family Book Honor (2019)

48 pages· 561 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.7/5 Goodreads · 2,385 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: James cherishes his grandpa's balloons, each holding a precious memory. But as Grandpa's memories begin to slip away, James is heartbroken. When the silver balloon, their shared fishing trip memory, floats off unnoticed, James realizes it's up to him to keep these memories alive. Can he find a way to hold onto the past while embracing the future?

2019 Golden Kite Award Winner · Middle Grade

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–13 · 2018

Lifeboat 12

By Susan Hood · Book #1 in the Lifeboat series

A torpedo attack leaves a boy stranded on a lifeboat. Can he survive?

Golden Kite Award (2019)

326 pages· 26,260 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,545 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Ken escapes war-torn London aboard the SS City of Benares, bound for safety in Canada. Life on the ship is luxurious until a torpedo strikes, plunging Ken into a desperate fight for survival on Lifeboat 12. With only five other boys, he must navigate the treacherous sea, facing fear and uncertainty. Will they find rescue, or will the ocean claim them? This gripping tale of courage and hope, based on true events, explores the power of unity in the face of adversity. Can Ken and his companions hold on long enough to see another day?

2019 Golden Kite Award Winner · Nonfiction for Younger Readers

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Otis and Will Discover the Deep

By Barb Rosenstock, Katherine Roy (Illustrator)

Two pioneers risk everything to explore the ocean's depths in a fragile metal sphere.

Golden Kite Award (2019)

48 pages· 910 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 833 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1930, engineer Otis Barton and explorer Will Beebe embark on a daring dive into the unknown, sealed inside their invention, the Bathysphere. As they descend into the ocean's depths, they face the terrifying possibility of leaks, explosions, and the crushing pressure of the deep sea. Will they survive to reveal the mysteries of the ocean's abyss, or will their groundbreaking journey end in disaster? Dive into this gripping true story of courage and innovation, where every moment could be their last.

2019 Honor Books

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Found

By Jeff Newman, Larry Day (Illustrator) · The Magic Thief series

A lost dog tests Jenn's heart: return him or keep him forever?

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

38 pages

4.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 587 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Jenn's heart aches for her lost dog until she finds a new furry friend. As she bonds with him, a missing poster reveals his true identity—Roscoe, someone else's beloved pet. Torn between love and doing what's right, Jenn faces a difficult choice. Will she return Roscoe to his rightful owner, or keep the companion she's grown to cherish? This wordless tale explores the complexities of loss, love, and moral dilemmas, inviting readers to ponder what they would do in Jenn's shoes.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Journey of the Pale Bear

By Susan Fletcher

A runaway boy must choose between his freedom and saving a captive polar bear.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

291 pages· 49,102 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 530 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Arthur, a runaway, finds an unlikely ally in a royal polar bear bound for London. As he cares for the bear on a perilous sea journey, their bond grows. But when pirates strike, Arthur faces a life-altering decision: save himself or help the bear find freedom. Will he risk everything for the creature who mirrors his own lost family? This adventure, inspired by true events, explores themes of captivity, freedom, and unexpected friendship.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

24 Hours in Nowhere

By Dusti Bowling

In Nowhere, Arizona, a boy's quest for gold may be his only escape from a bully's grip.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

272 pages· 49,269 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 3,180 ratings

$14.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In the harsh desert town of Nowhere, Arizona, 13-year-old Gus dreams of escape. Bullied by Bo Taylor, his life takes a turn when racer Rossi Scott sacrifices her dirt bike to save him. To repay her, Gus embarks on a perilous quest for gold in Dead Frenchman Mine, joined by friends Jessie, Matthew, and Rossi. As they face cave-ins and mountain lions, they discover that their adventure might be the key to a new future. Will they find the treasure they seek, or something even more valuable?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

Ghost Boys

By Jewell Parker Rhodes

A boy's ghost seeks justice and understanding after a tragic police shooting.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Award (2019)Golden Kite Honor (2019)Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2019)

214 pages· 20,182 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 34,162 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve-year-old Jerome is killed by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a threat. As a ghost, he witnesses his family's grief and meets Emmett Till, another victim of racial violence. Together, they explore the roots of historical racism. Jerome also encounters Sarah, the officer's daughter, who struggles with her father's actions. This poignant tale weaves history and modern-day challenges, as Jerome learns about American blackness and the power of the living to create change.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2018

Nothing Stopped Sophie

By Cheryl Bardoe, Barbara McClintock (Illustrator)

A determined woman defies all odds to solve the unsolvable in mathematics.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

40 pages· 1,500 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 926 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 18th-century France, Sophie Germain defies societal norms and family restrictions to pursue her passion for mathematics. Disguising her identity, she tackles a problem deemed impossible by male scholars. Her relentless pursuit leads to a groundbreaking formula, earning her a historic prize from the Academy of Sciences. How far will Sophie go to prove her worth in a world that refuses to acknowledge her genius?

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers

By Melissa Stewart, Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

Discover how quirky animal traits are secret survival tools.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

32 pages· 633 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 367 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Meet the animal underdogs with surprising survival skills! From the stinky zorilla to the slow Galápagos tortoise, these creatures turn perceived weaknesses into strengths. Explore how these unique traits help them thrive in a world where every day is a battle for survival. With humor and insight, this book reveals the hidden genius behind nature's quirkiest creatures, encouraging young readers to celebrate differences and see the value in being unique. Dive into a world where being puny, poky, or clumsy is the key to staying alive!

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2018

Hey, Kiddo

By Jarrett J. Krosoczka · Book #1 in the Hey, Kiddo series

A boy navigates life with an absent father and addicted mother.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2019)National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist (2018)Cybils Award (2018)Golden Kite Honor (2019)Odyssey Award (2020)

320 pages· 15,721 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 35,692 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Jarrett's childhood is anything but ordinary. With a mother battling addiction and a father he's never met, he finds solace in art while living with his outspoken grandparents. As he grows, Jarrett seeks the truth about his family, confronting his mother's struggles and searching for his elusive father. Can he piece together his fractured past and find his own path forward?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2018

The Poet X

By Elizabeth Acevedo

A young poet battles silence and tradition to find her voice in Harlem.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2018)Carnegie Medal for Writing (2019)National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2018)Americas Honor (2019)Golden Kite Honor (2019)Michael L. Printz Award (2019)Odyssey Honor (2019)

357 pages· 32,942 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 145,368 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Xiomara Batista, an Afro-Latina teen in Harlem, feels trapped by her family's strict expectations and her own unspoken desires. Her secret love for poetry becomes a lifeline, especially after meeting Aman, a boy her family must never know about. When invited to join a slam poetry club, Xiomara faces a choice: stay silent or risk everything to be heard. Will she defy her mother's rules and embrace her true self, or will fear keep her words hidden? In a world that tries to silence her, Xiomara's voice demands to be heard.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2018

Girl Running

By Annette Bay Pimentel, Micha Archer (Illustrator)

A woman defies the odds to run the Boston Marathon.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

32 pages· 1,030 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 588 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1966, Bobbi Gibb faces a world that tells her women can't run marathons. Denied entry to the Boston Marathon, she defies expectations, determined to prove her strength and challenge societal norms. As she runs, Bobbi's journey becomes a powerful statement of courage and resilience, inspiring others to question what limits truly exist. Will she succeed in changing perceptions and making history?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Floaty

By John Himmelman

A grumpy man discovers a floating dog, leading to unexpected friendship.

Golden Kite Honor (2019)

32 pages· 497 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 401 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Mr. Raisin, a solitary grump, finds his world turned upside down when a mysterious basket reveals a floating dog on his ceiling. As he navigates this bizarre new reality, Mr. Raisin must decide whether to embrace the unexpected and open his heart to an unusual friendship. Will this peculiar pup bring joy to his quiet life, or will Mr. Raisin's grumpy nature prevail? Discover a heartwarming tale of companionship that defies gravity and expectations.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

The Rabbit Listened

By Cori Doerffeld (Author/Illustrator), Cori Doerrfeld (Author/Illustrator)

A child tries to build something but it doesn't go as planned.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2019)Golden Kite Honor (2019)

32 pages· 275 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

5.6/7 Bookroo·4.6/5 Goodreads · 9,657 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Taylor's world crumbles when their block castle is destroyed. Each animal offers advice, but nothing feels right. The chicken talks, the bear suggests anger, yet Taylor remains lost. Then, the rabbit arrives, offering no solutions, just a quiet presence. In a world full of noise, sometimes the greatest comfort is simply being heard. Discover how empathy and listening can heal even the deepest heartaches.

The 2019 Golden Kite Award

The Remember Balloons

Lifeboat 12

Otis and Will Discover the Deep

Found

Journey of the Pale Bear

24 Hours in Nowhere

Ghost Boys

Nothing Stopped Sophie

Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers

Hey, Kiddo

The Poet X

Girl Running

Floaty

The Rabbit Listened

Golden Kite Award Winners by Year

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