Golden Kite Award · 2020

The 2020 Golden Kite Award

A Green Place to Be, Mario and the Hole in the Sky, The Bridge Home, Lovely War, Torpedoed and Clever Little Witch won the 2020 Golden Kite Award. Browse them alongside all 4 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Picture Book Text
A Green Place to Be
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 7–10 · 2019

A Green Place to Be

By Ashley Benham Yazdani

Discover how visionaries transformed barren swampland into Central Park, New York's green heart.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
40 pages· 1,207 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 473 ratings
$17.99
Summary: In 1858, New York City faced a dilemma: rapid growth threatened its open spaces. Enter Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted, whose visionary design turned barren swampland into Central Park. As the city expanded, they crafted a lush oasis with ponds, paths, and bridges. Their creation, a testament to human ingenuity, became a sanctuary for all. How did they overcome the challenges to create this urban masterpiece? Explore the journey of transforming a city's heart into a vibrant green gem, where nature and urban life coexist in harmony.
2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Nonfiction for Younger Readers
Mario and the Hole in the Sky
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

Mario and the Hole in the Sky

By Elizabeth Rusch, Teresa Martinez (Illustrator)

A scientist races to stop an environmental catastrophe threatening the planet's ozone layer.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
40 pages· 1,485 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
5.9/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 338 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Mario Molina, a curious boy from Mexico City, grows into a pioneering scientist in California. He uncovers a hidden threat: CFCs are destroying the ozone layer. With the world at risk, Mario must act swiftly to avert disaster. His groundbreaking work not only saves the planet but also earns him a Nobel Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This true story of courage and innovation offers hope in the ongoing battle against global warming. Can one man's discovery change the fate of the Earth?
2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Middle Grade
The Bridge Home
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2019

The Bridge Home

By Padma Venkatraman

Homeless kids find hope and freedom, but illness threatens their fragile world.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
208 pages· 34,537 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 11,979 ratings
$16.99
Summary: In the bustling streets of Chennai, runaway sisters Viji and Rukku find refuge with two boys under an abandoned bridge. As they form a makeshift family, they navigate the harsh realities of survival. But when illness strikes, Viji faces a heart-wrenching choice: seek help from strangers or protect their hard-won independence. Can they hold onto hope in a world that seems so unforgiving?
2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Young Adult
Lovely War
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2019

Lovely War

By Julie Berry

In wartime, four lives intertwine under the watchful eyes of gods, testing love's power against war's might.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
470 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 72,006 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Summary: In the chaos of World Wars I and II, four lives—Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette—are entwined by fate and the whims of gods. A pianist, a soldier, a musician, and an orphan navigate love and loss, as goddess Aphrodite weaves their stories to avoid divine judgment. Can love triumph over the devastation of war? Discover a tale of hope, prejudice, and passion where the stakes are as high as the heavens themselves.
2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Nonfiction for Older Readers
Torpedoed
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 11–14 · 2019

Torpedoed

By Deborah Heiligman

A ship of children is torpedoed during WWII. Who will survive?

Golden Kite Award (2020)
304 pages· 56,881 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,626 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: In 1940, the SS City of Benares, carrying children escaping war-torn England, is torpedoed by a German submarine. As chaos ensues, ordinary passengers must become heroes. Can they save the children amidst the Atlantic's perilous waters? Discover the courage and resilience that emerge from this harrowing true story of survival and heroism.
2020 Golden Kite Award Winner · Picture Book Illustration
Clever Little Witch
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 2019

Clever Little Witch

By Muon Thi Van, Hyewon Yum (Illustrator)

A witch's spell goes awry when she tries to turn her pesky brother into a goldfish.

Golden Kite Award (2020)
40 pages
3.6/5 Goodreads · 328 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: On Mãi Mãi island, Little Linh, the cleverest witch, faces a magical dilemma. Her baby brother, Baby Phu, is a constant nuisance, crashing her broomstick and devouring her spell book. Desperate, Linh attempts to transform him into a goldfish, but the spell is incomplete—thanks to Phu's appetite. With her wits and a bit of trial and error, can Linh solve the spell's missing piece, or will her brother remain a magical mischief-maker? Dive into this enchanting tale of sibling rivalry and spellbinding surprises.
2020 Honor Books
Pie in the Sky
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

Pie in the Sky

By Remy Lai

An immigrant boy secretly bakes cakes to cope with loss and language barriers.

Golden Kite Honor (2020)
384 pages· 50,541 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,684 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Summary: Jingwen feels like an alien in a new country, struggling with language and loneliness. His only solace is baking cakes from his late father's dream bakery menu. But with a strict no-oven rule from his mother, Jingwen and his pesky brother Yanghao must concoct clever excuses to keep their cake-baking adventures hidden. Will their secret bring them closer or crumble under pressure? Discover a heartwarming tale of family, dreams, and resilience.
Just Right
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2019

Just Right

By Curtis Manley, Jessica Lanan (Illustrator)

A young girl seeks another 'just right' planet in the vast universe.

Golden Kite Honor (2020)
48 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 363 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Join a curious young girl on a cosmic journey as she questions if Earth is the only 'just right' planet. As she gazes at the stars, she wonders if other planets, orbiting distant suns, might harbor life. Could there be another Goldilocks planet out there, not too hot, not too cold, just like ours? Her quest for answers leads to a wondrous exploration of the universe, sparking imagination and curiosity about our place among the stars. Dive into this enchanting tale of discovery and the search for life beyond Earth.
With the Fire on High
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2019

With the Fire on High

By Elizabeth Acevedo

A young mother finds magic in cooking, but can she turn her culinary dreams into reality?

Golden Kite Honor (2020)
392 pages· 72,363 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 90,559 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Emoni Santiago juggles motherhood and school, finding solace in her magical cooking. Her dream of becoming a chef seems impossible, but the kitchen is where her true self emerges. As she navigates life's challenges, will Emoni dare to pursue her passion and defy the odds? Discover the journey of a young woman whose culinary creations might just change her destiny.
The Undefeated
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2019

The Undefeated

By Kwame Alexander, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

A tribute to the black individuals who paved the way for future generations in America.

Coretta Scott King Award (2020)Newbery Honor (2020)Caldecott Medal (2020)Golden Kite Honor (2020)
40 pages· 254 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.6/5 Goodreads · 7,487 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: Dive into a powerful poem celebrating black American life, from the trauma of slavery to the triumphs of civil rights. With references to iconic voices like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes, this work honors past heroes and the enduring spirit of today. Discover the grit and perseverance that define a legacy of resilience and hope. Rich historical context awaits those eager to learn more.
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