Orbis Pictus Award · 2021

The 2021 Orbis Pictus Award

Above the Rim won the 2021 Orbis Pictus Award. Browse it alongside all 4 honor books, with ages and reading levels for each.

2021 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
Above the Rim
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Above the Rim

By Jen Bryant, Frank Morrison (Illustrator)

A basketball legend defies racial injustice, changing the game forever.

Orbis Pictus Award (2021)
40 pages· 1,214 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 691 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Elgin Baylor, a pioneering basketball star, faces racial discrimination during away games. Refusing to accept injustice, he stages a bold protest, capturing national attention and challenging the NBA's status quo. As he soars on the court with unmatched grace, Baylor's quiet strength inspires change beyond the game. Discover the story of a trailblazer who stood up for equality, leaving a lasting impact on sports and society. Above the Rim beautifully illustrates Baylor's journey, blending poetic storytelling with stunning visuals, celebrating an unsung hero's fight for justice and innovation in basketball.
2021 Honor Books
All Thirteen
Sale price
$2469
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2020

All Thirteen

By Christina Soontornvat

Trapped in a cave, a soccer team faces rising floodwaters and a global rescue mission.

Newbery Honor (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2021)Cybils Award (2020)Golden Kite Award (2021)Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)
280 pages· 42,024 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,997 ratings
$25.99Save 5%
Summary: Twelve young soccer players and their coach are trapped in a flooded Thai cave. As the world watches, a daring seventeen-day rescue unfolds. Can these ordinary kids survive the darkness and hunger? Discover the extraordinary courage and global effort that turned a perilous situation into a miraculous rescue. Dive into the suspenseful blend of science, culture, and human spirit that saved the Wild Boars.
Honeybee
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2020

Honeybee

By Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)

A honeybee's journey from hive worker to sky adventurer unfolds with challenges and triumphs.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (2021)Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)
40 pages· 1,575 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
4.5/5 Goodreads · 1,996 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Summary: Apis, a determined honeybee, emerges from her cell, ready to serve her hive. She cleans, feeds, and defends, but dreams of flying. As she grows, Apis faces the ultimate test: leaving the hive to explore the vast sky. Will she succeed in her quest for nectar and freedom? Discover her transformation in this beautifully illustrated tale of resilience and adventure.
Lifting as We Climb
Sale price
$1899
Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2020

Lifting as We Climb

By Evette Dionne

Uncover the untold struggle of African American women in the suffrage movement, battling both gender and racial prejudice.

Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)
176 pages· 38,496 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 741 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Summary: Discover the hidden history of African American women who fought for suffrage against racial and gender barriers. Follow Mary Church Terrell, Anna Julia Cooper, and Ida B. Wells as they challenge exclusion and forge their own path in the fight for equality. How did they overcome societal constraints and what legacy did they leave for future generations? This powerful narrative reveals the overlooked contributions of black women in shaping the suffrage movement and their enduring impact on civil rights.
If You Take Away the Otter
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2020

If You Take Away the Otter

By Susannah Buhrman-Deever, Matthew Trueman (Illustrator)

What happens when sea otters vanish and kelp forests collapse?

Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)
32 pages· 648 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 368 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Summary: On the Pacific Coast, sea otters are vital to the survival of lush kelp forests. Once hunted to near extinction, their absence led to a surge in sea urchins, devastating the ecosystem. Discover how new protections helped otters and kelp forests recover, revealing the delicate balance of nature. What happens when a single species holds the fate of an entire habitat? Explore the intricate connections and the impact of human actions on this fragile environment.
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