By Kerri Kunkel McPhail

True Colors	The Candy Smash	The Tragedy Paper
Seven	Look Another Book	A Flower In The Snow
Big Nate Flips Out	Jangles	The World Is Waiting For You

True Colors By Natalie Kinsey-Warnock,  $15.99, ISBN 978-0375860997, ages 8-12 years
Natalie Kinsey-Warnock's beautifully told, warm hearted novel tells the story of one girl's journey to find the mother she never had, set against the period backdrop of a small farming town in 1950s Vermont. For her entire life, 10-year-old Blue has never known her mother. On a cold, wintry day in December of 1941, she was found wrapped in a quilt, stuffed in a kettle near the home of Hannah Spooner, an older townswoman known for her generosity and caring. Life with Hannah so far has been simple—mornings spent milking cows, afternoons spent gardening and plowing the fields on their farm. But Blue finds it hard not to daydream about her mother, and over the course of one summer, she resolves to finally find out who she is. (Random House)

The Candy Smash (The Lemonade War Series) By Jacqueline Davies,  $15.99,  ISBN 978-0544022089, ages 9-12
Jessie and Evan Treski have waged a lemonade war, sought justice in a class trial, and even unmasked a bell thief. Now they are at opposite ends over the right to keep secrets. Evan believes some things (such as his poetry) are private. Jessie believes scandal makes good news. When anonymously sent candy hearts appear in Class 4-0, self-appointed ace reporter Jessie determines to get the scoop on class crushes. (Houghton)

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth Laban, $17.99, ISBN 978-0375870408, ages 12 and up
It follows the story of Tim Macbeth, a seventeen-year-old albino and a recent transfer to the prestigious Irving School, where the motto is “Enter here to be and find a friend.” A friend is the last thing Tim expects or wants—he just hopes to get through his senior year unnoticed. Yet, despite his efforts to blend into the background, he finds himself falling for the quintessential “It” girl, Vanessa Sheller, girlfriend of Irving’s most popular boy. To Tim's surprise, Vanessa is into him, too, but she can kiss her social status goodbye if anyone ever finds out. Tim and Vanessa begin a clandestine romance, but looming over them is the Tragedy Paper, Irving’s version of a senior year thesis, assigned by the school’s least forgiving teacher.

Jumping between viewpoints of the love-struck Tim and Duncan, a current senior about to uncover the truth of Tim and Vanessa, The Tragedy Paper is a compelling tale of forbidden love and the lengths people will go to keep their secrets. (Random House)

Seven Wonders Book 1: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis & Mike Reagan, $17.99, ISBN 9780062070401, ages 8-12
One Boy. Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he's going to die. One Mission. Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him. One Problem. The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven't been seen in thousands of years. Seven Wonders because they're hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. (HarperCollins)

Look! Another Book! By Bob Staake, $16.99, ISBN 978-0316204590, ages 4-6 years
From a music note to a teeny red boat, a blue kangaroo to a robot or two, there are endless things to discover in this zany follow-up to Look! A Book! from award-winning artist Bob Staake. Die cuts on the cover and every spread reveal hidden treasures in each vast landscape, from a zoo gone wild to an out-of-this-world moon base to a crazy art museum, and more, providing hours of entertainment to readers young and old. (Hachette Book Group)

Flower in the Snow, By Tracey Corderoy, Illustrated by Sophie Alisopp, $16.99, ISBN 978-1402277405, ages 4-8 years
Luna and her polar bear friend (Bear) discover a beautiful gold flower growing in the snow. But when the flower fades, Bear goes on a search around the world for another to bring to Luna. It’s only when he returns home that the true strength of their friendship is revealed. A beautifully illustrated picture book that celebrates the joys of friendship, A FLOWER IN THE SNOW has the look and feel of an instant classic. (Scholastic)

Big Nate Flips Out! By Lincoln Pierce,  $13.99, ISBN 9780061996634, ages 8-12 years
The fifth Big Nate novel in the New York Times bestselling series by Lincoln Peirce! Big Nate is a New York Times bestseller! Here comes the latest illustrated novel from Lincoln Peirce, all about king of detention and cartooning genius Nate Wright! Everyone knows N-A-T-E does not equal. N-E-A-T! And when Nate's sloppiness gets out of hand, his best friend, Francis, is in serious trouble. Can Nate clean up? (HarperCollins)

Jangles: A Big Fish Story by David Shannon, $17.99, ISBN 978-0545143127, ages 4-8
Breathtaking oil paintings bursting with energy pull readers along into Big Lake, the home of Jangles, the biggest fish anyone has seen. Fishing alone at dusk, a boy feels a tug on his line and comes face-to-face with the gigantic trout--whose enormous jaw is covered with so many lures and fish hooks that he jingles and jangles when he swims. Terrified by the sight, the boy is shocked when Jangles befriends him and takes him on an adventure to the bottom of the lake. A surprise ending will leave readers laughing and shaking their heads. Here is Shannon at his very best-in a wild and witty story that begs repeated reading. (Scholastic)

The World is Waiting for You By Barbara Kerley, $17.95, ISBN 978-1426311147, ages 4-8 years
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a question kids get asked over and over. But very few connections are made for kids between the present and the future. This book shows kids a pathway from their current interests and talents to a future career or interest. And in so doing, it also encourages adventure, exploration, and discovery, three core principles of National Geographic's mission. It's a celebration of possibility—so simple and so profound. (National Geographic)

In case you missed these 2012 favorites:
 Here are the recently announced American Library Association’s
2013 youth media award winners.

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:
“The One and Only Ivan,” written by Katherine Applegate

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“This Is Not My Hat,” illustrated and written by Jon Klassen

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book:
“Up, Tall and High!” written and illustrated by Ethan Long

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults:
“Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon,” written by Steve Sheinkin

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
“Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America,” written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:
“I, Too, Am America,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Langston Hughes

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
“In Darkness,” written by Nick Lake

Kerri Kunkel McPhail is an expert in children's literature and the founder and President of Children's Authors' Ally LLC, the nation's premiere consultant to schools, libraries and conferences seeking topnotch visiting author programs. To schedule an author visit at your school, library or conference, visit www.childrensauthorsally.com.