Kansas kids have chosen, and this year’s William Allen White Award Winners are “Stella” and “Ground Zero”! Scroll down to learn more about the books.
Stella by McCall Hoyle
3rd-5th Grade winner
Even dogs deserve a second chance.
Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.
When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When Stella smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?
Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.
Book/ Audiobook/ eBook/ eAudio
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
6th-8th Grade winner
It’s September 11, 2001. Brandon, a 9-year-old boy, goes to work for the day with his dad . . . at the World Trade Center in New York City. When two planes hit the towers, Brandon and his father are trapped inside a fiery nightmare as terror and confusion swirl around them. Can they escape — and what will the world be like when they do?
In present-day Afghanistan, Reshmina is an 11-year-old girl who is used to growing up in the shadow of war, but she has dreams of peace and unity. When she ends up harboring a wounded young American soldier, she and her entire family are put in mortal danger. But Reshmina also learns something surprising about the roots of this endless war.
Book/ Audiobook/Large Print/ eBook/ eAudio
In this picture book, families of different shapes, colors, and sizes must cross deserts, navigate rough seasons, and climb mountains–all to find their miracle babies. Emilia’s story reminds us that, despite the challenges and complications often thrown our way, hope will always prevail. To the Moon and Back for You combines a timeless feel with a timely subject, and is poised to become a modern classic for years to come.
After watching the other animals make Mother’s Day gifts, Violet the snake tries hard to think of something nice that she can make for her mother.
Explores how mothers can have different personalities and qualities, including fearlessness, gracefulness, and toughness.
A guide to the care and maintenance of mothers, who are, according to the manual, the most advanced human models on the planet.
Celebrates all the incredible things moms can do in the eyes of their children, including fixing bumps with a kiss, running so fast it feels like flying, and finding lost teddy bears.
