Massachusetts Children's Book Award Nominees for 2021-2022


Calling all book lovers! The 2021-2022 Massachusetts Children's Book Award (MCBA) nominees are here!

What you need to know:

-These books aren't just amazing books-they're on this list because kids like you think they're awesome too! For information on how to vote for this year's winner or how to lend your own voice to nominate your favorites for future awards, click here, or contact any of the children's librarians at the Worcester Public Library.

-Tune into Facebook Live with Ms. Rezarta to learn more about the authors, illustrators, and titles that have been nominated!


Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander:

Cassius Clay was just a regular kid before he became Muhammad Ali.

Also available in eBook, eAudio, and Playaway formats.







Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows (Book 1) by Ryan Calejo

The monsters from Charlie Hernandez' childhood are no longer figments of his imagination.

Also available in eBook format.






City Spies (Book 1) by James Ponti

Spy training adventures for the craftiest of kids.

Also available in eBook and eAudio formats.






Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

G-ma is the only person who understands that Scoob was unfairly grounded for punching the school bully. G-ma invites Scoob on a road trip in her RV so Scoob can get away from all of the unfairness in his life. But when G-ma reveals her special green traveler's book that listed the safe places for black people to travel during the 1960s, Scoob realizes that it takes a lot of courage to stand up to all kinds of bullies in the world and to do what's right. 

Also available in eAudio and Playaway formats.



Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Twelve-year old Ivy's whole world is shattered when a tornado tears through her town and destroys her home. The only thing that brings her solace is her notebook where she draws all her feelings and dreams including those that she doesn't share with anyone. But when her notebook is stolen and someone else learns her secret will she be brave enough to reveal her whole self?

Also available in Playaway format.



Love, Sugar, Magic: A Dash of Trouble      (Book 1) by Anna Meriano

Leo learns that she comes from a long history of witches!

Also available in Playaway format.







Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

Marcus is on an adventure of a lifetime to find his father and learn more about his Puerto Rican heritage.

Also available in eBook and eAudio formats.






Measuring Up written by Lily LaMotte and illustrated by Ann Xu

Cici is devastated when she has to move from Taiwan to Seattle and can no longer see her A-má. Can she be the champion of the kids' cooking contest to pay for her grandma's plane ticket to come visit her? Cici is in it to win it! 




Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Merci Suárez navigates all of the changes and new experiences of starting middle school.

Also available in Spanish (Merci Suárez Se Pone Las Pilas), large type, eBook, and audiobook formats. 






Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

Jude moves from Syria to the United States in order to be safe but her life still feels unsettled. Can she still follow her dreams even when everything compared to her old life is so different?

Also available in eBook, eAudio, and Playaway formats.





The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Liv knows in his heart that he's a boy even though the world says otherwise, but how can he possibly express who he really is when he can only wear skirts to school?

Also available in eBook format.






Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

The biggest bully in class is about to meet his match(es). 

Also available in eBook and eAudio formats.







Scouts by Sharon Greenland

When a group of best friends witness a meteor falling from the sky they go on an epic adventure to find out where it went. 







The Storm Runner (Book 1) by J.C. Cervantes

Mayan mythology has come alive for thirteen year old Zane Obispo.

Also available in eBook and audiobook formats.







The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth edited by Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson

Everything you ever wanted to know about the history of racism and how to move forward from our complicated past and present experiences. 

Also available in eBook format.




To: Night Owl From: Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer

All about the many ways of becoming a family.

Also available in audiobook, eBook, eAudio, and Playaway formats.







The Twelve by Cindy Lin

Twelve year old Usagi, born under the zodiac sign of the wood rabbit, has to hide her powers (and those of her sister and friend) in order to protect herself from the evil Dragonlord.





Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson

Wild and unbelievable facts about our amazing world. Can you figure out which ones are real or fake?





We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey

Have you ever been the new kid? What about being a kid who not only moved from Earth to Mars but then to a brand new planet where the entire alien species hates your guts and threatens to vaporize you? Welcome to Lan's new life. 





*What’s the Issue: Climate Change (Book 3) by Tom Jackson and Cristina Guitian

Everything you ever wanted to learn about climate change and how you can make a difference in combatting it.

*Available to request from libraries outside of Worcester.




When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten

Clara, a twelve year old from Jamaica, has to piece the parts of her life back together after she loses her memory.

Also available in eBook format.





When the Stars Scattered by Victoria Jameison and Omar Mohamed

Omar and Hassan are brothers learning to survive living in a refugee camp after their father is killed. 

Also available in eBook and eAudio formats.




The Wild Robot (Book 1) by Peter Brown

Roz the robot wakes up for the first time on an island with no idea who she is or where she came from.

Also available in eBook, eAudio, and Playway formats.






The Witch Boy (Book 1) by Molly Knox Ostertag

Aster is expected to shape-shift like the rest of the boys in his village but when he finds himself instead entranced by witchcraft he has to find the courage to be who he is meant to be.

Also available in Spanish (El Niño Brujo) and eBook formats.





Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream: Power Forward; On Point: Bounce Back by Hena Khan

Basketball means everything to Zayd Saleem. Will he follow his dreams no matter what hardships come his way?










-Cara

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