Mark Twain Award

(2011-2012 Nominees)   (2010-2011 Nominees)

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt.

Belly up by Stuart Gibbs

Twelve-year-old Teddy investigates when a popular Texas zoo's star attraction--Henry the hippopotamus--is murdered.

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

As mysterious circumstances bring Giuseppe, Frederick, and Hannah together, their lives soon interlock like the turning gears in a clock and they realize that each one holds a key to solving the others' mysteries.

 Drizzle by Kathleen van Cleve

When a drought threatens her family's magical rhubarb farm, eleven-year-old Polly tries to find a way to make it rain again.

 The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein

When a scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, Aldwyn and his fellow "familiars," a know-it-all blue jay and bumbling tree frog, must save the kingdom after the evil queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two other wizards.

 Ghost Dog Secrets by Peg Kehret

Sixth-grader Rusty, determined to help an injured dog that is chained outdoors in frigid weather, calls animal control, then takes matters into his own hands, aided by his best friend and a ghost collie that leads Rusty to an even deeper secret. Includes instructions for knitting cat blankets.

 Half Upon a Time by James Riley

In the village of Giant's Hand Jack's grandfather has been pushing him to find a princess and get married, so when a young lady falls out of the sky wearing a shirt that says "Punk Princess," and she tells Jack that her grandmother, who looks suspiciously like the long-missing Snow White, has been kidnapped, Jack decides to help her.

 Hide & Seek by Katy Grant

In the remote mountains of Arizona where he lives with his mother, stepfather, and two sisters, fourteen-year-old Chase discovers two kidnapped boys and gets caught up in a dangerous adventure when he comes up with a plan to get them to safety.

 Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.

 Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams

After her move in 1985 to Salt Lake City, thirteen-year-old Sadie finds a journal in a hidey-hole in the attic, and along with her sister and new friend she reads about the influenza epidemic of 1918.

 Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
In the small city of Strattenburg there are many lawyers, and thirteen-year-old Theo Boone thinks he is one of them, but his inside knowledge of the justice system means trouble when a cold-blooded killer is about to go free and only Theo can stop him.

Twenty Gold Falcons by Amy Gordon
Twelve-year-old Aiden is very unhappy when, after her father's death, her mother moves them from the family farm, but soon she and new friends are caught up in the search for long-lost coins in the historic Ingle building that towers over the city of Gloria.

2012 Mark Twain Award Winner:

Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret

2011 -Stolen Children by Peg Kehret

2010 - Deep & Dark & Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

2009 - Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

2008 - Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

2007 - Abduction! by Peg Kehret

2006 - The City of Ember by Jean Duprau

2005 - Wenny Has Wings by Janet Lee Carey

2004 - Zach's Lie by Roland Smith

2003 - Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

2002 - Dork in Disguise by Carol Gorman

2001 – Holes by Louis Sachar

2000 - Saving Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

1999 - Small Steps: the Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret

1998 - Titanic Crossing by Barbara Williams

1997 - Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn

1996 - The Ghosts of Mercy Manor by Betty Ren Wright

1995 - The Man Who Loved Clowns by June Rae Wood

1994 - Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

1993 - Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

1992 - The Doll in the Garden by Mary Downing Hahn

1991 - All About Sam by Lois Lowry

1990 - There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by Louis Sachar

For more information about the Mark Twain Award, including past winners and nominees, visit the Missouri Association of School Librarians site.