Gail Langer Karwoski: Books


2009 Georgia Children’s Picture Book Author of the Year - Georgia Writers Association

Winner of the 2009 Mom’s Choice Award:
         Gold - Animal Kingdom

2009 Earth Day Books - Children’s Book Council

2009 “Just Read, Florida!” Recommended Summer Reading List

Accelerated Reader quiz available
from CBC Magazine:
"This sequel to the award-winning Water Beds takes readers on an around-the-world boat ride to learn how mammals sleep in or around major rivers of the world ... told in a soothing style, this books serves as a bedtime/naptime story for younger children or an animal geography book for older children.”

from Booklist:
"Softly colored illustrations capture the feel of evening, matching the gentle yet informative tone of the text.”

Click here for ideas for using River Beds with kids.

Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9777423-4-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934359-31-0



Winner of the Mom’s Choice Award: Most Outstanding Children’s Author of 2005

Learning Magazine 2007 Teachers Choice Award


Finalist, 2006 Southern Independent Bookseller’s Alliance Award

Finalist, Foreword Magazine, Book of the Year

Accelerated Reader quiz available

from Sea World Adventure Parks:
"Water Beds is a book that dives into the many mysteries of animal sleep with illustrations that are a dream come true. It's a great way to introduce youngsters to the variety of sleeping patterns found in marine animals ranging from killer whales to sea otters to walruses. A wonderful bed time story…perfect for inspiring dreams on the beauty of the oceans."

Click here for ideas for using Water Beds with kids.

Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 0-9764943-1-0
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934359-01-3
 



Click here to buy an autographed paperback.
Or
Click here to buy an autographed hardcover.


Accelerated Reader quiz available


from School Library Journal:
”While exploring the hillside behind her new house, Julie finds a sparkly clear rock .... The book successfully incorporates nitty-gritty details about crystals. Soft pastel illustrations make this a warm, accessible introduction to rock collecting. The interplay between Julie and her dad and the infectious enthusiasm passed between the two add to the appeal of digging up treasure in one's own backyard.”

from Rock & Gem Magazine:
“A girl's interest in mineral collecting is sparked by the discovery of a quartz crystal in Julie the Rockhound, a picture book for ages 5 to 9. Developed in response to teacher requests, this book was designed to support the National Science Standard with regard to rocks and minerals.”

Click here for ideas for using Julie with kids.

Publisher: Sylvan Dell Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9764943-7-9
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934359-21-1
 


Junior Library Guild selection

National Council for the Social Studies & Children’s Book Council: Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2007

Accelerated Reader quiz available

from Booklist:
opens with a description of the tsunami waves that struck the northern coast of the Hawaiian Islands in 1946, destroying a school and sweeping many children and adults out to sea. The book goes on to provide broader information about tsunamis, from scientific understanding of how they occur to ongoing efforts at early warning systems. At the beginning of each chapter is a full-page, bordered illustration with the distinctive look of a woodcut or linocut print ...many helpful diagrams, maps, and photos.... Clearly written and informative.”

Click here for ideas for using Tsunami with kids.

Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 1-58196-044-1

 


Junior Library Guild selection

2005 National Book Festival Pavilion of States

2004 Georgia Children’s/Young Adult Author of the
Year - Georgia Writers Association

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Best Books for Young Readers

2007 Beacon of Freedom Award - Colonial Williamsburg
Foundation

Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators
Work-in-Progress grant award

Accelerated Reader quiz available

from The Royal Gazette of Bermuda:
“professionally researched, vividly written and very
handsomely produced, with ten beautifully engraved
illustrations ...The 100-foot long Sea Venture, sailing for Jamestown but lost in the midst of a fierce hurricane ... miraculously, all aboard were saved, even the ship’s dog. The hurricane, and the desperate state of the passengers and crew as salvation came, in the shape of a Bermudian reef, are well described.”

Click here for ideas for using Miracle with kids.

Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing
Hardcover ISBN: 1-58196-015-8

 


Sydney Taylor Book Award, Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Books for Older Readers

Maxwell Medal for Best Children’s Book, Dog Writers Association

Master List:
       Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Book Award
       Massachusetts Children’s Book Award
       Nevada Young Readers Award
       New Mexico Land of Enchantment Book Award
       Rhode Island Children’s Book Award
       Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
Kansas State Reading Circle 2005 Recommended Reading List
Pennsylvania 2004 Young Adult Top Forty

Brodart “Gem” (exceptionally good book from a small press)

Accelerated Reader
quiz available

from Booklist:
“It is 1906, and 13-year-old Jacob Kaufman, who lives in San Francisco with his father and little sister, is outside when a major earthquake shakes the city, cracking streets and toppling buildings. After Jacob and his dog save the life of San, a Chinese boy, the two join together to search for their families and for food and temporary shelter. Though San occasionally faces racial hostility, the boys meet many strangers who help them through the difficult days. In the appended author’s note, Karwoski discusses the earthquake, the events and social changes that followed. What actually happened is reflected in the story, which emphasizes the communication and sharing that took place as different groups––the Jews, the Irish, and the Italians—found common bonds in coping with disaster. Prejudice against the Chinese, however, was more resistant to change. Karwoski’s research is apparent in the many vivid details of life after the earthquake, but readers will be less concerned with social issues and than with the developing stories of the sympathetic characters.”

from School Library Journal:
Karwoski’s novel conveys very capably the fear, disorientation, and shock of living through a major disaster and coping with the aftermath....the protagonist is appealingly unvarnished, alternately sweet and angry, open-eyed both to the destruction at large and the smaller scale unhappiness at home....”

Click here for ideas for using Quake with kids.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Hardcover ISBN: 1-56145-310-2
Paperback ISBN: 1-56145-369-2


Best Children's Books of the Year” - Bank Street College

Featured in “Meet the Author: Gail Karwoski” on Fairfax Network TV

“Recommended Middle School Reading for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Virginia - Virginia Foundation Center for the Book

starred review -
KLIATT

Accelerated Reader quiz available

from Christian Library Journal:
"A thrilling, fast paced, you-are-there adventure in which the young reader will experience life as it was for the earliest Europeans to settle America..."

from VABooks!:
“Karwoski’s historical research shows in the details of the novel....Through young Sam’s eyes, the reader takes a new look at the excitement and the hardship encountered by the colonists. And more importantly, the author explores the impact of the colony upon the Native Americans and presents them as the complex and varied people they were.”

Click here for ideas for using Jamestown with kids.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Hardcover ISBN: 1-56145-239-4
Paperback ISBN: 1-56145-245-9

                                                  
Master List:
Georgia Children's Book Award;
South Dakota Prairie Pasque Award;
Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award.

Pick of the Lists” - American Booksellers Association

Accelerated Reader
quiz available

from
Parade Magazine:
"This soundly researched, smoothly written story will bring the entire expedition alive for readers 8 to 12, adding not only a canine but a human element to a tale that never grows wearisome."

from School Library Journal:
“Once young readers begin this fictional account of the dog’s role in the expedition, they will be caught up in the drama and action and even reluctant readers will find it just too good to put down.”

Click here for ideas for using Seaman with kids.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Hardcover ISBN: 1-56145-276-9
Paperback ISBN: 1-56145-190-8


1996 Georgia Authors of the Year for Children's Literature
       - Georgia Writers Association

Storytelling World
award ... "Most Tellable Tale"

Accelerated Reader quiz available

from
School Library Journal: "In these 12 short stories...three centuries of Georgia history leap out...Historical figures ringing with authenticity...energetic pacing and keen plot development pull readers in."

from Children’s Literature:
“The stories in this book come from every part of Georgia. They are stories old and new, tall, sad and funny, and they tell of a big, big state....a very reader-friendly book.”




Click here for ideas for using Tree with kids.

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Paperback ISBN: 1-56145-120-7

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All contents ©2004 by Gail Karwoski. This page last modified Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Questions? Comments? Email: gailkarwoski@hotmail.com