Gennifer Choldenko

Gennifer Choldenko’s first novel, Notes from a Liar and Her Dog, was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and a California Book Award winner. Her second novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts, was a Newbery Honor Book and a School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Al Capone Does My Shirts was short-listed for the Carnegie in the United Kingdom and has been on the New York Times, Booksense, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Gennifer’s novels have been translated into 11 languages. Her new novel, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period, has been called her "Best book yet," by Richie Partington of Richie's Picks. Gennifer is also the author of the picture books: How to Make Friends with a Giant (illustrated by Amy Walrod) and Louder, Lili (illustrated by SD Schindler).

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
Harcourt, 2007
ages 10 and up, ISBN 978-0-15-205753-4

Kirsten's parents are barely speaking to each other, and her best friend has fallen under the spell of the school's queen bee, Brianna. It seems like only Kirsten's younger science-geek sister is on her side.

Walker's goal is to survive at the new white private school his mom has sent him to because she thinks he's going to screw up like his cousin. But he's a good kid. So is his friend Matteo, though no one knows why he’ll do absolutely anything that hot blond Brianna asks of him.

But all of this feels almost trivial when Kirsten and Walker discover a secret that shakes them both to the core.

Louder, Lili
illustrated by S.D. Schindler
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2007
ages 4 to 8, ISBN 978-0-399-24252-6

Lili is the quietest kid in class. She spends recess inside with Lois, the class’s pet guinea pig, and allows Cassidy do her talking for her, even if it means never getting to have the best parts in games. Sometimes it’s just easier letting Cassidy be in charge, but will Lili have the courage to speak up when it means keeping Lois from getting hurt?

This warm, humorous story will speak to any child learning to find his or her own voice—and children used to being the boss might see themselves reflected in Cassidy’s over-the-top antics, as well.

How to Make Friends with a Giant
illustrated by Amy Walrod
Putnam, 2006
ages 4 to 9, ISBN 978-0-399-23779-9

Jake is the shortest kid in his class. And new kid Jacomo is the tallest. When Jake meets Jacomo at the bus stop he can’t believe they’ll be classmates— Jacomo is so tall. Taller than tall. A GIANT. When the other kids tease him, little Jake comes to his defense. He knows fitting into their first grade class isn’t going to be easy for someone as big as Jacomo, but pretty soon the two of them find that when they work together, they have a team that’s just the right size.

Al Capone Does My Shirts
all ages
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2004 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-399-23861-1
Puffin, 2006 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-14-240370-9

Murderers, mob bosses, and convicts...these guys are not your average neighbors. Unless you live on Alcatraz. It’s 1935 and twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan and his family have just moved to the infamous island that’s home to criminals like notorious escapee Roy Gardner, Machine Gun Kelly, and of course, Al Capone. Now Moose has to try to fit in at his new school, avoid getting caught up in one of the warden’s daughter’s countless plots, and keep an eye on his sister Natalie, who’s not like other kids. All Moose wants to do is protect Natalie, live up to his parents’ expectations, and stay out of trouble. But on Alcatraz, trouble is never very far away.

Awards
Newbery Honor; 2005 CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People; ALA Notable Book; American Literacy Corporation Literary Choice Award; Best Book for Young Adults; Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year; Book Sense Pick of the List Summer 2004; and many, many more

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2001
ages 9 and up, ISBN 978-0-399-23591-7

How could Ant MacPherson possibly tell her parents the truth all of the time? They never understand anything! The only person in her family Ant admits to being related to is her little dog, Pistachio. She writes notes in her journal to her "real mom" and tells people at school that she's adopted. But when a concerned teacher sees the truth about Ant and her lies, it seems that Ant may be in for a big change....

Awards
ALA Notable Recording; Audiofile Earphones Award; California Book Award; California Collection Book 2005 (Elementary and Middle School); Center for Children’s Books Best Books of 2001; IRA-CBC Children’s Choice Book; School Library Journal Best Books of the Year; US Department of Education: Books That Can Support Character Development

Moonstruck: The True Story
of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon
illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
Hyperion, 1997
ages 4 to 9, ISBN 978-0-7868-2130-3

Once upon a time only horses jumped over the moon—until one day when a curious cow stops grazing, starts gazing, and then decides to try this incredible jump herself!

The horses laugh at first; after all, cows aren’t meant to vault. But when this moonstruck cow refuses to give up, they end their neigh-saying and start to wonder if a high-hurdling cow might be the first of her species to achieve her lofty goal. This illuminating spin on the favorite Mother Goose nursery rhyme is both a fanciful bedtime read-aloud and an inspirational story about the hard work and determination of a spirited cow with her eyes on the stars.

Awards
National Parenting Association Seal; New York Library Best 100 Books for Reading and Sharing; Scholastic Book Club; Junior Library Guild; Cuyahoga County Library Best Children's Books