• 6. Beauty
  She looked kind of old and ragged when I first saw her in the corral. But, from up on her back, she was beautiful. Her mane draped to the right side of her neck, fine and smooth as corn silk. It felt like the touch of butterfly wings against my hand as I held the reins low in front of the saddle.
  Eleven-year-old Luke isn't happy about his parents splitting up. And he doesn't like moving to Grampa's farm with his mother, either. But he's able to escape his worries when he's on top of Beauty, the old white horse his mother rode when she was a girl. As Beauty and Luke roam the dusty hills and winding cow trails of Oklahoma, a special bond grows between them. Luke can tell Beauty everything -from the pain he feels about his father to the hate he has for his grandfather-and knows that his secrets are safe.
  But is Luke's love strong enough to part with the horse he loves after a terrible accident?
  This is a gripping, wrenching story about growth, family love, and the devotion a boy feels for his horse.

Awards: Oklahoma Sequoyah Children's Book Award
Kansas William Allen White Award

• 7. Snot Stew
  When a litter of barnyard kittens is deserted by its mother, the kittens must learn to take care of themselves. One by one, the kittens leave their home-all but Toby and Kikki. They stay behind, hoping that their mother will come back. When she doesn't, the kittens get discovered and "adopted"by the two children who live on the farm.
  Suddenly, Kikki and Toby have to learn the ways of "people things"The girl dresses Kikki up in funny hats and the boy plays games with Toby. The two kittens tease Butch the dog. And both kittens race to the kitchen when the mother "people thing" calls them to their favorite dinner, stew.
  But just when Toby and Kikki think they know all about living with "people things," the children confuse them by playing a new game called Snot Stew...and the consequences are disastrous!

Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award
South Carolina's Children's Book Award

• 8. Danger in Quicksand Swamp
  Ben and Jake are excited when they dig up a boat that has been filled with rocks and sunk in the sandy river bottom that runs behind their houses. But they're even more excited when they discover a treasure map in an old jar under the seat in the bow. Marked with an "X" the treasure is buried in the center of three trees on an island in Quicksand Swamp. Eager to find the treasure, the boys set out for the swamp in their new boat. Little do they know that they will have to battle alligators, quicksand and, worst of all, a murderer as they go on the scariest journey of their lives.

Awards: Pacific Northwest Territory Award
Maryland Children's Book Award

• 9. The Christmas Spurs
  Nick is worried when his mom and dad drive the family to Children's Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City, where his younger brother Jimmy has to undergo medical tests. What is wrong with him and why do his parents struggle to hold back tears, telling the two boys that nothing is the matter? Finally, Nick confronts them and learns that Jimmy has leukemia.
  As months go by, Nick has to get used to the fact that Jimmy might be dying. He's losing his hair because of chemotherapy and for days at a time, he's too tired to play. Nick tries to bolster Jimmy's spirits by sharing books and movies on their favorite subject - cowboys. At Christmas, he lets Jimmy play with his new toy cowboy spurs. Even when Jimmy loses the stars that go on one of the spurs, Nick is nice about it. He also tells him how great he looks in the Stetson hat his parents have given him to cover his bald head.
  But Nick finally has to face the hard truth about Jimmy's condition. He is going to die.
  How a small, private miracle helps Nick accept his brother's fate and go forward with renewed faith makes this an unforgettable, poignant Christmas story.

• 10. Totally Disgusting!
  Mewkiss. Jessica named the kitten "Mewkiss" for his mews and his whiskery kisses. But Mewkiss hated his new name. He found it totally disgusting! He wanted to be called Fearless or Ratkiller, a name that he could live up to. Even so, he tried to accept his name and enjoy life with Jessica, her family, and their dog, Barkus.
  One day, Mewkiss discovers two evil rats in the storm cellar. The kitten is terrified of them, especially when he overhears them plotting to attack Jessica. Will Mewkiss have the courage to protect her? Will he be able to prove his bravery and strength, despite the way his name makes him feel?

Awards: Arizona Children's Choice Book Award

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