Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's father is shipped to Iraq, Brother promises to help his grandparents take care of their ranch. Brother's family has always owned a ranch, but unlike his older brothers,

he's not sure that's what he'd like to do when he grows up. When a tragedy strikes his grandfather, Brother learns what his true calling is. Heart of a Shepherd is a great story about growing up, living in the west, and religion. It is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane

Six months after Molly's father died in a car accident, Molly and her mother are still having a difficult time communicating their feelings. Molly and her father used to love watching baseball and playing catch in the backyard. Her father even taught Molly how to pitch, and she had a pretty good knuckleball! One evening, while pitching in her backyard, Molly decides to try out for the boys baseball team at school. During try-outs, not all of the boys on the team approve of Molly being there, and neither does her mother. With a supportive best friend, and supportive coaches, can Molly become a real part of the team? Will she and her mom finally support each other in their grief? The Girl Who Threw Butterflies is a 2012 Rebecca Caudill book.

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael

Zoe has learned to be self-reliant and she trusts no one. After all, her father left before she was born and her mother was irresponsible and had problems of her own. After her mother dies, Zoe is sent to live with an unknown uncle who is also used to living alone. In the small rural town where he lives, everyone has their own opinion of Zoe and her wild attitude. Soon, Zoe and her uncle learn to live with each other, while Zoe also encounters a mysterious boy living in the woods nearby. Zoe's first person character is funny and full of energy! Wild Things is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

This novel, written in free verse, is about a boy from Vietnam who is sent to America to live with an adoptive family during the Vietnam War. The boy's new home is happy and loving, but he can't keep his awful memories from Vietnam away. He also longs to reunite with his birth mother and the brother he left behind. His new family, and his baseball coaches, help him to open up his feelings. Because this novel is written in verse, it is quick to read and very powerful. All the Broken Pieces is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Homer has a very hard time telling the truth! When his older brother is illegally sold into the Union Army by their evil uncle, Homer sets off to find him and save him from the war. Along the way, Homer is kidnapped, imprisoned, and forced to join a traveling freak show, all the while stretching the truth to his own advantage. Homer ends up traveling by horse, train, boat, and hot air balloon in this funny and adventurous story. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a Newberry Honor book and is on the Rebecca Caudill list of books for 2012.

One-Handed Catch by MJ Auch

After World War II, sixth grader, Norman, enjoys baseball, hanging out with his friends, and helping out at his parents' small market and meat counter. However, that all changes when an accident takes his left hand. Can he learn to cope with one hand? Will he ever make the school's baseball team? This historical fiction novel is funny, at times, and good read! One-Handed Catch is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

During a time when proper girls were supposed to learn how to cook and sew, Calpurnia wants to explore outside! She loves nature and she dreams of becoming a scientist one day. Calpurnia and her grandfather spent the summer by the river, conducting science experiments, and may have even found a new plant species! However, her world comes crashing down when she realizes that girls during her time aren't supposed to become scientists. Will she come to terms with her supposed fate? This historical fiction novel, set in the year 1899, is a Newberry Honor book and is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.