TheGold Shelf

Animals books for ages 9 to 12

112 award-winning books for ages 9 to 12. Dogs, bears, mice, whales and every creature in between.

Babies and toddlers0–2Ages 3 to 53–5Ages 6 to 86–8Ages 9 to 129–12TeensTeen
Animals112Adventure205Fantasy and magic203Funny books85Family182Friendship87History and real people398Nature and science57Folktales and fairy tales62Poetry and rhyme48Feelings and big moments101

112 books

Cover of The Undead Fox of Deadwood ForestHonor2026The Undead Fox of Deadwood ForestAubrey Hartman2026 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Eyes and the ImpossibleWinner2024The Eyes and the ImpossibleDave Eggers2024 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun BearWinner2023Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun BearTrang Nguyen2023 Carnegie Medal for Illustration winnerCover of Scary Stories for Young FoxesHonor2020Scary Stories for Young FoxesChristian McKay Heidicker2020 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Tales from the Inner CityWinner2020Tales from the Inner CityShaun Tan2020 Carnegie Medal for Illustration winnerCover of Stand on the SkyWinner2019Stand on the SkyErin Bow2019 Governor General's Award (text) winnerCover of The Murderer's ApeWinner2018The Murderer's ApeJakob Wegelius2018 Batchelder Award winnerCover of Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated AdventuresWinner2014Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated AdventuresKate DiCamillo2014 Newbery Medal winnerCover of The One and Only IvanWinner2013The One and Only IvanKatherine Applegate2013 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Soldier BearWinner2012Soldier BearBibi Dumon Tak2012 Batchelder Award winnerCover of The Midnight ZooWinner2011The Midnight ZooSonya Hartnett2011 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerCover of The UnderneathHonor2009The UnderneathKathi Appelt2009 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of WhittingtonHonor2006WhittingtonAlan Armstrong2006 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Silver DonkeyWinner2005The Silver DonkeySonya Hartnett2005 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers winnerCover of The Tale of DespereauxWinner2004The Tale of DespereauxKate DiCamillo2004 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Because of Winn-DixieHonor2001Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo2001 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Amazing Maurice and His Educated RodentsWinner2001The Amazing Maurice and His Educated RodentsTerry Pratchett2001 Carnegie Medal for Writing winnerCover of Nero Corleone: a Cat's StoryHonor1998Nero Corleone: a Cat's StoryElke Heidenreich1998 Batchelder Award Honor BookCover of Sister Shako and Kolo the Goat: Memories of My Childhood in TurkeyHonor1995Sister Shako and Kolo the Goat: Memories of My Childhood in TurkeyVedat Dalokay1995 Batchelder Award Honor BookCover of ShilohWinner1992ShilohPhyllis Reynolds Naylor1992 Newbery Medal winnerCover of DogsongHonor1986DogsongGary Paulsen1986 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of One-Eyed CatHonor1985One-Eyed CatPaula Fox1985 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of A Ring of Endless LightHonor1981A Ring of Endless LightMadeleine L'Engle1981 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Abel's IslandHonor1977Abel's IslandWilliam Steig1977 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The LeopardWinner1977The LeopardCecil Bødker1977 Batchelder Award winnerCover of Julie of the WolvesWinner1973Julie of the WolvesJean Craighead George1973 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Incident at Hawk's HillHonor1972Incident at Hawk's HillAllan W. Eckert1972 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHWinner1972Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMHRobert C. O'Brien1972 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Watership DownWinner1972Watership DownRichard Adams1972 Carnegie Medal for Writing winnerCover of SounderWinner1970SounderWilliam H. Armstrong1970 Newbery Medal winnerCover of The Moon in the CloudWinner1968The Moon in the CloudRosemary Harris1968 Carnegie Medal for Writing winnerCover of The Animal FamilyHonor1966The Animal FamilyRandall Jarrell1966 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of It's Like This, CatWinner1964It's Like This, CatEmily Cheney Neville1964 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Nordy BankWinner1964Nordy BankSheena Porter1964 Carnegie Medal for Writing winnerCover of RascalHonor1964RascalSterling North1964 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The LonerHonor1964The LonerEster Wier1964 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of A Stranger at Green KnoweWinner1961A Stranger at Green KnoweLucy M. Boston1961 Carnegie Medal for Writing winnerCover of Old RamonHonor1961Old RamonJack Schaefer1961 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Cricket in Times SquareHonor1961The Cricket in Times SquareGeorge Selden1961 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Along Came a DogHonor1959Along Came a DogMeindert De Jong1959 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The HorsecatcherHonor1958The HorsecatcherMari Sandoz1958 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Old YellerHonor1957Old YellerFred Gipson1957 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Wheel on the SchoolWinner1955The Wheel on the SchoolMeindert De Jong1955 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Hurry Home, CandyHonor1954Hurry Home, CandyMeindert De Jong1954 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Charlotte's WebHonor1953Charlotte's WebE. B. White1953 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Good Luck to the RiderWinner1953Good Luck to the RiderJoan Phipson1953 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerCover of Secret of the AndesWinner1953Secret of the AndesAnn Nolan Clark1953 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Ginger PyeWinner1952Ginger PyeEleanor Estes1952 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Minn of the MississippiHonor1952Minn of the MississippiHolling C. Holling1952 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The DefenderHonor1952The DefenderNicholas Kalashnikoff1952 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Kildee HouseHonor1950Kildee HouseRutherford George Montgomery1950 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Daughter of the MountainsHonor1949Daughter of the MountainsLouise Rankin1949 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of King of the WindWinner1949King of the WindMarguerite Henry1949 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Misty of ChincoteagueHonor1948Misty of ChincoteagueMarguerite Henry1948 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Bhimsa, the Dancing BearHonor1946Bhimsa, the Dancing BearChristine Weston1946 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Justin Morgan Had a HorseHonor1946Justin Morgan Had a HorseMarguerite Henry1946 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Rabbit HillWinner1945Rabbit HillRobert Lawson1945 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Mountain BornHonor1944Mountain BornElizabeth Yates1944 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Mr. Popper's PenguinsHonor1939Mr. Popper's PenguinsRichard and Florence Atwater1939 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of Honk, the MooseHonor1936Honk, the MoosePhil Stong1936 Newbery Medal Honor BookCover of The Cat Who Went to HeavenWinner1931The Cat Who Went to HeavenElizabeth Coatsworth1931 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Gay Neck, the Story of a PigeonWinner1928Gay Neck, the Story of a PigeonDhan Gopal Mukerji1928 Newbery Medal winnerCover of Smoky the CowhorseWinner1927Smoky the CowhorseWill James1927 Newbery Medal winnerCover of The Voyages of Doctor DolittleWinner1923The Voyages of Doctor DolittleHugh Lofting1923 Newbery Medal winnerRuntCraig SilveyWinner2023RuntCraig Silvey2023 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers winnerAmazing Animals of Australia's National ParksGina M. NewtonWinner2017Amazing Animals of Australia's National ParksGina M. Newton2017 Eve Pownall Award winnerThe Cat: Or, How I Lost EternityJutta RichterHonor2008The Cat: Or, How I Lost EternityJutta Richter2008 Batchelder Award Honor BookForestSonya HartnettWinner2002ForestSonya Hartnett2002 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerMy DogJohn HeffernanWinner2002My DogJohn Heffernan2002 CBCA Book of the Year: Younger Readers winnerNew Faces: The Complete Book of Alternative PetsRobert E. StewartWinner1995New Faces: The Complete Book of Alternative PetsRobert E. Stewart1995 Eve Pownall Award winnerHorses in BattleVictor AmbrusWinner1975Horses in BattleVictor Ambrus1975 Carnegie Medal for Illustration winnerUhuAnnette Macarthur-OnslowWinner1970UhuAnnette Macarthur-Onslow1970 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerRafferty Rides a WinnerJoan WoodberryWinner1962Rafferty Rides a WinnerJoan Woodberry1962 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerChucaro: Wild Pony of the PampaFrancis KalnayHonor1959Chucaro: Wild Pony of the PampaFrancis Kalnay1959 Newbery Medal Honor BookKashtankaAnton ChekhovWinner1959KashtankaAnton Chekhov1959 Carnegie Medal for Illustration winnerShadrachMeindert De JongHonor1954ShadrachMeindert De Jong1954 Newbery Medal Honor BookThe Blue Cat of Castle TownCatherine CoblentzHonor1950The Blue Cat of Castle TownCatherine Coblentz1950 Newbery Medal Honor BookThe Story of Karrawingi the EmuLeslie ReesWinner1946The Story of Karrawingi the EmuLeslie Rees1946 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers winnerCover of When the Sky FallsShortlist2022When the Sky FallsPhil Earle2022 Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlistedCover of Winnie's Great WarFinalist2018Winnie's Great WarLindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut2018 Governor General's Award (text) finalistCover of The Wolves of CurrumpawShortlist2017The Wolves of CurrumpawWilliam Grill2017 Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlistedCover of Audrey (cow)Finalist2015Audrey (cow)Dan Bar-el2015 Governor General's Award (text) finalistCover of The Child's ElephantShortlist2014The Child's ElephantRachel Campbell-Johnston2014 Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlistedCover of A Boy and a Bear in a BoatShortlist2013A Boy and a Bear in a BoatDave Shelton2013 Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlistedCover of Can We Save the Tiger? (nonfiction)Shortlist2012Can We Save the Tiger? (nonfiction)Martin Jenkins2012 Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlistedCover of The Snow GooseShortlist2009The Snow Goosean edition of the 1941 novella by Paul Gallico2009 Carnegie Medal for Illustration shortlistedCover of ShimmerdogsFinalist2008ShimmerdogsDianne Linden2008 Governor General's Award (text) finalistCover of Ingrid and the WolfFinalist2006Ingrid and the WolfAndré Alexis2006 Governor General's Award (text) finalistCover of Love That DogCommended2001Love That DogSharon Creech2001 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of Fire, Bed, and BoneHighly commended1997Fire, Bed, and BoneHenrietta Branford1997 Carnegie Medal for Writing highly commendedCover of Willa And Old Miss AnnieHighly commended1994Willa And Old Miss AnnieBerlie Doherty1994 Carnegie Medal for Writing highly commendedCover of The Great Elephant ChaseCommended1992The Great Elephant ChaseGillian Cross1992 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of The Cry of the WolfHighly commended1990The Cry of the WolfMelvin Burgess1990 Carnegie Medal for Writing highly commendedCover of The Kingdom by the SeaHighly commended1990The Kingdom by the SeaRobert Westall1990 Carnegie Medal for Writing highly commendedCover of Bridget and WilliamCommended1981Bridget and WilliamJane Gardam1981 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of The Battle of Bubble and SqueakCommended1979The Battle of Bubble and SqueakPhilippa Pearce1979 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of DogsbodyCommended1975DogsbodyDiana Wynne Jones1975 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of The Dancing BearCommended1972The Dancing BearPeter Dickinson1972 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of The Roan Colt of YamboorahCommended1967The Roan Colt of YamboorahReginald Ottley1967 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedCover of By the Sandhills of YamboorahCommended1966By the Sandhills of YamboorahReginald Ottley1966 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedCover of Storm BoyCommended1964Storm BoyColin Thiele1964 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedCover of Silver Brumby's DaughterCommended1961Silver Brumby's DaughterElyne Mitchell1961 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedCover of The RescuersCommended1959The RescuersMargery Sharp1959 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedCover of The Silver BrumbyCommended1959The Silver BrumbyElyne Mitchell1959 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedHarvey Holds His OwnColleen Nelson and Tara AndersonFinalist2020Harvey Holds His OwnColleen Nelson and Tara Anderson2020 Governor General's Award (text) finalistRookAnthony McGowanShortlist2018RookAnthony McGowan2018 Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlistedThe Tragic Tale of the Great AukJan ThornhillFinalist2017The Tragic Tale of the Great AukJan Thornhill2017 Governor General's Award (illustration) finalistWhale SingerWelwyn Wilton KatzFinalist1990Whale SingerWelwyn Wilton Katz1990 Governor General's Award (text) finalistThe Wild Horse of SantanderHelen GriffithCommended1966The Wild Horse of SantanderHelen Griffith1966 Carnegie Medal for Writing commendedBeetles A'Hoy!Ada JacksonCommended1948Beetles A'Hoy!Ada Jackson1948 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedBush CobbersMusette MorellCommended1948Bush CobbersMusette Morell1948 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commendedThe Story of Shadow, the Rock WallabyLeslie ReesCommended1948The Story of Shadow, the Rock WallabyLeslie Rees1948 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers commended