MYP Learner Profile Reading List
“The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and
shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. IB learners strive to be…”1
INQUIRERS
“They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct
inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy
learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.” 2
Abrahams, Peter
Down the Rabbit Hole
Wanting to be a “noticer of little things” like Sherlock Holmes, Ingrid gets a bad start by losing herself in her own town.
Soon she has involved herself in a great deal of trouble, but emerges as a compelling character by showing determination
to notice details and a willingness to take action.
Ibbotsson, Eva
Journey to the River Sea
Maia’s love of learning and natural curiosity find expression when she goes to the Amazon with her Tutor.
Napoli, Donna Jo
Bound
Xing Xing has learned from her father to value the arts of painting, calligraphy and poetry, but with his death, she is
treated as a servant by her stepmother and must practice in secret. Yet the hidden gifts from her mother, a beautiful robe
and golden slippers, give Xing Xing the courage to attend the festival …. A wonderful variant of the Chinese Cinderella
story.
Oppel, Kenneth
Airborne
After finding an airship adrift, its captain and crew having met an uncertain fate, Matt and Kate search for the airborne
creatures the captain, Kate’s Grandfather, wrote of in his journal.
Weeks, Sarah
So B. It
“Soof” is one of only 23 words in her mother’s vocabulary. Heidi is curious about the word, but can only speculate about
its meaning until the undeveloped film in a camera offers her more tangible clues.
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2
IB Learner Profile Booklet (Cardiff, Wales: International Baccalaureate Organization, 2006).
IB Learner Profile
KNOWLEDGABLE
“They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.
In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding
across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.”3
Barron, T.A.
The Ancient One
Acting to preserve a redwood forest, Kate takes instruction from the Halami’s deep knowledge of the natural world.
Dickinson, Peter
A Bone from a Dry Sea
In alternating chapters, Dickinson weaves the stories of Li, an intelligent child of prehistory who develops new
technologies to benefit her people and Vinny who, visiting her paleontologist father in Africa, begins to comprehend the
significance of her discoveries.
Paulsen, Gary
Canyons
Moved by the spirit of an Apache boy, Brennan runs with the fragments of the boy to a sacred place where he is able to
understand the boy’s desire to be set free.
Pullman, Philip
The Golden Compass
Lyra, raised among scholars at Oxford, is taken under the wing of Mrs. Coulter in order to prepare for an expedition to the
North. With her familiar Pantalaimon, Lyra must learn, as well, whom she can trust.
White, T.H.
The Once and Future King
Under the inspired tutelage of Merlyn, Wart, the young King Arthur, acquires knowledge and understanding in
preparation for his role as King.
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IB Learner Profile
THINKERS
“They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to
recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical
decisions.”4
Bauer, Joan
Hope was Here
Hope has spent her life moving from place to place. She surprises even herself when she becomes involved in local
politics to help solve problems in her new community.
Card, Orson Scott
Ender’s Game
Because of his intelligence and skill at war games, Ender is recruited by the Battle School. A masterful strategist, Ender
commands brilliantly, unaware that he is no longer playing a game.
Carroll, Lewis
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
After falling down a rabbit hole, Alice tries to puzzle out the situation in which she finds herself but has a difficult time
applying logic to such nonsense.
Sutcliff, Rosemary
Black Ships before Troy: the story of the Iliad
Careful to retain the rich detail of the original, Sutcliffe retells the story of Helen, Paris, and Hector, and of course
Odysseus whose masterful plot figures in the destruction of Troy.
Wolff, Virginia Euwer
Make Lemonade
LaVaughn has a plan for her life, and because she needs a job she baby-sits for Jolly’s children. She knows that Jolly
needs to take charge of her life, and her own thoughtful engagement in Jolly’s problems begins to take hold.
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IB Learner Profile
COMMUNICATORS
“They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively
in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They
work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.”5
Cooper, Susan
King of Shadows
When Nat, a young actor readying to play the part of Puck at the reconstructed Globe Theater, becomes ill, he suddenly
finds himself performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Will Shakespeare.
Corder, Zizou
Lion Boy
Ever since he was a baby Charlie has been able to communicate with cats. Now, when his mother and father have been
kidnapped, he uses his ability to help track his mother and father from London to Paris and beyond.
D’Adamo, Francesco
Iqbal
Iqbal is skilled at communicating the truth of his situation and his desire to free the children whose parents, in desperate
need, have sold them into slavery. The character in this short novel is based on Iqbal Masih, a crusader for justice.
Funke, Cornelia
Inkheart
Can reading aloud bring characters to life? Meggie’s father has the cursed gift and has resolved never to read aloud again.
But the characters he has let loose are still abroad in the land making mischief.
Henkes, Kevin.
Olive’s Ocean
Martha learns through Olive’s journal that Olive had wished to become her friend. With this puzzling thought Martha
takes thoughtful steps to give meaning to Olive’s death.
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IB Learner Profile
T
PRINCIPLED
“They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and
respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take
responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany
them.”6
Budhos, Marina
Ask me no Questions
“Sometimes… you have to tell them who you are,” Nadira tells her sister. In the United States without visas, Nadira’s
family lives in the shadows, but after 9/11, they are suddenly very visible.
Dowell, Frances O'Roark.
Dovey Coe: a novel
Dovey Coe watches out for her deaf brother Amos, and in doing so, sets the stage for the accusation against her. In the
story lies the solution to the murder.
Hale, Shannon
Goose Girl
Betrayed by those close to her, Princess Ani is able to make the best of the twists of fate that lead her to being a goose
girl, and to reach the happy every after of her marriage to the prince.
Leavitt, Martine
Heck, superhero
Heck hopes that doing good deeds will right his world, just like superheroes that he draws. And yet there is so much
wrong in his world.
Ritter, John
Choosing up sides
Having grown up with his left hand tied behind him so that he wouldn’t use it, Luke is amazed to discover he is a natural
left-handed pitcher. Yet, in order to play he must overcome his father’s strong objections to sports as well as his lefthandedness.
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IB Learner Profile
OPEN-MINDED
“They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and
are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and
communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points
of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.”7
Holt, Kimberly Willis
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town
It’s summer and Toby and Cal do all the small town things in Antler, Texas: go to the Dairy Maid, ride bicycles, and even
make friends with Zachary Beaver, the fattest boy in the world. However, overshadowing the summer is that fact that
Cal’s brother Wayne is in Vietnam and Toby’s mother has gone away.
Lisle, Janet Taylor
The Art of Keeping Cool
With his father missing in action, Robert goes to Rhode Island with his mother to stay with his grandparents for the
duration of the war. There he makes friends with his cousin Elliot and learns of a dark episode in his family’s history.
Salisbury, Graham
Under the Blood Red Sun
In the aftermath of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Tomi and Billy are challenged to remain friends when Japanese
Americans in Hawaii are suddenly considered the enemy.
.
Spinelli, Jerry
Stargirl
When Stargirl Caraway comes to a new school in Arizona, she’s not a bit like others. She wins over the crowd, for a
while, but her strangeness is ultimately difficult for the HS crowd to accept.
Zemser, Amy Bronwen.
Beyond the Mango Tree
When Sarina, tied to a Mango tree by her disturbed mother, is cut free by Boima, a young Liberian, she is able to observe
how Boima’s world differs deeply from hers.
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IB Learner Profile
CARING
“They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of
others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive
difference to the lives of others and to the environment.”8
Anderson, Laurie Halse
Speak
Melanie is spending her freshman year of high school year as an outcast. She hasn’t spoken since the end of summer
party. And the only place she feels comfortable is in Mr. Freeman’s art room.
Avi
Crispin Cross of Lead
When his mother dies, the boy find himself accused of theft and murder and ordered to be killed on sight. His flight from
the village puts him in the company of a traveling juggler, Bear, in whose company he learns the price of freedom.
Choldenko, Gennifer
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Moving to the unlikely place of Alcatraz Island where his father finds work as a prison guard, Moose takes on new
responsibilities for his autistic sister. His kindness towards Natalie in play is one of the greatest of his qualities.
Fleischman, Paul
Mind’s Eye
Reading a travel guide book aloud, Courtney is able to recreate a journey to Italy in her mind’s eye and in that of her
roommate, a retired English teacher, as she begins to overcome her bitterness at being paralyzed.
Magorian, Michelle
Good Night, Mr. Tom
Evacuated from London to the safety of the countryside, Willie is taken in by Mr. Tom whose gentle ways give him a
home for the first time. When Willie’s mother asks for Willie to return, Tom is anxious and goes to London to find him.
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IB Learner Profile
RISK-TAKERS
“They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and
forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas
and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.”9
.
Riordan, Rick
The Lightning Thief
Although he doesn’t know it at first, Percy Jackson is no ordinary mortal. A quest requires great courage of our hero and
his friends.
Ryan, Pam Munoz
Esperanza Rising
Esperanza’s world of comfort and privilege is taken from her and she’s forced to do things she never before imagined
possible to help her family survive.
Stevenson, Robert Louis
Treasure Island
After discovering a treasure map, Jim Hawkins joins the crew of a ship bound for Treasure Island. Although the language
takes getting used to, there is no equal to Stevenson for pirates and thrilling adventure.
Wilson, Diane Lee
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade
After an injury, Oyuna, a child of 14th Century Mongolia, feels most free on her horse. Her way with horses leads her to
take a courageous path.
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IB Learner Profile
BALANCED
“They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance
to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.”10
Cushman, Karen
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Growing in knowledge and self trust, Alyce accumulates a store of qualities that will lead her to a balanced life.
Ibbottson,
Star of Kazan
Anika’s appreciation of the full and useful life she leads in Vienna is challenged when her long-held dream comes true.
Martin, Ann M.
A Corner of the Universe
Hattie’s companionship with her uncle Adam dispels the closed secret of her family’s past, widens her circle of friends,
and, in spite of tragedy, brings her family into balance.
Mikaelsen, Ben
Touching Spirit Bear
Cole has caused serious damage to another boy. At his court hearing, he is given a choice to spend time alone on an
island. There, he struggles with his anger and discovers a way to face his mistakes and come to a balance point.
Paterson, Katherine
The Same Stuff as Stars
Angel is only twelve, but she seems to be the only functional adult in her life. By book’s end she is has come closer to a
point of balance in her own life and that of her family.
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IB Learner Profile
REFLECTIVE
“They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They
are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to
support their learning and personal development.”11
Dickinson, Peter
Eva
After a critical accident, Eva is kept alive in the body of a chimpanzee. In the process of getting used to her new skin, she
raises questions about what it means to be human, to be chimpanzee.
Howe, James
The Watcher
From the stairs above the beach the girl, reflecting in her journal, imagines the life guard to be a guardian angel and the
family she watches to be perfect. The actions of the characters, at first separate from one other, then necessary, converge.
The Fear Place
Gordon understands his fear of heights and tries to avoid situations that put his fears to the test. And yet, ultimately, his
concern for his brother outweighs his fear.
Park, Linda Sue
When my name was Keoko
Although limited by the conditions of life in occupied Korea, both Sun-hee and her brother Tae-yul come to understand
their strengths and to act with courage.
Perkins, Lynne Rae
Criss Cross
Wishing for change, hoping for transformation, friends Debbie and Hector’s paths run parallel, but will they cross?
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IB Learner Profile