Summer Reading List
Summer provides many opportunities for parents and young children to enjoy unforgettable
books together. Before entering each grade, a student should read or hear at least three of the
books listed for that grade. Parents of elementary students may consult one of the Read-Aloud
Handbooks by Jim Trelease for additional selections. If substitutions are needed, parents should
try other titles by the recommended authors. Please check with your local public library for the
books.
Before Entering Kindergarten
Aylesworth: Naughty Little Monkeys c2003 alphabet
Twenty-six monkeys get into mischief when their parents go out for the evening in
this rhyming alphabet book.
Bang: When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry... c1999 character
Sophie expresses her anger when she must surrender a toy to her sister.
Crews: The Neighborhood Mother Goose c2004 nursery rhymes, diversity
This collection of nursery rhymes features the familiar and unfamiliar, all set in the
city.
Ehlert: Pie in the Sky c2004 family fiction
As a father and his child view the cherry tree in their back yard, they refer to it as
a pie tree. Includes a recipe.
Kimmel: The Gingerbread Man c1993 fairy tale
This familiar fairy tale features a gingerbread man who runs away from the
woman who bakes him and meets other animals along the way, including a clever
fox.
Penn:The Kissing Hand c1993 family life
Chester Raccoon is afraid to attend kindergarten until his mother shows him a
special way to take her love along.
Pfister: Rainbow Fish animal stories
The most beautiful fish in the ocean with the
shimmering silver scales discovers the beauty of
sharing.
Pinkney: The Lion & the Mouse c2009 wordless, fairy tale
Wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even
small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the
Jungle.
Prelutsky: Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young c1986 poetry
This collection of 200 short poems is designed for young children and includes
illustrations that correlate with the poems.
Rosen: We're Going on a Bear Hunt c2003 animals, fiction
Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud and other obstacles before the
inevitable encounter with the bear forces a headlong retreat.
Rosenthal: Duck! Rabbit! c2009 animals
Two unseen characters argue about whether the creature they are looking at is a
rabbit or a duck.
Shannon: David Goes to School c1999 humor
David's school behavior needs to be improved.
Sierra: Counting Crocodiles c1997 counting, rhyming
A monkey outsmarts ten crocodiles that stand between her and a banana tree by
using her ability to count.
Sierra: Wild About Books c2004 animals, humor
A librarian accidentally drives her bookmobile to the zoo and subsequently reads a
Dr. Seuss book to the animals.
Slate: Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten c2003 school
Introduces the letters of the alphabet as Miss Bindergarten and her students get ready
for kindergarten.
Taback: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat c1999 diversity
Joseph starts out with an overcoat and ends with a button.
Thompson: Little Quack c2003 animals
Mama Duck encourages her four ducklings to leave the nest. The youngest and
smallest, Little Quack, proves to be the most reluctant.
Wood: Alphabet Adventure c2001 alphabet
The letters of the alphabet join the search to help "i" find her dot in order to
continue their journey in this colorful alphabet book.
Wood: The Napping House c1984 sleep, fiction
While a number of creatures sleep, a flea causes a commotion among them with
just one bite.
Chicka Chicka ABC
by Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Ehlert (illus.)
"A told B, and B told C, I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree." Rascally A
entices the whole alphabet up the tree, but the tree cannot handle the weight.
All the lowercase letters come crashing to the ground. Uppercase letters rush in
to comfort the little ones, and all is well -- for a while -- in this irresistible,
award-winning alphabet book. Ehlert's bright, graphic illustrations join the
foot-tapping rhyme.
Mouse Mess
Mouse Mess
by Linnea Asplind Riley
This giggle-inspiring story rhymes its way into the affections of all who read it.
When a hungry little mouse goes in search of a snack, you should never
underestimate the huge mess that follows in his wake. This delightful read-aloud with its paint
box-bright illustrations is sure to become a classic.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
A caterpillar hatches out of his egg and is very hungry. On his first day, he eats through one
piece of food; on his second, two; and so on. Little holes cut in the pages allow toddlers to
wiggle their fingers through the food, just like the caterpillar. Vivid and colorful illustrations and
ingenious layered pages help preschoolers learn the days of the week, how to count, and how a
caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
Before Entering First Grade
Read Alouds
Bailey: Stanley’s Party c2003 dogs, humor
When a dog’s owners leave for the evening, he gets into a lot of mischief.
Bloom: A Splendid Friend Indeed c2005 friendship
A polar bear and a goose learn to get along and be friends.
Bourgeois: Franklin in the Dark c1986 fear, fiction
A turtle afraid of small dark places, and therefore of crawling into his shell, asks a
variety of animals for advice, only to find out that each has a fear of its own.
Bruel: Bad Kitty c2005 alphabet
Finding that there is no food in the house, a kitty chooses to be very bad.
Carle: Mister Seahorse c2004 animals, fiction
Mrs. Seahorse lays her eggs, after which Mr. Seahorse carries the eggs through the
sea, greeting other fish fathers.
Cousins: Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales c2009 fairy tales
Simple text and bold illustrations tell eight classic fairy tales.
Cronin: Dooby, Dooby, Moo c2004 animal humor
Duck organizes the farm animals for a talent show at the county fair. The first prize
is a trampoline.
Ehlert: Market Day: A Story Told with Folk Art c2000 stories in rhyme, fiction
While keeping a diary, the young fly records how hard it is to be an insect.
Falconer: Olivia series pigs, fiction
Olivia is a feisty pig that has too much energy for her own
good.
Lester: Hooway for Wodney Wat c1999 fantasy, abilities awareness
Students in Rodney’s class make fun of him, because he can’t pronounce his name
properly; but it is his speech problem that helps to punish the class bully.
Lionni: Swimmy c1991 fish stories
A small black fish, finds a way to protect a school of small red fish from their natural
enemies.
McKinley: One Smile c2002 kindness
While walking through the park with her mother, a child smiles at a discouraged
stranger and sets off a chain of events that spreads kindness and comes full circle.
Numeroff: Beatrice Doesn't Want To c2004 realistic fiction, humor
Beatrice Doesn't Like to Read, but a librarian changes her attitude during a story
session in this humorous, well illustrated book.
Prelutsky: Me I Am c2007 poetry
A book of poem for children celebrating being an individual.
Rathmann: Ruby the Copycat c1991 school, fiction
Ruby wants to fit in on her first day at school, so she begins to copy her classmate
Angela; but then Ruby's teacher shows her how much fun it is to just be herself.
Shannon: A Bad Case of Stripes c1998 individuality, fiction
A girl who is always concerned about what others think of her wakes up one day to
discover she is covered with stripes.
Independent Reading
Capucilli: Biscuit series dog stories
Biscuit, the adorable little tan puppy, has many
adventures.
Gelman: More Spaghetti I Say c1993 stories in rhyme, humor
Minnie the monkey is too busy eating spaghett all day, in all ways to play with her
friend Freddie.
Before Entering Second Grade
Read Alouds
Brett: Town Mouse, Country Mouse c1994 fable
After trading houses, the country mice and the town mice discover there's no
place like home.
Cannon: Crickwing, Pinduli, Stellaluna, Verdi, insects, fiction
Picture books about unappreciated and fascinating creatures
Ernst: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen c2005 fantasy animals, humor
Although Sylvia Jean owns plenty of costumes, she struggles to come up with a
costume for the big party.
Hoberman: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read
Together c2001 stories in rhyme
This collection of short, rhythmic stories and cheerful art is designed to be read out
loud by both child and adult.
Hoffman: Amazing Grace c1991 diversity, fiction
Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because
she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.
Mayer: Little Critter stories fantasy, animals
Little Critter is a small creature that is amazingly
like a young human boy. His adventures take
place with different members of his family who
expose him to daily life experiences.
McKissack: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth c2000 character, ethnic diversity
A young girl promises not to ever lie but then discovers that there are times that one
actually should not tell the entire truth.
McNaughton: Once Upon an Ordinary School Day c2004 school story
Mr. Gee, the new teacher, changes "ordinary" when he challenges all the children to
use their imaginations.
Numeroff: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and sequels c1985 cumulative tales
When a mouse requests a cookie, a cycle of events occurs that brings the reader full
circle.
Orloff: I Wanna Iguana c2004 letters, fiction
Alex and his mother write notes back and forth in which Alex tries to persuade
her to let him have a baby iguana for a pet.
Pallotta: Dory Story c2000 sea story, fiction
Danny's ocean adventures are completely enchanting, even if they take place in
the bathtub.
Peet: The Ant and the Elephant c1972 animals, fiction
Of all the animals the elephant rescues, only the tiny ant returns the favor..
Polacco: Aunt Chip and the Triple Creek Dam Affair c1996 TV, reading, fiction
Since the invasion of television, no one can remember how to read.
Schachner: Skippyjon Jones c2003 humor
This Siamese kitten spends his "time-out" imagining himself as "El-Skippito"
who comes to the rescue of some Chihuahuas.
Steig: Brave Irene c1986 fiction
Brave Irene, the dressmaker's daughter, ventures out into a fierce snowstorm to
deliver the beautiful ball gown her mother has made for the duchess.
Stevens: And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon c2001 nursery rhymes
From the Mother Goose nursery rhyme, Dish and Spoon run away. Concerned
about the fate of the rhyme, Cat, Cow and Dog set out to find them.
Woodson: The Other Side c2001 friendship, ethnic diversity
A fence divides a town where two girls - one white and one black - sit and
gradually become acquainted.
Independent Reading
Crews: Below c2006 fiction
When Jack drops his action figure into a mysterious hole, he has to devise a rescue.
Lionni: Little Blue and Little Yellow c1959 friendship, colors
A little blue spot and a little yellow spot are best friends, and when they hug each
other they become green.
Lobel: Frog and Toad stories classics
Each of the frog and toad stories include several short
tales about two very good friends.
Rylant: Henry and Mudge stories family, dogs, humor
A young boy named Henry and his dog Mudge share
many adventures with Henry’s parents and other
important people in his life.
Sharmat: Nate the Great series mystery
Solve each mystery alongside the most popular sleuth
in the business.
Silverman: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa series fiction
Two new wranglers have hit the ranch. Read how the west will
never be the same again!
Before Entering Third Grade
Read Alouds
Bridges: Ruby’s Wish c2002 historical fiction, ethnic diversity
During the 1800s in China, when few girls learn to read and write, Ruby fervently
desires to attend university with all the males in her family.
Curtis: The Bat Boy and His Violin c1998 sports, music, ethnic diversity
Reginald loves to play his violin, but Papa wants him to be outdoors more and enlists him as the
bat boy for the baseball team Papa manages. Reginald plays his violin in the dugout, and the
team improves.
Independent Reading
Adler: Bones series mystery
Everyone needs bones — Detective Jeffrey Bones that is. With
his bag of detective tools in hand, read how Jeffrey can solve any
mystery.
Bourke: Christian the Lion: Based on the True Story of Anthony (Ace) Bourke, John Rendall
and Christian the Lion c2009 nonfiction
Details the experiences of Anthony Bourke and John Rendall, who bought a lion cub from a
department store, raised him as a pet, reintroduced him to the wild in Kenya and years later
received a warm welcome from the grown lion.
Bunting: One Green Apple c2006 historical fiction, ethnic diversity
Farah is new to the U.S. and her class. She feels alone until she goes on a field trip
and realizes things are alike everywhere.
Cleary: Math is CATegorical series stores in
rhyme, mathematics
Mathematical functions are explained in
rhyming text and simple, silly cartoons.
Cronin: Diary of a Fly c2007 animal fiction
A young fly discovers, day by day, that there is a lot to learn about being an insect,
including the dangers of flyswatters and that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Dadey: Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series schools,
fiction
There are some pretty weird grown-ups living in Bailey City.
DeFelice: One Potato, Two Potato c2006 fairy tale
A very poor, humble couple live so simple a life they share everything, until the
husband discovers a pot with magical powers buried under the very last potato in
the garden.
DiCamillo: Mercy Watson series animal, fantasy, humor
Welcome to the wry and endearing world of Mercy Watson,
the beloved "pig wonder" of the Watson household.
Foxworthy: Dirt On My Shirt c2008 poetry
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy presents more than thirty illustrated poems for children on
such topics as friends, bugs, family members and pretending.
Holm: Babymouse series c2005 graphic fiction, friendship, imagination
An imaginative mouse learns life lessons while living her life.
Hopkinson: Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His
Forgotten Frontier Friend) c2008 historical fiction
In Knob Creek, Kentucky, in 1816, seven-year-old Abe Lincoln falls into a creek
and is rescued by his best friend.
Johnson: Just Like Josh Gibson c2007 sports fiction, historical fiction
A grandmother recounts the story of the day she was allowed to play in a baseball
game, even though she was a girl.
Kerrin: Martin Bridge: Ready for Takeoff! c2005 fiction
Martin means well, but his ideas don’t always turn out as expected. In three standalone chapters, Martin deals with issues at home and school.
Pinkney: The Ugly Duckling c1999 fairy tale
This adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic portrays an unhappy year for
an ugly duckling who eventually grows up and transforms into a beautiful swan.
Sachar: Marvin Redpost series fiction
Marvin Redpost encounters hilarious problems with school,
family and friends.
Stilton: The Geronimo Stilton series mice, fantasy,
mystery
Geronimo Stilton is a mouse newspaper editor and
journalist who travels the world to chase important
interviews but winds up in the middle of adventures
that involve solving intriguing mysteries.
Tunnell: Mailing May c1997 historical fiction
Five-year-old May wishes to visit her grandmother, but the train is too expensive.
May's father and cousin concoct a clever means of sending the child after all.
Warner: Only Emma c2005 fiction
Emma’s mother loses her job, so Emma becomes the new kid in the school and
neighborhood. An only child, Emma’s life changes when a four year old comes for a
visit.
Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book Series)
by Peggy Parish, Fritz Siebel (illus.)
Meet Amelia Bedelia, the unflappable maid who does everything literally. With her
purse on her arm and hat firmly on her head, Amelia Bedelia follows instructions to
a T: Change the towels? Nothing a pair of scissors can't do! Dust the furniture?
That's when the perfumed dusting powder really comes in handy. Dress the chicken
for dinner -- well, do you want a boy chicken or a girl chicken? Amelia Bedelia's
well-meaning gaffs cause readers to chuckle but her employer to fume -- it's a good thing she's
such a good cook!
The Case of the Spooky Sleepover, Jigsaw Jones Mystery #4
by James Preller
Ralphie Jordan can't sleep. Something is making spooky noises in his room at night.
It's a perfect case for Jigsaw Jones, who pieces together all the ghostly clues.
Chicken Soup with Rice, A Book of Months
by Maurice Sendak
"Each month is gay, each season is nice, when eating chicken soup with rice." It's
nice in January, April, June, and December -- here's the every-month dish for
everyone to remember.
Flat Stanley
by Jeff Brown, Steve Bjorkman (illus.)
Stanley Lambchop is a nice, average boy. He leads a nice, ordinary life. Then one
day a bulletin board falls on him, and suddenly Stanley is flat. This turns out to be
very interesting. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets
to stop crime. He's flat, but he's a hero!
The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
A little boy befriends a tree. Loving and generous, the tree provides everything she
can for him -- fruit, shade, a place for a swing -- throughout the boy's life. He, in
turn, takes from the tree without noticing the sacrifices she makes. It isn't until he's
old and infirm and gratefully rests on her stump that he understands all she has
done. This powerful parable is fitting for all age groups.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
by Deborah Guarino, Steven Kellogg (illus.)
A young llama is curious -- are all his friends' mamas llamas? Each animal tells
Lloyd facts about its mother, and Lloyd -- along with young readers -- guesses what
kind of animal each mother is. The rhyming text and illustrations give hints, and
preschoolers will enjoy yelling out the answers, which are revealed by turning the
page.
Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, Junie B. Jones Series #12
by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus (illus.)
Frustrated because the rules for her class's Pet Day will not let her take her dog to
school, Junie B. Jones considers taking a raccoon, a worm, a dead fish, and other
unusual replacements.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes
Lilly the mouse adores her teacher, Mr. Slinger -- until he takes away the purple
plastic purse she was proudly showing off to her class. Lilly is so angry she draws a
nasty picture of Mr. Slinger and slips it in his bag. At the end of the day, Lilly gets
her purse back and inside is a sympathetic note and a bag of treats. As in all his
other books, Henkes shows an incredible sensitivity to children's feelings.
Martha Blah Blah
by Susan Meddaugh
When the current owner of the soup company breaks the founder's promise to have
every letter of the alphabet in every can of soup, Martha, the talking dog, takes
action.
Mrs. Katz and Tush
by Patricia Polacco
In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, an African-American boy, and Mrs.
Katz, an elderly Jewish woman, develop an unusual friendship through their mutual
concern for an abandoned cat named Tush. Together they explore the common
themes of suffering and triumph in each of their cultures.
Stellaluna
by Janell Cannon, Jewell Cannon
Stellaluna, a little brown bat, is accidentally dropped by her mother. The helpless
baby falls smack into a nest of fledglings and is immediately accepted as one of the
family. Stellaluna tries to fit in but keeps acting unbirdlike, hanging upside down
and wanting to fly at night. By chance Stellaluna is reunited with her mother and finally learns to
be a proper bat.
Tonight on the Titanic, Magic Tree House Series #17
by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (illus.)
The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie away to the decks of that ill-fated
ship, the Titanic. There they must help two children find their way to a lifeboat -while they are in danger of becoming victims of that tragic night themselves.
You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown
by Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (illus.)
Amber Brown has survived third grade -- even though her best friend, Justin,
moved away. Now she's heading to London with her Aunt Pam -- and then to Paris.
Before she gets there, Amber finds out she has chicken pox. Amber Brown is a kid
with problems. Now that she can't go to Paris, how will she convince her dad to
move back in with her mom?
Zelda and Ivy
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Zelda and Ivy are sisters with a flair for the dramatic. Whether they're performing a
circus act, fashioning their tails in the latest style, or working wonders with "fairy
dust," their exploits are described with wit and charm in a very special trio of
stories exploring the intimate dynamic between an older and younger sister.
Before Entering Fourth Grade
Abbot: Secrets of Droon series fantasy
Take along with a trio of best friends who stumble upon
the magical world of Droon.
Birney: The World According to Humphrey c2005 fiction, humor
Humphrey, a classroom hamster, surveys his surroundings and finds ways to help the
children in the class.
Bruchac: The Girl Who Helped Thunder and Other Native American Folktales
c2008 folklore
A collection of illustrated Native American folktales.
Clements: Lunch Money c1994 school, humor
Hart is a popular boy who sometimes "goofs off". When he hits the music teacher with
a rubber band, he is put in charge of the holiday concert. Both Hart and his teacher
learn lessons.
Fleming: The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School c2007 fiction,
school
Mr. Jupiter becomes the 4th grade teacher of an unruly class with surprising results.
Grimes: Talkin' About Bessie c2002 biography, ethnic diversity
How Bessie Coleman became the first African-American woman to become a
licensed pilot as told by her family and friends.
Gutman: My Weird School school, humor
A fun series of books about school life that appeal to
reluctant readers.
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat c2008 poetry
Hurwitz: Fourth Grade Fuss c2004 school story
Julio and his friends enjoy their fourth grade activities - the yard sale, ice skating, and
a surprise party; but the students get serious when they have to study for end-of-theyear statewide tests.
Kehret: Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays c1999 animals, non-fiction
Tells the story of 8 dogs who were saved from the animal shelter and went on to better
lives.
Klingel: Go Fly a Kite! (And Other Sayings We Don't Really Mean) c2008
idioms, figures of speech
Explains the meaning of many common idiomatic expressions used in English.
Mazer: Amazing Days of Abby Hayes fiction
Myers: Blues Journey c2003 poetry, ethnic diversity
Presents blues lyrics that chronicle the history of the African-American
experience, and includes information about the development of blues music.
Noble: The Last Brother (Tales of Young America series) c2006 historical fiction
Gabe becomes a bugler in the Civil War to protect his only surviving brother.
Osborne: Magic Tree House series time travel, fiction
Explore the world with Jack and Annie.
Pennypacker: Clementine c2006 fiction, series
Clementine is a funny, energetic, third grader with a talent for getting in trouble and
a heart of gold.
Shelby: Adventures of Molly Whuppie and Other Appalachian Folktales c2007
A collection of fourteen that combine traditional Appalachian folktales with
contemporary themes.
Van Draanen: Shredderman series fiction
Discover how Nolan Byrd goes from being the number
one nerd at Cedar Valley Elementary to a world
famous superhero.
Wiles: Each Little Bird Sings c2005 family life, grief, fiction
Comfort Snowberger is well acquainted with death since her family runs the funeral
parlor in their small southern town, but even so the ten-year-old is unprepared for the
series of heart-wrenching events that begins on the first day of Easter vacation with the
sudden death of her beloved great-uncle Edisto.
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown Series #1)
by Donald J. Sobol
A Civil War sword ... a watermelon stabbing ... missing roller skates ... a trapeze
artist's inheritance ... and an eyewitness who's legally blind! These are just some of
the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using his
famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him -- answers to all
the mysteries are found in the back of the book!
Go Free or Die, A Story About Harriet Tubman
by Jeri Ferris, Karen Ritz (illus.)
A biography of Harriet Tubman, the black woman whose cruel experiences as a
slave in the South led her to seek freedom in the North for herself and for others
through the Underground Railroad.
How to Eat Fried Worms
by Thomas Rockwell, Emily A. McCully (illus.)
Billy makes a bet with his friends that he can eat 15 worms in 15 days. Even with a
free choice of condiments -- from peanut butter to horseradish -- Billy wonders if
he can really do it.
The Keeping Quilt
by Patricia Polacco
When Patricia Polacco's great-great-grandmother came to America from Russia,
she made a quilt out of the family's old clothes. This quilt became a cherished
symbol of love passed down from mother to daughter for almost a century -- and
was used for a variety of purposes. Heartwarming pictures of the quilt welcoming
new babies and celebrating weddings -- even being used as a Sabbath tablecloth -- tie together
the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish family and chronicle their enduring love and
faith. In this tenth-anniversary edition, Polacco has expanded her beloved story with new pages
of text and paintings to include her own two children using the quilt in the same ways that their
ancestors did.
Miss Nelson Is Missing!
by Harry Allard, James Marshall (illus.)
The children in Miss Nelson's class go beyond misbehaving; they are downright
terrible! Near her wits' end, Miss Nelson thinks up a brilliant plan. The next day the
kids have a substitute -- the nasty Viola Swamp -- who loads the boys and girls with
homework and never gives them a story hour. By the time Miss Nelson finally
returns, the children are so grateful they behave well. But now Viola Swamp is missing!
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard Atwater, Florence Atwater, Robert Lawson (illus.)
It is hard enough for Mr. Popper to support himself, Mrs. Popper, Bill, and Janie
Popper. The addition of 12 penguins to the family makes it impossible to make both
ends meet. Then Mr. Popper has a splendid idea -- the talented penguins will be a
sensation on the stage. And so they are.... A classic of American humor, this
Newbery Honor-winning story of a gentle housepainter and his high-stepping penguins has
delighted children for generations.
Poppy
by Avi, Brian Floca (illus.)
As ruler of Dimwood Forest, Ocax the hoot owl has promised to protect the mice
occupying an abandoned farmhouse as long as they ask permission before "moving
about." Poppy, a timid deer mouse, is a loyal, obedient subject -- until she sees
Ocax devour her fiancé. To prove that the intimidating ruler is a phony, Poppy
embarks on a dangerous and eye-opening quest, which ends with her one-on-one battle with
Ocax.
Poppy and Rye
by Avi, Brian Floca (illus.)
Heartbroken over the death of her fiancé Ragweed, Poppy, a deer mouse, journeys
west through the vast Dimwood Forest to bring the sad news to Ragweed's family.
But Poppy and her prickly porcupine pal, Ereth, arrive only to discover that beavers
have flooded the serene valley where Ragweed lived. Together Poppy and
Ragweed's brother, Rye, brave kidnapping, imprisonment, and a daring rescue to fight the
beavers. At the same time, Rye -- who has lived in Ragweed's shadow -- fights to prove himself
worthy of Poppy's love.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
by Beverly Cleary, Alan Tiegreen (illus.)
Ramona feels quite grown-up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus
make dinner, and trying hard to be nice to pesky Willa Jean after school. Turning
eight years old and entering the third grade can do that to a girl. So how can her
teacher call her a nuisance?
Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb
and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay. This tender, reassuring
story is a Newbery Medal winner and a timeless classic.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
by Judy Blume, Roy Doty (illus.)
Living with his little brother, Fudge, makes Peter feel like a fourth-grade nothing.
Fudge is never far from trouble. He's a two-year-old terror who gets away with
everything -- and Peter's had enough. When Fudge walks off with Dribble, Peter's
pet turtle, it's the last straw.
Walking the Road to Freedom
by Jeri Ferris
This is the important and inspiring story of a woman who called herself Sojourner
Truth. Using only the power of her voice, she spoke out against slavery throughout
New England and the Midwest.
What Are You Figuring Now?, A Story About Benjamin Banneker
by Jeri Ferris, Amy Johnson (illus.)
A biography of the African-American farmer and self-taught mathematician,
astronomer, and surveyor for the new capital city of the United States in 1791, who
also calculated a successful almanac notable for its preciseness.
The Great Kapok Tree A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest
by Lynne Cherry
A man walks into a lush rain forest and starts chopping down a huge kapok tree.
Lulled by the heat, he sits down and soon falls asleep. The forest dwellers approach,
each whispering in his ear a reason to keep the tree standing. Suddenly, the man
wakes up, and for the first time notices the beauty all around him. Will he still chop
down the tree? The beauty of Cherry's art helps to convey an important message in this
environmental tale.
Before Entering Fifth Grade
Alvarez: How Tia Lola Learned to Teach c2010 divorce, family life, fiction
Juanita and Miguel's great aunt, Tía Lola, comes from the Dominican Republic to help
take care of them after their parents divorce, and soon she is so involved in their small
Vermont community that when her visa expires, the whole town turns out to support
her.
Clements: We the Children series c2010 mystery
Sixth-grader Ben Pratt's life is full of changes that he does not like but when the
school janitor gives him a tarnished coin with some old engravings and then dies, Ben
is drawn into an effort to keep the school from being destroyed.
Collins: Gregor the Overlander c2003 fantasy
Gregor and his two-year sister fall down a shaft in the basement and find a world of
giant insects and rats. They become part of a huge battle.
DiCamillo: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane c2006 fantasy
Edward Tulane is a selfish, thoughtless toy rabbit until he loses the little girl who
loves him.
Giff: Storyteller c2010 families, historical fiction
Forced to spend months at an aunt's house, Elizabeth feel a connection to her ancestor
Zee, whose picture hangs on the wall, and who reveals her story of hardships during
the Revolutionary War as Elizabeth comes to terms with her own troubles.
Going: The Liberation of Gabriel King c2005 race relations, friendship
Gabriel, a white boy who is being bullied, and Frita, an African-American girl facing
prejudice, decide to overcome their many fears together as they enter fifth grade in
Georgia in 1976.
Hahn: All the Lovely Bad Ones ghost stories
Travis and his sister Corey decide to boost business at their grandmother's Vermont
inn by staging a few "hauntings" that soon draw tourists from across the country, but
when their antics awaken a dark force, they must find a way to put to rest the ghosts
they have disturbed.
Hawkins: The Year the Money Grew on Trees c2008 farm life, fiction
In early 1980s New Mexico, thirteen-year-old Jackson Jones recruits his cousins and
sisters to help tend an elderly neighbor's neglected apple orchard for the chance to
make big money and, perhaps, to own the orchard.
Lowry: The Willoughbys c2008 family life, humorous stories
A tongue-in-cheek take on classic themes in children's literature, in which the four
Willoughby children set out to become "deserving orphans" after their neglectful
parents embark on a treacherous around-the-world adventure, leaving them in the care
of an odious nanny.
Lupica: Two-Minute Drill c2007 dyslexia, football stories
Brainy Scott, a great kicker who otherwise struggles with football, and star
quarterback Chris, who has dyslexia, team up to help each other succeed in both
football and school.
Maya Angelou c2007 poetry
A brief profile of African American poet Maya Angelou accompanies some of
her better known poems.
Nelson: Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, US Marshal
c2009 biography, ethnic diversity
An illustrated biography of Bass Reeves, a former slave who was recruited as a
deputy United States marshal, based on his ability to communicate with the Native
Americans in the area that was to become Oklahoma.
Paulsen: Hatchet c1987 survival, fiction
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian
wilderness, learning to survive initially with only the aid of a hatchet given to him by
his mother and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Pearson: Kingdom Keepers series suspense fiction
When Disney comes looking for five teenagers to serve as actors for a new
technology-Daylight Hologram Images (DHIs), there is more to it than
meets the eye.
Peck: A Year Down Yonder c2000 humor, historical fiction
In 1937, during the Great Depression, Mary Alice lives with her very unusual
grandmother in rural Illinois.
Smith: Bone c2004 graphic novel
Three cousins leave their home of Boneville. On their journey they meet royalty,
dragons, and monsters as they try to return home.
Stewart: The Mysterious Benedict Society c2007 fiction, adventure
Four children are secretly spies as students in the Learning Institute for the
Enlightened. They have to avoid being brainwashed by Mr. Curtain, one of the owners
of the school. This is a mystery you will be eager to see unfold.
Thomas: The Kids Guide to Money Cent$ c2004 , personal finance, nonfiction
Text and cartoon illustrations introduce kids to the concept of money.
Varius authors: 39 Clues series mystery
Follow Amy Cahill and her brother, Dan, as they travel the world
to hunt for the 39 Clues.
Various authors: Dear America series historical
fiction
Fudge-a-Mania
by Judy Blume
Peter Hatcher's summer is not looking good. First of all, Peter's brother, Fudge -the five-year-old human hurricane -- has a plan: to marry Peter's sworn enemy,
Sheila Tubman. Disgusting! Could anything be worse? Yes. Peter's parents have
decided to rent a summer house next door to the Tubmans. Which means Peter will
be stuck with Fudge and Sheila the Cootie Queen for three whole weeks! Will Peter be able to
survive the summer? It may not be the vacation of Peter's dreams, but as millions of Judy Blume
fans know, it won't be dull. When Fudge is around, anything can happen ... and does! Also
recommended: Superfudge and Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great.
The Indian in the Cupboard
by Lynne Reid Banks, Brock Cole (illus.)
The first book in this bestselling series begins with young Omri receiving an old
family wooden medicine cupboard as a birthday gift. Given to him by his mother in
order to house his plastic toy soldiers, the cupboard has a magical power: It can
bring Omri's toys to life. When his toy Indian comes alive and befriends him, Omri
finds himself involved in all kinds of adventure and excitement.
Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
by Mordecai Richler, Fritz Wegner (illus.)
Jacob Two-Two says everything twice. But the grocer thinks Jacob's being rude
when he asks for something twice, and before he knows it, Jacob has been arrested
and whisked away to Slimer's Isle. How Jacob outsmarts the jailer and saves the
children of Slimer's Isle makes for outrageously funny reading.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
by Beverly Cleary, Louis Darling (illus.)
Ralph the mouse is terrified. All he had wanted to do was ride the little motorcycle
someone had left on the table. Instead, both Ralph and the motorcycle have taken a
terrible fall -- right into the bottom of the wastepaper basket. He is trapped, left to
wait for whatever fate has in store for him. But it turns out to be Ralph's lucky day.
Along comes Keith, the owner of the toy motorcycle, who is staying with his family in the hotel
room where Ralph lives. Not only does Keith save Ralph's life, but he teaches him how to ride
the bike. And when everyone is asleep, he turns Ralph loose in the hotel halls to enjoy the biking
adventure of his life. But adventures can be both fun and trouble...as Ralph and Keith soon find
out! Also recommended: Ralph S. Mouse and Runaway Ralph.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O'Brien, Zena Bernstein (illus.)
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible
problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately or face
almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and
must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary
breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her
dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.
My Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George
Tired of big-city life, Sam Gribley runs away to the Catskill Mountains to forge a
life of his own. In this Newbery Honor book, Sam relates his adventures during the
year he spends alone, including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature,
his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship.
Also recommended: On the Far Side of the Mountain.
My Teacher Is an Alien
by Bruce Coville, Mike Wimmer (illus.)
Susan can tell that her new substitute teacher is really weird. She doesn't know how
weird until she catches him peeling off his face -- and realizes Mr. Smith is really
an alien! Now it's up to Susan and her friends to get rid of the extraterrestrial
visitor.
Native American Doctor, The Story of Susan LaFlesche Picotte
by Jeri Ferris
This is the inspiring biography of the young Omaha Indian woman who became the
first Native American woman to graduate from medical school.
Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade
by Barthe DeClements
Jenny knows one thing for sure -- Elsie Edwards is a fat thief who steals people's
lunch money to buy candy. So when the book club money disappears, why is the
whole class punished? Nothing's fair! But soon Jenny realizes some things aren't
fair for Elsie, either. Elsie is on a strict diet, but when she starts losing weight, her
mother won't buy her new clothes. Instead, she plans to send Elsie to boarding
school. Suddenly everyone wants to help Elsie. Nothing's fair in fifth grade -- but sometimes
things get better!
The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes (illus.)
While investigating a vicious murder on his ranch, Hank finds himself the No. 1
suspect. Resigning in a fit of despair, he heads for the hills to become an outlaw -where a band of ruthless coyotes is happy to teach him the trade. Or are they? They
seem to be on his side...until they unveil their plan for a raid on Hank's ranch! Hank
knows he can't beat them. Will he be forced to join them?
Owls in the Family
by Farley Mowat, Robert Frankenberg (illus.)
Owls Wol and Weeps turn a household upside down, outwit a dog with the dignity
of Mutt, and shake up a neighborhood.
Search for the Shadowman
by Joan Lowery Nixon
Twelve-year-old Andy Bonner isn't thrilled with his teacher's assignment to explore
family history. When he starts asking questions about his ancestors, he is startled to
discover a black sheep in the family tree. No one wants to reveal what happened in
his family's past. But Andy is determined to break the silence. Casting his net
widely, from the Internet to the local cemetery, Andy helps everyone realize it's never too late to
seek justice.
A Share of Freedom
by June Rae Wood
Freedom Jo is a smart-mouthed 13-year-old with an alcoholic mother, a little
brother, Jackie, whom she adores -- and no idea who her father is. Afraid of being
separated from Jackie after a binge lands their mother in an alcoholism-treatment
program, Freedom runs away with him, hoping to hide out until their mother comes
home. Her plan precipitates a chain of events that leads to the discovery of her father's identity.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
by Louis Sachar, Julie Brinckloe (illus.)
There'd been a terrible mistake. Wayside School was supposed to be built with 30
classrooms all next to each other in a row. Instead, they built the classrooms one on
top of the other ... 30 stories tall! (The builder said he was very sorry.) That may be
why all kinds of funny things happen at Wayside School -- especially on the 30th
floor. You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the meanest teacher of all; terrible Todd, who always
gets sent home early; and John, who can only read upside down -- along with all the other kids in
the crazy mixed-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about
Sammy, the new kid ... or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween!
Stuart Little
by E. B. White
Stuart Little is a mouse in the family of the Frederick C. Littles and is a pleasantly
debonair little character, with a shy, engaging manner and a somewhat
philosophical turn of mind. He is a great help around the house, and everybody
except Snowbell the cat likes him a great deal. In spite of his small size, Stuart gets
around a good bit in the world, riding a Fifth Avenue bus with some aplomb, racing
(and winning in) a sailboat in Central Park, teaching school for a day, and so on. His size -- just
over two inches -- does give him some trouble now and then, like the time he was rolled up in
the window shade, or when he got dumped into a garbage scow. But on the whole his life is a
happy one. His great adventure comes when, at the age of seven, he sets out in the world to seek
his dearest friend, Margalo, a beautiful little bird. Stuart Little, small in size only, has the
adventurousness, the great purpose, and the indomitable spirit of a heroic figure, and his story,
funny and tender and exciting by turns, will be read, re-read, and loved by young
and old.
Time for Andrew, A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
When he goes to spend the summer with his great-aunt in the family's old house,
11-year-old Drew is drawn 80 years into the past to trade places with his greatgreat-uncle, who is dying of diphtheria.
Before Entering Sixth Grade
Blackwood: The Shakespeare Stealer c1998 historical fiction, mystery
Widge, a likeable orphan, finds himself in the middle of an adventure to steal and copy
the play HAMLET from Shakespeare. He soon discovers that life in the Globe Theatre
is much better than the other places he has apprenticed.
Broach: Shakespeare's Secret c2005 mystery
Hero moves into a new town and finds she is living in an old house with an unusual
past. With the help of the police chief's son and her neighbor, Hero tries to unravel the
mystery.
Carbone: Stealing Freedom c1998 historical fiction, diversity
This story is based on the true experiences of a young slave girl who escapes to
Canada on the Underground Railroad.
Creech: The Wanderer c2000 adventure
Told through journal writings, Sophie and her cousin, Cody, share the experiences of
their journey on a sailboat, The Wanderer, from Connecticut to England with six crew
members, including her uncles and cousins.
Cushman: The Ballad of Lucy Whipple c1996 historical fiction
Lucy isn’t happy when her mother moves the family from New England to California
for the Gold Rush.
Di Camillo: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some
Soup and a Spool of Thread c2003 fantasy
Tale of a tiny mouse with huge ears, a princess that he loves, a servant girl who wishes
to be a princess and a rat named Roscuro who yearns for soup.
Funke: Inkheart c2003 fantasy
A girl and her father, a bookbinder who can “read” fictional characters into real life,
are abducted by one of the characters, who tries to force them into his service.
Giff: Nory Ryan’s Song c2000 historical fiction
Twelve-year-old Nory Ryan helps her family and neighbors survive during the 1845
potato famine in Ireland.
Golding: The Secret Within c2002 realistic fiction
Carly’s domineering father has a painful family secret that causes Carly to face danger
and seek freedom at night.
Haddix: Double Identity c2005 mystery
Bethany becomes curious about her past when her parents unexpectedly disappear
after leaving her with an aunt who she did not know existed. As the story unravels, the
conclusion uncovers a shocking secret.
Hesse: Music of the Dolphins c1996 realistic fiction
The thoughts of a young girl, who was raised by dolphins from 4 years old after a
plane crash, are recorded by a scientist as she is reintroduced to a civilized way of life.
Holm: Penny from Heaven c2006 historical fiction Newbery Honor winner
In New Jersey during the summer of 1953, eleven-year-old Penny, living with her
mother and maternal grandparents, learns the truth about her father's death and about
her upbringing after she has a serious accident.
Isaacs: Torn Thread c2000 historical fiction
During World War II, twelve year-old Eva, living in Poland at the time, is sent by her
father to a Nazi labor camp in Czechoslovakia, where her sickly sister has been taken.
Kehret: Abduction! c2004 adventure, contemporary realistic fiction
Thirteen-year-old Bonnie, on a quest to find her kidnapped brother and his dog,
becomes a victim of the kidnapper as well.
Levine: Hana's Suitcase: A True Story c2002 biography
The director of a newly opened Holocaust museum in Japan and her students
become intrigued with a suitcase from a concentration camp found among the
museum's artifacts. The story of a Czech girl, Hana Brady, a victim of the
Holocaust, unfolds through the search for information about a suitcase.
Paratore: The Wedding Planner’s Daughter c2005 humor, romance
A twelve-year-old girl, whose mother is a wedding planner, wishes for her mother to
marry.
Ryan: Esperanza Rising c2000 historical fiction, diversity
During the Great Depression, Esperanza and her mother are forced from their wealthy
home in Mexico to Southern California where they work in harsh conditions.
Selznick: The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures c2007
adventure, mystery Caldecott Medal Winner
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of
a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his
undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
Smith: Peak c2005 adventure, coming-of-age
Fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello’s goal is to become the youngest person to reach the
top of Mt. Everest.
Whelan: Angel on the Square c2001 historical fiction
In 1913 Russia, World War I and the revolution bring unwanted changes into twelveyear-old Katya's life after she joins her mother in the household of Tsar Nicholas II.
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
by Anne Frank
Discovered in the attic in which she spent the last years of
her life, Anne Frank's remarkable diary has become a
world classic -- a powerful reminder of the horrors of war
and an eloquent testament to the human spirit. In 1942,
with the Nazis occupying Holland, 13-year-old Anne and her Jewish
family went into hiding in the "secret annex" of an old office building;
while living there, Anne recorded her experiences in a diary. By turns
thoughtful, moving, and amusing, her account offers a fascinating
commentary on human courage and a compelling self-portrait of an
extraordinary young woman whose life was tragically cut short.
Chasing Redbird
by Sharon Creech
Zinnia Taylor lives in Bybanks, Kentucky, with too many
brothers and sisters -- a mess of "tadpoles" and
"pumpkins" is what her uncle Nate calls them. When
Zinny discovers a mysterious, overgrown trail that begins
on her family's farm, she's determined to clear it, from start to finish.
For she's finally found a place of her own, a place where she can go,
away from her family, to hear herself think. But what Zinny didn't
realize is that the mysteries of the trail are intertwined with her own
unanswered questions and family secrets, and that the trail -- and her
passion to uncover it -- is leading her on a journey home. CHASING
REDBIRD is a powerful, beautifully crafted story about a young girl
discovering that life is a tangle of mysteries, surprises, and everyday
occurrences -- a journey that often needs unraveling and that
sometimes must be traveled alone.
Dear Mr. Henshaw
by Beverly Cleary, Paul O. Zelinsky (illus.)
When fourth grader Leigh Botts asks Mr. Henshaw to
write to him personally, he gets more than he bargained
for. Mr. Henshaw's letters are full of questions, and Leigh
is getting tired of answering them. But as he continues
his correspondence with his favorite author, he not only gets plenty of
tips on writing, but he also finds a wise and thoughtful friend to whom
he can tell his troubles.
Frindle
by Andrew Clements, Brian Selznick (illus.)
When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of
the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a
new word and begins a chain of events that quickly
moves beyond his control.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konigsburg
The enchanting story of the unappreciated Claudia
Kincaid, "boring straight-A Claudia" (oldest child and
only girl and almost too old for half-fare tickets), who
runs away with her little brother Jamie to live in the
Metropolitan Museum, FILES is a sentimental favorite
with a remarkable heroine. Crammed with fascinating details -strategies for hiding in a museum, techniques for bathing in a fountain,
the smell of a 16th-century bed (musty), and tantalizing peeks at the
Met and its treasures -- it's a grand adventure. More important, FILES
is the story of Claudia's quest to define herself. In the fulfillment of
that quest, her own resourcefulness is bolstered by a statue that may or
may not be by Michelangelo; a brother who proves to be a fabulous
ally; and the wise, prickly Mrs. Frankweiler herself.
Holes
by Louis Sachar
As further evidence of his family's bad fortune, which
they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley
Yelnats is sent to a hellish boys' juvenile detention center in the Texas
desert. As punishment, the boys here must each dig a hole every day,
five feet deep and five feet across. Ultimately, Stanley "digs up the
truth" -- and through his experience, finds his first real friend, a
treasure, and a new sense of himself. HOLES is a wildly inventive,
darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment -- and redemption.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
by Bette Bao Lord, Marc Simont (illus.)
Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with
a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New
York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but
Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make
friends. Then a miracle -- baseball -- happens. It is 1947,
and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero.
Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave,
can make a difference in America. And for Shirley as well, on the ball
field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell
In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish
sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim,
otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound.
Once, Indians also lived on the island. And when they
left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind.
This is the story of Karana, the Indian girl who lived alone for years on
the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Year after year, she watched one
season pass into another and waited for a ship to take her away. But
while she waited, she kept herself alive by building a shelter, making
weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies, the wild dogs. Island
of the Blue Dolphins is not only an unusual adventure of survival but
also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.
Matilda
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illus.)
Matilda Wormwood started reading books at the age of
four, but her crooked father and bingo-playing mother
regard book reading as a waste of time -- and much prefer
watching TV. In fact, they take no notice of their genius
daughter at all! Only Miss Honey, Matilda's lovely and
gentle teacher, recognizes her special gifts. Yet Miss Honey has
problems of her own: Her aunt is the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull, an
evil headmistress who bullies children and parents alike -- and has
taken Miss Honey's house and money. Can Matilda use her
extraordinary talents to seek revenge -- and make all of the wrong-
doing grown-ups pay? Also recommended: James and the Giant
Peach.
Mick Harte Was Here
by Barbara Park
How could someone like Mick die? He was the kid who
freaked out his mom by putting a ceramic eye in a
defrosted chicken, the kid who did a wild dance in front
of the whole school -- and the kid who, if only he had
worn his bicycle helmet, would still be alive today. But
now Phoebe Harte's 12-year-old brother is gone, and Phoebe's world
has turned upside down. With her trademark candor and compassion,
beloved middle-grade writer Barbara Park tells how Phoebe copes
with her painful loss in this story filled with sadness, humor -- and
hope.
My Daniel
by Pam Conrad
Wandering through the Natural History Museum with her
grandchildren, Julia Creath feels the presence of her dead
brother, Daniel. She remembers a time when fossil fever
hit everyone, old and young -- a time when people would
even kill for those old bones under the ground. Julia
becomes the Nebraska farm girl she once was, as she weaves together
the story of the great dinosaur rush -- an adventurous tale of love and
treachery, but most of all the story of her own childhood, and of the
older brother she loved more than anything. Daniel had a dream: to
save their family farm by finding a dinosaur. It was a dream that Julia
shared -- and that she alone would see come true.
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend
Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's
now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with
school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in
their town. When the Nazis begin "relocating" the Jews
of Denmark, Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part
of the family. And as Annemarie helps shelter her Jewish friend from
the Nazis and embarks on a dangerous mission, she learns how to be
brave and courageous -- to save her best friend's life.
Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Eleven-year-old Marty Preston loves to spend time up in
the hills behind his home near Friendly, West Virginia.
Sometimes he takes his .22 rifle to see what he can shoot,
like some cans lined up on a rail fence. Other times he
goes up early in the morning just to sit and watch the fox and deer. But
one summer Sunday, Marty comes across something different on the
road just past the old Shiloh schoolhouses -- a young beagle -- and the
trouble begins. What do you do when a dog you suspect is being
mistreated runs away and comes to you? When it is someone else's
dog? When the man who owns him has a gun? This is Marty's
problem, and he finds it is one he has to face alone. When his solution
gets too big for him to handle, things become more frightening still.
Finally, Marty puts his courage on the line and discovers in the process
that it is not always easy to separate right from wrong. Sometimes,
however, you'll do almost anything to save a dog you love.
The View from Saturday
by E. L. Konigsburg
It was a surprise to a lot of people when Mrs. Olinski's
team won the sixth-grade Academic Bowl contest at
Epiphany Middle School. It was an even bigger surprise
when they beat the seventh grade and the eighth grade,
too. And when they went on to even greater victories,
everyone began to ask: How did it happen? Mrs. Olinski, returning to
teaching after having been injured in an automobile accident, found
that her Academic Bowl team became her answer to finding
confidence and success. What she did not know, at least at first, was
that her team knew better than she did the answer to why they had
been chosen. This is a tale about a team, a class, a school, a series of
contests and, set in the midst of this, four jewel-like short stories -- one
for each of the team members -- that ask questions and
demonstrate surprising answers.
Wait Till Helen Comes, A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
Molly and Michael dislike their spooky new stepsister
Heather but realize that they must try to save her when she seems
ready to follow a ghost child to her doom.
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her
country roots and the "Indian-ness in her blood," travels
from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents.
Along the way, she tells of the story of Phoebe
Winterbottom, who received mysterious messages, who met a
"potential lunatic," and whose mother disappeared. Beneath Phoebe's
story is Salamanca's own story and that of her mother, who left one
April morning for Idaho, promising to return before the tulips
bloomed. Sal's mother has not, however, returned, and the trip to Idaho
takes on a growing urgency as Salamanca hopes to get to Idaho in time
for her mother's birthday and bring her back, despite her father's
warning that she is fishing in the air. This richly layered Newbery
Medal-winning novel is in turn funny, mysterious, and touching.