Favorite Books for Fifth-Graders
Our panel of children's book experts recommends these great books for your fifth-grader.
By GreatSchools Book Nook Experts
Fiction
by MaryAnn Easley (Boys Mill Press, 1998).
This book is sort of a girls' version of Gary Paulsen's classic
Hatchet. In both stories, a teenage character is stranded in the wilderness following a plane crash. In
I Am the Ice Worm,
14-year-old Allison is rescued from the Alaskan wild by an Inupiat
trapper, who takes her to his village to stay until she can be reunited
with her mother. Allison's upbringing in an upper-class family in
southern California certainly didn't prepare her for this icy
adventure, but she turns out to have courage and adaptability that she
didn't expect. Though Allison may initially seem too "girly" for boy
readers, this novel has a great blend of adventure, wilderness and
family matters that will captivate boys and girls alike.127 pages.
Click here to buy the book on Powells.com.
Sheila Ashdown and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Gary Paulsen (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
The story is about Brian, 13, and how he manages to survive 54
days in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Brian was flying
to visit his father when the pilot dies of a heart attack in
mid-flight. Brian crash lands the plane into a small lake and swims out
of the wreckage. He has his clothing, a tattered windbreaker and a
hatchet (a gift from his mother). The novel takes us through Brian's
days, how he learns patience through his experiences with failures and
small successes: building a fire, fishing and hunting, making his
shelter a safe one. He endures a porcupine attack, a tornado and being
utterly alone for almost two months. This is a tale of adventure but,
more importantly, it is a tale of character growth. This edition
includes a new introduction and sidebar commentary by the author. 192
pages.
Pauline Harris
by David Almond (Dell-Laurel Leaf, 1999).
Kit's
family moves to Stoneygate, an old coal-mining town where his family
has lived for generations, to be near his ailing grandfather. Here, Kit
is invited by an odd neighbor boy to play a game called Death. The game
and the town's haunted history get under Kit's skin, while the lines
between reality and fantasy begin to blur. This multi-generational tale
is engrossing and chilling. 229 pages.
Click here to buy the book on Powells.com.
Sheila Ashdown and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Roland Smith (Harcourt, 2007).
When
14-year-old Peak Marcello is caught scaling a skyscraper to place his
signature graffiti tag, he is offered a choice: spend three years in
juvenile detention or climb Mt. Everest with his long-absent father.
Though the choice might be easy, the journey is not. Peak is physically
and emotionally challenged by the grueling climb, the weather, and the
politics and drama of climbing culture. And the pressure is on, because
if Peak can reach the summit before his 15th birthday, he'll break a
world record and gain glory and money. Peak is gripping and surprising,
and though it's written for a middle-grade audience, readers young and
old will be sucked in by the sharp writing and memorable characters.
246 pages.
Click here to buy the book on Powells.com.
Sheila Ashdown and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Geraldine McCaughrean (Harper Teen, 2005).
Sym
Wates is obsessed with everything Antarctic - especially the doomed
explorer Titus Oates, who died in a 1911 expedition to the South Pole.
She is thrilled when her uncle Victor arranges to take her to
Antarctica, but her delight doesn't last; it turns out that Uncle
Victor has a strange ulterior motive for the trip and that some of
Sym's fellow travelers aren't who they claim to be - especially Uncle
Victor.
The White Darkness weaves history, family drama and adventure into a thrilling tale. 373 pages.
Click here to buy the book on Powells.com.
Sheila Ashdown and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Gary Soto (Harcourt Paperbacks, 2000).
Set in a Latino community in Fresno, California, these contemporary
short stories take on universal life lessons. Perfect for a fifth-grade
reader, Soto is gifted at telling tales that intrigue and instruct
kids.
Baseball in April is sure to inspire discussion, so chat about it with your child. Originally published in 1990. 111 pages.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by George McDonald, illustrated by Maurice Sendak (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1984).
Just when you think your child might be getting too old for fairy
tales, along comes this amazing 19th-century princess story to change
both of your minds. Chock-full of puns and mixed with just the right
blend of whimsy and ethics lessons,
The Light Princess deserves a fresh set of 21st-century eyes. Resoundingly recommended. 110 pages.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (Yearling, 1988).
Described by many children as "the best book ever," this is fantasy at
its best. Full of irony and insights, Juster created a masterpiece when
he wrote
The Phantom Tollbooth.
Give this book to your child and let the wave of words and numbers
sweep them into a fantastical world. A clever, almost indescribable
book that you may already know about, but is too indispensable to keep
from mentioning it here. First published in 1961. 255 pages.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Frances Burnett, illustrated by Tasha Tudor (HarperCollins, 1911).
Beautifully written, the book shows two selfish, disagreeable children
transformed by the magic of nature and their own imaginations as they
work to bring a near-dead garden back to life. For the serious kid
reader, this is a stay-up-all night, flashlight-under-the-covers story
with fine watercolor illustrations. Hodgson combines realism, mystery
and moral sensibility to make a world children will love. 368 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Read Aloud: Ages 9+. Read Alone: Ages 11+.
Common Sense Media
by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Wayne Geehan (Charlesbridge Publishing, 1999).
This book is the perfect read-aloud to introduce the concepts of
circumference, diameter and radius. Students will be exposed to many
other geometric shapes as well. Children of all ages will enjoy this
mathematical adventure. Sir Circumference and his Knight work to solve
a mathematical dilemma. What would be the best-shaped table for Sir
Circumference to gather his knights? Will it be a square, rectangle,
parallelogram or circle? You must read to find out. 32 pages.
Jennifer Thompson
by Katherine Paterson (Houghton Mifflin, 2006).
Life in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1912 wasn't easy. ... Born to
Italian immigrants, Rosa's parents and older sister work in the mills.
After her father died in a mill accident, Rosa's mother took in a
family of boarders. Even though they needed the money, Rosa's feisty
mother insisted that 12-year-old Rosa attend school rather than work in
the mill. ... With her unfailing empathy for the young, Paterson
combines the thoughts and feelings of a timid child who is torn between
the admonitions of an admired teacher who talks against an unfolding
mill strike and her earthy Italian mother who, along with Rosa's older
sister, participates wholeheartedly in the strike. ... Once again,
Paterson displays her gift for bringing the hard past to life for
present-day readers. 288 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Theodore Taylor (Yearling, 2002).
Set during World War II in the Dutch West Indies, this is a story about
true friendship, survival and overcoming racism. This enduring tale
strikes many of the same chords today as it did in 1969, the year it
was first published. 144 pages.
Krisha Roach
by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 1971).
The Newbery Medal winner for 1961, this book could be seen as a
precursor to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (see below). Karana is a
12-year-old Native American who refuses to abandon her 6-year-old
brother when her island, Ghalas-at (off the Southern California coast)
is evacuated. Shortly thereafter, he tragically dies after being
attacked by wild dogs, and Karana begins her solitary wait for a ship
to come for her. She waits 18 years. Karana survives by foraging,
fishing in the ocean, defending herself from wild dogs and elephant
seals, and hiding from the Aleut tribe. Told from her point of view, we
share the details of her day-to-day life, watch the days turn into
years, and wait for the ship to carry her off her lonely island. O'Dell
based this novel on an actual historical figure, known as The Lost
Woman of San Nicolas, who lived on the island from 1835-1853. 192
pages.
Pauline Harris
by E. L. Konigsburg (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
This is brilliant writing for brilliant kids. There are mentions of
matters sexual and violent, but they are glancing references, nothing
more. There is some mild swearing. Families can talk about the general
historical background and Hitler's specific views of art. Why would
controlling art have been so important to a dictator like Hitler? Why
would others risk their lives for it? What could make a painting so
important? Also, the author is sometimes very subtle, and even gifted
readers may need some help sorting out the story. 244 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 10-12, Read Aloud: 10+, Read Alone: 11+.
Common Sense Media
by Robbie Scott and Gary Cianciarulo (Perfect Paperback, 2007).
This is great historical fiction for children. The story takes
place in 1866 at the tip of the Marin Headlands in Northern California.
Shipwrecks, pirate adventure, bigotry, friendships, local flavor - this
book has it all to hold the attention of the tween crowd. The
protagonists are Emma, Sue and Harris (all 12 years old) and Rascal
Pratt, a self-proclaimed pirate who is older than he looks. Achilles,
Sue's grandfather, a blind, Native American ranch worker, asks Rascal
to find the long-lost treasure of Sir Francis Drake, so that he can buy
his freedom from the ranch. The action takes place at a lighthouse and
the nearby shoreline and ocean. Because of the wonderful period detail
found here, this book is a perfect tie-in for "Talk Like a Pirate Day"
on September 19! 207 pages.
Pauline Harris
by Lois Lowry (Houghton Mifflin Children's Books, 1989).
A brave Danish girl helps smuggle her Jewish friends to safety.
Lowry's sense of timing and choice of details put readers in the middle
of the story. A riveting read, but your kids may have questions
afterward. 137 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 9+, Read Alone: 10+.
Common Sense Media
by Richard Peck (Dial Books, 2007).
This book is a funny, poignant book about life on the home front during
World War II. There is some violence: a father is knocked out with a
wrench, a girl's hand is caught in a rat trap, and an old lady likes to
tell tales of gruesome injuries. Families can talk about the
differences between life then and now. What aspects of Davy's life
sound similar to your own? Which are completely different? Does it
sound like it was fun to grow up then? Is it more fun now? What else
have you seen and read about World War II? 148 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 9+, Read Alone: 10+.
Common Sense Media
by Gary Blackwood (Puffin Books, 2000).
Fourteen-year-old orphan Widge works for a mean and unscrupulous
master who goes by the name of Falconer. Ordered to steal the script
for Hamlet, Widge is taken to London and forced to attend a performance
of the play. Instead of concentrating on stealing the script, he
becomes engrossed in the show. Reluctantly, Widge admits his failure to
Falconer and is told to return until his mission is accomplished.
Nothing goes as planned and a very surprised Widge finds himself an
accepted member of the backstage crew. Once a lonely outcast, he has
friends and a place to call home for the first time in his life. Will
he have the moral integrity to disobey his master or will he betray his
new family? Set in Elizabethan London, The Shakespeare Stealer
introduces us to Shakespearean stagecraft, life on the streets of
London and to the truth behind the youthful appearance of Queen
Elizabeth I! 216 pages.
Kepler's Books
by Paula Fox (Penguin Putnam, 2004).
This moderately graphic depiction of the worst of the slave trade,
told exclusively from a white boy's point of view, will raise many
questions, both historical and moral. Though the reading level is
middle to upper elementary, sensitive children may find it very
disturbing. 176 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 10+, Read Alone: 11+.
Common Sense Media
by Peter Sis (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2007).
This award-winner shows a child's view of the Cold War. This serious
book deserves time and close attention. There are many big political
and philosophical ideas, and mentions of events that may disturb some
children, including a plane hijacking, imprisonments and deaths.
Families can talk about and compare what was happening in America
during that time. Are grandparents available to share their own
memories of the Cold War era? Families can also explore the Western
cultural touchstones that meant so much to Sis - the Beach Boys, the
Beatles. Awards: Caldecott Honor, New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Award, Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice, School Library Journal Best
Book, Parents' Choice Award Winner, Horn Book Fanfare. 56 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 8-12, Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 12+.
Common Sense Media
by Polly Horvath (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003).
Ratchet loves her selfish mother but receives little in return.
Without warning or luggage of any sort, Ratchet's mother ships her to
Maine to spend the summer with two elderly relatives. Tilly and Penpen
are un-identical twins who are tremendously eccentric; they are also
kind and generous. A laugh-aloud, farcical story evolves from this
unlikely premise. Winner of the 2003 National Book Award for Children's
Literature. 208 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Polly Horvath, illustrated by Marylin Hafner (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2004).
Whether it's waking up to find toads in their shoes or searching for
cheese when their cow makes lemonade, the Pepin family's endless
tangles entertain the reader. Lucky for them they have the author,
whose insight into their hilarious misfortunes helps guide them in
problem solving. 192 pages.
Children's Choices
by Kenneth Derby (Holiday House, 2004).
Tony Baloney is obsessed with David Letterman and is determined to be a
guest on his show. This fast-paced, action-packed story is sure to keep
the reader amused - top 10 lists and all! 144 pages.
Children's Choices
by Jack Gantos (HarperTrophy, 2004).
Now that Joey's divorced mom has a new boyfriend, his dad has returned
to town to buzz their house on his roaring motorcycle. The fact that
his own sick, elderly mother is living with his son and former wife
doesn't deter him at all. When Joey's mom sends him to be homeschooled
with a bratty blind girl with a religious mother whose motto is "What
Would Jesus Do?" Joey adopts this motto - with his own modifications.
While the premises of Joey's story - no allies except a small dog and a
sick old lady - are harsh, the book is hilarious. 240 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Kenneth Oppel (Eos, 2005).
Matt is a cabin boy on board a luxurious airship, the Aurora. Matt
meets Kate, who has arranged for a flight on the Aurora so that she can
investigate diary entries her grandfather made regarding large, feline
creatures with bat-like wings. Soon, the Aurora is attacked by pirates
and forced by a storm to land on a tropical island. While exploring the
island, Matt and Kate stumble across the bones of one of the "cloud
cats" and observe one living in the treetops. But they are captured by
the pirates, whose hideout is on the very same island. Will Matt and
Kate be able to escape? You won't want to stop turning the pages until
you know the answer! Rich with action, the character development does
not suffer. Matt and Kate are likable heroes, the pirates vile and even
the airship, Aurora, takes on a personality of its own. 544 pages.
Kepler's Books
by Blue Balliett (Scholastic, 2004).
Mysterious letters, picture puzzles called "pentominoes" and a stolen
painting by the Dutch artist Vermeer unite unlikely friends, Petra
Andalee and Calder Pillay, in an effort to solve a mystery. 254 pages.
Krisha Roach
by Donald J. Sobol (Dutton, 2007).
Children will enjoy beating Encyclopedia Brown to the solution in each
of these 10 short stories. The cases require different knowledge to
solve them, so this collection is good for budding history buffs and
scientists. 128 pages.
Children's Choices
by E.L. Konigsburg (Simon & Schuster, 1967).
Twelve-year-old Claudia and her younger brother Jamie are running
away from the tyranny of unappreciative parents and the drudgery of
day-to-day living. Claudia has carefully hand-picked the beautiful
Metropolitan Museum of Art as their new home. There they quite
unexpectedly stumble upon an unknown statue by none other than
Michelangelo...or is it? Winner of the 1967 Newbery Award. 162 pages.
Krisha Roach
by Dan Gutman (Simon & Schuster, 2006).
Young readers will recognize their classmates and maybe themselves in
the key witnesses who describe the events (interrogation-style) leading
up to the discovery, use and destruction of a computer that was
supposed to make kids' lives easier. It didn't. 160 pages.
Children's Choices
(series) by various authors writing as Lady Grace Cavendish (Random House, 2004-2006).
Lady Grace Cavendish is the Nancy Drew of the Elizabethan Age, an
independent-minded teenager whose godmother just happens to be
Elizabeth I. Court intrigues and rivalries, swashbucklers, unlikely
friends and a mystery in each book make these very lively historical
novels.
© Parents' Choice
by Deborah Abela, illustrated by George O'Connor (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2005).
An 11-year-old girl discovers boredom is the least of her problems
during the summer she spends at her aunt's farm. Her secret-agent
stories take on a new reality when she happens upon a real spy ring.
This story is the ultimate thriller for our age. 240 pages.
Children's Choices
by Michael Hoeye (Penguin, 2004).
Hermux is a watchmaker who also happens to be a mouse. He is mostly
content with his life of order and quiet nights curled up with some
cheese and a good book, but that all changes when one Linka Perflinger,
aviatrix and daredevil, enters and mysteriously exits the picture. 279
pages.
Krisha Roach
by Watt Key (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2006).
In the piney woods of south Alabama, 10-year-old Moon Blake has
been raised by his survivalist father, a paranoid Viet Nam veteran.
When his father dies, Moon buries him beside his mother, who had
softened their harsh existence while she lived. Not long before he
died, Moon's father told him to write him letters after his death - and
if Moon burned the letters, the messages would reach him. Pap called
these "smoke letters." ... With a wonderful villain and touches of
distinctive humor, the author takes his wiry, tough, goodhearted hero
through a residence in a boys' "home," a true friendship, assorted
escapes and into a happy ending. ... This debut novel is absolutely
first-rate. 304 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic, 2005).
Naomi Leon Outlaw is many things: a great sister, a kind granddaughter
and an excellent soap carver, but she is having a harder time just
being Naomi. Her journey to find her own true voice and reconnect with
her father takes her from a trailer park in Lemon Tree, California, to
a radish-carving festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. 272 pages.
Krisha Roach
by Gloria Whelan (Harper Trophy, 2001).
Set in India, this is a lyrical and compassionate portrait of a
survivor. Thirteen-year-old Koly is getting married to someone she has
never met. When her new husband turns out to be gravely ill, things
take a turn for the worse. Koly finds herself widowed, hopeless and on
the streets. 192 pages.
Krisha Roach
by K.L. Going (Penguin Young Readers Group, 2005).
Frita Wilson works hard to help her friend Gabe to overcome the
fear of bullies in fifth grade. This is an inspiring story about
friendship and understanding between an African American girl and a
white boy. 151 pages.
Children's Choices
by Jerry Spinelli (Little, Brown, 1990).
A homeless orphan becomes a legend in a town divided by racism in this
sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always exciting story. Jeffrey
Magee's exploits may have made him famous, but reconciling a town
filled with hate and finding a decent life for himself may be more than
even he can manage. 184 pages. Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and Newbery
Medal.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 9-12, Read Aloud: 9+, Read Alone: 9+.
Common Sense Media
by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Mark Elliott (Simon & Schuster, 2007).
This is an ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful school story. Parents
need to know that there is nothing to be concerned about here and lots
to cheer. It's a story that even reluctant readers can love, about
good-hearted children and adults who grow in compassion and
understanding. Families can talk about silence and civil disobedience.
Why does the silence seem so powerful? How does it change everyone's
perceptions? What do you think of the standoff between Dave and the
principal? 146 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 8-12, Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 9+.
Common Sense Media
by Eleanor Porter (Simon and Schuster, 2002, first published in 1913).
A tonic in cynical times, this book offers a philosophy of life
that can have a big impact on younger children. Playing the Glad Game
is worth a try for any family. Like other books of its time, Pollyanna
contains a few comments that are considered racist by modern standards:
a maid is referred to as "Black Tilly," and there are several comments
to the effect that little boys from India are "heathens" who "don't
know any more than to think that God was in that [idol]." 304 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 9+, Read Alone: 10+.
Common Sense Media
by Gary Schmidt (Clarion Books, 2007).
On Wednesday afternoons half of Holling's class leaves school early for
Catechism class. The other half leaves early for Hebrew School. That
leaves Presbyterian Holling alone every Wednesday afternoon with his
teacher, Mrs. Baker. Neither of them is happy at the prospect, and
Holling is sure Mrs. Baker hates him as a result. At first, Mrs. Baker
just has Holling clean erasers, but then decides to make better use of
the time by introducing him to Shakespeare. And as events in the larger
world during the 1967-68 school year unfold in the background, Holling
begins to learn about himself, his family, friends and the mysterious
adult world. 264 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Read Aloud: Ages 10. Read Alone: Age 11.
Common Sense Media
by E. L. Konigsburg (Simon and Schuster, 1996).
Main characters not only compete in an academic contest (contest
answers included at the back!) but also outwit the class bullies using
brains, not brawn. Nadia, Noah, Ethan and Julian, so closely linked in
friendship that they call themselves "the Souls," each narrates a part
of the book. Part of the pleasure comes from watching the foursome's
varied life experiences help them succeed as an Academic Bowl Team, and
part comes from the suspense generated at the story's beginning: How
does Mrs. Olinski select the children for her team? Only Noah, Nadia,
Ethan, and Julian know - and in alternating chapters, each one tells a
different piece of the story of how they became friends. The calamitous
wedding of Nadia's grandfather and Ethan's grandmother, where Noah
fills in as best man, is just the beginning. Mrs. Olinski, a
paraplegic, proves to be an indomitable coach as the foursome wins one
victory after another. 163 pages. Newbery Medal winner.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Recommended Reading Level: Ages 9-12. Read Alone: 11+.
Common Sense Media
by Dan and Zaki Gordon (Random House, 1998).
Children are encouraged to interact with the exciting story. When
melodramatically read aloud, it's a sure success. The Bugle Boy models
brave steadfast friendship. The toys are animated by the power of
imagination, and represent characters from various other stories. 170
pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 7+, Read Alone: 9+.
Common Sense Media
by Sherwood Smith, illustrated by William Stout (HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005).
This book transports the reader back to the enchanted land of Oz,
but it is a much different Oz than the one to which Dorothy traveled.
Two girls named Dori and Em will try to save Oz from yet another wicked
witch. 272 pages.
Children's Choices
by Jeff Stone (Random House, 2006).
Follow the adventures of 12-year-old Seh (snake), Fu (tiger) and Malao
(monkey) in 17th-century China. With the many twists and turns in the
plot, you never know who is friend or foe. Even family members are not
always who they seem to be. 208 pages.
Children's Choices
by Salman Rushdie (Penguin, 1999).
Rushdie's only children's book begins somewhere in Western Asia.
Drawing upon the folklore of India and Muslim cultures, the story takes
its father and son heroes on a quest from our contemporary world into a
magnificently conceived "other" world. In the real world, Rashid
Khalifa, the father, has lost his remarkable ability to tell stories,
earning the moniker the Shah of Blah. Simultaneously, in the fantasy
world, stories are disappearing from the Sea of Stories. Haroun,
Rashid's son, searches for the mysterious cause of his father's loss
and remedy to restore his talent. He encounters situations and
characters of great originality, humor and imagination in a fast-moving
tale full of word play and clever dialogue. 224 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Cornelia Funke, translated from the German by Anthea Bell (Scholastic, 2003).
Meggie's life changed forever one rainy night when she looked out the
window and saw a stranger standing outside her window. This was her
first sighting of Dustfinger, one of many colorful characters that her
father brought to life from the pages of the book Inkheart. Meggie's
father, Mo, has a special talent - when he reads aloud, characters from
the book switch places with people from the outside world. In fact,
Meggie does not know this yet, but this is how her own mother
disappeared nine years before. Now, the evil Capricorn wants another
character brought to life, and is determined to have Mo read aloud.
This fascinating multi-layered story is an enjoyable but dark read for
anyone who loves a good story within a story. 534 pages.
Mindy Thuna
by Georgia Byng, illustrated by Mark Zug (HarperCollins, 2005).
Molly's time travels take her to India in the late 1800s. The
high-speed novel fascinates readers as the nasty maharaja of Waqt sets
about kidnapping Molly at ages 10, 6 and 3, and as a baby. 400 pages.
Children's Choices
by John Flanagan (Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2005).
Will wants to attend Battleschool to serve the kingdom. His small size
leads him to be assigned as a Ranger's apprentice. His bravery and
skills eventually fulfill his dream of protecting the kingdom. 249
pages.
Children's Choices
by Philip Pullman, illustrated by Peter Bailey (Random House, 2005).
This scarecrow is not from a cornfield in Oz. He is from a real
cornfield, but he springs to life and goes on many dangerous
adventures. The biggest danger is from a family that the reader is sure
to find exciting. 229 pages.
Children's Choices
by Michael Buckley (Scholastic, 2007).
Have you read the Brothers Grimm classic book of fairy tales? Did you
think they were "just stories"? That is what sisters Sabrina and Daphne
Grimm thought until their parents mysteriously disappeared one day.
After being shuffled through several foster homes, they end up with a
woman named Relda Grimm. Relda claims to be their grandmother and
informs the sisters that the fairy tales are actually historical events
collected by their ancestors, whose role has always been to maintain
the fragile peace between the humans and the Everafters, the proper
term for fairy-tale creatures. Daphne, the younger sister, loves Relda
and their new life, while Sabrina is skeptical. Everything changes,
however, when their grandmother and Mr. Canis, the butler, are
kidnapped by a giant and the girls have no choice but to rescue their
newfound family. 284 pages.
Mindy Thuna
by Michael Buckley (Scholastic, 2007).
Now that Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are living with their grandmother
Relda in Ferryport Landing, New York, the time to start school has
arrived. Daphne is in second grade, with Snow White as a teacher, and
school could not be more fun. Sabrina, on the other hand, is in sixth
grade and quickly discovers that the entire sixth-grade teaching staff
is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Not only that, but the majority
of the students sleep through every class and have not done their
homework. When Sabrina's homeroom teacher, Mr. Grumpner, is found dead
and dangling from a spider's web, the Grimm family must step in and try
to solve the crime before more people get hurt. 290 pages.
Mindy Thuna
by David Almond (Random House, 1998).
Is the creature dying in Michael's garage a man, a bird, an angel or
all three? And what is his connection to Michael's baby sister, who's
in the hospital with a heart problem? This gorgeously weird novel holds
readers entranced in a spell woven of moonlight, owls and poetry. Among
the many pleasures of this atmospheric and stunningly beautiful novel
are the characters of Michael, a deeply empathetic boy, and Mina, who
studies birds and William Blake (and who should be the poster child for
home schooling) - and the tender and touching relationship Michael and
Mina develop in caring for Skellig and worrying about his baby sister.
182 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Recommended Reading Level: Ages 9-12 Read Alone: 11+
Common Sense Media
by Adam Rex (Hyperion, 2007).
A rollicking adventure told by young Gratuity Tucci, this is the
story of the invasion of Earth by aliens known as the Boov. All
Americans are relocated to Florida (but then to Texas, once the Boov
figure out the joys of orange juice). Gratuity only wants to find her
mom. She sets out on her own, joins forces with a renegade Boovian
mechanic named J.Lo, has to figure out how to save the Earth, and then
the Boov from the Gorg. Good grief, what a mess! But Gratuity Tucci is
a heroine of the most invincible kind: a small, 12-year-old girl. And
in the grand tradition of small, 12-year-old girls everywhere, she is
completely underestimated by absolutely everyone! 423 pages.
Kepler's Books
by Ursula Le Guin (Bantam Books Published, 2006).
This is high fantasy, written by a master, one of the great works of
young adult literature of the 20th century. So what keeps the pages
turning? For turn they do - this thoughtful and thought-provoking novel
hasn't stayed in print for 40 years for nothing. It's all in the
details, the gradual unfolding and perfecting of another world, with
its own rules and geography and magic. 183 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 10+, Read Aloud: 10+, Read Alone: 11+.
Common Sense Media
by Dugald A. Steer, illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert, John Howe, and
Helen Ward (Candlewick Press, 2005).
This book is chock full of information presented in somewhat old
English. The fascinating thing about this book is all the manipulatives
it has on each page. These manipulatives give added depth to the
spells, diagrams, and ultimately to the learning. 28 pages.
Children's Choices
by Madeleine L'Engle (Yearling, 1973).
A children's classic from the 1960s,
A Wrinkle in Time still
captures audiences today. Lovers of fantasy, science fiction and time
travel will devour this book. And they will certainly want to read the
other books in the series. Join the Wallace children in this magical
adventure to planet Uriel. Many complex themes, such as good versus
evil, family relationships, and love and courage, offer a great
springboard for important character education discussions. 256 pages.
Jennifer Thompson
by Mary Mapes Dodge (TorBooks, 1993).
In this enduring winter classic, Hans and his sister Gretel must find a
way to help their desperately poor family survive. Their chance to win
the coveted silver skates in a race on the village's frozen canals
could save them all. Continuously in print since 1865, this is a
timeless classic of love and loyalty to share with a new generation.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Jutta Goetze (Allen & Unwin, 2006).
Snow Wings is a fantasy where evil forces have taken over the
world. Six kids must learn to face their fears and work together to
save the planet in this page-turner that takes its heroes on alpine
adventures involving avalanche rescues, ski races, snow lizards, flying
sleighs and magical snowmen. An engaging fantasy mixed with a
modern-day thriller. 300 pages.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
by Gary Paulsen (Laurel Leaf, 1998).
The winter room is where Eldon, his brother Wayne, old Uncle David
and the rest of the family gather on icy-cold Minnesota nights, sitting
in front of the stove. There the boys listen eagerly to all of Uncle
David's tall tales of bygone loggers. When the boys begin to doubt
their uncle's stories, he stops telling them altogether, until they
discover something special about him. Modern day mythology filled with
incredible descriptive scenes. 112 pages.
Danielle Marshall and the Kids' Team at
Powells.com
Nonfiction
by Pamela S. Turner (Houghton Mifflin, 2005).
The veterinarians of Rwanda's Mountain Gorilla Project make house
calls - or rather, "forest calls" - tracking down and treating ailing
gorillas in the wild. Short chapters present dramatic accounts of real
incidents, such as an expedition to untangle a gorilla from an antelope
snare or the rescue of an orphaned baby gorilla. Factual information
about these endangered animals is included, as well as full-color
photos of the gorillas and the doctors. This book will appeal to animal
lovers and to kids thinking of careers as veterinarians or naturalists.
64 pages.
Reading grade level: 7, Interest grade level: 4-8.
Ellen Phillips
by Russell Freedman (Clarion Books, 1999).
This is an uplifting sports bio for tweens and up. Parents need to know
that Babe struggles with prejudice against women. Written with verve
that matches Babe's personality, this true story will encourage young
readers, especially those interested in sports. Families who read this
book could discuss how Babe's discipline helped her win at a time when
women were not accepted in sports. Why were woment treated this way?
How have things changed? Do they need to change more? 192 pages.
Read the
complete review on the Common Sense Media Web site.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 10, Read Alone: 11.
Common Sense Media
by Mark Mathabane (Free Press, 1998).
Mathabane's autobiography is testimony to living in a brutal,
bigoted society. Intended for older readers, this story informs
first-hand about the unpredictable attacks and sheer madness of
Apartheid and a government that is now, fortunately, historical. The
author eloquently rises above the suffering inflicted by the secret
police on his family and friends, giving readers a story that
powerfully portrays personal ingenuity and courage. 368 pages.
© Parents' Choice
written by Lady Hestia Evans, edited by Dugald A. Steer (Candlewick, 2007).
The illustrations, maps and interactive pop-ups in this book will
develop a child's interest in mythology. Add to that a sidebar of
mystery on every page, and they will learn the relationships between
the characters in no time. 332 pages.
Children's Choices
by Josephine Nobisso, illustrated by Eva Montanari (Gingerbread House, 2004).
This nonfiction text offers older students the chance to explore the
genres of writing in an easy-to-use format. The characters and
illustrations were found to be intriguing enough to make students want
to finish the book. 40 pages.
Children's Choices
by Gregory Tang, illustrated by Harry Briggs (Scholastic, 2004).
Parents and teachers alike, if you want a fun and innovative way
to motivate your math students, this book is for you! Tang cleverly
teaches problem solving through the use of mind-stretching riddles.
Don't expect the ordinary with this book. Children are taught to look
for patterns and solve problems in unexpected ways. In fact, your child
will be so engrossed that he won't even realize the educational value
of this book. 40 pages.
Jennifer Thompson
by John Farndon (DK Publishing, 2007).
The name of the book alone gets readers to pick it up. Once open,
they'll find weird and interesting facts. Readers engage in learning
through rich illustrations of the world's best-kept secrets. This book
contains much more than just trivia. 256 pages.
Children's Choices
by Jeremy Leslie and David Roberts (DK Publishing, 2006).
Longtime publisher of kid's information-weighted books and
software, Dorling Kindersley (DK) is trying to bring the
computer-mesmerized, videogame-addicted, next-generation kids back to
books. And this energetic, colorful, oddball compendium of info "you
need to know" tackles that objective head-on. ... True to DK's
approach, this plump collection of all and everything is illustrated to
the extreme, some of its pages dominated with poignant or wacky photos
and minimal explanations, others filled with words in the tiniest of
type. ... Unconventional, yes, but the book is fun and fascinating, and
aptly titled. Young readers will pick it up again and again, and
undoubtedly learn something they "need to know." 352 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Emeril Lagasse, illustrated by Charles Yuen (HarperCollins, 2006).
Star chef Emeril Lagasse takes readers' taste buds on a trip around the
world in this follow-up book to his two previous kids' cookbooks (
There's a Chef in My Soup! and
There's a Chef in My Family!).
Young chefs will enjoy this lively cookbook that includes more than 70
recipes from every region of the world. The format is friendly with
clear ingredient lists and numbered directions. There are pronunciation
guides for foreign names, interesting food and cultural facts (for
instance, in Ireland, salmon is the most prized fish and thought to
have magical powers), and bright and colorful illustrations of the
dishes. This book would be a great way to get the whole family into the
kitchen and cooking together. 210 pages.
Interest grade level: 5+.
Ellen Phillips
by Felicity Dahl and Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake and Jan Baldwin (Puffin, 2003).
If the Addams Family had a favorite cookbook, this would be it.
Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake have teamed up again to create the
companion volume to his first culinary compendium, Roald Dahl's
Revolting Recipes. Aficionados will recognize some of the dishes from
Mr. Dahl's other works, including
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
While some of the recipes may sound fairly disgusting, none of them
really is. The titles alone are enough to fill young and mischievous
cooks with glee as they look forward to presenting company with a plate
of Soil with Engine Oil or some Boiled Slobbages. Parents, please note:
While the dishes are calculated to appeal to younger appetites, the
directions may get a bit overwhelming for junior chefs. Adult
supervision is the rule rather than the exception here, so get a firm
grip on your sense of humor and wade on in. Who knew lizard's tails
could be so tasty? 64 pages.
© Parents' Choice
by Maxine Anderson (Nomad Press, 2006).
This book begins with an introduction to the Renaissance and a
biography of Leonardo da Vinci, including excerpts from his notebooks
and reproductions of his drawings. But the main attraction of this book
is the inclusion of step-by-step instructions for making 19 of da
Vinci's inventions, including a perspectograph, camera obscura,
hydrometer, invisible ink, walk-on-water shoes and miniature versions
of his helicopter and tank. Adult supervision is recommended, where
appropriate. Hands-on kids will love this book. 128 pages.
Reading grade level: 6, Interest grade level: 5-8.
Ellen Phillips
by Sheri Amsel (Adams Media, 2007).
The books in Adams Media's Everything Kids' series provide encyclopedic
yet entertaining introductions to their topics, and this volume on the
environment is no exception. Perfect for the curious child, this guide
- filled with eco-friendly activities and puzzles - shows them how to
reduce waste, recycle materials and protect plants and animals. 144
pages.
Danielle Marshall
by Leslie Dendy and Mel Boring, illustrated by C. B. Mordan (Holt, 2005).
This book tells the true stories of 10 scientists and medical
researchers who devoted their lives and risked their own health to do
scientific research. The accounts are intriguing and fascinating, but
be warned that they don't all have happy endings. George Fordyce
explored the limits of the human ability to endure extreme heat.
Peruvian medical student Daniel Carrion and American doctor Jesse
Lazear inoculated themselves with deadly tropical diseases. Lazzaro
Spallanzani swallowed a variety of things (that most people wouldn't
and shouldn't) to study the process of digestion. Each chapter includes
a section "Now We Know," which extends the information and brings it up
to date. This book will appeal to young scientists, but it's not for
the squeamish. 224 pages.
Reading grade level: 6, Interest grade level: 5-8.
Ellen Phillips
by Julie Hall, illustrated by Sarah Lane (Green Goat Books, 2007).
A great find,
A Hot Planet Needs Cool Kids features
the very latest information about the causes and effects of climate
change without being heavy-handed. Through its hands-on activities,
eco-hero stories and hopeful message, this book will inspire kids and
their families and schools to join the fight against global warming. 88
pages.
Danielle Marshall
by Joseph B. Treaster (Kingfisher, 2007).
The author of this book, longtime New York Times reporter Joseph
Treaster, was in the New Orleans city hall when Hurricane Katrina hit
the city in 2005. He draws on his experiences covering Katrina and its
aftermath to provide younger readers with a first-hand look at the
deadly storms we call hurricanes. Along with his eyewitness accounts,
there is information about what scientists currently know about how and
why hurricanes form, how they are tracked, and how they impact coastal
areas. Precautions and planning for future storms are also discussed.
Dramatic color photos enhance the solid information presented in this
book. 128 pages.
Interest grade level: 5+.
Ellen Phillips
by Al Gore (Viking Juvenile, 2007).
An Inconvenient Truth is an adaptation for younger readers of
the 2006 bestseller and Oscar-winning documentary by the same name.
This juvenile and teen edition contains simplified text enhanced by
dramatic photographs, illustrations and graphs. Al Gore suggests that
the global-warming crisis provides an opportunity for change through
four simple steps. A head start on environmentalism and a must-read for
kids and their parents. Highly recommended. 192 pages.
Danielle Marshall
by Keltie Thomas, illustrated by Greg Hall (Maple Tree Press, 2005).
Young readers who enjoy basketball will love this book. Beyond the
usual retelling of the history of the game (the physical education
teacher who nailed the peach baskets to the gymnasium balcony to give
athletes something to do in the winter), this book provides information
about the rules of the game, how to become a better player, anecdotes
about legendary players, how equipment has evolved over time and tips
on game strategy. Conversational text is interspersed with lively
illustrations, diagrams and photographs. Even reluctant readers might
actually take a break from shooting hoops to read this one. 64 pages.
Interest grade level: 5+.
Ellen Phillips
Pauline Harris is a children's librarian with the San Francisco Public Library, and the mother of three daughters, all under the age of 6.
Darlene Kenny is the
librarian at San Francisco's Clarendon Elementary School, a California
Distinguished School. Darlene has been Clarendon's librarian for 20
years, during which time both her son and her nephew graduated from the
school.
Dr. Jan LaBonty is a professor in the School of Education at the University of Montana.
Danielle Marshall
is a former longtime bookseller, most notably for Powell's Books in
Portland, Oregon. She continues her love of all things book related by
now working as the marketing manager for Beyond Words Publishing, best
known as the publisher of
The Secret. When not working or reading, you can find Danielle with a saucepan or an iPod in her hands.
Ellen Phillips
holds a master's degree in library and information management and has
been a librarian in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District in
California for 22 years. She has worked in both elementary and
secondary libraries, created recommended book lists for K-12 teachers
and managed motivational reading programs for both elementary and
secondary school students. Ellen is the mother of two grown daughters,
both avid readers.
Krisha Ashley Roach
is an early education administrator. As a former book seller for over
16 years she created reading lists for K-12 teachers. Krisha is the
mother of three boys, ages 13, 10 and 2.
Jennifer Thompson
is a Reading Specialist for the Manassas City Public Schools in
Virginia. She was recently awarded the Washington Post's Agnes Meyer
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. Jennifer has 18 years of
teaching experience, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction,
and a Reading Specialist License for K-12.
Mindy Thuna has worked
in both public and academic libraries, including the children's
department at the largest library in the Toronto Public Library system.
Prior to librarianship, Mindy completed her B.S. degree in paleontology
and a masters in vertebrate morphology. She has also worked as an
educator in a variety of eclectic locations, including The National
Museum of
Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya.
Common Sense Media
is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping parents make informed media and entertainment choices for their families.
Kepler's Books,
a half-century old, full-service general bookstore in Menlo Park, California.
Antonia Squire
is the buyer and manager of the children's department there. Squire
believes that a reluctant reader is one who has not yet found the right
book, and takes great pleasure in putting the right book in the hands
of the right child.
