Fantasy - a story including elements that are impossible such as talking animals or magical powers
T
By: Beverly Cleary
The Familiars
By Adam Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
Ordinary, stray alley cat, Aldwyn, is accidentally picked to be the magical familiar of a young wizard named Jack. When Jack is kidnapped, Aldwyn is determined to rescue him. But will his street smarts be enough to save Jack?
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Ordinary, stray alley cat, Aldwyn, is accidentally picked to be the magical familiar of a young wizard named Jack. When Jack is kidnapped, Aldwyn is determined to rescue him. But will his street smarts be enough to save Jack?
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Realistic Fiction - a story using made-up characters that takes place in modern times
Out of My Mind
By: Sharon Draper
Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it. ~goodreads.com
2013 Bluestem Winner
Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it. ~goodreads.com
2013 Bluestem Winner
Historical Fiction - a fictional story with real and invented characters that takes place during a historical time
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
By: Brian Selznick
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. ~amazon.com
2008 Caldecott Winner
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. ~amazon.com
2008 Caldecott Winner
Adventure - a journey that involves exciting events and dangerous risks
Mystery - a suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story
The Boxcar Children
By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny search for a place to call home after their parents die. Although they do have a grandfather that they have never met, they are determined not to let him find them. They think he is mean and cruel because he did not approve of their father's marriage to their mother. Jessie finds a deserted boxcar in the woods near Silver City, and the children make it into their home. While Henry finds work doing chores for Dr. Moore and his mother, Mrs. Moore, Jessie, Violet, and Benny find dishes and other necessities in the town dump. They also find a stray dog that they name Watch. ~thrivingfamily.com
Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny search for a place to call home after their parents die. Although they do have a grandfather that they have never met, they are determined not to let him find them. They think he is mean and cruel because he did not approve of their father's marriage to their mother. Jessie finds a deserted boxcar in the woods near Silver City, and the children make it into their home. While Henry finds work doing chores for Dr. Moore and his mother, Mrs. Moore, Jessie, Violet, and Benny find dishes and other necessities in the town dump. They also find a stray dog that they name Watch. ~thrivingfamily.com
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea
By: Ellis Weiner
Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't? ) ~goodreads.com
"There is a lot of action." ~Will from Ms. Cornyn's Class
Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let's say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant, if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins-adults-named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn't it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn't? ) ~goodreads.com
"There is a lot of action." ~Will from Ms. Cornyn's Class
Graphic Novel - telling a story thru a sequence of pictures and speech bubbles
Lunch Lady Series
By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Join Lunch Lady and her sidekick, Betty, as they fight crime, capture villains, serve justice.....and serve lunch!
Join Lunch Lady and her sidekick, Betty, as they fight crime, capture villains, serve justice.....and serve lunch!
Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom
By: Eric Wight
Illustrated By: Eric Wight
Fourth-grader Frankie Piccolini has a vivid imagination when it comes to cleaning his disastrously messy room, but eventually even he decides that it is just too dirty. ~islma (Illinois School Library Association)
Illustrated By: Eric Wight
Fourth-grader Frankie Piccolini has a vivid imagination when it comes to cleaning his disastrously messy room, but eventually even he decides that it is just too dirty. ~islma (Illinois School Library Association)
Poetry - the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, forexciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts
Mirror Mirror
By Marilyn Singer
Up Down
is is
Down Up?
This fun book tells several favorite fairytale stories in a very special way. Read each side of the page and discover that things are not always what they seem.....
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Up Down
is is
Down Up?
This fun book tells several favorite fairytale stories in a very special way. Read each side of the page and discover that things are not always what they seem.....
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Love That Dog
By: Sharon Creech
Meet Jack, who tells his story with a little help from some paper, a pencil, his teacher, and a dog named Sky. ~book summary
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Meet Jack, who tells his story with a little help from some paper, a pencil, his teacher, and a dog named Sky. ~book summary
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Nonfiction - all of the information is based on true facts and not made up
The Story of Snow
By: Mark Cassino
Discover many interesting facts about snowflakes as it travels from being a speck to its beautiful crystal shape.
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Discover many interesting facts about snowflakes as it travels from being a speck to its beautiful crystal shape.
Nominated for 2013 Bluestem Award
Into the Unknown
By: Stuart Ross
Ready to relive some of the most daring voyages of all time? Unfold these spectacular cross sections and explore fourteen historic journeys. ~goodreads.com
"I like the pictures." ~Sasha from Ms. Cornyn's Class
Ready to relive some of the most daring voyages of all time? Unfold these spectacular cross sections and explore fourteen historic journeys. ~goodreads.com
"I like the pictures." ~Sasha from Ms. Cornyn's Class
The Day-Glo Brothers
By: Chris Barton
Do you wonder why some colors look like they are glowing in the daytime?
Read the book and learn how "neon" colors were invented.
Do you wonder why some colors look like they are glowing in the daytime?
Read the book and learn how "neon" colors were invented.