Fantasy - a story including elements that are impossible such as talking animals or magical powers
The Name of This Book Is Secret
By Pseudonymous Bosch
Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret. ~goodreads.com
Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret. ~goodreads.com
Savvy
By: Ingrid Law
Mississippi Beaumont (Mibs for short) is excited about her 13th birthday for that is when her magic power called a "savvy" will be revealed. But on her special day, a tragic event turns her world upside down, and everything starts to go wrong. Now, she can only hope that her "savvy" can save her family and make things right again.
Mississippi Beaumont (Mibs for short) is excited about her 13th birthday for that is when her magic power called a "savvy" will be revealed. But on her special day, a tragic event turns her world upside down, and everything starts to go wrong. Now, she can only hope that her "savvy" can save her family and make things right again.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh
By: Robert C. O'Brien
Time is running out for Mrs Frisby. She must move her family of mice before the farmer destroys their home. But her youngest son, Timothy, is too ill to survive the move.
Help comes in the unexpected form of a group of mysterious, super-intelligent rats. But the rats are in danger too, and little by little Mrs Frisby discovers their extraordinary past . . . ~books.google.com
Time is running out for Mrs Frisby. She must move her family of mice before the farmer destroys their home. But her youngest son, Timothy, is too ill to survive the move.
Help comes in the unexpected form of a group of mysterious, super-intelligent rats. But the rats are in danger too, and little by little Mrs Frisby discovers their extraordinary past . . . ~books.google.com
Half Magic
By: Edward Eager
A classic book about four siblings who find a coin that is half magic. When you make a wish, only half of it comes true, with some surprising results.
~La Grange Public Library
A classic book about four siblings who find a coin that is half magic. When you make a wish, only half of it comes true, with some surprising results.
~La Grange Public Library
Historical Fiction - a fictional story with real and invented characters that takes place during a historical time
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
By: Eleanor Coerr
Hiroshima-born Sadako is lively and athletic--the star of her school's running team. And then the dizzy spells start. Soon gravely ill with leukemia, the "atom bomb disease," Sadako faces her future with spirit and bravery. Recalling a Japanese legend, Sadako sets to work folding paper cranes. For the legend holds that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the extraordinary courage that made one young woman a heroine in Japan. ~amazon.com
Hiroshima-born Sadako is lively and athletic--the star of her school's running team. And then the dizzy spells start. Soon gravely ill with leukemia, the "atom bomb disease," Sadako faces her future with spirit and bravery. Recalling a Japanese legend, Sadako sets to work folding paper cranes. For the legend holds that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the extraordinary courage that made one young woman a heroine in Japan. ~amazon.com
War Horse
By: Michael Morpurgo
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again? ~goodreads.com
Nominated for Bluestem 2013
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again? ~goodreads.com
Nominated for Bluestem 2013
Realistic Fiction - a story using made-up characters that takes place in modern times
Because of Mr. Terupt
By: Rob Buyea
It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone. ~goodreads.com
It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone. ~goodreads.com
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School
By: Candace Fleming
The fourth graders at Aesop Elementary are, well, unusual. There’s Calvin Tallywong, who wants to go back to kindergarten. But when he actually gets the chance, he’s forced to do the squirrel dance and wear a yellow-school-bus name tag. The moral of his story? Be careful what you wish for. Then there’s Amisha Spelwadi, who can spell wildebeest, no problem. She’s sure she’ll get 100 percent on her spelling test. But when the teacher, Mr. Jupiter, asks the class to spell cat, all Amisha can come up with is kat. The moral this time? Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Here’s a collection of contemporary fables about a hilariously rambunctious group of kids and their amazing teacher that is sure to delight students and teachers alike! ~amazon.com
The fourth graders at Aesop Elementary are, well, unusual. There’s Calvin Tallywong, who wants to go back to kindergarten. But when he actually gets the chance, he’s forced to do the squirrel dance and wear a yellow-school-bus name tag. The moral of his story? Be careful what you wish for. Then there’s Amisha Spelwadi, who can spell wildebeest, no problem. She’s sure she’ll get 100 percent on her spelling test. But when the teacher, Mr. Jupiter, asks the class to spell cat, all Amisha can come up with is kat. The moral this time? Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Here’s a collection of contemporary fables about a hilariously rambunctious group of kids and their amazing teacher that is sure to delight students and teachers alike! ~amazon.com
No Talking
By: Andrew Clements
It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication. In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life... ~amazon.com
It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication. In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life... ~amazon.com
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
By: Judy Blume
Peter Hatcher feels like a fourth grade nothing. His little brother, Fudge is causing problems for him all the time. Fudge gets away with every temper tantrum and always messes up Peter's things including his homework. The last straw is when Fudge walks off with Peter's pet turtle, Dribble. It is now time for Peter to get his parents to pay attention to him for a change. This is a book that would be well suited for kids with younger siblings because they can probably relate to Peter's difficulties with Fudge.
~Kristy Pastore (all readers.com)
Peter Hatcher feels like a fourth grade nothing. His little brother, Fudge is causing problems for him all the time. Fudge gets away with every temper tantrum and always messes up Peter's things including his homework. The last straw is when Fudge walks off with Peter's pet turtle, Dribble. It is now time for Peter to get his parents to pay attention to him for a change. This is a book that would be well suited for kids with younger siblings because they can probably relate to Peter's difficulties with Fudge.
~Kristy Pastore (all readers.com)
Dork Diaries: Book 4
Tales from the Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
By: Rachel Renee Russell
Nikki Maxwell isn’t at all surprised to find out that her crush Brandon volunteers at a local animal shelter. He’s such a sweet guy—of course he wants to help those adorable puppies! Then Brandon tells her that the shelter is in danger of closing, and Nikki knows she can’t let that happen. Especially when she discovers a shocking secret about Brandon that makes keeping that shelter open more important than ever. So Nikki and her friends Chloe and Zoey enter an ice skating competition to help raise money for the shelter, but (big surprise) Mackenzie has to stick her nose in and cause trouble so that she can be the one to swoop in and save the day. No way will Nikki let that happen: She’ll just have to come up with some extra creative ideas this time! ~amazon.com
"It's very interesting, and once you read the first page, you will want to read the rest!" ~Golda from Ms. Donhost's class
Nikki Maxwell isn’t at all surprised to find out that her crush Brandon volunteers at a local animal shelter. He’s such a sweet guy—of course he wants to help those adorable puppies! Then Brandon tells her that the shelter is in danger of closing, and Nikki knows she can’t let that happen. Especially when she discovers a shocking secret about Brandon that makes keeping that shelter open more important than ever. So Nikki and her friends Chloe and Zoey enter an ice skating competition to help raise money for the shelter, but (big surprise) Mackenzie has to stick her nose in and cause trouble so that she can be the one to swoop in and save the day. No way will Nikki let that happen: She’ll just have to come up with some extra creative ideas this time! ~amazon.com
"It's very interesting, and once you read the first page, you will want to read the rest!" ~Golda from Ms. Donhost's class
Guitar Notes
By: Mary Amato
A heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship forged between a straight-A, classical musician and a bad-boy guitar player told through notes, lyrics, texts, and narration. ~goodreads.com
I like this book because it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are passing notes in secret about music. It is a very addicting book, and I love music. ~ Peggy from Ms. Connell's Class
A heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship forged between a straight-A, classical musician and a bad-boy guitar player told through notes, lyrics, texts, and narration. ~goodreads.com
I like this book because it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are passing notes in secret about music. It is a very addicting book, and I love music. ~ Peggy from Ms. Connell's Class
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
Two - Minute Mysteries
By: Donald Sobol (author of Encyclopedia Brown series)
YOU spot the clues...YOU match wits with the famous detective Dr. Haledjian...YOU solve it!
79 quick mysteries, filled with very tricky clues. Answers are given, if you need them. Ready, Watson?
YOU spot the clues...YOU match wits with the famous detective Dr. Haledjian...YOU solve it!
79 quick mysteries, filled with very tricky clues. Answers are given, if you need them. Ready, Watson?
Poetry - the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts
Follow, Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems (Companion to Mirror, Mirror)
By: Marilyn Singer
Illustrated By: Josee Masse
Had fun in Mirror, Mirror?
Read Follow, Follow. It's even better.
Guess which stories are told.
It is a new twist on tales of old.
Illustrated By: Josee Masse
Had fun in Mirror, Mirror?
Read Follow, Follow. It's even better.
Guess which stories are told.
It is a new twist on tales of old.