GRADE LEVEL BOOKS
The Secret Soldier: The Story of Deborah Sampson by Ann McGovern (RL 4.3)
“Learn about courageous Deborah Sampson and the role she played in the
Revolutionary War.”
Loser by Jerry Spinelli (RL 5.5)
“Both funny and moving. A must read for children and adults.”
Danny: The Champion of the World by Roald Dahl (RL 5.5)
“A boy, living in a gypsy caravan behind his family’s filling station, tells
about the incredible adventures he has as he shares his life with his beloved
father.”
STUDENT CHOICE BOOKS
The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (RL 5.1)
“Travel back in time with Hannah as she experiences what life in a German
concentration camp was like.”
Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It? by Henry Winkler (RL 4.1)
“Did you ever have one of those days where nothing seems to go right? Hank
Zipzer has been having one of those days for about 10 years now! He’s smart,
creative, and funny, but all of his great ideas seem to get him into trouble.
See what happens to him as he begins 4th grade.”
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (RL 4.9)
“Meggie’s father is a ‘magical’ storyreader. She loves to listen to him read,
but soon learns that his reading makes stories come to life. Join her
adventure as an evil ruler lands in her livingroom one night and in dealing
with him, realizes that she too shares her father’s magic.”
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen (RL 4.2)
“Twelve-year-old Sarny's brutal life as a slave becomes even more dangerous
when a newly arrived slave offers to teach her how to read.”
The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (RL 5.7)
“Talk about the adventure of a lifetime. Two kids from our world enter the
land of Narnia, are sent on a quest to save Prince Rilian, and along the way
meet some of the most incredible creatures C.S. Lewis ever created.”
Tangerine by Edward Bloor (RL 5.4)
“This book is full of subplots that will keep you thinking. Anything is
possible when you put your mind to it.”
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BATTLE OF THE BOOKS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who will be taking part in this program?
All Centennial Elementary fifth graders will be participating in this program.
What incentives are being offered for the students taking part in this
program?
First, in January we will be giving the students a qualifying test on the
books. The students who score 70% or higher on the test will take part in a
fun panel competition in our little theater. All participants in the panel
competition will win a gift card for a new book. Second, all of the book
choices are Reading Counts books so the points earned on the tests can be
counted toward each student’s reading grade. Third, the students will be
able to earn extra credit points toward their reading or writing grades by
completing book report sheets that have been designed for the Battle of the
Books display in the library.
When does the program start and end?
We will introduce the program to the students in early September.
Information will be communicated to all families through our classroom
newsletters during the month of September. It will conclude with the panel
competition in January.
How were the books chosen?
The fifth grade teachers along with a number of other staff members chose
books they felt the students would be able to read for both learning and
enjoyment. We essentially just chose books that we loved ourselves.
Where can the students find the books?
All of the books chosen are available in our school’s media center, as well
as at the nearby public libraries. Since the demand for them will be high
during this program, it will be necessary at times for the students to be
patient and persistent when looking for the books.
Why were some books chosen with a reading level below fifth grade?
We wanted this program to be available for all students, and since research
shows that more than 70% of what young readers read should be at their
independent reading level, we felt it would be a good idea to mix in some
books with great content and easier vocabulary.
