SOCIAL STUDIES - COLONIAL LIFE
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BOOK LIST FOR FIFTH GRADERS
Great Schools Book Nook experts recommend these great books for your fifth-grader.
Baseball in April and Other Stories
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.
The Light Princess
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
The Phantom Tollbooth
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
The Secret Garden
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.
Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12, Read Aloud: 9+, Read Alone: 11+.
Common Sense
Media
Fun Books About Math
Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math Adventure
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
Historical Fiction
Bread and Roses, Too
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
The Cay
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
Island of the Blue Dolphins
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
The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
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
The Mystery of Rascal Pratt
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
Number the Stars
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
On the Wings of Heroes
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.
The Shakespeare Stealer
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
The Slave Dancer
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
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
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
Humor
The Canning Season
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
The Pepins and Their Problems
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
The Top 10 Ways to Ruin the First Day of 5th Grade
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
What Would Joey Do?
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
Mysteries
Airborn
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
Chasing Vermeer
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
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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
The Homework Machine
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
The Lady Grace Mysteries
(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
Spy Force Mission: In Search of the Time and Space Machine
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
Time Stops for No Mouse
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
Realism
Alabama Moon
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
Becoming Naomi Leon
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
Hatchet
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
The Homeless Bird
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
The Liberation of Gabriel King
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
Maniac Magee
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
No Talking
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
Pollyanna
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
Science Fiction and Fantasy
Davin
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
The Emerald Wand of Oz
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
The Five Ancestors: Snake
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
Haroun and the Sea of Stories
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
Inkheart
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
Molly Moon's Hypnotic Time Travel Adventure
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
Ranger's Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan
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
The Scarecrow and His Servant
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
The Sisters Grimm Book One: The Fairy-Tale Detectives
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
The Sisters Grimm Book Two: The Unusual Suspects
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
The True Meaning of SmekDay
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
A Wizard of Earthsea: The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1
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
Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin
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
A Wrinkle in Time
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
Seasonal Stories
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates
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
Snow Wings
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
The Winter Room
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
Animals
Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes
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
Biographies
Babe Didrikson Zaharias: The Making of a Champion
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.
Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming to Age in Apartheid South
Africa
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
Books to Inspire Young Writers
Show; Don't Tell! Secrets of Writing
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
Fun Books About Math
The Grapes of Math
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
General Knowledge
Pick Me Up: Stuff You Need to Know...
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
Recipe Books
Emeril's There's a Chef in My World! Recipes that Take You Places
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
Roald Dahl's Even More Revolting Recipes
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
Science and Nature
Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself
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
Guinea Pig Scientists: Bold Self-Experimenters in Science and Medicine
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
Hurricane Force: In the Path of America's Deadliest Storms
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
Sports
How Basketball Works
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
