The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By: Eric Carle


(Non-fictional/Informational/ Diversity/Biography)

This book explains the cycle of a butterfly.  It explains how a caterpillar hatches from an egg and eats a lot of food before becoming a butterfly.  After the caterpillar is done eating all the food it can it wraps itself in a cocoon.  After awhile the caterpillar breaks out of the cocoon and turns into a beautiful butterfly.  

And Tango Makes Three

And Tango Makes Three
By: Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson 


(Non-fiction/Informational/Diverse/Biography)

This book is based on a real story.  It explains how two boy penguins were attracted to one another.  The two made a nest together and attempted to hatch a rock, which looked similar to an egg.  The zookeepers realized they were a couple and they provided them an egg to hatch.  They took turns sitting on the egg and eventually it hatched.

Doll Baby

Doll Baby
By: Eve Bunting


(Non-fiction/Information/Diversity/Biography)

A 15 year old girl finds out she’s pregnant and doesn’t realize what is in store for her.  She believes that this baby inside her will be easy to take care of, just like her baby doll.  She misses her friends and playing softball.  She gets upset when she sees her ex-boyfriend buying movie tickets for himself and another girl.

The Green Apple

The Green Apple
By: Eve Bunting


(Non-Fiction/Informational?Diversity/Biography)

School field trip to an orchard to learn about how to make cider.  Farrah, who is a young immigrant gains her self confidence.  

Junkyard Wonders

Junkyard Wonders
By: Patricia Polacco


(Non-Fiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

Trisha lived with her mom in California and would visit her father and Gramma in Michigan during the summer, but this year she decided to stay in Michigan for the school year.  It would be her first year in a Michigan School where she could have a new start.  In California everyone knew she was in a special class and had just learned how to read.  When she got to school on the first day and waved to her friend Kay from the summer, she didn’t wave back, she just ignored her.  Trisha gets into her classroom and meets her teacher Mrs. Peterson.  Mrs. Peterson begins the class by reading the definition of genius.  She referred to her class as “The Junkyard” because they are all different –like things in a junkyard.

Jody- disease that made him grow too fast

Gibbie- tourettes

Stuart- diabetes

Thom trouble seeing

Trisha- dyslexia

Ravanne- doesn’t speak

Mrs. Peterson put different scents on their wrists to determine different “tribes”.  Wore pins that said “Junkyard Wonders” and were made fun of.  Mrs. Peterson explained how a junkyard holds so many treasures.  They go on a field trip to find items to make into treasures.  Trisha’s group picked an airplane which they all work together to recreate and make new.  They needed a motor, so the class started fundraising with bake sales and carwashes.  Jody was sick and later died in his sleep because his heart could keep up with his body growing so fast.  Ravanne speaks for the first time “He wanted it to be called The Junkyard Wonder-so that’s what it has to be.”  Barton Poole overheard plans to launch the airplane at the science fair and told the principal.  The principal said no and took away the plane.  Mrs. Peterson didn’t give up hope and told the class they would still fly the plane, for Jody.  Principal allowed the students to fly the plane is Gibbies father was present to make sure it was being done correctly.  They flew the plane and said it would reach the moon!

Henry's Freedom Box

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story form the Underground Railroad
By: Ellen Levine


(Non-Fiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

Henry Brown wasn’t sure how old he was because he’s a slave and slaves weren’t allowed to know their birthdays.  Him and his brothers and sisters worked in a big house.  Their master had been good to their family so-far but said “see how leaves are blowing in the wind? Like slave children from their families (imagery).  One day the master became ill, Henry thought maybe he would free him but instead he said he would give him to his son.  He told him never to tell a lie, and said good bye to his family.  Henry started working in new master’s tobacco factory.  Another boy told him Nancy who was a slave shopping for her mistress, they agreed to meet again.  Months late Henry asked Nancy to be his wife.  Both masters agreed and they got married and had two kids and lived together, even thought they had different masters.  Nancy’s master lost a lot of money and was afraid they would sell her children.  His friend James came into the factory and told Henry, Nancy and kids sold at the slave market.  Rushed out at lunchtime to center of town and saw them all being taken away in carts.  Weeks passed and Henry saw a bird and thought how he could be free.  Dr. Smith-a white man who thought slavery was wrong.  Henry asked Dr. Smith and James to help him.  He was going to mail himself to a place where there were no slaves. (Philadelphia)  Needed a reason to stay home from work so burnt his hands with ritriol.  Next day at 4 am they took him to the station, begged clerks to be careful.  He was all thrown around (box was on steamboat to Washington, DC.  Fell asleep and woke up to knocking.  4 men (3 white, 1 black) said “Welcome to Philadelphia.”  Henry had his birthday: March 30, 1849-his 1^st day of freedom, then was given the middle name ‘Box’.   

In Our Mother's House

In Our Mother's House
By: Patricia Polacco


(Non-Fiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

This story explains how the family has two mothers instead of a mother and a father.  They explain how they both love them so much and they explain about how they do all kinds of things together.  The couple has one then one child and they are all adopted and of different races.  

That Was Then This is Now

That Was Then This is Now
By: S. E. Hinton


(Realistic Fiction)  

Since childhood Bryon and Mark have been like brothers, but times are changing.  The book starts with Bryon's birth mother and Mark's adoptive mother being in the hospital.  Mark and Bryon have been working to make money while their mother was in the hospital.  Later in the book you find out Mark has been getting his cash from selling drugs to hippies.  Bryon calls the cops after he found the drugs, and told Mark about it when he came home.  Mark was mad that he called the cops on him.  He later was sent to reformatory school and sent to prison.

Speak

Speak 
By: Laurie Anderson


(Realistic Fiction)

Melinda busted an end of the year party by calling the cops.  Now her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't even know hate her.  The safest place is to be alone, by herself in her head, but even that's not safe.  There is something that happened that night, that she is trying not to remember.  If she did, then she would have to speak the truth...

The Westing Game

The Westing Game
By: Ellen Raskin


(Realistic Fiction)

This book leaves the reader in suspense.  16 individuals are mysteriously chosen to live in the Sunset Towers apartment building at the shore Lake Michigan in Wisconsin-to heard the will of Samuel W. Westing.  The will is a puzzle, divided into 8 parts which consist of clues from "America the Beautiful".  He challenges them to solve the mystery of who killed Sam Westing.  Whoever solves  the mystery will inherit Westing's $200 million fortune.

How to Eat Fried Worms

How to Eat Fried Worms
By: Thomas Rockwell


(Realistic Fiction)

This book tells a story about Billy, a 10 year old boy, who must eat 15 worms, in 15 days to win a bet for $50.  His friends help him to prepare the worms he has to eat in many different ways to make them more appetizing.  They use condiments such as mustard, ketchup, horseradish and syrup.

Star Girl

Star Girl
By: Jerry Spinelli


(Realistic Fiction)

This book centers around a tenth grade student named Susan "Stargirl" Caraway, who attends Mica Area High School in Arizona.  She had spent her previous school years in homeschooling.  Leo Borlock narrates the story of his encounters with her.  This book focuses on staying strong during trying times and acceptance between a girl and her boyfriend.

Holes

Holes
By: Louis Sachar


(Realistic Fiction)

The trouble started when Stanley was accused of stealing donated shoes from the a famous basketball player-Clyde "Sweetfeet" Livington.  The judge doesn't believe Stanley is innocent and send him to Camp Green Lake to "build character".  At this camp stanley has to dig holes everyday 5 feet wide and 5 feet deep.  Stanley later finds there is more to why the boys are digging holes, the warren was looking for something.  Throughout the book connections are made about the family curse and the reader unveils all their secrets.

Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia
By: Katherine Paterson


(Realistic Fiction)

This is about two children who become close friends and share their talents to create another world for them to escape their reality.  They create their imaginary kingdom of Terabithia and declare themselves king and queen, spending everyday after school there.  Jesse has a crush on his music teacher and goes to the National Gallery of Art in Washington with her one day after school.  That same day Leslie went to Terabithia alone.  The rope broke when she was swinging and she fell into the creek and drowns.  Jesse is able to overcome his grief because of his strength he learned through his friendship with Leslie. He takes boards from Leslie's house and builds a bridge in Terabithia. 

Frindle

Frindle
By: Andrew Clemens


(Realistic Fiction)

At the beginning of 5th grade nick is not excited about having Mrs. Granger for his English teacher.  One day to stall in class he decided to ask why every word has a meaning.  Mrs. Granger provided her answer and made him write an essay about it for homework, where he creates the new word "frindle" for pen.  Soon everyone started using the word "frindle and Mrs. Granger wasn't too happy.  Nick grows up and is very well to do.  He receives a package from Mrs. Granger with a dictionary containing the word "frindle".  In return Nick sends her a gold pen with a note telling her she is allowed to call the writing instrument whatever she prefers. 

Blubber

Blubber
By: Judy Blume


(Realistic Fiction)

This book talks about bullies in schools.  The story tells how these girls are picking on an overweight girl named Linda.  The books goes into details of how the girls physically and mentally abuse Linda throughout the school day in classes and on the bus.  Towards the end of the book some girls begin to understand how wrong it is to pick on Linda, after getting a taste of their own medicine.  I think this book is a good eye opener to what takes place in schools everyday.  

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw
By: Beverly Cleary


(Realistic Fiction)

Leigh Botts is writing a letter to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, for his second grade assignment.  After Mr. Henshaw writes him back with some questions to answer.  At first Leigh was nervous to write back to the author.  Through his replies to Mr. Henshaw his personal matters are revealed to the reader.  He explains how he is the new kid in town, how his parents are getting a divorce and this complex relationship with his father.  Mr. Henshaw encourages LEigh to keep a diary for his thoughts and feelings.  

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself 
By: Judy Blume


(Realistic Fiction)

Sally J. Freedman is moving from New Jersey to Miami with her brother, their mother and grandmother at the end of WWII. They moved because her brother Douglas caught nephritis from staying in wet clothes while it was cold. Sally meets a black woman traveling with her son and her infant daughter. The next day, Sally goes back to visit the black family and learns about the laws of racial segregation.  Sally is angry, but her mom wasn’t. Before beginning in her new school, she had a physical examination and the nurse found nits in Sally's hair. In her new school, she meets new friends.

Her first day at school was tough, but she later makes more friends. She meets Peter Hornstein.  He likes Sally and Sally likes him back.

Sally meets Mr. Zavodsky, who lives in her building in Miami. He offers Andrea and her candy. Sally refuses the candy, and Andrea accepts it. Sally, who is Jewishnotices that Mr. Zavodsky looks like Hitler and starts to believe that he actually is.  Sally is worried that her father may die in when he turns 42, because his brothers did.

Sally writes a lot of letters to Mr. Zavodsky, but never mails them.  She worries at one point Mr. Zavodsky killed her friend Shelby, and she believes the rock candy he offers is actually poisoned. In the end, Mr. Zavodsky dies of a heart attack.  At the end, Sally and her family return to New Jersey.

The Lemonade Club

The Lemonade Club
By: Patricia Polacco


(Realistic Fiction)

This book discusses how a little girl is diagnosed with leukemia during the school year and is struggling with missing classes and losing her hair.  When she comes back she discovers that the whole class shaved they’re heads for her, even her teacher!  As everyone’s hair began to grow back, it seemed that the teacher’s hair wasn’t and the students were confused.  Later the class found out that they’re teacher too was sick with cancer and knew exactly what her student was going through.  Two of the girls and the teacher created the Lemonade Club, where the motto was “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.  The teacher grows closer with these two girls and asks them both to be her flower girls in her wedding when she is better.  This was based on a real story from the author’s life.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
By: Barbara Park


(Realistic Fiction)

Junie is starting kindergarten and has to take the bus to school.  Junie doesn’t like the bus, and doesn’t want to take the bus home.  So she decides to hide in all different places around the school.  She says how she is the hide-and-seek champion, and when you play hide-and-go-seek you NEVER come out from your space.  She is sometimes forgetful, never remembering her teacher’s name, but instead just calls her miss.

Clementine

Clementine
By: Sara Pennypacker


(Realistic Fiction)

Celmentine is a very energetic and loving little girl who is often finding herself in some trouble.  She tries to help her friend who got glue stuck in her hair, but instead chops all her hair off and gets in trouble by her teacher, principal and her parents.  Her and her friend try to make her hair better by using permanent markers to make it a different color.  Clementine is always trying to help people including her dad who is owner of the hotel where they all live.  Clementine comes up with the idea to move all the pigeons to the side of the building instead of the front so her dad doesn’t have to go out all the time and clean their mess.  Her and Margret don’t hang out anymore after they got into a fight, but after they apologize and become friends.  Clementine is rewarded with a cake and a small party for solving the pigeon problem!  

When I was Young in the Mountains

When I was Young in the Mountains
By: Cynthia Rylant


(Realistic Fiction)

The book tells the story of when the main character was younger, in West Virginia , in the Appalachian Mts.  This book is based on the author's real life.  She explains what she does with her grandparents during the day, how they go walking through pastures,and how they stop for butter at Mr. Crawford’s store.  She then tells of pumping water and what the water is used for.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
By: Judy Blume


(Realistic Fiction)

Peter won a turtle(Dribble) at a birthday party by guessing the closest number of jellybeans in the jar, when everyone else got gold fish.  His father works in advertisement. 

Mrs. Haver-teacher assigned a project on the city with partners. Jimmy, Shelia and Peter were in a group.  Jimmy and Peter were making the poster and Shelia was doing the booklet.  Fudge was pretending to be a bird and tried “flying” off the jungle gym, and swallowed his two teeth.  Fudge goes to the dentist and doesn’t want to.  Is told to open his mouth just like Peter.  Later go to hamburger heaven where Fudge throws mash potatoes on the wall.

Flying Train Committee.  Shelia’s booklet was 10 pages where Peter and Jimmy’s was only 5.  They meet at Peters and Peter talks about the monorail solution to NYC traffic.  Fudge used magic marker-ruined their poster.

Mom spanked Fudge.  Handing in project and Shelia wanted to write handwritten by Shelia Tubman.  Boys said no and made her turn it into flower decoration.

Fudge back in Peter’s room is cutting his hair into Dribble’s bowl.

The TV star-Aunt Linda, Mom’s sister lives in Boston had a baby girl.  Mom gone for the weekend.  No school, teachers in meeting, went to school with dad.  His assistant Janet gave a tour of the agency.  Toddle bike audition.  Mr. Vincent-president of Toddle Bike wants Fudge for commercial.  Fudges refuses to peddle, so Janet gave him Oreos.  Peter rides to show Fudge but Fudge can’t ride as well as Peter. 

Go to the movies, movie starts-Fudge is gone.  The movie stops, Fudge went to the front because he wanted to pet the bears on the screen.   They made a special dinner for finding Fudge-Mushrom Omletes and PB sandwiches.  Mom sees Fudge on commercial.

Dribble was missing and Fudge said he ate Dribble. 

Dr. Cone-Fudge let Dribble out.  Came home with presents, it was a dog for Peter-named it turtle.

Ramona the Pest

Ramona the Pest
By: Judy Blume


(Realistic Fiction)

Ramona is excited when for her first day of kindergarten. She is an overly enthusiastic young girl who is curious about the world around her. A perfect example of this is when she pulls Susan's long curls and her teacher, tells her to sit on the bench outside the door while everyone else plays Gray Duck. She does not mean to hurt Susan; it is just that Susan's hair is so attractive that Ramona feels the need to touch it.  Ramona has a crush on Davy and wants to kiss him. Ramona begins to chase him around the playground every day. She finds a worm and wraps it around her finger acting like it is an engagement ring, and decides to marry Henry.  At Halloween she was dressed as a witch, she kisses Davy. 

I Can Be Anything

I Can Be Anything
By: Jerry Spinelli


(Realistic Fiction)

The little boy is thinking about what he wants to be when he gets older, his future, what job he wants.  The boy thinks of many different jobs-paperplane  folder, dandelion blower, puddle stomper, etc.  At the end the books provides a larger picture that opens up with illustrations of all the jobs the little boy thought of throughout the book.  He can do anything and everything.  The book used colorful illustrations and rhyming.

Owl Moon

Owl Moon
By: Jane Yolen


(Realistic Fiction)

Boy and his Pa went “owling” in the woods.  Pa sometimes made owl sounds throughout the trip and there was no response.  Finally one time Pa made an owl noise an owl responded, and they went back and forth a few times.  The owl landed on a tree branch really close and starred at them for a few minutes.  The bird later flew away.  

Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key

Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key
By: Jack Gantos


(Realistic Fiction)

Joey tells a story of how he is unable to control his impulses.  These impulses lead Joey to do numerous things at home and at school that get him into some trouble.  You learn that Joey has been thinking about changing the world.  At recess he decides he wanted to make 1,000,000 bumper stickers, but his scissors were too dull.  So Joey sneaks into the teacher's desk adn gets the bigger, sharper scissors and is bringing them to his seat.  On the way he trips over his slippers and cuts the tip of a girl's nose off.  Blood is dripping everywhere and she is rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.  He is placed in a Special Ed Center downtown, where his behavior improves.

Nutcracker

Nutcracker
By: ETA Hoffman


(Fantasy)

This story tells of how young Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy was the nutcracker she received.  The nutcracker comes to life and defeats the evil Mouse King in a battle.  After the Nutcrackers takes the young girl away to a magical kingdom where there are many dolls.

Matilda

Matilda
By: Roald Dahl


(Fantasy)

This book tells a story about an extremely smart girl with unpleasant parents, who paid no attention to her.  She does well on school and you find throughout the book that she is a very gifted child.  The story tells of her clever and funny tricks she does to her family members and faculty at school.  This story is funny and will keep children on their seat seeing what Matilda does next.

James and The Giant Peach

James and The Giant Peach
By: Roald Dahl


(Fantasy)

This book is about a boy named James.  His parents were eaten by a rhino, so he is living with his mean aunts.  One day an older man gives James a magic crocodile tongue that turns into a giant peach.  James decides to go inside the peach and meets some human-size insects who are able to communicate with him, using the human language.

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting
By: Natalie Babbitt


(Fantasy)

This book tells a story of how a family finds a secret spring where the water holds the magic of letting the people who drink it live forever.  One day a runaway girl (Winnie) comes across Jesse Tuck at the spring.  She later goes on to met the rest of his family who are immortals since they could not be killed and have been drinking from the spring for the past 84 years.  They kidnap Winnie and tell her the story, will she drink the water?

My Father's Dragon

My Father's Dragon
By: Ruth Stiles Gannett  


(Fantasy)

This book is about a young boy names Elmer Elevator who hears about a baby dragon being held on Wild Island.  he decides to run away from home to go and rescue it.  He hides on a ship ship and manages to arrive on the Island of Tangerina, which was right next to Wild Island.  Elmer has to rescue the dragon, but is faced with the challenges of other animals on the island.

The Magic Tree House

The Magic Tree House Series

By: Mary Pope Osborne

(Fantasy)

These books send Jack and Annie, two normal children from Frog Creek, PA, on numerous adventures and missions.  Using a magical tree house to help free Morgan from a spell, solve ancient riddles to become Master Librarians, and save four ancient stories from being lost forever. 

The Chronicles of Narnia

The Chronicles of Narnia
By: C. S. Lewis


(Fantasy)

This tells the story of 4 children-Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.  They discover another world on the other side of a wardrobe in Professor Digory Kirke;s house.  This magical land involves talking animals.  The children help a lion to save Narnia from the evil witch has ruled Narnia for a century and caused the magical land to stay in the season of winter.  The children after become kings and queens of the land.

The World of Pooh

The World of Pooh: The Complete Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner 
By: A. A. Milne


(Fantasy)

This book contains 20 different stories written by A. A. Milne involving all the Winnie the Pooh characters.  Pooh and all his friends live in the 100 Acre Woods.  His best friend is Christopher Robin who is a boy that comes to play with Pooh and his friends.  Owl lives in a tree and is very intellectual.  Rabbit owns his own garden and is constantly growing different vegetables.  Piglet lives in a tree and is one of the tiniest of the characters.  Eeyore is gloomy and is often losing his tail.  Tigger is full of energy and is constantly found bouncing around.  Lastly Pooh is the main character whose ears are often stuffed with fluff and is looking for his sweet honey to eat.

Make Way for Ducklings

Make Way for Ducklings
By: Robert McCloskey


(Fantasy)

Two ducks were looking for a place to nest and have their eggs so they went to Boston looking for a good home, but it was too busy and too many things were rushing around.  After searching many places they found the perfect place by the Charles River.  Here they loss their feathers, so they couldn’t fly, but they could swim to get to places.  When the eggs hatched father went to look what was down the river.  Mother was left with the babies and said she would teach them to swim by the time he came back.  The agreed to meet a week from then at another part of the river.  When the week was over the babies could swim so well!  Mother and the babies had to walk a far distance to go and meet their father.  Michael the police officer stopped traffic for them so they could cross the street safely.  Other police officers also stopped traffic so all the ducks were safe throughout the journey.  The finally made it to the public garden where they were going to meet their father.  They decided they were going to stay there and the ducklings liked their new home.

Owen

Owen
By: Kevin Henkes


(Fantasy)

Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket that he was sure to take everywhere.  Fuzzy liked everything Owen liked to do.  Mrs. Tweezer said Owen’s parents should try and tell him about the “Blanket Fairy”.  The Blanket Fairy would come in the middle of the night and leave a big boy gift in its place, but Owen didn’t want The fairy to take Fuzzy.  So Owen stuffed his blanket in his pants so the fairy couldn’t find it.  Fuzzy started getting really dirty and wasn’t so fuzzy anymore, but to Owen it was perfect.  Fuzzy became Owen’s friend for things he hated to do like the dentist and clipping his nails.  Mrs. Tweezer then told Owen’s parents about the vinegar trick.  So Owen’s father dipped his favorite corner in vinegar, but Owen just found a new corner on fuzzy.  Mrs. Tweezer said how he can’t go to school with Fuzzy, so they just have to say no.  So Owen’s parents told him he couldn’t bring it to school and he began to cry.  So mother had an idea and made Fuzzy into a bunch of handkerchiefs so Owen could bring him to school everyday.  Turns out Mrs. Tweezer had a lot of pink handkerchiefs from when she was younger too.