Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By: Jeff Kinney


(Realistic Fiction)

This is one a several book series that tells a story of a boy and his troubles he encounters throughout middle school.  The book is in the form of a dairy and contains comics throughout the story.  The book keeps reader's interested and motivated to keep reading and is a good laugh.  the author really captures what is going through a boy's mind when it comes to dealing with other brothers, girls and things at school. 

Eleanor

Eleanor
By: Barbara Cooney


(Non-Fiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

This book explains the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the United States first ladies.  The book begins with her childhood and tells stories leading up to her days as first lady after she marries President Roosevelt.

The Starving Time

The Starving Time, Elizabeth;s Jamestown Colony Diary (Book #2)
By: Patricia Hermes


(Non-fiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

This book discusses Elizabeth Barker's story of life and death during the first year of settling in Jamestwon Virginia.  This 9 year old girl keeps a diary and allows readers to see what they experienced during settling in the colony.  Starvation, and disease were big players during settlement.  Elizabeth looks for the goodness in people who share and evil in those who are lazy and don't want to help out.

The Harmonica

The Harmonica
By: Troy Johnston


(Historical Fiction)

This book is about a boy who is torn from his family in Poland during WWII and forced to serve in a concentration camp.  Starving and weak the boy finds hope by playing his harmonica in the camp.  The story portrays the power of music.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars
By: Lois Lowry


(Historical Fiction)

Annemarie and Ellen are best friends and remember of their life before the war.  Their lives have changed since then being filled with education, food shortage and the Nazis.  The Jews of Denmark are being moved to other places.  Ellen and her family do not want to leave, so they pretend to be part of Annemarie's family.  Annemarie is asked t do an extremely dangerous mission to help out her best friend.

The Winged Cat

The Winged Cat
By: Deborah Nourse Lattimore


(Historical Fiction)

In ancient Egypt, a young servant girl and a High Priest must each find the correct magic spells from the Book of the Dead that open the twelve gates of the Netherworld.  This will determine who is telling the truth about the death of the girl's sacred cat.

Castle Diary

Castle Diary 
By: Richard Platt


(Historical Fiction)

This one is more for a teacher to read tot eh class.  The book is set up in the form of a journal of a child in the 13th century and covers the year of 1285.  The illustrations use ink and watercolor and includes many details including the castle, the hunt, the tournament, and the wheat harvest.

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising
By: Pam Munoz Ryan


(Historical Fiction)

Esperanza is part of a well to do family who owns a ranch and is loved by her parents.  All of this is shattered when her father is killed my bandits and her family ranch is burned tot eh ground.  Esperanza and her Mama are fugitives and the illegal immigrants in a CAlifornia Mexican labour camp.

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust
By: Karen Hesse


(Historical Fiction)

This book goes to explain the dust bowl.  It tells of a family who is living during the time and the difficulties they face in the dry and dusty environment they are living.  The book contains easy text that is set up as free verse.

The Memory Coat

The Memory Coat
By: Elvira Woodruff


(Historical Fiction)

This book discusses the place of Elkis Island.  It follows a family on their journey from Russia to the US through Ellis Island.  Today Ellis Island is a museum, but back in history it was a place immigrants entered through before entering the US.  Families all over the world came through in search for many goals.

My Freedom Trip

My Freedom Trip 
By: Frances Park


(Historical Fiction)

Soo is escaping to meet her father, who is in South Korea.  She has to cross the 38^th parallel to reach him.  Her mother didn’t go with Soo at the time she was searching for her father.  Soo shows her bravery through her travel to find her dad.

The New Coat for Anna

The New Coat for Anna 
By: Harriet Ziefert


(Historical Fiction)

Anna needed a new coat, but it was during the war and all supplies were being sent out.  Her mother told her she would get her a coat after the war ended-the war had ended but her mother couldn’t afford to buy a coat for Anna.  Her mother took her to a farmer and asked for the wool of a sheep in place of a gold watch, he agreed and come spring Anna had wool.  They later went to the old lady with a spinning wheel and offered a lamp to have her turn the wool into thread.  She told them to come back when the cherries were ripe so they could dye the wool red.  They then took the yarn to a weaver to be woven into cloth, offering a garnet necklace. They took the cloth to the tailor who was given a teapot to create Anna’s coat.  When it was finished they invited everyone who helped create the coat to eat a Christmas cake they made.  Everyone was very happy! 

The Butterfly

The Butterfly 
By: Patricia Polacco


(Historical Fiction)

Nazis.  Monique-Small French village.  When they come “little ghost” it wasn’t really a ghost (young Jewish girl named Sevrine, hiding from the Nazis). 

Patricca Polacco dips into her own family history, from the French Resistance.

Compares being free as the Papillion butterfly, letting it fly away (out the window) to when they are free from the Nazis.  Later they were all split and they wanted a sign that they were OK.  Butterflies flying free in the garden, she knew they were safe.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea

When Jessie Came Across the Sea 
By: Amy Hest


(Historical Fiction)

Jessie, who is 13 lives with her grandma, since her parents both passed away.  Jessie goes to the rabbi with the boys and learns how to write, which she later teaches her grandma.  Her grandma teachers her how to sew.The rabbi had a ticket to America to visit his brother, who sadly passed away.  Since he had no need to leave his churcha dn go to the US he chose Jessie to say with his brother’s widow.  Jessie goes over to comfort and help Kay sew-making many wedding dresses.  She was saving up money and meets a boy, who later asks her to marry him.  Before the wedding she was sure to save enough money to fly her grandma to the US to come to the wedding.  Her grandma brought her mom’s wedding band for Jessie to wear.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree 
By: Gloria Houston


(Historical Fiction)

Every year a family is chosen to choose the Christmas tree for Pine Grove Church.  They choose a tree in the spring and mark it.  Papa says they will chose a Balsam tree because it grows high near heaven.  On their grandfather’s mountain was their tree.  Ruthie was assigned to be a heavenly angel in the village play.  She marks the tree with her red ribbon from her hair.  During the summer Papa was called away to be a soldier.  Since he left there was no timber to make money off of.  Ruthie said a prayer.  In the fall they got a letter from Papa that he would be home for Christmas.  Papa didn’t come home with the other men, and it was the day before Christmas Eve, and they were practicing for the play.  Preacher said someone else could get the tree, but it was Ruthie’s family’s turn.  Late that night Mama took two kids to find the perfect Balsam tree.  They found the tree and cut it down with Papa’s ax.  She also made Ruthie a dress out of her wedding dress.  Church was over St. Nick said here’s one more gift=Papa.  Ended “Grandma Ruthie told me so…”

Watch the Stars Come Out

Watch the Stars Come Out 
By: Riki Levinson


(Historical Fiction)

This story explains the steps immigrants took in order to come to the United States for their freedom.  A grandmother comes in to tell her granddaughter a story before bed.  She told her a story of how when she was little and her and her family traveled on a boat to Ellis island.  She explained how many people got sick but her brother took care of her.  They were separated from her parents and sister.  When they got off the ship they had to be checked by doctors and later found their parents.  They saw the statue of liberty and became very excited.  Once the ship docked they went to see their new place. 

Milly and Macy’s Parade

Milly and Macy’s Parade 
By: Shana Corey


(Historical Fiction)

The employee from the Macey’s department store in NYC is an immigrant, who is homesick.  Milly is the one who inspires the store to have their 1^st Macey’s parade during the Christmas season. 

The Kid's Book of Weather Forecasting

The Kid's Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, Read the Sky, and Make Predictions

By: Mark Breen

(Nonfiction/Informational/Diversity/Biography)

This book the different vocabulary associated with weather and how it is forecasted everyday.  The book includes at home experiments to teach children the concepts that are associated with weather.  Everything you need to know to make your own forecasting station is between the pages of this book.

The Curious Garden

The Curious Garden 
By: 


(Non-fiction/Informational/Diverse/Biography)

This is a story about a young boy Liam who discovers a withering garden on the abandoned railway tracks of Manhattan’s High Line. With his help it begins to flourish and spread; it seems the curious garden likes to explore as much as he does. Weeds, mosses, and flowering plants make their way down the tracks to neighboring rooftops, abandoned cars, and sidewalk cracks. New gardeners appear and over the years Liam grows into a man, and the once dreary city grows into a green space with flowers, topiaries, ponds, and rooftop gardens. 

How does a Seed Grow?

How Does a Seed Grow?
By: Sue Kim


(Non-fiction/Informational/Diverse/Biography)

This book explains the plant life cycle of blueberry seeds.  It sing-song rhythm engages students in learning about blueberries.  The book includes many pictures to explain the process from when you first plant the seed to the final stages when it produces fruit.