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There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom
by Louis SacharBradley Chalkers IS the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls. No one likes him--except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try. But when you feel like the most-hated kid in the whole school, believing in yourself can be the hardest thing in the world. . . .Winner of 19 Children's Choice AwardsFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
Ice Magic
by Matthew F. ChristopherPie Pennelli loves hockey, but his skates are too big and one of his teammates gives him a hard time. When the neighbor kids find an antique hockey game, they swear the game is magic and can predict every play Pie's team will make. Is it magic?
A Dog's Life
by Ann M. MartinNewbery Honor author Ann Martin's "heartwrenching and heartwarming" (Kirkus) dog story, now in paperback, with After Words bonus material. Squirrel and her brother Bone begin their lives in a toolshed behind someone's summer house. Their mother nurtures them and teaches them the many skills they will need to survive as stray dogs. But when their mother is taken from them suddenly and too soon, the puppies are forced to make their own way in the world, facing humans both gentle and brutal, busy highways, other animals, and the changing seasons. When Bone and Squirrel become separated, Squirrel must fend for herself, and in the process makes two friends who in very different ways define her fate.
Old Yeller
by Fred GipsonAt first, Travis couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller
The stray dog was ugly, and a thieving rascal, too. But he sure was clever, and a smart dog could be a big help on the wild Texas frontier, especially with Papa away on a long cattle drive up to Abilene.
Strong and courageous, Old Yeller proved that he could protect Travis's family from any sort of danger. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?
Newbery Medal Honors book
Winner of Pacific Northwest Library Association’s Young Reader’s Choice Award
What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
by Jean FritzA brief biography of the eighteenth-century printer, inventor, and statesman who played an influential role in the early history of the United States.
Charlotte's Web
by E. B. WhiteSome Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.
This is a tender novel of friendship, family, and adventure that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Newbery Honor book
Be A Perfect Person In Just Three Days!
by Stephen ManesOne day at the library, a book fell off the top shelf and hit Milo on the head. It was called Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days! The book's author, Dr. K. Pinkerton Silverfish, didn't look too perfect himself. In the picture on the back cover he was wearing a clown nose, and mustard was dripping down his chin. Milo figured the book was worth a try anyway. Perfect was obviously the perfect thing to be! But who had ever heard of wearing a stalk of broccoli around your neck for twenty-four hours? And that was only the first day....Milo is tired of feeling clunky and criticized. If he were perfect, he wouldn't break things, have terrible table manners or be scolded by anyone. To become perfect he has to do such odd things that his family and everyone at school thinks he's crazy or sick or both! Their reactions to his antics are hilarious. Here is an author who doesn't use parents as brainless props. Milo's father cares enough to find out why his son is being so polite and missing meals. He keeps Milo's secret and helps him in his quest. The weird Professor silverfish knows a thing or two about perfection that Milo never guessed. Don't miss the sequel to this book, Make A Million Dollars by Next Thursday and Stephen Manes' other humorous, popular, children's books. Mr. Manes is well known by adults for his columns in PC/Computer Magazine.
Phineas L. MacGuire ... Erupts! The First Experiment
by Frances O'Roark Dowell and Preston McdanielsHERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PHINEAS L. MACGUIRE, BOY-SCIENTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, AKA MAC: 1. He's allergic to purple, telephone calls, and girls, and can prove it. 2. He's probably the world's expert on mold, including which has the highest stink potential. 3. He does not have a best friend. He does, however, have an un-best friend, who he does not -- repeat, not -- want to upgrade to best-friend status. But disaster strikes when his teacher pairs Mac and his un-best friend together for the upcoming science fair. Worse, this un-best friend wants the project to be on dinosaurs, which is so third grade. Worse still, it seems as though everyone else in his class finds the un-best friend as unlikable as Mac does. But, being a boy-scientist, once Mac notices this, he just might have to do some investigating. This very funny young middle-grade novel includes tantalizingly gruesome experiments for exploding your own volcanoes and imploding marshmallows.
The London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan DowdWhen Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim get on board the London Eye, he turned and waved before getting on. But after half an hour it landed and everyone trooped off - and no Salim. Where could he have gone? How on earth could he have disappeared into thin air? So Ted and his older sister, Kat, become sleuthing partners, since the police are having no luck. Despite their prickly relationship, they overcome their differences to follow a trail of clues across London in a desperate bid to find their cousin. And ultimately it comes down to Ted, whose brain works in its own very unique way, to find the key to the mystery. This is an unputdownable spine-tingling thriller - a race against time.
Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims
by Rush LimbaughNationally syndicated radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh has long wanted to make American history come to life for the children of his listeners, so he created the character of a fearless middle-school history teacher named Rush Revere, who travels back in time and experiences American history as it happens, in adventures with exceptional Americans. In this book, he is transported back to the deck of the Mayflower.
The Sword in the Tree
by Clyde Robert BullaIn the days of King Arthur there stood a mighty oak tree within the walls of a castle. Peace reigned in the castle until the fearsome night when Lionel, long lost brother of Lord Weldon, returned to cause trouble and unhappiness.
Sheep
by Valerie HobbsThe sheep closed in around him like a big, woolly blanket. The puppy had never been so scared or so excited in his life. Soon he was racing, feinting, dodging - learning what it means to be one of the proud breed of Border collies, the finest sheepherders in the world. Then, almost overnight, his life is turned upside down. He finds himself in a series of strange places, with no sheep, his family gone. With nothing but the courage he was born with and a dream, he searches for the life he once knew, gathering names and adventures as he goes. For a short time, he's called Blackie. To the Goat Man, he's Shep. To Hollerin, he's Spot. There's one name that threatens to forever haunt him - Sparky, the name Billy the circus man calls him when he reaches for the whip. But there's another name that he is given, one that finally makes him feel at home . . . Known for her rich character development, the author brings all her skills to delving into the mind of a clever, philosophical, and hopeful dog searching for a home.
Dinosaurs Before Dark
by Mary Pope Osborne and Sal MurdoccaBefore Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark... or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?
The Knights of the Kitchen Table
by Jon Scieszka and Lane SmithThree friends, Sam, Joe, and Fred travel through time having action-packed, outlandish adventures. The snappy dialogue and classic ""boy"" humor in this series of chapter books will engage the most reluctant readers.
Tornado
by Betsy ByarsA tornado is coming, and once Pete the farmhand gathers the family safely in the storm cellar, he distracts them with a favorite tale about a tornado from his childhood--and the surprise it brought: Among the debris left by this twister was a doghouse, complete with a dog inside! Pete goes on to tell more stories about this hole-digging, cardtrick-playing dog, aptly named Tornado; and it isn't hard to see how Tornado, and the stories about him, soon become a part of both past and present families.
Number the Stars
by Lois LowryAs the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.
Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.
Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal.
Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor Book
The Castle in the Attic
by Elizabeth Winthrop"You must find your own way through the forest, William. That's what I've been trying to tell you all along." Mrs. Phillips is moving back to England. She has taken care of William for ten years and even though he loves his parents, nothing will be the same without her. As her farewell present, she gives him a wooden model of a medieval castle that has been in her family for generations. It has everything William could possibly want, right down to a miniature drawbridge, a portcullis and a silver knight. But despite the castle, William is miserable. He wants to find a way of keeping Mrs. Phillips with him forever. And he does . . . once he breaks the spell cast on the silver knight. This is an enthralling story of magic and fantasy, which weaves the everyday problems of growing up into the age-old battle between good and evil. William's quest, on which he faces a ferocious dragon and a wicked wizard, is a brilliant journey into William's soulwhere courage finally triumphs over fear.
Tuck Everlasting
by Natalie BabbittThe Tuck family is confronted with an agonizing situation when they discover that a ten-year-old girl and a malicious stranger now share their secret about a spring whose water prevents one from ever growing any older.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards in English language arts in grades 4-5 at http://www.corestandards.org.]
George's Marvelous Medicine
by Roald Dahl and Quentin BlakeA taste of her own medicine.George is alone in the house with Grandma. The most horrid, grizzly old grunion of a grandma ever. She needs something stronger than her usual medicine to cure her grouchiness. A special grandma medicine, a remedy for everything. And George knows just what to put into it. Grandma's in for the surprise of her life--and so is George, when he sees the results of his mixture!
By the Great Horn Spoon!
by Sid FleischmanIn this rollicking adventure set during the California Gold Rush, Jack's aunt is forced to sell her beloved mansion to meet her debts. She is still unable to raise enough money to pay her creditors, and twelve-year-old Jack goes to California in search of gold to help her. Joined by his trusty butler, Praiseworthy, Jack finds adventure and trouble at every turn. Will Jack strike gold in San Francisco or come home empty-handed?
The Great Turkey Walk
by Kathleen KarrIn 1860, a somewhat simple-minded fifteen-year-old boy attempts to herd one thousand turkeys from Missouri to Denver, Colorado, in hopes of selling them at a profit.
Time for Andrew
by Mary Downing HahnWhen he goes to spend the summer with his great-aunt in the family's old house, 11-year-old Drew is drawn eighty years into the past to trade places with his great-great uncle who is dying of diphtheria.
The Wish Giver
by Bill BrittainA Newbery Honor Book that the New York Times called "an eerie delight," The Wish Giver is an engaging literary folk story about those who get what they wish for—whether they want it or not.The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name comes from a gnarled old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now, imps and fiends continue to appear, frightening the townsfolk with their devilish pranks. Usually these creatures are easy to spot. They have a particular smell, or sound, or way of moving, that betrays their dark nature. But Thaddeus Blinn showed none of these signs when he came to Coven Tree. He was just a funny little man who drifted into town with a strange tale about being able to give people whatever they wished—for only fifty cents.There was nothing scary about him. At least, not until the wishing began...
The Kite Fighters
by Linda Sue ParkIt's like the kite is part of him—the part that wants to fly.In a riveting novel set in fifteenth-century Korea, two brothers discover a shared passion for kites. Kee-sup can craft a kite unequaled in strength and beauty, but his younger brother, Young-sup, can fly a kite as if he controlled the wind itself.Their combined skills attract the notice of Korea's young king, who chooses Young-sup to fly the royal kite in the New Year kite-flying competition--an honor that is also an awesome responsibility. Although tradition decrees, and the boys' father insists, that the older brother represent the family, both brothers know that this time the family's honor is best left in Young-sup's hands.This touching and suspenseful story, filled with the authentic detail and flavor of traditional Korean kite fighting, brings a remarkable setting vividly to life.This moving historical novel is from Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, whose beloved middle grade books include A Single Shard and A Long Walk to Water.
Invisible Inkling
by Emily JenkinsFrom award-winning author Emily Jenkins and New York Times bestselling illustrator Harry Bliss comes the first book in a sweet, quirky chapter book series about a boy and his invisible friend, Inkling. Perfect for fans of Clementine and Ivy and Bean. This series is a great choice for emerging readers who are ready for chapter books.The thing about Hank's new friend Inkling is, he's invisible.No, not imaginary. Inkling is an invisible bandapat, a creature native to the Peruvian Woods of Mystery. (Or maybe it is the Ukrainian glaciers. Inkling hardly ever gets his stories straight.)Now Inkling has found his way into Hank's apartment on his quest for squash, a bandapat favorite. But Hank has bigger problems than helping Inkling fend off maniac doggies and searching for pumpkins: Bruno Gillicut is a lunch-stealing, dirtbug caveperson and he's got to be stopped. And who better to help stand up to a bully than an invisible friend?