MRS. B. RECOMMENDS:

PUT THESE ON YOUR “MUST READ” LIST

5th and 6th Graders

KATHERINE HANNIGAN:   Ida B-- : and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world

         Fourth-grader Ida B. spends happy hours being home-schooled and playing in her family's apple orchard.  Then her safe world comes to an end when her mother begins treatment for cancer, her parents must sell part of the orchard and send her to public school.  This book is delightfully and humorously told in Ida B.’s voice.  You will never forget her!

ADRIAN FOGELIN:  Crossing Jordan

        This is the story of Jemmie and Cass, two twelve-year-old girls who have just become neighbors.  They both love to run and hope to excel on the middle school track team.  Racial prejudice amongst the two families affect both girls and their ability to remain friends.  Referring to themselves as “Chocolate Milk”, they vow to succeed despite family restrictions.

ANDREW CLEMENTS:  The Last Holiday Concert

         This is the story of sixth-grader Hart and how his antics in chorus result in his becoming the person responsible for producing the annual holiday concert.

CORNELIA FUNKE:  Inkheart

         Like Jumanji, the characters in books escape into the real world, but unlike Jumanji, some people are sucked into the books.  Learn how this affects 12-year-old Meggie, her father and her mother.  This is a great adventure fantasy.

PERSIS GRANGER:  Adirondack Gold

         Set the in 1890’s in upstate New York, this is the story of Hollis Ingraham.  He is sent to the country to live with his grandparents while his mother works to get out of debt.  This experience helps Hollis to understand the death of his father, and the conflicts that resulted within his family.

MADELEINE L’ENGLE:  A Wrinkle in Time

         Be sure to read this classic Newbery winning Science Fiction book.  Learn what it means to “tesseract” and how Meg and her brother use this to rescue their dad.

E. L. KONIGSBURG:  The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place

         Margaret Rose Kane begins her summer at Camp Talequa, but after many cruel escapades by her bunkmates, leaves to go live with her two eccentric uncles while her parents are in Peru.  It is a summer of determination, discovery and success for Margaret.