*These books are read during the WCS 4th-grade reading class.  However, students may still read these books if they so desire because the books will be studied more in depth during class.

 

**Also other books in this series.

 

Aardema, Verna.  Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears.  1975.  (Caldecott Medal; Folklore) 

Reveals the meaning of the mosquito's buzz. 

**Adler, David A.  Cam Jansen:  the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds.  1980. (Beginning Chapter Book; Mystery and Detective Stories; First Book in the Cam Jansen Adventure Series) 

A fifth-grader with a photographic memory and her friend Eric help solve the mystery of the stolen diamonds. 

**American Girl Series.  (Historical Fiction) 

Young readers can compare the lives of Addy, Felicity, Josefina, Kaya, Kirsten. Kit, Molly, and Samantha share their dreams and the dilemmas of growing up. The heroines were strong and independent girls and some things in their lives were very different from today. But others--like families, friendships, and feelings--haven't changed at all. These are the traditions that the American Girls share. 1864 

Armstrong, William.  Sounder.  1969.  (Newbery Medal; Dogs) 

Angry and humiliated when his sharecropper father is jailed for stealing food for his family, a young black boy grows in courage and understanding with the help of the devoted dog Sounder. 

*Atwater, Richard.  Mr. Popper's Penguins.  1938.  (Newbery Honor) 

Mr. Popper starts out with one penguin in his house, but before he knows it there are twelve. 

**Baglio, Ben.  Animal Ark Series.  (Animals; Veterinarians) 

Mandy Hope's parents are veterinarians, and she often helps them out in their clinic, which they call Animal Ark. These appealing stories tell about her love and compassion for animals. 

Ballard, Robert D. Finding the Titanic.  1993.  (Nonfiction) 

Describes the voyage of the Titanic, the accident that caused it to sink, the rescue of those who survived, and the 1986 expedition to find the sunken ship. 

Banks, Kate.  Lenny's Space.  2007.  (Best Books of the Year) 

Nine-year-old Lenny gets in trouble and has no friends because he cannot control himself in school and his interests are not like those of his classmates, until he starts visiting Muriel, a counselor, and meets Van, a boy his age who has leukemia. 

**Banks, Lynne Reid.  The Indian in the Cupboard.  1980.  (Fantasy; The First Book in the Indian in the Cupboard Series) 

A nine-year-old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him. 

Barrett, Judi.  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  1978.  (Humorous Story)

Life is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and

blows storms of hamburgers--until the weather takes a turn for the worse. 

Barrie, J. M.  Peter Pan.  1911.  (Fantasy; Classic) 

The story of three children who travel to Neverland with Peter Pan, the boy who won't grow up, and have several adventures, including escaping from the nasty Captain Hook. 

Baum, L. Frank.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  1900.   (Fantasy; Classic)  

After being transported by a cyclone to the land of Oz, Dorothy and her dog are befriended by a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, who accompany her to the Emerald City to look for a wizard who can help Dorothy return home to Kansas. 

Benchley, Nathaniel.  Sam the Minuteman.  1969.  (Historical Fiction; Revolutionary War) 

An easy-to-read account of Sam and his father fighting as minutemen against the British in the Battle of Lexington. 

**Bibee, John.  The Magic Bicycle:  The Story of a Bicycle That Found a Boy.  1983.  (Fantasy; Christian Fiction; First Book in the Magic Flyer Series) 

The Spirit Flyer, a rusty old bicycle found in the city dump, surprises its new owner,, John Kramar, when it magically lives up to its name, introducing John to an unknown world and changing his life for good. 

Birdsall, Jeanne.  The Penderwicks:  A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.  2005.  (Fiction; National Book Award)

While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother.

Bishop, Nic. Nic Bishop Frogs.  2008.  (Nonfiction; Science) 

Full-color, illustrated photographs describing the characteristics and behaviors of a variety of frogs around the world. 

Bishop, Nic.  Nic Bishop Spiders.  2007.  (Nonfiction; Science) 

Photographs and text provide basic information about various kinds of spiders. 

**Blade, Adam. Ferno the Fire Dragon.  2007.  (Fantasy; First Book in the Beast Quest Series) 

Young Tom, on a mission to tell the king about the disasters befalling his small town, is recognized as the son of Taladon, a swordsman who went missing years earlier, and sent on a quest to free the fire dragon Ferno, once a protector of the kingdom, from the grip of evil magic. 

Blake, Robert J. Akiak:  A Tale from the Iditarod.  1997.  (Animals) 

Akiak the sled dog refuses to give up after being injured during the Iditarod sled dog race. 

Blume, Judy.  Freckle Juice.  1971.  (Humorous Story) 

Andrew wants freckles so badly that he buys Sharon's freckle recipe for fifty cents. 

Blume, Judy.  Superfudge.  1980.  (Humorous Story) 

Peter describes the highs and lows of life with his younger brother, Fudge. 

Blume, Judy.  Tales of the Fourth-Grade Nothing.  1972.  (Humorous Story) 

Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever-increasing problem. 

**Bond, Michael.  A Bear Called Paddington.  1958.  (Humorous Story; First Book in the Paddington Bear Series) 

A very small bear found by Mr. and Mrs. Brown at Paddington station becomes one of the family. 

Brink, Carol Ryrie.  Caddie Woodlawn.  1935.  (Newbery Medal; Historical Fiction; Frontier and Pioneer Life) 

Chronicles the adventures of eleven-year-old Caddie growing up with her six brothers and sisters on the Wisconsin frontier in the mid-nineteenth century. 

Bulla, Clyde.  Shoeshine Girl.   1975.  

Determined to earn some money, ten-year-old Sarah Ida gets a job at a shoeshine stand and learns a great many things besides shining shoes. 

Burnett, Frances Hodgson. The Little Princess.  1905.  (Classic) 

Sara Crewe, young daughter of a wealthy diamond merchant, struggles to keep her dignity after her father loses his fortune and the other girls at Miss Minchin's school begin to treat her differently. 

Burnett, Frances Hodgson.  The Secret Garden.  1911.  (Classic) 

Ten-year-old Mary comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors and discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden. 

Burnford, Shelia.  The Incredible Journey.  1960.  (Classic; Animals) 

A young Labrador Retriever, an old Bull Terrier and a Siamese cat undertake a 250-mile trek through the Canadian wilderness in order to return to their home. 

Byars, Betsy.  The Midnight Fox.  1968.  (Farm Life) 

A young boy saves the life of a fox that has been raiding his uncle's farm. 

Carlson, Natalie.  The Family Under the Bridge.  1958.  (Newbery Honor) 

An old tramp, adopted by three fatherless children when 

**Child, Lauren.  This is Me Clarice Bean.  1999.  (Humorous Story; One of several Clarice Bean books) 

A girl describes the hectic life she leads among the members of her large family, and her search for a little peace and quiet. 

**Christopher, Matt.  Baseball Pals.  1984.  (Baseball; Part of the Matt Christopher Sports Classics Series) 

Voted captain, Jimmie declares himself pitcher. But Paul is a better pitcher. After Paul leaves to pitch for another team, Jimmie's team starts losing. 

Cleary, Beverly.  Dear Mr. Henshaw.  1983.  (Newbery Medal) 

In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school, and generally finding his own place in the world. 

*Cleary, Beverly.  Henry Huggins.  1950.  (Humorous Story; Dogs) 

When Henry adopts Ribsy, a dog of no particular breed, humorous adventures follow. 

*Cleary, Beverly.  The Mouse and the Motorcycle. 1965.   

The adventures of a boy and a little mouse who wants to ride his toy motorcycle.   

Clements, Andrew.  Frindle.  1996. 

When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control. 

Cline-Ransom, Lisa.  Young Pele:  Soccer's First Star.  2007.  (Soccer; Biography; Nonfiction) 

Explores the childhood of Pele, discussing how a poor, Brazilian boy became one of the best soccer players in the world. 

Collodi, Carlo.  Pinocchio.   1882.   (Fairy Tale) 

Pinocchio, a wooden puppet full of tricks and mischief, with a talent for getting into and out of trouble, wants more than anything else to become a real boy. 

Craft, Charlotte.  King Midas and the Golden Touch.  1999.  (Greek Mythology) 

A king finds himself bitterly regretting the consequences of his wish that everything he touches would turn to gold. 

Dahl, Roald.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  1964. (Humorous Story) 

Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way. 

Dahl, Roald.  James and the Giant Peach.  1961.  (Fantasy) 

Wonderful adventures abound after James escapes from his fearsome aunts by rolling away inside a giant peach. 

Dalgliesh, Alice.  The Courage of Sarah Noble.  1954. (Newbery Honor; Historical Fiction; Frontier and Pioneer Life)

Remembering her mother's words, an eight-year-old girl finds courage to go alone with her father to build a new home in the Connecticut wilderness and to stay with the Indians when her father goes back to bring the rest of the family.

Dalgliesh, Alice.  The Thanksgiving Story.  1954.  (thanksgiving; History)

A Pilgrim family's struggle to survive in their harsh new homeland culminates in a Thanksgiving feast. 

Daugherty, James.  Daniel Boone.  1939.  (Newbery Medal; Biography; Nonfiction) 

The story of Daniel Boone, the famous hunter and adventurer who explored and helped settle the early West, especially Kentucky. 

Davidson, Margaret.  Helen Keller.  1969.  (Nonfiction; Biography) 

A brief biography of Helen Keller who was both blind and deaf, yet inspired many with her spirit and achievements. 

**De Groat, Diane.  Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink.  1996.  (Valentine's Day; Part of the Gilbert the Opossum Series) 

On Valentine's Day, Gilbert brings a tin of homemade cookies and his original nice or nasty poems to school. 

DeJong, Meinder.  The Wheel on the School.  1954.  (Newbery Medal) 

The people in a little town in Holland try to bring storks to nest in their village. 

DiCamillo, Kate.  Because of Winn Dixie.   2001.  (Newbery Honor) 

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie. 

**Dixon, Franklin W.  The Tower Treasure.  1927.  (Mystery; First Book in the Hardy Boys Mystery Series) 

After a dying criminal confesses that his loot has been stashed "in the tower," the Hardy boys make an astonishing discovery. 

DuBois, William Pene.  The Twenty-One Balloons.  1974.  (Classic; Historical Fiction) 

Relates the incredible adventures of Professor William Waterman Sherman who in 1883 sets off in a balloon across the Pacific, survives the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa, and is eventually picked up in the Atlantic. 

Edmonds, Walter.  The Matchlock Gun.  1989.  (Newbery Medal; Historical Fiction; Frontier and Pioneer Life) 

In 1756, during the French and Indian War in upper New York state, ten-year-old Edward is determined to protect his home and family with the ancient, and much too heavy, Spanish gun that his father had given him before leaving home to fight the enemy. 

**Erickson, John R.  The Original Adventures of Hank the Cow Dog.  1983.  (First Book in the Hank the Cow Dog series; Dogs; Ranch Life; Humorous Stories) 

Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes.  

**Farley, Walter. The Black Stallion.  1941. (Classic; Part of the Black Stallion Series) 

The story of the understanding and love between a boy and a magnificent wild horse and the adventures and dangers they shared. 

Fleischman, Sid.  The Whipping Boy.  1986. (Newbery Medal; Adventure) 

A bratty prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when they inadvertently trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws. 

Fritz, Jean.  The Cabin Faced West.  1958.  (Historical Fiction; Frontier and Pioneer Life) 

Ten-year-old Ann overcomes loneliness and learns to appreciate the importance of her role in settling the wilderness of western Pennsylvania. 

Gardner, John Reynolds.  Stone Fox.  1980. 

Little Willie hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters. 

George, Jean Craighead.  My Side of the Mountain.  1959.  (Newbery Honor; Adventure; Survival) 

Sequel:  My Side of the Mountain.  A boy runs away from home and spends a year living in a tree in the Catskill Mountains with a young peregrine falcon, depending on his knowledge of the natural world and on nature itself to survive. 

Giovanni, Nikki.  Rosa.  2005.  (Biography; History; Caldecott Honor; Coretta Scott King Medal) 

Presents an illustrated account of Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, and the subsequent bus boycott by the black community. 

Gipson, Fred.  Old Yeller.  1956.  (Newbery Honor; Classic; Dogs; Frontier and Pioneer Life) 

In the late 1860s in the Texas hill country, a big yellow dog and a fourteen-year-old boy form a close, loving relationship. 

Grahame, Kenneth.  The Wind in the Willows.  1908.  (Fantasy; Classic) 

The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English countryside-- Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger. 

Gutman, Dan.   The Homework Machine.  2006. 

Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments. 

Henry, Marguerite.  Misty of Chincoteague.  1947.  (Newbery Honor; Ponies) 

Two youngsters' determination to own a Chincoteague pony is greatly increased when the Phantom and her colt are among those rounded up for the yearly auction. 

Hesse, Karen.  Sable.  1994. 

Tate Marshall is delighted when a stray dog turns up in the yard one day, but Sable, named for her dark, silky fur, causes trouble with the neighbors and has to go. 

Hodges, Margaret.  Saint George and the Dragon.  1984.  (Caldecott Medal; Folklore) 

Retells the segment from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings peace and joy to the land. 

Hoffman, Mary.  Amazing Grace.  1991.  (First Book in the Grace Series) 

Sequel: Boundless Grace. Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is African-American, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do. 

**Howe, James; illus. by Melissa Sweet.  Pinky and Rex and the Bully. (Beginning Reader; Part of

the Pinky and Rext Ready-to-Read series)

Pinky learns the importance of identity as he defends his favorite color, pink, and his friendship with a girl,

Rex, from the neighborhood bully.

**Hutchens, Paul.  The Sugar Creek Gang.  Revised edition, 1997-1998.  (Christian Fiction) 

Capturing kidnappers, recovering stolen fortunes, stalking a killer wildcat--it's the Sugar Creek Gang smack in the middle of another adventure! 

Judge, Lita.  One Thousand Tracings:  Healing the Wounds of World War II.  2007. (Nonfiction; History) 

The author relates the story of her grandparents' efforts after World War II to send packages of food, clothing, and shoes to their friends in Germany and others in Europe who suffered from the after-effects of the war. 

**Keene, Carolyn.  The Secret of the Old Clock.  1930.  (Mystery; First Book in the Nancy Drew Original Mystery Stories Series) 

Nancy rescues a child from a bad fall and then gets involved in a search for a missing will. 

Kipling, Rudyard; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.  1997. (Classic) 

A courageous mongoose thwarts the evil plans of Nag and Nagaina, two big black cobras who live in the garden. 

Knight, Eric.  Lassie Come Home.  1940.  (Classic; Dogs) 

A collie undertakes a 1000-mile journey in order to once again meet her former master at the school gate. 

*Lawson, Robert.  Ben and Me:  A New and Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin As Written by His Good Mouse, Amos, Lately Discovered.  1939.  (Fictionalized Biography) 

Benjamin Franklin's companion, Amos the mouse, recounts how he was responsible for Franklin's inventions and discoveries. 

Lawson, Robert.  Rabbit Hill.  1940. (Classic) 

New folks are coming to live in the Big House. The animals of Rabbit Hill wonder if they will plant a garden and thus be good providers. 

Lenski, Lois.  Indian Captive:  The Story of Mary Jemison.  1941.  (Newbery Honor; Frontier and Pioneer Life; Historical Fiction; Fictionalized Biography) 

A fictional retelling of the experiences of twelve-year-old Mary Jemison, who after being captured by a Shawnee war party during the French and Indian War, is rescued and subsequently adopted by two Seneca sisters with whom she ultimately chooses to stay. 

Lenski, Lois.  Strawberry Girl.  1945.  (Newbery Medal; Frontier and Pioneer Life; The First of the Lenski Regional Books) 

Birdie Boyer and her hard working family raise strawberries in Florida, but have to face the dislike of their neighbors. 

Lester, Julius.  Black Cowboy, Wild Horses:  A True Story.  1998.  (Historical Fiction) 

An African-American cowboy is so in tune with wild mustangs that they accept him into the herd, thus enabling him singlehandedly to take them to the corral. 

Lester, Julius.  John Henry.  1994.  (Folklore) 

Retells the legend of the African-American railroad builder who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain. 

Levine, Ellen; illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Henry's Freedom Box:  A True Story from the Underground Railroad.  2007.  (Caldecott Honor; Historical Fiction) 

A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a Virginia slave, Henry "Box" Brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from Richmond to Philadelphia. 

**Lewis, C.S.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  1950.  (Fantasy; The Second Book in the Chronicles of Narnia Series) 

Four English schoolchildren find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia and assist Aslan, the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch, who has cursed the land with eternal winter. 

Lindgren, Astrid.  Pippi Longstocking.  1950. (Humorous Story; Classic) 

Escapades of a lucky little girl who lives with a horse and a monkey--but without any parents--at the edge of a Swedish village. 

Lofting, Hugh. The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.  1922.  (Newbery Medal; Fantasy; Animals; Classic) 

When his colleague Long Arrow disappears, Dr. Dolittle sets off with his assistant, Tommy Stubbins, his dog, Jip, and Polynesia the parrot on an adventurous voyage over tropical seas to floating Spidermonkey Island. 

Lowry, Lois.  Number the Stars. 1989.  (Newbery Medal; Historical Fiction) 

In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis. 

MacLachlan, Patricia.    Sarah Plain and Tall.  1985.  (Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; Newbery Medal; Frontier and Pioneer Life) 

Caleb and Anna are captivated by the mail-order bride their father has invited to live with them in their prairie home, and hope that she will stay. 

Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley. 1998.  (Caldecott Medal; Biography) 

A biography of a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of individual snowflakes in order to study their unique formations. 

*McSwigan, Marie.  Snow Treasure.  1942.  (Historical Fiction)  

In 1940, when the Nazi invasion of Norway reaches their village in the far north, twelve-year-old Peter and his friends use their sleds to transport nine million dollars worth of gold bullion past the German soldiers to the secret harbor where Peter's uncle keeps his ship ready to take the gold for safekeeping in the United States. 

Milne, A. A. Winnie-the-Pooh.  1926.  (Classic) 

The various adventures of Christopher Robin and his friends in which Pooh Bear uses a balloon to get honey, Piglet meets a Heffalump, and Eeyore has a birthday. 

Mora, Pat.  Tomas and the Library Lady.   1997. 

While helping his family in their work as migrant laborers far from their home, Tomas finds an entire world to explore in the books at the local public library. 

Moses, Will.  Rip Van Winkle.  1999. (Folklore) 

A retelling of the tale in which a man who sleeps for twenty years in the Catskill Mountains wakes to a much-changed world. 

Moss, Marissa. Mighty Jackie:  The Strike-out Queen.  2004.  (Biography; Nonfiction; Baseball)

In 1931, seventeen-year-old Jackie Mitchell pitches against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in an exhibition game, becoming the first professional female pitcher in baseball history.

**Myers, Bill.  My Life as a Smashed Burrito with Extra Hot Sauce.  1986.  (Humorous stories; Christian Fiction; First book in the Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle Series) 

Twelve-year-old Wally, a computer whiz who is a "walking disaster area," ends up in a competition with the bully of Camp Whacka-Whacka, and when they find themselves fighting for their lives, Wally realizes that even his worst enemy needs God. 

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.  Shiloh.  1991.  (Newbery Medal; Animals) 

Marty finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, and tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs. 

Nelson, Vaunda.  Bad News for Outlaws:  The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal.  2009.  (Biography; Nonfiction; Coretta Scott King Author Medal Award)

An illustrated biography of Bass Reeves, a former slave who was recruited as a deputy United States marshal, based on his ability to communicate with the Native Americans in the area that was to become Oklahoma.

**Norton, Mary.  The Borrowers.  1952.  (Fantasy; Classic) 

Miniature people who live in an old country house by borrowing things from the humans are forced to emigrate from their home under the clock. Includes a letter and a sketch of Homily and Arrietty by the author. 

O'Brien, Robert C.  Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIIMH.  1971.  (Newbery Medal; Fantasy) 

With nowhere else to turn, a field mouse asks the clever escaped lab rats living under the rosebush to help save her son, who lies in the path of the farmer's tractor, too ill to be moved. 

**Osborne, Mary Pope.  Dinosaurs Before Dark.  1992.  (First Book in the Magic Tree House series) 

Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic tree house, which whisks them back to an

ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs. 

Park, Linda Sue.  Tap Dancing on the Roof:  Sijo (Poems).  2007.  (Poetry; Children's Books of the Year; Notable Children's Books) 

Presents twenty-six sijo, traditional Korean syllabic poems, on "inside" and "outside" themes. 

**Pennypacker, Sara.  Clementine.  2006.  (Boston Globe Horn Book Honor; Children's Books of the Year) 

While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains

several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their

apartment building. 

**Peretti, Frank.  The Door in the Dragon's Throat.   1985.  (Adventure; Christian Fiction; First book in

the Cooper Kids Adventure Series) 

American archeologist and his two children seek God's protection and guidance as they journey to the Near

East in search of a buried biblical treasure which local residents believe is cursed. 

Pilkey, Dav.  Dogzilla. 1993.  (Dogs) 

A monstrous mutt terrorizes the residents of Mousopolis in this spoof of the Godzilla movies. 

Polacco, Patricia.  The Keeping Quilt.   1988. 

A homemade quilt ties together the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish family, remaining

symbol of their enduring love and faith. 

Polacco, Patricia. Pink and Say.  1994.  (Historical Fiction) 

Chronicles the friendship of Pink, a fifteen-year-old African-American Union soldier, and Say, his poor white comrade, as one nurses the other back to health from a battle wound and the two of them are imprisoned at Andersonville. Based on a true story. 

**Preller, James.  The Case of the Marshmallow Monster.  2000.  (Mystery; Part of the Jigsaw Jones

Mystery series)

On a camping trip, Jigsaw and Mila investigate the area around a nearby lake to determine if it is haunted by

the Marshmallow Monster.

Rathmann, Peggy.  Officer Buckle and Gloria.  1995.  (Humorous Story; Caldecott Medal) 

The children at Napville Elementary School always ignore Officer Buckle's safety tips, until a police dog named Gloria accompanies him when he gives his safety speeches. 

Rawls, Wilson.  Where the Red Fern Grows:  the Story of Two Dogs and a Boy.  1961.  (Classic; Animal Story) 

A young boy living in the Ozarks achieves his heart's desire when he becomes the owner of two redbone hounds and teaches them to be champion hunters. 

Robinson, Barbara.  The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  1972.  (Humorous Story; Christmas) 

The six mean Herdman kids lie, steal, smoke cigars (even the girls) and then become involved in the community Christmas pageant. 

Robinson, Sharon.  Safe at Home.  2006.  (Baseball) 

Elijah Breeze, a ten-year-old African American boy, moves back to New York City with his mother and attends a summer baseball camp as he tries to make new friends and adapt to urban ways. 

Roy, Ron.  The Absent Author.  1997.  (Mystery; First Book in the A to Z Mysteries Series)

Dink Duncan and his two friends investigate the apparent kidnapping of famous mystery author Wallis

Wallace.  

Ryan, Pam Munoz.  Riding Freedom. 1998. (Fictionalized Biography; Historical Fiction) 

Based on the true story of an orphan girl who had a special way with horses and who overcame many obstacles to live her dream—including becoming a famous stagecoach driver, a land owner, and the first woman to vote in the United States. 

Sachar, Louis.  Holes.  1998.  (Newbery Medal) 

As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself. 

Say, Allen.  Grandfather's Journey.  1994. (Caldecott Medal) 

A Japanese-American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America, which he later also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries. 

Schwartz, David M.  Where in the wild? : camouflaged creatures concealed-- and revealed : ear-tickling poems / by David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy ; eye-tricking photos by Dwight Kuhn. 2007.  (Animals; Science; Poetry; Nonfiction; Outstanding Science Books for Students K-12) 

Poems with clues prompt readers to guess the identities of ten camouflaged animals, revealed in gatefolds, and fact pages present information on each species, discussing their camouflage and life cycles. 

Scieszka, Jon.  The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.   1992.  (Fairy Tales; Caldecott Medal) 

Madcap revisions of familiar fairy tales. 

Sewell, Anna.  Black Beauty.  1877.  (Classic; Horses) 

A horse in nineteenth-century England recounts his experiences with both good and bad masters. 

Silverstein, Shel.  A Light in the Attic.  1981.  (Humorous Poetry) 

A collection of humorous poems and drawings. 

Silverstein, Shel.  Where the Sidewalk Ends.  1974.  (Humorous Poetry) 

A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings. 

**Snicket, Lemony.  The Bad Beginning.  1999.  (Humorous Story; First Book in the A Series of Unfortunate Events Series) 

After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune. 

**Sobol, Donald.  Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective. 1963.    (Mystery and Detective Stories; Part of the Encylopedia Brown series) 

Fifth grader Leroy Brown solves ten mysteries and, by putting the solutions at the back of the book, challenges the reader to do the same. 

*Speare, Elizabeth. The Sign of the Beaver.  1983.  (Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; Caldecott Medal)  

Left alone to guard the family's wilderness home in eighteenth-century Maine, a boy is hard-pressed to survive until local Indians teach him their skills. 

Spyri, Johanna.  Heidi.  1880.  (Classic) 

A Swiss orphan is heartbroken when she must leave her beloved grandfather and their happy home in the mountains to go to school and to care for an invalid girl in the city. 

St. George, Judith.  So You Want to be President?  2004, Rev. & updated.  (Caldecott Medal) 

Presents an assortment of facts about the qualifications and characteristics of U.S. presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush. 

St. George, Judith.  Stand Tall, Abe Lincoln.  2008.  (Biography; Nonfiction) 

An illustrated account of the early life of Abraham Lincoln in the backwoods of Kentucky and Indiana, discussing how the support and encouragement of his stepmother Sally Johnston propelled him to success. 

**Star Wars series--Boba Fett, Jedi Quest, or Last of the Jedi.  Scholastic.  (Science Fiction) 

Taylor, Gaylia.  George Crum and the Saratoga Chip.  2006.  (History; Biography) 

Describes chef George Crum's childhood as a part-Native-American, part-African-American boy in rural 1830s New York, his adventures cooking at Moon's Lake House restaurant in Sarasota Springs, and his accidental invention of one of America's most beloved snacks. 

**Thaler, Mike.  The Librarian from the Black Lagoon.  1997.  (Humorous Story; Part of the Black Lagoon series) 

When the class plans to visit the library for the first time, the students prepare themselves for the worst -- a dark dungeon of rules and misery, run by creepy monster-like creatures who laminate children if they even whisper. Imagine their surprise, when they are welcome to a warn and friendly place, where a smiling librarian invites them to explore some of the fun and funny books they have to offer.

Thayer,  Earnest.  Casey at the Bat.  illustrated by Christopher Bing. 2000.  (Caldecott Honor; Poetry) 

A lavishly illustrated edition of the famous poem. 

Turner, Ann. Katie's Trunk.  1992.  (Historical Fiction) 

Katie, whose family is not sympathetic to the rebel soldiers during the American Revolution, hides under the clothes in her mother's wedding trunk when they invade her home. 

Van Allsburg, Chris.  Jumanji.  1981.  (Caldecott Medal) 

Left on their own for an afternoon, two bored and restless children find more excitement than they bargained for in a mysterious and mystical jungle adventure board game. 

Van Allsburg, Chris.  Polar Express.  1985.  (Caldecott Medal) 

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. 

Viorst, Judith.  Alexander Who Used To Be Rich on Sunday.  1978.  (Humorous Story; Money) 

Although Alexander and his money are quickly parted, he comes to realize all the things that can be done with a dollar. 

**Warner, Gertrude Chandler.  The Boxcar Children.  1942.  (Mystery; First Book in the Boxcar Children Mystery Series) 

Four orphans, two boys and two girls, set up housekeeping in an old boxcar. 

**Watt, Melanie. Scaredy Squirrel.  2006.  (Humorous Story) 

Scaredy Squirrel is afraid to leave his nut tree, but when he is finally one day forced out of his home, he discovers some interesting things about the great unknown. 

White, E.B.  Charlotte's Web.  1952.  (Fantasy; Newbery Honor Book) 

Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him. 

White, E.B.  Trumpet of the Swan. 1970.  

A voiceless trumpeter swan named Louis, attempting to win the love of a beautiful swan named Serena, learns to play a trumpet stolen for him by his father, and then finds himself far from his wilderness home when he sets out to become a trumpeter and pay his father back. 

**Wilder, Laura Ingalls.  Little House in the Big Woods.  1932.  (Frontier and Pioneer Life; First Book in the Little House Series) 

A year in the life of two young girls growing up on the Wisconsin frontier, as they help their mother with the daily chores, enjoy their father's stories and singing, and share special occasions when they get together with relatives or neighbors. 

*The fourth-grade class will read Farmer Boy, one of the books in the Little House series, during reading class. 

Wiles, Deborah.  Freedom Summer.  2001.  (Ezra Jack Keats Book Award; Coretta Scott King Award; Historical Fiction; Civil Rights Movement) 

In 1964, Joe is pleased that a new law will allow his best friend John Henry, who is African-American, to share the town pool and other public places with him, but he is dismayed to find that prejudice still exists. 

Williams, Mary.  Brothers in Hope.  2005.  (Coretta Scott King Honor Book; Notable Children's Books) 

Eight-year-old Garang, orphaned by a civil war in Sudan, finds the inner strength to help lead other boys as they trek hundreds of miles seeking safety in Ethiopia, and then Kenya, before being offered sanctuary in the United States many years later. 

**Wishbone Mysteries.  (Dogs; Mystery and Detective Stories) 

Wishbone the dog and his best friend, young teen Joe Talbot, make a formidable mystery-solving team as they investigate alien sightings, missing people, dognappings, vandals, and other strange goings-on in the town of Oakdale. 

Wyss, Johann.  The Swiss Family Robinson, or Adventures on a Desert Island.  1813.  (Survival; Classic) 

A shipwrecked family learns to live off the natural vegetation on their island and refuses to leave when a ship arrives to take them home.  

Yolen, Jane.  My Brothers' Flying Machine:  Wilbur, Orville, and Me.  (Collective Biography; Nonfiction) 

Provides a look at the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright, as seen through the eyes of their younger sister, Katharine, who provided support and encouragement while they worked on their many inventions. 

Young, Ed.  Lon Po Po:  A Red-Riding Hood Story from China.  1989.  (Caldecott Medal; Folktale) 

Three sisters staying home alone are endangered by a hungry wolf who is disguised as their grandmother. 

Zelinsky, Paul O.  Rapunzel. 1997.  (Caldecott Medal; Folktale) 

A retelling of a folktale in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is kept imprisoned in a lonely tower by a sorceress. Includes a note that traces the Italian, French, and German origins of the story, and discusses the author's decision to mimic the style of Italian Renaissance art in his illustrations.