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Green Acres SchoolReading Suggestionsfor Students EnteringFourth GradeUpdated June 2016Collaborating Authors. 39 Clues series Four series of adventure novels (39 Clues, Cahills vs. Vespers, Unstoppable, Doublecross) follow the quests of two siblings, 14-year-old Amy and 11-year-old Dan Cahill, who discover that their family has been influential in shaping history and who travel the world to seek clues to the source of their family’s power. Written by collaborating authors including Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Roland Smith, David Baldacci, Jeff Hirsch, Natalie Standiford, C. Alexander London, and Jenny Goebel. Adventure/fiction. Collaborating Authors. Spirit Animals series “Separated by vast distances, Conor Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan have each summoned a beast of legend – a spirit animal. Now their fate is set. … The four young heroes and their animals must band together on a quest to find legendary talismans – before they fall into enemy hands.” Written by collaborating authors including Brandon Mull, Maggie Stiefvater, Garth Nix, Sean Williams, Shannon Hale, Tui T. Sutherland, Eliot Schrefer, Marie Lu, and Victoria Schwab. Fantasy. (Publisher) Aguire, Jorge. Dragons Beware! “When a wicked wizard threatens her city, Claudette decides it's once again her job to save the day.” Graphic fantasy. (Kirkus Reviews) Albee, Sarah. Bugged: How Insects Changed History Chronicles the rivalry between the human and insect worlds and the varying roles that bugs have played in building and toppling empires and also relates the “bug stories” behind infamous disasters. Nonfiction. Aldrin, Buzz and Marianne Dyson. Welcome to Mars: Making a Home on the Red Planet "Apollo 11 astronaut Aldrin welcomes young people to his crew for a journey 'to build the first city on Mars,' while related passages fill in information about the planet and the challenges of colonizing it." Nonfiction. (Booklist) Alexander, Lloyd. The Chronicles of Prydain series This classic 5-book series, which combines fantasy and Welsh mythology, recounts the coming-of-age journey of assistant pig-keeper Taran, who dreams of becoming a hero. Alexander, Lloyd. Time Cat: The Remarkable Journeys of Jason and Gareth Jason and his magic cat travel through time to visit countries all over the world during different periods in history. Fantasy. Angleberger, Tom. Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus (Origami Yoda series) “Tommy and his fellow seventh-grade Star Wars (and origami) fanatics are ready to go on the field trip they worked so hard to get reinstated in Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue (2014), but despite her softened stance, Principal Rabbski imposes a rule banning origami on the trip.” Graphic/fiction hybrid. Angleberger, Tom. Rocket and Groot: Stranded on Planet Strip Mall! ”Origami Yoda's creator kicks off a trilogy for young readers starring two-fifths of the Guardians of the Galaxy.” Science fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Appelt, Kathi. The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp Twelve-year-old Chap Brayburn, ancient Sugar Man, and his raccoon-brothers try to save Bayou Tourterelle from feral pigs Clydine and Buzzie, greedy Sunny Boy Beaucoup, and world-class alligator wrestler and would-be land developer Jaeger Stitch. Fantasy. Applegate, Katherine. Crenshaw Crenshaw, a 7-foot-tall outspoken and imaginary cat, comes back into the life of 10-year-old Jackson, whose family is having trouble paying the rent and getting enough to eat. Fiction. Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find a better life for her. Fiction. Avi. Poppy (Tales from Dimwood Forest series) Poppy, the deer mouse, urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. Fiction. Babbitt, Natalie. The Search for Delicious The innocent task of polling the kingdom's subjects for personal food preferences provokes civil war in a zestful spoof of taste and society. Fantasy. Barnett, Mac and Jory John. The Terrible Two When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he challenges the local mystery prankster in an epic battle of tricks, but soon the two join forces to pull off the biggest prank ever seen. Fiction. Barnett, Mac and Jory John. The Terrible Two Get Worse “When pranking perfection meets the seemingly unprankable foe, who gets the last laugh?” Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Bauer, Marian Dane. Runt Runt, the smallest wolf cub in the litter, seeks to prove himself to his father (King) and the rest of the pack. Fiction. Bell, Cece. El Deafo The author recounts in graphic novel format her experiences with hearing loss at a young age, including using a bulky hearing aid, learning how to lip read, and determining her "superpower." Graphic memoir. Berlin, Eric. The Puzzler’s Mansion Winston Breen attends a weekend of puzzles at a famous musician's mansion, but when he and other guests pursue a thief, they find themselves in big trouble. Puzzles for the reader to solve are included throughout the text. Mystery. Berlin, Eric. The Puzzling World of Winston Breen (series)Winston Breen says that the only thing better than discovering a puzzle is stumping someone else with it. When his sister uncovers mysterious strips of wood with words and letters on them, even Winston is stumped. Mystery. Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks (Penderwicks series) 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. Fiction. Birney, Betty. The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs Life in Sassafras Springs always has been predictable, even boring, but that changes one afternoon when Eben McAllister's pa challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras that rival the real Seven Wonders of the World. Fiction. Blakemore, Megan. The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill Hazel Kaplansky and new student Samuel Butler investigate rumors that a Russian spy has infiltrated their small Vermont town in 1953, amidst the fervor of Cold War era McCarthyism, but more is revealed than they ever could have imagined. Historical mystery. Blume, Judy. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Nine-year-old Peter Hatcher has a terrible problem -- his two-year-old brother, Fudge. Fiction. Borden, Louise. The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margaret and H. A. Rey Presents biographies of two individuals who fled Paris in 1940 as the Germans were advancing and who later wrote children's literature featuring Curious George. Nonfiction. Brown, Calef. Hypnotize a Tiger: Poems About Just About Everything "With verse and illustrations running the gamut from creative to kooky and occasionally gross, kids should devour this entertaining collection in one sitting.” Poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Bryant, Jennifer. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus The story of shy, young Peter Mark Roget, who grew up loving books and who used his love of words to organize ideas and find just the right words to express his thoughts. His lists eventually turned into one of the most important reference books of all time, Roget’s Thesaurus. Biography. Burleigh, Robert. Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor “Working in a time when women were still unwelcome in her field, Marie Tharp mapped the ocean floor and provided convincing evidence for the previously rejected hypothesis of continental drift.” Informational picture book. (Kirkus Reviews) Butler, Dori Hillestad. Trading Places with Tank Talbott Jason, who would rather work on his horror movie screenplay than learn to swim, finds an unlikely ally in Tank, the class bully, who is being forced to take ballroom dance lessons. Fiction. Byrd, Robert. Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin A true Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin was the first American celebrity. Biography. Cate, Annette LeBlanc. Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard "Small and accessible, this is jam-packed with accurate information likely to increase any potential birder's enthusiasm and knowledge.” Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Cavanaugh, Nancy. This Journal Belongs to Ratchet Homeschooled by her mechanic-environmentalist father, 11-year-old Rachel "Ratchet" Vance records her efforts to make friends, save a park, remember her mother, and find her own definition of "normal." Fiction. Cheng, Andrea. The Year of the Book (Anna Wang series) This story follows a young Chinese American girl as she navigates relationships with family, friends, and her fourth grade classroom and finds a true best friend. Fiction. Clements, Andrew. The Landry News Cara Landry starts a newspaper with an editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to begin teaching again, but there are also unexpected consequences. Fiction. Clements, Andrew. The Map Trap Sixth grader Alton Barnes loves maps, and when his portfolio of secret maps is stolen, he begins getting notes with orders that he must obey to get the maps back. With the help of a popular classmate, he just might succeed before his teacher, principal, or someone else learns that he has been studying and mapping things about them. Fiction. Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in History This lyrical picture book relates how two musical prodigies from very different backgrounds -- Teddy Wilson, a young black boy growing up in Tuskegee, Alabama and Benny Goodman, the son of struggling Russian-Jewish immigrants from the West Side of Chicago -- formed the Benny Goodman Trio with Gene Krupa in 1936 and helped create the jazz style known as swing. Informational picture book. Cline-Ransome, Lesa. My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey “Only the third person to direct the esteemed and much-loved American dance company, Battle represents a strong line that celebrates African-American music, faith, and dance.” Biography. (Kirkus Reviews) Coburn, Broughton. Triumph on Everest: A Photobiography of Sir Edmund Hillary Celebrates the life and achievements of the New Zealand farm boy whose love of snow, mountains, and the outdoors culminated in his conquering the highest peak in the world in 1953. Nonfiction. Colfer, Chris. The Enchantress Returns (The Land of Stories series) Against the will of their grandmother, twins Alex and Conner must find their own way into the Land of Stories to rescue their mother and save the fairytale world from the greatest threat it has ever faced -- the return of the Enchantress who cursed Sleeping Beauty. Fantasy. Collins, Suzanne. Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles series) When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy. Fiction. Coulombis, Audrey. Jake Jake and his widowed mom have always been fine on their own, but when Jake's mom ends up in the hospital with a broken leg, the grandfather Jake barely knows comes to stay and brings his nightmare dog, Max, with him. Fiction. Coville, Bruce. Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (Magic Shop Book series) Jeremy Thatcher unknowingly buys a dragon egg. Fantasy. Coy, John. Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game “A picture-book account of a historic, secret basketball matchup in the Jim Crow South.” Informational picture book. (Kirkus Reviews) Coy, John. Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball Taking over a rowdy gym class right before winter vacation is not something James Naismith wants to do at all. This is the true story of how Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at a school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Informational picture book. Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Mighty Miss Malone With love and determination befitting the "world's greatest family," 12-year-old Deza Malone, her older brother Jimmie, and their parents endure tough times in Gary, Indiana and later in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression. Historical fiction. Dahl, Roald. The BFG After she is snatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Sophie and the BFG plan how to save the world from other human-eating monsters. Fantasy. Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach After the untimely death of his parents, little James finds life with aunts Sponge and Spiker miserable until a magic potion produces an enormous peach that becomes his new and exciting home. Fiction. Davies, Jacqueline. The Lemonade War (series) Evan and his younger sister react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade. As the end of summer approaches, they battle it out at lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars. Includes mathematical calculations and tips for running a successful lemonade stand. Fiction.D'Aulaire, Ingri and Edgar d’Aulaire. D'Aulaire's Book of Greek MythsA classic introduction to the Greek myths. DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie India Opal Buloni is friendless in a new town until she finds a stray dog outside the supermarket. Fiction. DiCamillo, Kate. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures Rescuing a squirrel after an accident involving a vacuum cleaner, comic-reading cynic Flora Belle Buckman is astonished when the squirrel, Ulysses, demonstrates astonishing powers of strength and flight after being revived. Fantasy. DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Spiderwick Chronicles series When the Grace children go to stay at their Great Aunt Lucinda's run-down Victorian house, they discover a field guide to fairies and other creatures and begin to have some unusual experiences. Fiction. Draper, Sharon. Out of My Mind Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth grader with cerebral palsy who has a photographic memory but cannot talk struggles to make herself understood. Fiction. Duffy, Chris, ed. Fable Comics "Twenty-eight fables from different cultures and traditions are wonderfully adapted and illustrated in comics format by twenty-six different cartoonists." Graphic fables. () Duffy, Chris, ed. Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists Seventeen fairytales, from old favorites (Puss in Boots and Goldilocks) to obscure gems (The Boy Who Drew Cats), are adapted and illustrated in comic-book format by acclaimed artists Raina Telgemeier, Brett Helquist, Cherise Harper, and others. Graphic folk tales. Durham, Paul. The Luck Uglies (trilogy) Eleven-year-old Rye O’Chanter has witnessed many strange things in the medieval-like town of Village Drowning. A terrifying event convinces her that the monstrous, supposedly extinct Bog Noblins have returned, but there is no one left to protect the town… or is there? Fantasy. Edinger, Monica. Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad Presents the tale of a child who arrives in America on the slave ship Amistad. Her capture, mutiny aboard the ship, and the Supreme Court trial that prompts her return to Africa are described. John Quincy Adams argued for the Africans. Historical fiction. English, Karen. Skateboard Party Richard can't wait to show off his flat-ground Ollies at a friend's birthday party at the skate park, but a note sent home by his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. Fiction. Erickson, John R. The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog (Hank the Cowdog series) Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security, is framed for the murder of a chicken and becomes an outlaw with the coyotes. Fiction. Eszterhas, Suzi. Koala Hospital "This book, abundant with color photographs, takes readers into the world's only hospital solely for koalas." Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Fardell, John. The 7 Professors of the Far North When Sam visits Zara and Ben and their great-uncle, quirky inventor Professor Ampersand, he never expects to embark on a desperate rescue mission to the frozen Arctic Ocean. Fiction. Ferrari, Michael. Born to Fly In 1942, 11-year-old Bird McGill, who longs to be a pilot, and her family try to manage their lives in Rhode Island when her father leaves to fight in World War II. When a Japanese American boy joins her class, the students are convinced that he and his uncle want the Japanese to win the war. Historical fiction. Flake, Sharon. Unstoppable Octobia May In 1953, ten-year-old Octobia May lives in her Aunt's boarding house in the south, surrounded by an African American community with its own secrets and internal racism. She spends her days wondering whether Mr. Davenport in Room 204 is really a vampire or something else entirely. Historical fiction. Floca, Brian. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 “A dizzying, masterful command of visual pacing combines with an acute sense of verbal rhythms to provide a glorious account of the Apollo 11 mission…” Informational picture book. (Kirkus Reviews) Forester, Victoria. The Girl Who Could Fly When homeschooled farm girl Piper McCloud reveals her ability to fly, she is taken to a secret government facility to be trained with other exceptional children, but she soon realizes that something is very wrong and begins working with brilliant Conrad Harrington III, a powerful politician’s son, to escape. Fantasy. Foxlee, Karen. Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy Ophelia, a timid 11-year-old girl grieving for her mother, suspends her disbelief in things nonscientific when a boy locked in the museum where her father is working asks her to help him complete an age-old mission. Fantasy. Gaiman, Neil. Fortunately, the Milk While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space. Adventure. George, Jean Craighead. My Side of the Mountain “An exciting and evocative book about a young boy who decides to live the life of Thoreau throughout a year in the Catskills.” A classic adventure story. Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) George, Jessica Day. Tuesdays at the Castle (Castle Glower series) Eleven-year-old Princess Celie lives with her parents, the king and queen, and her brothers and sister at Castle Glower, which adds rooms or stairways or secret passageways almost every Tuesday. When the king and queen are ambushed while travelling, it is up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of its never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. Fantasy. Gill, Lewis. Wild Wings A boy from Scotland and a girl from West Africa join together to save a migrating osprey and end up saving each other. Fiction. Gownley, Jimmy. The Dumbest Idea Ever “The charismatic creator of the Eisner-nominated Amelia Rules! series recounts his beginnings as a cartoonist.” Graphic memoir. (Kirkus Reviews) Grabenstein, Chris. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (series)Twelve-year-old Kyle, staying overnight with other students in the new town library that was designed by famous game maker Luigi Lemoncello, finds out the next morning that they must solve puzzles in order to escape. Fiction. Grabenstein, Chris. The Island of Dr. Libris Spending the summer in a lakeside cabin that belongs to the mysterious Dr. Libris, Billy discovers that a powerful imagination can bring to life the characters from novels, comic books, video games, and card games. Fiction. Green, Michelle Y. A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson A biography of Washingtonian Mamie Johnson, one of three women who played in the Professional Negro League, discusses the challenges she faced as a black woman to make her way into professional baseball. Grill, William, illustr.??????? Shackleton’s Journey“"A magnificent chronicle by emerging illustrator William Grill, whose affectionate and enchanting colored-pencil drawings bring to life the legendary explorer and his historic expedition." Picture book. (Brainpickings)Grimes, Nikki. Words with Wings Pairs twenty works of art by African American artists with twenty poems by African American poets. Poetry. Gutman, Dan. The Babe & Me (Baseball Card Adventure series) With their ability to travel through time using vintage baseball cards, Joe and his father have the chance to find out whether Babe Ruth really did call his shot when he hit that home run in the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Gutman, Dan. Million Dollar Kick Whisper Nelson hates all sports with a passion! So when by some fluke she wins a chance to kick a goal past a professional soccer star for a million-dollar prize, she is torn. Fiction. Hagen, George. Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle Aided by the young raven Paladin, with whom he has a magical bond, 11-year-old Gabriel travels to the foreboding land of Aviopolis, where he must face challenges and unanswerable riddles to rescue his long-missing father. Fantasy. Haig, Matt. Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest Samuel and Martha’s new life with their Aunt Eda in Norway is filled with rules, but most important is rule number nine: NEVER -- UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES -- GO INTO THE FOREST. Fantasy. Hale, Bruce. The Big Nap: A Chet Gecko Mystery (series) Chet Gecko, "the best lizard detective" at his school, investigates why his classmates have become model students. Hale, Nathan. Big Bad Ironclad! (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series) “Covers the history of the amazing ironclad steam warships used in the Civil War -- from the ship's inventor, who had a history of blowing things up and only 100 days to complete his project, to the mischievous William Cushing, who pranked his way through the whole war.” Graphic historical fiction. (Publisher) Healy, Christopher. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom Four Princes Charming join forces on a farcical quest to defeat an evil plot that could threaten each of their kingdoms. Fantasy. Heiligman, Deborah. The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos “An exuberant and admiring portrait introduces the odd, marvelously nerdy, way cool Hungarian-born itinerant mathematical genius.” Picture book/biography. (Kirkus Reviews)Hill, Laban Carrick. When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop This book tells the story of Clive Campbell/DJ Kool Herc, from his childhood in Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx and how Kool Herc came to be a DJ, how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to define a culture and transform the world. Picture book. Holm, Jennifer L., Matthew Holm, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka, eds.? ?????????????????????????????Comics Squad:? Recess! and Comics Squad #2: Lunch! Comics anthologies.Holm, Jennifer L Turtle in Paradise Eleven-year-old Turtle is smart and tough and has seen enough of the world not to expect a Hollywood ending. After all, it's 1935, during the Great Depression, and jobs and money and sometimes even dreams are scarce. Historical fiction. Horvath, Polly. Everything on a Waffle “Everyone else in her small British Columbian fishing town is sure that her mother and father are lost at sea, but 11year-old Primrose Squarp clings to hope as months pass. … Food not only plays a recurrent theme here, but each chapter ends with a recipe…” Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Hughes, Langston. The Dream Keeper and Other Poems A collection of lyrical poems, songs, and blues poems, many about the black experience. Hughes, Langston. The Negro Speaks of Rivers “Langston Hughes has long been acknowledged as the voice, and his poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, the song, of the Harlem Renaissance. Although he was only seventeen when he composed it, Hughes already had the insight to capture in words the strength and courage of black people in America.” Picture book. (Publisher) Hughes, Langston; Ashley Bryan, illustr. Sail Away “Hughes’ pen is paired to Bryan’s sculpting scissors, making a rich, poetic picture book indeed.” Picture book/poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Hunter, Erin. The Warriors (six sub-series) Adventurous animal fantasies involving four clans of wild cats. Jacques, Brian. Redwall (series) Mice, rats, weasels, and rabbits engage in great battles of good and evil. Animal fantasy. Jacques, Brian. Redwall: The Graphic Novel Jamieson, Victoria. Roller Girl “One summer changes everything for two 12-year-old girls whose friendship is tested when their interests—and attitudes—diverge.” Graphic fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Janeczko, Paul B.; Chris Raschka, illustr. The Death of the Hat: A Brief History of Poetry in 50 Objects“"Another winning collaboration from two luminaries.” Picture book/poetry. (Kirkus Reviews)Jarrell, Randall. The Animal Family “This is the story of how, one by one, a man found himself a family. Almost nowhere in fiction is there a stranger, dearer, or funnier family -- and the life that the members of The Animal Family live together, there in the wilderness beside the sea, is as extraordinary and as enchanting as the family itself.” Fiction. (Publisher) Jennings, Ken. Outer Space (Junior Genius Guide series) An interactive trivia book. Nonfiction. Jones, Kelly. Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer "Through a series of letters, Sophie Brown, age twelve, tells of her family's move to her Great Uncle Jim's farm, where she begins taking care of some unusual chickens with help from neighbors and friends." Fantasy. (Publisher) Kadohata, Cynthia. The Thing About Luck “Just when 12-year-old Summer thinks nothing else can possibly go wrong in a year of bad luck, an emergency takes her parents to Japan, leaving Summer to care for her little brother while helping her grandmother cook and do laundry for harvest workers.” Fiction. (Publisher) Katz, Alan. Smelly Locker: Silly Dilly School Songs Well-known songs, including "Oh Susannah" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," are presented with new words and titles such as "Heavy Backpack!" and "I Don't Want to Do Homework!" Picture book/poetry. (Publisher) Kennedy, Caroline, ed. Poems to Learn by Heart “A gorgeous collection of poems selected with commitment to memory in mind.” Poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Kelly, Katy. ???????? Lucy Rose seriesRealistic stories about spunky, confident Lucy Rose in third grade and then fourth grade. Fiction. Kibuishi, Kazu. Amulet seriesA series about a girl and her brother who move to a house rumored to be haunted and go through a small basement door to an alternate version of earth. Graphic fantasy. King-Smith, Dick. Harry's Mad “Harry's legacy from his great-uncle, a talking parrot, proves to be a much more exciting gift than he ever imagined.” Fantasy. (Publisher) King-Smith, Dick. The Water Horse “In 1930, on the coast of Scotland, eight-year-old Kirstie finds a large egg that hatches into an unusual sea creature, and as he grows her family must decide what to do with him.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series) Thrust into Middle School and faced with a succession of social landmines, Greg Heffley schemes unsuccessfully to win the recognition he thinks he deserves. Fiction in cartoons. Kraft, Betsy Harvey. The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris “Heeding the call to ‘make big plans’ for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, George Ferris designed—and built—the giant observation wheel that now bears his name.” Informational picture book. (Kirkus Reviews) Lai, Thanha. Inside Out & Back Again On the eve of the fall of Saigon in 1975, 10-year-old Kim Hà and her family escape, are trapped at sea and await rescue, and eventually settle in Alabama, where everything seems so strange to them. Historical fiction/verse. (Kirkus Reviews) Larson, Kirby. Duke In 1944 Hobie Hanson's father is flying B-24s in Europe, so Hobie decides to donate his beloved German shepherd, Duke, to Dogs for Defense in the hope that he can help end the war sooner. When he learns that Duke is being trained for combat, he is shocked, frightened, and determined to get his dog back. Historical fiction. Latham, Irene. Dear Wandering Wildebeest and Other Poems from the Water Hole “A poetic celebration of animal life found in the African grasslands.” Picture book/poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Lawlor, Laurie. Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World A biography of the pioneering environmentalist in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of her famous work Silent Spring. Picture book/biography Le Guin, Ursula K. Catwings (series) Four young cats with wings leave the city slums in search of a safe place to live and finally meet two children with kind hands. Fiction. Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted "This refreshing take on one of the world's most popular fairy tales preserves the spirit of the original but adds plenty of humorous twists and a spunky, intelligent female lead.” Fiction/folklore. (Kirkus Reviews) Levine, Gail Carson; Matthew Cordell, illustr. Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It: False Apology Poems Inspired by William Carlos Williams’ famous poem "This Is Just to Say," these ironic apology poems imagine how tricksters really feel about the mischief they make. Illustrated poems. Levine, Gail Carson. A Tale of Two Castles “Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner—an actress—but luck is against her. She is saved from starvation by the dragon Meenore, who sends her on a dangerous mission inside the ogre's castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid at an ogre's feast, she finds herself cast in the role of a lifetime and pitted against a foe intent on murder.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Levine, Gail Carson. Stolen Magic “Elodie takes the stage again as a mansioner (actor) and assistant detective when a mystery interrupts her homeward journey and imperils her friends in this sequel to A Tale of Two Castles.” Fantasy. (Kirkus Reviews) Levy, Dana Alison. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher Relates the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year in Kindergarten through sixth grade and deal with a grumpy new neighbor. Fiction. Lewis, J. Patrick. Face Bug “Gruesome but fascinating photomicrographs of 14 different bugs are the focus of this unusual science book that combines poetry, line drawings and scientific facts to bring bugs alive for curious children.” Picture book/poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Lin, Grace. Starry River of the Sky “An innkeeper's chore boy discovers that a visitor's stories hold the key to returning the moon to the Starry River of the Sky.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Lord, Cynthia. Rules “Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life, which is almost impossible with a brother with autism and a family that revolves around him.” Fiction. (Publisher) Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars "A deftly told story that dramatizes how Danes appointed themselves bodyguards—not only for their king, who was in the habit of riding alone in Copenhagen, but for their Jews." Historical fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Lowry, Lois. Anastasia Krupnik (series) Anastasia's 10th year has some good things like falling in love and really getting to know her grandmother and some bad things like finding out about an expected baby brother. Fiction. Mann, Elizabeth. The Great Pyramid: The Story of the Farmers, the God-King and the Most Astounding Structure Ever Built (Wonders of the World series) Thousands of farmers left their homes to chisel 2,300,000 stones to build this structure 4,500 years ago. (Other titles in this informational series include The Roman Colosseum, The Panama Canal, and The Great Wall.) Nonfiction. Markle, Sandra. The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery “Since 2007, with the first reports of hibernating bats dying in large numbers, scientists have worked from various angles to find the cause and cure, racing against the possibility of extinction. As she did for golden frogs and honeybees (The Case of the Vanishing…, 2011, 2013), veteran science educator Markle presents this disturbing disappearance as a mystery.” Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Martin, Ann M. Belle Teal “A young white girl witnesses the integration of her public school in the early 1960s South.” Historical fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Martin, Ann M. Everything for a Dog In parallel stories, Bone, an orphaned dog, finds and loses a series of homes; Sunny, a family pet, helps Charlie through the grief and other aftereffects of his brother's death; and lonely Henry pleads for a dog of his own. Fiction. Mass, Wendy. The Candymakers When four 12 year olds, including Logan -- who has grown up never leaving his parents' Life Is Sweet candy factory compete in the Confectionary Association's annual contest, they unexpectedly become friends and uncover secrets about themselves in the process. Fiction. Mass, Wendy. Sleeping Beauty: The One Who Took the Really Long Nap (Twice Upon a Time series) The two tales of an unconventional prince and an unconventional princess are intertwined in this humorous adaptation of the fairytale. McKay, Hilary. Saffy's Angel Saffron, adopted at age 3, finds out at age 13 that her beloved grandfather left her a stone angel, and she travels to Italy to find it. Fiction. McManus, Sean. How to Code in 10 Easy Lessons: Learn How to Design and Code Your Very Own Computer Game “A tutorial lesson book on programming in Scratch, along with a Web-design primer.” Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) McMullan, Kate. Get to Work, Hercules! (Myth-o-Mania series) In this updated version of Greek mythology, Hades, King of the Underworld, tells the true story of Hercules and his twelve labors. Montgomery, Sy. Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa's Fastest Cats (Scientists in the Field series) Describes the cheetah's essential role in the ecosystem and the ways in which Namibia's Cheetah Conservation Fund promotes cohabitation between cheetahs and farmers. Nonfiction. Montgomery, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea (Scientists in the Field series) Follows conservation scientist Lisa Dabek to Papua, New Guinea's cloud forest in search of Matschie's tree kangaroo. Nonfiction. Morgenstern, Susie. A Book of Coupons Elderly Monsieur Noel, an unconventional teacher, gives coupons for dancing in class and sleeping late that are bound to get him in trouble with the school principal. Fiction. (Translated from French.) Moss, Marissa. Barbed Wire Baseball Traces the childhood dream of Japanese American baseball pioneer Kenichi Zenimura of playing professionally and his family's struggles in a World War II internment camp where he introduces baseball to raise hope. Picture book/biography. Mull, Brandon. The Candy Shop War (series) When fifth graders Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon meet the owner of the new candy store in town and receive a magical candy that endows them with superpowers, they find that along with its benefits there are dangerous consequences. Fantasy. Myers, Walter Dean. Malcolm X: A Fire Burning Brightly This biography of the civil rights leader offers an in-depth look at his life and includes quotes from his speeches. National Geographic Kids. Just Joking series and Weird But True series Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds.Shiloh (series) When Marty finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, he hides it from his family and the real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs. Fiction. Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal As a U.S. Marshal -- and former slave who escaped to freedom in the Indian Territories in the late 1800’s-- Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the territories for three decades. Picture book/biography. Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore This is a tribute from the bookstore owner’s son (who is also the author’s relative) to Lewis Michaux and to the landmark National Memorial African Bookstore that he founded in Harlem in the 1930s. Picture book/biography. Neri, G. Hello, I'm Johnny Cash In free verse the author portrays an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent who grew up in extreme poverty, faced incredible challenges, and found his calling by always being true to the gift of his voice. Picture book/biography. Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman A struggling writer named Bill Finger helped to invent Batman, but he worked in obscurity and was acknowledged only after his death. Graphic biography. Nobleman, Marc Tyler.Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman Chronicles the lives of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as teenagers and as creators of Superman. Picture book/biography. Norton, Mary. The Borrowers (series) All is well with a family of tiny people living underneath the kitchen floor of an old English country manor, with furnishings “borrowed” from the “human beans” living above them, until a human boy spots them. Fantasy. Orr, Wendy. Nim's Island “Nim loves her island home and the animals she shares it with even while her scientist father is away doing research, but trouble is on the way and a new email friend could be the only one who can help.” Fiction. (Publisher) Paratore, Coleen Murtagh.??Sunny Holiday “Unhappy that January is so dark and boring, fourth-grader Sunny hopes to invent a new holiday—a Kids Day halfway between Christmas and Valentine’s Day—and to get the mayor to proclaim it.” Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews)Paratore, Coleen Murtagh.?????Sweet and Sunny“In this sequel to Sunny Holiday (Scholastic, 2009), the strong, upbeat fourth grader continues to promote the idea of a Kid's Day, speak her mind, and solve her own problems.” Fiction. (School Library Journal)Parr, Marie. Adventures with Waffles “In this delightful Norwegian import, two friends, a boy nicknamed Trille and his best friend, Lena, get into some hairraising, frequently hilarious, and, sometimes, injury-inducing escapades over the course of a year. Narrated by Trille in a realistically childlike, first-person voice, the novel is fresh and fast-paced.” Fiction. (School Library Journal) Patron, Susan. The Higher Power of Lucky Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her and return to France, 10-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble decides to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life. Fiction. (Publisher) Peirce, Lincoln. Big Nate series Follows the adventures of self-described middle school genius Nate Wright, who fights valiantly against overzealous teachers, undercooked cafeteria food, and peers who try to beat his record for the most detentions. Graphic/fiction. Pelletier, Mia. A Children's Guide to Arctic Birds "An Arctic ecologist introduces a dozen bird species that take advantage of the food available in the brief but bountiful summer to nest and raise their young in the far north." Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Perkins, Lynne Rae. Nuts to You “A rascally squirrel has an indoor adventure in a city apartment.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Perkins, Mitali. Tiger Boy “When a Bengali boy finds and saves a tiger cub from a man who wants to sell her on the black market, he realizes that the schoolwork he resents could lead to a career protecting his beloved Sunderbans island home.” Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Pinkney, Andrea Davis.Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song “A well-illustrated and meticulously researched story of the inextricably intertwined lives of two important African-American historical figures.” Informational picture book. (Kirkus Reviews) Pitchford, Dean. The Big One-Oh Charley Maplewood has never been a party goer, since he doesn’t have any friends, but he decides to throw himself a birthday party to celebrate turning ten. Fiction. Pitchford, Dean. Captain Nobody “When Newt Newman's football-star brother, Chris, is knocked into a coma during the biggest game of the season, Newt's two best friends keep his mind off the accident by helping him create the ultimate Halloween costume: Captain Nobody.” Fiction. (Publisher) Pizzoli, Greg. Tricky Vic ....The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower "An appealingly colorful, deadpan account of a remarkably audacious and creative criminal.” Picture book/biography. (Kirkus Reviews) Powell, Patricia Hruby. Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker This book paints a portrait of the passionate performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker, the woman who worked her way from the slums of St. Louis to the grandest stages in the world. Poetry/biography. Prineas, Sarah. The Magic Thief “In a city that runs on a dwindling supply of magic, a young boy is drawn into a life of wizardry and adventure.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Raczka, Bob. Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems “Readers may never look at concrete, or shaped, poetry in the same way again.” Poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Rappaport, Doreen. Frederick's Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass “Skillfully weaving together her concise narration with Douglass’ own writings, Rappaport has fashioned an accessible, even riveting biography of the great 19th-century American.” Picture book/biography. (Kirkus Reviews) Rappaport, Doreen. To Dare Mighty Things: The Life of Theodore Roosevelt A picture book biography of a sickly boy with big dreams who became an American president. Raschka, Chris. The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra: The Sound of Joy Is Enlightening This 100th birthday tribute to the late jazz artist, who said that he came from Saturn, explores his observations about humanity's discriminatory and violent behaviors as well as his efforts to forge world peace through music with the Sun Ra Arkestra. Picture book/biography. Reich, Susanna. Fab Four Friends: The Boys Who Became the Beatles "This is the story of how four ordinary boys, growing up amid the rubble of postwar England, found music to be a powerful, even life-saving, force. This is the story of the four fabulous friends who became the bestselling band in history." Biography. (Publisher) Robinson, Nick. Making Paper Airplanes That Really Fly Make 20 origami planes that look great and fly like birds. Robinson, Sharon. Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America “A biography of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major leagues, as told by his daughter.” (Publisher) Rockcliff, Mara. Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France “Louis XVI commissioned a study when he became concerned about the number of complaints he was hearing from French doctors about a German—Dr. Franz Mesmer—who seemed to wield a powerful, mysterious method of healing.” Nonfiction. (Kirkus Reviews) Roth, Susan and Trumbore, Cindy. Parrots Over Puerto Rico "A combined history of the Puerto Rican parrot and the island of Puerto Rico, highlighting current efforts to save the Puerto Rican parrot by protecting and managing this endangered species.” Informational picture book. (Publisher) Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter series Seven fantasy novels chronicle the life of boy wizard Harry Potter as he struggles against the evil Lord Voldemort. Rumford, James. Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad “As bombs and missiles fall on Baghdad in 2003, a young boy uses the art of calligraphy to distance himself from the horrors of war.” Picture book. (Publisher) Rusch, Elizabeth. The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity “Two robot vehicles, Spirit and Opportunity, that were sent to explore Mars lasted far beyond their projected lives of 3 months and sent back invaluable images of the environmentally hostile planet.” Nonfiction. (Publisher) Ryan, Pam Mu?oz. Riding Freedom A historical novel based on the life of Charlotte Parkhurst, who disguised herself as a boy at age 12 and made a life for herself working with horses. Fiction. Rylant, Cynthia. God Got a Dog Fifteen illustrated poems imagine a God inspired to try new things and experience what it means to be human. Poetry. Sage, Angie. Septimus Heap series This 7-book fantasy series that follows the adventures of Septimus Heal who, as a seventh son of a seventh son, has extraordinary magical powers. Fantasy. Scattergood, Augusta. Glory Be “Freedom people” who want to desegregate her Mississippi town appear the summer before Glory’s 12th birthday, in 1964, and the turmoil becomes personal. Historical fiction. Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Night Fairy Flory, a tiny young night fairy, loses her wings and must do whatever it takes to survive. Fairy fantasy. Scieszka, Jon. Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor (Frank Einstein series) “In his Grandpa Al's garage workshop, child genius Frank Einstein tries to invent a robot that can learn on its own, and after an accident brings wisecracking Klink and overly expressive Klank to life, they set about helping Frank perfect his Antimatter Motor until his arch nemesis, T. Edison, steals the robots for his doomsday plan.” Science fiction/humor. (Publisher) Scieszka, Jon, ed. Guys Read series Tales, stories, and essays to engage even the most reluctant reader. Choose from True Stories, Funny Business, Thriller, The Sports Pages, Other Worlds and Terrifying Tales. Selfors, Suzanne. The Lonely Lake Monster (Imaginary Veterinary series) “Ten year olds Pearl and Ben encounter otherworldly animals, including a lake monster, during their first official day as apprentices to Dr. Woo, a veterinarian for imaginary creatures.” Fantasy. (Publisher) Selfors, Suzanne. Smells Like Treasure (Smells Like Dog series) “Farm boy Homer Pudding receives a mysterious note emblazoned with the letters L.O.S.T. and knows that it is time to meet the society of Legends, Objects, Secrets, and Treasures, take his Uncle's place, and hunt for treasure.” Adventure. (Publisher) Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret “… employs what can easily be called cinematic techniques, melding text and illustration to tell the story of an orphan who lives by his wits in a Paris train station in the 1930s. … Hugo’s obsession with trying to reconstruct a mechanical man that is his only link to his father brings him into contact with the old man whose mechanical toys mysteriously provide Hugo with the parts he needs.” (The Los Angeles Times)Selznick, Brian. Wonderstruck “As in Hugo Cabret, artwork tells much of the story, two independent threads of visual and prose narrative weaving in and out, eventually coming together as the protagonists meet and their stories join. Young Ben’s prose narrative begins in 1977, at Gunflint Lake, Minnesota, and young Rose’s visual narrative begins in 1927, in Hoboken, New Jersey. … Ben’s mother has died, and his journey takes him to New York City in search of the father he never knew. Rose is deaf and her parents are protective, but she, too, is lured by the big city.” ()Shane, Wendy Wan-Long. The Great Wall of Lucy Wu “Eleven-year-old aspiring basketball star and interior designer Lucy Wu is excited about finally having her own bedroom, until she learns that her great-aunt is coming to visit and Lucy will have to share a room with her for several months, shattering her plans for a perfect sixth grade year.” Fiction. (Publisher) Shannon, George. More True Lies: 18 Tales for You to Judge What's the truth? Short folktales and stories challenge the reader to figure out where the truth lies. Folktales. Shurtliff, Liesl. Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin This fractured fairy tale describes Rumpelstiltskin's childhood and youth and explains why his name is so important, how he is able to spin straw into gold at age 12, and why a first-born child is his reward for helping the miller's daughter-turned-queen. Fantasy. Sidman, Joyce. Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold “Discover how animals stay alive in the wintertime and learn about their secret lives under the snow.” Informational picture book/poetry. (Publisher) Siegel, Siena Cherson. To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel A graphic memoir about how the author became a ballerina, from her early dreams in Puerto Rico to dance class in Boston to her debut performance on stage with the New York City Ballet. Simon, Seymour. Seymour Simon’s Extreme Oceans “Simon examines the things that are ‘most,’ pertaining to oceans: the tallest sea mounts, the largest waves, the highest tides in the world, the most dangerous and largest animals, the coldest and warmest waters, the biggest storms and tsunamis, and the longest journeys, as well as a closing chapter predicting scenarios if sea levels continue to rise.” Nonfiction. (School Library Journal) Singer, Marilyn. Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems Witty double takes on well- loved fairy tales. Picture book/poetry. Singer, Marilyn. Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature. Poetry. Singh, Vandana. Younguncle Comes to Town “In a small town in northern India, three siblings await their father's youngest brother, Younguncle, who is said to be somewhat eccentric.” Fiction. (Publisher) Sloan, Holly Goldberg. Appleblossum the Possum “A young possum topples down a chimney to become the pet of a little girl while her brothers try to rescue her.” Animal fantasy. (Kirkus Reviews) Smith, Charles Jr. 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World“Three pivotal Supreme Court cases, one amendment, and 25 great men and women make for memorable entries.” Informational picture book/poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Smith, Jeff. Bone series This series describes the adventures of three cousins who, banned from Boneville, have wild experiences and form new friendships when they are trapped in a wonderful land filled with secrets and danger. Graphic novels. Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events series Three orphans survive darkly humorous misadventures as they go from home to home and book to book directed by their well-meaning but bumbling guardian. Fiction. Sobol, Donald J. Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown series) The 10-year-old son of the Idaville police chief opens his own detective agency in this series. Each chapter presents a mystery for the reader to solve before learning how Encyclopedia Brown solved it. Adventure. Steig, William. Abel's Island “A castaway on an uninhabited island, a very civilized mouse, finds his resourcefulness and endurance tested to the limit as he struggles to survive and return Abel to his home.” Fiction. (Publisher) Sternberg, Julie.? ???????????????????Like Bug Juice on a Burger“Nine-year-old Eleanor discovers that it's possible to like some things about sleep-away camp.” Fiction. (Kirkus Reviews)Stewart, Trenton Lee. The Mysterious Benedict Society After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. Fantasy. Stout, Shawn. Penelope Crumb series A series for fans of the Ramona, Judy Moody, and Clementine series. Fiction. Tarshis, Lauren. I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters Young people involved in five natural disasters tell harrowing stories of survival. Historical fiction. Taylor, Sydney. All-of-a-Kind Family (series) The adventures of five sisters growing up in a poor Jewish immigrant family in New York City on the eve of World War I. Historical fiction. Telgemeier, Raina. Sisters A graphic memoir about two bickering sisters on a family road trip. Thimmesh, Catherine. Scaly Spotted Feathered Frilled: How Do We Know What Dinosaurs Really Looked Like? Paleoartists take readers through the scientific process of pulling together clues in order to reconstruct the skeletons of various dinosaurs from millions of years ago. Nonfiction. Thomson, Sarah. Dragon’s Egg Mella tends to the inn’s small farm dragons but dreams about the fire-breathing monsters of legend. Hardly anyone believes they still exist, until a Knight reports evidence of the mythic creatures. Fantasy. Tonatiuh, Duncan. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras “Tonatiuh's Mixtec-influenced illustrations make an apt complement to this picture-book biography of one of Mexico's most beloved artists, José Guadalupe Posada.” Picture book/biography. (Kirkus Reviews) Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation A decade before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, the family of an eight-year-old girl – an American citizen -- of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage who was not allowed to attend a “Whites only” school filed a lawsuit and helped to end segregated education in California. Informational picture book. Turnage, Sheila. Three Times Lucky; The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing; The Odds of Getting Even In this mystery trilogy set in tiny Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Mo LoBeau – who was washed ashore as a baby – and her best friend Dale solve mysteries involving a murder charge against the amnesiac Colonel, the identity of a ghost inhabiting a haunted inn, and the involvement of Dale’s father in a kidnapping. Mystery. Valério, Geraldo. My Book of Birds "Geraldo Valério is an artist who loves birds, from majestic golden eagles and snowy owls to brilliant cardinals and jays to the tiniest of hummingbirds. Here he presents his favorites, with collage illustrations and brief descriptions that highlight facts about each one." Nonfiction. (Publisher) Vande Velde, Vivian. Smart Dog Fifth grader Amy finds her life growing more complicated when she meets and tries to hide an intelligent talking dog that has escaped from a university lab. Fiction. Viorst, Judith. What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? Poems for When a Person Needs a Poem “The title of Viorst’s latest collection of poetry for children provides an open invitation for readers not only to ponder feelings in general, but to examine their reactions to the assembled poems as well.” Poetry. (Kirkus Reviews) Weiner, Ellis. The Templeton Twins Have an Idea (Templeton Twins series) Ingenious 12-year-old twins Abigail and John and their dog Cassie foil a pair of inept kidnappers intent on stealing one of their father’s newest inventions. Abigail uses cryptic crossword puzzles. Fiction. Wells, Rosemary. On the Blue Comet The stock market crash of 1929 changes 11-year-old Oscar Ogilvie’s life forever. His father has to sell their cherished model trains and leave to find work, and Oscar witnesses a crime and is catapulted onto an incredible train journey through time and space. Historical fiction/time travel. White, E. B. Charlotte’s Web When he discovers that he will be the farmer's Christmas dinner, Wilbur the pig is desolate, until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him. Animal fantasy. White, E. B. Stuart Little The debonair mouse Stuart Little, born to a family of humans in New York City, loves exciting experiences. His greatest adventure involves the search for his best friend, a beautiful bird named Margalo. Animal fantasy. Wiles, Deborah. Love, Ruby Lavender When her quirky grandmother goes to Hawaii for the summer, nine-year-old Ruby learns to survive on her own in Halleluia, Mississippi. Fiction. Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer; P.S. Be Eleven; Gone Crazy in Alabama In this historical fiction trilogy, three African American sisters spend the summer of 1968 in Oakland, California with their mother and the Black Panthers, return home to Brooklyn to find changes large and small, and travel to the rural South to visit their grandmother. Historical fiction. Wissinger, Tamera Will. Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse “In this novel told through poems, nine-year-old Sam loves fishing with his dad, so when his pesky little sister intrudes on their fishing trip, he is not pleased. Includes information on rhyme, poetry techniques, rhythm, stanzas, and poetic forms.” Verse fiction. (Publisher) Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming The author tells the story of her childhood in vivid poems. Her focus is on what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement, and her joy at finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Memoir/poetry. Worth, Valerie. Pug and Other Animal Poems In the follow-up to Animal Poems, this collection presents 18 animal verses illustrated with Steve Jenkins’ collage art. Poetry. Yang, Gene Luen. Secret Coders "Hopper's first day at Stately Academy goes terribly until her ‘7’-shaped earrings trigger a code in a robot bird, commanding it to display three eyes.” Graphic mystery. (Kirkus Reviews) Yee, Lisa. Millicent Min, Girl Genius In a series of journal entries, 11-year-old child prodigy Millicent Min (who is entering 12th grade) records her struggles to learn to play volleyball, tutor Stanford Wong, deal with her grandmother's departure, and make friends over the course of a tumultuous summer. Fiction. Yee, Lisa. Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time In the companion book, 11-year-old Stanford gives his perspective on the same pivotal summer described in Millicent Min, Girl Genius. Fiction. Yep, Laurence and Joanne Ryder.A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans (Dragon’s Guide series) This is the first book in a comical series narrated by a curmudgeonly 3,000-year-old dragon who introduces a curious 10 year old to the hidden magical world in San Francisco. Fantasy. Yep, Laurence and Joanne Ryder.A Dragon’s Guide to Making Your Human Smarter (Dragon’s Guide series) “The saga of Miss Drake, a dragon living in San Francisco, continues as she tries to train her pet human in the ways of magic.” Fantasy. (Kirkus Reviews) Yolen, Jane and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. Grumbles from the Forest: Fairy-Tale Voices with a Twist “Yolen and Dotlich have taken 15 well-known fairy tales (‘Cinderella,’ ‘Snow White,’ ‘Jack and the Beanstalk,’ etc.) and written two short poems in various formats spoken from the point of view of a character. … The poets invite and may well entice readers to write their own fairy-tale poems.” Poetry/fairy tales. (Kirkus Reviews) ................
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