Frindle, by Andrew Clements. A precocious fifth grader matches wits with his stern teacher in a story that skillfully demonstrates how language evolves. Readers will delight in Nick's adventures as he invents a new word - a great read aloud! Gr. 3-6
The Mennyms, by Sylvia Waugh. An improbable but believable fantasy about a family of life-sized rag dolls living like humans in a quiet London neighborhood. Ingenious plot laced with adventure and humor. Gr. 3-6
Bingo Brown's Guide to Romance, by Betsy Byars. In this comic novel, which demands to be read aloud, Bingo prepares a guide to romance for his much younger brother. Gr. 4-7
Lost in Cyberspace, by Richard Peck. Two prep-schoolers travel in time and space, to mostly humorous effect, when one of them invents a new computer program. Gr. 4-7
The Silent Storm, by Sherry Garland. Alyssa has not spoken since watching her parents die in a hurricane. Another dangerous storm now threatens to unleash Alyssa's memories and to destroy the home she shares with her grandfather. Gr. 5-8
The Original Freddie Ackerman, by Hadley, Irwin. Refusing to spend another summer with his extended family of divorces and remarriages, Trevor is sent to stay on an island off the coast of Maine with two eccentric great aunts. A funny, poignant coming -of- age story. Gr. 5-8
Out of Nowhere, by Ouida Sebestyen. Abandoned by his mother in the Arizona desert, Harley connects with a curious collection of fellow rejects. Gr. 6-9
Crash, by Jerry Spinelli. A Quaker boy and his beloved grandfather's stroke teach John "Crash" Coogan, a smug jock, that he doesn't have to crash through life. Gr. 5-8
Steal Away, by Jennifer Armstrong. During their dangerous journey north, two 13-year-old girls, a white orphan and a black slave, learn to trust and respect each other. Gr. 4-7
McMummy, by Betsy Byars. In this witty fantasy, the eccentric Professor Orloff hires Mozie to care for his experimental plants in the greenhouse, where he discovers a human-shaped, humming pod. Gr. 4-6.
The Dead Man in Indian Creek, by Mary Downing Hahn. A fast-paced murder mystery begins with the discovery of a body by two boys and the suspicion that one of their mothers may be involved! Gr. 4-6.
Letters from Rifka, by Karen Hesse. Twelve-year-old Rifka, a Jewish immigrant, tells her story of adversity, courage, and separation in letters to relatives left behind in Russia. Gr. 5-7
The Chicken Doesn't Skate, by Gordon Korman. A sixth-grade scientist, the hockey team, the class nerd, and others fight over the fate of Henrietta, a chicken in this hilarious story. Gr. 4-6.
The Gold Dust Letters, by Janet Taylor Lisle. Angela and her friends attempt to discover the source of the letters sent to her by a fairy in this realistic, yet imaginative fantasy. Gr. 4-6
Here & Then, by George Ella Lyon. When Abby portrays Eliza Hoskins, a nurse in the Civil War reenactment, the real Eliza time travels and begs Abby for needed medical supplies. Gr. 5-7
A Very Personal Computer, by Justine Rendel. Pollard, a lonely eighth grader, is delighted with his very personal computer-it does his homework, simulates hitting a baseball, and helps him confront his unhappiness. Gr. 4-7.
Weasel, by Cynthia DeFelice. Eleven-year-old Nathan confronts true evil in the guise of "Weasel," a renegade killer in 1839 - a moral dilemma and page-turning excitement. Gr. 4-8.
The Exiles, by Hilary McKay. Four strong-willed sisters are "exiled" to spend the summer with their no-nonsense grandmother. Delightfully original characters and sharp, tongue-in-cheek humor. Gr. 6-9
The Year the Wolves Came, by Bebe Faas Rice. In 1893, a pack of wolves ravaged the Canadian countryside where Theresa was born. Thirteen years later they return. Gr. 4-8
The Wainscott Weasel, by Tor Seidler. Bagley, the weasel, is hopelessly in love with a fish. When danger threatens his friend's pond, he becomes a hero worthy of his father's name. Gr. 3-6
Baby, by Patricia MacLachlan. "This is Sophie....I will come back for her." A baby, a basket, and spare prose weave together this story of love, loss, and memory. Grades 4 and up
Beware of Kissing Lizard Lips, by Phyllis Shalant. Puny sixth grader Zach fears "the Lizard", classmate Elizabeth Ann Monroe. He's also envious of best friend Dunk's athleticism and wit, and wants Nikki to teach him tae kwon do - and confidence. Gr. 5-7.
Red Cap, by G. Clifton Wisler. A young Union Army drummer is imprisoned at the infamous Andersonville Prison, where he suffers terrible deprivations, clings to his Union loyalty, befriends a Confederate guard, and becomes a legendary Civil War hero. Gr. 5-9.
Dealing with Dragons, by Patricia Wrede. This humorous, lively, tongue-in-cheek tale introduces a rebellious princess who prefers adventures to decorum and practicality to flights of fantasy. Gr 5 and up.
Wild Magic: The Immortals, by Tamora Pierce. Courageous defender of the kingdom of Tortal, Daine possesses a gift that enables her to communicate with animals and fantastic creatures such a s dragons. superb fantasy with a page-turning story line. Gr. 6 and up