A Christmas Spider's Miracle 

by Trinka Hakes Noble

Summary: A poor peasant woman who has no money for gifts or a special meal for her children gets help from a kindly mother spider on Christmas.

This is a heart-warming old Ukrainian tale. The traditionally beautiful paintings compliment the text. The story is somewhat lengthy. I recommend that this book be read one-on-one to a child or independently by an advanced reader.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 5

Joan of Arc

by Demi

Summary: Presents an illustrated biography of Joan of Arc, from her early vision of Archangel Michael to her military victories, and eventual execution at the stake for heresy.

The illustrations of this book are beautiful, rich illustrations typical of Demi. I like the use of gold and the depictions of characters in this book. The best audience for this book is fourth to sixth graders or older students interested in learning about Joan of Arc. Younger children may not appreciate this story because of its length and sensitive subject matters. However, this story can be used as a springboard into moral discussions.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe

Summary: Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

This is a humorous tale with a ridiculous, though enjoyable, plot. I have recommended this book to older readers on a low reading level. They have told me that they enjoyed it. There are several other Bunnicula books to try if you like this first told tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: Grade 5

 

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of 

Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero 

by Marissa Moss

Summary: A story of a nineteen-year-old woman who disguised herself as a man to avoid an unwanted marriage and who distinguished herself as a male nurse during the Civil War, and later as a spy for the Union Army.

This is an amazing true story! This book is lengthy, and most ideal for older elementary students to read to themselves. I was impressed by the author’s and illustrator’s note on one of the last pages. A teacher could use this book to open a lesson on the civil war. Also, this story is great for reading aloud before a student research project on the civil war or women’s history.

Interest Level: grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 5

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

by Peter Sis

Summary; Annotated illustrations, maps, and dreamscapes explore how the artist-author's life was shaped while growing up in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, in a powerful graphic memoir.

This biography is the winner of the American Library Association’s prestigious Sibert Informational Award. The story is very moving. The main text is simple, but the side notes are what make an impact on the reader. This is an excellent read for any talk on the Cold War and the importance of free speech.

Interest Level: grades 4-12
Reading Level: grade 5

The Adventures of Mark Twain By Huckleberry Finn

by Robert Burleigh

Summary: Presents a biography of Mark Twain told from the perspective of one of his most famous characters, Huckleberry Finn.

This is an outstanding biography. The Huckleberry Finn in this book narrates in the vernacular of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry. This makes the book interesting, though at times difficult to follow, especially for younger children. This book is a great read aloud “hook” for a first lesson on any Mark Twain story.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-tale Detectives

  by Michael Buckley

Summary: Orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that they have always believed to be dead.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fractured fairytale. It is the first book in the Sister’s Grimm series. This is a wonderful book to recommend to older children that enjoy fractured fairytale books such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. The beginning of the book is somewhat sad, but the majority of this book is light-hearted and entertaining. The sisters’ spunky personalities soften the blow. These strong female characters will resonate with less “girly” children as well as the feminine fairy tale loving crowd.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Summary: A young boy named Charlie finds a golden chocolate wrapper that is his ticket to a special tour through a chocolate factory.

I read this book in fifth grade and thoroughly enjoyed it. Many parts are funny in an obscure way, and I will admit I did not understand all of the humor until I re-read it later in life. It would be fun to have a class chocolate party after completing this book. Of course, a teacher would need to identify any allergies.

Inerest Level: grades 3-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

by Jen Cullerton Johnson

Summary: A biography of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, a female scientist who made a stand in the face of opposition to women's rights and her own Greenbelt Movement, an effort to restore Kenya's ecosystem by planting millions of trees.”

This book’s beautiful illustrations are inspired by handmade quilts. It is the winner of the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent (Illustrator) Award. It is an interesting biography of a strong African woman. It is appropriate for this summer’s national public library theme, “One World Many Stories.”

Interest Level: 3-6
Reading Level: grades k-6

Librarianjk recommends Number the Stars

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

Summary: This is the story of the Christian community in Denmark helping Jews escape to Sweden in order to prevent the Germans from “relocating” them.

This is an excellent historical fiction book. At the end of the book, the author describes what aspects of the story were based on facts. Like many historical fiction books, students in a class may further research the time period. This book is often used to introduce the Holocaust or as an extension to a Holocaust lesson.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Recommended Reads for Fifth Graders

Click on image for larger print



From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg

Summary: A young girl has a plan, not to run away, but to run to someplace. She takes her brother along and they stay in a museum.

This book is an excellent realistic fiction book that largely about sibling relations. As a follow-up activity, a class can experiment with velvet and other materials. A trip to a museum afterwards would also be appropriate.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading  Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Summary: As the lone "young lady" on a transatlantic voyage in 1832, Charlotte learns that the captain is murderous and the crew rebellious.

Charlotte is a very strong female character, especially for her time period. I was very impressed with her courage in her adventures when I was younger as well.

Reading Level: grade 5
Interest Level: grades 4-8

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

Summary: The struggle of three brothers to stay together after their parent's death and their quest for identity among the conflicting values of their adolescent society.

Although this book is considered to be on a fourth grade reading level, the content is mature including gangs and violence. I feel it is most appropriate for middle school and high school students.I read this as a sixth grade honors student and it was a little intense for me, though it was very enjoyable. It is a great book for putting your life into perspective as a youth.

Reading Level: grade 5
Interest Level: 6-12

Once Upon a Royal Superbaby

Once Upon a Royal Superbaby

by Kevin O'Malley

Summary: Cooperatively writing a story for school, a girl imagines a king and queen who have a baby named Sweet Piper who can talk to birds, while a boy names the baby Sweet Viper and gives him super-strength, cool wrestling moves, and a motorcycle and sunglasses.

Though stereotyping boys’ and girls’ favorite types of stories, this book is humorous and creative.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 5

Knights of the Kitchen Table

Knights of the Kitchen Table 

by Jon Scieszka

Joe receives a magic book for his birthday present from his uncle. Joe, Fred and Sam are transported to a time when evil knights, fire-breathing dragons and vile-smelling giants roamed the land.                                                     

This humorous story is part of Time Warp Trio series. This is an excellent book for reluctant readers and is popular among boys. It is appropriate for both young children reading on a high level and older children reading on a lower level.

Interest Level: grades 4-6

Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Ballet for Martha

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

by Jan Greenberg

Summary: Tells the story behind the creation of "Appalachian Spring," describing Aaron Copland's composition, Martha Graham's intense choreography and Isamu Noguchi's set design

I recommend this book to older readers who are dancers or enjoy ballet. It is lengthy about the entire process of the creation of a ballet.

Interest Level: grades 3-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins

by Scott O'Dell

Summary: Records the courage and self-reliance of an Indian girl who lived alone for eighteen years on an isolated island off the California coast when her tribe emigrated and she was left behind.

I recommend this Newbery winner to survival story fans.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

Summary: Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.

I enjoyed this book in fifth grade. Some of the scientific aspects can be hard to understand, but it is a wonderful story.

Interest Level: grade 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Librarianjk recommends Make Like a Tree and Leave

Make Like a Tree and Leave

by Paula Danziger

Summary: Sixth-grader Matthew gets into trouble at home and at school, spars with his older sister, and helps save an elderly friend's property from the hands of a developer.

This is an easy to digest comedy. I recommend it to those who enjoy realistic fiction.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 5