Owen & Mzee : The Language of Friendship

by Isabella Hatkoff

Summary: Provides the true story of the strong relationship between Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise, and Owen, the orphaned baby hippo rescued from the tsunami floods, that has developed between this unlikely pair through their special form of communication of soft sounds and gestures.

This story is AMAZING. It is the sequel to Owen & Mzee : The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. If you have not read the first book, you may choose to skip it because the first story is mostly retold in the second book.

Inerest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 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

The Fire Keeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park

Summary: This is a historical fiction story set in Korea. A young boy’s father is responsible for lighting a fire on top of a mountain every night to let the village next to them know everything is fine. The next mountain is lit all the way up to the king. If the light is not lit, soldiers will be sent. The boy’s father is hurt, and he takes on the responsibility. He toys with the idea of not lighting a fire because he would like to meet the soldiers.

With children, a teacher may have a conversation about their responsibilities and if they ever had to take on something very important. Have they ever had to choose what is right vs. what they want? There is a blurb in the back describing the complicated procedure of lighting historically. With older children, they could further research this or other historical traditions. An extension could be to have students read other historical fiction on their own and research history in that time as well.

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

I Spy With My Little Eye

I Spy With My Little Eye

by Edward Gibbs

Summary: Asks young readers to identify the animal based on their color, including blue for a blue whale, white for a polar bear, and green for a frog, in a text with a die-cut opening on the cover containing an eye.

This is a spectacular book to read to very young children. The interactive elements in this book make it appealing to reluctant readers.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

The Boy Who Cried Ninja

The Boy Who Cried Ninja 

by Alex Latimer

Summary: A young boy named Tim is accused of lying when he tells his parents that a ninja ate the last piece of cake and a sunburned crocodile landed on the roof, so he figures out a way to prove that he is telling the truth.

This is a humorous story that puts a twist on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. It is best to read this book simply for entertainment.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Recommended Reads for Fifth Graders

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Town Mouse, Country Mouse

Town Mouse, Country Mouse

by Jan Brett

Summary: After trading houses, the country mice and the town mice discover there's no place like home.

This tale is retold with Jan Brett’s beautiful, detailed illustrations. The book is somewhat lengthy, and may be best suited for taking turns reading with a beginning reader.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4