Favorite Books - 4th and 5th Grade
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Since many of these books are part of a series, the books we've chosen to highlight are the first of the series, with two of the most recent titles listed below it. Check back often for updates!
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Last Updated January 1, 2009
- +ALVAR - How Tia Lola Came to Visit (Stay) by Julia Alvarez
Although ten-year-old Miguel is at first embarrassed by his colorful aunt, Tia Lola, when she comes to Vermont from the Dominican Republic to stay with his mother, his sister, and him after his parents' divorce, he learns to love her. - +BALLI - Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet
When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal.
The other books in this trilogy are:- 2006 The Wright 3
- 2008 The Calder Game
- +CATLI - The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling
A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate. - +CLEME - No Talking by Andrew Clements
The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to a "no talking" contest. - +COOPE - The Boggart by Susan Cooper
After visiting the castle in Scotland which her family has inherited and returning home to Canada, twelve-year-old Emily finds that she has accidentally brought back with her a boggart, an invisible and mischievous spirit with a fondness for practical jokes.
The sequel to this book is: - +COWEL - How to Train Your Dragon: The Heroic Misadventures of Hiccup the Viking by Cressida Cowell
Chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as he tries to pass the important initiation test of his Viking clan, the Tribe of the Hairy Hooligans, by catching and training a dragon.
The most recent books in this series are: - +CREEC - Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech
Thirteen-year-old fraternal twins Dallas and Florida have grown up in a terrible orphanage but their lives change forever when an eccentric but sweet older couple invites them each on an adventure, beginning in an almost magical place called Ruby Holler. - +DANZI - P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin
Twelve-year-old best friends Elizabeth and Tara-Starr continue their friendship through letter-writing after Tara-Starr's family moves to another state.
The sequel to this book is:- 2000 Snail Mail No More
- +DICAM - The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin. - +FUNKE - Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
After learning that humans are headed toward his hidden home, Firedrake, a silver dragon, is joined by a brownie and an orphan boy in a quest to find the legendary valley known as the Rim of Heaven, encountering friendly and unfriendly creatures along the way, and struggling to evade the relentless pursuit of an old enemy. - +GANTO - Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription meds wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.
The most recent books in this series are:- 2007 I am Not Joey Pigza
- 2002 What Would Joey Do?
- +GLIOR - Pure Dead Magic by Debi Gliori
When their father is kidnapped and danger looms, the Strega-Borgia children, their mysterious new nanny, and a giant tarantula use magic and actual trips through the Internet to bring peace to their Scottish castle.
The most recent books in this series are:- 2007 Pure Dead Frozen
- 2006 Pure Dead Batty
- +GREGO - Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile by Kristiana Gregory
While her father is in hiding after attempts on his life, twelve-year-old Cleopatra records in her diary how she fears for her own safety and hopes to survive to become Queen of Egypt some day. This book is part of the Royal Diaries series. The series is written by various authors.
The most recent books in this series are: - +HOROW - Horowitz Horror: Stories You'll Wish You'd Never Read by Anthony Horowitz
Nine horror stories set in England focus on everyday items that have sinister qualities.
The sequel to this book is: - +LASKY - A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple by Kathryn Lasky
Twelve-year-old Mem presents a diary account of the trip she and her family made on the Mayflower in 1620 and their first year in the New World. This book is part of the Dear America series. The series is written by various authors.
The most recent books in this series are: - +LIN - The Year of the Dog : A Novel by Grace Lin
Frustrated at her seeming lack of talent for anything, a young Taiwanese American girl sets out to apply the lessons of the Chinese Year of the Dog, those of making best friends and finding oneself, to her own life.
The sequel to this book is: - +LOWRY - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
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. - +MOSS - Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss
The hand-lettered contents of a nine-year-old girl's notebook, in which she records her thoughts and feelings about moving, starting school, and dealing with her older sister, as well as keeping her old best friend and making a new one.
The most recent books in this series are: - +NAMIO - Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear by Lensey Namioka
Recently arrived in Seattle from China, musically untalented Yingtao is faced with giving a violin performance to attract new students for his father when he would rather be working on friendships and playing baseball.
The most recent books in this series are: - +NAYLO - The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Disgusted that a family with three girls moves into the house across the river, nine-year-old Wally and his three brothers declare a practical joke war on the girls.
The most recent books in this series are:- 2006 Who Won the War?
- 2005 Boys Rock!
- +PAULS - Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
Things get out of hand for a twelve-year-old boy when a neighbor convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business. - +SNICK - A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
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.
The most recent books in this series are:- 2006 The End
- 2005 The Penulitmate Peril
- +SPINE - Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
After his parents die, Jeffrey Lionel Magee's life becomes legendary, as he accomplishes athletic and other feats which awe his contemporaries. - +VANDR - Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen
Thirteen-year-old Sammy's penchant for speaking her mind gets her in trouble when she involves herself in the investigation of a robbery at the "seedy" hotel across the street from the seniors' building where she is living with her grandmother.
The most recent books in this series are: - +WHITE - Way Down Deep by Ruth White
In the West Virginia town of Way Down Deep in the 1950s, a foundling called Ruby June is happily living with Miss Arbutus at the local boarding house when suddenly, after the arrival of a family of outsiders, the mystery of Ruby's past begins to unravel.
