The Sinking of the Titantic, 1912

The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

I Survived series

by Lauren Tarshis

The Titanic was a majestic boat and as we all know it sank taking the lives of many of its passengers.  This book is about a fictional character that survives the sinking of the boat. His name is George Calder and he is 10 years old. 

The Sinking of the Titanic, tells about George's adventures on the Titanic before the boat hits the iceberg and after it hits the iceberg. It is filled with exciting moments as George tries to save his own life, his aunt's life, his little sister's life, and the live's of his friends. Even though we know how the book ends (I Survived), it is a real page turner.

Published: 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Location: Classroom library, Public Library, Amazon

Roberto and Me

Roberto and Me
by Dan Gutman


Joe Stoshack, aka Stosh, is a thirteen year old baseball fanatic.  He's also a time traveler.  See when Stosh holds a baseball card he is transported to whatever year the card is from. 


In this book, part of a series which you can read in any order, Stosh decides he needs to save Roberto Clemente's life.


Time travel is easy for Stosh, he just holds a card and whosh, time travel.  The hard part comes when he gets there. 


Instead of being taken straight to Roberto, Stosh lands at the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969.  So now Stosh has two serious challenges, finding Roberto and convincing him to not get on the plane that ends his life.   Will he be able to find Roberto and will he be able to convince him to stay off the deadly plane?


Published: 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Locations: Classroom Library, Public Library, and Amazon

The High King

The High King
The Chronicles of Prydain-Book 5 
by Lloyd Alexander


When Taran arrives home from his wanderings he discovers that evil Arawn is planning on taking over the realm.  Will he and his companions be able to stop Arawn before it is too late? 


Published: 1968


Genre: Fantasy


Locations: School Library, Public Library and Amazon

Taran Wanderer

Taran Wander
The Chronicles of Prydain-Book 4
by Lloyd Alexander


Taran is an orphan that has always lived under the care of the enchanter Dallben.  He really wants to ask Princess Eilonwy to marry him but he feels he has to find out who his parents are first so Taran sets off on a quest to discover who he is. 


On this quest he will run into both good and evil and discover much about himself but will he like what he discovers?


Published: 1967

Genre: Fantasy

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

No Talking

No Talking
by Andrew Clements


The fifth graders at Laketon Elementary School love to talk.  In addition, the fifth grade boys and the fifth grade girls don't get along. So when Dave challenges Lynsey to a no talking contest, all of the fifth graders jump aboard and an epic battle of silence ensues. If you want to find out if the boys or the girls can stay the quietest, read No Talking.


Published: 2007


Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Passager

Passager
(Book 1 in the Young Merlin Trilogy)
by Jane Yolen


A seven boy year old boy is abandoned in the woods and his former caregivers hope someone will save him. He uses his wits, senses, and the trees to survive but he loses his clothes, his ability to speak and even the knowledge of his name.  


Will this young boy survive in the wilderness?  Will anyone find him and help him return to civilization?  Read Passager to find out. 


Published: 1996

Genre: Fantasy

Location: School Library, Public Library and Amazon

Smart Dog

Smart Dog
by Vivian Vande Velde


Amy isn't a popular fifth grader and often gets picked on but things to start to change when she finds a stray dog on the way to school.  See, this dog is different, he has been genetically altered in a college lab and can think and talk just like a human.  His lab name is F-32 but Amy renames him Sherlock.  Sherlock has run away because someone at the lab wants to cut his brain out. 


Can Amy keep Sherlock safe and possibly make some new friends along the way?


Published: 1998

Genre: Science Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Jack on the Tracks

Jack on the Tracks
Four Seasons of Fifth Grade
by Jack Gantos


When Jack Henry moves from North Carolina to Miami, Florida he enters a whole new world that helps him learn valuable life lessons.  Read about his adventures with the rail road tracks behind his house, his big sister Betsy, his crazy new friend Tack, his eccentric French loving teacher, and his numerous new cats.  This book will make you laugh out loud repeatedly.  


Published: 1999

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

May's Fun Picture Books

While they won't be challenged academically, fifth graders will enjoy reading the following picture books.


I'm Not
by Pam Smallcomb
Illustrated by Robert Weinstock


A little dinosaur discovers that it is alright to be different than her best friend Evelyn and that they both bring different traits to their friendship.

Me Want Pet!
by Tammi Sauer
Pictures by Bob Shea


A little cave boy tries to convince his cave parents to let him have a new pet.






Finn Throws a Fit
by David Elliot
Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering


With great figurative language we see just how mad little Finn can get and how sometimes time is all we need to cool down.




This Plus That
by Amy Krause Rosenthal
Illustrated by Jen Corace


In this beautiful book, Rosenthal shows what real world actions and items add up to when combined.






 So You Want to Be a Rock Star
by Audrey Vernick
Illustrated by Kirstie Edmunds


If you want to know how to be an imaginary rock star, using air guitar and hand mics, this is the book for you.

The Book of Three

The Book of Three
(Book 1 The Chronicles of Prydain)
by Lloyd Alexander


Have you ever dreamed of being a hero?  Taran,an assistant pig keeper has.  When Hen Wen, his future predicting pig, runs off, Taran goes to fetch him back expecting just a wee bit of fun.  


Instead, this simple task of rounding up a pig, turns much more difficult when Taran finds out evil forces are trying to find Hen Wen as well.  Taran sets off on an amazing adventure as he teams up with a motley crew of companions to keep Hen Wen from falling into the hands of the Horned King, a wickedly evil warlord. 


Read  The Book of Three, to find out if Taran, the smart mouthed Princess Eilonwy, the fibbing bard Ffewddur, the grumpy Doli, and the always hungry Gurgi can find Hen Wen in time. 


Published: 1964

Genre: Fantasy

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

The Black Cauldron

The Black Cauldron
(Book 2 in The Chronicles of Prydain)
by LLoyd Alexander


Taran, the assistant pig keeper, sets off with a band of heroes to snatch the Black Cauldron from the evil King Arawn, but when the band arrives they discover the cauldron has already been stolen.


Within the confusion, the band breaks apart into several smaller groups.  The story then follows Taran's group as they attempt to find the Black Cauldron. Will they be successful or will the cauldron elude them?


Published:1965


Genre: Fantasy


Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

The Castle of Llry

The Castle of Llyr
(Book 3 in The Chronicles of Prydain)
by LLoyd Alexander


It is time for Princess Eilonwy to become a proper lady so her caretaker,  the enchanter Dallben, sends her to live with her aunt and uncle, a proper king and queen. 


Taran, the assistant pig keeper, who has obviously fallen in love, is asked to accompany her. Everything goes smoothly until the princess is kidnapped by the evil enchantress Achren, who also happens to be another one of her aunts.


Will Taran, and the motley crew he assembles be able to save Princess Eilonwy?  Read The Castle of LLyr to find out. 


Published: 1966


Genre: Fantasy


Locations: Public Library and Amazon

The Pepins and Their Problems

The Pepins and Their Problems
by Polly Horvath


Mr. and Mrs. Pepin and their children Petunia and Irving are a rather silly bunch.  In this book see how the family deals with various problems, such as: toads in their shoes, being stuck on the roof, not having cheese for their guests, and many other hilarious predicaments. 


Throughout the book, the author asks readers to share their ideas on how the Pepins' can handle their dilemmas.  She shares good ideas and bad ideas that she receives from all over.  As readers offer their solutions, we must all wonder, will the Pepins ever solve their own problems?


Published:2004

Genre: Exaggerated Realistic Fiction

Locations: School Library, Public Library, and Amazon