The Penderwicks

The Penderwicks
A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits,
 and a Very Intersting Boy
(Book 1)
by Jeanne Birdsall


This is a book about four sisters, with distinct personalities, interacting in new surroundings. 


The Penderwick family, Rosalind (age 12), Skye (age 11), Jane age (10), Batty (age 4), their father and their dog, are spending three weeks at a cottage located behind a huge mansion that has amazingly elaborate gardens.  


The mansion and gardens also contain a cute and kind teenage groundskeeper, a friendly cook, an interesting boy, a mean owner and her nasty boyfriend. 


Intermixed with all of these new people and set down in new surroundings, the Penderwick girls have a summer they will never forget. Read The Penderwicks so you'll always remember their summer too. 


Published: 2005

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Classroom Library, Public Library, and Amazon

The Book of Ember

The City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau


The City of Ember is either lit up by street lamps and house lights or in utter and complete darkness.  There are no candles, fires, computer screens or flashlights.  It is either light or dark.  


The City of Ember is all by itself.  There are no other cities.  There are no visitors.  There are no vacations.  Outside of the city there is only darkness.  No one ever leaves the City of Ember. 


The City of Ember was built by the "Builders" and the electric lights used to run perfectly and there was always plenty of food, clothing, and light bulbs in the storerooms.  But now the lights are turning off when they are not supposed to and the storerooms are getting barer and barer and everyday items like paper are running out. 


This is the only life that twelve year olds Doon and Lina have ever known.  Doon and Lina are scared about what is happening in the City of Ember and recognize something needs to be done before the city falls completely apart.  But can these two twelve year olds save an entire city?  Read The City of Embers to find out. 


Published: 2003

Genre: Science Fiction

Locations: Classroom Library, School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

The 6th Grade Nickname Game

The 6th Grade Nickname Game
by Gordon Korman


Jeff and Wiley have been best friends forever and have always been inseparable until Cassandra, a new girl, joins their class.  Both boys have a crush on Cassandra and they are willing to back stab each other in order to win her affections.  Will either Jeff or Wiley win her heart?  Will Jeff and Wiley's friendship survive?  


Published: 1998


Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Classroom Library, School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Freak the MIghty

Freak the Mighty
by Rodman Philbrick


Maxwell is huge, an adult sized 8th grader.


Kevin is tiny, a toddler sized 8th grader. 


Maxwell struggles in school.


Kevin excels in school. 


Maxwell uses his fists and feet when he is in trouble.


Kevin uses his brain when he is in trouble. 


Maxwell is healthy.


Kevin is sickly. 


This story is about how these two opposites become best friends and the adventures they have together. 


If you read Freak the Mighty you will laugh, you will worry, you will cry and at the end you will feel good inside.  Please read this amazing book. 


Published: 1993

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Class library, Public Libray, and Amazon

Schooled

Schooled
Gordon Korman


Culture Shock!  That's what Schooled is all about.  How could you get anything other than culture shock when Cap,an eight grader, who has only ever lived with one other person on a commune,  has never been to school, never watched TV, never held money, and never had a friend his own age  is suddenly forced to attend a public middle school with 1,100 students.  


And it isn't just culture shock for Cap, its culture shock for everyone at his school because his new classmates and teachers aren't used to dealing with someone with such a unique lifestyle as Cap. 


Schooled is told from multiple points of view and that's what makes it so fun.  Read the book to see how Cap responds to his new situation, how his classmates respond to Cap, and how his teachers respond too.  It is an awesome trip. 


Published: 2007

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Class Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Freckle Juice

Freckle Juice
by Judy Blume


Have you ever wanted something so badly, you'd do anything to get it?  Andrew Marcus really wanted freckles and he wanted them so badly he was willing to buy a secret freckle juice recipe from his arch enemy.  The big question is will the recipe work?  Read Judy Blume's super short, Freckle Juice to find out. 


Published: 1971

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Locations: Class library, School Library, Public Library, and Amazon

Glory Be

Glory Be
by Augusta Scattergood

Are you interested in US history, the Civil Rights Movement, growing up, family relations, or friendship?  If you are, Glory Be  by Augusta Scattergood is the book for you.


Glory is your typical eleven year old waiting for her twelfth birthday party and hoping to spend the summer swimming at the Community Pool. 


But it is 1964 and times are changing in Glory's hometown of Hanging Moss, Mississippi. First, her older sister Jesslyn is becoming more interested in hanging out with her friends and boyfriend than spending time with Glory.  Second, Glory is becoming friends with a new girl in town but her new friendship is causing problems with her best friend Frankie.  Finally, the Civil Rights Movement has made its way to Hanging Moss and Glory has to deal with the decisions the town leaders make, including closing the town pool,  as they attempt to resist the inevitable positive change that is coming to town. 


How will Glory's summer turn out?  Will she get to go swimming?  Will she and Jesslyn get along? Will she and Frankie get along?Will she have a birthday party? Read Glory Be to find out. 


Published: 2011

Genre: Historical Fiction

Locations: Class Library, School Library, Public Library, and Amazon