I hope this list proves valuable to not only teachers, but
to their students. More and more schools are going on the internet,
and hopefully my book list will be another small resource for
readers.
This is a true story of James Herriot, a veterinarian from
Britain. A very badly injured cat is brought to Dr. Herriot by
a young girl who found the cat in the street. Herriot and his
wife nurse the cat back to good health and adopt it. But it really
isn't theirs, and the cat disappears several times for a few days
and is returned by various people to them. This is a very "touching
story" about love for an animal that belongs to someone else
and the way 2 families handle the situation. It is a fine book
for all students and especially the students who love animals
and pets!
At the Back of the North Wind
by George MacDonald
A poor boy named Diamond meets the North Wind one night, and
he doesn't know whether he can believe her or not. This is a magical,
mystical tale of excitement as the North Wind and Diamond soar
high over the rooftops of the city off to a magical land. If you
enjoy tales of fantasy and imagination, then you are sure to enjoy
this fine book!
The Big Wave
by Pearl S. Buck
This is the story of Kino, a farmer's son, and Jiya, the son
of a fisherman, who are the best of friends. They often play together
and there is a close bond between them. One day a nearby volcano
erupts. A bell on the hill above the village tolls to warn the
people to leave the village, as there is danger from a possible
tidal wave. Jiya's family sends him to high ground, but they remain
in their home. Jiya watches as the tidal wave destroys the village
and his family perishes! Jiya goes to Kino's home on the high
hill, and the remainder of the story is of friendship, love and
survival. This is a wonderful children's story by Pearl Buck!
The Black Stallion
by Walter Farley
Young Alec is returning on a ship from a visit with his uncle.
He notices a very beautiful black stallion is also being transported
on the ship. He immediately is fascinated with the animal. A disaster
occurs and the ship sinks, and Alec and the stallion are stranded
on an island! This is the story of a friendship between a boy
and a horse and their adventures together when they return to
civilization and friends and family. This is a terrific book with
lots of action and is high interest for middle and upper elementary
students! Great movie version available!
Born Free
by Joy Adamson
This is the true story of Elsa, the famous lion who was raised
by George and Joy Adamson,who lived in Africa. Elsa, raised from
a very young age grows, and the time comes when she must be released
back into the wild. This is a tender and touching story of love
and devotion between the lioness and the Adamsons-a very good
story and perfect for that student who loves animals!
Caddie Woodlawn
by Carol Ryrie Brink
This is an exciting book that tells the story of Caddie, an
11 year old girl living in the woods of Wisconsin in 1864. She
has 6 brothers and sisters, and their escapades are both exciting
and amazing! This is a fine adventure of life on the frontier.
The author is the real granddaughter of the real Caddie Woodlawn,
and many of the events actually happened. This is a popular book
and gives the student a view of life in the 1800s as our country
developed. Good link to Social Studies.
Call it Courage
by Armstrong Sperry
Mafatu lives in Polynesia. He has been afraid of the ocean
since being a young child. Now his peers are teasing and saying
cruel things to him about his fear. He knows that he must overcome
his fear, so he sails out alone on the sea to prove to all that
he is brave. This is an exciting tale of courage of a young boy
who is trying to prove that he has a "stout heart."
Enjoyable!
The Cay
by Theodore Taylor
Phillip survived a fatal shipwreck in the Caribbean during
World War II. He ends up on a Caribbean island dependent on a
West Indian named Timothy. Phillip is completely blind from a
head injury suffered in the sinking of the ship. This story is
about growing up and surviving and friendship and mutual respect.
It is a very dramatic book!
Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White
I read this every year to my class. It is the beautiful story
of Fern, a girl who loves a little pig named Wilbur. There's a
myriad of other characters/animals including Charlotte herself,
a beautiful spider; Templeton, the irascible rat, and the goose!
Charlotte saves Wilbur with a remarkably clever plan, and makes
him the "World's Greatest Pig." Outstanding book! Many
of life s lessons are in this story! Absolutely magnificent! Oral
reading by teacher and individual students or group literature!
Wonderful animated film available on video.
The Computer That Ate My Brother
by Dean Marney
Harry is an elementary school student who really wants a drum
set for his birthday. Instead his parents buy him a computer!
The computer is not the usual computer. You see, it cries, writes
messages, and even flashes the house lights when it wants attention!
Roger, Harry's brother disappears, and Harry wonders who is to
blame. He asks the computer, "Would you bring Roger back,
please?" The answer comes back loud and clear, "No,"
This is a fun and entertaining story especially in this time of
computers! One of my personal favorites!
Corey's Fire
by Lee Wardlaw
Santa Barbara's brush fires have a terrible reputation of being
wild and severe! This is the story of one of those fires and its
impact on a girl and her family. Lee Wardlaw, a Santa Barbaran,
lived through the destructive Sycamore fire which occurred in
Santa Barbara's Riviera area. As a child, her house and everything
in it perished in the dreadful fire. All was lost.
In the book Corey's house was lost in the fire. Everything was
gone! The loss was devastating and the loneliness especially horrible.
This is a wonderful book about friendship, feelings, and compassion.
Highly recommended!
Cowabunga
by Lee Wardlaw
A great book to recommend to students who can't decide what
to read. Cowabunga is a fun book loaded with information
on surfing techniques and history, highlighted with pictures of
surfing stars. Lee Wardlaw lives in our city, and she occasionally
visits our school and shares her talent with us. Her book Corey's
Fire will be reviewed at a later time. She's an outstanding
author whose books really appeal to students!
Dear Mr. Henshaw
by Beverly Cleary
Leigh wants so much to be a writer. He has to do an author
report for sixth grade and choses Mr. Henshaw, a children's author
for his subject. This is a humorous story which highlights the
letters between Leigh and Mr. Henshaw as Leigh finds out what
it takes to be a "good" writer. Good book for that "student
author" that we all seem to have in our class from time to
time.
Dogsong
by Gary Paulsen
Russel takes a dog team and sled and goes into the wilderness
to find himself. Inspired by the Eskimo, Oogruk, he travels across
the icy tundra haunted by his dreams. It is a difficult journey
for him and the dogs, but it becomes a fantastic run to self discovery!
This is an interesting story set in the north country and an fascinating
view of the customs of the people who live there.
Dragonwings
by Laurence Yep
Moon Shadow lives with his mother and grandmother in China.
His life is simple and quiet. Suddenly circumstances occur wherein
he finds that he is moving to America to start a new life with
someone he has never met! Life in America is hard for him! He
must learn new customs, a new language and most of all learn about
his father! This is a touching book which is very enjoyable and
loaded with values!
Ginger Pye
by Eleanor Estes
Jerry and Rachel, brother and sister, have a wonderful and
very intelligent dog named Ginger Pye. She does lots of tricks
and is a very loyal pet. A mysterious stranger in a yellow hat
arrives in the area and is following Jerry around, spying on Ginger
and seems to always be hiding nearby. What does he want? Who is
he? Jerry and Rachel do all they can to protect the dog, but Ginger
Pye is stolen. Can they save Ginger Pye from the stranger in the
yellow hat? This book has humor and tells of the feelings and
imagination of childhood. A great dog story!
Harriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh
Did you ever want to keep a secret notebook about your parents,
classmates and neighbors? Well Harriet does! Daily she observes
and writes notes in the journal. Her notebook is lost and who
finds it? Yes, some of her classmates and are they upset!!Their
anger causes them to plan retaliation. It all comes out a hilarious
and fun story with several laughs and some touching moments as
the students learn about each other and their feelings. Fun reading!
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Brian is 13 years old and is traveling on a single engine plane
to visit his father. The plane crashes in the wilderness, and
he, the lone survivor, is left on a rugged piece of land for 54
days. This is an exciting adventure of survival and courage written
by the author of Dogsong.
The Incredible Journey
by Sheila Burnford
This is a wonderful story of three animals, a Labrador retriever,
a bull terrier, and a beautiful Siamese cat who travel together
facing overwhelming dangers in the Canadian wilderness. They face
wild animals, severe weather and starvation to find their way
home to the family that loves them. This is a courageous story
that appeals to students who love animals! Very popular in the
middle grades!
The Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell
For those of us who live on the South Coast of California,
this book holds a special place in our hearts. The setting for
this story, the island, lies just 30 miles off of our coast in
the Channel Islands National Park. This is a book of historical
fiction, about Karana, a Native American girl who is marooned
on an island. She tries to escape in a canoe, but must return
to the island as the boat leaks. She realizes that she should
be happy to be alive even though she must face isolation on the
island, and the story profiles her adventures and misadventures
there. This is an award winning book and a must-read! My
class visits the island each year as part of our Los Marineros
Oceanograpy studies. We spend two hours hiking the island, and
it is a great experience for the students as they think of Karana,
and see the actual environment in which she had to survive. I
read it to my class before the island trip. For many it is the
second or third reading, and the students never tire of the story!
Kavik the Wolf Dog
by Walt Morey
After finding a dog that survives a plane crash, and nursing
the injured animal back to health, Andy's father gives the animal,
Kavik, to Mr. Hunter. How could he? Andy wonders. He hadn't
even been able to say goodbye! But Andy has forgotten how stubborn
Kavik can be, and nothing can stop the dog from returning to the
boy he loves! This is an excellent dog story about the love between
a boy and a beautiful dog!
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C. S. Lewis
This is the first book in the outstanding series called "The
Chronicles of Narnia." Four children are sent to a large
country house in Britain during World War II to escape the horrible
air raids in London. Due to rain, they decide to stay in on the
first day that they are there and explore the great house. Lucy,
the youngest, steps into a large wardrobe filled with coats. It
leads her to a magical world with snow and a distant lamppost!
This is a wonderful series, and many students and teachers know
and have read of Narnia. Especially recommended for your able
readers! A must for any elementary teacher's reading list!
The Midnight Fox
by Betsy Byars
Tom is an eleven year old boy who is forced to spend a summer
at his Uncle Fred and Aunt Millie's farm when his parents go on
a bicycle trip to Europe. Tom knows that he will hate the farm
because he hates animals, the outdoors, and going to new places.
At the farm he discovers a side of himself that he didn't know
existed. He discovers a black fox in the forest and must find
the courage to try and rescue the fox from almost certain tragedy.
The Midnight Fox is an excellent read-aloud book. The chapters
are short and suspenseful. My class loved it.
This book review was written by Debbie Bresnick, teacher
at Wilson Middle School in Natick, MA. Thanks Debbie!
Misty of Chincoteague
by Marguerite Henry
Assateague Island, off the coast of Virginia is a special place.
It was here that many years ago, horses off of a shipwreck were
able to swim to the Island and survive. Annually, there is a well
known event there in Assateague with a roundup of the horses.
In the story, Paul and his sister discover the modern day horses
descended from those original survivors, and they want the beautiful
wild mare that they have seen for their own. But, the silvery-gray
colt Misty comes into their life! This is a superb story.
Muggy Maggie
by Beverly Cleary
Maggie, who is in third grade, doesn't like cursive handwriting.
Even though her classmates are learning to write, she continues
to print or write on the computer. Even though she is smart and
clever she gets in a real predicament and ends up in the principal's
office-several times! Great humor and a fun book to read!
My Side of the Mountain
by Jean George
Sam is 15 years old, and he runs away from home. He wants to
see if he can live and survive in the forest. He has many problems
to overcome in his new wilderness life suchas food, shelter and
clothing. Sam exists very successfully in his new found world,
but gradually realizes that he is a social human and that he must
compromise his existence with that of civilization. This is a
fine "coming of age" story of a very adventurous and
resourceful boy!
My Teacher Is An Alien
by Bruce Coville
Susan and Peter are in the sixth grade, and there is a new
substitute teacher who is unlike any they have ever had. Susan
sees him peeling off his face and realizes that he is an alien!
No one believes her but Peter, a classmate. They must save the
rest of their class from the plans of this strange teacher! This
is an exciting and humorous story that is great for reading aloud
or individually.
My Teacher Glows in the Dark
by Bruce Coville
This is a sequel to "My Teacher Is An Alien". Peter
has had some interesting teachers in his schooling. He discovers,
of all things, that his newest teacher glows in the dark! Yes,
that's right-GLOWS IN THE DARK! Join Peter as he flies away from
Earth in a spaceship full of aliens! This is high interest and
high adventure with a great sense of humor!
National Velvet
by Enid Bagnold
Velvet is a teenage girl who loves horses. In this book she
enters the world's toughest steeplechase event! It is an interesting
book and Velvet in one year, becomes an heiress, got a horse,
and wins the Grand National Steeplechase event. This is a good
book for those students who especially love horses!
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Annemarie, who is 10 years old, and her friend, Ellen, live
in Denmark. The time is during World War II, 1943. The Nazi soldiers
have come to their city , and life is filled with school, food
shortages and the fear of the occupation army that has taken over
the city. Many Jewish people are being "relocated" and
Ellen moves in with Annemarie and her family. This is a very exciting
and high interest book. Annemarie is asked to undertake a dangerous
mission. This is a story of strength and courage, as Annemarie
strives to save her best friend's life.
Old Yeller
by Fred Gipson
Travis has an old yellow-haired dog that just wandered into
his life. The boy and the dog become very close companions, and
Travis's Dad leaves on a cattle drive leaving the 14 year old
boy in charge of affairs. First a near tragedy with an attacking
bear, and then the terrifying disease that turns animals and humans
into mad creatures, and Old Yeller proves that he is, above all,
a wonderful and devoted friend! Fine story to read aloud or individuals.
Ramona and Her Father
by Beverly Cleary
Ramona is the youngest of the Quimby family. Her big sister,
Beezus, and her mother have been very busy lately and a bit grumpy.
On top of that, her father lost his job. Ramona tries to make
things better and this hilarious story is really entertaining!
She wants the family to be fun again and tries everything she
can think of to improve their spirits. This is another of Beverly
Cleary's wonderful books!
Raymond's Run
by Toni Cade Bambara
Hazel, called Squeaky, likes to run and has won several races
in competition. Raymond, her brother who is mentally retarded,
usually runs beside Squeaky when she practices. The time comes
to compete in a very important race, and as Raymond runs beside
her Hazel suddenly realizes that she has overlooked Raymond's
potential as an excellent runner. This is a very nice, tender,
upbeat tale of devotion, acceptance and realization that we all
have value and excel at something in life. This is a beautiful
story!
Runaway Ralph
by Beverly Cleary
Ralph is a young mouse who loves to ride his small motorcycle.
He is tired and bored of the Mountain View Inn where he lives,
and decides to go to summer camp down the road. All of a sudden,
"home" looks real good as he is faced with camp rules
and new situations. This has been made into a great movie which
is on video. This is a great read aloud book!
Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague
by Marguerite Henry
In this book, Misty is leaving Paul and Maureen. They have
loved her since she was a filly, and it is difficult for them
to see her go. One day, they find a lone colt with a crooked star
on his forehead. Beside him, his mother lies dead. Paul and Maureen
must fight to save the orphan's life. Sea Star is a story
that you never will forget. A beautiful horse story!
Shadow of a Bull
by Maria Wojciechowska
Manolo lives in the small Spanish village of Archangel. He
is eleven years old and his father, a former national hero and
one of the foremost bullfighters in Spain, was killed in the bullring
many years ago. Now, of course, all of the townspeople want and
encourage Manolo to become the replacement for his father. His
father brought much fame to the small village, and the elders
of Archangel want the fame to return. There is one problem: Manolo
is fearful of bullfighting and does not want to be a bullfighter.
There is even a rich sponsor that wants to support Manolo through
the training and the beginning of his career. Throughout the book,
Manolo and his friend (who wants to be a bullfighter) sort
through their feelings to determine which will become the great
new Spanish bullfighter. It is a wonderful story of friendship
and Spain. This is another book that I read to my class each year.
Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Eleven year old Marty loved playing in the hills behind his
home. He finds a dog, a beagle, past the old schoolhouse. Marty
suspects the dog is being abused by its owner, and the dog runs
away. He runs to Marty's house, and Marty names him "Shiloh."
Above all he decides he must save the animal.This is a wonderful,
very popular dog story for the dog lovers in your class!
Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You
by Barthe DeClements
Helen is going into the sixth grade and thinks that it might
be a good year. You see, several of her best friends are in the
same grade. But Mrs. Lobb, her sixth grade teacher, makes things
hard for Helen, and she finds out that she may have to stay back
a year while her classmates go on to seventh grade! How will she
get out of her problems? This is a fun book, especially for fifth
graders, who will go into sixth next year. A funny, humorous tale!
Sounder
by William H. Armstrong
Sounder is a dog, although this is much more that just another
dog story. It is a tender family story about a boy, his mother
and father, younger sisters, and Sounder. The boy has an opportunity
to return to school, but his father is arrested for stealing food
for his hungry family. The boy must assume the responsibility
of providing for the family, and also searches relentlessly for
the father. It is a wonderful book of a family's love and support
for one another. Highly recommended for teacher reading to middle
grades and above. Good book to teach in a reading group setting.
The movie is on video.
The Spanish Kidnapping Disaster
by Mary Downing Hahn
Felix is twelve, and she is on a family trip to Spain with
her mother and stepfather, Don. Don has a daughter named Amy and
a son, Philip. The two girls, who really don't care for each other,
get lost in the middle of Spain, and the adventure begins! This
is a wonderful, entertaining story that all will enjoy. It is
set in Spain and provides a good look at some of the areas of
that country. This book really holds the class's attention!
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
by Judy Blume
Peter feels like a "fourth grade nothing" because
of Fudge, his 2 year old brother. Fudge is never far from trouble
and seems to get away with it almost always! Then the unacceptable
happens-Fudge disappears with Dribble, Peter's prized pet turtle
and Peter's had enough! Will Peter's parents ever pay attention
to him? Read this fun book about how to put up with your 2 year
old sibling and SURVIVE! Humorous reading!
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
On the cover of the Scholastic edition of this book is the
saying: "Don't judge a man until you've walked two moons
in his moccasins."Salamanca, called Sal, is thirteen years
old and is traveling from Ohio to Idaho with her Grandparents.
They are looking for Sal's mother, who one day left for Idaho
and has not returned. Sal has less than a week to find her mother
before her mother's birthday. Her father tells Sal that she is
"fishing in the air", but she knows that this is the
only chance she has for reuniting her family. This is a fine and
interesting book full of feeling and family love!
Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
This is a wonderful story about the legend of the sacred red
fern. It is the nostalgic tale of Old Dan, Little Ann and Billy.
Woven throughout this story are themes of victory, fame and sadness.
This is an excellent adventure story for all students!
The Whipping Boy
by Sid Fleischman
Being a prince, no one may ever spank Prince Brat. His father,
the King, sends soldiers into the nearby village to find a "whipping
boy": someone to be spanked for all the naughty things that
the Prince does. They take a boy called "Jemmie of the Streets"
from the sewers where he supports himself by catching rats and
selling them. He is made Prince Brat's whipping boy, and allowed
to live in the palace. The boys, not really friends, run away
together as the Prince is very unhappy because he feels that his
father never pays any attention to him. This is a wonderful tale
with such colorful characters as Cutwater, and Hold Your Nose
Billy. There is even a circus bear that enters into the action.
This is a story of the development of a true friendship and is
very entertaining. This is one of my personal favorites! Wonderful
for reading aloud or by individuals or literature groups.
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Mr. Mole decides it is such a beautiful day he doesn't really
want to paint his home. He and his friend, Mr. Rat, go to visit
Mr. Toad who has an outlandish idea! He wants to buy a new automobile
and travel around the world! This is a great, fun book! Be ready
for a humorous time when you read it!
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L'Engle
An excellent book for reading aloud or to stretch the mind
of that very able reader that we all have in class from time to
time! The story is about Meg, her mother, and Charles Wallace,
her younger brother. They receive a visit from a mysterious stranger
who says, "...there is such a thing as a tesseract."
A tesseract, in this exciting tale, is a wrinkle in time, and
the children in the book are about to find out the significance
of this phenomenon! Highly recommended!
All Things Wise
and Wonderful by James Herriot