Grade 4 Favorite Summer Reads

• Adventure/Mystery

• Realistic Fiction

• Sports

• Animal Stories

• Fantasy

• Historical Fiction

• Non-Fiction
  

 

Adventure/Mystery

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

The series Artemis Fowl is a fantastic series by Eoin Colfer. When Artemis Fowl Sr goes missing his wife goes crazy leaving Artemis Fowl Jr, a genius, to rule the family criminal business as one of the richest criminal businesses in Ireland. Artemis Fowl at age thirteen deceives a full grown man out of a couple billion dollars and steals a famous painting. Artemis is ruling the family business and is doing a good job at it!! -- recommended by Mark

The Door to Time by Michael Merryweather

I recommend The Door to Time because it is adventurous, mysterious, and includes a little fantasy. It’s about these kids who move into a new house and there are so many secrets and mysteries within Argo Manner. (The house)-- recommended by Gage

Hoot by Carl Hiassen

Unfortunately, Roy's first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn't been sinking his thumbs into Roy's temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy.

 

A Barrel of Laughs A Vale of Tears by Jules Feiffer

Prince Roger is sent on a quest, the purpose of which is to turn the carefree young prince into a sober man and worthy monarch. Roger gets everything wrong--except for the meaning of life, and that he gets right.

Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew, an orange-blond haired, slender, attractive girl lives in River Heights. Her father is a well-known lawyer who has solved many mysteries, and Nancy Drew follows in her father’s footsteps. She goes far and wide with her best friends who are cousins, Bess Marvin, slightly plump and very pretty, and George Fayne who is an athletic girl who loves her boyish name. These books are so exciting, I can’t put them down. I love Carolyn Keene’s way of ending every chapter with something exciting! --Recommended by Merritt

The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy by William Boniface

Ordinary Boy is a book about a town called Superopolis. Everybody in the town has a super power except Ordinary Boy. Can he save his friends and his town from an evil professor? --recommended by Taelor

 

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

If you like adventure, this is the book for you. It’s about a family whose father was fighting in a war. They have a small boat and live on an island for the summer. They meet up with two sisters. They also have encounters with a retired pirate and the locals get turned against them. Do you think you know what will happen? If not, read this book. --recommended by Fitz

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett  

I recommend this great book because it’s very exiting. This book is about two children who try to decode a mystery that even the FBI can’t figure out. Petra, a girl who tries to be invisible, becomes friends with a good puzzle-figuring out kind of person. These two travel through art museums to help a wonderful artist find a lost painting. Can these two figure out this mystery that has crossed their path? -- recommended by Catherine

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Stormbreaker is the first book in the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. It is an action adventure series about a 14 year-old spy who has lost his grand father in a car accident. He is persuaded to join MI6, the British version of the CIA. He is on his first mission to stop the launch of, well, you’ll find out while reading.--recommended by Zach

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

Shot outside the offices of MI6 and left for dead by Scorpia, Alex Rider awakens in a top-secret hospital, glad simply to be alive. But danger has a way of following Alex, and when the boy in the next room is the victim of a kidnapping attempt, it is Alex who saves him—only to be kidnapped himself. Also try any of the earlier books in the Alex Rider series by Horowitz.

The Wanderer by Sharon Creech

Sophie is an orphan who lost her parents when they drowned in the ocean. She stays with her aunt and uncle. She learns how to control boats and also learns how to sail them as well. One day, Sophie, her uncles, and cousins go on a dangerous journey on the Wanderer (a big boat) all the way from the U.S.A. to England to visit her grandpa they call Bompie. Will they get to Bompie, or will disaster strike? See what happens by reading the book. --recommended by Jessica

The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley

I recommend the Sisters Grimm series because it is a great series. I like them because they are very interesting. They are about two sisters who find out that they are relatives of the famous Brothers Grimm. After that they name themselves the Sisters Grimm and start being fairy tale detectives. Their job is to keep hidden fairy tale creatures under control. If you like adventure, you’ll like these books a lot. --recommended by Tammy

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Greek gods are having a war and it is starting to interfere with the modern day world. Planes are blowing up in the air, ships are getting pulled into the water, and the world might be destroyed. Can Percy Jackson save the world and stop the Greek gods from fighting? Find out by reading this book. --recommended by Matt

The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) by Lemony Snicket

This book tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children, who despite being clever and charming lead lives filled with misery and woe. From the very beginning of this volume, when the children are at the beach and receive terrible news, continuing onto the last page of this distressing story, disaster lurks at their heels.

The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events #6)by Lemony Snicket

If you like books about mystery and adventure, then this is the book for you. The Baudelaire orphans must escape the notorious Count Olaf and save the Quagmire triplets. Will they? Read and find out!--recommended by Josh

The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse: A Chet Gecko Mystery by Bruce Hale

Chet Gecko loves a good mystery. Almost more than he loves his fee —stinkbug pie. So when fellow fourth grader Shirley Chameleon asks him to find her missing brother, Billy, Chet expects the case to be as easy as pie. But Billy's disappearance is part of a larger plot, one that involves the Rat Sisters, a riddling junkyard dog, and a vicious Gila monster named Herman. If Chet doesn't solve the case fast, the entire school could be humiliated.

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby is a story about a criminal named Deputy Dangerous and his side kick, Danger Dog (who isn’t evil). They try to kill a baby who fell out of a window and knocked them out while they where doing evil things. The baby fell into some toxic waste and got super powers and became Super Diaper Baby. Super Diaper Baby fights the evil Deputy Dangerous in this kid-funny book.--recommended by Jessica

Hank the Cowdog by John R. Erickson

Hank, a loveable dog, is head of ranch security. He has to deal with coyotes, wild dogs, cowboys, and Yappy Drover, his assistant. When a cow gets murdered in the middle pasture, Hank is on the case. In this story he is captured by coyotes and sentenced to death. Will he escape in time? Will he solve the mystery? Read this book to find out!--recommended by Kyla

Time Stops for No Mouse by Michael Hoeye

Hermux Tantamoq is a mouse watchmaker. One day Linka Perflinger the aviatrix drops off a watch at Hermux’s watch shop. After two weeks Linka hasn’t returned to pick up her watch. Hermux thinks something is wrong because he has already tried calling her but when someone picks up on the other end it is never Linka. Hermux has to learn to solve crime and to save Linka. Will he save her? Will he get to see the beautiful Linka once again? To find out the answer read this thrilling murder mystery. This is the first book in the Hermux Tantamoq Adventure series. This book is a perfect book for good fourth grade readers who enjoy a great murder mystery --recommended by Clare

Finding Lubchenko by Michael Simmons

Evan Macalister steals from his dad who is basically a millionaire,and his dad is now wanted for murder. Evan and his friends go to a foreign country because of a cryptic email that might solve the mystery and clear his dad.--recommended by Auloni

Blown Away (The Hardy Boys All-New #10) by Franklin W. Dixon

A bomb is hidden in a resort and the Hardy Boys have to find out where it is. The Hardy Boys are agents for the A.T.A.C. association which stands for American Teens Against Crime. This is an action packed book filled with car chases, car bombs, and even a murder. --recommended by Kevin

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet is a riveting tale of a thirteen year old boy, Brian Robeson, who survives in the Canadian wilderness for over two months without any previous wilderness experience. He is in a plane crash in the middle of a lake after the pilot has a fatal heart attack. Brian goes through the thought of his parent’s divorce and eats bad berries. He escapes from bears and kills birds. He throws up, and suffers dehydration and diarrhea. Can he survive? --recommended by Brooks

Lion Adventure by Willard Price

If you like adventure, this book is for you. Teen-agers Hal and Roger always seem to get into adventure. This time they are traveling to Africa to catch man-eating lions, ALONE! That’s not all though. Are lions the only challenge that await them? --recommended by Bennett

This book is about two boys Hal and Roger. These two adventurous boys go on an adventure to catch or kill man eating lions that have been attacking local towns. They run into a couple obstacles along the way. Read the book to find out what happens in this amazing book. --recommended by Adrian

 

Realistic Fiction

Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

Love That Dog is about a boy named Jack who wants his favorite poet Walter Dean Myers to come to his school. Jack is a very good poet but does not think so. His teacher encourages him to write. His poems write the book. I really liked this short book but it was sad and will make you cry. -- recommended by Peter M.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

This wonderful book is about a family of four girls, a dad, and a dog. They are going on summer vacation for a couple of weeks. Will the girls get along with their neighbor Jeffery? Be sure to read the Penderwicks because it’s really, really good! --recommended by Gillie

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Twin orphans, Dallas, and Florida have lived in a foster home all 11 years of their lives. In different rooms every night, it’s lonely. They are adopted, then taken back, adopted and taken back again. Two nice people finally keep them and Dallas and Florida learn what it is like to have a family. --recommended by Kate

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

A foster child going from home to home is the toughest girl in town. She finally stays with a woman named Trotter and a boy named William Ernest. She really wants her real mom but living with Trotter makes her think… Doesshe love Trotter? Will she stay with Trotter or will her mom finally come for her. READ THE BOOK!--recommended by Addie

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

One summer day, Opal goes into a supermarket and comes out with a scraggly dog that she names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, her preacher father finally tells her ten things about her absentee mother, and Opal makes lots of unusual friends in her quirky Florida town. And because of Winn-Dixie, Opal grows to learn that friendship — and forgiveness — can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.

A Traitor Among the Boys by Phyllis Naylor

Four boys and three girls are neighborhood rivals in A Traitor among the Boys by Phyllis Naylor. The boys and the girls are playing tricks on each other until there is a huge snow storm! All three of the girls are scared when their mom disappears in the snow with her car. They are alone in their house, cold and sad! Will they be able to find their mom in the snowstorm? Will they need the boys help? To find out read the book! -- recommended by Ashley

The Girls Get Even by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

As Halloween approaches, the three Malloy sisters find themselves continually trying to get even with the four Hatford brothers, who have been playing tricks on them since the Malloys moved from Ohio to West Virginia. This is the hilarious sequel to The Boys Start the War.

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume

Sally lived up north until her brother got some kind of kidney disease. So they had to move to Miami, Florida. She has all kind of adventures there, at the beach, at the pool, and, of course, in school. --recommended by Grace

What Would Joey Do by Jack Gantos

What Would Joey Do is a funny book about a boy named Joey. Joey is an ADD, home schooled boy at his mom’s friend’s house. He enjoyed it at first but when he found out who he was going to be home schooled with he was bummed. She was blind, mean, and stubborn. -- recommended by Brandon

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Dumb, stupid, and slow. All Max's life, he'd been called these names, and it didn't help that people were afraid of him. So Max learned to be alone--at least until Freak came along. Together, they were Freak the Mighty.

P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger and Ann Martin

Two 5 th grade girls-Elizabeth and Tara* Starr- are best friends, but then Tara* Starr has to move away. This wonderful novel is written in letters, since they have to communicate by letters. It explains different phases of friendship, and how time goes by and things change. Find out how the girls change and how they will get along by reading this book! 1,000,000,000,000 thumbs up! See what happens next! -- recommended by Olivia

Shredderman by Wendelin Van Draanen

When Nolan is getting bullied at school he decides to become a cyber hero. He is Shredderman. Armed with a camera hidden in his backpack he tries to catch Bubba Bixby, the school bully, on tape. He makes a web site called shredderman.com with all Bubba Bixby stuff like Bubba jokes and pictures and one tape of Bubba flipping a kid’s lunch plates. Will Nolan be able to catch Bubba? -- recommended by Caden

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders tells the story of a fourteen-year-old “greaser” named Ponyboy. Ponyboy lives on the east side of town with the other greasers, east-siders, law-breakers. When Ponyboy gets jumped by a gang of Socs, the rich kids from the west side of town, he thinks things can’t get worse. But one night it does. One night a gang of five Socs jumps him and Johnny, a timid boy who had gotten badly jumped by the same gang. They take it too far. Johnny and Ponyboy are forced to run away for their lives that night, and may never be able to return. Young Adult selection--recommended by Margaret Anne

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

When 13-year-old Dinnie Doone is plucked out of her troubled life by her aunt and uncle and whisked away to an international school in Switzerland, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly surrounded by different cultures, languages, and beliefs, Dinnie struggles to hold on to her past life. Gradually, through friendships and experiences she could have nowhere else, she learns to trust herself and discovers the beautiful "bloomabilities" her new life has to offer.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

"So, what I want to know is, if my dad's an actual prince, how come I have to learn algebra?" Mia ponders this, and much more, when she finds out that her father is prince of Genovia. Living with her cool artist mom in New York City, Mia can't imagine leaving to become princess in Genovia. But because her father can't have any more kids, she is the heir to the throne. Accepting her title means getting lessons on being a perfect princess and leaving Manhattan - will Mia eventually give in to her father and become Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo?

 

Sports

Heat by Mike Lupica

Heat is about a boy who moves illegally to the U.S. He plays baseball and pitches an 80 mile per hour fastball. He is 12 years old in an 11 and 12 year old league. He is the tallest and the best in the league. When he moved to the U.S. he forgot his birth certificate. The league throws him out because they think he’s 13. How will he get his birth certificate and prove them wrong? Only you can find out! --recommended by Harris

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

A boy named Danny tries out for a travel team but doesn’t make it because he is too short. Danny is clearly one of the best players that tried out. His dad, a former pro basketball player, makes an expansion team. Danny is sure they have no chance of winning a game. --Recommended by James

Last Shot by John Feinstein

Last Shot by John Feinstein is a great mystery! It’s about a boy named Steven Thomas, who enters a writing contest and wins courtside seats to the Final Four as a sports writer! But when he’s exploring the arena, he hears people talking to Minnesota State University’s star player, Chip Graber! They’re saying to Chip, “You better lose the final game… or else!” Who was the guy who said that? Steven Thomas is going to find out… with some help though! --Recommended by Matthew

Mister Shortstop by Duane Decker

Mister Shortstop is an amazing sports book about a shortstop who has been playing for 5 years. All he ever wanted was to play with the Blue Sox, an old baseball team. He has always played shortstop and he’s always been a starter until a show-off rookie comes up from AAA and starts. Every one thinks he’s amazing, but really he’s only good with no pressure. If you’re a sports fan then you will LOVE this book. --recommended by Matthew

Keystone Kids by John Tunis

When two young brothers join the Brooklyn Dodgers, one becomes team manager and must battle dissension and prejudice to unite the team and convince the players to accept the new Jewish catcher.

Animal Stories

Coming Home (Heartland Series #1) by Lauren Brooke

Amy Fleming and her mother Marion Fleming have their own stables called Heartland. They take in horses to help them overcome their fears such as putting a saddle on their back. One warm day Amy discovers a locked up and stolen horse named Spartan. Amy convinces her mom to take the trailer out and save Spartan, but on the way back from getting Spartan, they get into a terrible accident and her mother dies. Read the books to find out what happens to Amy and Heartland.-- recommended by Lauren

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

I liked this book because I like dogs and a good adventure. This book is about a dog that gets stolen and sold to a man in Alaska and becomes a sled dog. Then he has a lot of adventures and gets sold again to a better owner but is still on a sled team. -- recommended by Harrison

Man O' War by Walter Farley

Man O’ War is a great book about a horse, the fastest in the racing world! When this horse was young he had much promise. It starts off as an old man remembering his childhood. When this colt is born there is a war going on so they sell all the horses including Man O’ War! Will he be like his father and too strong to train? -- recommended by Emma

Arabian Challenge (Thouroughbred #22) by Joanna Campbell

Cindy McLean is so happy to get her jockey license and she will get to ride in the Dubai World cup on her beloved horse Champion. Cindy has raced in races before but never before has she raced against Ashleigh but can she really win? When it comes time for the Dubai Ashleigh isn’t talking to Cindy much and Cindy finds herself really tense. Read this book and enjoy the experience of riding and racing along With Ashleigh Rese, Samantha McLean and Cindy McLean with their beloved colts and fillies. -- recommended by Anna

Forest of Secrets (Warriors #3) by Erin Hunter

Fire Heart, a warrior cat, tries to rescue the clan from the evil Tiger Claw. Can Fire Heart defeat Tiger Claw or will Fire Heart die? This is book 3 in the mysterious Warriors series, and you never know what will happen next-- recommended by Will

Sam and Delilah by Jenny Dale

Neil, a 12 year old boy, has a dog named Sam. Sam likes a dog named Delilah but her owner does not want Sam and Delilah to be together. Can Delilah’s owner stop the two dogs that are meant for each other? -- recommended by Greta

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnham

When a golden retriever, bull terrier, and Siamese cat run away from their home, they will face many dangers including the forest, cats, and many other perils. This is a story of survival and adventure that you will enjoy. This was an interesting book to read and lots of fun in each chapter.-- recommended by Maddie

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

I liked Where the Red Fern Grows. It is a great book because it is great for all ages. It is a great, adventurous, and emotional book. It is about a boy and he really wants two hounds. But each hound costs twenty dollars, so he catches coons so that he can get the money for the hounds. Once he has enough money for the hounds he enters a tournament. Will he win the tournament or not? -- recommended by Emmet

Legacy's Gift (Thoroughbred #72) by Joanna Campbell

16 year old Allie Avery is very happy with her life, even though she misses her parents a lot. One day when she is riding her horse, Wonders Legacy, she notices a broken board in Sterling Dream’s paddock and forgets to fix it. Sterling could foal any second of any day. She loves to jump and Sterling jumps over the remaining fence parts and disappears. Allie and Christina go looking for the mare. Can they find her in time to save her foal? Read the book and find out! -- recommended by Vicki

High Hurdles series by Lauraine Snelling

This series is great, I really enjoy it! It is about a girl named DJ Randall, and her dream is to ride a horse in the Olympics. A horse that lives at the stable DJ goes to is named Diablo. DJ adores that horse, but then his owners take him away. She is trying to earn money to buy her own horse. It’s for all ages! Read the book and find out what happens!! -- recommended by Jessica

Triss by Brian Jacques

Triss, Shogg, and Welfo escape from slavery at Riftgard and are pursued across the sea toward Redwall by Princess Kurdah, Prince Bladd, and a band of freebooters who seek the rumored treasure of Brockhall. This is the 15th book in the Redwall series

 

Fantasy

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Edwards is about three siblings who meet a professor and learn how to use their imaginations to enter a magical land named Whangdoodleland. They wanted to meet the Whangdoodle, and this book is about their problems and solutions to conquer all the schemes that the Prock (their enemy) made to stop them from getting to the Whangdoodle. I like this book of fantasy because it is full of adventure, humor, and gives you a feeling of suspense at times. -- recommended by Samantha

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Winnie Foster is a girl whose family is not very nice, so a while later she runs away from her home and runs into the woods next to her house. She meets a boy named Jesse who has drunk the water of an enchanted water fountain. Winnie goes with Jesse and stays with the Tuck family. To find out what happens next read the book! -- recommended by Kyle

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Girl twin Alanna of Trebond dreams of becoming a knight. Her brother Thom wants to become a sorcerer. When Alanna sees a black city through her gift in the fire, and her gift teacher agrees to let her act as a boy, the adventure begins. What happens? Read the book to find out! -- recommended by Maggie

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the prince of the realm. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna's liege lord, he is also her best friend — and one of the few who knows the secret of her true identity. But when a mysterious sorceror threatens the prince's life, it will take all of Alanna's skill, strength, and magical power to protect him — even at the risk of revealing who she really is...

Cirque du Feak by Darren Shan

A kid named Darren goes to a freak show with a friend and doesn’t tell his parents. There are a lot of creepy people there doing weird tricks and even letting out wild animals that are dangerous. They were about to leave until Darren sees a pale person with a huge spider. Darren steals the spider and the owner kidnaps Darren. This is a great scary book that will scare you at night. -- recommended by Brian

Cirque Du Freak a Living Nightmare is a book about a kid named Darren Shan who goes to a freak show and it changes his life forever. It’s fast paced. Join Darren Shan as his life changing adventure begins.--recommended by Naim

The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson

The Secret of Platform 13 is a fantasy and mystery all in one! A portal to a magical world opens every 9 years for 9 days and this portal called a gump is located in a train station in London. The king and queen on the island had a child only 3 months old. The nurses took the baby into London and he was kidnapped by a rich bratty family. Nine years later four magical people from the island who each have different powers have gone out of the magical world to find the prince. Can these magical people find the prince? And if they do will they be able to take him back to the king and queen? -- recommended by Drew

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Lyra, an 11 year old girl who has grown up in Jordan College in Oxford, is given a golden compass called an aletheometer by the master of Jordan. Its purpose is to tell the truth. She finds out that she has to leave Jordan and has to find all the children who have been kidnapped. Meanwhile her uncle, Lord Asriel is building a bridge to another world. Read The Golden Compass and the two sequels, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spy Glass to learn more.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Milo, an ordinary 10 year old who is always bored and never appreciates time, gets a tollbooth as a present. With that tollbooth comes a car and once he gets in and checks into the tollbooth he falls into a imaginary world with many adventures and meets friends along the way. The fantasy is unbelievable and makes you want to read it again. -- recommended by Tricia

Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Six children with amazing powers and wings have had many adventures when Jeb, their adopted father, disappears. Meanwhile the Erasers, monstrous creatures, are taking over! The Erasers take one of the group and adventures take over including saving the girl and getting caught in troubles! Read this book and find out what happens! If you are a boy or girl who likes adventure and fantasy, this book is perfect for you!-- recommended by Michelle

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Are you looking for a book and haven’t found anything appealing? If that’s your problem you should read The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. The book is in the fantasy genre and it’s about some kids that discover a magical world (you might have heard about the movie The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe that came out a while ago.) This is a series that anyone will enjoy. I liked this series because it was very exciting, scary, and funny. And C.S. Lewis writes it as if he interviewed the kids and that’s how he knows about Narnia, this effect makes the books seem real. -- recommended by Blake

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy is a surprising story which every girl will love! The main character Miri has been whisked to the academy for a year to prepare for the arrival of the prince. Miri has never fit in because she will never be able to work in the quarries. While at the academy she discovers quarry talk and is the Academy Princess. But when trouble comes it’s up to her to save the academy! -- recommended by Caroline

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

A woodcarver gives a man named Geppeto a disobedient puppet. Geppeto names him Pinocchio and tries to get him to be his son. The puppet runs away because he thinks his father is mean. The puppet gets chased by assassins, goes to a haunted cottage, gets in a peasant’s way, makes someone laugh to death, and much, MUCH more. He finds a princess and wonders if she will turn him to a real boy, and he might see his Geppeto again. -- recommended by Remy

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffmann

Aquamarine is a book about two girls who have many fun memories playing and relaxing at a club. When the club is to be torn down, they go for a last walk around the place. In the pool guess what they found. A mermaid. It turns out the mermaid has a crush on a guy in school. Will she ever meet him? Read the book to find out. -- recommended by Serena

The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

The Underland Chronicles is about a boy named Gregor and his sister Boots who live in an apartment in New York City. When Gregor takes Boots with him to the laundry room, and has her chase her ball around while he works she disappears! He looks for her, and they both end up falling into the Underland. It turns out that Gregor has a role in many of the Underland prophecies, and he must fulfill them. The Underland Chronicles is about a series of visits to the underland, where Gregor gets stuck in a prophecy every time. He must confront giant rats, bats, spiders, and many other giant creatures. -- recommended by Peter B.

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine

This adventurous book about Prilla the fairy is wonderful! Every fairy has a talent but Prilla doesn’t know her talent and needs to find it but doesn’t know how. While she tries to find her talent she has to save Mother Dove from dying. Can she save Mother Dove AND find her talent? See for yourself!--recommended by Tessa

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power.

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce

All the orphaned Daine wants when she comes to Tortall is a job. What she finds is magic in many forms. Hired by the Queen's Riders because of her knack with animals, Daine soon reveals that her knack is truly magical. Not only do animals obey her, but they understand her words. Under the tutelage of the great mage Numair, Daine struggles to focus her powers and confront the nightmares of her past.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll.

 

 

Historical Fiction

Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria McKernan

On October 26, 1914, Ernest Shackleton's Endurance set sail from Buenos Aires in pursuit of the last unclaimed prize in exploration: the crossing of the Antarctic continent. The crew stood on deck to watch the city fade away. All but one. Eighteen-year-old Perce Blackborow hid below in a locker. But the thrill of stowing away with the legendary explorer would soon turn to fear. Within months, the Endurance, trapped and crushed by ice, sank. And even Perce, the youngest member of the stranded crew, knew there was no hope of rescue.

Exiled: Memoirs of a Camel by Kathleen Karr

Have you ever wondered what a camel is thinking when he is captured and sent to America along with many other camels? This book describes the hard times a camel has been through from his perspective!! A must read!! 1,000,000,000 thumbs up!--praised by Catherine

A Long Way fom Chicago by Richard Peck

Are you looking for a book that is full of humor and takes place in the 1930’s? Then this is it. It’s about two children who go to visit their grandma every summer for many years. Anything from setting off cherry bombs to accusing the police happens in this book. It’s also a Newberry Honor book and a national book award finalist. You should definitely read this book!--recommended by Thomas

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

It all starts with ten-year old Annemarie and her Jewish friend whose name is Ellen. They live in Denmark. One day suddenly there are soldiers looking for Jewish people. What will happen to Ellen? Read it and find out! It’s the best book ever! --recommended by Khaliah

Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine

The year is 1926. Dave's beloved father is dead and his stepmother doesn't want him. Only the HHB will take him in—Hebrew Home for Boys. But Dave is tough and a troublemaker. He can take care of himself. If he doesn't like the Home, he'll run away and find a better place. Only it's not that simple...

Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

With no mom and an unknown father, Bud is put into an orphanage. With wacky ideas Bud is on his own to find his father. Vampires and librarians can’t stop him… but can Bud find his father? This book is humorous and funny when Bud tries something new, and it is suspenseful at every chapter!--recommended by Caroline

The Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev

During World War II a Jewish boy is left on his own for months in a ruined house in the Warsaw Ghetto, where he must learn all the tricks of survival under constantly life-threatening conditions.

Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Dovey Coe says what's on her mind, so it's no secret that she can't stand Parnell Caraway. Parnell may be the son of the richest man in town, but he's mean and snobby, and Dovey can't stand the fact that he's courting her sister, Caroline, or the way he treats her brother, Amos, as if he were stupid just because he can't hear.So when Parnell turns up dead, and Dovey's in the room where his body is discovered, she soon finds herself on trial for murder.

The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she's not sure they'll have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard behind the A-Z Antiques and Curio Shop, Melanie and April decide it's the perfect spot for Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians instead of two. After school and on weekends they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it's just a game, until strange things begin happening to the players. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

 

Non-Fiction

Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton

This wonderful biography is about a passionate girl that got one of her arms bitten off by a shark, but she still surfs today. This girl, Bethany Hamilton, gives advice to other people with disabilities and encourages them. She still wins surfing competitions and is a great surfer.--recommended by Abby

Laffy of the Navy Salvage Divers by Iris Vinton

Laffy is a book about a dog that is adopted by the New York Navy salvage divers. When the captain, Wild Bill, lets Laffy on the ship, Laffy gets into some mischief.--recommended by Henry

 

Giants of Science: Leonardo da Vinci by Kathleen Krull

Leonardo da Vinci was interested in everything. He was an inventor, a scientist, and an artist. He investigated everything in the natural world, and he always carried a notebook and pencil with him. Giants of Science:Leonardo da Vinci is an inspiring book. I loved this book! -- reviewed by Anna R.