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2014 Summer Reading List : Grades 4-5

Fiction

Appelt, Kathi. Keeper.
On the night of the blue moon when mermaids are said to gather on a sandbar in the Gulf of Mexico, ten-year-old Keeper sets out in a small boat, with her dog BD and a seagull named Captain, determined to find her mother, a mermaid, as Keeper has always believed, who left long ago to return to the sea. J-FAN APP

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan.
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out circus-themed mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall, he decides that he must find her a better life. J APP

Avi. Tales from Dimwood Forest series
Poppy the deer mouse urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. J AVI, J-PBK AVI

Balliett, Blue. Chasing Vermeer.
When strange and seemingly unrelated 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. J-M BAL, J-PBK BAL

Barry, Dave. Peter and the Starcatchers series
Peter, an orphan boy, and his friend Molly fight off thieves and pirates in order to keep the secret safe away from the diabolical Black Stache and his evil associate Mister Grin. J-FAN BAR

Bauer, Joan. Stand Tall.
Tree, a six-foot-three-inch twelve-year-old, copes with his parents' recent divorce and his failure as an athlete by helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new girl at school. YA BAU

Berlin, Eric. The Potato Chip Puzzles.
Winston and his friends enter an all-day puzzle contest to win fifty-thousand dollars for their school, but they must also figure out who is trying to keep them from winning. J-M BER

Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.
While vacationing with their widowed father in the Berkshire Mountains, four lovable sisters, ages four through twelve, share adventures with a local boy, much to the dismay of his snobbish mother. J BIR, J-PBK BIR

Blume, Judy. Fudge series
Laugh out loud at the irrepressible wit of Peter Hatcher, the hilarious antics of mischievous Fudge, and the unbreakable confidence of know-it-all Sheila Tubman in Judy Blume’s five Fudge books. J BLU, J-PBK BLU

Bosch, Pseudonymous. The Name of This Book is Secret series
Two eleven-year-old misfits try to solve the mystery of a dead magician and stop the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais, who are searching for the secret of immortality. J-M BOS

Broach, Elise. Masterpiece.
After Marvin, a beetle, makes a miniature drawing as an eleventh birthday gift for James, a human with whom he shares a house, the two new friends work together to help recover a Durer drawing stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. J-M BRO

Buckley, Michael. The Sisters Grimm series
With the help of a long lost relative, and a little magic, Sabrina Grimm and her sister Daphne try to find out who has kidnapped their parents and rescue them. J-FAN BUC

Buyea, Bob. Because of Mr. Terupt.
Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by "rookie teacher" Mr. Terupt. J BUY

Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone series
Alcatraz Island in the 1930s isn't the most normal place to grow up, but it's home for Moose Flanagan, his autistic sister, Natalie, and all the families of the guards. Then Moose gets a cryptic note from the notorious Al Capone himself. J-HF CHO

Christopher, Matt. Soccer Scoop.
When a cartoon appears in the school newspaper making fun of his tendency to talk a lot, Mac, the goalie for the Cougars soccer team, is determined to find out who is responsible. J CHR

Cleary, Beverly. The Ralph Mouse Collection
Ralph, the spunky little mouse with big dreams, lives in a hotel and wants nothing more than a chance at riding that red motorcycle, the motorcycle that will lead him into countless adventures with his human friends. J CLE, J-PBK CLE

Clements, Andrew. The Landry News: a Brand New School Story.
A fifth-grader starts a newspaper with an editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to really begin teaching again, but he is later threatened with disciplinary action as a result. J CLE

Cody, Matthew. Powerless.
Soon after moving to Noble's Green, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Daniel learns that his new friends have super powers that they will lose when they turn thirteen, unless he can use his brain power to protect them. J-M COD

Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl series
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. YA-FANTASY COL

Cowell, Cressida. How To Be a Pirate.
Hiccup and his pals meet Alvin the Poor-but-Honest Farmer, who claims to know the long-hidden location of the legendary treasure of the pirate Grimbeard the Ghastly. Taking to the high seas, Hiccup must summon all his smart just to survive. J-FAN COW

Creech, Sharon. Pleasing the Ghost.
Nine-year-old Dennis, whose uncle and father died within a year of one another, is visited by the ghost of his uncle, and together they settle some unfinished business. J CRE

Creech, Sharon. Ruby Holler.
13 year old 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. J CRE

Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann.
In 1573, the crippled, scorned, and destitute Meggy Swann goes to London, where she meets her father, an impoverished alchemist, and eventually discovers that although her legs are bent and weak, she has many other strengths. J-HF CUS

Dahl, Roald. The BFG.
Kidsnatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children, Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants. J-FAN DAH

DeFelice, Cynthia. Signal.
After moving with his emotionally distant father to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, twelve-year-old Owen faces a lonely summer until he meets an abused girl who may be a space alien.

DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories. J DIC

DiTerlizzi, Tony. The Search for Wondla series
Living in isolation with a robot on what appears to be an alien world populated with bizarre life forms, a twelve-year-old human girl called Eva Nine sets out on a journey to find others like her. J-SF DIT

Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind.
Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time. J-PBK DRA

Drucker, Malka. Jacob’s Rescue: a Holocaust Story.
In answer to his daughter's questions, a man recalls the terrifying years of his childhood when a brave Polish couple, Alex and Mela Roslan, hid him and other Jewish children from the Nazis. Based on a true story. J-HF DRU

DuPrau, Jeanne. Books of Ember series
A dystopian story about a doomed underground city and the two children determined to escape it. J-SF DUP, J-PBK DUP

Epstein, Adam S. The Familiars series
When a scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, Aldwyn and his fellow "familiars," a know-it-all blue jay and bumbling tree frog, must save the kingdom after the evil queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two other wizards.

Estes, Eleanor. Moffats series
Relates the adventures and misadventures of the four Moffat children living with their widowed mother in a yellow house on New Dollar Street in the small town of Cranbury, Connecticut. J EST, J-PBK EST

Evans, Douglas. The MVP: Magellan Voyage Project.
Twelve-year-old Adam Story is challenged by the deposed ruler of Babababad and his mongoose companion to become the first youngster to travel around the world in forty days without an adult. J-ADV EVA

Fletcher, Ralph. Flying Solo.
Rachel, having chosen to be mute following the sudden death of a classmate, shares responsibility with the other sixth-graders who decide not to report that the substitute teacher failed to show up. J FLE

Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart series
Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service. J-FAN FUN

Gaiman, Neil. Coraline.
Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others. J-GRAPHIC GAI, YA-COMIC COR

Gantos, Jack. Dead End in Norvelt.
In the historic town of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack Gantos spends the summer of 1962 grounded for various offenses until he is assigned to help an elderly neighbor with a most unusual chore involving the newly dead, molten wax, twisted promises, Girl Scout cookies, underage driving, lessons from history, typewriting, and countless bloody noses. J-HF GAN

Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza series
To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription medications wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired. J GAN, J-PBK GAN

Gidwitz, Adam. A Tale Dark & Grimm series
Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm fairy tales, through encounters with witches, warlocks, dragons, and the devil himself. They learn the true story behind the famous tales, as well as how to take charge of their destinies and create their own happily ever after. Because once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome. J-HOR GID, YA GID

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Eleven.
When Sam, who is a talented woodworker but can barely read, discovers an old newspaper clipping just before his eleventh birthday, it brings forth memories from his past. With the help of a new friend at school and the castle they are building for a school project, his questions are eventually answered. J GIF, J-PBK GIF

Gifford, Peggy. Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little.
With summer coming to an end, about-to-be-fourth-grader Moxy Maxwell does a hundred different things to avoid reading her assigned summer reading book. J GIF

Gownley, Jimmy. Amelia Rules! series
She's nine years old, a former New Yorker who's now living in a small town after her parents decided to get divorced, and dealing with everything from being the new kid in school to getting her first kiss in these graphic novels.

Guibert, Emmanuel. Sardine series
The Chief Executive Officer of the universe, Supermuscleman, is training all children to obey him. Only the space pirates aboard their ship the Huckleberry--Sardine, her cousin Louie, and her Uncle Yellow--can outwit him and his wicked plan.

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. The Missing series
Thirteen-year-olds Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies with no adults on board. They realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces, each trying to repair the fabric of time. J-SF HAD *

Harlow, Joan Hiatt. Star in the Storm.
In 1912, fearing for the safety of her beloved Newfoundland dog Sirius because of a new law outlawing non-sheepherding dogs in her Newfoundland village, twelve-year-old Maggie tries to save him by keeping him hidden. J-HF HAR

Hawking, Lucy Stephen. George’s Secret Key to the Universe.
Follows the adventures of a young boy and his neighbor friend as they travel through a computer portal into outer space, where they explore such mysteries as black holes and the origins of the universe, while trying to evade an evil scientist. J-SF HAW

Henkes, Kevin. Olive’s Ocean.
On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer. J HEN

Henkes, Kevin. Sun & Spoon.
After the death of his grandmother, ten-year-old Spoon observes the changes in his grandfather and tries to find the perfect artifact to preserve his memories of her. J HEN

Hiaasen, Carl. Scat.
Nick and his friend Marta decide to investigate when a mysterious fire starts near a Florida wildlife preserve and an unpopular teacher goes missing. YA HIA

Horowitz, Anthony. Diamond Brothers Mysteries
Tim Diamond is the worst detective in the world—he couldn’t find his nose with both hands and a road map. Luckily, his younger brother, thirteen-year-old Nick, is the real brains behind the operation! J-M HOR

Howe, James. Bunnicula and Friends series
Before it's too late, Harold the dog and Chester the cat must find out the truth about the newest pet in the Monroe household -- a suspicious-looking bunny with unusual habits...and fangs! J-M HOW, J-PBK HOW

Hunter, Erin. Warriors series
It has been foretold that three ThunderClan cats—Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw—will hold the power of the stars in their paws. Together, they must unravel the truth behind the ancient words of the prophecy. YA-FANTASY HUN, YA-PBK HUN

Ibbotson, Eva. The Secret of Platform 13.
Odge Gribble, a young hag, accompanies an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a magical tunnel from their Island to London to rescue their King and Queen's son who had been stolen as an infant. J-FAN IBB

Jacobson, Jennifer Richard. Small as an Elephant.
Abandoned by his mother in an Acadia National Park campground, Jack tries to make his way back to Boston before anyone figures out what is going on, with only a small toy elephant for company. J-ADV JAC

Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery. J-HF KEL

Kessler, Liz. The Tail of Emily Windsnap series
After finally convincing her mother that she should take swimming lessons, twelve-year-old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about herself that opens up a whole new world. J-FAN KES, J-PBK KES

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you're ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. J KIN

Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
Having run away with her younger brother to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, twelve-year-old Claudia strives to keep things in order in their new home and to become a changed person and a heroine to herself. J KON, J-PBK KON

Law, Ingrid. Savvy.
Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident. J-FAN LAW

Levine, Gail Carson. Ella Enchanted.
In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her. J-FAN LEV, J-PBK LEV

Lewis, C.S. The Chronicles of Narnia
Explore this enchanted magical realm where worlds come and go at the toss of a ring, where boys and girls become kings and queens, where there are more talking creatures than people. J-FAN LEW, J-PBK LEW

Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
Minli, an adventurous girl from a poor village, buys a magical goldfish, and then joins a dragon who cannot fly on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon in hopes of bringing life to Fruitless Mountain and freshness to Jade River. J-FAN LIN

Lord, Cynthia. Rules.
Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic. J LOR

Lord, Cynthia. Touch Blue.
When the state of Maine threatens to shut down their island's one-room schoolhouse because of dwindling enrollment, eleven-year-old Tess, a strong believer in luck, and her family take in a trumpet-playing foster child, to increase the school's population. J LOR

Lowry, Lois. The Willoughbys.
In this tongue-in-cheek story, the four Willoughby children set about to become "deserving orphans" after their neglectful parents embark on a treacherous around-the-world adventure, leaving them in the care of an odious nanny. J LOW

Lupica, Mike. Million-Dollar Throw.
Eighth-grade star quarterback Nate Brodie's family is feeling the stress of the troubled economy, and Nate is frantic because his best friend Abby is going blind. When he gets a chance to win a million dollars if he can complete a pass during the halftime of a New England Patriots' game, he nearly is overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. J LUP

Martin, Ann M. A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray.
Squirrel, a stray puppy, tells her life story, from her nurturing mother and brother to making her own way in the world, facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal. J MAR

Martin, Ann M. The Doll People series
The dolls try to find their missing aunt, escape a cat, keep family secrets, and encounter spiders. One doll family belongs in a house that has been passed down through generations, and the other one is a new plastic family. J-FAN MAR

Mass, Wendy. Willow Falls series
In Willow Falls everything is possible and there are no coincidences - especially on birthdays! J-FAN MAS

Morse, Scott. Magic Pickle.
Meet the world's greenest, bumpiest, briniest superhero, the Magic Pickle. With his feisty sidekick Jo Jo Wigman, the Magic Pickle faces his worst nightmare, the Brotherhood of Evil Produce. Will he save the world from those foul fiends, or will the world be conquered by vegetables gone wild? J-GRAPHIC MOR

Nimmo, Jenny. Children of the Red King series
Charlie Bone's life with his widowed mother and two grandmothers undergoes a dramatic change when he discovers that he can hear people in photographs talking. J-FAN NIM

Palacio, R.J. Wonder.
Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student. J PAL

Paulsen, Gary. Brian’s Saga
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive initially with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother. J-ADV PAU, J-PBK PAU, YA PAU, YA-PBK PAU

Peck, Richard. A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories*
A boy recounts his annual summer trips to rural Illinois with his sister during the Great Depression to visit their larger-than-life grandmother. J-PBK PEC, J-HF PEC

Peck, Richard. Secrets at Sea.
In 1887, the social-climbing Cranstons voyage from New York to London, where they hope to find a husband for their awkward older daughter, secretly accompanied by Helena and her mouse siblings, for whom the journey is both terrifying and wondrous as they meet an array of titled humans despite their best efforts at remaining hidden. J-HF PEC

Peirce, Lincoln. Big Nate series
The adventures of the self-proclaimed genius Nate Wright as he deals with people who don't understand him, including his annoying older sister, clueless dad, and teachers. J PEI

Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine series
As Clementine says, "Spectacularful ideas are always sprpoinging up in my brain." All the better for readers who like to laugh. J PEN

Philbrick, Rodman W. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg.
Twelve-year-old Homer, a poor but clever orphan, has extraordinary adventures after running away from his evil uncle to rescue his brother, who has been sold into service in the Civil War. J-HF PHI

Pogue, David. Abby Carnelia’s One & Only Magical Power.
After 11-year-old Abby discovers that she has a completely useless magical power, she finds herself at a magic camp where her hope of finding others like herself is realized, but when a select group is taken to a different camp, a sinister plot comes to light. J-FAN POG

Riordan, Rick. Heroes of Olympus series
Demigod Percy Jackson and his new friends from Camp Jupiter attempt to free death and unite the Greek and Roman camps so that the Prophecy of Seven can be fulfilled. J-FAN RIO

Riordan, Rick. The Kane Chronicles
After their father's research experiment at the British Museum unleashes the Egyptian god Set, Carter and Sadie Kane embark on a dangerous journey across the globe -- a quest which brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs. J-FAN RIO

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter series*
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches. J-FAN ROW, J-PBK ROW, YA-FANTASY ROW

Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising*
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression. J-PBK RYA *

Sachar, Louis. Small Steps.
Three years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is trying hard to keep his life on track, but when his old pal X-Ray shows up with a tempting plan to make some easy money scalping concert tickets, Armpit reluctantly goes along. J SAC, J-PBK SAC

Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz Versus series
On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz is introduced to his grandfather and his own special talent, and told that he must use it to fight against the evil librarians and save civilization. J-FAN SAN

Schlitz, Laura Amy. Splendors & Glooms.
When Clara vanishes after the puppeteer Grisini and two orphaned assistants were at her twelfth birthday party, suspicion of kidnapping chases the trio away from London and soon the two orphans are caught in a trap set by Grisini's ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it is too late. J-FAN SCH

Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio series
Whether the gang's fighting off the Black Knight in the middle of Camelot, practicing magic tricks on Blackbeard and his pirates, stampeding cattle in the Old West, or running from a woolly mammoth, one thing is for sure: no one's ever bored when the Time Warp Trio's around! J-FAN SCI, J-PBK SCI

Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures.
When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized. J-HF SEL

Selznick, Brian. Wonderstruck.
Having lost his mother and his hearing in a short time, twelve-year-old Ben leaves his Minnesota home in 1977 to seek the father he never knew in New York City, and meets there Rose, who is also longing for something missing from her life. Ben's story is told in words ; Rose's in pictures. J SEL

Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events
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. J SNI

Stead, Rebecca. Liar & Spy.
Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building. J STE

Stewart, Trent Lee. The Mysterious Benedict Society series
After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. J STE, J-PBK STE

Stroud, Jonathan. The Bartimaeus Trilogy *
Bartimaeus and his fellow magic workers face treacherous magicians, a complex conspiracy, and a rebellious faction of demons. To survive, they must test the limits of this world and question the deepest parts of themselves. YA-FANTASY STR

Teague, Mark. The Doom Machine.
When a spaceship lands in the small town of Vern Hollow in 1956, juvenile delinquent Jack Creedle and prim, studious Isadora Shumway form an unexpected alliance as they try to keep a group of extraterrestrials from stealing eccentric Uncle Bud's space travel machine. J-SF TEA

39 Clues series
The Cahills is the world's most powerful family, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents. J-M THI

Turnage, Shelia. Three Times Lucky.
Washed ashore as a baby in tiny Tupelo Landing, North Carolina, Mo LoBeau, now eleven, and her best friend Dale turn detective when the amnesiac Colonel, owner of a café and co-parent of Mo with his cook, Miss Lana, seems implicated in a murder. J-M TUR

Van Draanen, Wendelin. Sammy Keyes series
Fast-paced, funny, thoroughly modern, and true whodunits, but it's the drama in Sammy's personal life that keeps readers coming back to see what happens next with her love interest Casey, her soap-star mother, and her mysterious father.
J-M VAN, YA-MYSTERY VAN

Van Draanen, Wendelin. Shredderman series
Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, tired of being called names by the class bully, has a secret identity--Shredderman! He launches Shredderman.com as a place where truth and justice prevail—and bullies get what’s coming to them. J VAN, J-PBK VAN

Vanderpool, Clare. Moon Over Manifest.
Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker is the daughter of a drifter who, in the summer of 1936, sends her to stay with an old friend in Manifest, Kansas, where he grew up, and where she hopes to find out some things about his past. J-HF VAN

Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath series
Danny Dragonbreath and his friend Wendell get an up-close underwater tour of the Sargasso Sea from Danny's sea-serpent cousin, encountering giant squid and mako sharks--and learn about standing up to bullies in the process. J-FAN VER

Weeks, Sarah. Pie.
Alice and her friend Charlie investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly's famous secret pie crust recipe. Includes fourteen pie recipes. J WEE

White, E.B. Trumpet of the Swan.
Knowing how to read and write is not enough for Louis, a voiceless Trumpeter Swan; his determination to learn to play a stolen trumpet takes him far from his wilderness home. J-PBK WHI, J WHI

Winerip, Michael. Adam Canfield of the Slash.
While serving as co-editors of their school newspaper, middle-schoolers Adam and Jennifer uncover fraud and corruption in their school and in the city's government. J WIN, J-PBK WIN

Wrede, Patricia. Enchanted Forest Chronicles
Cimorene, a princess who refuses to be proper, becomes housekeeper for a powerful dragon. In these hilarious adventures, she sends away valiant knights and deals with some very troublesome wizards. YA-FANTASY WRE

Non Fiction

Arnosky, Jim. Crocodile Safari.
Presents an adventure that teaches readers about the elusive, once endangered North American crocodile, covering their habitat and behavior and how it is being protected. Includes maps and DVD that shows the author's work along the lower Atlantic coastline. J 597.982 ARN

Berger, Melvin. Spinning Spiders.
Describes the characteristics of spiders and the methods they use to trap their prey in webs. E 595.44 BER

Brown, Don. All Stations! Distress!: April 15, 1912, The Day The Titanic Sank.
The captivating story of this amazing vessel, the people who built it, and its tragic demise during its maiden voyage across the Atlantic as told through first-hand accounts and detailed illustrations of the events as they happened. J 387.5 BRO

Bryson, Bill. A Really Short History of Nearly Everything.
Explores the mysteries of time and space and how life came to be on earth. J 509 BRY

Burns, Loree Griffin. Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe.
Profiles bee wranglers and bee scientists who have been working to understand colony collapse disorder. In this dramatic and enlightening story, readers explore the lives of the fuzzy, buzzy insects and learn what might happen to us if they were gone. J 595.79 BUR

Burns, Loree Griffin. Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam and the Science of Ocean Motion.
Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer tracks trash in the name of science. From sneakers to hockey gloves to toys, Curtis monitors the watery fate of the ocean. J 551.46 BUR

Carson, Mary Kay. The Bat Scientists.
This book chronicles the efforts of Dr. Merlin Tuttle and his colleagues at Bat Conservation International, as they try and save bat species from loss of habitat and white-nose syndrome. J 599.4 CAR

Cheney, Lynne. We the People: The Story of Our Constitution.
Having won the Revolutionary War and gained their freedom from Great Britain, the delegates from across the newly established country came together in May, 1787, to discuss the rules upon which the United States would be built to ensure the prosperity and freedom of its people for centuries to come.

Curlee, Lynn. Rushmore.
Describes how this patriotic shrine and tourist attraction was conceived, designed, and created by the dedicated artist Gutzon Borglum. J 730.92 CUR

Fink, Sam. illus. The Declaration of Independence.
The text of the Declaration of Independence is accompanied by illustrations meant to help explain its meaning. J 973.3 FIN

Floca, Brian. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11.
Here is a story of adventure and discovery -- a story of leaving and returning during the summer of 1969, and a story of home, seen whole, from far away. E 629.45 FLO

Freedman, Russell. Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Covers the events surrounding and including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the end of segregation on buses. J 323.1 FRE

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Don’t Tell the Girls: A Family Memoir.
In this delightful memoir the author discovers surprising information about and unexpected connections with her Irish ancestors. Some mysteries are solved with surprising conclusions but others are left to future generations to unravel. J-B GIFF

Grogan, John. Marley: A Dog Like No Other.
Follows the life story of an exuberant Labrador retriever who gets into perpetual trouble and experiences a range of inspiring adventures. J 363.752 GRO

Hartland, Jessie. How the Dinosaur Got to the Museum.
An informative and fascinating history of the diplodocus: from its discovery in 1923 in Utah to its arrival in the hallowed halls of this world-famous museum. E 567.9 HAR

Joubert, Beverly. Face to Face with Lions.
Offers a close-up look at lions through photographs and text that explore the territory, diet, physical characteristics, and behavior of lions, as well as the threat that humans pose to them. J 599.757 JOU

Landau, Elaine. Beyond Pluto: The Final Frontier in Space.
Describes Pluto and other Kuiper Belt Objects, including bodies of rock and ice beyond Pluto, and the dwarf planets Eris and Sedna. Discusses planets around other stars and space probes sent to the farthest reaches of the solar system. J 523.482 LAN

Lasky, Kathryn. Interrupted Journey: Saving Endangered Sea Turtles.
Describes efforts to protect sea turtles, particularly Kemp's ridley turtles, and help them reproduce and replenish their once-dwindling numbers. J 639.9 LAS

Macaulay, David. Built to Last.
Reveals the how and why behind some of the most fascinating and enduring structures humankind has ever created. Castle -- Cathedral -- Mosque J 720 MAC

Macy, Sue. Basketball Belles.
Raised on a cattle ranch, Agnes Morley was sent to Stanford University to learn to be a lady. Yet in no time she exchanged her breeches and spurs for bloomers and a basketball; and in April 1896 she made history when she led her team to victory in the first-ever intercollegiate women's basketball game, earning national attention and putting women's basketball on the map. J 796.323 MAC

Margeson, Susan. Viking. (Eyewitness Books Series)
Loaded with superb color photographs of Viking ships and swords, clothes and shields, memorial stones and beautiful brooches, this title offers a unique view into the lives of the Norse people and their outstanding achievements. J 948 MAR

Martin, Russell. The Mysteries of Beethoven’s Hair.
Introduces the life of the Austrian composer, along with the story of a lock of his hair cut by a barber after his death, which was kept by various owners and the analysis of which revealed the high level of lead present in the composer's body. J-B BEETHOVEN

McMillan, Beverly. Sharks.
Presents the latest scientific information on sharks, discussing the many different types of sharks, the physical characteristics which make them well-equipped and dangerous predators, and current efforts to preserve them from extinction. J 597.3 MCM

Murphy, Jim. An American Plague.*
It's 1793, and there's an invisible killer roaming the streets of Philadelphia. The city's residents are fleeing in fear. This killer has a name--yellow fever--but everything else about it is a mystery. J 614.5 MUR, YA 614.541 MUR

Nelson, Kadir. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African-Americans.
A simple introduction to African-American history, from Revolutionary-era slavery up to the election of President Obama. J 973.0496 NEL

Nelson, Kadir. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball.
The story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. J 796.357

Nichols, Michael. Face to Face with Gorillas.
Deep in the jungle—you’re suddenly face to face with the great gorilla. It’s clear that even here, you are sharing a moment with one of man’s closest relatives. He is staring at you with those eyes that look so human. J 599.8846 NIC

Parker, Steve. 53 ½ Things that Changed the World and Some that Didn’t.
A collection of funny and informative stories describes how technological progress has been advanced throughout human history by some of the greatest inventing catastrophes ever. J 609 PAR

Partridge, Elizabeth. Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary.
Tells the story of how ordinary kids helped change history in 1965 in Selma, Alabama by marching against segregation. J 323.1 PAR

Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. Fabulous Fluttering Tropical Butterflies.
Describes the physical characteristics and behavior of various kinds of tropical butterflies. E 595.78 PAT

Platt, Richard. Eureka! Great Inventions and How they Happened.
Eureka! looks at the instances in which some of the world's greatest inventions were conceived and explains how creative genius has enabled some individuals to look right through a problem and come up with a solution that has eluded rivals. J 609 PLA

Scott, Elaine. When is a Planet Not a Planet? The Story of Pluto.
Explains how advancements in technology have changed our understanding of the universe and why the number of planets in the solar system went down from nine to eight. J 523.482 SCO

Simon, Seymour. Amazing Aircraft.
Provides an easy-to-read overview of the history of aircraft. E 629.13 SIM

St. George, Judith. So You Want to be an Explorer?
From mountain climbers to astronauts, ship captains to arctic adventurers, missionaries to presidents, to the just plain curious, there are all kinds of explorers -- and just think, one of them could be you. J 910.9 STG

Stone, Tanya Lee. Almost Astronauts: 13 Woman Who Dared to Dream.
The thirteen women connected with NASA's Mercury 13 space mission, who braved prejudice and jealousy to make their mark and open the door for the female pilots and space commanders who would soon follow. J 629.45 STO

Thimmesh, Catherine. Madam President.
The extraordinary, true and evolving story of women in politics. J 923.THI

Turner, Pamela. The Frog Scientist.
The story of one man's commitment to frogs and to the health of our environment. J 597.8 TUR

Walker, Sally M. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland.
Anthropology scientists take readers through the process of investigating human remains found at colonial-era sites to reveal causes of death, match remains with the names on the historical records, and determine the skeletons' gender, age at death, nationality, and even economic standing. YA 614.17 WAL

Yezerski, Thomas. Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story.
The history of the Meadowlands, from its pristine state, to its gradual transformation by European settlers, to the pollution caused by industrialization, and the changes brought by environmental organizations striving to protect it. J 577.68 YEZ

Poetry

Bernier-Grand, Carmen. Cesar: Si, Se Puede! = Yes, We Can!
Poems celebrating the life and work of Cesar Chavez and the Mexican American labor movement in the 20th century as well as the ideals and inspiration that are his legacy.

Brooks, Gwendolyn. Bronzeville Boys and Girls.
A collection of poems for and about children who live in the Bronzeville section of Chicago and similar neighborhood all over the world. J 811.54 BRO

Brown, Calef. Flamingos on the Roof.
Animated illustrations bring to life a collection of crazy characters as they gather around Weatherbee's Diner and visit the Soggy Circus, in an adventurous collection of poems by the creator of Polka-Bats and Octopus Slacks. J 811.54 BRO

Dickinson, Emily. Poetry for Young People.
This volume about one of America's best-known New England poets includes a brief biography and a short index. J 811 DIC

Florian, Douglas. Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings.
From the moon to the stars, from the Earth to Mars, here is an exuberant celebration of our celestial surroundings. J 811.54 FLO

Frost, Robert. Poetry for Young People.
A collection of poems about the four seasons by one of the best-known American poets.

Hey, You! Poems to Skyscrapers, Mosquitoes, and Other Fun Things. Selected by Paul B. Janeczko.
The poems in this lively anthology directly address an inanimate thing, an animal, or an abstract concept, and the familiar poets' subjects range from dust mites to the universe's black holes. J 811.54 HEY

Sidman, Joyce. Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night.
Illustrations and nighttime-themed poetry celebrate the natural world after dark and describe such subjects as silk-weaving spiders, oak trees that recover from their time in the sun, and a raspberry-leaf-eating porcupette that coos to its mother. J 811.54 SID

Sidman, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems.
A collection of poems that provide a look at some of the animals, insects, and plants that are found in ponds, with accompanying information about each. J 811.54 SID

Sidman, Joyce. Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors.
Poems investigate the natural world. J 811.54 SID

Silverstein, Shel. Every Thing On It.
This poetry collection includes more than one hundred and thirty never-before-seen poems and drawings completed by the cherished American artist and selected by his family from his archives. J 811 SIL

Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends.
A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings. J 811 SIL

Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse.
A collection of short poems which, when reversed, provide new perspectives on the fairy tale characters they feature. J 811.54 SIN

Yolen, Jane. An Egret’s Day.
Carefully crafted, whimsical and thought-provoking poetry coupled with breathtaking photography that celebrates the magnificent, majestic Great Egret. J 811.54 YOL

Short Stories

Best Shorts: Favorite Short Stories for Sharing.
Newbery Medal–winning author Avi has selected short stories from the past and present in this entertaining collection for young readers. And whether you begin by reading alone or reading aloud, these stories are some of the very best to share.

Great Ghost Stories.
A collection of ghost stories selected and illustrated by Barry Moser by such authors as H. G. Wells, Madeleine L'Engle, and Bram Stoker.

Rowling, J. K. The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
This Wizarding classic first came to Muggle readers' attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now, thanks to Hermione Granger's new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales. J-FAN ROW, YA-FANTASY ROW

Spinelli, Jerry. The Library Card.
The lives of four young people in different circumstances are changed by their encounters with books. J-SS SPI, YA-PBK SPI

Folktales

Alvarez, Julia. The Secret Footprints.
A story based on Dominican folklore, about the ciguapas, a tribe of beautiful underwater people whose feet are attached backwards, with their toes pointing in the direction from which they have come.

Chen, Kerstin. Lord of the Cranes: A Chinese Tale.
To test the compassion of the people in the city, the lord of the cranes leaves his home high in the mountains and travels there disguised as a beggar, but only one man, the innkeeper, passes the test. J 398.20951 CHE

Del Negro, Janice. Willa and the Wind.
A mischievous north wind and a dishonest innkeeper try to outsmart young Willa Rose Mariah McVale, who must use trickery to claim what is rightfully hers. E DEL

Gonzalez, Lucia. Senor Cat’s Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America.
A collection of popular tales told to young children in places such as Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Mexico. J 398.20972 GON

Grimm, Brothers. The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm.
A retelling of the Grimm fairy tale in which a despondent soldier makes a pact to do the devil's bidding for seven years in return for as much money and property as he could ever want. J 398.20943 SCH

Johnson-Davies, Denys. Goha, the Wise Fool.
A collection of fourteen tales about the folk hero Nasreddin Hoca, also known as Goha, a man with a reputation for being able to answer difficult questions in a clever way. J 398.209561 JOH

Lester, Julius. John Henry.
Retells the life of the legendary African American hero who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain. J 398.20973 LES

Lester, Julius. Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales.
In this, the largest collection of African-American folklore first published over a hundred years ago, Brer Rabbit is causing trouble again for his fellow creatures Brer Fox, Brer Wolf, and the rest. Beautifully illuminated by the art of Jerry Pinkney. J 398.20973 LES

Lister, Robin. The Legend of King Arthur.
A retelling of fourteen tales from the legend of King Arthur, beginning with the wizard Merlin and ending with the departure of Arthur for the magical isle of Avalon. J 398.20941 LIS

Milbourne, Anna. The Usborne Book of Myths and Legends.
A collection of classic myths, legends and stories, this book features tales based on topics such as gods and goddesses, animal fables, and monsters and dragons.

Philip, Neil. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales.
This unique collection of fifteen folktales draws on the rich storytelling tradition of Mexico’s people and culture. J 398.20972 PHI

San Souci, Robert D. Sukey and the Mermaid.
Unhappy with her life at home, Sukey receives kindness and wealth from Mama Jo the mermaid.

Taylor, Sean. The Great Snake: Stories from the Amazon.
The mysteries and natural wonders of the rain forest are presented to young readers through an explorative journey deep within the Amazon along the long and winding Rio Afua.

Biography

Adler, David A. Thomas Jefferson: Father of Our Democracy.
An account of Jefferson's life highlighting his many accomplishments as governor, architect, gardener, inventor, and President. J-B JEFFERSON

Byrd, Robert. Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer.
Illustrations and text portray the life of Leonardo da Vinci, who gained fame as an artist through such works as the Mona Lisa, and as a scientist by studying various subjects including human anatomy and flight. J 709.2 BYR

de la Pena, Matt. A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis.
On the eve of World War II, African-American boxer Joe Louis fought German Max Schmeling in a bout that had more at stake than just the world heavyweight title. This elegant and powerful picture book biography centers on this historic fight in which the American people came together to celebrate our nation’s founding ideals. E-B LOUIS

Delano, Marfe. Inventing the Future: A Photobiography of Thomas Alva Edison. Presents a biography of the tireless Thomas Edison, illustrated with many photos of his life and inventions. J-B EDISON

Farris, Christine King. My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing UP with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Looks at the early life of Martin Luther King, Jr., as seen through the eyes of his older sister. E-B KING

Fisher, Leonard Everett. Galileo.
Examines the life and discoveries of the noted mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, whose work changed the course of science. J-B GALILEI

Fleischman, Sid. Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini.
A biography of the magician, ghost chaser, aviator, and king of escape artists whose amazing feats are remembered long after his death in 1926. The story comes to life through a review of his greatest tricks and most amazing feats. J-B HOUDINI

Fleming, Candace. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
Tells the story of Amelia Earhart's life - as a child, a woman, and a pilot - and describes the search for her missing plane. J-B EARHART

Freedman, Russell. Lafayette and the American Revolution.
When Lafayette ran off to join the American Revolution against the explicit orders of the king, he was a strong-willed 19-year-old who had never set foot on a battlefield. He quickly earned the respect of his fellow officers with his bravery, devotion to the cause of liberty, and incredible drive. J-B LAFAYETTE

Giovanni, Nikki. Rosa.
Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed. E-B PARKS

Goodall, Jane. The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving their World and Ours.
As a child, Jane Goodall dreamed of living with the wild animals of Africa. As a young woman, she amazed the world with her groundbreaking discoveries about chimpanzees. Ever since, Dr. Goodall has campaigned unceasingly for their protection. J 599.885 GOO

Greenberg, Jan & Sandra Jordan. Action Jackson.
Imagines Jackson Pollock at work during the creation of one of his paint-swirled and splattered canvasses. J-B POLLOCK

Kerley, Barbara. The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy).
Thirteen-year-old Susy Clemens wants the world to know that her papa, Mark Twain, is more than just a humorist and sets out to write a comprehensive biography of the American icon. GOLDSTAR KER

Krull, Kathleen. A Boy named FDR.
Highlights FDR's early childhood, when he was educated to be compassionate and generous to the poor. J-B ROOSEVELT

Krull, Kathleen. Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought).
Not all governments and institutions have been run by men. This title turns the spotlight on women who have wielded power, revealing their feats--and flaws--for all the world to see. J 920.72 KRU

Lasky, Kathryn. The Man Who Made Time Travel.
Describes the need for sailors to be able to determine their position at sea and the efforts of John Harrison, an eighteenth century man who spent his life refining instruments to enable them to do this. J-B HARRISON

Levine, Karen. Hana’s Suitcase: A True Story.
A biography of a Czech girl who died in the Holocaust, told in alternating chapters with an account of how the curator of a Japanese Holocaust center learned about her life after Hana's suitcase was sent to her. J 940.53 LEV

Marzollo, Jean. My First Book of Biographies: Great Men and Women Every Child Should Know.
Highlights the contributions in various fields of endeavor of famous men and women from around the world.

Nobleman, Marc Tyler. Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman.
Chronicles how writer Jerry Siegel and illustrator Joe Shuster created the character of Superman and, after being turned down by several editors, finally published their first comic book featuring the Man of Steel in 1938. J 741.5 NOB

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa.
A brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician in the voice of "Scat Cat Monroe." J-B FITZGERALD

Rockwell, Anna. Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth.
The inspiring story of how a woman, born a slave with no status or dignity, transformed herself into one of the most powerful voices of the abolitionist movement. J-B TRUTH

Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, the Voice of a Century.
An introduction to the life of Marian Anderson, extraordinary singer and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera, whose life and career encouraged social change. E-B ANDERSON

Say, Allen. Drawing From Memory.
A stunning graphic novel chronicling the author's journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan's premier cartoonist. J-B SAY

Thompson, Wendy. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The life of the Austrian composer, with extracts from some of his works in simple keyboard arrangements.

Weatherford, Carole B. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.
Describes Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her north to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of forced servitude. GOLDSTAR WEA

*For mature readers

For the list in its original format, see the East Islip School District website.

 

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