UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Architecture

Behind the Bedroom Wall

Laura E. Williams

In 1939, Korinna is a member of a Nazi youth group and believes Hitler's speeches that he is helping the world, but when Korinna discovers that her family is hiding a Jewish family behind her bedroom wall, she has to decide to whom she is truly loyal.

City of Ember, The (2003)

Jeanne Duprau

Lina and Doon must figure out what is happening to the City of Ember. The great lights have always kept the darkness at bay, but now the lights are beginning to go out.

Godless 

Pete Hautman

When sixteen-year-old Jason Bock and his friends create their own religion to worship the town's water tower, what started out as a

joke begins to take on a power of its own.

Gulliver's Travels

Jonathan Swift

Written in 1726, Gulliver’s Travels still continues to be a popular book because it poses questions about what human beings are all

about. Both a satire and a comedy, it describes the land of Lilliput and other exotic places.

Hoot (2002)

Carl Hiaasen

Hoot is an ecological mystery, made up of endangered miniature owls, the Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House scheduled to be built over their burrows, and the owls' unlikely allies--three middle school kids determined to beat the system.

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction

David Macaulay

City charts the planning and building of an imaginary Roman city, 'Verbonia.' Macaulay focuses on the achievement of efficient and rational city planning. His brilliantly individualistic drawings capture the essential quality of the Roman character, the ability to organize.

City Through Time, A

Steve Noon

This stunning picture book vividly brings to life the history and growth of a city. Beginning with the birth of a fictional Greek colony and ending with a modern metropolis, A City Through Time is a captivating journey through 2,500 years.

Draw 50 Buildings & Other Structures: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Castles & Cathedrals, Skyscrapers & Bridges, & So Much More...

Lee Ames

Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities

Kathleen Thorne-Thomsen

Simple prose, handsome layout and hands-on approach, it is an unusually effective biography/activity book. The influences of Wright's (1867-1959) Wisconsin childhood--nature, music and close family ties--come to life in the sympathetically told anecdotes. Extensive accounts of masterpieces like the Robie House, and Fallingwater give heft to a comprehensive overview of the architect's career, which candidly notes his frequent trouble finding work. Twenty-one projects, ranging from making a plaster model textile block to preparing oatmeal (a Wright favorite), comprise the book's second half and nicely complement the portrait of a compelling artist.

Legends of the Arts: 50 Inspiring Stories of Creative People

Arnold Cheyney

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Architecture

(continued)

Invention of Hugo Cabret:  A Novel in Words and Pictures, The  (2008)

Brian Selznick

When twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within he walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious

toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized. Caldecott Medal Winner; National Book Award

People of Sparks, The (2004)

Jeanne Duprau

In the sequel to The City of Ember, Lina and Doon lead their people up from the underground to discover a new world. The people of Sparks have never had to share their resources before and soon talk of war begins.

Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, The (2005)

Betty Birney

Eben McAllister wants to see the world. His pa challenges him to find Seven Wonders in Sassafras that rival the real Seven Wonders of the World. As a reward Eben will earn a trip to Colorado.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, The (2002)

Curlee, Lynn

A lucid narrative, complemented by full-page, full color illustrations.

Two Bad Ants (1988)

Chris Van Allsburg

In this brief tale of the adventures of two runaway ants, Van Allsburg once again gives children a visual puzzle to solve in the case of identifying common household appliances from an ant’s point of view.

True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, The (1996)

Jon Scieszka

Here is the “real” story of the three little pigs whose houses are huffed and puffed into smithereens…from the wolf’s perspective.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Asia

Dragonwings

Laurence Yep

This work of historical fiction details the life of a young boy and his father who are new immigrants to San Francisco. While in China, they dreamt of life in the New World, but soon find that they must struggle to make their dreams - which include building a flying machine -- come true.

Star Fisher, The

Laurence Yep

Tsunami: Helping Each Other (2005)

Ann  Morris

A profusely illustrated account of the experiences of two brothers, Chaiya and Chaipreak, ages 8 and 12, in their Thai village during and after the December 2004 tsunami. Less focused on an explanation of a tsunami than most other books, the authors present a more personalized description of the disaster and its effect on its victims by tracing the boys' experiences as they survive disaster, reunite with their mother, learn of the loss of their father, home, and school, and eventually move into a temporary shelter and return to a makeshift school.

Henry and the Kite Dragon (2004)

Bruce Edward  Hall

Henry Chu lives in New York City’s Chinatown in the 1920s. He loves everything about it, from eating tasty dumplings to making and flying kites with his neighbor, Grandfather Chin. While flying a kite one day trouble arises and Henry nearly comes to blows with some neighborhood boys. This book serves as a tremendous vehicle for discussing the need to see things from another person’s perspective.

Hiroshima

Laurence Yep

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hook Story from China

Ed Young

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Civil War

Abraham's Battle: A Novel of Gettysburg

Sara Harrell  Banks

A freed slave decides to join the Union Army ambulance corps when the Civil War approaches his hometown of Gettysburg.

American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for Young People, The

Susanne McIntrye

Boys' War: Confederate & Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War, The

Jim Murphy

From first chapter ("So I Became a Soldier") to last ("We're Going Home"), this wrenching look at our nation's bloodiest conflict through the eyes of its youthful participants serves up history both heartbreaking and enlightening.

Cannons of the Comstock

Brock & Bodie Thoene

Tom Dawson finds himself in a difficult position when a group of Confederate conspirators tries to gain power in the California goldmines during the Civil War.

Moon Over Tennessee: A Boy's Civil War Journal

Craig  Crist-Evans

A thirteen-year-old boy sets off with his father from their farm in Tennessee to join the Confederate forces on their way to fight at Gettysburg. Told in the form of diary entries.

Red Badge of Courage, The

Stephen  Crane

During his service in the Civil War a young Union soldier matures to manhood and finds peace of mind as he comes to grips with his conflicting emotions about war.

American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for Young People, The

Susanne McIntrye

Black Stars of Civil War Times

Jim Haskins

Civil War A to Z: A Young Readers' Guide to Over 100 People, Places, and Points of Importance

Norman Bolotin

If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War

Kay Moore

Lincoln: A Photobiography

Russell Freedman

This Newbery Award-winning study of our 16th president is highly readable and meticulously organized.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Food

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl       

Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.

Higher Power of Lucky, The (2006)

Susan  Patron
In the California desert community of Hard Pan (population 43), 10-year-old Lucky Trimble eavesdrops on 12-step program meetings from her hiding place behind Hard Pan’s Found Object Wind Chime Museum & Visitor Center . Eccentric characters and quirky details spice up Lucky’s life just as parsley embellishes her guardian Brigitte’s French cuisine.

Chew On This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food

Eric Schlosser

A behind-the-scenes look at fast food, what's in it, how it's made, and what it does to our bodies.

Coral Reef Food Chains

Kelley Macaulay

Harvesting Hope: the Story of Cesar Chavez (2003)

Kathleen  Krull

In her book, Krull follows Chavez from a happy early childhood in Arizona to an unpleasant shift to the fields of California. As we watch, Cesar grows from a boy forced to endure the humiliations of the fields (and the poor schooling as well) to a man capable to leading workers in a non-violent protest against the grape growers of Southern California.

Secret Life of Food, The

Clare Crespo

The Secret Life of Food presents 46 fun recipes--including Tarantula Cookies, Monkey Pops, and Spaghetti with Eyeballs--destined to be hits on the children's birthday and Halloween party circuit.

Staying Alive: The Story of a Food Chain

Jacqui Bailey

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Leadership

Bearwalker

Joseph Bruchac

Although he is the littlest student in his class, thirteen-year-old Baron Braun calls upon the strength and wisdom of his Mohawk ancestors to face both man and beast when he tries to get help for his classmates, who are being terrorized during a school field trip in the Adirondacks.

Brick Johnson (2000) 

Laurie Myers

Fifth-grader Alex believes he has run afoul of the new kid, Brick Johnson, whose name says it all. Brick is a lot bigger than the other kids, and in Alex's mind, he's a terrifying bully. To protect himself, Alex signs up for karate classes, and when Brick also signs up, Alex fears the worst. As the novel unfolds, however, Alex learns Brick is not what he thought: Would a class bully spend part of his time reading stories to first-graders, using funny voices for added effect? What's going on?

Heat (2006)

Mike Lupica

A refugee from Cuba, 12-year-old Michael is a pitching prodigy whose

right to play Little League baseball is challenged by a hostile coach.

Shredderman series (2006) 

Wendelin Van Draanen

Puny but brainy fifth grader, Nolan Byrd, whose dorky ways earn him the nickname of "Nerd" from Bubba Bixby, a seemingly unstoppable bully who cheats, lies, steals, and terrorizes little kids. Tired of Bubba's relentless tormenting, Nolan anonymously launches shredderman.com, an online forum that chronicles the bully's transgressions. Readers will be impressed with the protagonist's ingenious problem-solving abilities and his adept use of technology to expose Bubba.

Stargirl

Jerry Spinelli

In this story about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named Stargirl

changes Mica High School forever.  Sequel:  Love Stargirl.

Endurance: Shakleton's Antarctic Expedition

Janice Marriott

John, Paul, George, and Ben (2006)

Lane Smith

This book serves as a charming introduction to several of our Founding Fathers, specifically John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Ben Franklin. Lane Smith’s book is filled with whimsical and sly illustrations – not to mention a hilarious take on history.

Martha Graham: A Dancer’s Life

Russell Freedman

Martha Graham, the American dancer, teacher, and choreographer, revolutionized the world of modern dance. 

Teammates

Peter  Golenbock

Describes racial  prejudice  experienced by Jackie Robinson when he joined the  Dodgers and became the first black player in the Major Leagues and the acceptance and support he received from teammate Pee Wee Reese.

We are the Ship (2008)

Kadir Nelson

Every now and then a writer comes along that understands the truth of literature for kids ….tell a compelling story with honesty and energy. If Kadir Nelson had only accomplished this "We Are The Ship" would be a great achievement. In actuality, the wonderful writing in this book is just the tip of the iceberg. You could remove every letter of text on every page and this work would still sing! Each painting carries the reader away to a time and place. Do not make the mistake of thinking this book is just for kids. Its for everyone.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Photography

Digital Photo Madness!: 50 Weird & Wacky Things to Do with Your Digital Camera

Thom Gaines

Leonardo Da Vinci

Kathleen Krull

A lively biography of Leonardo Da Vinci that highlights his scientific approach to understanding the physical world. The first half of the book describes Leonardo's apprenticeship and his work as an artist in Milan. The second half relates events in his later life, emphasizing his observation and investigation of the human body and nature.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Public Service

Martin’s Big Words

Donna  Rappaport

In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., the author combines her spare, lyrical text with King's own words for an effective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders.

Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille

Russell Freedman

A biography of the nineteenth-century Frenchman who, having been blinded himself at the age of three, went on to develop a system of raised dots on paper that enabled blind people to read and write.

Voices of a People’s History of the United States

Howard Zinn & Anthony Arnov

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Pioneers

Soldier Boy

Burks, Brian

Johnny "the kid" McBane is a fighter. When a bar brawl goes bad, he's run out of town and ends up fighting with Custer in the Battle of Little Big Horn.

New Boy

Julian Houston

A young African-American boy discovers the world--and himself--when he integrates an all-white boarding school in the 1950s.

Stowaway

Karen Hesse

A young boy stows away aboard the Endeavor and journals the voyage and explorations of Captain Cook. Each journal entry is done with latitude and longitude, giving the reader an opportunity to "map" the voyage.

Jason’s Gold

Will Hobbs

When gold is discovered in Canada's Yukon Territory in 1897 Jason follows his brothers into the Yukon in the hopes of striking it rich. The descriptions of his journey and experiences make the gold rush come alive for the readers.

Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Russell Freedman, 1010

Nikola Tesla: A Spark of Genius

Dommermuth-Costa, Carol 970

The author traces the life and career of an eccentric but brilliant inventor and pioneer in the field of electricity.

An Indian Winter

Russell Freedman

Buffalo Hunt

Russell Freedman,  1000

Examines the importance of the buffalo in the lore and day-to-day life of the Indian tribes of the Great Plains.

Children of the Wild West

Russell Freedman, 1010

historical photographs with explanatory text present a picture of life in the American west from 1840 to the early 1900's.

Cowboys of the Wild West

Russell Freedman, 1060

Gives a true look at the proud young men who inspired the legend-the old-time cowboys that worked on the open range during the 1890's.

Indian Chiefs

Russell Freedman, 1030

Biographies of six Western Indian chiefs who led their people in a historic moment of crisis, when a decision had to be mad about fighting the settlers.

An Indian Winter

Russell Freedman, 1150

Relates the experiences of a German prince, his servant, and a young Swiss artist as they traveled through the Missouri River Valley in 1833

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Aviation

Hatchet  Gary Paulson

After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother and learning also to deal with his parents' divorce.

We

Charles Lindbergh

Published just weeks after his May 1927 solo transatlantic flight. The "Lone Eagle," as he was known, writes about his childhood, the early years of his flying career including his Army Air Corps training and experiences as an airmail pioneer. With events still fresh in his memory, Lindbergh recounts the preparations for his daring voyage, the minute details of his solo flight and the riotous celebrations upon his safe landing in France.

The Fun of It

Amelia Earhart

Written shortly after her first transatlantic flight, describes her childhood and the realization that she preferred flying airplanes to almost any other activity, urging young women to test their own limits and tackle new challenges "just for the fun of it."

Night Flight (Vol de Nuit)

Antoine de Saint-Exupery inspired by his experiences as an airmail pilot in South America. His descriptive language and his ability to impart the concepts of leadership and moral duty turned Night Flight into an aviation and literary classic.

Black Eagles: African Americans in Aviation

Haskins, Jim 1160

Since the early days of American aviation, racist attitudes have forced African Americans to go to extreme lengths to earn their wings.

Amelia Earhart: Aviation Pioneer

Chadwick, Roxane 1080

This story of daring and adventure traces Amelia Earhart's life from her childhood in Kansas through her famous solo Trans-Atlantic flight and her last ill-fated journey.

American Hero, An: The True Story of Charles A. Lindberg Denenberg, Barry 1070

Presents a full sometimes disturbing portrait of the handsome and brave aviation pioneer- from his global fame to the kidnapping of his baby son and his shocking death.

Wright Brothers, The: How They Invented the Airplane

Russell Freedman 1160

Follows the loves of the Wright brothers and describes how they developed the first airplane.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Service

The Captive  Joyce Hansen

The Last Safe Place on Earth  Richard Peck

Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, The

Mark Twain, 950

Journal Of Brian Doyle: A Greenhorn On An Alaskan Whaling Ship, The

Jim Murphy, 970

This fictitious story told in journal form provides readers with a fascinating account of a young man's adventures on a whaling ship in 1874

The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party,

Marian Calabro

Virginia Reed, a thirteen-year-old survivor, Marian Calabro describes the journey, the problems, and the decisions that resulted in one of the most disturbing and distressing tragedies of the American West.

Bound for the North Star

Dennis Brindell

A collection of true stories about runaway slaves, Bound for the North Star illustrates the courage and determination found in the many African-American slaves who attempted to escape.

Popol Vuh: A Sacred Book of the Maya

Victor Montejo

The Bird Who Cleans the World: and Other Mayan Fables

Victor Montejo and Allen F. Burns

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Civics

Voices of a People’s History of the United States

Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnov

The American Heritage Book of Great American Speeches for Young People

Susanne McIntrye

Victory or Death!: Storeis of the American Revolution

Doreen Rappaport

The authors take a compelling idea and run with it: real people who committed brave or heroic acts during the American Revolution. Each chapter is very short and relies on vivid dramatization and notes at the conclusion to tell just what is historically accurate and what had to be inferred.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963

Christopher Paul Curtis

The Printer's Apprentice

Stephen Krensky

In 1735 in New York City, a young printer's apprentice learns about the importance of freedom of speech when the printer, Peter Zenger, is arrested and tried for writing articles criticizing the government.

My Brother, My Enemy

by Madge Harrah

Determined to avenge the massacre of his family, 14-year-old Robert Bradford joins Nathaniel Bacon's rebel army in hopes of wiping out the Susquehannock Indians of Virginia.

Give Me Liberty!: The Story of the Declaration of Independence

Russell Freedman, 1010

Describes the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and the personal politics behind its framing.

Voice That Challenged A Nation, The

Russell Freedman, 1180

Rimshots: Basketball Pix, Rolls and Rhythms

Smith Jr., Charles R.

Combining prose and poetry with vibrant illustrations and photographs, Rimshots is an expression of the author's love of basketball.

George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides

Rosalyn Scanzner

Explores how the characters and lives of King George III of England and George Washington affected the progress and outcome of the American Revolution.

Come all you brave soldiers : Blacks in the Revolutionary War

Clinton Cox

Tells the story of the thousands of black men who served as soldiers fighting for independence from England during the American Revolutionary War.

Martin's Big Words:The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr  

 Donna  Rappaport

In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., author Doreen Rappaport combines her spare, lyrical text with King's own words for an effective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Traditional Music

Dragonwings

Laurence  Yep

his work of historical fiction details the life of a young boy and his father who are new immigrants to San Francisco . While in China, they dreamt of life in the New World, but soon find that they must struggle to make their dreams - which include building a flying machine -- come true.

Bud Not Buddy

Christopher Paul Curtis 950

Ten-year old Bud, a motherless boy during the Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father.

Life of Pi

Yann Martel

The son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior and a fervent love of stories. When he is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger.

The Truth About Sparrows

Marian Hale 820

The Wynns are an unforgettable family. The details of their struggle to survive the Great Depression will linger long after the last page has been read.

Riding the Rails

Errol Lincoln Uys

During the Great Depression, more than a quarter of a million teenagers left their homes and hopped freight trains looking for work or adventure. This is their story.

Bread and Roses Too

Katherine Paterson

Lawrence, Massachusetts, during the labor strike of 1912

Immigrant Kids

Russell Freedman, 1070

An introduction to the experience of being a young urban immigrant in the early 1900s.

Children of the Depression

Russell Freedman 1170

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Russell Freedman 1070

Photographs and text trace the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from his birth in 1882 through his youth, early political career, and presidency, to his death in Warm Springs, Georgia, in 1945.

Witness

Karen Hesse


Told in verse, this novel introduces characters in a small Vermont town from all walks of life, each describing how recent events involving the Klu Klux Klan have affected them.

Black Cat Bone: The Life of Blues Legend Robert Johnson

J. Patrick Lewis

Johnson died young--in 1938, at 27, His influence on generations of blues, jazz, and rock musicians is unquestioned, however, and Lewis tells the story in evocative poems that use Johnson's lyrics to evoke the spirit of the blues and the hard times Johnson endured growing up in the Mississippi Delta. Lewis' imagery is probably too subtle for even middle-graders to grasp without help, but older readers with an interest in Johnson and the blues will feel the rhythm and understand the message of living for the moment and the music.

Blues Journey

Walter Dean Myers

In a picture book for older readers, Myers offers blues-inspired verse that touches on the black-and-blue moments of individual lives. Myers begins with a necessary introduction to the history of the blues that includes an explanation of the rhyme scheme. Still, the level of sophistication necessary for kids to get into the book is considerable: Much of Myers' poetry here is terrific, by turn, sweet, sharp, ironic, but it's the memorable collage artwork, executed in the bluest of blue ink and brown paper, that will draw readers first. Once inside the book, some children will immediately hear the songs the poetry sings; others will have to listen more close.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Chesapeake Bay

Shipwreck Season

Donna Hill

A Boston teenager catches up on life lessons when he is consigned to a lifesaving station on Cape Cod. Furious at being forced to leave his high-living friends, Daniel arrives at isolated Perkins Hollow Station surly and arrogant, but after the boat crew's warm welcome and an invigorating taste of the work, patrolling beaches and keeping watch over the local rocks and sandbars for ships in trouble, he soon pitches in with a will.

Girl in Hyacinth Blue

Susan Vreeland

The book opens with the present with a man that has a secret-- he has a stolen Vermeer in his study. From there, it goes back in time from owner to owner until we finally get back to the time in which Vermeer painted it.

Misty of Chincoteague

Marguerite Henry

On an island off the coasts of Virginia and Maryland lives a centuries-old band of wild ponies. Among them is the most mysterious of all, Phantom, a rarely seen mare that eludes all efforts to capture her--that is, until a young boy and girl lay eyes on her and determine that they can't live without her.

UNIT

NOVELS

NON-FICTION/PICTURE/POETRY

Farming

(we didn’t get around to doing this unit in 2007-2008, but will do so in an upcoming year)

Hoot

Hiaasen, Carl

The first time Roy sees the barefoot boy running down the street, he's on the school bus being strangled by a bully. He makes finding out the identity of the barefoot boy his first priority. When he discovers that the boy, Mullet Fingers, is waging a war against the contractors who are destroying the habitat of the wild burrowing owls, he has to make a decision: should he join Mullet Fingers in his war against the small South Florida town?

This Must be Love

Tui T. Sutherland

A retelling of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream written in e-mails, notes and instant messages and set in a modern-day high school, This Must Be Love is both hilarious and magical.

Holes

Louis Sachar

Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake. The boys are digging holes because the warden is looking for something. Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment — and redemption.

King of Shadows by

Susan Cooper


While in London preparing to perform in a replica of the famous Globe Theater, Nat Field falls ill and awakens to find himself in London at the time of Queen Elizabeth, where he is to be part of A Midsummer Night's Dream under the direction of William Shakespeare, himself.