Fifth Grade Summer Reading List (page 2)

Kids entering fifth grade definitely know what they like and dislike about everything ... including books! Getting your child to read over the summer is all about finding just the right book. Looking for fresh reading options for your fifth grader? Look no further. We've combed the shelves for new titles to spice up summer reading.

Our 2012 Summer Reading List

Looking For Me, by Betsy R. Rosenthal. Set in Depression-era Maryland, the heroine of the story is 11-years-old and wedged in the middle of a big family.  Edith’s search for identity is completely relatable to kids today, and because this novel is told in verse, it unburdens the reluctant reader from the daunting appearance of a block of text. For kids who already love reading this book makes poetry accessible and relevant. (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $13.28) Where to buy

Castle of Shadows, by Ellen Renner, Illustrated by Wilson Swain.  Eleven-year-old Charlie is a mischievous girl; unwashed, uneducated and unsupervised. She is also the princess of Quale. But ever since her mother mysteriously disappeared and her father, the King, went mad, her life as a royal has never been quite right. And to make things worse, a rebellion is brewing in the kingdom. When Charlie accidentally discovers a clue about her mother’s disappearance, she is bent on finding out the truth. The misfit princess will have to battle an evil housekeeper, a slimy Prime Minister and more to get to the bottom of the mystery, save her mother, and save her kingdom. This hybrid of historical fiction and fantasy will be fun for any reader. (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $10.87) Where to buy

The Adventures of Beanboy, by Lisa Harkrader. Diary of a Wimpy Kid...move over! This graphic novel leans more towards novel than graphic, paving the way for more text-heavy books, while interspersing comics to keep kids engaged. Its humor, about a superhero powered by the gas he passes, is perfect for 10-year-old boys who’ve outgrown Captain Underpants, but can still appreciate a gross guffaw. The comic book story runs in parallel to the life of its author, who needs some superhero intervention in his own life, and what makes this book stand out is how its well-drawn hero prevails in the face of difficulties. (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $9.99) Where to buy 

Gifts From The Gods, by Lise Lunge-Larsen, Illustrated by Gareth Hinds.  Action-packed illustrations make this a novel of graphic proportions. It tells tales of Greek legends and gods, bringing pomp, circumstance and muscle to vocabulary enrichment. Did you know that “Janus”, god of the doorways and hallways, gave us the name janitors? Learn other fun facts about words like chaos, genius, nemesis, panic, and echo. This book is sure to spark a love of linguistics and Greek mythology. (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, $13.86) Where to buy

Our 2011 Summer Reading List

Dogtag Summer by Elizabeth Partridge. 12-year-old Tracy finds an ammunition box that her father brought home from the Vietnam War. Tracy has always known of her Vietnamese heritage, but can't explain the violent scenes playing in her mind since finding the box. This book captures the warm and easygoing essence of classic coming-of-age summer stories while also exposing maturing readers to the vast and complex extent of war's human toll. (Bloomsbury, $12.74) Where to buy

True (...Sort of) by Katherine Hannigan. Complex, flawed, and deeply interesting characters set up a story that is at once realistic and transcendent. Delly is a big-hearted, but tough-as-nails tomboy who seems to find trouble at every turn. Best friend Ferris helps to put her on the straight and narrow, but all that changes when Delly finds out the truth: Ferris is in some real trouble of her own. A compelling story about friendship, trouble, and facing the truth. (Greenwillow Books, $11.55) Where to buy

The Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley. Scullery maid Molly might have the key to the kingdom’s safety.  It's a fast read to find out how. Grounded in her life at Dethemere Castle, Molly is perfectly poised for the moment when a grisly curse rears its head. A no-nonsense plot leads the way through a good starter book for beginning fantasy readers. (Harper, $11.19) Where to buy

The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante. Dellie’s family is struggling with the death of her younger brother. When Corey moves into her building, Dellie starts taking care of the boy, and finally begins the process of healing. This realistic portrayal of grief can be a tearjerker at times, but has a lot to teach tweens in the throes of adolescence about life, love and friendship. (Putnam, $13.25) Where to buy

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Inga Moore. Got an independent reader on your hands, but nostalgic for the days when he'd cuddle up at night and listen to you read aloud? Don’t pass this book up! This story has been leaving kids open-mouthed since it was first published in 1908. The abridged and gorgeously illustrated version is a great introduction for kids not quite ready for the original. (Candlewick, $14.95) Where to buy

Our 2009 Fifth Grade Summer Reading Picks

The Mousehunter by Alex Milway. Mice may not be too popular in our world, but in Emiline's world, people don't run from them screaming: they collect them! Mousehunters roam to the far reaches of the earth, seeking out the most unique breeds - from the fearsome Sharpclaw to the rope weaving Rigger mouse. Twelve-year-old Emiline dreams of becoming a famous mousehunter, and one day, fate intervenes when she's given the chance to join the crew of Captain Devlin Drewshank and hunt down the infamous pirate Mousebeard. What follows is a high sea adventure full of mythical sea creatures, double-crossing pirates, mysterious islands, and of course, incredibly interesting mice. (Little Brown Young Readers, 2009, $15.99) Where to buy

Ranger's Apprentice Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan. Choosing Day is the most important day in the life of a castle ward-- the day when Baron Arald gives each of the ward orphans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to apply to be apprenticed to a master craftsperson. When Will gets chosen to become a Ranger, he's horrified. Mysterious, magical, and somewhat scary, Rangers (particularly his new master, Halt) have always made him nervous. But there's a lot more to being a Ranger than stalking around in the shadows, and soon Will learns that the kingdom's safety rests in their hands. Your child will thrill to the unfolding of this heart-poundingly great adventure. And the best news? There are half a dozen sensational followups in the series, once she's gobbled this one up. Book 6: The Siege of the Macindaw, a race of a read, full of humor, friendship, and nail-biting tension, will be released this August. We dare even the most reluctant fifth grade reader to resist this series! (Puffin, 2006, $7.99) Where to buy

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly. It's the summer of 1899, and 11-year-old Calpurnia Tate does not want to be knitting, cooking, and preparing to be a respectable lady. She'd much rather be a naturalist, exploring the streams and fields of her Texas home with her eccentric grandfather. The only girl in a family of six brothers, Calpurnia has her work cut out for her, as she must contend with piano lessons, a bevy of brothers wooing her best friend, and the societal norms that dictate what girls can and can't do, all the while trying to get a new species recognized by the National Geographic Society. This delightful and rich debut novel blends historical fiction with a curious, clear-eyed, and extremely funny female protagonist. A straight up great read. (Henry Holt and Co., 2009, $16.99) Where to buy

Toby Alone by Timothee de Fombelle. Toby is only one and a half millimeters tall, but he has some big problems. Toby's father, a famous scientist, has discovered an inconvenient truth about the oak tree they inhabit--the tree's lifegiving sap is running out due in part to over-development. Now Toby is on the run from the builders who control things, with a mission to save his parent's lives and that of the tree itself. For kids just wanting to enjoy a swashbuckling, albeit dark, adventure--it's all in there, just add imagination. For kids ready and willing for allegory--this tale presents a thoughtful look at the exploitation of natural resources. Originally published in France in 2006 and already translated into 22 languages, this is one huge adventure. (Candlewick Press, 2008, $11.42) Where to buy

39 Clues: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson. Siblings Dan and Amy Cahill are on a mission to find clues to unlock the secret of their family's incredible history, and make them the most powerful people in the world. The only catch? They're competing with a very large, and very dangerous, extended family. In this fourth installment of the acclaimed 39 Clues series, Dan and Amy, betrayed by their cousins and abandoned by their uncle, jet off to Egypt on the trail of another clue. On arriving, they get a message from their dead grandmother. Should they trust the message, or disregard it? Like previous books in the series, this one features a healthy portion of history, and a fascinating multimedia component that includes collectible cards and an online world where your child can get in on the clue chasing. (Scholastic, 2009, $7.79) Where to buy

The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins. Ludlow Fitch escapes his rotten life in the big city, by flinging himself onto the back of a carriage heading for the remote countryside. He arrives in the village of Pagus Parvus, and gets hired as the assistant to a mysterious pawnbroker-- a man who pays people for their deepest darkest secrets. Ludlow's job is to write the villagers' secrets down in an ancient leatherbound book. But when the town's richest man decides the pawnbroker must be stopped, both Ludlow and his mentor are in grave danger. Fifth graders will love this suspenseful tale, but parents, breathe easy-- while it's full of danger and anticipation, its bark is worse than its bite. There's nothing here to give your child nightmares...just enough danger to keep him under the covers with a flashlight, turning pages like mad! (Feiwel and Friends, 2007, $14.95) Where to buy