SUMMER READING LIST: FIFTH GRADE

SUMMER READING LIST: FIFTH GRADE
Source: Kentucky Bluegrass Awards; Weber Library System;
American School Library Assoc. Annotations by Barnes and Noble.
Chains
By Laurie Halse Anderson
If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl? As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-yearold Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister,
Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no
sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties
to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant
at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide
her with freedom. From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably researched novel
that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual. Winner of the Scott O’Dell
Historical Fiction Award and National Book Award Finalist.
The Familiars
By Wendy Mass
“The Familiars combines the magic of Harry Potter and the adventure of Warriors into an
enchanting story readers will love.”
When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn’t expect his life to
change. But that’s exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard, picks Aldwyn to be his magical
familiar.Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he’s got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars—
the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert—that he’s the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But
when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by a terrible evil, it will take all of Aldwyn’s street
smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!
11 Birthdays
By Wendy Mass
After celebrating their first nine same-day birthdays together, Amanda and Leo, having fallen out on their tenth
and not speaking to each other for the last year, prepare to celebrate their eleventh birthday separately but
peculiar things begin to happen as the day of their birthday begins to repeat itself over and over again.
Splendors and Glooms
By Laura Amy Schlitz
The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive.
Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at
her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance
with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants.
Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are dazzled by the Wintermute home. Clara seems to have everything they lack —
adoring parents, warmth, and plenty to eat. In fact, Clara’s life is shadowed by grief, guilt, and secrets. When
Clara vanishes that night, suspicion of kidnapping falls upon the puppeteer and, by association, Lizzie Rose and
Parsefall.
As they seek to puzzle out Clara’s whereabouts, Lizzie and Parse uncover Grisini’s criminal past and wake up to
his evil intentions. Fleeing London, they find themselves caught in a trap set by Grisini’s ancient rival, a witch
with a deadly inheritance to shed before it’s too late. A 2013 Newbery Honor Book
The Books of Elsewhere #1: The Shadows
By Jacqueline West
Old Ms. McMartin is definitely dead. Now her crumbling Victorian mansion lies vacant. When elevenyear-old Olive and her dippy mathematician parents move in, she knows there’s something odd about the
place—not least the walls covered in strange antique paintings. But when Olive finds a pair of old
spectacles in a dusty drawer, she discovers the most peculiar thing yet: She can travel inside these
paintings to a world that’s strangely quiet . . . and eerily like her own Yet Elsewhere harbors dark
secrets—and Morton, an undersized boy with an outsize temper.As she and Morton form an uneasy
alliance, Olive finds herself ensnared in a plan darker and more dangerous than she could have
imagined, confronting a power that wants to be rid of her by any means necessary. It’s up to Olive to
save the house from the dark shadows, before the lights go out for good.
Million Dollar Throw
By Mike Lupica
Everyone calls Nate Brodie "Brady" because he's a New England quarterback, just like his idol, Tom Brady. And
now he's got a chance to win a million dollars by throwing one pass through a target at halftime in the Patriots'
Thanksgiving night game. More than anything, Nate's family needs the money-his dad's been downsized, his
mom's working two jobs, and they're on the verge of losing their house. The worry is more weight than a 13-yearold can bear, and it's affecting his playing for his own football team. Suddenly the boy with the golden arm is
having trouble completing a pass . . . but can he make the one that really counts ?
Esperanza Rising
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses; a beautiful home filled with
servants in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico; and the promise of one day rising to Mama’s position
and presiding over all of El Rancho de las Rosas.
But a sudden tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a
Mexican farm labor camp. There they confront the challenges of hard work, acceptance by their own people, and
economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression. When Mama falls ill from Valley Fever and a strike for
better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must relinquish her hold on the past and
learn to embrace a future ripe with the riches of family and community. 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. Winner 2002 Pura Belpre
Award
The Puzzling World of Winston Breen
By Eric Berlin
Winston Breen says 'the only thing better than discovering a puzzle is stumping someone else with it.' But
when his sister uncovers mysterious strips of wood with words and letters on them, even Winston himself is
stumped. Soon the whole family-and some friends-are caught up in the mystery and off on a scavenger hunt
that just may lead to a ring worth thousands of dollars! Chock-full of puzzles to solve-some tied to the mystery
and some not-this treasure hunt will keep readers’ brains teased right up to the exciting ending!
Out of My Mind
By Sharon Draper
Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can
remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults
who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same
classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody
refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow. In this
breakthrough story—reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King
Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will
change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.
When the Wolves Returned
By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Yellowstone National Park’s majestic geologic wonders and remarkable wildlife draw millions of visitors
each year. But there was a time when these natural treasures were in great danger, all because after years
of unrestricted hunting, one key piece of the puzzle had been eliminated—the wolf. Now, more than a
decade after scientists realized the wolves’ essential role and returned them to Yellowstone, the park’s
natural balance is gradually being restored. The informative dual-level text and spectacular full-color
photographs show the wolves in the natural habitat that was almost lost without them. Readers of all ages will be inspired by the
delicate natural system that is Yellowstone.
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves,
Deputy U.S. Marshal By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Sitting tall in the saddle, with a wide-brimmed black hat and twin Colt pistols on his belt, Bass Reeves seemed
bigger than life. Outlaws feared him. Law-abiding citizens respected him. As a peace officer, he was cunning and
fearless. When a lawbreaker heard Bass Reeves had his warrant, he knew it was the end of the trail, because
Bass always got his man, dead or alive. He achieved all this in spite of whites who didn't like the notion of a black
lawman. Born into slavery in 1838, Bass had a hard and violent life, but he also had a strong sense of right and wrong that others
admired. When Judge Isaac Parker tried to bring law and order to the lawless Indian Territories, he chose Bass to be a deputy U.S.
Marshall. Bass would quickly prove a smart choice. For three decades, Bass was the most feared and respected lawman in the
territories. He made more than 3,000 arrests, and though he was a crack shot and a quick draw, he only killed fourteen men in the line
of duty. The story of Bass Reeves is the story of a remarkable African American and a remarkable hero of the Old West. 2010 Coretta
Scott King Author Award winner
The Mysterious Benedict Society
By Trenton Lee Stewart
Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mindbending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed. Their
challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To
accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only
rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than
your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably
use your help.
Missing on Superstition Mountain Book 1
By Elise Broach
It’s summer and the three Barker brothers—Simon, Henry, and Jack—just moved from Illinois to Arizona.
Their parents have warned them repeatedly not to explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their
home. But when their cat Josie goes missing, they see no other choice. There’s something unusually
creepy about the mountain and after the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover
the mystery. Have people really gone missing over the years, and could there be someone or some thing
lurking in the woods? Together with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are dead-set on cracking
the case even if it means putting themselves in harm’s way. Here’s the first book in an action-packed
mystery series by a New York Times bestselling author. Publishers Weekly Best Children's Fiction title
for 2011.
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #1: The Mysterious Howling
By Maryrose Wood
Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander,
age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a
bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly
adept at chasing squirrels. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years
old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the
challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper
use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies. But mysteries abound at
Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of
the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to
teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday
ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
Savvy
By Ingrid Law
Thirteen is when a Beaumont’s savvy hits—and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who
creates electricity, Mibs Beaumont is eager to see what she gets. But just before the big day, Poppa is in a
terrible accident. And now all Mibs wants is a savvy that will save him. In fact, Mibs is so sure she’ll get a
powerful savvy that she sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus with her sibling and the preacher’s
kids in tow. After this extraordinary adventure—full of talking tattoos and a kidnapping—not a soul on
board will ever be the same.
Ghost Cadet
By Elaine Marie Alphin
Twelve-year-old Benjy, in Virginia visiting the grandmother he has never met, meets the ghost of a Virginia
Military Institute cadet who was killed in the Battle of New Market in 1864 and helps him recover his family's
treasured gold watch.
Twelve-year-old Benjy, in Virginia visiting the grandmother he has never met, meets the ghost of a Virginia
Military Institute cadet who was killed in the Battle of New Market in 1864 and helps him recover his family's
treasured gold watch.
One Crazy Summer
By Rita Williams-Garcia
Eleven-year-old Delphine has it together. Even though her mother, Cecile, abandoned her and her younger
sisters, Vonetta and Fern, seven years ago. Even though her father and Big Ma will send them from Brooklyn to
Oakland, California, to stay with Cecile for the summer. And even though Delphine will have to take care of her
sisters, as usual, and learn the truth about the missing pieces of the past. When the girls arrive in Oakland in the
summer of 1968, Cecile wants nothing to do with them. She makes them eat Chinese takeout dinners, forbids
them to enter her kitchen, and never explains the strange visitors with Afros and black berets who knock on her
door. Rather than spend time with them, Cecile sends Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern to a summer camp sponsored
by a revolutionary group, the Black Panthers, where the girls get a radical new education. Set during one of the
most tumultuous years in recent American history, one crazy summer is the heartbreaking, funny tale of three
girls in search of the mother who abandoned them-an unforgettable story told by a distinguished author of books for children and teens,
Rita Williams-Garcia .Winner of the 2011 Coretta Scott King Author Award, Winner of the 2011 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical
Fiction, A 2011 Newbery Honor Book and National Book Award Finalist
The House of a Million Pets
By Ann Hodgman
Ann Hodgman’s basement is home to three guinea pigs, a cage full of birds, a big gray rabbit, a prairie dog, a
bulbul (look it up), two little rabbits, a hamster, and twenty-six pygmy mice. And that’s just the basement.Would
your parents ever let you have that many pets at once? If Ann Hodgman were your parents, she’d let you. Here
is the true story of what it’s like to live in her barnyard—er, house—with more animals than you’ll be able to keep
track of. Any kid (or adult) who has ever owned or wanted a pet will love these furry, feathered, slimy, and scaly
stories.
Winner 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories about Growing Up
Scieszka By Jon Scieszka
How did Jon Scieszka, author of Stinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs get so funny,
anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic
school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows,
jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead. Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down
memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit.
Doll Bones
By Holly Black
Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they’ve been playing one
continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great
Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her. But they are in middle school now. Zach’s father
pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy
declares she’s been having dreams about the Queen—and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the
bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave. Zach and Alice and Poppy set off on one last adventure to lay
the Queen’s ghost to rest. But nothing goes according to plan, and as their adventure turns into an epic
journey, creepy things begin to happen. Is the doll just a doll or something more sinister? And if there really
is a ghost, will it let them go now that it has them in its clutches? Winner of a 2014 Newbery Honor Medal
Navigating Early
By Clare Vanderpool
At the end of World War II, Jack Baker, a landlocked Kansas boy, is suddenly uprooted after his mother's
death and placed in a boy's boarding school in Maine. There, Jack encounters Early Auden, the strangest of
boys, who reads the number pi as a story and collects clippings about the sightings of a great black bear in
the nearby mountains. Newcomer Jack feels lost yet can't help being drawn to Early, who won't believe
what everyone accepts to be the truth about the Great Appalachian Bear, Timber Rattlesnakes, and the
legendary school hero known as The Fish, who never returned from the war. When the boys find
themselves unexpectedly alone at school, they embark on a quest on the Appalachian Trail in search of the
great black bear. But what they are searching for is sometimes different from what they find. They will meet
truly strange characters, each of whom figures into the pi story Early weaves as they travel, while
discovering things they never realized about themselves and others in their lives. A 2014 Michael L. Printz
Honor Book, A School Library Journal Best Books 2013, A Bankstreet Best Book of the Year, A
School Library Journal Best Books 2013
The Zombie Chasers #1
By Joseph Kloepfer
Zombie Attack! When brain-gobbling zombies invade, a sleepover at Zack Clarke's house quickly turns into
a Level-3 creep-over. The undead have infested the streets, filling the air with deathly moans and the stench
of rotting flesh. Meet the Zombie Chasers: Zack: His house is a wreck, his sister's a zombie, and he's stolen
his mom's Volvo. He's totally going to be grounded if he survives the night. . . .Rice: He's studied The
Zombie Survival Guide, but is he prepared to fight the living dead? Madison: She seriously cannot believe
her best friend has become a zombie and left her alone with these dweebs! They're on a mission to save
the world, but first they have to survive their flesh-eating, half-dead neighbors—and one another. Can the
Zombie Chasers make it out alive?
The Birchbark House
By Louise Erdrich
"[In this] story of a young Ojibwa girl, Omakayas, living on an island in Lake Superior around 1847, Louise
Erdrich is reversing the narrative perspective used in most children's stories about nineteenth-century
Native Americans. Instead of looking out at 'them' as dangers or curiosities, Erdrich, drawing on her family's
history, wants to tell about 'us', from the inside. The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the
vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder's 'Little House' books." --The New York Times Book Review
Chomp
By Carl Hiaasen
Wahoo Cray lives in a zoo. His father is an animal wrangler, so he's grown up with all manner of gators,
snakes, parrots, rats, monkeys, snappers, and more in his backyard. The critters he can handle. His father
is the unpredictable one. When his dad takes a job with a reality TV show called "Expedition Survival!",
Wahoo figures he'll have to do a bit of wrangling himself—to keep his dad from killing Derek Badger, the
show's boneheaded star, before the shoot is over. But the job keeps getting more complicated. Derek
Badger seems to actually believe his PR and insists on using wild animals for his stunts. And Wahoo's
acquired a shadow named Tuna—a girl who's sporting a shiner courtesy of her old man and needs a place
to hide out.They've only been on location in the Everglades for a day before Derek gets bitten by a bat and
goes missing in a storm. Search parties head out and promptly get lost themselves. And then Tuna's dad
shows up with a gun . . .It's anyone's guess who will actually survive "Expedition Survival". . . .
The Paperboy
By Vince Vawter
A boy who stutters comes-of-age in the segregated South, during the summer that changes his life.
An 11-year-old boy living in Memphis in 1959 throws the meanest fastball in town, but talking is a whole
different ball game. He can barely say a word without stuttering, not even his own name. So when he takes
over his best friend's paper route for the month of July, he knows he'll be forced to communicate with the
different customers, including a housewife who drinks too much and a retired merchant marine who seems to
know just about everything. The paper route poses challenges, but it's a run-in with the neighborhood
junkman, a bully and thief, that stirs up real trouble—and puts the boy's life, as well as that of his family's
devoted housekeeper, in danger. A Newbery Honor Winner, An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book, A
Bankstreet Best Book of the Year, A BookPage Best Children's Book