Wish by Barbara O'Connor

Wish

By Barbara O'Connor

Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. But when she is sent to live with family she barely knew, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true. That is, until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be at all what she needs.
I picked up this book because is was recommended to me by a student. This book did not disappoint!

DRA 50

Lexile Level 850

Craig & Fred By Craig Grossi

Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other

By Craig Grossi

I was six thousand miles from home, in a combat zone, in one of the hardest places in the world. Unlike me, Fred was home. This compound was all he knew. And even though he'd probably never had a drink of clean water before or a scratch behind the ear, he was gentle and sweet. Looking down at home, I let go of worrying about the no-dog policy or when the next round of fighting would begin. For that moment, I felt like I was home, too. 

WOW! This autobiography is such an eye opening, touching book! Craig does a great job balancing out his life in a combat zone and adjusting to life back home. I am a dog lover and can only imagine the peace Fred gave Craig. Great read for students! Here is a short video about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJwGRL0r70I

Because of Mr. Terupt - by Rob Buyea

 Seven 5th graders from Connecticut get a new, rookie teacher. There's Jessica, the new girl, Alexia, the bully, Peter, the class prankster, Luke, the brain, Danielle, who doesn't stand up for herself, shy Anna, and there's Jeffrey, who hates school. Mr. Terupt, the new teacher, seems to know how to handle it all. All of their lives are changed by their new, energetic teacher. Then the accident changes everything...

I like this book because it's relatable. The characters alternate, so somebody different is telling the story in each chapter. The students discover and learn throughout the entire book.

DRA Level: N/A
Lexile: 560

The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Yan Glaser

When catastrophe strikes their beloved upstairs neighbor, the Vanderbeekers must band together to do what they do best:  make a plan.  They have nineteen days to turn the ivy-ridden, possibly haunted, abandoned lot down the street into the best community garden in Harlem.

But creating a garden from scratch is not as easy as it seems, and with no money, absolutely zero gardening experience, and the threat of a slick real estate developer eyeing the land, the Vanderbeekers face their greatest challenge yet.

DRA N/A
Lexile 810

Fun story!  This is the second book about the Vanderbeekers.

Swindle By Gordon Korman

Swindle

By Gordon Korman

After a mean collector named Swindle cons him out of his most valuable baseball card, Griffin Bing must put together a band of misfits to break into Swindle's compound and recapture the card. There are many things standing in their way- a menacing guard dog, a high tech security system, a very secret hiding place, and their general inability to drive- but Griffin and his team are going to get back what's rightfully his... even if hijinks ensue.

This is a great book especially great if you are ready for a hoot, howl and heist!

DRA Level 50

Lexile 710L

Restart By Gordon Korman

Restart

By Gordon Korman

WOW! This book was awesome! 

Chase Ambrose doesn't remember falling off the roof. He doesn't remember hitting his head. Actually, he doesn't remember anything. Chase wakes up in a hospital feeling very alone. He has to learn his whole life all over again. He knows he is Chase, but who is Chase? 

When he returns to school he sees some kids treat him like a hero and some kids are VERY afraid of him. As Chase explores who he was he starts to question who he wants to be.

DRA 50

Lexile 730L

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

              Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

If you enjoy reading historical fiction, this is a book you may enjoy. It's written in stanzas like poetry, so the pages read quick. It is written by an author who at age 10 experienced the Vietnam War and fled to Alabama with her family, watching her homeland (Saigon) fall before their eyes as they're leaving. Much of what happens to the character in the book happened to the author as a young girl. She writes about traditions and friends she misses deeply, while moving to a new place so foreign to her. Hà, the main character in the story describes the cold experiences she has with strangers and how she finds the strength of her own family.

DRA Level: 50
Lexile: 800 L
Age: 8-10