Shiloh

Shiloh 

By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hills behind his home, it's love at first sight- and also big trouble. It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to Judd Travers, who drinks too much and has a gun- and abuses his dogs. So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hide him and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too big for him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family to Judd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?
My mom read this book to me as a child. So, it seemed nature to read it with my son. I discovered that my memory didn't remember all the details. This was a great book to open up discussions about lying and omitting the truth.

  

The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot 

By Peter Brown

   When Robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is- but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants.
   As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home- until, one day, the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.

This is not my typical choice in books but was such a wonderful surprise! I love the short chapters and was excited to learn there is a sequel! Reading level grades 3-6

 

The Bicycle Spy

The Bicycle Spy
By Yona Zeldis McDonough

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this story about a young boy, Marcel and how he helps others stay safe during the time of the Nazis invasion in France.
Marcel loves to ride his bicycle, and he's been a big fan of the famous Tour de France race, so he's disappointed it has been canceled because of the war. Reading on, he learns two big secrets and realizes there are worse things to focus on. He wants to help a friend's family who is in immediate danger, but it involves putting his own life at risk, too. When things don't go as planned, Marcel has to be a quick thinker because his friend's family, his family, and his own future are at stake.

Wedgie & Gizmo

Wedgie & Gizmo 
By Suzanne Selfors

If you like animals, this is a funny book told by a guinea pig, Gizmo and a dog, Wedgie. They have very funny personalities and as you read each chapter told by either Wedgie or Gizmo, it's fun to change your voice. 

When a bouncy, barky dog and an evil genius guinea pig move into the same house, the laughs are nonstop! Wedgie is so excited, he can’t stop barking. He LOVES having new siblings and friends to protect. He LOVES guinea pigs like Gizmo! He also LOVES treats!

But Gizmo does not want to share his loyal human servant with a rump-sniffing beast! He does not want to live in a pink Barbie Playhouse. Or to be kissed and hugged by the girl human. Gizmo is an evil genius. He wants to take over the world and make all humans feel his wrath. But first he must destroy his archenemy, Wedgie, once and for all!

Soar By Joan Bauer

 Soar By Joan Bauer

Jeremiah is the world’s biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. So when he’s told he can’t play baseball following an operation on his heart, Jeremiah decides he’ll do the next best thing and become a coach.

Hillcrest, where Jeremiah and his father Walt have just moved, is a town known for its championship baseball team. But Jeremiah finds the town caught up in a scandal and about ready to give up on baseball. It’s up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town – and the team – back in the game.

This was a page turner; I couldn't put it down!

Lexile 510L

DRA 50

Word of Mouse

Word of Mouse

By Chris Grabenstein and James Patterson

What makes Isaiah so unique?

First, his fur is as blue as the sky – which until recently was something he'd never seen, but had read all about. That's right – Isaiah can read, and write. He can also talk to humans... if any of them are willing to listen!

After a dramatic escape from a mysterious laboratory, Isaiah is separated from his 'mischief' (which is the word for a mouse family) and has to use his special skills to survive in the dangerous outdoors, and hopefully find his missing family. But in a world of cruel cats, hungry owls and terrified people, it's hard for a young mouse to make it alone.

When he meets an equally unusual and lonely human girl named Hailey, the two soon learn that true friendship can transcend all barriers.

Grade 4-7

A Boy Called Bat By Elana K. Arnold

 

A Boy Called Bat

I chose this book because it is on the Iowa Children's Choice Awards list. 

When Bat's veterinarian mother brings home an infant skunk to foster for a month, Bat- a third grader on the autism spectrum- hopes to prove that he's responsible enough to keep the skunk, Thor, as a pet. This is written in third person so the reader gets to see inside Bat's head and how he perceives the events and people in his life. This is great for a reader who wants to learn more about skunks and for the reader who wants to understand autism a little better. 

Genre: Fiction

Interest Level: 6-10 year olds