Upper Elementary (Grades 3–5)
Children respond well to books that have age-appropriate themes. For example, the main characters are about the same age as the reader. The selection of books for the upper elementary grades includes a mix of fantasy, realistic fiction, and historical fiction. When selecting books, educators should take into account student interests and relevant topics taught in the social studies curriculum.
A Christmas Carol
"Bah Humbug!" said Scrooge. With those famous words a tale unfolds that renews the joy and caring that are Christmas.
Any Small Goodness
This story is about a Mexican-American family in East L.A. where random acts of generosity and goodwill improves the lives of the community.
The Boy on the Wooden Box
Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to survive the Holocaust on Oskar Schindler’s list, “brings to readers a story of bravery and the fight for a chance to live”.
Bridge to Terabithia
Jess and Leslie become special friends as they create a magical secret world that they call Terabithia.
Bud, Not Buddy
Bud Caldwell is an orphan on the run during the Great Depression. One dilemma after another uncovers a tough character who perseveres and triumphs in his adventure.
Friedrich
In chronological episodes a young boy tells about the fate of his Jewish friend, Friedrich, in Nazi Germany. Friedrich’s life becomes a torment as his family is destroyed and he himself is forced into hiding, alone and in secrecy. In chronological episodes a young boy tells about the fate of his Jewish friend, Friedrich, in Nazi Germany. Friedrich’s life becomes a torment as his family is destroyed and he himself is forced into hiding, alone and in secrecy.
Frindle
When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a series of events that quickly move beyond his control.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The exciting experiences of Harry Potter are described as he goes from being an ordinary boy to being an unusual student at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Holes
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a correctional boot camp for a crime he did not commit.
Iqbal
When young Iqbal is sold into slavery at a carpet factory, his arrival changes everything for the other overworked and abused children there. It is Iqbal who explains to them that despite their master's promises, he plans on keeping them as his slaves indefinitely.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
This novel tells the tale of Karana, an Indian girl living on an island off the coast of California. As her tribe evacuates, she suddenly jumps off the ship when she realizes that her brother has been left behind.
Joey Pigza Loses Control
When Joey Pigza meets his dad, Carter, for the first time in years, he meets a grown-up version of his old hyperactive self.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Joey Pigza is out of control because he has attention deficit disorder (ADD). After injuring another student, Joey finally gets the right professional help and starts to regain control of his actions.
Masterminds
A group of kids living in a Pleasantville-type town connect to some of the greatest criminal masterminds of their time after discovering a dark secret.
Mud City
Parvana’s best friend, Shauzia, has escaped the misery of her life in Kabul, only to end up in a refugee camp in Pakistan.
Nelson Mandela
South Africa has become known as the home of the world’s most famous former political prisoner. A prisoner who emerged to become an internationally respected statesman.
Riding Freedom
Posing as a boy, Charley Parkhurst ran away from an orphanage in the mid-nineteenth century, moved to California as a stagecoach driver, and fooled everyone by her appearance.
The Circuit
These 12 poignant short stories about a family of migrant workers in the California fields are based on the author's own experiences. Each story describes the tenacity and courage of a family determined to build on its limited opportunities.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The adventurous journey of four English children is traced as they discover the magical land of Narnia behind an old wardrobe.
The Mighty Miss Malone
Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But it's 1936 and the Great Depression has hit Gary hard, and there are no jobs for black men.
The Phantom Tollbooth
Milo, a very bored boy, drives his toy car through a tollbooth that mysteriously appears in his bedroom and arrives in the Kingdom of Wisdom. There he learns the importance of words and numbers, patience and responsibility.
The View From Saturday
It was a surprise to a lot of people when Mrs. Olinski's team won the sixth-grade Academic Bowl contest at Epiphany Middle School. It was an even bigger surprise when they beat the seventh grade and the eighth grade, too.
Tuck Everlasting
The Tuck family have become ageless by drinking from a magic spring. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster and a greedy evil stranger discover their secret, the Tucks are determined to prevent a disaster.