Oprah.com has what I think is a great selection of titles for kids 10-12. I plan to use this list as my recommended summer reading for rising 5th graders. I like that there are books for both boys and girls, as well as a selection of genres from poetry to non-fiction. My kids will love seeing Jabberwocky updated to our time, after reading it in class. Unfortunately, the latest Wimpy Kid installment won't be released until the fall, so I had to be sure not to include it on my list. I know that would be the first choice of 90% of my students - girls and boys alike!
Edward’s Eyes by Patricia MacLachlan
Edward’s eyes and his self-taught ability to throw the perfect knuckleball are part of what make him extra special in an already large and loving family. The connection he shared with his siblings continues after his untimely death through a well-matched organ donation recipient.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2007. ISBN: 9781416927433
Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac; illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
Baron knows that the “Bearwalker” is a half-human, half-animal beast that appears in tales told by his Mohawk people. When a school camping trip goes wrong, however, he finds himself facing a real, live monster who is just as deadly and dangerous as the creature from the legend.
HarperCollins, 2007. ISBN 9780061123092
Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll; illustrated by Chistopher Myers
The classic nonsense poem at last makes sense when brilliantly illustrated as an urban playground one-on-one basketball game where intimidating size meets quickness and skill.
Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2007. ISBN: 9781423103721
Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills by Julie Cummins; illustrated by Cheryl Harness
What were women doing between 1880 and 1929? These 14 fascinating women were performing death-defying feats such as walking on the wings of airplanes, taming tigers, diving 60 feet into a tank of water on horseback and more.
Dutton, 2008. ISBN:9780525479482
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
When Ted’s cousin, Salim, disappears while riding the London Eye, it’s up to Ted and his sister, Kat, to figure out what has happened. Ted comes up with many interesting theories because, as he states, his brain operates on a different system (he has been diagnosed as having a “syndrome”). Will one of these theories solve the mystery?
David Fickling, 2008. ISBN: 9780375849763
Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier
Brendan has a notebook full of questions, and he hopes to find all the answers during his summer vacation. Then, he meets the grandfather he never knew about, and new questions need to be answered: Does his grandpa want him around? And, if not, does it have anything to do with the color of Brendan’s skin?
Delacorte, 2007. ISBN 9780385734394
Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke
The daughter of two magicians, Igraine wants to be a knight. When their castle is attacked by a treacherous neighbor, Igraine proves her bravery.
Scholastic 2007. ISBN: 9780439903790
Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata
A German shepherd must leave his boy to joins a military canine unit stationed in wartime Vietnam. His new job: using his acute sense of smell to sniff out deadly booby traps. A first-rate tale for readers who like animals and adventure.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2007. ISBN 9781416906377
Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
Greg and his best friend, Rowley, adjust to middle school, where they are undersized weaklings. When Rowley grows more popular, Greg kicks off a chain of events that tests their friendship.
Abrams/Amulet, c2007. ISBN: 9780810993136
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Mibs can’t wait for her 13th birthday; in her family, that’s when one’s “savvy” or extraordinary talent appears. When her father is terribly injured just prior to her birthday, she is certain that her savvy can save him and embarks upon an odyssey full of quirky characters and colorful events.
Dial, 2008. ISBN: 9780803733060
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Orphans, neglectful parents, a baby on the doorstep and a lonely billionaire are some classic themes in children’s literature that receive a humorous twist in this delightful, slim volume.
Houghton/Walter Lorraine, 2008. ISBN: 9780618979745
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
From 1920 to 1945, some of the roughest, fastest and most amazing baseball games took place in the Negro Leagues. Magnificent paintings and fascinating anecdotes introduce Rube Foster, Oscar Charleston and many other unsung heroes of the sport.
Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008. ISBN: 9780786808328
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Maggie knows everything there is to know about the sport of baseball and her favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. She makes friends with a firefighter who shares her interest (even though he’s a Giants fan), but their relationship changes when he is shipped off to fight in the Korean War.
Clarion, 2008. ISBN 9780618927999
Billy Creekmore: A Novel by Tracey Porter
In 1905, 10-year-old Billy, storyteller extraordinaire, is rescued from an orphanage by his aunt and uncle. His life continues to take on many twists and turns, from the West Virginia mines to the circus, and he discovers much about himself along the way in this fast-paced, Dickensian-style novel.
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2007. ISBN: 9780060775704
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Quirky Emma-Jean loves to observe her fellow seventh graders’ behavior from afar. When she decides to help a few classmates with their problems, tension and humor ensues.
Dial, 2007. ISBN: 9780803731646
Nurk: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhat) Brave Shrew by Ursula Vernon
In this animal fantasy, Nurk, a shrew who likes clean socks, sets out hoping (sort of) for adventure. Inspired by his famous and heroic grandmother, he paddles down a stream in a boat he made from a snail shell. He rescues a dragonfly princess from the stream and becomes a reluctant hero who is happy to return to his quiet life at home.
Harcourt, 2008. ISBN: 9780152063757
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Frannie can see that the new boy in school doesn’t fit in. His skin color is different, and everyone calls him “Jesus Boy,” but something about him fills her with curiosity, sympathy and a surprising feeling of hope.
Putnam, 2007. ISBN 9780399239892
Edward’s eyes and his self-taught ability to throw the perfect knuckleball are part of what make him extra special in an already large and loving family. The connection he shared with his siblings continues after his untimely death through a well-matched organ donation recipient.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2007. ISBN: 9781416927433
Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac; illustrated by Sally Wern Comport
Baron knows that the “Bearwalker” is a half-human, half-animal beast that appears in tales told by his Mohawk people. When a school camping trip goes wrong, however, he finds himself facing a real, live monster who is just as deadly and dangerous as the creature from the legend.
HarperCollins, 2007. ISBN 9780061123092
Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll; illustrated by Chistopher Myers
The classic nonsense poem at last makes sense when brilliantly illustrated as an urban playground one-on-one basketball game where intimidating size meets quickness and skill.
Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2007. ISBN: 9781423103721
Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills by Julie Cummins; illustrated by Cheryl Harness
What were women doing between 1880 and 1929? These 14 fascinating women were performing death-defying feats such as walking on the wings of airplanes, taming tigers, diving 60 feet into a tank of water on horseback and more.
Dutton, 2008. ISBN:9780525479482
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
When Ted’s cousin, Salim, disappears while riding the London Eye, it’s up to Ted and his sister, Kat, to figure out what has happened. Ted comes up with many interesting theories because, as he states, his brain operates on a different system (he has been diagnosed as having a “syndrome”). Will one of these theories solve the mystery?
David Fickling, 2008. ISBN: 9780375849763
Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in It by Sundee T. Frazier
Brendan has a notebook full of questions, and he hopes to find all the answers during his summer vacation. Then, he meets the grandfather he never knew about, and new questions need to be answered: Does his grandpa want him around? And, if not, does it have anything to do with the color of Brendan’s skin?
Delacorte, 2007. ISBN 9780385734394
Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke
The daughter of two magicians, Igraine wants to be a knight. When their castle is attacked by a treacherous neighbor, Igraine proves her bravery.
Scholastic 2007. ISBN: 9780439903790
Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata
A German shepherd must leave his boy to joins a military canine unit stationed in wartime Vietnam. His new job: using his acute sense of smell to sniff out deadly booby traps. A first-rate tale for readers who like animals and adventure.
Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, 2007. ISBN 9781416906377
Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
Greg and his best friend, Rowley, adjust to middle school, where they are undersized weaklings. When Rowley grows more popular, Greg kicks off a chain of events that tests their friendship.
Abrams/Amulet, c2007. ISBN: 9780810993136
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Mibs can’t wait for her 13th birthday; in her family, that’s when one’s “savvy” or extraordinary talent appears. When her father is terribly injured just prior to her birthday, she is certain that her savvy can save him and embarks upon an odyssey full of quirky characters and colorful events.
Dial, 2008. ISBN: 9780803733060
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Orphans, neglectful parents, a baby on the doorstep and a lonely billionaire are some classic themes in children’s literature that receive a humorous twist in this delightful, slim volume.
Houghton/Walter Lorraine, 2008. ISBN: 9780618979745
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
From 1920 to 1945, some of the roughest, fastest and most amazing baseball games took place in the Negro Leagues. Magnificent paintings and fascinating anecdotes introduce Rube Foster, Oscar Charleston and many other unsung heroes of the sport.
Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008. ISBN: 9780786808328
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Maggie knows everything there is to know about the sport of baseball and her favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. She makes friends with a firefighter who shares her interest (even though he’s a Giants fan), but their relationship changes when he is shipped off to fight in the Korean War.
Clarion, 2008. ISBN 9780618927999
Billy Creekmore: A Novel by Tracey Porter
In 1905, 10-year-old Billy, storyteller extraordinaire, is rescued from an orphanage by his aunt and uncle. His life continues to take on many twists and turns, from the West Virginia mines to the circus, and he discovers much about himself along the way in this fast-paced, Dickensian-style novel.
HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler, 2007. ISBN: 9780060775704
Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis
Quirky Emma-Jean loves to observe her fellow seventh graders’ behavior from afar. When she decides to help a few classmates with their problems, tension and humor ensues.
Dial, 2007. ISBN: 9780803731646
Nurk: The Strange, Surprising Adventures of a (Somewhat) Brave Shrew by Ursula Vernon
In this animal fantasy, Nurk, a shrew who likes clean socks, sets out hoping (sort of) for adventure. Inspired by his famous and heroic grandmother, he paddles down a stream in a boat he made from a snail shell. He rescues a dragonfly princess from the stream and becomes a reluctant hero who is happy to return to his quiet life at home.
Harcourt, 2008. ISBN: 9780152063757
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Frannie can see that the new boy in school doesn’t fit in. His skin color is different, and everyone calls him “Jesus Boy,” but something about him fills her with curiosity, sympathy and a surprising feeling of hope.
Putnam, 2007. ISBN 9780399239892
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