Books written for fifth graders and younger but enjoyable for older readers, too.
The Landry News, by Andrew Clements (Middle Grades) In The Landry News, the main character, Cara Landry, starts a newspaper. It was called The Landry News, and it always had some kind of gossip or something hurtful in it – partly because Cara was angry that her father had left her and her mother. Cara’s teacher in fifth grade was Mr. Larsson. He too was an angry person. He didn’t teach, read various newspapers during class, and left the kids to teach themselves. Cara took that topic – of Mr. Larsson’s lack of teaching -- and put it in her own hurtful words in her paper. Mr. Larsson read the newspaper, became furious and the next week began to teach. Cara learned that a newspaper should tell the truth but have mercy. If you want to find out more about what happens to the newspaper, you should read The Landry News.
By Josh C.
STUART LITTLE, by E.B White (Fantasy) (Middle Grades and up)
Stuart Little, by E. B White, takes place in New York City. When the Littles went to the adoption agency they saw Stewart. Even though he was a mouse they fell in love with him. Mr. Little built some small contraptions so Stuart could use things inside the house. For Stuart’s clothes, his mom used some old doll clothes and for his hair an old doll brush. Every morning for Stuart was an adventure. Turning on the sink was the hardest part for Stuart.
Every Sunday, Stuart would go to the park and watch people race boats. When he saw a man with a wrecked boat, Stuart had an idea. He said to the man that he could steer the boat in the race. Even though he had such small hands he was still able to steer the boat. When the race was about to start a crowd formed around Stuart and the boat. The thought of a mouse steering the boat was amazing. During the race, another boat rammed Stuart’s. The boats stuck together and began sinking. You’ll have to read the book to find out what Stuart did next. Even though his life was difficult, he loved being small.
By Josh J.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, By Judy Blume (Middle Grades and Up) Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume is the first book of a series of five. The main character of the book is Peter Hatcher and he is in the fourth grade. Peter has a very nice life except for problems caused by Fudge who is his four-year-old brother. Sometimes it almost seems like Fudge is the main character because he adds so much interest to Peter’s life. Peter calls it irritation. One example of this is when Peter wins a turtle at a birthday party. Peter has fun with Dribble, Peter’s turtle, until Fudge gets obsessed with it. Fudge begs to hold the turtle all the time and he won’t eat until Peter gives him Dribble to hold. Another time, Peter told Fudge that if he jumped out of a tree, he would be able to fly. Of course, Fudge had to try and Peter got in trouble and was not allowed to go to Fudge’s birthday party. Then Fudge is chosen to be the new star for a juice commercial and Peter is jealous. Worst of all, Fudge eats Dribble and to find out what happened you should really read this book. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing held my interest because every chapter felt like a cliff-hanger. I wanted to keep reading, so I give this book four out of five stars. I took away one star because it should have been longer than 120 pages.
Amos E.
Children's Books
Books written for fifth graders and younger but enjoyable for older readers, too.
The Landry News, by Andrew Clements (Middle Grades)
In The Landry News, the main character, Cara Landry, starts a newspaper. It was called The Landry News, and it always had some kind of gossip or something hurtful in it – partly because Cara was angry that her father had left her and her mother. Cara’s teacher in fifth grade was Mr. Larsson. He too was an angry person. He didn’t teach, read various newspapers during class, and left the kids to teach themselves. Cara took that topic – of Mr. Larsson’s lack of teaching -- and put it in her own hurtful words in her paper. Mr. Larsson read the newspaper, became furious and the next week began to teach. Cara learned that a newspaper should tell the truth but have mercy. If you want to find out more about what happens to the newspaper, you should read The Landry News.
By Josh C.
STUART LITTLE, by E.B White (Fantasy) (Middle Grades and up)
Stuart Little, by E. B White, takes place in New York City. When the Littles went to the adoption agency they saw Stewart. Even though he was a mouse they fell in love with him. Mr. Little built some small contraptions so Stuart could use things inside the house. For Stuart’s clothes, his mom used some old doll clothes and for his hair an old doll brush. Every morning for Stuart was an adventure. Turning on the sink was the hardest part for Stuart.
Every Sunday, Stuart would go to the park and watch people race boats. When he saw a man with a wrecked boat, Stuart had an idea. He said to the man that he could steer the boat in the race. Even though he had such small hands he was still able to steer the boat. When the race was about to start a crowd formed around Stuart and the boat. The thought of a mouse steering the boat was amazing. During the race, another boat rammed Stuart’s. The boats stuck together and began sinking. You’ll have to read the book to find out what Stuart did next. Even though his life was difficult, he loved being small.
By Josh J.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, By Judy Blume (Middle Grades and Up)
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume is the first book of a series of five. The main character of the book is Peter Hatcher and he is in the fourth grade. Peter has a very nice life except for problems caused by Fudge who is his four-year-old brother. Sometimes it almost seems like Fudge is the main character because he adds so much interest to Peter’s life. Peter calls it irritation. One example of this is when Peter wins a turtle at a birthday party. Peter has fun with Dribble, Peter’s turtle, until Fudge gets obsessed with it. Fudge begs to hold the turtle all the time and he won’t eat until Peter gives him Dribble to hold. Another time, Peter told Fudge that if he jumped out of a tree, he would be able to fly. Of course, Fudge had to try and Peter got in trouble and was not allowed to go to Fudge’s birthday party. Then Fudge is chosen to be the new star for a juice commercial and Peter is jealous. Worst of all, Fudge eats Dribble and to find out what happened you should really read this book. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing held my interest because every chapter felt like a cliff-hanger. I wanted to keep reading, so I give this book four out of five stars. I took away one star because it should have been longer than 120 pages.
Amos E.