Did you know that we have book lists for kids in our catalog? And that our children’s librarians have been hard at work, revamping them? No? Well today we’ll take a look at Broadview Librarian Louisa’s list: Books for Fourth and Fifth Graders. Here are her top five picks from the list and some insight into why these were her favorites.
Wonder by R. J. Palacio: Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman has it rough. Born with a profound facial disfigurement that has required many surgeries and homeschooling, he now must start fifth grade.
Louisa says: I loved Auggie and I also loved how the novel tackled the perspectives of the people closest to him in order to accurately explore not just what it’s actually like to live as a special needs child, but what’s it’s like to be his sister, his friend etc.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier: So, Callie like loves musicals but truth, she can’t sing to save her life. So, she’s the set designer for her middle school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi instead. Sweet.
Louisa says: Hilarious and silly but poignant in a real way that kids can really relate to. Every kid I’ve given it to has told me that they LOVED it! And it’s about musicals and I love musicals.
The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine: Marlee is shy—that is until she meets the outspoken new girl, Liz. But then one day Liz is not in school and there are horrible rumors about who she really is.
Louisa says: I loved how this is historical fiction for kids who might not be that into history, since the friendship between Marlee and Liz takes center stage. I also loved how this was a novel that talked about hard issues without it being an “issue” novel. It’s basically the story of girls growing up who just happen to be living in a particularly difficult historical moment.
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead: Georges is not happy. His dad lost his job and his mom works all the time. Things are not good for Georges until he receives an invitation to join his new neighbor’s secret spy club.
Louisa says: This was my favorite kid book that came out last year. Primarily because it is a novel without gender: it isn’t about boys and girls. It’s just about kids, which is sometimes hard to find. And it’s also just cool and kind of transcends age. I’ve given it to grown-ups and kids as young as eight and they get it.
33 Minutes by Todd Hasak-Lowy: Sam Lewis doesn’t know why his best friend Morgan Sturtz barely wants to hang out with him but he does know Morgan is going to “kick his butt” in exactly 33 minutes.
Louisa says: I loved how this book portrays middle school so accurately that as a grown-up reading it you feel kind of anxious and even sick. It is just so real and heart-breaking and the ending is awesome and kind of perfect.
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