Book List
Maniac Magee
by Jerry Spinelli
When Jeffrey Lionel Magee wanders into Two Mills, Pennsylvania, a legend is in the making. Before too
long, stories begin to circulate about how fast and how far he can run and about feats so incredible they
earn him the nickname "Maniac."
The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (illus.)
This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year old who comes home to find a large toy
tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the
tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish yet lovable
Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the
"impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom. Along his journey, Milo
learns the importance of words and numbers -- and learns to appreciate life.
The Wish Giver, Three Tales of Coven Tree
by Bill Brittain, Andrew Glass (illus.)
The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name comes from a gnarled
old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now, imps and fiends continue to appear,
frightening the townfolk with their devilish pranks. Usually these creatures are easy to spot. They have a
particular smell, sound, or way of moving that betrays their dark nature. But Thaddeus Blinn showed none
of these signs when he came to Coven Tree. He was just a funny little man who drifted into town with a
strange tale about being able to give people whatever they wished -- for only 50 cents. There was nothing
scary about him. At least, not until the wishing began....
Wringer
by Jerry Spinelli
As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual
Pigeon Day or find the courage to oppose it.
Words of Stone
by Kevin Henkes
While exploring the countryside outside of his home, 10-year-old Blaze Werla spots a devastating
message on the side of a hill. Ultimately, Blaze's summer takes a turn toward mystery and adventure
when he meets the boisterous and irresistible Joselle.
Everything on A Waffle
By Polly Horvath
A Miss Turrell Must! This book has everything-laughter, drama, mystery---you will love the tale of this
quirky town and the young girl who inhabits it.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konigsburg
The enchanting story of the unappreciated Claudia Kincaid, "boring straight-A Claudia" (oldest child and
only girl and almost too old for half-fare tickets), who runs away with her little brother Jamie to live in the
Metropolitan Museum, FILES is a sentimental favorite with a remarkable heroine. Crammed with
fascinating details -- strategies for hiding in a museum, techniques for bathing in a fountain, the smell of a
16th-century bed (musty), and tantalizing peeks at the Met and its treasures -- it's a grand adventure.
More important, FILES is the story of Claudia's quest to define herself. In the fulfillment of that quest, her
own resourcefulness is bolstered by a statue that may or may not be by Michelangelo; a brother who
proves to be a fabulous ally; and the wise, prickly Mrs. Frankweiler herself.
Holes
by Louis Sachar
As further evidence of his family's bad fortune, which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative,
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish boys' juvenile detention center in the Texas desert. As punishment, the
boys here must each dig a hole every day, five feet deep and five feet across. Ultimately, Stanley "digs up
the truth" -- and through his experience, finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.
HOLES is a wildly inventive, darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment -- and redemption.
Matilda---or any book by Roald Dahl
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illus.)
Matilda Wormwood started reading books at the age of four, but her crooked father and bingo-playing
mother regard book reading as a waste of time -- and much prefer watching TV. In fact, they take no
notice of their genius daughter at all! Only Miss Honey, Matilda's lovely and gentle teacher, recognizes
her special gifts. Yet Miss Honey has problems of her own: Her aunt is the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull, an
evil headmistress who bullies children and parents alike -- and has taken Miss Honey's house and
money. Can Matilda use her extraordinary talents to seek revenge -- and make all of the wrong-doing
grown-ups pay? Also recommended: James and the Giant Peach.
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her country roots and the "Indian-ness in her blood,"
travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. Along the way, she tells of the story of
Phoebe Winterbottom, who received mysterious messages, who met a "potential lunatic," and whose
mother disappeared. Beneath Phoebe's story is Salamanca's own story and that of her mother, who left
one April morning for Idaho, promising to return before the tulips bloomed. Sal's mother has not, however,
returned, and the trip to Idaho takes on a growing urgency as Salamanca hopes to get to Idaho in time for
her mother's birthday and bring her back, despite her father's warning that she is fishing in the air. This
richly layered Newbery Medal-winning novel is in turn funny, mysterious, and touching.
Wait Till Helen Comes, A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
Molly and Michael dislike their spooky new stepsister Heather but realize that they must try to save her
when she seems ready to follow a ghost child to her doom.
The Indian in the Cupboard
by Lynne Reid Banks, Brock Cole (illus.)
The first book in this bestselling series begins with young Omri receiving an old family wooden medicine
cupboard as a birthday gift. Given to him by his mother in order to house his plastic toy soldiers, the
cupboard has a magical power: It can bring Omri's toys to life. When his toy Indian comes alive and
befriends him, Omri finds himself involved in all kinds of adventure and excitement.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O'Brien, Zena Bernstein (illus.)
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move
her family to their summer quarters immediately or face almost certain death. But her youngest son,
Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an
extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma.
And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.
Witch Hunt
By Scott Corbett
Sixteen-year-old Les and his best friend get involved in a murder case when they stumble across a coven
of witches plotting revenge against a troublesome lawyer.
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters,
Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
By Birdsall
The Penderwicks, four sisters,their father and a dog named Hound, arrive at their
summer vacation home expecting to find a run-down cabin not the fine cottage on
the Arundel Estate. The four sisters soon set out on adventures through the
gardens and statues. Their best discovery is Jeffrey, the son of the stuffy Mrs.
Tifton, who doesn't think Jeffrey should be talking with the girls.
Blackwood * Shakespeare's Spy
Someone is stealing scripts of Shakespeare's latest play! Widge, being a
former thief is a suspect. The only way for him to prove his innocence is to
volunteer to spy for his theatre troop, The Lord Chamberlain's Men.
Stewart The Mysterious Benedict Society
Because four children, Stinky, Reynie, Kate and Constance, pass
several tests, they are given the opportunity to meet Mr.
Benedict. Their mission is to save the world. Calling themselves
the Mysterious Benedict Society, the children enter the Learning
Institute for the Very Enlightened to foil an attempt to
brainwash the world.
THE WILLOUGHBYS
By Lois Lowry
"I have a plan," Mr. Willoughby said, putting his paper down. He stroked one eyebrow in a satisfied way.
"It’s thoroughly despicable."
"Lovely," said his wife. "A plan for what?"
"To rid us of the children."
Little do Mr. And Mrs. Willoughby know that while they are trying to rid themselves of their children, the
children—four of them—are trying to rid themselves of their terrible parents.
This is a humorous book, of course, and no one is recommending that real children do away with their
parents. (Unless, of course—heh heh—their parents are as outrageously awful as Mr. And Mrs.
Willoughby!)
The Anastastic Krupnick Series
By Lois Lowry
( I really liked these when I was your age)
All the Judy Blume books are good, as well.