Books written for Grades 5-8 (Ages 10 – 13 years)

Title: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day Author: John David Anderson Publisher: Walden Pond Press ISBN:  9780062338174 Audience: Ages 8-12 Summary:  In the taxonomy of teachers devised by the sixth-grade protagonists of this novel, Ms. Bixby is one of the rare “Good Ones,” the kind that make...

Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey Author: Margaret Ruurs. Translator: Falah Raheem Illustrator: Nizar Ali Badr Publisher: Orca Book Publishers Publication Date: October 18, 2016 ISBN: 978-1459814905 Audience: 5 years and up Summary: Rama heard the rooster crow...

Title: The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog Author: Adam Gidwitz Illustrator: Hatem Aly Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers Publication Date: September 27, 2016 ISBN: 978-0525426165 8 Audience: Ages 10 – 14 (Up and beyond is more...

Title: The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy , Unlikely Hero Author: Patricia McCormick Publisher: Balzer + Bray Publication Date: September 13, 2016 ISBN: 978-0062411082 Audience: Ages 8 – 13 Summary: The Gestapo arrived and Dietrich Bonhoeffer arranged...

Title: Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter Author: Laura Alary Illustrator: Ann Boyajian Publisher: Paraclete Press Publication Date: 2016 ISBN: 978-1612616599 Audience: Ages 8-12 Summary:  This book creates a wonderful space for elementary children to understand the...

Title: Wolf Hollow Author: Lauren Wolk Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers Publication Date: May 3, 2016 ISBN: 978-1101994825 Audience: Ages 10 and up Summary:  In a rural Pennsylvania community, 11- year -old Annabelle McBride walks a path to school through Wolf Hollow, a...

Title: Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus Author:  John Hendrix Illustrator: John Hendrix Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers ISBN:  9781419718991 Audience:  5 and up Summary: Author/illustrator John Hendrix creates a biography of Jesus through the retelling of a series of his...

Title: Not in Room 204 Author: Sharon Riggs Illustrator: Jaime Zollars Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN#:978-0-8075-5764-8 Audience: Ages 9 and up Summary:  Mrs. Salvador states, explains, and enforces many different kinds of rules in room 204. When Mrs. Salvador...

Title: Pax Author:  Sara Pennypacker Illustrator: Jon Klassen Publisher: Balzer + Bray ISBN:  9780062377012 Audience:  Ages 10-14 (but those with particularly tender hearts should be aware that this is a powerful story) Summary: Despite the endearing picture of a red fox on its...