See the slide show here. All images from TitlePeek, through our library catalog.
Here are a few of the books that I will present tomorrow. I hope our grade 5 students will recommend their favorites as well.
Realistic fiction - Scholastic Press, 2006
Newbery Honor, 2007
12-year-old Catherine has an autistic brother. He loves rules and videos, but doesn't like loud noises or anything wet on his body. He is a source of annoyance and embarrassment to Catherine, who wishes she had a normal family. She would love to have a friend in the neighborhood, but when a new girl moves in next door, she isn't quite what Catherine expects. In the meantime, she meets Jason, a disabled 12-year-old who cannot talk and communicates through cards, and against her expectations becomes friends with him. Themes of friendship, family and perceptions of disability.
Realistic fiction, novel in verse - Joanna Cotler Books, 2004
Love that book. It's a wonderful novel in verse about a boy who doesn't think he likes poetry and who thinks he certainly can write poetry, but turns out to have a fine poetic voice. His poems are addressed to his teacher and little by little we learn more about him and the dog he loves. The ending is sad but this will endear the book even more to its readers. Themes of love, pets, and belief in one's abilities. The sequel Hate that Cat is perhaps even better, but I have a soft spot for dogs so I like this first one better.
Fantasy - Greenwillow Books, 1986
Newbery Award, 1987
It is illegal to hit a prince, so Prince Brat has a whipping boy to take his punishment. Prince Brat is well named by his people. He's thoroughly spoiled. When he gets in his head to run away because he's bored, he demands his whipping boy comes with him. The adventures that follow are pure slapstick, with incompetent highwaymen and dancing bears, but in the end, the prince becomes wiser. The story is enjoyable and the character development is obvious, making it a good title for this unit.
Historical fiction - Clarion Books, 2001
Newbery Award, 2002
Wonderful historical fiction novel set in Korea in the 12th century. The protagonist, Tree Ear, is a homeless orphan who lives under a bridge with an older crippled man. Their village is home to many master potters, who made precious objects of celadon clay. Tree Ear is fascinated by the process and manages to get himself hired by Master Min, who is as talented as he is grumpy. Tree Ear's life as an apprentice is hard and uncertain, but he proves himself time and again. This novel offers opportunities for lots of discussion on the customs of 12th century Korea and celadon pottery, the plight of orphans, and the ethical questions that Tree Ear poses to his crippled guardian.
Note to CAC community: Sign in to the library catalog using your single sign on username and password, and then click on any of these titles. You will be taken to the record for each book where you can place a hold on the title. Here is a fuller list of books that fit with this grade 5 unit.
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