Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen. From his 1776 Pennsylvania homestead,
thirteen-year-old Samuel, who is a highly-skilled woodsman, spends his days in
the ...
Novel for 4th graders during 2013-2014
Shredderman by Wendelin Van Draanen
Nolan Byrd goes from being the number one nerd at Cedar Valley Elementary to a world famous superhero. It started with a little idea — a way to fight for truth and justice that wouldn't get him pounded by the number one bully at his school — Bubba Bixby. Nolan's mom tells him that every school has its own version of Bubba. The guy who likes to beat money or snacks or answers out of kids. Some guy who intimidates kids — makes them feel small. And scared. Like there's no way any kids can win. That's how Bubba Bixby made a lot of kids feel. That is, until Nolan decided to use his number one weapon: his brains. And boy, did he ever get back at Bubba! POW! KA-BAM! SMACK! All without laying a finger on him! If you want to find out how, read the Shredderman books, starting with Secret Identity. You won't believe all the action! When Nolan strapped on the Shredderman mask, life became — Ta-Da — an adventure! Paperback $6.99 (Barnes & Noble); $6.29 (Amazon) Nook/Kindle $6.99
Novel for 5th graders during 2013-2014 Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen From his 1776 Pennsylvania homestead, thirteen-year-old Samuel, who is a highly-skilled woodsman, spends his days in the forest, hunting for food for his family. He has grown up on the frontier of a British colony, America, far from any town or news of the war against the King that American patriots have begun near Boston. But the war comes to them. British soldiers and Iroquois attack. Samuel's parents are taken away, prisoners. Samuel follows, hiding, moving silently, determined to find a way to rescue them. Each day he confronts the enemy, and the tragedy and horror of this war. But he also discovers allies, men and women working secretly for the patriot cause. And he learns that he must go deep into enemy territory to find his parents: all the way to the British headquarters, New York City. Paperback: $7.99 (Barnes & Noble and Amazon) Nook/Kindle: $7.99
Novel for 6th graders during 2013-2014
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
Set in a small town in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this powerful, moving novel deals with issues of prejudice, courage, and self-respect. It is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. It is also the story of Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers over the course of an important year why having land of their own is so crucial to her family. The racial tension and harrowing events experienced by young Cassie, her family, and her neighbors cause Cassie to grow up and discover the reality of her environment. Paperback: $7.99 ( Barnes & Noble and Amazon) ** Not available in Nook/Kindle
Novel for 7th & 8th graders during 2013-2014
Crossing The Wire by Will Hobbs
When falling crop prices threaten his family with starvation, fifteen–year–old Victor Flores heads north in a desperate attempt to "cross the wire" from Mexico into the United States so he can find work and send money home. But with no "coyote money" to pay the smugglers who sneak illegal workers across the border, Victor must struggle to survive as he jumps trains, stows away on trucks, and hikes grueling miles through the Arizona desert. Victor's journey is fraught with danger, as he faces freezing cold, scorching heat, hunger, and dead ends. It's a gauntlet run by millions attempting to cross the border. Through Victor's often desperate struggle, Will Hobbs brings to life one of the great human dramas of our time.
Paperback: $6.99 (Barnes & Noble and Amazon) Nook & Kindle: $4.99
