Radio Rescue is a story of a young boy who worked hard to become an amateur radio operator. When he was twelve-years-old, his hard work paid off, because he found himself in the position of sending a message and saving a family trapped in a hurricane.

Radio Rescue

By Lynne Barasch

Ereth’s Birthdayby Avi

Feeling neglected when his friends ignore his birthday, Ereth, the grumpy porcupine, wanders away from home. Drawn by the scent of salt at a cabin, Ereth finds humans have set traps, one of which caught Leaper, a fox. She begs Ereth to tell her three kits of her death. The porcupine agrees, only to find helpless babes to whom he becomes a surrogate parent.

Edwina VictoriousBy Susan Bonners

Edwina is the name of both a young girl and her spunky 90-year-old great-grandaunt. The younger Edwina, known as Eddy, discovers letters written by her aunt to community leaders more than 40 years ago and is inspired to do some letter writing of her own.

Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman

By Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger

Bessie Coleman embarked on an adventure that most women of her era were not given a chance to explore, and certainly not an African-American woman. She became a great stunt pilot and inspired other African-Americans by saying "You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me."

The School StoryBy Andrew Clements

The publishing company where Hanna works wants more “school story” books. A school story is a book about what happens at school. Who knows more about school than someone who is there five days a week, nine months a year? Hanna’s 12-year-old daughter, Natalie begins to write

Love That DogBy Sharon Creech

Writing in his journal for a literature class, Jack begins, "I don't want to because boys don't write poetry. Girls do." But as his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, continues to present poems to the class. Jack not only begins to like poetry, he writes verses in his journal about his yellow dog, Sky.

The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian of Denmark

By Carmen Agra Deedy

The Star of David has been a symbol of pride and faith for Jewish families over the centuries. During World War II the Nazis forced Jews to wear the Star of David on their clothing at all times. King Christian was committed to keeping all Danes safe from harm and refused to let the yellow star segregate Danish Jews. Each morning King Christian rode alone on his horse throughout the streets of Copenhagen with a yellow star sewn on his finest clothing. After this, all Danes began to wear the yellow star, because they were one as a people. In the notes at the end of the book, the author takes care to distinguish fact from legend.

Spiders and Their Web SitesBy Margery Facklam

Spiders are fascinating animals and actually have much in common with those who create computer Web sites. A spider’s web is a communication center that must be built in the right place with materials that will not easily break. This book provides a close look at the characteristics and habits of twelve spiders and the daddy longlegs, which is sometimes mistaken for a spider.

The Year of Miss AgnesBy Kirkpatrick Hill

In 1948, Miss Agnes, a dedicated teacher, comes to teach in a one-room school in an Athabascan village in Alaska. Miss Agnes is different from all the other teachers because she did not mind the smell of fish, she wore pants, and she opened up a world that changed this community forever.

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

By Barbara Kerley

Can you believe nobody knew what a dinosaur looked like or even what a dinosaur was before artist Waterhouse Hawkins built life-size models during the mid 1850s? In England’s Crystal Palace, his dazzling dinosaurs stirred the imaginations of all who saw them – scientists, scholars and children. As more and more dinosaur fossils are discovered, many of Hawkins’ dinosaur models are shown to be inaccurate; however, his creativity and vision inspired many people to learn about dinosaurs.

The RaftBy Jim LaMarche

Nicky has to spend one summer vacation with his grandmother while his father works in the city. Nicky discovers that his grandmother is not typical.. He finds a talent for art as he draws pictures on the raft of what he sees. But, most importantly, he learns to love and respect his grandmother.

Dear WhiskersBy Ann Whitehead Nagda

The fourth-grade assignment given by Mrs. Steele is to write a letter to a second-grade pen pal. Writing the letter isn't difficult but pretending to be a mouse writing the letter is another matter.

The Graduation of Jake MoonBy Barbara Park

When Jake Moon is in 3rd grade, his grandfather, Skelly, develops Alzheimer's disease and life changes for

him. Eventually Jake realizes they are changing places, with Skelly becoming the kid and him the grown-up. As Jake matures and learns more about this disease that steals the minds of its victims, he becomes more sympathetic and resentment evolves into acceptance.

Esperanza RisingBy Pam Munoz Ryan

Esperanza Ortega was born into a life of wealth filled with servants, parties, and beautiful dresses. Then on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, Esperanza’s father is murdered, and she and her mother are forced to flee from Mexico to California. In California, they live and work in the migrant labor camps of the San Joaquin Valley where Esperanza learns to be true to the meaning of her name, Hope. This novel is based on the life of the author’s abuelita (grandmother).

The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic RingBy Ruth Sanderson

• A brave, young huntsman, a magical golden mare, and a lovely, clever princess outwit a jealous, greedy Tsar in this original story based on elements from several traditional Russian folktales

The Mysterious Matter of I. M. FineBy Diane Stanley

Franny and her friend Beamer are puzzled by strange events in their school. Together the two friends set out to find the mysterious author and uncover the secret behind the books. What they discover there reveals the answers to several mysteries and helps prevent a tragedy.

And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon

By Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

Everyone knows this story, but what happens when Dish and Spoon fail to return. Are they lost? Cat, Dog, and Cow set out to rescue their friends. They must rely on a map given to them by the Fork in the Middle of the Road. Along the way, the three friends meet many well-known characters.

Attack on Pearl Harbor: The True Story of the Day America Entered World War II

By Shelley Tanaka

The author replays Sunday, December 7, 1941, through the experiences of four young men each involved in a different way. The dramatic events unfold through the eyes of these four people and give the reader an understanding of the impact of this day in America’s history.

The Other SideBy Jacqueline Woodson

Clover, a black girl, and Annie, a white girl, do not understand why the fence separates the black side and the white side of their town. Both girls have been instructed by their mothers not to go on the other side of the fence. Annie entices Clover to come and sit on the fence so they can get to know one another. The barrier between races becomes a peaceful perch where a new friendship is created.

Cockroach CootiesBy Laurence Yep

Nine-year-old Teddy must confront the school bully when his younger brother, Bobby, incites Arnie's wrath. But, it is the younger brother who discovers Arnie's fear of insects and saves the older brother until a truce is declared.