|
Nancy's picks for the best junior novels
of Winter 2004 - 2005. Compiled by Nancy Polette © 2004.
Last updated: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 |
-
Balliett, Blue. CHASING
VERMEER. Scholastic, 2004. Gr 5-7
-
A mystery romp that includes a
missing painting, an art scandal, the FBI and two young
people caught up in a crime
where no one is spared from suspicion. A fun read.
- Bath, K.P. THE SECRET OF
CASTLE CANT. Little Brown, 2004. Gr 4-6
-
An unforgettable heroine
portrayed in grand storytelling tradition. Will the maid, Lucy,
join the rebels or save the
castle where she works? A very good read with very original
characters.
- Beard, Darleen Bailey.
OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP. Farrar, 2004. Gr 4-6
-
When Corn's mother is secretly
put up for mayor and the women plan to make a clean sweep of male
candidates, Corn doesn't know what to do, especially since his
father is the
current mayor. A delightful
story of another time in history.
- Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker.
THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER. Delacorte, 2004. Gr 4-6
-
A colorful tale inspired by
the life of Ehtel Roosevelt, duahgter of President Theodore
Roosevelt.
- Buchanan, Jane. GOODBYE
CHARLIE. Farrar. 2004. Gr 4-6
-
World War II has a chaotic
effect on a family (a runaway boy and a father missing in action)
and a pet monkey who forever seems to be getting into trouble.
- Derby, Pat. AWAY TO THE GOLD
FIELDS. Farrar, 2004. Gr 4-6.
-
Molly and her greedy,
bad-tempered brother make the difficult journey to the gold fields
of California from New
Hampshire to find their father, traveling by ship, mule and dugout
canoe across Panama.
- Garfield, Henry. THE LOST
VOYAGE OF JOHN CABOT. Atheneum, 2004. Gr 5-8
-
What happened on John Cabot's
second voyage? Letters from a fourteen-year-old tell of a
fearsome storm and its aftermath. Exciting reading.
- Gray, Margaret. THE LOVESICK
SALESMAN. Henry Holt, 2004. Gr 4-6
-
Irwin wants to be a hero but
he doesn't do well in the Heroic Academy. He resigns himself to
selling candy until he meeets and falls in love with a princess.
But she wants to marry a hero!
- Horvath, Polly. THE PEPINS AND
THEIR PROBLEMS. Farrar, 2004. Gr 3-5
-
Whether its waking up to find
toads in their shoes or becoming trapped on the roof, the Pepins
get into very bizarre and humorous scrapes. Excellent example of
creative writing!
- Hughes, Pat. THE BREAKER BOYS.
Farrar, 2004. Gr 5-7
-
Natehad no friends until he
meets a poor boy who works in Nate's grandfather's mines.
Nate sees the awful living
conditions of the miners first hand, but grandpa is determined to
make no concessions on wages. Nate is torn between family loyalty
and doing the right thing.
Highly recommended.
- Kirk, Daniel. REX TABBY, CAT
DETECTIVE. Orchard Books, 2004. Gr 4-6.
-
Rex Tabby is after Ma Manx and
her family..a bunch of kitty criminals. A great
book for fantasy buffs and cat
lovers.
- Lawrence, Iain. B FOR BUSTER.
Delacorte Press, 2004. Gr 6-8
-
An underage boy who thinks
flying in WWII bombers will be a thrill finds out differently. How
can he let anyone know of his fear? A riveting war novel!
- Matthews, L.S. FISH. Delacorte
Press, 2004. Gr 5-8
-
A harrowing journey of a
displaced family and survival in an unforgiving world.
- Myers, Anna. HOGGEE. Walker,
2004. Gr 5-7
-
A young boy who drives mules
pulling the barges on the Erie Canal faces a tough winter and a
sad young girl who never speaks. Har to put down!
- O'Connor, Barbara. TAKING CARE
OF MOSES. Farrar, 2004. Gr 4-8.
-
Randall knows who left a baby on the church steps. Should he keep the secret or tell?
A feud breaks out in the town over who shoudl take are of the baby, Moses. Randall needs a plan!
- Paulsen, Gary. MOLLY MCGINTY
HAS A REALLY GOOD DAY. Wendy Lamb Books:
Random House, 2004. Gr 3-6
-
Before 9:00 a.m. Molly lost he
notebook, her homework, got a blcak eye and was late to class.
Imagine what will happen as the day goes on!
- Patneaude, David. THIN WOOD
WALLS. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.Gr 5-8
-
A Japanese American family is
interned in World War II and the young son turns to journal
writing for relief.
- Roberts, Willo Davis. BLOOD ON
HIS HANDS. Atheneum, 2004. Gr 5-7
-
Marc has done something bad
and is running from the cops. His only chance to clear himself is
to get to his father but he is not sure where his father is. A
good read!
- Sheth, Kashmira. BLUE JASMINE.
Hyperion, 2004. Gr 5-8.
-
A young girl from India is
transplanted to an Iowa town. She thinks her homesickness
will be cured when she has a
chance to return to India where she finally finds the true meaning
of 'home' A touching story.
- Shinn, Sharon. THE SAFE
KEEPER'S SECRET. Viking, 2004. Gr 6-8
-
Damiana shares the secrets of
the village and is asked to share a secret that will
change her life..a new born
baby.
- Springer, Nancy. WILD BOY.
Philomel, 2004. Gr 5-7
-
For years young Wolf has run
wild in Sherwood Forest. Now he has a chance to pay back the man
who killed his father, the Sheriff of Nottingham. A great addition
for Robin Hood fans.
- Weil, Sylvie. MY GUARDIAN
ANGEL. Arthur A. Levine Books (Scholastic) 2004. Gr 5-8
-
Twelve-year-old Elvina
experienes the persecution of the Jews in France in the year 1096.
She is forced to make a
difficult choice that could put her family at risk. Can her
Guardian Angel keep her safe?
-
|
|