Beautifully written story about girl whose father leaves her in his Kansas hometown for the summer so he can work on the railroad. As she gets to know the people of the town, she is drawn in to mysteries from the past and learns more about her father, whom she calls Gideon. Through it all she wonders, will Gideon return at the end of the summer?
Talk about a page turner: I finished this Newberry winner in a day! Nonstop action about a boy named Crispin in Medieval England who is falsely accused of theft and murder. He must hide as the whole region is trying to hunt him down. He eventually discovers he is the key to a dangerous secret. Crispin's faith in God and journey to figure out right from wrong, as well as his finding his own voice, are inspiring. This is the first book in a trilogy.
If you didn't make it this far in the Little House series, keep going! Harrowing story of how this family stays alive through blizzards, food shortage, and unimaginable cold. Sure to cool you even on the warmest spring day!
Sometimes I forget about tried-and-true books. If you haven't read this book, it is worth it (even revisiting it as an adult!). One of my favorite scenes is when Ramona and Beezus attempt to make dinner for their parents and the hilarious chaos that ensues. What a mess! The Quimbys work hard to make ends meet, and the ways they work together as a family are a great example for students.
The Graveyard Book (BL 5.1, 10 AR points)
Another Newberry winner by the author of Coraline about an orphaned boy named Bod who is raised by friendly ghosts.
