Firegirl by Tony Abbott
A new student named Jessica shows up at Tom's school. Everyone is scared of her because she was severely burnt and her face is disfigured. I like this novel because Tom feels like a real person- what he is thinking about Jessica and how he reacts to her seems so realistic.Auggie & Me by R.J. Palacio
Three Wonder Stories are included in this book. I recommend reading it after Wonder, which is an awesome book centered on Auggie Pullman, a young made with facial differences. This time, we learn more about Julian, the main antagonist in Wonder. Wow, his background story is interesting. I loved the background we found out about his French grandmother. Next we learn about Christopher, Auggie's oldest friend. Lastly, Charlotte's story is brought up. She was one of the students chosen to be Auggie's friend when he first came to Beecher Prep. All the characters are very realistic and none of them are perfectly good or bad. These stories represent 3 different books with 3 different AR tests. The reading levels range from 4.2 to 4.7.Bunnicula, A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah & James Howe
Bunnicula is a book that has stuck with me since elementary school. I always remembed this little rabbit who would suck the juices out of vegetables. Imagine a white carrot or piece of lettuce. Creepy, huh? That's what the two other animals who lived with Bunnicula think. Chester the cat decides to figure out if Bunnicula is actually a vampire bunny and a threat to society. Harold the dog is less worried and thinks Bunnicula is harmless.The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Despereaux is a teeny tiny mouse who acts more like a human than a rodent. He is even able to read and learns all about noble knights in fairy tales. Despereaux falls in love with the princess of his castle and he sets out to win her honor. Despereaux is absolutely adorable and he meets many interesting characters along his journey, including a scheming rat and an ignorant serving maid. I have read this book to students for over a decade and I fall in love with it all over again, each and every year.Jake & Lilly by Jerry Spinelli
Jake and Lilly are twins who have been best friends for years. They even share a special sense they call "goombla." Now that they aren't little kids anymore, Jake starts to hang out with boys his age. Lily is left all alone and she doesn't take it well. Many things happen along the way before the twins realize their relationship is important, but also so is being an individual.Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Amal Unbound tells the story of growing up a girl in Pakistan. Being a girl automatically means you don't get to do the same things that boys do. Amal loves school and hopes to go far in life. That all changes when she upsets the local ruler of her town. He forces her to become a servant at his home. Amal is stubborn, though, and doesn't give up when this happens.BFG by Roald Dahl
Flora is a cynical young girl who happens upon a squirrel with magical powers (Ulysses).
AR#160221
Reading Level= 4.3
Ravani Foster feels alone in his small town. He has no friends and he is an only child. When a family of children move into the abandoned house next door, in the dark of night, Ravani can't believe his eyes. The "midnight children" will change his life forever and show him what a true friend is.
AR# 517795
Reading Level= 4.3