AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
39 Clues By various authors. (Series)
Amy and her brother Dan go on a quest to find the secrets behind their family’s
immense power. Can they do it?
A Tale Dark and Grimm. By Adam Gidwitz.
Adam Gidwitz visited AOSR this past spring and wowed the students with his
incredible retelling of the Grimms brothers fairy tales. You may think you know
these stories, but you probably only know the candy-coated versions. Watch out for
his new book coming out this fall.
All-Of-A-Kind-Family. By Sydney Taylor.
Set in New York City’s Lower East Side at the turn of the century, this is the
story of five young Jewish sisters’ daily lives and adventures.
American Born Chinese. By Gene Luen Yang. (Graphic novel)
Three plot-lines are interwoven in this tale: a lonely Asian American middle school
student, teenage boy who is ashamed of his Chinese cousin, and the Monkey King,
a Chinese folk hero.
Artemis Fowl. By Eoin Colfer. (Series)
This popular action-packed series is about a millionaire boy who also happens to be
a criminal mastermind and his magical yet dangerous adventures.
Beyonders. By Brandon Mull. (Series)
After wishing his life was more exciting, Jason Walker suddenly finds himself in
another world called Lyrian. The emperor of Lyrian is not open to human visitors.
Poor Jason, and another human girl, Rachel must find their way home and save the
world.
The Borrowers. By Mary Norton.
A delightful story about a miniature family, the Clocks, who live beneath the floor
of a regular family. The Clocks get by, “borrowing” things from the people upstairs
without them knowing. All is well until Pod is discovered by the human boy! Will
they be safe?
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
The Children of the Lamp. By P.B. Kerr (Series)
Twelve-year-old twin djinns travel around the world on eventful and dangerous
quests. Will they survive?
Copper. By Kazu Kibuishi. (Graphic novel)
A boy and his dog try to find their places in the world in this rather
philosophical tale. They have a knack for getting into peculiar situations and
have to find ways out of jams.
Crow. By Barbara Wright.
11-year-old Moses is having a yo-yo of a summer; as it is filled with ups and downs.
Set in 1898, Moses is busy teaching his grandmother, a former slave how to read and
is learning about her past (something she had never spoken about before.) He and his
best friend are growing apart and political changes are underway.
The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. By Barbara O’Connor.
After hearing the clunk of something heavy falling off a passing train, Owen decides
to investigate it and discovers something incredible! A delicious adventure tale of
neighborhood kids and a giant secret.
Gifts From the Gods: Ancient Words and Wisdom from Greek and Roman
Mythology. By Lise Lunge-Larsen. (Mythology)
If you love myths and/or language, this book is for you. Exceptional illustrations.
Guardians of Ga’hoole. By Kathryn Lasky. (Series)
One wild ride of an adventure starring owls. Good versus Evil.
Inside Out and Back Again. By Thanhha Lai.
Written in verse, follow Ha and her family as they flee to the South of the United States
from Vietnam.
The Junkyard Wars. By Patricia Polacco.
Based on a real-life experience, young Trisha is upset when she discovers that her class
in her new school is referred to as “the junkyard”. This uplifting story features a group
of misfit students and their determined teacher on a journey to find the true meaning of
genius.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
Justin Case. School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters. By Rachel Vail.
Talk about a worrywart: Justin worries about everything! Read about Justin’s hopes,
dreams, embarrassments, and worries in his journal. Cute illustrations and drama.
Knights of the Lunch Table. By Frank Cammuso. (Graphic novel series)
This cute series, loosely based on the King Arthur legend, is about a boy who is
miserable in middle school.
The Lemonade War. By Jacqueline Davies. (Series)
Evan Treski and his sister decide to split their lemonade business into two and
compete against one another! Who will make the most money?
Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest, Time Ever. By Stephen McCranie.
(Graphic novel series)
No one knows that Mal is truly a genius and that although Chad is a dog he can
talk! The best friends go on time-traveling adventures and occasionally land in
trouble. Loads of action and lots of fun.
Mirror, Mirror: Book of Reversible Verse. By Marilyn Singer. (Poetry)
Loads of fun: read a poem in one direction and it tells a story from one point
of view. Read it from the opposite direction and it’s read from a totally
different point of view! Brilliant, beautifully illustrated and witty.
Mouseguard. By David Peterson. (Graphic novel series)
In the Winter of 1152, the Mouse Guard face a food and supply shortage
threatening the lives of many mice through a cold and icy season. A group of
the Guard's finest travel across the snow-blanketed territories to serve as
diplomats in an effort to improve relations between the mouse cities and the
Guard. To make matters worse, they are also in a race against time to deliver
important medicines.
My Side of the Mountain. By Jean Craighead George.
Young Sam Gibley runs away from home and sets up house in a hollowed-out tree.
His only friends are a falcon and weasel. Survival isn’t easy, as he must live off of
the land and face hardships such as blizzards.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
Mysterious Benedict Society. By Trenton Lee Stewart. (Series)
Super-genius kids must fight evil and outwit adults.
The Neddiad. By Daniel Pinkwater. (Series)
Can Neddie save civilianization as we know it? Poor kid is up against a number of
evil villains!
N.E.R.D.S.: National Espionage Rescue and Defense Group. By Michael
Buckley.
A wacky group of 5th graders form an evil-fighting spy gang in their school.
They transform their nerdy qualities into superpowers and battle villains!
Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes From 50 Celebrated
Cartoonists. By Various Authors. (Graphic Novel)
Get prepared to laugh your head off at these funny versions of old-fashioned
rhymes created by talented graphic novelists and cartoonists!
Only One Year. By Andrea Cheng.
Chinese-American sisters, Mary and Sharon are stunned when their parents tell
them they are sending their two-year-old brother to live with relatives in China for
a whole year! This book chronicles the year from the sister’s perspective and
showcases the power of familial love.
Penderwicks. By Jeanne Birdsall. (Series)
The four charming Penderwick sisters, Rosalind, Jane, Skye and Batty get up to all
sorts of high jinks! Don’t miss out on this brilliant and humorous series!
Percy Jackson. By Rick Riordon. (Series)
A spin off of ancient mythology: Percy must train to kill monsters and attempt to
destroy the fighting gods. Will he survive?
The Phantom Tollbooth. By Norton Juster.
Milo is bored with everything. That changes when a mysterious package arrives and
Milo takes a journey of mythic proportions. If you liked Alice in Wonderland, you
will love this satirical novel.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
Princess Academy. By Hale, Shannon. (Fantasy series)
While training at a school for potential princesses, Miri discovers truths about herself and her
past.
Robot Dreams. By Sara Varon. (Graphic novel)
Unique, powerful wordless story about the joys, sadness and drama of friendship.
Roman Mysteries. By Caroline Lawrence. (Series).
This action-packed series features kids who are on a quest to solve a mystery in ancient
Rome.
The Secret Series. By Pseudonymous Bosch. (Series).
This humorous and suspenseful adventure series features kidnapping, snafus, and a
cast of evil characters.
The Secrets of Droon. By Tony Abbott. (Fantasy Series)
Eric, Julie and Neal discover the wondrous but troubled world of Droon through a portal
in a basement stairwell.
The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel. By Michael Scott. (Trilogy)
Teenaged twins, Josh and Sophie find themselves entangled in a fight between alchemists
John Dee and Nicholas Flamel over an old book that holds secret formulas for everlasting
life!
Shadow Children. By Margaret Peterson Haddix. (Series).
Set in the future, this exciting thriller is told from the perspective of a boy who has had
to live his life hidden as a result of law.
A Single Shard. By Linda Sue Park.
Newbery Award-winning story set in 12th century Korea about a ten-year-old orphan,
Tree-ear, who grows up in a potter’s village. Dramatic and unforgettable.
Soldier Bear. By Bibi Dumon Tak.
Set during World War II, based on true events, a group of Polish soldiers discover an
orphaned bear cub and raise him to be a soldier! They journey together from Iran to Italy to
Scotland! (2012 Batchelder Award Book)
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea. By Anne Sibley
O’Brien. (Graphic novel)
The author visited AOSR last spring! Gorgeous illustrations and fabulous retelling of
the classic story.
Tall Story. By Candy Gourlay.
Basket-ball loving Londoner Andi has longed to see her brother whom she only met
once. Finally, Bernardo arrives from the Philippines to live with Andi, their mom
and his step-father. Although she is excited to finally see him, she is shocked to
learn that he is over eight feet tall! Will Bernardo adjust to living in England? Will
everyone get along?
The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda. By Tom Angelberger. (Series)
Dwight, an unpopular 6th grader, communicates with other kids using an origami
yoda. When the yodas predictions start to come true, Dwight must get to the bottom
of the mystery.
The Theodosia Series. By R.L. LaFevers. (Fantasy series).
Theodosia Throckbottom has a lot on her plate. She must deal with ancient
curses, black magic and a tangle of mysteries.
Tua and the Elephant. By Taeeun Yoo.
Set in Thailand, 10-year-old Tua meets a young but enormous elephant while
shopping in a market and realizes it is in a bad situation. Will she be able to
save the gentle creature?
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, &
Monsters. By Donna Jo Napoli. (Mythology).
Discover the chaos, horror, beauty and drama that ensues in Greek myths in the
stunning book. Maps, timeline and cast of characters.
The Unforgotten Coat. By Frank Cotrell Boyce.
When two Mongolian brothers, Chingis and Nerugi show up in Julie’s class and
declare her their, “Good Guide” she doesn’t know what to do. This unusual
immigration story is both funny, sad and compelling.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
FICTION
The Secret Garden. By Frances Hodgson Burnett. (Classic).
Contrary Mary Lennox is sent from India to a gloomy manor in England after being
suddenly orphaned. Mysteries loom and Mary seeks answers and friendship. Will
she find them? This beautiful classic will win your heart.
Walk Two Moons. By Sharon Creech.
Salamanca goes on a long road trip with her wacky grandparents in hope of finding
her mother, who has disappeared. Gorgeous story with a strong narrator.
The Whole Story of Half a Girl. By Veera Hiranandani.
Sonia Nadahumi has had to deal with loads of changes recently. After spending
her life in private schools, she is thrown into a public school, since her dad loses
his job and the family can no longer afford a private education. In her new
school, her classmates constantly ask her questions about her mixed heritage
(half Indian and half Jewish-American) that she often doesn’t know how to
respond to….She finds herself torn between two groups of friends and must
decide for herself who her real friends are.
Wonderstruck. By Brian Selznick.
From the author of the award winning novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret,
Selznick wows us again with his latest masterpiece. This powerful mystery, set
in New York City, follows a boy who is searching for the identity of his father
and finds himself in the Museum of Natural History.
Zita the Spacegirl. By Ben Hatke. (Graphic Novel.)
After her best friend is kidnapped by aliens, Zita surprises herself by setting off on
a journey through space to rescue him. Will she survive?
NON-FICTION
90 Miles to Havana. By Enrique Flores-Galbis (Memoir)
Drawn from the author’s experience in 1961, as one of the 14,000 children relocated
from Cuba to a refugee camp in Miami, Florida, history becomes alive. FloresGalbris witnesses violence during the revolution but is filled with terror and
excitement when he and his two brothers are sent away. Life at the camp isn’t easyas he encounters bullies and misses his parents.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
NON-FICTION
A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and PeopleFrom the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China. By Heather Alexander.
This comprehensive overview of the world includes information about each
continent including their climates, population density, cultures, wildlife,
government, and much more.
Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People. By Sheila Keenan.
Attention all animal-lovers: this unique book is all about how pets came to be. It is
full of pictures and fun facts.
The Bat Scientists. By Mary Kay Carson. (Science).
Did you know that even though bats fly in nearly every part of the world, they
are one of the least studied of all mammals? Learn everything you want to
know about bats from the experts!
Bodies From the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii. By James
Deem.
Did you know that within twenty four hours after Mount Vesuvius’ erupted
(in A.D. 79), the entire city of Pompeii was buried in a mix of ash, pumice
and volcanic rubble? Learn grisly details about the excavation, legends and
theories. Includes dramatic photographs.
Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution. By Laurence
Pringle and Steve Jenkins. (Science).
Stellar introduction to evolution. Fascinating, easy-to-read and includes
diagrams.
Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot." By
Michael O. Tunnell. (History).
Have you heard about the World War II pilots who dropped tons of candy from
his plane for children using miniature parachutes? Learn all about it here.
Cartooning: The Ultimate Character Design Book. By Christopher Hart.
(Art).
This step-by-step guide will teach you how to draw all sorts of characters: from
a hyper kid to a cute dog to a rapper!
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
NON-FICTION
City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction. By David Macaulay.
(History).
Learn all about early Roman city planning and construction in this educational and
beautifully illustrated book.
The Cute Book. By Aranzi Aronzo. (Art)
A whimsical guide to making adorable felt stuffed animals.
Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals. By Ed Emberley. (Art)
Draw everything from porcupines to gorillas to giraffes!
George versus George: The Revolutionary War as Seen by Both Sides. By Rosalyn
Schnazer. (History).
Did you know George Washington, the man who freed the American colonies from the
British and George the III, the British king, were enemies? Learn both sides of the
story and decide who you think was right. Fabulous illustrations and engaging text.
Horrible Histories. By Terry Dearie. (Historical Series).
Eye-popping stories about real events in history! Beware.
Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and
Air. By Stewart Ross. (History).
Immerse yourself in the true stories of explorers such as Leif Eriksson, Zheng,
Magellan and others! Includes sidebars, cross sections, lists and more.
MoMA Make Art Mistakes: An Inspired Sketchbook for Everyone. By Museum
of Modern Art. (Art).
This inspirational guide/sketch book will have you trying out all sorts of cool
exercises!
Papertoy Monsters: Make Your Very Own Amazing Papertoys! By Brian
Castleforte. (Art).
Learn how to make super cool monsters today!
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
NON-FICTION
Phenomena: Secrets of the Senses. Donna M. Jackson.
Does ESP exist? Is there really a sixth sense? Why do some animals have supersenses? Did you know that catfish are super sensitive to electronic signals and can
detect their prey easily in murky water? Read this unusual book and learn all about
these things and more!
Royal Diaries. By various authors. (Historical fiction series).
Historical biographies of powerful women throughout the ages from all over the
world. Anastasia, Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Sondok, Mary Queen of Scotts, Nzinga and
more. Riveting!
Sadako and the Thousand Cranes. By Eleanor Coerr and Ronald Himler.
A courageous young Japanese girl contracts leukemia as a direct result of the atom
bomb being dropped on Hiroshima. While in the hospital she starts creating origami
cranes to keep busy and makes one thousand her goal.
Sparky: The Life and Art of Charles Schulz. By Beverly Gherman.(Biography)
Learn all about the life and times of the famous cartoonist and creator of
the Peanuts comic strips. Who doesn’t love Snoopy?
Spirits, Fairies, and Merpeople: Native Stories of Other Worlds. By C.J.
Taylor. (Folktale).
Seven incredible Native legends that will mesmerize you and increase your
cultural awareness.
Super Simple Paper Airplanes: Step-By-Step Instructions to Make Planes
That Really Fly From a Tri-Plane to a Jet Fighter. By Nick Robinson. (Art).
Learn how to make forty different paper airplanes!
Titanic Sinks!: Experience the Titanic's Doomed Voyage in this Unique
Presentation of Fact and Fiction. By Barry Denenberg. (History).
Immerse yourself in this book all about the building, launching and sinking of
the infamous Titanic. Authentic photos and diagrams enhance the history.
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
NON-FICTION
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. By Peter Sis.
(Memoir/History).
This is an account of Sis’ life as a child growing up in Czechoslovakia under the
Soviet rule. Gorgeous illustrations heighten the emotional impact of the story.
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few
Flat Tires Along the Way). By Sue Macy. (History).
Designed like a scrapbook, learn all about how the change of transport radically
changed the lives of women in numerous ways!
Wicked Histories. By various authors. (Biography).
What do you know about Vlad the Impaler, Julius Caesar, Genghis Kahn, or Joseph
Stalin? Not much? You need to read this series and learn more!
*****Don’t forget to read along with electronic collection of books on
TUMBLEREADABLES at www.tumblereadables.com
Username: aosrome Password: login
With Tumblereadables, you can listen to books being read in English, Chinese,
Spanish or French. The selection includes chapter books, and graphic novels.
Some books are can be used on i-pads. Bookmark it today!
Tumblereadables
Any Pet Will Do (Read-Along). By Nancy Shouse.
Jeremy has always longed for a pet and his parents have agreed that he can start a petsitting business so he can decide which kind of pet to get.
Hero (Read-Along). By Martha Attema. (Historical fiction)
Els is a bicycle courier who transports Jewish children to safety on farms during the War.
Isaak is a boy who lives on the farm and befriends a beautiful stallion named Hero. One
day, German soldiers arrive and want to take Hero. Isaak must find a way to save him.
Goalkeeper In Charge (Read-Along). By Matt Christopher.
Soccer is shy Tina’s favorite sport in the world, not only because it is fun but because it
is a team sport and she doesn’t have to be in the spotlight. When her coach asks her to
train as the team’s goalkeeper, Tina freaks out because it is the one position that
everyone watches. Can she overcome her shyness?
AOSR Suggested Reading List For Students
Entering 5th and 6th grades
Tumblereadables
After Peaches (Read-Along) Teen Fiction. By Michelle Mulder.
Ten-year-old Rosario and her family move to Canada from Mexico. After being teased for
her accent, Rosario decides never to utter a word of English until she has mastered the
language.
Local book stores and websites to purchase English books
Amazon: http://www.amazon.it/ Fabulous, fast online book store.
The Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/ Terrific online book store with free
shipping from the U.K.
Almost Corner Bookstore
Via del Moro, 45 tel 06 583 6942 (Trastevere)
Anglo-American Bookstore
Via delle Vite,102 tel. 06 679 522 (Spanish Steps)
Feltrinelli
Largo Argentina, 6 tel 06 6893121 (Largo Argentina)
Feltrinelli International
Via V.E. Orlando, 84/86 tel 06 482 7878 (Piazza Exedra near Piazza della Republica)
Libreria del Viaggiatore
Via del Pellegrino, 78 tel. 06.68801048 (near Campo de’ Fiori)
Lion Bookshop
Via dei Greci, 33/36 tel 06 326 54007 (near Piazza del Popolo)
Mel Books
Via Nazionale, 254 tel 06 488 5405 (near Piazza della Repubblica)
Open Door Bookshop
Vial della Lungaretta 23 tel 06 589 6478 (Trastevere)
Santa Susanna Library
Via Venti Settembre, 15 tel 06. 482 7510 (near Piazza della Repubblica)
Have a great, book-filled summer,
Your librarian, Miss Falgoust