PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
KINDERGARTEN
BOOK
LIST
Astronauts Are Sleeping
by Natalie Standiford, Allen Garns (illus.)
. A bright, eager voice describes three sleeping astronauts whizzing around the earth in a space capsule and
asks the thought-provoking question, "What do the astronauts see in their dreams?" Magnificent pastels show
planets that are breathtaking, astronauts who are alive, and a galaxy that is lush, deeply textured, and beautiful
to look at. And happily, readers do discover what the astronauts are seeing in their dreams: They are seeing
their homes on earth and memories of their happy childhoods.
Chicka Chicka ABC
by Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Ehlert (illus.)
"A told B, and B told C, I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree." Rascally A entices the whole alphabet up
the tree, but the tree cannot handle the weight. All the lowercase letters come crashing to the ground.
Uppercase letters rush in to comfort the little ones, and all is well -- for a while -- in this irresistible, awardwinning alphabet book. Ehlert's bright, graphic illustrations join the foot-tapping rhyme.
The Chicken Sisters
by Laura Joffe Numeroff, Sharleen Collicott (illus.)
When the big bad wolf moves into town, he thinks the three chicken sisters next door will be easy prey. But his
tactics backfire when he comes face to face with the eccentric threesome, who knit, bake, and sing him to
distraction, sending him running home to his mother.
The Leaf Men
by William Joyce
The brave good bugs march off to save the garden. First, they must fight the evil Spider Queen before
summoning the Leaf Men to save the day...but what about the mystery of the Long-Lost Toy? Here is ancient
elfin magic, epic adventure, and a bugle salute to the power of memory, loyalty, and love as resounding as
Robin Hood's call to his Merry Men!
Market Day
by Eve Bunting, Holly Berry (illus.)
The finest lace from Donegal...sweet clover honey to melt in your mouth...a penny poke of gob stoppers from
the sweetie stall...your future glimpsed in a crystal ball.... Hurry along! Thursday has arrived, and the streets of
this tiny Irish village are chock-full of fun. What will you buy with your Market Day penny today?
Mouse Mess
by Linnea Asplind Riley
This giggle-inspiring story rhymes its way into the affections of all who read it. When a hungry little mouse goes
in search of a snack, you should never underestimate the huge mess that follows in his wake. This delightful
read-aloud with its paintbox-bright illustrations is sure to become a classic.
My Many Colored Days
by Dr. Seuss, Steve Johnson (illus.), Lou Fancher (illus.)
Accompanying a manuscript Dr. Seuss wrote in 1973 is a letter outlining his hopes of finding "a great color
artist who will not be dominated by me." The late Dr. Seuss saw his original text about feelings and moods as
part of the "first book ever to be based on beautiful illustrations and sensational color." The quest for an artist
has finally ended -- after the manuscript languished for more than two decades -- at the paintbrushes of
husband-and-wife team Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, whose stunning, expressive paintings reveal such
striking images as a bright red horse kicking its heels, a cool and quiet green fish, a sad and lonely purple
dinosaur, and an angrily howling black wolf. This book is a wonderful way for parents to talk with children about
their feelings.
Prairie Primer A to Z
by Caroline Stutson, Susan Condie Lamb (illus.)
Join a young boy for a year on the prairie. From A to Z, each letter brings to life elements of days gone by -- "J"
for Jacks, "K" for Knickers, and "L" for Lunch pails packed for school. With a lyrical text and rich illustrations,
this is a wonderful way to learn the alphabet and a heartwarming tribute to life at the start of the 20th century.
The Scrambled States of America
by Laurie Keller
At the first annual states party, Virginia and Idaho hatch a plan to swap spots so each can see another part of
the country. Before the party is over, all the states decide to switch places. In the beginning, every state is
happy in its new location. But soon things start to go wrong. Will the states ever unscramble and return to their
proper places? This clever story -- starring all 50 states -- is chock-full of introductory facts and madcap humor.
Young readers can identify their favorite states by color, size, and shape. Learning about geography has never
been as easy -- or as much fun.
Sheep in a Jeep
by Nancy Shaw, Margot Apple (illus.)
With very few words (sheep, jeep, thud, mud, heap, cheap), a tableau unfolds in which five silly yet distinctive
sheep futilely attempt to ride in their jeep. Amusing details -- such as the tattoos on the pigs' arms -- abound in
the pictures. Apple's expressive illustrations and Shaw's minimal text make this an extremely clever readaloud.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by Eric Carle
A caterpillar hatches out of his egg and is very hungry. On his first day, he eats through one piece of food; on
his second, two; and so on. Little holes cut in the pages allow toddlers to wiggle their fingers through the food,
just like the caterpillar. Vivid and colorful illustrations and ingenious layered pages help preschoolers learn the
days of the week, how to count, and how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
Visiting the Art Museum
by Laurene Krasny Brown, Marc Brown (illus.)
This wonderful offering from Laurene Krasny Brown and her husband -- and kids' fave -- Marc Brown presents
a highly palatable introduction to art. The fun, silly illustrations with reproductions of real works intermingled
invite readers to follow a family through an art museum. On this tour they see examples of various art styles
from primitive through 20th century pop art.
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin
by Lloyd Moss, Marjorie Priceman (illus.)
In this combination counting book and spirited tribute to classical music, the clever, rhythmic verse echoes the
sounds that the various instruments in the orchestra create, from the mournful trombone to the swinging
trumpet to the sharp violin.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
FIRST
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst, Ray Cruz (illus.)
From the moment Alexander wakes up and finds gum in his hair, everything goes wrong! His brothers both get prizes in
their cereal boxes, his best friend demotes him to third-best friend, there are lima beans for dinner, and there is kissing on
TV. All kids experience this kind of day and will be glad to find they are not alone!
The Bears' Picnic
by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears endure countless trials before finding a suitable picnic spot.
Bedtime for Frances
by Russell Hoban, Garth Williams (illus.)
It may be bedtime for Frances, but that doesn't mean Frances is ready to go to bed -- not by a long shot. First she must
have a glass of milk and make certain Mother and Father have each kissed her good night (twice). Then she is ready to
imagine there is a tiger in her room, and a giant, and ... each time Frances thinks up something new, off she goes to tell
her ever-patient, if increasingly weary, parents. The familiar delaying tactics of Frances the song-singing badger have
delighted fans young and old for more than three decades. Combining sympathetic understanding with gentle humor,
Russell Hoban created in Frances a character at once immediately recognizable and eminently likable. In this new edition,
the warmth of full color enriches Garth Williams's original artwork, bringing a fresh look to an enduring favorite.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin, Eric Carle (illus.)
Eric Carle's double-page tissue collages and Bill Martin's friendly chant unite to create this vibrant introduction to colors.
The first line of the book is the title, to which a big brown bear responds, "I see a redbird looking at me." The redbird
responds with another animal and so on, until a mother (or a teacher, depending on the edition) asks a group of children
what they see. A wonderful read-aloud for either a group or individuals, this book is a favorite of teachers.
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys, and Their Monkey Business
by Esphyr Slobodkina
A cap peddler wakes from a nap to find all his caps are gone -- a bunch of naughty monkeys have taken them up a tree.
Angrily shaking his finger at the monkeys, the peddler demands his caps back, but the monkeys only shake their fingers
and say "Tsz, tsz, tsz." No matter what the peddler does, the monkeys only imitate him. Finally, the peddler is so enraged
he throws his cap on the ground -- and all the monkeys follow suit!
Franklin Rides a Bike
by Paulette Bourgeois, Brenda Clark (illus.)
At the beginning of spring, Franklin and all his friends have training wheels on their bikes. But soon Franklin is the only
one who can't ride without them. Every time he tries he falls down, and he's beginning to get discouraged. His mom finally
convinces him to keep with it, and Franklin finally rides on his own.
Freckle Juice
by Judy Blume, Sonia O. Lisker (illus.)
Nicky has freckles -- they cover his face, his ears, and the whole back of his neck. Once, sitting behind him in class,
Andrew counted 86 of them, and that was just a start! If Andrew had freckles like Nicky, his mother would never know if
his neck was dirty. One day after school, Andrew works up enough courage to ask Nicky where he got his freckles. And,
as luck would have it, who should overhear him but giggling, teasing Sharon. She offers Andrew her secret freckle juice
recipe -- for 50 cents. That's a lot of money, but Andrew is desperate. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination
of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens. ...
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
by Laura Joffe Numeroff, Felicia Bond (illus.)
What happens if you give a mouse a cookie? Why, he'll need a glass of milk to go with it! He'll also need a straw, a
napkin, a mirror -- each item prompts the need for another. When the mouse is hanging a picture from a refrigerator (how
did he get there?), he's reminded that he's thirsty and needs a glass of milk (uh-oh). With this milk, it's absolutely
necessary to have a cookie, of course! Bond's wonderful illustrations enliven this modern-day classic.
The Listening Walk
by Paul Showers
We're going on a Listening Walk. Shhhhh. Do not talk. Do not hurry. Get ready to fill your ears with a world of wonderful,
surprising sounds. In this colorfully illustrated book a little girl and her father take a quiet walk and identify the sounds
around them. This beautiful lesson in appreciating the extraordinary qualities found in the rhythm of everyday life entices
readers to pay more attention to the world surrounding them.
The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper, George Hauman (illus.), Doris Hauman (illus.)
When the other engines refuse, the Little Blue Engine tries to pull a stranded train full of toys and good food over the
mountain. This classic never loses its appeal or fails to teach its lesson.
Make Way for Ducklings
by Robert McCloskey
This Caldecott Award-winning classic about Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their brood of ducklings has been a favorite since
1941. When Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings are stuck at a busy street in downtown Boston, their policeman friend
Michael rushes in to stop traffic and make way for them. McCloskey's sepia illustrations are priceless, and a statue of Mrs.
Mallard and her ducklings can be found in the Boston Common today.
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia
by Peggy Parish, Wallace Tripp (illus.)
Amelia Bedelia, who knows very little about baseball, stands in for a sick player during a game. The result, as usual with
literal-minded Amelia Bedelia, is hilarious.
Quick as a Cricket
by Audrey Wood, Don Wood (illus.)
A joyful celebration of a child's growing self-awareness. This classic children's book is a teacher's favorite, with
outstanding illustrations by Don Wood.
Ten Apples Up on Top!
by Theodore LeSieg (Dr. Seuss), Roy McKie (illus.)
A lion, a dog, and a tiger are having a contest -- can they get ten apples piled up on top of their heads? You better believe
it! This first counting book works as a teaching tool as well as a funny story.
There's an Alligator Under My Bed
by Mercer Mayer
This sequel to There's a Nightmare in My Closet brings back that story's imaginative young hero for an even funnier
nighttime adventure. All kids will identify with the realistic alligator who just happens to live you know where.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
by Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith (illus.)
In this highly acclaimed version, Alexander T. Wolf tells his never-before-heard version of the story. Is he the bad guy
history has portrayed him as, or was the big, bad wolf framed? This outrageously funny version of a familiar nursery tale
will leave readers grinning all the way to their chinny chin chin.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
SECOND
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
The Adventures of Taxi Dog
by Debra Barracca, Sal Barracca, Mark Buehner (illus.)
Jim, a New York City taxi driver, rescues a stray dog and dubs his new pet Maxi. Maxi accompanies Jim in his taxi and
meets all sorts of people. With each new passenger, Maxi makes a new friend -- and even helps Jim get tips! The text is
written in a bouncing rhyme, and Beuhner's paintings capture Maxi's doggy personality and Jim's geniality. Can you find
the cat in every picture?
Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book Series)
by Peggy Parish, Fritz Siebel (illus.)
Meet Amelia Bedelia, the unflappable maid who does everything literally. With her purse on her arm and hat firmly on her
head, Amelia Bedelia follows instructions to a T: Change the towels? Nothing a pair of scissors can't do! Dust the
furniture? That's when the perfumed dusting powder really comes in handy. Dress the chicken for dinner -- well, do you
want a boy chicken or a girl chicken? Amelia Bedelia's well-meaning gaffs cause readers to chuckle but her employer to
fume -- it's a good thing she's such a good cook!
The Case of the Spooky Sleepover, Jigsaw Jones Mystery #4
by James Preller
Ralphie Jordan can't sleep. Something is making spooky noises in his room at night. It's a perfect case for Jigsaw Jones,
who pieces together all the ghostly clues.
Chicken Soup with Rice, A Book of Months
by Maurice Sendak
"Each month is gay, each season is nice, when eating chicken soup with rice." It's nice in January, April, June, and
December -- here's the every-month dish for everyone to remember.
Flat Stanley
by Jeff Brown, Steve Bjorkman (illus.)
Stanley Lambchop is a nice, average boy. He leads a nice, ordinary life. Then one day a bulletin board falls on him, and
suddenly Stanley is flat. This turns out to be very interesting. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even
gets to stop crime. He's flat, but he's a hero!
The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein
A little boy befriends a tree. Loving and generous, the tree provides everything she can for him -- fruit, shade, a place for a
swing -- throughout the boy's life. He, in turn, takes from the tree without noticing the sacrifices she makes. It isn't until
he's old and infirm and gratefully rests on her stump that he understands all she has done. This powerful parable is fitting
for all age groups.
Gooseberry Park
by Cynthia Rylant
Kona, an earnest Labrador retriever; Gwendolyn, a wise hermit crab who has been reincarnated 17 times; Murray, a
loopy, Chinese leftover-eating bat; and Stumpy, a squirrel, come together during a terrible ice storm in Gooseberry Park to
save Stumpy's three babies. Rylant's spare prose results in a trim tale.
The Great Kapok Tree A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest
by Lynne Cherry
A man walks into a lush rain forest and starts chopping down a huge kapok tree. Lulled by the heat, he sits down and
soon falls asleep. The forest dwellers approach, each whispering in his ear a reason to keep the tree standing. Suddenly,
the man wakes up, and for the first time notices the beauty all around him. Will he still chop down the tree? The beauty of
Cherry's art helps to convey an important message in this environmental tale.
Is Your Mama a Llama?
by Deborah Guarino, Steven Kellogg (illus.)
A young llama is curious -- are all his friends' mamas llamas? Each animal tells Lloyd facts about its mother, and Lloyd -along with young readers -- guesses what kind of animal each mother is. The rhyming text and illustrations give hints, and
preschoolers will enjoy yelling out the answers, which are revealed by turning the page.
Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, Junie B. Jones Series #12
by Barbara Park, Denise Brunkus (illus.)
Frustrated because the rules for her class's Pet Day will not let her take her dog to school, Junie B. Jones considers
taking a raccoon, a worm, a dead fish, and other unusual replacements.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
by Kevin Henkes
Lilly the mouse adores her teacher, Mr. Slinger -- until he takes away the purple plastic purse she was proudly showing off
to her class. Lilly is so angry she draws a nasty picture of Mr. Slinger and slips it in his bag. At the end of the day, Lilly
gets her purse back and inside is a sympathetic note and a bag of treats. As in all his other books, Henkes shows an
incredible sensitivity to children's feelings.
Martha Blah Blah
by Susan Meddaugh
When the current owner of the soup company breaks the founder's promise to have every letter of the alphabet in every
can of soup, Martha, the talking dog, takes action.
Mrs. Katz and Tush
by Patricia Polacco
In this special Passover story, Larnel Moore, an African-American boy, and Mrs. Katz, an elderly Jewish woman, develop
an unusual friendship through their mutual concern for an abandoned cat named Tush. Together they explore the
common themes of suffering and triumph in each of their cultures.
Stellaluna
by Janell Cannon, Jewell Cannon
Stellaluna, a little brown bat, is accidentally dropped by her mother. The helpless baby falls smack into a nest of fledglings
and is immediately accepted as one of the family. Stellaluna tries to fit in but keeps acting unbirdlike, hanging upside
down and wanting to fly at night. By chance Stellaluna is reunited with her mother and finally learns to be a proper bat.
Tonight on the Titanic, Magic Tree House Series #17
by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (illus.)
The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie away to the decks of that ill-fated ship, the Titanic. There they must help
two children find their way to a lifeboat -- while they are in danger of becoming victims of that tragic night themselves.
You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, Amber Brown
by Paula Danziger, Tony Ross (illus.)
Amber Brown has survived third grade -- even though her best friend, Justin, moved away. Now she's heading to London
with her Aunt Pam -- and then to Paris. Before she gets there, Amber finds out she has chicken pox. Amber Brown is a kid
with problems. Now that she can't go to Paris, how will she convince her dad to move back in with her mom?
Zelda and Ivy
by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Zelda and Ivy are sisters with a flair for the dramatic. Whether they're performing a circus act, fashioning their tails in the
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
latest style, or working wonders with "fairy dust," their exploits are described with wit and charm in a very special trio of
stories exploring the intimate dynamic between an older and younger sister.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
THIRD
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
The Best School Year Ever
by Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans are the most famous kids at Woodrow Wilson School. In fact, they are the most famous kids in the whole
town -- and they are the worst kids in the history of the world. They are dirty, rotten, lazy, and ornery. They tell lies and
smoke cigars and set fire to things. They stay away from school whenever they want to and won't learn anything when
they are there. Every September the students and teachers gear up for another year of dealing with the Herdmans. But no
matter what precautions are taken, these modern-day outlaws still manage to cause hilarious mayhem year-round. Their
wild behavior always leads to disaster for someone, but somehow all six of them continually escape blame. Could there
be something good about this horrible clan after all? Also recommended: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
The BFG
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illus.)
Kidsnatched from her orphanage by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant) who spends his life blowing happy dreams to children,
Sophie concocts with him a plan to save the world from nine other man-gobbling cannybull giants. Also recommended:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, A Message from Chief Seattle
by Susan Jeffers
During the 1850s, the white man negotiated to buy some land from the Northwest nations. Chief Seattle, head of the
Suqamish and Duwamish Indians, spoke to the white man in his native tongue about the importance of preserving the
earth. His speech, translated and lushly illustrated by Susan Jeffers, eloquently conveys the message that we must
respect the Earth and all it has on it. This speech has been the inspiration for many environmental movements.
Charlotte's Web
by E. B. White
This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loves a little pig named Wilbur -- and of Wilbur's dear friend, Charlotte A.
Cavatica, a beautiful, large, gray spider who lives with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never
does anything for anybody unless there is something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of their own, Charlotte
saves the life of Wilbur, who by this time has grown up to be quite a pig.
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective (Encyclopedia Brown Series #1)
by Donald J. Sobol
A Civil War sword ... a watermelon stabbing ... missing roller skates ... a trapeze artist's inheritance ... and an eyewitness
who's legally blind! These are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries that Encyclopedia Brown must solve by using
his famous computerlike brain. Try to crack the cases along with him -- answers to all the mysteries are found in the back
of the book!
How to Eat Fried Worms
by Thomas Rockwell, Emily A. McCully (illus.)
Billy makes a bet with his friends that he can eat 15 worms in 15 days. Even with a free choice of condiments -- from
peanut butter to horseradish -- Billy wonders if he can really do it.
The Keeping Quilt
by Patricia Polacco
When Patricia Polacco's great-great-grandmother came to America from Russia, she made a quilt out of the family's old
clothes. This quilt became a cherished symbol of love passed down from mother to daughter for almost a century -- and
was used for a variety of purposes. Heartwarming pictures of the quilt welcoming new babies and celebrating weddings -even being used as a Sabbath tablecloth -- tie together the lives of four generations of an immigrant Jewish family and
chronicle their enduring love and faith. In this tenth-anniversary edition, Polacco has expanded her beloved story with new
pages of text and paintings to include her own two children using the quilt in the same ways that their ancestors did.
Miss Nelson Is Missing!
by Harry Allard, James Marshall (illus.)
The children in Miss Nelson's class go beyond misbehaving; they are downright terrible! Near her wits' end, Miss Nelson
thinks up a brilliant plan. The next day the kids have a substitute -- the nasty Viola Swamp -- who loads the boys and girls
with homework and never gives them a story hour. By the time Miss Nelson finally returns, the children are so grateful
they behave well. But now Viola Swamp is missing!
Mr. Popper's Penguins
by Richard Atwater, Florence Atwater, Robert Lawson (illus.)
It is hard enough for Mr. Popper to support himself, Mrs. Popper, Bill, and Janie Popper. The addition of 12 penguins to
the family makes it impossible to make both ends meet. Then Mr. Popper has a splendid idea -- the talented penguins will
be a sensation on the stage. And so they are.... A classic of American humor, this Newbery Honor-winning story of a
gentle housepainter and his high-stepping penguins has delighted children for generations.
Poppy
by Avi, Brian Floca (illus.)
As ruler of Dimwood Forest, Ocax the hoot owl has promised to protect the mice occupying an abandoned farmhouse as
long as they ask permission before "moving about." Poppy, a timid deer mouse, is a loyal, obedient subject -- until she
sees Ocax devour her fiancé. To prove that the intimidating ruler is a phony, Poppy embarks on a dangerous and eyeopening quest, which ends with her one-on-one battle with Ocax.
Poppy and Rye
by Avi, Brian Floca (illus.)
Heartbroken over the death of her fiancé Ragweed, Poppy, a deer mouse, journeys west through the vast Dimwood
Forest to bring the sad news to Ragweed's family. But Poppy and her prickly porcupine pal, Ereth, arrive only to discover
that beavers have flooded the serene valley where Ragweed lived. Together Poppy and Ragweed's brother, Rye, brave
kidnapping, imprisonment, and a daring rescue to fight the beavers. At the same time, Rye -- who has lived in Ragweed's
shadow -- fights to prove himself worthy of Poppy's love.
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
by Beverly Cleary, Alan Tiegreen (illus.)
Ramona feels quite grown-up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus make dinner, and trying hard to be nice
to pesky Willa Jean after school. Turning eight years old and entering the third grade can do that to a girl. So how can her
teacher call her a nuisance?
Sarah, Plain and Tall
by Patricia MacLachlan
When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by
their new mother and hope that she will stay. This tender, reassuring story is a Newbery Medal winner and a timeless
classic.
Walking the Road to Freedom
by Jeri Ferris
This is the important and inspiring story of a woman who called herself Sojourner Truth. Using only the power of her voice,
she spoke out against slavery throughout New England and the Midwest.
What Are You Figuring Now?, A Story About Benjamin Banneker
by Jeri Ferris, Amy Johnson (illus.)
A biography of the African-American farmer and self-taught mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor for the new capital
city of the United States in 1791, who also calculated a successful almanac notable for its preciseness.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
FOURTH
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
The Cricket in Times Square
by George Selden, Garth Williams (illus.)
Business has not been good at the Bellini's newspaper stand in the Times Square subway station. Tucker the mouse, who
lives in a drainpipe near the newsstand, wishes he could help. One night, Mario Bellini hears a beautiful sound -- it is
Chester, a cricket from Connecticut who has been accidentally brought to New York City and plays music with his wings.
After Mario convinces his parents to let him keep Chester, Tucker, his friend Harry the cat, and the cricket come up with a
plan to help the Bellinis keep their newsstand: Chester can give concerts!
Fudge-a-Mania
by Judy Blume
Peter Hatcher's summer is not looking good. First of all, Peter's brother, Fudge -- the five-year-old human hurricane -- has
a plan: to marry Peter's sworn enemy, Sheila Tubman. Disgusting! Could anything be worse? Yes. Peter's parents have
decided to rent a summer house next door to the Tubmans. Which means Peter will be stuck with Fudge and Sheila the
Cootie Queen for three whole weeks! Will Peter be able to survive the summer? It may not be the vacation of Peter's
dreams, but as millions of Judy Blume fans know, it won't be dull. When Fudge is around, anything can happen ... and
does! Also recommended: Superfudge and Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great.
The Indian in the Cupboard
by Lynne Reid Banks, Brock Cole (illus.)
The first book in this bestselling series begins with young Omri receiving an old family wooden medicine cupboard as a
birthday gift. Given to him by his mother in order to house his plastic toy soldiers, the cupboard has a magical power: It
can bring Omri's toys to life. When his toy Indian comes alive and befriends him, Omri finds himself involved in all kinds of
adventure and excitement.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
by Beverly Cleary, Louis Darling (illus.)
Ralph the mouse is terrified. All he had wanted to do was ride the little motorcycle someone had left on the table. Instead,
both Ralph and the motorcycle have taken a terrible fall -- right into the bottom of the wastepaper basket. He is trapped,
left to wait for whatever fate has in store for him. But it turns out to be Ralph's lucky day. Along comes Keith, the owner of
the toy motorcycle, who is staying with his family in the hotel room where Ralph lives. Not only does Keith save Ralph's
life, but he teaches him how to ride the bike. And when everyone is asleep, he turns Ralph loose in the hotel halls to enjoy
the biking adventure of his life. But adventures can be both fun and trouble...as Ralph and Keith soon find out! Also
recommended: Ralph S. Mouse and Runaway Ralph.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
by Robert C. O'Brien, Zena Bernstein (illus.)
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their
summer quarters immediately or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and
must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures,
who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.
My Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George
Tired of big-city life, Sam Gribley runs away to the Catskill Mountains to forge a life of his own. In this Newbery Honor
book, Sam relates his adventures during the year he spends alone, including his struggle for survival, his dependence on
nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship. Also recommended: On the
Far Side of the Mountain.
Native American Doctor, The Story of Susan LaFlesche Picotte
by Jeri Ferris
This is the inspiring biography of the young Omaha Indian woman who became the first Native American woman to
graduate from medical school.
Owls in the Family
by Farley Mowat, Robert Frankenberg (illus.)
Owls Wol and Weeps turn a household upside down, outwit a dog with the dignity of Mutt, and shake up a neighborhood.
Search for the Shadowman
by Joan Lowery Nixon
Twelve-year-old Andy Bonner isn't thrilled with his teacher's assignment to explore family history. When he starts asking
questions about his ancestors, he is startled to discover a black sheep in the family tree. No one wants to reveal what
happened in his family's past. But Andy is determined to break the silence. Casting his net widely, from the Internet to the
local cemetery, Andy helps everyone realize it's never too late to seek justice.
A Share of Freedom
by June Rae Wood
Freedom Jo is a smart-mouthed 13-year-old with an alcoholic mother, a little brother, Jackie, whom she adores -- and no
idea who her father is. Afraid of being separated from Jackie after a binge lands their mother in an alcoholism-treatment
program, Freedom runs away with him, hoping to hide out until their mother comes home. Her plan precipitates a chain of
events that leads to the discovery of her father's identity.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
by Louis Sachar, Julie Brinckloe (illus.)
There'd been a terrible mistake. Wayside School was supposed to be built with 30 classrooms all next to each other in a
row. Instead, they built the classrooms one on top of the other ... 30 stories tall! (The builder said he was very sorry.) That
may be why all kinds of funny things happen at Wayside School -- especially on the 30th floor. You'll meet Mrs. Gorf, the
meanest teacher of all; terrible Todd, who always gets sent home early; and John, who can only read upside down -along with all the other kids in the crazy mixed-up school that came out sideways. But you'll never guess the truth about
Sammy, the new kid ... or what's in store for Wayside School on Halloween!
Stuart Little
by E. B. White
Stuart Little is a mouse in the family of the Frederick C. Littles and is a pleasantly debonair little character, with a shy,
engaging manner and a somewhat philosophical turn of mind. He is a great help around the house, and everybody except
Snowbell the cat likes him a great deal. In spite of his small size, Stuart gets around a good bit in the world, riding a Fifth
Avenue bus with some aplomb, racing (and winning in) a sailboat in Central Park, teaching school for a day, and so on.
His size -- just over two inches -- does give him some trouble now and then, like the time he was rolled up in the window
shade, or when he got dumped into a garbage scow. But on the whole his life is a happy one. His great adventure comes
when, at the age of seven, he sets out in the world to seek his dearest friend, Margalo, a beautiful little bird. Stuart Little,
small in size only, has the adventurousness, the great purpose, and the indomitable spirit of a heroic figure, and his story,
funny and tender and exciting by turns, will be read, re-read, and loved by young and old.
Time for Andrew, A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
When he goes to spend the summer with his great-aunt in the family's old house, 11-year-old Drew is drawn 80 years into
the past to trade places with his great-great-uncle, who is dying of diphtheria.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
FIFTH
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
Chasing Redbird
by Sharon Creech
Zinnia Taylor lives in Bybanks, Kentucky, with too many brothers and sisters -- a mess of "tadpoles" and "pumpkins" is
what her uncle Nate calls them. When Zinny discovers a mysterious, overgrown trail that begins on her family's farm,
she's determined to clear it, from start to finish. For she's finally found a place of her own, a place where she can go, away
from her family, to hear herself think. But what Zinny didn't realize is that the mysteries of the trail are intertwined with her
own unanswered questions and family secrets, and that the trail -- and her passion to uncover it -- is leading her on a
journey home. CHASING REDBIRD is a powerful, beautifully crafted story about a young girl discovering that life is a
tangle of mysteries, surprises, and everyday occurences -- a journey that often needs unravelling and that sometimes
must be traveled alone.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
by E. L. Konigsburg
The enchanting story of the unappreciated Claudia Kincaid, "boring straight-A Claudia" (oldest child and only girl and
almost too old for half-fare tickets), who runs away with her little brother Jamie to live in the Metropolitan Museum, FILES
is a sentimental favorite with a remarkable heroine. Crammed with fascinating details -- strategies for hiding in a museum,
techniques for bathing in a fountain, the smell of a 16th-century bed (musty), and tantalizing peeks at the Met and its
treasures -- it's a grand adventure. More important, FILES is the story of Claudia's quest to define herself. In the fulfillment
of that quest, her own resourcefulness is bolstered by a statue that may or may not be by Michelangelo; a brother who
proves to be a fabulous ally; and the wise, prickly Mrs. Frankweiler herself.
Holes
by Louis Sachar
As further evidence of his family's bad fortune, which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent
to a hellish boys' juvenile detention center in the Texas desert. As punishment, the boys here must each dig a hole every
day, five feet deep and five feet across. Ultimately, Stanley "digs up the truth" -- and through his experience, finds his first
real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself. HOLES is a wildly inventive, darkly humorous tale of crime and
punishment -- and redemption.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
by Bette Bao Lord, Marc Simont (illus.)
Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York.
America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a
miracle -- baseball -- happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie
Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America. And for Shirley as well,
on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.
Matilda
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illus.)
Matilda Wormwood started reading books at the age of four, but her crooked father and bingo-playing mother regard book
reading as a waste of time -- and much prefer watching TV. In fact, they take no notice of their genius daughter at all! Only
Miss Honey, Matilda's lovely and gentle teacher, recognizes her special gifts. Yet Miss Honey has problems of her own:
Her aunt is the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull, an evil headmistress who bullies children and parents alike -- and has taken
Miss Honey's house and money. Can Matilda use her extraordinary talents to seek revenge -- and make all of the wrongdoing grown-ups pay? Also recommended: James and the Giant Peach.
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943,
and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. When the
Nazis begin "relocating" the Jews of Denmark, Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family.
And as Annemarie helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis and embarks on a dangerous mission, she learns how
to be brave and courageous -- to save her best friend's life.
Shiloh
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Eleven-year-old Marty Preston loves to spend time up in the hills behind his home near Friendly, West Virginia.
Sometimes he takes his .22 rifle to see what he can shoot, like some cans lined up on a rail fence. Other times he goes
up early in the morning just to sit and watch the fox and deer. But one summer Sunday, Marty comes across something
different on the road just past the old Shiloh schoolhouses -- a young beagle -- and the trouble begins. What do you do
when a dog you suspect is being mistreated runs away and comes to you? When it is someone else's dog? When the
man who owns him has a gun? This is Marty's problem, and he finds it is one he has to face alone. When his solution gets
too big for him to handle, things become more frightening still. Finally, Marty puts his courage on the line and discovers in
the process that it is not always easy to separate right from wrong. Sometimes, however, you'll do almost anything to save
a dog you love.
The View from Saturday
by E. L. Konigsburg
It was a surprise to a lot of people when Mrs. Olinski's team won the sixth-grade Academic Bowl contest at Epiphany
Middle School. It was an even bigger surprise when they beat the seventh grade and the eighth grade, too. And when
they went on to even greater victories, everyone began to ask: How did it happen? Mrs. Olinski, returning to teaching after
having been injured in an automobile accident, found that her Academic Bowl team became her answer to finding
confidence and success. What she did not know, at least at first, was that her team knew better than she did the answer
to why they had been chosen. This is a tale about a team, a class, a school, a series of contests and, set in the midst of
this, four jewel-like short stories -- one for each of the team members -- that ask questions and demonstrate surprising
answers.
Wait Till Helen Comes, A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
Molly and Michael dislike their spooky new stepsister Heather but realize that they must try to save her when she seems
ready to follow a ghost child to her doom.
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her country roots and the "Indian-ness in her blood," travels from Ohio
to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents. Along the way, she tells of the story of Phoebe Winterbottom, who received
mysterious messages, who met a "potential lunatic," and whose mother disappeared. Beneath Phoebe's story is
Salamanca's own story and that of her mother, who left one April morning for Idaho, promising to return before the tulips
bloomed. Sal's mother has not, however, returned, and the trip to Idaho takes on a growing urgency as Salamanca hopes
to get to Idaho in time for her mother's birthday and bring her back, despite her father's warning that she is fishing in the
air. This richly layered Newbery Medal-winning novel is in turn funny, mysterious, and touching.
The Warm Place
by Nancy Farmer
When Ruva, a young giraffe, is captured and sent to a zoo in San Francisco, she calls upon two rats, a street-smart
chameleon, a runaway boy, and all the magical powers of the animal world to return to "the warm place" that is home.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
SIXTH
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
Absolutely Normal Chaos
by Sharon Creech
A prequel to the Newbery Medal-winning Walk Two Moons, this book chronicles the daily life of 13-year-old Mary Lou
Finney during her most chaotic and romantic summer ever. Mary Lou's summer journal -- which she begins grudgingly as
a dreaded assignment for school -- becomes a hilarious chronicle of the circle of people and events that make her
summer. There is Carl Ray, the mysterious and troublesome cousin that comes to visit; Beth Ann Bartels, her best friend
who's recently gone boy crazy; Alex Cheevy, the boy that makes Mary Lou's brains "mushy;" and, of course, the Finney
clan, her "normally strange family." What follows is the story of a summer filled with lessons and observations on love,
death, friendship, and family.
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson, Donna Diamond (illus.)
An extraordinarily powerful tribute to friendship, this Newbery Award-winning novel recounts the unlikely friendship of a
country boy, Jess, and his neighbor, an uprooted city girl named Leslie. When Leslie is killed during a storm while trying to
reach Terabithia, their secret hiding place, Jess must gather all his strength to come to terms with his loss and find a way
to heal.
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia
by C. S. Lewis, Chris Van Allsburg (illus.)
Enter the magical land of Narnia, where enchanted creatures live and battles are fought between good and evil! The
seven volumes of C. S. Lewis's famed fantasy series come boxed in a hardcover case.
The Egypt Game
by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, Alton Raible (illus.)
Even to Melanie, who knew that you could never predict what a new kid would be like, April Hall was something of a
surprise. One look at her stringy upswept hair, false eyelashes, and ragged fox-fur collar, convinced Melanie that April
was not going to be easy to integrate into the sixth grade at Wilson School. Within a month, April and Melanie had
developed a common interest in ancient Egypt and had begun to develop a land of Egypt in an abandoned storage yard.
Complications arose when other people joined the original Egyptians, when a murderer ranged the neighborhood, and
when an oracle predicted strange things. But it was all in the game, which gave even April a fall and winter to remember.
The Giver
by Lois Lowry
Eleven-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. There is no war or pain, and there are no choices. Every person is
assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12, he is chosen to receive special training from The Giver himself -a man who alone holds the key to the true pain and pleasure of life: memories. Now it is time for Jonas to receive the
truth. What will Jonas do once he experiences the power of deep emotions? This gripping and provocative Newbery
Award-winning novel keeps readers turning the pages and exploring the special qualities that make us each human.
I Heard the Owl Call My Name
by Margaret Craven
Amid the grandeur of the remote Pacific Northwest stands Kingcome, a village so ancient that, according to Kwakiutl
myth, it was founded by the two brothers left on earth after the great flood. The Native Americans who still live there call it
Quee, a place of such incredible natural richness that hunting and fishing remain primary food sources. But the old culture
of totems and potlatch is being replaces by a new culture of prefab housing and alcoholism. Kingcome's younger
generation is disenchanted and alienated from its heritage. And now, coming upriver is a young vicar, Mark Brian, who
has two years to live. Sent to this Indian parish in British Columbia, Mark embarks on a journey of discovery that can
teach him -- and us -- about life, death, and the transforming power of love.
The Island
by Gary Paulsen
Every morning 15-year-old Wil Neuton gets up, brushes his teeth, leaves the house, and rows away from shore. He's
discovered the island, a place where he can go to be alone and learn to know nature -- and himself. On the island he
watches the loons and the fish in the lake, and he writes and paints. It feels good to get away from the tension rising
between his parents -- tension brought on by yet another move to a new town. But Wil can't stay away from the outside
world forever. He must face Ray Bunner, the bully determined to challenge him, and his parents, who worry when Wil
decides to stay on the island indefinitely. Can Wil bridge the growing gap between himself and the rest of the world?
The Midwife's Apprentice
by Karen Cushman
In medieval England, a nameless, homeless girl is taken in by a sharp-tempered midwife and in spite of obstacles and
hardship, eventually gains the three things she wants most: a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.
The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (illus.)
This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in
his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable
journey. He meets such characters as the foolish yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked
"Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom.
Along his journey, Milo learns the importance of words and numbers -- and learns to appreciate life.
The River
by Gary Paulsen
In this exciting sequel to Hatchet, 15-year-old Brian Robeson, who survived alone in the wilderness for 54 days, returns to
the wilderness at the request of a government survival school. This time, however, he won't be alone: Derek Holtzer, a
government psychologist, will accompany him to observe and take notes. But during a freak storm, Derek is hit by
lightning and falls into a coma. Afraid that Derek will die of dehydration unless he can get him to a doctor, Brian's only
hope is to build a raft and try to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post.
Summer of My German Soldier
by Bette Greene
The summer that Patty Bergen turns 12 is a summer that will haunt her forever. When her small hometown in Arkansas
becomes the site of a camp housing German prisoners during World War II, Patty learns what it means to open her heart.
Even though she's Jewish, she begins to see a prison escapee, Anton, not as a Nazi, but as a lonely, frightened young
man with feelings not unlike her own. In Anton, Patty finds someone who softens the pain of her own father's rejection and
who appreciates her in a way her mother never will. While patriotic feelings run high, Patty risks losing family, friends -even her freedom -- for this dangerous friendship. It is a risk she has to take and one she will have to pay a price to keep.
Words of Stone
by Kevin Henkes
While exploring the countryside outside of his home, 10-year-old Blaze Werla spots a devastating message on the side of
a hill. Ultimately, Blaze's summer takes a turn toward mystery and adventure when he meets the boisterous and
irresistible Joselle.
Wringer
by Jerry Spinelli
As Palmer comes of age, he must either accept the violence of being a wringer at his town's annual Pigeon Day or find
the courage to oppose it.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble
PACE ACADEMY SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS
SEVENTH
GRADE
BOOK
LIST
Beyond the Burning Time
by Kathryn Lasky
They say something very strange is happening to some of the people of Salem. That some of the young girls have
become ... troubled. And the fear is beginning to spread. Mary and her mother don't hear about the rumors right away.
They don't know that many of the villagers believe that some of Mary's friends have had spells cast on them -- by witches.
Or that one of the accused is Mary's mother. Now Mary and her brother, Caleb, have a decision to make: Are the villagers
right? Or is their mother innocent? And if she is -- can they help her escape before it's too late?
Crazy Lady!
by Jane Leslie Conly
Receiving less and less attention from his widowed father, Vernon joins with his friends as they ridicule the neighborhood
outcasts -- Maxine, an alcoholic prone to public displays of outrageous behavior, and Ronald, her retarded son. Then
social services tries to put Ronald into a special home, and Vernon finds himself fighting the agency.
Homecoming
by Cynthia Voigt
The Tillerman kids' mother just left them one day in a car in a mall parking lot. Their father had left them a long time ago.
So, as usual, it was up to 13-year-old Dicey, the eldest of four, to take care of everything, make all the decisions, feed
them, find places to sleep. But above all, Dicey would have to make sure to avoid the authorities who would split them up
and place them in foster homes. Deep down, she hoped they could find an adult they could trust, someone who would
take them in and love them. But she was afraid it was too much to hope for.
The Hobbit
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in his hobbit-hole in Bag End by Gandalf the wizard and a company
of dwarves, Bilbo Baggins finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large
and very dangerous dragon. Although quite reluctant to take part in this quest, Bilbo surprises even himself by his
resourcefulness and his skill as a burglar! Written for J.R.R. Tolkien's own children, The Hobbit met with instant success
when published in 1937 and has remained a timeless classic.
Journey of the Sparrows
by Fran Leeper Buss
Nailed into a crate in the back of a truck, 15-year-old Maria, her older sister Julia, their little brother Oscar, and a boy
named Tomas endure a cruel journey across the U.S. border and then north to Chicago. There they struggle to find work
-- cleaning, sewing, washing dishes -- always careful to remain "invisible" so the authorities won't arrest and deport them.
Despite the family's ordeals, hope and love can be found -- in Maria's budding romance with Tomas, in the help given by a
kindly midwife and priest, and most of all, in the stories Maria tells to lift the family's spirits, of a little sparrow who brings a
rainbow.
The Man Who Was Poe
by Avi
In Providence, Rhode Island, in 1848, Edgar Allan Poe reluctantly investigates the problems of 11-year-old Edmund,
whose family has mysteriously disappeared and whose story suggests a new Poe tale with a ghastly final twist.
The Maze
by Will Hobbs
Stowing away in the back of a pickup, Rick, a 14-year-old foster child, escapes from a juvenile detention facility near Las
Vegas and travels to Canyonlands National Park in Utah. There, he finds himself in a dead end in the surreal landscape of
redrock spires and deep canyons called the Maze, and is taken in by an eccentric naturalist who is working on a project to
reintroduce condors to the wild.
Myst, The Book of Atrus
by Rand Miller, Robyn Miller, David Wingrove
The ages of Myst are worlds of adventure and awe ... of mystery and beauty ... of intrigue and betrayal. You have seen
only a glimpse of the picture. Now take a step further into the fictional legend of Myst. These pages are your link to the
story of Atrus, son of Gehn, and the last of the race of D'Ni -- the masters of The Art, the craft of linking to other worlds
through the descriptive art of writing. For most of his young life, Atrus thought the stories his grandmother told him were
just strange legends. Then his time came to explore the magnificent underground realm.
Nothing but the Truth, A Documentary Novel
by Avi
A ninth-grader's suspension for singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" during homeroom becomes a national news story. In
this remarkable Newbery Honor book, facts, people, actions, and reactions are presented in stark documentary style. The
truth -- and nothing but the truth -- can be discovered by only one person: the reader.
Out of the Dust
by Karen Hesse
In a series of free verse poems, 15-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in
Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Great Depression. Powerful and moving, this Newbery Medal winner
effectively depicts both a bleak historical era and one family's healing.
Redwall
by Brian Jacques
When the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes,
Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help
Redwall's inhabitants destroy the enemy.
Shabanu, Daughter of the Wind
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
When 11-year-old Shabanu, the daughter of a nomad in the Cholistan Desert of present-day Pakistan, is pledged in
marriage to an older man whose money will bring prestige to the family, she must either accept the decision, as is the
custom, or risk the consequences of defying her father's wishes.
Where the Lilies Bloom
by Vera Cleaver, Bill Cleaver
Mary Call has true Appalachian grit. When her dying father makes her promise to keep her brother and sisters together
forever on the mountain and take no help from strangers, she is determined to keep her word -- no matter what. At first
Mary Call is sure she can run the family just fine on her own. Romey and Ima Dean help her gather herbs to sell in town,
using the riches of the mountains to keep the family clothed and fed. But winter sets in all too quickly. As food runs low,
and the tiny house begins to cave in under the weight of the snow, Mary Call learns that the land where the lilies bloom is
also a cruel and unforgiving land that deems a price for her stubborn pride.
Z for Zachariah
by Robert C. O'Brien
Ann Burden is 16 and, as far she she knows, the only person left in the world. The nuclear radiation that destroyed the
rest of the world has not touched the valley where she lives, and so she has remained, surviving as best she knows how,
for the past year. Then, the smoke from a distant campfire shatters Ann's solitude. Someone else is still alive and making
his way toward the valley: John Loomis, a scientist, protected from the radiation by a "safe-suit." He asserts his will almost
immediately. And as his behavior becomes more and more extreme -- finally culminating in violent confrontation -- Ann
must choose how she will live, in a world unlike any she has known.
This list was developed by Education World in collaboration with Barnes & Noble