Recommendations from SVUSD Teachers
RL: Reading Level IL: Interest Level
ACROSS FIVE APRILS
HUNT, Irene RL6/lL5-9
The heartache and agony of the Civil War as reflected in the life of a young Ililinois boy.
(Newbery Honor; a classic, supplements history.)
ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
VIVIAN, Charles RL6/lL5+
The story of the man who worked against oppression in England during the middle ages by robbing the richand giving to the poor.
(A classic story well told; supplements grade 7 history curriculum.)
ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
TWAIN, Mark RL9/lL9+
The classic story of Tom, Becky Thatcher, Huck Finn, and Injun Joe.
(Teacher recommended: a classic.)
ANNE OF AVONLEA
MONTGOMERY, R. A. RL7/lL7+
Book 2: Continues the light-hearted adventures of a young girl in the early 1 900's.
(A classic; popular with girls.)
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
MONTGOMERY, R. A. RL7/lL7+
Book 1: Light-hearted characterization of a young girl in the early 1 900's.
(A classic; popular with girls.)
BANNER IN THE SKY
UHLLMAN, James Ramsey RL6/lL7-12
When his father dies while trying to climb Switzerland's great mountain, The Citadel,young Rudi knows he must make the assault himself.
(A popular classic; Newbery Honor award)
BASEBALL IN APRIL AND OTHER
STORIES
SOTO, Gary RL5/lL4-8
Events of everyday life reveal big themesyouth/ age, love / friendship, success / failure -- in this collection of short stories featuring Latino kids as they perform in theschool talent show, go out on dates, and take part in activities.
(ALA Best Book for Young Adults; popular.)
BLOODY COUNTRY
COLLIER, James Lincoln RL6/lL6-10
This historically accurate Revolutionary War story of freedom is told through the eyes of Ben Buck.
(Supplements history curriculum)
BRIAN'S WINTER
PAULSEN, Bary RL6/lL5-9
A second sequel to Hatchet. this time prompted by many readers asking the same question. What would have happened if Brian had not been rescued? Could he have survived a winter?
(High interest for boys; excellent choice for a reluctant reader.)
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
PATERSON, Katherine RL6/lL5- ~
The story of a very special friendship between a boy and a girl.
(Newbery medal; a modern classic; supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
CANYONS
PAULSEN, Gary RL5/lL6-12
Two boys, separated by the canyons of time and two vastly different cultures, face the challenges by which they become men.
(Recommended for literary value; high interest; excellent for reluctant readers.)
CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS
KIPLING, Rudyard RL7/lL6-12
Classic tale of a spoiled rich boy who is thrust into the tough world of the Grand Banks fishermen.
(Teacher recommended: a classic)
CHRONICIES OF NARNIA SERIES
LEWIS, C. S. RL5/lL 6-8
Any of the seven titles: Voyage of the Dawn Treader; Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe; Horse and his Boy; Last Battle; Magician's Nephew; Prince Caspian; Silver Chair.
(Highly recommended classic series; supplements grade 7 science fiction & fantasy unit.)
COME A STRANGER
VOIGT, Cynthia RL7/lL6+
Mina's deep love for her father, a minister, drives her to seek a way to give him an unforgettable gift: restoration of his faith. Continues to series begun in Homecoming and Dicey's Song.
(Recommended for literary value.)
DEVIL'S ARITHMETIC
YOLEN, Jane RL6/lL5-9
Hannah resents the traditions of her Jewish heritage until time travel places her in the middle of a small Jewish village in Nazi occupied Poland.
(Supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
FRANK, Anne RL8/lL7+
Autobiography of a young Jewish girl who lived with seven other people in secret rooms in Amsterdam during the Nazi occupation.
(Supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
DICEY'S SONG
VOIGT, Cynthia RL5/lL6-12
With her grandmother's help, Dicey learns to cope with life's problems. Sequel to Voigt s other book, HOMECOMING.
(Newbery medal; highly recommended for grades 7/8.)
DRAGONWINGS
YEP, Laurence RL6/lL5-9
This story portrays the rich traditions of the Chinese community as it made its way in the hostile new world of San Francisco.
(Newbery Honor award; supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
FANTASTIC VOYAGE
ASIMOV, Isaac RL9/lL7-12
Four men and a woman reduced to microscopic size enter a man's bloodstream to remove a blood clot.
(Teacher recommended: a classic.)
FAREWELL TO MANZANAR
HOUSTON, Jeanne Wakatsuki RL9/lL7-10
A Japanese-American family during WWII attempt to survive in a detention camp.
(Supplements grade 8 Core literature curriculum.)
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
BISSINGER, H. G. RL8 / IL 8+
Explores the culture of high school football by focusing on the town of Odessa, Texas.
(Popular; good for sports fans.)
GREY KING
COOPER, Susan RL6/lL5-9
Will Stanton must confront the Grey King in this award-winning final novel in the series.
(Newbery Medal; high literary value.)
HATCHET TRIOLOGY
PAULSEN, Gary RL6/lL5-9
Hatchet: After a plane crash, 1 3-year old Brian spends 54 days in the wilderness with only the aid of a hatchet. The River: 1 5-year old Brian returns to help scientists learn about the psychology of survival. Everything is going fine until lightening strikes.
(Newbery Honor award; highly popular; excellent choice for a reluctant reader.)
HIDING PLACE
TENBOOM, Corrie RL8/lL7+
The author's experiences hiding Jewish refugees during the Nazi occupation of Holland.
(Recommended for literary value: supplements Core curriculum.)
HOMECOMING
VOIGT, Cynthia RL5/lL6-12
Four abandoned children must find a way to get from Connecticut to Maryland in search of the grandmother they have never met and, hopefully, a home.
(A popular adventure with heart and substance; highly recommended for grades 7/8.)
HOOPS
MYERS, Walter Dean RL5/lL7-12
1 7-year old Lonnie Jackson hopes that basketball will be his ticket out of Harlem: the savage underworld of sports and money forces him to choose.
(Popular title; ALA Best Books for Young
Adults: supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
DOYLE, Arthur Conan RL8/lL8+
Sherlock Holmes's most famous mystery story.
(A classic in the detective/mystery genre.)
I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER
DUNCAN, Lois RL7/lL7+
Four teenagers are pursued by a mysterious avenger.
(Supplements mystery unit, popular.)
I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN
GREENBERG, Joanne RL9/lL9+
Story of a girl's journey through the unreal world of schizophrenia to health.
(Recommended for literary value.)
INVISIBLE THREAD
UCHIDA, Yoshiko RL5/lL6+
Yoshi knew her family looked different, but she felt like an American. Everything changed when America went to war and Japanese-Americans went to internment camps.
(Supplements Core literature grade 8)
ISHI: LAST OF HIS TRIBE
KROEBER, Theodora RL6/lL6-12
True story of a tiny group of Indians who survived by becoming a hidden people.
(Supplements grade 8 history curriculum.)
JACKAROO
VOIGT, Cynthia RL5/lL6+
During feudal times, an innkeeper's daughter is moved by the poverty and suffering she sees to don the apparel of the legendary Jackaroo to aid the deprived peasants.
(Supplements history curriculum.)
JOURNEY BACK, THE
REISS, Joanna RL7/lL7-12
Sequel to The Upstairs Room. in Holland, 1945, WWII has finally ended, and people must begin looking for their families.
(Popular; supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
JOURNEY TO TOPAZ
UCHIDA, Yoshiko RL6/lL5+
The story of 11-year old Yuki and her family who, after Pearl Harbor, are forced from their home and made to live in Topoz, a concentration camp in the desert.
(Sensitive and balanced presentation: supplements grade 8 history curriculum.)
JULIE
GEORGE, Jean Craighead RL5/lL5-9
Sequel to Julie of the Wolves. When Julie returns to her father's Eskimo village, she struggles to find a way to save her beloved wolves in a changing Arctic world.
(Supplements grade 8 history curriculum.)
JULIE OF THE WOLVES
GEORGE, Jean Craighead RL5/lL4-8
After running away from her Eskimo village and becoming lost, she learns to communicate with a pack of wolves and thus get food when she is starving.
(Newbery medal; supplements grade 8 history.)
LITTLE WOMEN
ALCOTT, Louisa May RL6/lL3-7
The timeless story of the March family as they grew up in the 1 9th century.
(Teacher recommended: a classic; popular.)
LORD OF THE RINGS SERIES
TOLKIEN, J. R.R. RL8/lL8+
Tolkien's famous series of Middle Earth and those charming little creatures, the Hobbits. The Hobbit. Fellowship of the Rinas. Two Towers. Return of the Kina.
(A classic series; highly recommended; supplements grade 7 science fiction & fantasy unit.)
MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE
CUSHMAN, Karen RL 6, IL 6-9
In 1 4th century England a homeless girl known only as Brat is given a position as the midwife's apprentice and gains the confidence and courage to want her own place in the world.
(Newbery Medal; supplements grade 7 social studies curriculum.)
Mr. & MRS. BO JO JONES
HEAD, Ann RL6/lL9+
A pregnant bride and her bewildered bridegroom, playing a grownup game with adult consequences.
(Sensitive; realistic; popular with girls.)
POOL OF FIRE
CHRISTOPHER, John RL7/RL7+
Book #3 of the Tripods series: Will and a small group of free people plan to destroy the three great cities of the Tripods before the arrival of a spaceship destined to doom the planet.
(Popular.)
QUEENIE PEVIE
BURCH, Robert RL5 / IL 4-7
What happens when the biggest troublemaker in the school tries to behave herself for one day?
(ALA notable book; good for reluctant readers.)
RASCAL
NORTH, Sterling RL6/lL4-8
True story of a ringtailed raccoon and his 11-year old friend.
(Popular title; Newbery Honor award; excellent for reluctant readers.)
RED PONY
STEINBECK, John RL4/il5-9
A young boy dreams great dreams and also learns the harsh realities of life.
(Teacher recommended: a classic.)
REDWALL
JACQUES, Brian RL7/lL6-12
The heart-soaring story of a wondrous quest to discover a legendary lost weapon and of a bumbling young apprentice monk named Matthias, mousekind's most unlikely hero.
(High interest for science fiction fans; ALA Best Books for Young Adults, supplements history curriculum: Middle Ages.)
RIVER
PAULSEN, Gary RL6/lL5-9
Sequel to Hatchet: Because he survived alone in the wilderness for 54 days, 1 5-year old Brian is asked to go back again to help scientists learn about the psychology of survival. Everything is going fine, until lightening strikes.
(Teacher Recommended; popular with boys; good for reluctant readers.)
ROLL OF THUNDER
TAYLOR, Mildred RL5/lL5-9
A Southern black family is determined to maintain its pride and independence against hard times and racial inequities. Newbery Medal.
(Supplements history curriculum)
SARAH BISHOP
O' DELL, Scott RL4/lL6-12
Based on a true story set in the American Revolution, a young girl is pursued by British soldiers and is forced to flee into the wilderness ofWestchester county.
(Popular; supplements grade 8 history curriculum.)
SCARLET PIMPERNEL
ORCZY, Emma B. RL7 / IL 7-12
An English nobleman plays the fop in order to rescue French royalty from the Terrorists during
the Revolution.
(A classic.)
SEA WOLF
LONDON, Jack RL6/lL6+
A vivid sea-action story.
(A classic.)
SECRET GARDEN
BURNETT, Frances Hodgson RL6/lL6-11
A self-centered girl and an invalid boy learn compassion and love- in an abandoned garden.
(Teacher recommended: a classic; popular.)
SHILOT
NAYLOR, Phyllis Reynolds RL 6 / IL 6-8
Marty sees a young beagle on the road and feels sure the dog is being abused by its owner. When the dog runs away to Marty's house, he feels terrible about having to return it to its cruel master. That's when Marty decides he'll do anything to save the beagle.
(Popular title; excellent choice for a reluctant reader; supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
SILVER ON THE TREE
COOPER. Susan RL6/lL5-9
In a quest through time and space. Will and Bran are drawn into the search for the crystal sword that alone can vanquish the dark.
(Recommended for literary value.)
SLAVE DANCER
FOX, Paula RL6/lL5-9
Jesse Bollier is required to play his flute in order to "dance" the slaves on the ship for exercise. Everything changes when he is shipwrecked and must depend upon one of the slaves to survive.
(Newbery medal: grade 8 history curriculum.)
SNIPER
TAYLOR, Theodore RL6/lL7-12
A mysterious sniper is terrorizing a southern California wild animal preserve, and 1 5-year old Ben is left alone to deal with the crisis.
(ALA Best Books for Young Adults: popular.)
SNOWBOUND
MAZER, Harry RL6/lL5-9
Two emotionally immature teenagers are stranded in a severe snowstorm.
(Popular: good for reluctant readers.)
SOMETHING FOR JOEY
PECK, Richard RL8/lL7+
While John Cappaletti was winning the Heisman Trophy, his brother Joey was suffering from leukemia. But Johnhad a special medicine for Joey--it was called touchdowns.
(Recommended for literary value: high interest.)
STALKER
NIXON, Joan Lowry RL5/lL6-12
Jennifer is shocked to hear that the police suspect her best friend of murder. With the help of a retired detective, She sets out to find her friend.
(Good for reluctant readers; award-winning author.)
SWEETGRASS
HUDSON, Jan RL6/lL6-12
A 1 5-year old Blackfoot Indian girl proves herself during a year of challenge and devastation for her tribe and her people.
(ALA Best Books for Young Adults: supplements grade 8 history curriculum.)
SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON
WYSS, Johann RL7/lL6- 12
The classic tale of a shipwrecked family cast upon a desert island who build a treehouse and survive so cleverly and happily apart from the world that they never want to be rescued.
(A classic: supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
TIGER EYES
BLUME, Judy RL5 / IL6-9
Slowly, Davey realizes she must hold onto her father's love rather than dwell on his death.
(Popular: sensitively written: supplements grade 7 thematic unit.)
TIME TRIOLOGY
L' ENGLE, Madeline RL7/lL4-8
A Wrinkle in Time. A Wind in the Door. A Swiftly Tiltina Planet. The fantastic adventures of the Wallace family as they confront the forces of good and evil with the help of time travel, friendly aliens, and the greatest force of all, their love for one another.
(A classic series: Newbery medal: supplements grade 7 science fiction & fantasy unit.)
TIMOTHY OF THE CAY
TAYLOR, Theodore RL 6 / IL 5
Prequel to The Cay.
(Supplements core literature)
TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN
SMITH, Betty RL7/lL7+
In this classic, young Francie comes of age in the poverty of the Brooklyn slums.
(Teacher recommended: a classic)
UP A ROAD SLOWLY
HUNT, Irene RL7/lL5+
A beautiful and memorable story of a girl's coming of age as she deals with the tragedy that changed her life forever.
(Newbery Medal: high literary value)
UPSTAIRS ROOM
REISS, Joanna RL7/lL7+
A young Jewish girl and her sister are forced into hiding during Hitler's reign.
(Newbery Honor Award: popular; supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
WESTING GAME
RASKIN, Ellen RL7/lL5-8
A puzling mystery of sixteen players who are all suspects in the curious murder of millionaire Sam Westing--and heirs to his fabulous fortune.
(Newbery Medal: supplements grade 8 mystery unit.)
WHERE THE LILIES BLOOM
CLEAVER, Vera & Bill RL7/lL6-10
A spunky 1 4-year old girl holds her family together after the death of their father.
(Teacher recommended: a classic.)
WHITE FANG
LONDON, Jack RL8/lL6-12
Story of the taming of a wild wolf-dog through the patience and devotion of one man.
(Supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
WIZARD OF EARTHSEA
LE GUIN, Ursula RL7/lL6-12
Earthsea Trilogy #1: Ged, the boy wizard, brings forth a beast that wants to destroy his soul.
(A classic.)
WOLF RIDER
AVI RL7/lL7-1 2
Andy finds his close relationship with his father crumbling as he struggles to make everyone believe that a murderer has telephoned him.
(Good for reluctant readers: popular author.)
YEARLING
RAWLINGS, Marjorie Kinnan RL1 1 /IL9+
In this moving classic tale, a boy rescues a fawn, raises him and faces the challenges of the fawn's growth and development into a deer.
(Teacher recommended: a classic)
ZLATA'S DIARY
FILIPOVIC, Zlata RL5/lL7+
This incredibly moving true diary offers a rare glimpse into the Serbo-Croatian war through the eyes of a young girl who experienced it.
(Supplements grade 8 Core curriculum.)
STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION recommended readings in literature
ADVENTURE
The Big Wave, Buck, Pearl S.
The Incredible Journey, Burnford, Sheila
Walkabout, Marshall, James Vance
BIOGRAPHY AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Cry of the Crow, George, Jean Craighead
Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the
Medieval World, Brooks, Polly Schoyer
The Road to Damietta, O'Dell,-Scott
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
All Creatures Great and Small, Herriot, James
Amos Fortune, Free Man, Yates, Elizabeth
The Dog Who Wouldn't Be, Mowat, Farley
Free to Be Muhammad Ali, Lipsyte, Robert
Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the
Underground Railway, Petry, Ann Homesick: My Own Story, Fritz, Jean Junius Over Far, Hamilton, Virginia My Family and Other Animals, Durrell, G. Profiles in Courage, Kennedy, John F. Silent Storm, Brown, MarionlCrone, Ruth Soup on Ice, Peck, Robert N.
CLASSICS
Around the World in Eighty Days, Verne, Jules
Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas, Alexandre
Favorite Tales from Shakespeare, Miles, B.
The Hobbit, Tolkien, J.R.R.
Ishi, Last of His Tribe, Kroeber, Theodora
Kidnapped, Stevenson, Robert Louis
Men of Iron, Pyle, Howard
Peter Pan, Barrie, James M.
Robinson Crusoe, Defoe, Daniel
The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Andersen, Hans C.
The Sword and the Circle, Sutcliff, Rosemary
Tales from Shakespeare, Lamb, C.and M.
War of the Worlds, Wells, H.G.
The Wizard of Oz, Baum, L. Frank
CONTEMPORARY REALISM
About the B'nai Bagels, Konigsburg, E.L Alan and Naomie, Levoy, Myron Boat to Nowhere, Wartski, Maureen C. Child of the Owl, Yep, Laurence Danza!, Hall, Lynn Dicey's Song, Voigt, Cynthia Jacob Have I Loved, Paterson, Katherine Lady Ellen Grae, Cleaver, Vera and Bill The Moves Make the Man, Brooks, Bruce My Side of the Mountain, George, Jean C. The Outsiders, Hinton, Susie E. The Owl's Song, Hale, Janet Sister, Greenfield, Eloise Summer of the Swans, Byars, Betsy C. Where the Lilies Bloom, Cleaver, V.and B.
HISTORICAL FICTION
Across Five Aprils, Hunt, Irene
As the Waltz Was Ending, Butterworth, Emma
Carlota, O'Dell, Scott.
Friedrich, Richter, Hans Peter
One Special Year, Perez, N.A.
Song for a Dark Queen, Sutcliff, Rosemary
Summer of My German Soldier, Greene,B.
Words by Heart, Sebestyen, Ouida
You Never Knew Her As I Did, Hunter, Mollie
MYSTE RY
The Changeling, Snyder, Zilpha K.
Devil on My Back, Hughes, Monica
The Hound of the Baskervilles, Doyle, Arthur
On the Edge, Cross, Gillian
The Pool of Fire, Christopher, John
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
The Boy Who Made Dragonfly, Hillerman,T.
The Darkangel, Pierce, Meredith
The Grey King, Cooper, Susan
Pippi Longstocking, Lindgren, Astrid
The Seven Citadels, Harris, Geraldine
Singularity, Sleator, William
The White Mountains, Christopher, John
The Wizard In the Tree, Alexander, Lloyd