Friday, October 10, 2008

Intermediate Book Recommendations (Grades 3-5)

Click on the comments link to read reviews of books recommended for students in Grades 3-5.

26 comments:

Reviewer said...

A Wrinkle in Time is a wonderful book about three kids named Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace who go on an epic journey to save Mr. Murry (Meg and Charles Wallace’s father). The book includes: witches, stars, mythical creatures, Happy Mediums and aliens. I like this book because it has action and is very riveting about the strong love between Meg and Charles Wallace.

The three helping ladies: Mrs. Witch, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Whatsit take the three kids to many various planets in the universe. They show the kids the evil thing Mr. Murry was fighting off and sends them to a most strange place called Camazotz to rescue him. Little did they know something was very amiss about the planet, in the system that they people of Camazotz used revolved around a thing called “IT.” This “IT” was able to capture Charles Wallace under his spell. Luckily, by sacrificing Charles Wallace they were able to find Mr. Murry who later saved Meg and Calvin’s lives when “IT” was trying to control their minds. Mr. Murry then tesseracts them to a strange planet where everything is shades of black and white. The creatures that lived there were most hospitable when they learned that Meg was partially paralyzed from the cold of the evil thing. After Meg had returned to her normal self she faced the fact that she, and only she, could break the spell Charles Wallace was under. In the end “IT” was almost able to capture her under his spell, but if it wasn’t for the strong love between Charles Wallace and Meg she would have lost. This book was very fun to read and easy to read. I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up.

Ellie D.

Reviewer said...

I reviewed a book called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling. In this book, Harry Potter, a small boy, finds out about the secret of magic running through his blood. He then travels to a school called Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he learns about his past, the present, and the soon to come in the Magic world, including the quick uprising of Voldemort, the satan of the magic world. He makes some friends, he makes some enemies but most of all, he learns about being a child prodigy in the magic world for being the only one to survive Voldemort’s death curse. You can find out more by reading the book!

I enjoyed this book because it is suitable and exciting for all ages, from third grade up. It has the fun and imagination to keep kids from putting the book down, and brings out the inner child in anyone at any age. The author uses such captivating and imaginative words, you cant quit until it’s finished! I would rate this first book in a series of seven a five out of five stars because it is suitable for anybody.

Colin H.

Reviewer said...

I reviewed a book called The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene du Bois. In this book, the main character, Professor William Waterman Sherman, is tired of teaching arithmetic in San Francisco. He wants to travel to a place where he can relax in peace by himself, so he decides to build a hot-air balloon and fly around the world. On his journey he somehow finds his way to Krakatoa, a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean. A welcoming committee tells him that he will not be allowed to ever leave the island because he knows all the secrets of Krakatoa. Read the book to find out the secrets of Krakatoa and whether Professor Sherman ever leaves the island!

I enjoyed reading this book and would rate it four and a half stars because it was suspenseful and had lots of action. When the professor’s balloon went down, you did not know what would happen next. It is intense when the ground starts shaking and rumbling when the professor and the tour guide are walking around the island. I would recommend this book for grades 4-7.

Alexander W.

Reviewer said...

My favorite book is The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is very exciting. The main character is Jonas. He is a strange person that has blue eyes and every one else has brown eyes. He started to see strange changes in the sight of things. He turned thirteen years old and now he is starting to get assigned a job and his job is the receiver. He is the first person to be a receiver. He has to go to a guy that was the old receiver and the old one gives him all the past memories of the world when the world used to be in color and there used to be sunlight. He learns that he is one of two people that can see color. And he leaves the town to go try to find another town and fix everything to make it look and feel like it used to.

I recommend this book for 4th grade through 9th grade. I recommend this book for those ages because it can be difficult to read for younger grades. It is a great book and very interesting to read. So go buy the book and just read, read, read!

Lance V.

Reviewer said...

I recommend The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. This book is about the Olympian gods, and their daughters and sons. The main characters are: Percy Jackson, son of the god Poseidon, Annabel, daughter of Athena, and Grover who is a centaur (half man and half goat). This book is very educational. You learn about Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Aries, etc. I liked this book because it has Adventure, Romance, and Humor. This book is recommended for 8 and up.

This book is also for people who like spine- chilling, nail biting, stories with high climax, people who like learning about the Olympian gods. I also liked this book because I am Greek, and we are from that heritage. This book helped me a lot in Social Studies because we were learning about the Greek gods. There are 4 books total 1- The Lightning Thief, 2- The Sea of Monsters, 3- The Titan’s Course, and 4- The Battle of the Labyrinth. I would rate these books five stars!!!

Maddy V.

Reviewer said...

If I were to recommend a book I would have to recommend all of the Harry Potter books, by J.K. Rowling. These books are a fantasy read, and require a lot of imagination, these books will keep you reading until the very end. Harry Potter is about a young boy who’s parents had been murdered by Voldemort, so he moves in with his aunt and uncle, until one day, Hadrig comes to his house and tells him that he is a wizard. Then he is taken away to Hogwarts, School of Magic and Wizardry. He goes on many awesome adventures from taking on bullies, to slaying serpents, and even facing up against dragons!

As you may see, these books are cool, and J.K. Rowling must be a very imaginative person! I would recommend this books to 4+ graders. This book is so good, I would have to say that I would rate it 5 stars!

Ryan H.

Reviewer said...

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

In Denmark, during World War II, trouble is stirring. Anne’s Jewish friend Ellen needs to hide. Anne and her are to travel and protect her until she arrives safely in Norway. I enjoyed this book because it explains the actions of the soldiers; the way the Jews were treated and how many lives were affected.

I would recommend this book to 5th graders and 4th graders because I learned about wars faster in my youth. It’s better to know what world history there is so you know what is going on around you. The author tells us that Denmark is vulnerable because of its size but they are not dumb. Anne’s sister’s fiance was a true hero since he learned brilliant and sneaky tactics with other scientists. Never judge a country by its size because it may outsmart others like it did to the Germans.

Samuel H.

Reviewer said...

I reviewed a book called Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan. It is about a girl named Ida. She goes through some very hard times. She is home-schooled because of an incident when she was in Kindergarten. Her family owns an orchard of apple trees and some land. In the land, there is a wise, old tree, the brook and some rocks. Her mom gets very sick, and Ida has to go back to school. She ends up finding the bright side of life… eventually.

I enjoyed this book because it was as if I was watching a movie that I memorized in my mind; I could see everything that had happened in the book. I enjoyed this book because it was exciting and Ida did many things that no one else would ever think of, like when she talks to objects. I recommend this book because it is an A.R. book, and it is a book for grades 4-6. Enjoy!!!

Tiffany H.

Reviewer said...

I extremely liked the book The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith. It is about a boy named Peter that is thrilled because his grandpa is going to live with his family, but then he finds out that his grandpa is going to take his room, forcing Peter to have his room upstairs. Peters loves his grandpa, but he wants his room back so he decides to declare war. Peter and his friends create plans to get his grandpa to leave out of his room. Do the plans work? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I recommend this book to third, fourth, and fifth graders. The book does have some humor in it. If some thick books and this one intimidate you, it won’t take you a long time to read, you will just zip through it because it is so good.

Mallory H.

Reviewer said...

I am reviewing the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney because it is funny, weird, silly, really attaching and hard to put down. The story is about Greg as a wimpy kid and his brother rules him. It takes place over the summer.

This is my favorite book and as a person who does not like to read I read it at home and it only took me an hour, usually it would take me a couple of day and I couldn’t wait to read the next one. I would recommend this book to students in grades third – fifth, I read these two books in fifth grade. I think I read them at the right time because I really understood the two books. If you wanted to read the books they are in the library and maybe in your classroom. So if you want to read it is ready to laugh. I loved this book.

Micaela G.

Anonymous said...

"The Fighting Ground" By: Avi

This book is about a 13 year old boy named Jonathan, who lives with his father and mother on a farm in Trenton, New Jeresy, during the Revolutionary War. He soon finds himself more than eager to fight in the war however his father won't let him. Later on the bell sounds through out the town indicating trouble, therefore in the end Jonathan does do what he's been waiting for and that's fight in the war.

- Julianna C. Joseph

Anonymous said...

Smile is an "I-can't-put-it-down" sort of book. It's the best book I've ever read. It's about a girl named Raina who knocks out her two front teeth right before getting braces. Throughout this story, Raina has many different teeth problems that take years to fix; but that's not all that's going on in Raina's crazy life... This book is packed full of romace, humur, and friendship. I would recomend this book to fifth though eighth grade. I rate it five star.

Mary N.

Anonymous said...

Roberto & Me
This is a great book.Not only is this book is interesting its also tells you a lot of facts. In this book a 12 year old boy
named Joe goes back in time to meet Roberto Clemente and tell not to go on the plane ride he crashed in.
You have the book to finds what happens.

Andy Semo

Anonymous said...

Dear Reader,

When You Reach Me, is on my top 10 lists of books. I love it so much! Every detail is amazing! This author had done some amazing things. In the book the girl is reading a book to, A Wrinkle in Time! But I am here to focus on When You Reach Me. This author has made art out of a book it is just amazing I would recomend this to all! Read it now! It's in the library! I love it soo much and would love it is I saw you reading it. It is my favorite book!

From,
Caroline

Anonymous said...

Black Hearts in Battersea, by Joan Aiken, takes place in England over 100 years ago. Simon, a young painter, receives a letter from a friend about an art academy in London. Curiously, when he gets there his friend who invited him seems to have disappeared. Simon discovers some Georgians plotting against the king of England and is determined to stop them. In his attempts to save the king he is joined by Sophie, the Duchess' handmaid , the Duke and Duchess themselves, Justin, the future duke, and Dido, the daughter of the same Georgians. This is the second book of the Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. I recommend Black Hearts in Battersea because it is full of action, excitement, and mystery. This is a good read for ages 8 and up. While it isn't from the fantasy genre, it is certainly a magical book.

Madeleine M.

Anonymous said...

If you are looking for fun with mysteries you should read The Hardy Boys:Ghost at skeleton rock. Join Frank and Joe Hardy as the adventure in to South America as the discover a freight robbing gang of criminals plotting to overthrow the Tropical government! This book contains action, adventure and mystery.

James C.

Anonymous said...

I am adding some information I left out of my other post. The title of the Hardy Boys book was The Ghost at Skeleton Rock and was written by Franklin Dixon. The book is targeted at young readers. I like that it was in Puerto Rico and they weren't so focused on the mystery and they were actually have some fun. What I didn't like is that that they foiled the ghost plot so easily, they didn't have to do much investigation.

James C.

Anonymous said...

Diary of a whippy
By Jeff Kenny.

This book is about a boy named Greg that is starting middle school and he doesn't no how to act and his big brother Roderick is always bugging him and his little brother many also is annoying to Greg. Greg's best friend Rowley is immature and always embarrasses him in public.

You should read this book if you are in 2end 3rd 4th 5th grade.
I loved this book I thought nothing was wrong with it.


Diego V

Anonymous said...

I am reading a book called "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkein. This book is like a Prologue to his lord of the rings series. The main character in this book is the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who has never dreamed of Anything involving stuff outside of his hobbit hole. But suddenly, he finds himself on one of the biggest adventures ever, traveling into the lonely mountains to find dragon-guarded gold. This book is VERY good, and the author is an AMAZING writer! I can't wait to Read this book, and all of Tolkien's other books too!
Posted by Grace C.

Anonymous said...

Smile is a great book about a seventh grade girl, Riana who goes through a lot of teeth issues, friend difficulties, and of course, high school problems.

Riana's family consists with her little sister, a little brother, and a father and mother. This nonfictional story tells about the author's several teeth issues while dealing with school, being a teen, and getting her ears pierced.

Kelly D.

Anonymous said...

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
By:Avi

This book is about a twelve-year-old who gets send to America from England to be with her family because they had move from England to America but they left their daughter to finish her year in her wonderful school, in her father's ship called the Seahawk with a Captain who is the most terrible and cruel to every shipmate in the ship.
What I disliked about the book is that there's a lot of violence and cruelty but there's a lot of bravery too.
I would recommend this book to a sixth and fifth grader.
Elena V

Anonymous said...

The Lightning Thief
By: Rick Riordan

This story is about a boy named Percy Jackson who finds out he is a half blood, which is a son or daughter of one mortal parent and one Olympian parent. In Percy's case his mother is a mortal and his father is Poseidon. Percy's best friend from school, Grover, turns out to be a satyr which is a boy who is half goat. When they end up at Camp Half Blood they meet a girl named Annabeth, daughter of Athena, she soon becomes their friend and helps them on a quest to clear Percy as the one who stole Zeus' lightning bolt.
The three friends continue on a long journey meeting several Gods along the way who try to trap them and steer them off course. But they have Poseidon on their side.
I enjoyed this book because I feel like you are in the book with percy,annabeth,and grover. The description of the places the visited seemed so real so real to me.
This book is a thrilling adventure for anyone of any age! If you like suspense this book is for you! A bonus is that you will want to learn more about Greek mythology and more about Percy's adventures that seem to never end.




Gabrielle .V.

Mia G said...

The Fighting Ground By:Avi
I would recomend this book for grades 4-5. I liked how in this book the author adds alot of detail. I also like how this book is really about Jhonathan the main character expieriencing war and going through a life changing expierience. Jhonothan leaves his family and he just doesn't know what he is getting himself into.
Mia G

Anonymous said...

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis is about two kids named Popeye and Elvis having a small adventure. Popeye got his name like that because his uncle had shot Popeye's eye on accident. Then he goes to his grandma's place for some reason and meats up with Elvis and joins the Spit and Swear Club. When they go to a creek, he finds a boat sailing away made out of a Yoo-hoo juice box, and in those boats come mini messages, and they keep sailing to them! This book I would recommend it for people ages 7 and up. This book was a very small exciting adventure!

Rebecca v.

Anonymous said...

I recommend the book War Horse. It's a good book for boys or girls that like horses. This book would be good for 4th or 5th graders. It is a book about a boy who works on a farm and gets a horse. One day his father can no longer afford it and the horse becomes a war horse. The boy becomes a soldier hoping to find his horse and he succeeds.

Lilla C.

Anonymous said...

This summer I read a book called Super Swimmers by Caroline Arnold. The book would be for 4th or 5th graders. What I liked about the book is that it tells about ocean mammals such as sea lions, whales, otters, dugongs, and manatees.