suggested by Wendy Woodfill, Juvenile Selection Librarian, Hennepin County Library

Wendy particularly recommends these books for readers in the upper elementary grades.
Seer of Shadows

Seer of Shadows • Avi

In 1872, fourteen year old Horace, who is an apprentice to a photographer, finds himself enmeshed in a plan to create fraudulent spirit photos. When he inadvertently releases the ghost of a dead girl, Horace begins to fear for his life.
Airman

Airman • Eoin Colfer

In the late nineteenth century, Conor Broeckhart uncovers a conspiracy to overthrow the king but is quickly labeled a traitor and thrown into prison where he is forced to mine diamonds under harsh conditions. To keep his sanity Conor designs and constructs a flying machine which he hopes will make his escape successful.
London Eye Mystery

The London Eye Mystery • Siobhan Dowd

When Ted and Kat’s cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye ferris wheel the two must work together—Ted with his brain that is ‘wired differently’ and impatient Kat—to solve the mystery of Salim’s disappearance.
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate • Jacqueline Kelly

Calpurnia or Callie for short is content with her rough and ready life with her six brothers in central Texas at the end of the nineteenth century. But her mother has plans for her which do not involve studying the natural world with her beloved grandfather. Callie is strongly encouraged to learn to be a lady and give up her dreams of becoming a scientist.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal • Jeff Kinney

Greg and best friend Rowley are two undersized kids in the sixth grade. It seems to them that all the other boys are giants who need to shave twice a day. Their means of survival changes however when Rowley becomes popular and Greg is left in the dust.

Savvy

Savvy • Ingrid Law

On the 13th birthday, Mibs Beaumont’s savvy, or supernatural power, is revealed to her. Most of the Beaumont clan has some sort of special power or talent and Mibs is convinced hers is to restore life. When her father is seriously injured in a accident, Mibs travels across the state to try to reach him in time.

Princess Ben

Princess Ben • Catherine Murdock

Ben never liked the idea of being a princess. But slowly she is transformed from a sullen lazy girl into the thoughtful caring Crown Princess Benevolence who must lead her country in a war against Drachensbett.
When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me • Rebecca Stead

While her mother frantically prepares to be a contestant on TV show, The $20,000 Pyramid, Miranda tries to make sense of a series of strange anonymous handwritten notes that seem to defy the laws of time and space.
The Folk Keeper

The Folk Keeper • Franny Billingsley

Orphan Corinna disguises herself as a boy to pose as a Folk Keeper, one who keeps evil folks at bay, and discovers her heritage as a real maiden when she is taken to live with a wealthy family in their manor by the sea.
Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons• Sharon Creech

After her mother leaves home suddenly, Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother's route. Along the way Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother has also left.
Because of Winn Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie • Kate DiCamillo

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog, Winn-Dixie.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key • Jack Gantos

To the constant disappointment of this mother and teacher, Joey Pigza has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his medication wears off and he starts acting weird.
Among the Hidden Haddix

Among the Hidden • Margaret Peterson Haddix

A government decree allows each family two children. For Luke, a third child, this has meant a lifetime of hiding. But could a stray glimpse of a child in the house across the way lead to freedom?
Our Only May Amelia

Our Only May Amelia • Jennifer L. Holm

 As the only girl in a Finnish American family of seven brothers, May Amelia Jackson resents being expected to act like a lady growing up in Washington state in 1899.
The Lives of Christopher Chant

The Lives of Christopher Chant (3 book series) • Diana Wynne Jones

Young Christopher Chant, in training to become the next Chrestomanci or head controller of magic in the world, becomes a key figure in a battle with renegade sorcerers because he has nine lives.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe • C. S. Lewis

Four English schoolchildren find their way through the back of a wardrobe into the magic land of Narnia where they assist Aslan. the golden lion, to triumph over the White Witch who has cursed the land with eternal winter.
The Thief

The Thief • Megan Whalen Turner

Gen flaunts his ingenuity as a thief and relishes the adventure that takes him to a remote temple of the gods where he will attempt to steal a precious stone.
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief • Wendelin Van Draanen

Seventh grader Sammy's penchant for speaking her mind gets her in trouble when she involves herself in the investigation of a robbery at the "seedy" hotel across the street from the seniors' building where she is living with her grandmother.

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