Children's Books for Parents and Teachers - book reviews and suggestions for parents and teachers.
5th Grade (Age 10)

All books suitable for children in 5th grade.

Double Fudge

Fudge is back and he’s discovered money in a big way. He’s making his own “Fudge Bucks,” dressing as a miser for Halloween and thumbing through catalogs before bed, choosing birthday and Christmas presents years in advance – much to the embarrassment of his family, especially older brother Peter, who’s just starting 7th grade. But things begin to change when the Hatchers discover their long-lost relatives, The Howie Hatchers of Honolulu, Hawaii – not exactly your everyday family. With new cousins, Flora and Fauna, and 4 year old Farley Drexel …


Dump Trucks and Dogsleds (Hank Zipzer Series #16)

When Hank first heard that his mom was having a baby boy, he wasn’t so thrilled. And when he finds out that the baby will be sharing his room, Hank is positively outraged! To make things easier, Dad suggests he take Hank and Emily away for some bonding. But on the first day of their trip, a freak snowstorm arrives. And then they get a call that the baby is coming early! Hank, Dad, and Emily know they have to get home—and fast! They hop on a train, hitch a …


Elijah of Buxton

Eleven-year-old Elijah is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves just over the border from Detroit. He’s best known in his hometown as the boy who made a memorable impression on Frederick Douglass. But things change when a former slave steals money from Elijah’s friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Elijah embarks on a dangerous journey to America in pursuit of the thief, and he discovers firsthand the unimaginable horrors of the life his …


Ella Enchanted

At her birth, a fairy blesses baby Eleanor with the gift of obedience. But for Ella this is a curse. She must spend her life doing literally everything that is asked of her, from sweeping the floor to handing over valued jewelry. When her mother dies, her father sends her away to boarding school with two cruel sisters. Ella’s spunk keeps her afloat until she meets her charming prince, breaks the wicked spell, and begins her “happily ever after” life.


Esperanza Rising

Esperanza’s life takes a turn when her father is killed on their ranch in Mexico. She has been used to fancy clothes and a lovely home with servants. Suddenly she finds herself living in Central California in a one-room shack with another family, working along with migrant farm workers. Esperanza learns about surviving and that family and community hold riches of their own.


0061998168-L
Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books

A collection of poems and drawings features an assortment of characters, including Stick-A-Tongue-Out Sid and Transparent Tim.


Extra Credit

It isn’t that Abby Carson can’t do her schoolwork, it’s just that she doesn’t like doing it. And that means she’s pretty much failing sixth grade. When a warning letter is sent home, Abby realizes that all her slacking off could cause her to be held back — for real! Unless she wants to repeat the sixth grade, she’ll have to meet some specific conditions, including taking on an extra-credit project: find a pen pal in a foreign country. Simple enough (even for a girl who hates homework).

Abby’s first letter …


Ezra and Mr Bignall’s Disappearing Maths Class

On his first day at his new school Ezra is given an endless list of arithmetic problems to work out. The maths teacher, Mr. Bignall, is hopeless, dull and boring. But something’s not right. On day two Ezra and the class find out the truth. They experience adventures that catapult them across time and space.


Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales

8 popular tales: The Story of Deirdre, The Fate of the Children of Lir, Morraha, five others. For young and old alike-eight captivating tales filled with whimsy, charm and magic: The Fate of the Children of Lir, The Shepherd of Middvai, Beth Gellert, The Tale of Ivan, Morraha, The Story of Deirdre, The Llanfabon Changeling, and The Sea-Maiden. Reset in large, easy-to-read type.


Feathers

“Hope is the thing with feathers” starts the poem Frannie is reading inschool. Frannie hasn’t thought much about hope. There are so many other things to think about. Each day, her friend Samantha seems a bit more “holy.” There is a new boy in class everyone is calling the Jesus Boy. And although the new boy looks like a white kid, he says he’s not white. Who is he?

During a winter full of surprises, good and bad, Frannie starts seeing a lot of things in a new light—her brother Sean’s …