February 9, 2011

Thursday Thirteen

Did you know that there is a big difference between "middle grade" fiction and "young adult" fiction? I have noticed these days that my middle grade readers (ages 8-12) are quick to jump in to books that are intended for young adults!  (They ask me for Hunger Games and Twilight!) Young adult fiction is geared towards kids ages 14 to 21.
Middle Grade readers are ages 8-12.   These kids are trying to figure out what  think, and where they fit in. They like books that they can relate to.  Because of this, most themes deal with issues that these kids deal with: school, friendships, relationships with peers and siblings, and daily difficulties that may seem ordinary to to you and me. This age group  is easily distracted,  so the books have a faster pace, lower word count and less chapters.  This week I give you my favorite middle grade books!  

Frindle by Andrew Clements
F CLE
When he decides to turn his fifth-grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.

The Lemonade War by Jaqualine Davies
F DAV
Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars. Includes mathematical calculations and tips for running a successful lemonade stand.

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
F DIC
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.

The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street by Sharon Flake
F FLA
Ten-year-old Queen learns valuable life lessons about being a good friend when Leroy, a new kid in the neighborhood, comes to Queen's school.

Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman
F GUT
Eleven-year-old Eddie gets a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot at the National Basketball Association finals.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
F HAD
In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm, until another "third" convinces him that the government is wrong.
The Secret of Zoom by Lynne Jonell
F JON
Ten-year-old Christina lives a sheltered life until she discovers a secret tunnel, an evil plot to enslave orphans, and a mysterious source of energy known as zoom.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
F MAS
Just before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy Fink receives a keyless locked box--set aside by his father before his death five years earlier--that purportedly contains the meaning of life. 

One Beastly Beast by Garth Nix
F NIX
A collection of four fantasy tales in which a boy joins a strange navy in pursuit of video pirates, a neglected princess seeks adventure, an orphaned inventor seeks the perfect parents, and a genius girl faces a sea serpent

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
F PAU
Things get out of hand for a twelve-year-old boy when a neighbor convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business. 

Beryl: A Pig's Tale by Jane Simmons
F SIM
Tired of being mistreated and cooped up, Beryl the piglet escapes her farm and meets a group of wild pigs, whose settlement splits up over the decision of whether to let her stay, and with her new "family" she sets out to find a new home.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
F STE
As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

Charlotte's Web by EB Lewis
F LEW
Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for this list. I feel my 10 year old is trying to grow up too fast as well, wanting to jump ahead to more mature things in reading that I just don't feel she is ready for. I appreciate the list.

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