Bridge to YA: Recent Books for Fifth Graders -------------------------------------------- compiled by Miriam Neiman (Neiman@glasct.org), Welles-Turner Memorial Library, Connecticut from suggestions made by contributors to YALSA-BK and PUBYAC, May 2000 Habibi (Nye) The Beetle and Me: A Love Story (Young) Squashed and Thwonk (Bauer) The Other Shepards (Griffin) Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key (Gantos) A Year with Butch and Spike (Gauthier) Fab 5 Series (Rosie Rushton) Philip Pullman I know some fifth graders have responded favorably to "The Thief", by Megan Whalen Turner. There's nothing in it to keep it from them, though the sequel is quite definitely YA - she's a good writer! I also love Nancy Farmer, and I think all of her books except perhaps "A Girl Named Disaster" would be appropriate. Hope this helps! I really like Ben Mikelson and Jerry Spinelli and Avi has several things that cross over that gap. Fire In Their Eyes : wildfires and the people who fight them by Karen Magnuson Beil Shows the training, equipment, and real-life experiences of people who risk their lives to battle wildfires, as well as people who use fire for ecological reasons. Gypsy Rizka by Lloyd Alexander Rizka lives alone and alternately plagues and helps the citizens of Dunitsa. Skellig by David Almond Unhappy about his baby sister's illness and the chaos of moving into a dilapidated old house, Michael retreats to the garage and finds a mysterious stranger who is something like a bird and something like an angel. Backwater by Joan Bauer Ivy Breedlove, in compiling a history of her family of lawyers, tries to find a reclusive aunt who may explain why Ivy is so different from the rest of her family. Anna of Byzantium by Tracy Barrett Based on the real life Anna Comnena, heiress to the Byzantine emperor, until her younger brother is designated the next emperor. Great historical fiction, with loads of intrigue and plotting. The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley Corinna has disguised herself as a boy and taken on the job of Folk Keeper, the person who placates the fairy-like Folk and directs their anger away from spoiling crops and souring milk. When she gets a new position, though, her self-taught Folk Keeper abilities may not be enough to save the crops, the milk or even herself. Murder on the Barbary Coast by Kate Bryan Third in the Maggie Malone series. Maggie is a former Pinkerton's detective turned private eye in 1875 San Francisco. The Exchange Student by Kate Gilmore When her mother arranges to host one of the young aliens coming to Earth from the planet Chela, Daria is both pleased and intrigued by the keen interest shown by the Chelan in her work breeding endangered species. Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix A retelling of the Cinderella story, in which there is no pumpkin coach, no fairy godmother, and Prince Charming is not so charming. When Zachary Beaver Came To Town by Kimberly Willis Holt Toby and Cal meet Zachary Beaver, the world's fattest boy, in a sleepy Texas town during the Vietnam War. The Ghost In The Tokaido Inn by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler Seikei is a merchant's son, locked into that role from birth. When he is enlisted to help solve a mystery, Seikei gets a taste of many worlds, including the life of a samurai. Crazy Jack by Donna Jo Napoli Napoli retells the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, explaining where Jack's dad is and why Jack is foolish enough to believe that trading a cow for beans is a good idea. First Test by Tamora Pierce The first in a new series set in the world of the Song of the Lioness and Immortals series. The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi A suspenseful novel based on the true story of the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Pig And The Shrink by Pamela Todd When Tucker needs to come up with a science fair project fast, he decides that classmate Angelo will be a good topic -- whether Angelo wants to or not. Sammy Keyes And The Sisters Of Mercy by Wendelin Van Draanen Sammy is now doing volunteer work at St. Mary's church, where she is accused of stealing the pastor's favorite cross. 4th in a series. My Angelica by Carol Lynch Williams Sage fancies herself a romance writer, and to prove it, she enters her novel into a school writing competition. Torn Away by John Heneghan Maura's Angels by Lynn Reid Banks I don't know how "new" the authors need to be, but all of these have published books in the last few years. Many write children's books as well as ya titles, but the ya titles tend to be more accessible than others. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Gary Paulsen Madeleine L'Engle Ann Rinaldi Margaret Mahy Joan Lowery NIxon Ellen Conford Karen Hesse Avi Caroline Cooney Konigsburg, E. L. The View From Saturday. NY: Antheum Books. 1996. Meet Julian, who has spent previous years living with his father on a cruise boat. Noah was a last minute substitute as best man at the wedding of Nadias Grandfather and Ethans Grandmother. Their teacher, Mrs. Oshinski, has returned to teaching in a wheel chair after a car accident. This diverse group of middle school students, a.k.a The Souls, and their teacher learn about friendship, success, and self-confidence during their quest for victory in the Academic Bowl. Lawrence, Iain. The Wreckers. NY: Delacorte Press, 1998. Fourteen-year-old John Spencer is on an adventure of a lifetime. He and his fathers crew are shipwrecked during a storm off the coast of England and lured to a small coastal community. The local residents show no mercy to members of wrecked ships and John must fight for his life and the life of his missing father. David Almond Skellig (also has new one just out) Tracy Barrett Anna of Byzantium T. A. Barron fantasy: Merlin Susan Bartoletti No Man's Land (Civil War) Gary Blackwood Shakespeare Stealer Edward Bloor Tangerine Susan Butler The Hermit Thrush Sings (sci-fi/fantasy) Scott Ciencin Dinoverse sci-fi/fantasy: kids become dinosaurs. Science-based, w/humor Susan Cooper King's Shadow Louise Erdrich Birchbark House Virginia Wolff Euwer Bat 6, but also new one, I think Susan Fletcher Shadow Spinner Adele Griffiths The Other Shepards, also new one? Nikki Grimes Jessie Haas Unbroken Margaret Peterson Haddix Just Ella, Among the Hidden, (ROOT) Will Hobbs Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler Ghost of Tokaido Inn Angela Johnson Kathleen Karr Great Turkey Walk, new one on order Marilyn Kaye ("Replica" series) Pegh Kehret new: I'm Not Who You Think I Am Jackie French Koller (some) Gail Carson Levine Lois Lowry Looking Back (autobiog.) Norma Fox Mazer Good Night, Maman Ben Mikaelson Petey Lensey Namioka Donna Jo Napoli Joan Lowery Nixon Katherine Paterson new book: Preacher's Boy (humor) Susan Beth Pfeffer Rodman Philbrick Tamora Pierce Philip Pullman (Golden Compass trilogy for REALLY advanced readers. Clockwork, Fireworks-maker's Daughter (may not be exact title) ) David Skinner Thundershine (fantasy) Joyce Sweeney Spirit Window Rachel Vail Friendship Ring series Wendelin van Draanen Sammy Keyes! Kimberly Willis Holt When Zachary Beaver... , My Louisiana Sky Jacqueline Woodson (some) Laurence Yep Karen Romano Young Video, The Beetle and Me: A Love Story Amy Bronwen Zemser Beyond the Mango Tree