Iron Thunder
Tom goes to work after his father is killed fighting for the Union Army.  He is helping build the iron ship called the Monitor.  This ship will challenge the rebel Merrimac in what looks to be one of the most important naval battles of the Civil War.

Avi

Lunch Money
Greg has always been a business man.  His newest venture is making and selling comic books to his fifth grade classmates.

Clements, Andrew

The Misadventures of Maude March
Sallie and her sister Maude are orphans.  After their aunt is accidentally killed, the two girls set across the plains towards Independence, Missouri in search of their uncle Arlen.  After the law becomes involved, will the two girls make it to Independence?

Couloumbis, Audrey

Bud, Not Buddy
Bud makes a decision to find the man he believes to be his father.  His clues are few, but he follows, “Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things For Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar out of Yourself” and makes some important discoveries.

Curtis, Christopher Paul

Bindi Babes
Amber, Jazz, and Geena are three sisters with style.  Though their lives are not perfect, they want to maintain their looks.  This becomes increasingly harder after their interfering Auntie comes to live with them.

Dhami, Narinder

Because of Winn-Dixie
India adopts a big ugly dog and names it Winn-Dixie after the store that she found it in.  The two come to help each other in unexpected ways.

DiCamillo, Kate

Blackwater Ben
Ben and his father work in a logging camp cooking for the jacks.  In Ben’s first year, he gains a new respect for the loggers and learns about his mother from someone who used to date her when she was single.

Durbin, William

Igraine the Brave
Igraine is only twelve, but it falls on her to protect the Books of Magic and help change her parents back into humans.  (They have turned themselves into pigs!)  Igraine might just become the famous knight she longs to be.

Funke, Cornelia

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Joey has trouble paying attention when his prescription meds wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.

Gantos, Jack

Do Bananas Chew Gum?
Sixth grader Sam, who can only read at a second grade level, moves with his family to a new town and tries to cover up his disability.

Gilson, Jamie

Shug
Annmarie is about to start junior high, and is not so sure she is ready to make the move.  It seems her friends are changing, and not for the best.  Her family seems to be falling apart, and the boy she likes does not appear to be interested in her at all.

Han, Jenny

Ella Enchanted
Ella must obey everything she is told.  A fairy put a spell on her as a baby, and now she is on a quest to be released from this curse.  Will she succeed?

Levine, Gail Carson

Bird Lake Moon
Mitch’s dad is leaving the family.  His mom decides they will spend the summer at his grandparents’ lake cottage.  Spencer’s family is visiting the lake for the first time after his brother’s death.  The boys become friends, and at the end of the summer they have a new take on their losses.

Henkes, Kevin

Heat
Carlos and Michael are brothers, alone after their father passes away.  The boys try to avoid getting placed into foster care, but Michael’s phenomenal pitching skill draws unwanted attention to this situation. 

Lupica, Mike

Anne of Green Gables
When Anne arrives at the Cuthbert’s, she is home.  Her rich imagination and active spirit bring new life to this family.  

Montgomery, Lucy Maud

Project Mulberry
Julia and Patrick decide to raise silkworms for a 4-H project.  Julia is not to sure she wants to do anything so Korean; she would like to do something more American.  Patrick is convinced it is a great project.  Will Julia sabotage their efforts?

Park, Linda Sue

My Life in Dog Years
The author describes some of the dogs that have had special places in his life.

Paulsen, Gary

Wolf Brother
Meet Torak, a young boy raised by his father in isolation.  When his father is killed, Torak must uncover the mystery of his own identity, and with the help of a young wolf pup, overcome the evil spirit that is stalking him.

Paver, Michelle

Esperanza Rising  
Esperanza’s life in Mexico is perfect, until tragedy strikes.  She and her mother must emigrate to the United States and start a new life unlike anything she has ever known.

Ryan, Pam Muñoz

Holes
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a correctional camp in the Texas desert for a crime that he did not commit.  Can he figure out a way to break the curse that has haunted his family for generations?

Sachar, Louis

Crash
John “Crash” Coogan has always been comfortable with his tough behavior until he meets an unusual boy who makes him consider the meaning of friendship.

Spinelli, Jerry