Really good books for 3rd-5th graders? Lots of genres?

[LynnS6]

Oregon has this really cool thing called the "Battle of the Books" where teams from schools read books and then compete to answer questions about them. Ds did it for the first time this year and it really got him reading books that he would never have read. (He spent all of 3rd grade reading the same genre.)  For example, he read a book called Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio which chronicled a girl's recovery from polio in the 1950s. No way would he have chosen that book and yet he really liked it.

I'd love to nominate some books that are really interesting (I didn't care for some of them) for this year and next. They like a mix of fiction (realistic, fantasy, sci fi, historical) and non-fiction books. They also will usually have a graphic novel or two, some longer books and some shorter books. They've chosen a few books for next year already, but I'd like to see what else I can nominate for upcoming years.

So, spam me with your most interesting/best books for 3-5th graders (reading levels should be about 3rd - 6th or so).

Edited by LynnS6 - 4/12/11 at 10:30pm

[Holland73]

 I use Scholastic's Teacher Book Wizard: Leveled Search Engine all the time to find more leveled books for my students.  It's a great resource.  

[readermaid]

I really like:

Just Grace by Cherise Miracle Harper

Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell

Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli

How Tia Lola Learned to Teach by Julia Alvarez

Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor (This one is doesn't come out until May, so you may not be able to use it.)

Owly by Andy Runton (Graphic novel series)

[Owen'nZoe]

For graphic novels, we really like the Mouse Guard series.

[TEAK's Mom]

Here are some things that have had staying power with my newly 9 year old that are reasonably age-appropriate.

Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Mariel of Redwall (or any of the Redwall books) by Brian Jacques

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

and, for younger kids, George's Secret Key to the Universe by Stephen and Lucy Hawking is wonderful.

We're a little heavy in fantasy around here. Oh, and my shoulder-surfing 9 year old feels I should recommend Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, which she is really enjoying. However, I'm pretty sure that the sex chapter alone would disqualify it.

[meemee]

i have not read this book yet so dont know how good it is but dd has been basically glued to this book. she has chosen to read it over going out and playing with her pack after school.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by vicki myron and bret witter

the Fableheaven series

American Indian Trickster Tales (Myths and Legends) - Erdoes and ORtiz (this is a book she read last year, and she often returns to it pretty regularly)

BabyMouse series by Jennifer and Matthew Holm

i went and checked out their website now and the list they have there and some other suggestions of mine are already on the list. 

i'll talk to her and post some more later. she just finished some recently. they just had the book fair and she read a book a night - all of recess and home. 

[delphine]

My son (third grade) is reading the secret series by Pseudonomous Bosch right now and really enjoying it. 

OP, do you have access to the list of the books they have used?  I'd love to see what books they've chosen. 

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by delphine 

My son (third grade) is reading the secret series by Pseudonomous Bosch right now and really enjoying it. 

OP, do you have access to the list of the books they have used?  I'd love to see what books they've chosen. 

I am in love with penname Pseudomomous Bosch. That is fantastic!

And I second your request - I would love to see what books they've already done!
 

[TiredX2]

Our school district does Battle of the Books for grades 4-6. 

For 2010-2011 the books were:

Battle of the Books

2010-2011

Found

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

by Sharon Creech

Gully’s Travels

by Tor Seidler

Leepike Ridge

by N. D. Wilson

The Lemonade War

by Jacqueline Davies

The Magic Half

by Annie Barrows

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

by Rodman Philbrick

The Seer of Shadows

by Avi

Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper

by Michael Reisman

Swindle

by Gordon Korman

When the Circus Came to Town

by Laurence Yep

When You Reach Me

by Rebecca Stead

[LynnS6]

Thanks everyone -- keep 'em coming.

I know about the Scholastic Book Wizard -- I'm looking more for personal recommendations of somewhat 'different' books that might be good.
 

Originally Posted by delphine 

My son (third grade) is reading the secret series by Pseudonomous Bosch right now and really enjoying it. 

OP, do you have access to the list of the books they have used?  I'd love to see what books they've chosen. 

Here's the link:

http://oboblsta.pbworks.com/w/page/25660408/OBOB%20BOOKS%20FOR%202011-2012 -- If you browse around the site you can find the lists for earlier years too.

I really, really like this program -- they've got a 3rd-5th grade division, 6-8th grade, and high school division.

This year's 3-5th grade books are:

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

• Fantasy

Among the Hidden

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

• Science Fiction

Becoming Naomi Leon

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

• Realistic Fiction

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet

by Graham Salisbury

• Realistic Fiction

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

• Fantasy

Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise

• Mystery

Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret

• Realistic Fiction

How Oliver Olson Changed the World

by Claudia Mills

• Realistic Fiction

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher

by Bruce Coville

• Fantasy

The Last Newspaper Boy in America

by Sue Corbett

• Realistic Fiction/Mystery

The Magical Ms. Plum

by Bonny Becker

• Fantasy

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

by Beverly Cleary

• Fantasy

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

• Historical Fiction

On the Wings of Heroes

by Richard Peck

• Historical Fiction

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

by Grace Lin

• Fantasy

Who Were the Beatles? by Geoff Edgers

Biography