4-5 Grade Challenge Books
Here is a list of books I culled from various book blogs around the Net. Mostly classic novels. Several of these books are commonly taught in middle school English classes, so adding them to a summer reading list can give your child an advantage when they
come up during the school year. Most are from "An A to Z of Classic Literature for Middle School Students" from a blog called
Don'Stuff
Here is a list of books I culled from various book blogs around the Net. Mostly classic novels. Several of these books are commonly taught in middle school English classes, so adding them to a summer reading list can give your child an advantage when they
come up during the school year. Most are from "An A to Z of Classic Literature for Middle School Students" from a blog called
Don'Stuff
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne – In the mid-nineteenth century, a French professor and
his two companions, trapped aboard a fantastic submarine as prisoners of the
deranged Captain Nemo, come face to face with exotic ocean creatures and strange
sights hidden from the world above.
A Stranger Came Ashore
by Mollie Hunter – Twelve-year-old Robbie becomes convinced that the
stranger befriended by his family is one of the Selkie Folk and tries to get
help against his magical powers from the local wizard.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith – A tale of an immigrant family. It’s been characterized
as a “coming-of-age” novel.
A Wizard of Earthsea
by Ursula K. LeGuin – the first of a series of books written by Ursula
K. Le Guin and set in the fantasy world archipelago of Earthsea depicting the
adventures of a budding young wizard named Ged.
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle – Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace,
and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an
unearthly stranger appears at their door. She claims to have been blown off
course, and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a “tesseract,”
which, if you didn’t know, is a wrinkle in time.
Across Five Aprils
by Irene Hunt – Shots fired far away spark a civil war that will have
painful repercussions for an Illinois family. This book shows how war affects
ordinary people and changes their lives forever. Effectively exploring the
complex issues behind the war [this] well-researched historical tale is
captivating and memorable.
Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Dr. Watson chronicles here
some of the more interesting detective cases that he and his good friend, Mr.
Sherlock Holmes, have encountered during their association. We see the cases
unfold as he does, scratch our heads as does he while the evidence is collected,
and then marvel at the impeccable observations, remarkable insight, and
doggedness which Holmes displays as he teases apart the tangled clues.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain – Enjoy the story of Tom Sawyer as a mischevious young
boy carries on under the watchful eye of his Aunt Polly. Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer
is one part trickster, one escape artist and one part very lucky fellow! The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer takes the reader along on a series of entertaining
adventures and pranks while Tom’s youthful romance with his sweetheart Becky
Thatcher blooms in the background. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of Mark
Twain’s most beloved works.
Call It Courage by
Armstrong Sperry – A Polynesian legend. It is the story of a young boy, named
Mafatu, and his struggle for independence, courage, recognition and
inclusion.
The Call of the Wild
by Jack London – The mythopoetic story of Buck, a sledge dog in the
Klondike, and his journey of transformation.
The Chocolate War
by Robert Cormier – The tale of Jerry Renault, a freshman at an
all-boys Catholic school, who decided to buck the system and “disturb the
universe” [by refusing] to sell chocolates during the school’s annual
chocolate sale [making] a move that upsets the balance of power and causes many
in the school to question their motivations. Published in 1974 and
inspired by Cormier’s son, Peter, who took a similar action, refusing to sell
chocolates, as a matter of principle.
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexander Dumas – A classic adventure novel, often considered Dumas’
best work, and frequently included on lists of the best novels of all time.
Completed in 1844, and released as an 18-part series over the next two years,
Dumas collaborated with other authors throughout. The story takes place in
France, Italy, and the Mediterranean from the end of the rule of Napoleon I
through the reign of Louis-Philippe.
Dragonsong by Anne
McCaffrey – The first volume in the series, is the enchanting tale of how
Menolly of Half Circle Hold became Pern’s first female Harper, and rediscovered
the legendary fire lizards who helped to save her world.
Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley – The novel reflects many elements of the Romantic period
(1798-1832): the primacy of feeling, the importance of nature, the individual
and his quest, the supernatural and the exotic, and solitude.
The Horatio Hornblower Series
by C.S. Forester – The Hornblower books were the original series of sea
stories set in the Napoleonic Wars, that last great conflict of the Age of Sail.
Many young people have read them and dreamed of adventures on the briny
deep.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
by Victor Hugo – Regarded as a standard classic and it must be one of
the most adapted stories for cinema and television. In addition, the bell
ringer, Quasimodo, has become a horror classic – although anyone that reads the
novel realizes that Frollo represents the horror. And perhaps the English title
– which Hugo himself hated – is to blame for putting too much emphasis on the
hunchback.
Island of the Blue Dolphin
by Scott O’Dell – A story of survival, based upon the true story of a
girl who was left upon an island near the coast of Southern California. She
lived there for 18 years, alone. While she waited for rescue, she kept herself
alive by building shelter, finding food, and fighting her enemies–the wild
dogs.
Johnny Tremain by
Esther Forbes – Unique because it told the story of the American Revolution
through the eyes of a boy, not a leader of the Revolution. “Esther Forbes’s
power to create, and to recreate, a face, a voice, a scene takes us as living
spectators to the Boston Tea Party, to the Battle of Lexington and of North
Creek.”- The Saturday Review, 1943.
Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George – This novel of adventure and suspense
presents the clash between traditional Inuit values and those of the modern
westernized world. When Julie decides that running away is her only
alternative to a frightening situation, she becomes lost in the frozen Arctic
tundra. Her knowledge of traditional Inuit ways and her understanding of the
starkness and beauty of nature enable her to survive with a wolf pack.
Kim by Rudyard
Kipling – Kipling was an Imperialist, and ‘Kim’ embodies attitudes towards
British rule in India which these days are unacceptable. But as a work of
fiction it does have fine literary qualities, and it deserves its unique place
in the history of English literature. The novel embodies a panoramic celebration
of India, presenting as it does a magnificent picture of its landscapes, both
urban and rural, and a fascinating array of native characters who, for the most
part, are warm, generous and tolerant. Beyond that, ‘Kim’ is an adventure story
of the [British] Empire.
The Last of the Mohicans
by James Fenimore Cooper – The most popular of Cooper’s Leatherstocking
Tales, The Last of the Mohicans takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian
War and recounts the story of a an unarmed massacre, the kidnapping of two
sisters, and their rescue by Hawk-eye and his two Mohican friends Uncas and
Chingachook.
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - [It] appears to be a simple
children’s tale, some would say that it is actually a profound and deeply moving
tale, written in riddles and laced with philosophy and poetic metaphor.
Little Women by
Louisa May Alcott – Published in 1868, Little Women follows the lives, loves and
tribulations of fours sisters growing up during the American Civil War. The
story is based the childhood experiences Alcott shared with her real life
sisters, Anna, May and Elzabeth. The novel stars Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy and
explores the rich nuances of family and family relationships.
M.C. Higgins the Great
by Virginia Hamilton – M.C. dreams of escape for himself and his
family. And, one day atop his pole, he thinks he sees it — two strangers are
making their way toward Sarah’s Mountain. One has the ability to make M.C.’s
mother famous. And the other has a freedom that M.C. has never even considered.
Ms. Hamilton was the first African-American to win the John Newbery Medal.
[This] is also the only book ever to have been awarded the Newbery Medal,
the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the National Book Award – the three most
prestigious U.S. awards for children’s books.
My Brother Sam Is Dead
by James and Christopher Collier – All his life, Tim Meeker has looked
up to his brother Sam. Sam’s smart and brave – and is now a part of the American
Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are
supporters of the British – including Tim and Sam’s father. With the war soon
raging, Tim know he’ll have to make a choice – between the Revolutionaries and
the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
My Friend Flicka by
Mary O’Hara – No matter how hard he tries, 12-year-old Ken McLaughlan cannot
meet his father’s expectations. Ken’s family operates a cattle ranch in
Laramie, Wyoming. To successfully operate a ranch requires time, effort,
knowledge, stamina, and ability to meet unexpceted challenges. Ken wanted
to shoe his dad that he was up to the challenge, but every time he tried, it
back-fired on him. Ken’s luck began to change when he was given a
rambunctious cold he named Flicka.
National Velvet by
Enid Bagnold – The timeless story of spirited Velvet Brown and her beloved horse
has thrilled generations of readers. And now the republication of this classic
story in a fresh, up-to-date package will charm confirmed fans while captivating
new ones. Fourteen-year-old Velvet is determined to turn her untamed horse into
a champion and personally ride him to victory in the world’s greatest
steeplechase, the Grand National.
The Red Pony by
John Steinbeck – The Red Pony is divided into four stories. Each story
centers on a boy named Jody; the four together show him in a critical time of
his childhood. In the first story, Jody is ten years old. The stories are close
together in chronological time; indeed, Steinbeck is careful to remind readers
that Jody is a “little boy” at the start of each story.
Rifles for Watie by
Harold Keith – This is a rich and sweeping novel-rich in its panorama of
history; in its details so clear that the reader never doubts for a moment that
he is there; in its dozens of different people, each one fully realized and
wholly recognizable. It is a story of a lesser known part of the Civil War, the
Western campaign, a part different in its issues and its problems, and fought
with a different savagery. Inexorably it moves to a dramat-ic climax, evoking a
brilliant picture of a war and the men of both sides who fought in it.
Robinson Crusoe by
Daniel Defoe – Daniel Defoe’s The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of
Robinson Crusoe was published as a fictional memoir in 1719. Today
Robinson Crusoe remains a popular adventure narrative. In fact, the
book gave rise to the “Robinsonade,” adventure tales that rework the structural
elements of Crusoe’s island tale. Moreover, the character of Robinson
Crusoe is recognized as a literary and cultural icon, like Don Quixote, Don
Juan, and Faust; the story of a man stuck on a deserted island has become
familiar to nearly everyone in the Western world.
Treasure Island by
Robert Louis Stevenson – An adventure novel, a thrilling tale of “buccaneers and
buried gold.” Traditionally considered a coming of age story, it is an adventure
tale of superb atmosphere, character and action, and also a wry commentary on
the ambiguity of morality—as seen in Long John Silver—unusual for children’s
literature then and now .
War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells – Written in response to several historical events. The
most important was the unification and militarization of Germany, which led to a
series of novels predicting war in Europe, beginning with George Chesney’s
The Battle of Dorking (1871). Most of these were written in a
semi-documentary fashion; and Wells borrowed their technique to tie his
interplanetary war tale to specific places in England familiar to his readers.
This attempt at hyper-realism helped to inspire Orson Welles when the latter
created his famed 1938 radio broadcast based on the novel.
The Yearling by
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings – Set in the wild and beautiful interior of the Florida
scrublands in the late 1800s, The Yearling follows one year in the life of young
Jody Baxter and the young pet he has so desperately longed for, a fawn he names
Flag. Throughout this tale of Jody’s love for his pet, the reader
encounters rich descriptions of the natural beauty and thrilling accounts of
adventure and danger. In the end, however, harsh reality requires Jody to
make the most difficult decision of his young life.
by Jules Verne – In the mid-nineteenth century, a French professor and
his two companions, trapped aboard a fantastic submarine as prisoners of the
deranged Captain Nemo, come face to face with exotic ocean creatures and strange
sights hidden from the world above.
A Stranger Came Ashore
by Mollie Hunter – Twelve-year-old Robbie becomes convinced that the
stranger befriended by his family is one of the Selkie Folk and tries to get
help against his magical powers from the local wizard.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
by Betty Smith – A tale of an immigrant family. It’s been characterized
as a “coming-of-age” novel.
A Wizard of Earthsea
by Ursula K. LeGuin – the first of a series of books written by Ursula
K. Le Guin and set in the fantasy world archipelago of Earthsea depicting the
adventures of a budding young wizard named Ged.
A Wrinkle in Time
by Madeleine L’Engle – Meg Murry, her little brother Charles Wallace,
and their mother are having a midnight snack on a dark and stormy night when an
unearthly stranger appears at their door. She claims to have been blown off
course, and goes on to tell them that there is such a thing as a “tesseract,”
which, if you didn’t know, is a wrinkle in time.
Across Five Aprils
by Irene Hunt – Shots fired far away spark a civil war that will have
painful repercussions for an Illinois family. This book shows how war affects
ordinary people and changes their lives forever. Effectively exploring the
complex issues behind the war [this] well-researched historical tale is
captivating and memorable.
Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Dr. Watson chronicles here
some of the more interesting detective cases that he and his good friend, Mr.
Sherlock Holmes, have encountered during their association. We see the cases
unfold as he does, scratch our heads as does he while the evidence is collected,
and then marvel at the impeccable observations, remarkable insight, and
doggedness which Holmes displays as he teases apart the tangled clues.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain – Enjoy the story of Tom Sawyer as a mischevious young
boy carries on under the watchful eye of his Aunt Polly. Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer
is one part trickster, one escape artist and one part very lucky fellow! The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer takes the reader along on a series of entertaining
adventures and pranks while Tom’s youthful romance with his sweetheart Becky
Thatcher blooms in the background. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of Mark
Twain’s most beloved works.
Call It Courage by
Armstrong Sperry – A Polynesian legend. It is the story of a young boy, named
Mafatu, and his struggle for independence, courage, recognition and
inclusion.
The Call of the Wild
by Jack London – The mythopoetic story of Buck, a sledge dog in the
Klondike, and his journey of transformation.
The Chocolate War
by Robert Cormier – The tale of Jerry Renault, a freshman at an
all-boys Catholic school, who decided to buck the system and “disturb the
universe” [by refusing] to sell chocolates during the school’s annual
chocolate sale [making] a move that upsets the balance of power and causes many
in the school to question their motivations. Published in 1974 and
inspired by Cormier’s son, Peter, who took a similar action, refusing to sell
chocolates, as a matter of principle.
The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexander Dumas – A classic adventure novel, often considered Dumas’
best work, and frequently included on lists of the best novels of all time.
Completed in 1844, and released as an 18-part series over the next two years,
Dumas collaborated with other authors throughout. The story takes place in
France, Italy, and the Mediterranean from the end of the rule of Napoleon I
through the reign of Louis-Philippe.
Dragonsong by Anne
McCaffrey – The first volume in the series, is the enchanting tale of how
Menolly of Half Circle Hold became Pern’s first female Harper, and rediscovered
the legendary fire lizards who helped to save her world.
Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley – The novel reflects many elements of the Romantic period
(1798-1832): the primacy of feeling, the importance of nature, the individual
and his quest, the supernatural and the exotic, and solitude.
The Horatio Hornblower Series
by C.S. Forester – The Hornblower books were the original series of sea
stories set in the Napoleonic Wars, that last great conflict of the Age of Sail.
Many young people have read them and dreamed of adventures on the briny
deep.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
by Victor Hugo – Regarded as a standard classic and it must be one of
the most adapted stories for cinema and television. In addition, the bell
ringer, Quasimodo, has become a horror classic – although anyone that reads the
novel realizes that Frollo represents the horror. And perhaps the English title
– which Hugo himself hated – is to blame for putting too much emphasis on the
hunchback.
Island of the Blue Dolphin
by Scott O’Dell – A story of survival, based upon the true story of a
girl who was left upon an island near the coast of Southern California. She
lived there for 18 years, alone. While she waited for rescue, she kept herself
alive by building shelter, finding food, and fighting her enemies–the wild
dogs.
Johnny Tremain by
Esther Forbes – Unique because it told the story of the American Revolution
through the eyes of a boy, not a leader of the Revolution. “Esther Forbes’s
power to create, and to recreate, a face, a voice, a scene takes us as living
spectators to the Boston Tea Party, to the Battle of Lexington and of North
Creek.”- The Saturday Review, 1943.
Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George – This novel of adventure and suspense
presents the clash between traditional Inuit values and those of the modern
westernized world. When Julie decides that running away is her only
alternative to a frightening situation, she becomes lost in the frozen Arctic
tundra. Her knowledge of traditional Inuit ways and her understanding of the
starkness and beauty of nature enable her to survive with a wolf pack.
Kim by Rudyard
Kipling – Kipling was an Imperialist, and ‘Kim’ embodies attitudes towards
British rule in India which these days are unacceptable. But as a work of
fiction it does have fine literary qualities, and it deserves its unique place
in the history of English literature. The novel embodies a panoramic celebration
of India, presenting as it does a magnificent picture of its landscapes, both
urban and rural, and a fascinating array of native characters who, for the most
part, are warm, generous and tolerant. Beyond that, ‘Kim’ is an adventure story
of the [British] Empire.
The Last of the Mohicans
by James Fenimore Cooper – The most popular of Cooper’s Leatherstocking
Tales, The Last of the Mohicans takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian
War and recounts the story of a an unarmed massacre, the kidnapping of two
sisters, and their rescue by Hawk-eye and his two Mohican friends Uncas and
Chingachook.
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - [It] appears to be a simple
children’s tale, some would say that it is actually a profound and deeply moving
tale, written in riddles and laced with philosophy and poetic metaphor.
Little Women by
Louisa May Alcott – Published in 1868, Little Women follows the lives, loves and
tribulations of fours sisters growing up during the American Civil War. The
story is based the childhood experiences Alcott shared with her real life
sisters, Anna, May and Elzabeth. The novel stars Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy and
explores the rich nuances of family and family relationships.
M.C. Higgins the Great
by Virginia Hamilton – M.C. dreams of escape for himself and his
family. And, one day atop his pole, he thinks he sees it — two strangers are
making their way toward Sarah’s Mountain. One has the ability to make M.C.’s
mother famous. And the other has a freedom that M.C. has never even considered.
Ms. Hamilton was the first African-American to win the John Newbery Medal.
[This] is also the only book ever to have been awarded the Newbery Medal,
the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and the National Book Award – the three most
prestigious U.S. awards for children’s books.
My Brother Sam Is Dead
by James and Christopher Collier – All his life, Tim Meeker has looked
up to his brother Sam. Sam’s smart and brave – and is now a part of the American
Revolution. Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion. Most are
supporters of the British – including Tim and Sam’s father. With the war soon
raging, Tim know he’ll have to make a choice – between the Revolutionaries and
the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
My Friend Flicka by
Mary O’Hara – No matter how hard he tries, 12-year-old Ken McLaughlan cannot
meet his father’s expectations. Ken’s family operates a cattle ranch in
Laramie, Wyoming. To successfully operate a ranch requires time, effort,
knowledge, stamina, and ability to meet unexpceted challenges. Ken wanted
to shoe his dad that he was up to the challenge, but every time he tried, it
back-fired on him. Ken’s luck began to change when he was given a
rambunctious cold he named Flicka.
National Velvet by
Enid Bagnold – The timeless story of spirited Velvet Brown and her beloved horse
has thrilled generations of readers. And now the republication of this classic
story in a fresh, up-to-date package will charm confirmed fans while captivating
new ones. Fourteen-year-old Velvet is determined to turn her untamed horse into
a champion and personally ride him to victory in the world’s greatest
steeplechase, the Grand National.
The Red Pony by
John Steinbeck – The Red Pony is divided into four stories. Each story
centers on a boy named Jody; the four together show him in a critical time of
his childhood. In the first story, Jody is ten years old. The stories are close
together in chronological time; indeed, Steinbeck is careful to remind readers
that Jody is a “little boy” at the start of each story.
Rifles for Watie by
Harold Keith – This is a rich and sweeping novel-rich in its panorama of
history; in its details so clear that the reader never doubts for a moment that
he is there; in its dozens of different people, each one fully realized and
wholly recognizable. It is a story of a lesser known part of the Civil War, the
Western campaign, a part different in its issues and its problems, and fought
with a different savagery. Inexorably it moves to a dramat-ic climax, evoking a
brilliant picture of a war and the men of both sides who fought in it.
Robinson Crusoe by
Daniel Defoe – Daniel Defoe’s The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of
Robinson Crusoe was published as a fictional memoir in 1719. Today
Robinson Crusoe remains a popular adventure narrative. In fact, the
book gave rise to the “Robinsonade,” adventure tales that rework the structural
elements of Crusoe’s island tale. Moreover, the character of Robinson
Crusoe is recognized as a literary and cultural icon, like Don Quixote, Don
Juan, and Faust; the story of a man stuck on a deserted island has become
familiar to nearly everyone in the Western world.
Treasure Island by
Robert Louis Stevenson – An adventure novel, a thrilling tale of “buccaneers and
buried gold.” Traditionally considered a coming of age story, it is an adventure
tale of superb atmosphere, character and action, and also a wry commentary on
the ambiguity of morality—as seen in Long John Silver—unusual for children’s
literature then and now .
War of the Worlds
by H.G. Wells – Written in response to several historical events. The
most important was the unification and militarization of Germany, which led to a
series of novels predicting war in Europe, beginning with George Chesney’s
The Battle of Dorking (1871). Most of these were written in a
semi-documentary fashion; and Wells borrowed their technique to tie his
interplanetary war tale to specific places in England familiar to his readers.
This attempt at hyper-realism helped to inspire Orson Welles when the latter
created his famed 1938 radio broadcast based on the novel.
The Yearling by
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings – Set in the wild and beautiful interior of the Florida
scrublands in the late 1800s, The Yearling follows one year in the life of young
Jody Baxter and the young pet he has so desperately longed for, a fawn he names
Flag. Throughout this tale of Jody’s love for his pet, the reader
encounters rich descriptions of the natural beauty and thrilling accounts of
adventure and danger. In the end, however, harsh reality requires Jody to
make the most difficult decision of his young life.