4thGrade Battle of the Books
El Deafo by CeCe Bell
This book chronicles the author's hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with a powerful and very awkward hearing aid called the Phonic Ear. It gives her the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her, Phonic Ear and all.
The Buried Bones Mystery by Sharon M. Draper
After the neighborhood basketball court is vandalized, Ziggy and his friends decide to form a club called the Black Dinosaurs and build their clubhouse in Ziggy's backyard where they find a mysterious box of buried bones.
I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg by Lauren Tarshis
In 1863, child slave Thomas and his sister Birdie journey north and meet up with Union soldiers who have orders to fight at Gettysburg.
Punished by David Lubar
Logan and his friend Benedict are playing tag in the library when a mysterious man punishes him for his disrespect by making him speak only in puns.
Who is Michelle Obama? by Megan Stine
This book examines the life of Michelle Obama, her close family, making the grades, becoming a lawyer, meeting Barack, making choices, life in politics, their race for the White House and becoming First lady.
Nicky Fifth’s Garden State Adventure by Lisa Funari Willever
Just when Nicky Fifth was getting used to living in New Jersey, he received the worst possible news. Instead of a vacation in Orlando, Florida, his parents plan a vacation...exploring New Jersey. Even though they have invited his best friend, T-Bone, along, Nicky prepares for the worst vacation ever.
Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman
When Eddie Ball finds out about the Finkles poetry contest—a chance to win a million dollars by sinking a foul shot during halftime at the NBA Finals—he realizes it could be the end to his and his mother’s problems.
The Secret Soldier by Ann McGovern
This book is a brief biography of the woman who disguised herself as a man and joined the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Ellray Jakes is Not A Chicken by Sally Warner
Eight-year-old EllRay Jakes is sick of getting picked on. But every time he tries to defend himself against class bully Jared Matthews, EllRay is the one who winds up in trouble. It's just not fair! Then his dad offers him a deal: If EllRay can stay out of trouble for a week, they'll go to Disneyland.
A Song for Harlem by Patricia McKissack
In 1928 Lilly Belle left Tennessee for Harlem to attend a young authors’ writing program led by Zora Neale Hurston. A wealthy city girl pokes fun at Lilly Belle’s country ways, but in the end, they become fast friends.