5th Grade Battle of the Books
Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret
When an earthquake creates a tsunami while thirteen-year-old Kyle is babysitting his sister during a family vacation at a Pacific Coast resort, he tries to save himself, his sister, and a boy who has bullied him for years.
Who was Anne Frank by Ann Abramson
This book is about the life of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl forced into hiding and eventually sent to a concentration camp during World War II.
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
The first time she saw him, she flipped. The first time he saw her, he ran. That was the second grade, but not much has changed by the seventh. But in the eighth grade, everything gets turned upside down. And just as he’s thinking there is more to her than meets the eye, she is thinking he is not quite all he seemed….
The Kid Who Ran For President by Dan Gutman
Twelve-year-old Judson Moon knows little about presidential elections when he begins his campaign. He learns as he goes along, and so will readers. Coached by his politically savvy friend Lane, Judson makes campaign promises that inspire children across the country to send him contributions. This powerful special interest group pressures parents to press for a constitutional amendment abolishing age restrictions for the presidency: "All across America, kids refused to clean up their rooms. . . . They went swimming immediately after eating. Some of them even ate while they were swimming--the ultimate act of defiance.”
I Survived the American Revolution by Lauren Tarshis
Nathaniel Fox never imagined he'd find himself in the middle of a blood-soaked battlefield, fighting for his life. He was only eleven years old! He'd barely paid attention to the troubles between American and England. How could he, while being worked to the bone by his cruel uncle. But when his uncle's rage forces him to flee the only home he knows, Nate is suddenly propelled toward a thrilling and dangerous journey into the heart of the Revolutionary War.
A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
Mark didn't ask to move to New Hampshire. Or to go to Hardy Elementary. And he certainly didn't request Mr. Maxwell as his teacher. Mr. Maxwell doesn't like rich kids, or slackers, or know-it-alls. And he's decided that Mark is all of those things. Now the whole school is headed out for a week of camping – Hardy's famous Week in the Woods. At first it sounds dumb, but then Mark begins to open up to life in the country, and he decides it might be okay to learn something new. It might even be fun. But things go all wrong for Mark. The Week in the Woods is not what anyone planned. Especially not Mr. Maxwell.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid's life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school... in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret
In a riveting story of courage and hope, Peg Kehret tells of months spent in a hospital when she was 12, first struggling to survive a severe case of polio, then slowly learning to walk again. Her powerful account is also full of the humor that she and four spunky roommates found in daily hospital life.
A Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there's a lot more to her-and to everyone-than a label, and that great minds don't always think alike.
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg
Claudia Kincaid is tired of the injustices and monotony in her life. She decides if she runs away, her parents will learn to appreciate her. She chooses 9-year-old Jamie, the wealthiest of her younger brothers, to accompany her. Intelligent and thorough, Claudia makes a detailed plan of their trip. They’ll travel to New York City and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With his carefully-saved allowance and ill-won card-playing money, Jamie bankrolls most of the adventure.