2016-17 Oregon Battle of the Books
2016-17 Oregon Battle of the Books
Grades 3-5 Annotated Booklist
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea (2011)
Realistic fiction. AR 3.7, 560L, 288 pages (first in a series)
It’s the start of fifth grade for seven kids at Snow Hill School. Only Mr. Terupt, their new and energetic teacher, seems to know how to deal with them all. He makes the classroom a fun place, even if he doesn’t let them get away with much . . . until the snowy winter day when an accident changes everything—and everyone.
Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret (2003)
Adventure, AR 4.7, 750L, 151 pages
Thirteen-year-old Kyle thought a vacation on the Oregon coast would be great. It becomes a nightmare while he's babysitting his sister. An earthquake hits the coast and starts a fire in their hotel. How can they avoid tsunami terror?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1998)
Fantasy, AR 5.5, 880L, 310 pages (first in a series)
Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy who lives with his mean relatives. Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a stranger and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!
Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz (2014)
Fantasy, AR 5.6, 800L, 304 pages (first in a series)
Captain Hook’s daughter dreams of becoming every bit as daring as her infamous father, rejects way too much pink in finishing school, and sets out to become a pirate and avenge her father’s death.
Joshua Dread by Lee Bacon (2013)
Science fiction, AR 5.0, 700L, 258 pages (first in a series)
Middle school is tough, but when your parents are evil supervillains and you’ve just discovered you have powers of your own, life can be a real challenge.Joshua tangles with bullies andenlists friends to help save his parents.
Knucklehead by John Scieszka (2008)
Biography, AR 4.6, 750L, 106 pages
Author Jon Scieszka grew up as one of six brothers. He faced Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, and jokes told at family dinner. Part memoir, part scrapbook, part hilarious trip down memory lane.
Matilda by Roald Dahl (1988)
Humor/adventure, AR 5.0, 840L, 240 pages
Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance and her school headmistress is a kid-hating terror. Matilda may be just the superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves.
Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller (2007)
Historical fiction/biography, AR 5.8, 890L, 240 pages
Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she’d taken on a seemingly impossible job—teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But if anyone was a match for Helen Keller, it was the girl who’d been nicknamed Miss Spitfire.
Quinny & Hopper by Adriana Brad Schanen (2014)
Realistic fiction, AR 4.0, 660L, 230 pages (first in a series)
Quinny & Hopper are unlikely summer friends. But when summer ends, things aren't the same. Can they stick together in the face of stylish bullies, a killer chicken, and the brand-new Third Grade Rules-especially the one that says they aren't allowed to be friends anymore?
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary (1981)
Realistic fiction, AR 5.6, 860L, 185 pages (part of a series)
Ramona feels grown up as she tries new things but is shaken when her teacher calls her a nuisance. In Ramona’s world, being eight isn’t easy, but it’s never dull!
Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner (2015)
Historical fiction/science fiction, AR 4.5, 690L, 116 pages (part of a series)
A time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble and always saves the day! Ranger finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he helps a family migrating west on the Oregon Trail.
Skateboard Party by Karen English (2014)
Fiction, AR 4.7, 740L, 128 pages (part of a series)
Richard can't waitto show off ata friend'sbirthday party at the skate park, but a note home from his teacher threatens to ruin his plans. CanRichard manage to put off getting the note signed (and facing the consequences)until after the party, or willthe deception makethings even worse?
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret (1996)
Biography, AR 5.2, 890L, 179 pages
Twelve-year- old Peg contracts polio in 1949, but she survives the initial paralysis and eventually learns to walk again.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd (2014)
Fantasy, AR 4.7, 680L, 311 pages
Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic.
Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins (2015)
Fantasy, AR 3.7, 560L, 196 pages (part of a series)
Nory and others at Dunwiddle Magic School have unconventional lessons and magic that has a tendency to turn wonky at the worst possible moments. It's always amazing, the trouble a little wonky magic can cause.
Woof by Spencer Quinn (2015)
Mystery, AR 4.3, 650L, 293 pages (part of a series)
There is trouble brewing in the Louisiana swamp and the dog Bowser can smell it. Bowser and his human friend Birdie dig into the mystery of a stolen stuffed prize marlin, missing treasure, and a truck that seems to be following them.