The pencils are sharpened. The backpacks are loaded. The kids are back in school! After such a long break from the classroom, you might need some help getting your child back on track with schoolwork. We at the WPL have some great titles to help young students get excited about reading again. Here are some excellent new books for grades three to five.
No Place for Monsters by Kory Merritt
The Really Tall Man lurks in the darkness, whistling a cheery tune. Bedtime is almost near.
Children in Cowslip Grove are disappearing. They aren’t just missing – their entire lives are being erased. Their images fade from family photos. Their belongings vanish. No one has any recollection they existed in the first place. Kat and Levi, however, notice that something strange is going on. They set out to investigate and end up trapping a creature who may have some answers. Willow, a chupacabra with glowing eyes, reveals that she’s not the only monster lurking around. Kat and Levi must beware of the Really Tall Man or they too may disappear.
No Place for Monsters is full of delightfully creepy illustrations that complement the spine-chilling tale of Cowslip Grove. It’s a perfect choice for those who love a good scary story.
Pine Island Home by Polly Horvath
The McCready sisters have lived all over the world. They have been in places so remote, most of us couldn’t find them on a map. But nothing could prepare them for life after the tsunami. Both of their parents were swept away, leaving them with no guardian. Only one relative comes forward to claim them – their questionable Aunt Martha. But when they arrive at her home – no one is there. Fearing being split up and put into foster care, the sisters devise a plan to live on their own.
Pine Island Home is a great read about family, friendship and perseverance.
Lou and her mother make money playing music. They play in coffee shops, outside shopping malls, and at local fairs. It takes all the courage inside of Lou to stand up and sing in front of others. She doesn’t like being the centre of attention. Nor does she like hugs or high fives. Touch fills her with anxiety.
Money is tight. She and her mother sleep in their truck and only spend money when necessary. It’s the only life Lou has ever known, until an accident lands Lou’s mother in hot water. Lou is sent to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle, but is miserable. She misses her mother and doesn’t fit in at school. The counsellor says she has something called “Sensory Processing Disorder,” but Lou feels that she doesn’t need any fixing.
Lou’s journey is one of courage and self-discovery. It’s a good fit for readers who like character-driven stories.
Stay tuned next month for new book recommendations for students in grades five to seven.
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