It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is right around the corner.  As you are thinking about gift ideas for your kids, nieces, nephews, etc, consider picking up some entertaining literature for them.  In fact, you may even enjoy reading a lot of these titles yourself!  Please note, I have not read all of these titles and so please use your discretion regarding the content.  I have loosely organized them according to reading level.

Grade 4

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes (realistic, funny, boy, school, family, friends)

Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner (boy tries to win dogsled race to save family farm)

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skeen Calling (everything a boy touches turns to chocolate)

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin (family, school, immigration)

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G Birney (class pet guinea pig tells the story)

Waiting for the Magic by Patricia McLachlan (family struggling with loss adopts 4 dogs and cats from a shelter. Brother and sister discover that they can hear the animals communicating.)

Grade 5

The Dragon’s Egg by Alison Baird (girl has pet dragon, bullying)

The Breadwinner by Doborah Ellis (challenges facing young girl in war-torn Afghanistan)

The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech (couple finds a gifted boy on their porch)

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein (night at museum, Chocolate Factory)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Nazi Germany)

Grade 6

14th Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

The False Prince by Jennifer Neilson (medieval adventure)

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (boy survives alone after a plane crash)

Rules by Cynthia Lord (girl makes rules for her autistic brother)