3rd-5th Grade Fiction
Al Capone Throws Me A Curve (Tales from Alcatraz) by Gennifer Choldenko
Return to Alcatraz in this charming addition to the beloved series about Moose Flanagan, the son of a prison guard.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
A Pakistani girl has big dreams for her future until she is forced to become a servant to pay off her family's debt.
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
A Pakistani American Muslim middle-school girl attempts to blend her family’s traditions and her experience in school to be accepted.
Armstrong and Charlie by Steven B. Frank
A strong friendship develops between two boys from different economic and racial environments.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
In a stunningly beautiful novel, orphan Crow decides to investigate her own past and in doing so uncovers the complicated history of a nearby former leper colony.
Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
Inspired by Betty Shabazz's real life--but expanded upon and fictionalized through collaboration with novelist Renée Watson--Ilyasah Shabazz illuminates four poignant years in her mother’s childhood painting an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging.
The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
A young outcast is swept up into a thrilling and perilous medieval treasure hunt in this literary page-turner.
Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan, Illus. by Meilo So, Tr. by Helen Wang
While navigating the challenges of poverty in rural China in the 1970s, a mute boy named Bronze and an orphan named Sunflower develop a powerful friendship.
Checked by Cynthia Kadohata
From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata comes a brilliantly realized sports novel about a hockey player who must discover who he is without the sport that defines him.
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
Clayton idolizes his grandfather and mentor, blues legend Cool Papa Byrd. When Cool Papa dies, Clayton adventures underground and emerges with a true blues voice.
Flying Lessons & Other Stories ed. by Ellen Oh
Readers will recognize themselves in this varied collection of sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant stories.
Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter
In a heartbreaking and lovely novel, foster-child Flora and her brother invent a past and struggle to trust their new family.
Granted by John David Anderson
A hilarious, heartfelt, and poignant novel about a fairy-in-training.
The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens
Perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish and Counting by 7's, this deeply moving novel features an offbeat girl who learns that she can remain true to herself while also letting others in.
The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
12-year-old Charlie Bobo and his sharecropper parents eke out a living on the Tanner Plantation deep in South Carolina in 1858. When an accident takes his father's life, Charlie and his mother must settle a debt with the plantation's sadistic overseer, Cap'n Buck.
The Lifters by Dave Eggers
A cozy contemporary novel about lifting spirits and rebuilding community through teamwork and imagination.
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
After Ruthie’s family flees Cuba for America in the 1960s, Ruthie is in a car accident and has to spend months in a body cast. Friends and family help her cope. (Belpré Honor Winner)
The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius, tr. by Peter Graves
Determined to clear her friend, the Chief, of murder, remarkable ape Sally Jones sets off on an epic journey and meets a fascinating cast of characters. (Batchelder Award Book)
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
It's 1947, and half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn't know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it's too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark on a journey to reach her new home.
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
Jinny lives on an idyllic, secluded island with eight other children. The fundamental mystery of the island’s rules is exposed amid distress and anxiety.
Patina by Jason Reynolds
Patty’s triad of home, track, and school lives forces her to become reliant on others while altering her self-confidence and core values.
Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson
Izzy and Bri are just two very different girls trying to make it through middle school. The girls’ lives converge in unexpected ways on the day of a school talent show, which turns out to be even more dramatic than either Bri or Izzy could have imagined.
Posted by John David Anderson
When their school bans cell phones, Frost and his friends communicate through Post-its instead. But when their idea catches on, a sticky-note war begins.
Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd
Filled with mystery, humor, and adventure, the first book in this new trilogy is an unforgettable tale of adventure, family, and finding the courage to face any problem heart-first.
Quicksand Pond by Janet Taylor Lisle
In this thought-provoking, eerie story, two girls from disparate backgrounds build a raft where two murders occurred nearly 80 years prior.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers -- from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.
Restart by Gordon Korman
From the #1 bestselling author of Swindle and Slacker, Restart is the spectacular story of a kid named Chase with a messy past who has to figure out what it means to get a clean start.
The Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
With action-packed storytelling and inventive twists on Caribbean and West African mythology and fairy tales, Rise of the Jumbies is a breathlessly exciting tale of courage and friendship.
She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah) by Ann Hood
Determined to regain her social status and prove herself to her father, Trudy looks toward the biggest thing happening worldwide: the Beatles. She is set on seeing them in Boston during their final world tour--and meeting her beloved Paul McCartney. So on a hot August day, unknown to their families, Trudy and crew set off on their journey, each of them with soaring hopes for what lies ahead.
Sidetracked. By Diana Harmon Asher. Abrams/Amulet (9781419726019).
Despite learning disabilities, Joseph joins his school’s track team and discovers the value of achieving a personal best, both on and off the cross-country course.
The War I Finally Won. By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Dial (9780525429203).
As WWII continues, Ada discovers that her disability doesn’t define her and that family takes many shapes in this stunning sequel.
The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy, Illus. by Carson Ellis
Loner Charlie Fisher finds himself lured into the exciting underworld of Marseille pickpockets where he finds unlikely friendships in this rollicking tale.
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, Illus. by Charles Santoso
Red, a quiet wishing tree, is the recipient of neighborhood hopes and dreams. When an immigrant family is harassed in the community, Red is motivated to act.
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
Over the course of a week, Charlotte and Ben—online friends connected only by a Scrabble game—will intersect in unexpected ways, as they struggle to navigate the turmoil of middle school. This engaging story about growing up and finding your place in the world will appeal to fans of Rebecca Stead and Rita Williams-Garcia.
Al Capone Throws Me A Curve (Tales from Alcatraz) by Gennifer Choldenko
Return to Alcatraz in this charming addition to the beloved series about Moose Flanagan, the son of a prison guard.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
A Pakistani girl has big dreams for her future until she is forced to become a servant to pay off her family's debt.
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
A Pakistani American Muslim middle-school girl attempts to blend her family’s traditions and her experience in school to be accepted.
Armstrong and Charlie by Steven B. Frank
A strong friendship develops between two boys from different economic and racial environments.
Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
In a stunningly beautiful novel, orphan Crow decides to investigate her own past and in doing so uncovers the complicated history of a nearby former leper colony.
Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
Inspired by Betty Shabazz's real life--but expanded upon and fictionalized through collaboration with novelist Renée Watson--Ilyasah Shabazz illuminates four poignant years in her mother’s childhood painting an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging.
The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
A young outcast is swept up into a thrilling and perilous medieval treasure hunt in this literary page-turner.
Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan, Illus. by Meilo So, Tr. by Helen Wang
While navigating the challenges of poverty in rural China in the 1970s, a mute boy named Bronze and an orphan named Sunflower develop a powerful friendship.
Checked by Cynthia Kadohata
From Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata comes a brilliantly realized sports novel about a hockey player who must discover who he is without the sport that defines him.
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
Clayton idolizes his grandfather and mentor, blues legend Cool Papa Byrd. When Cool Papa dies, Clayton adventures underground and emerges with a true blues voice.
Flying Lessons & Other Stories ed. by Ellen Oh
Readers will recognize themselves in this varied collection of sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant stories.
Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter
In a heartbreaking and lovely novel, foster-child Flora and her brother invent a past and struggle to trust their new family.
Granted by John David Anderson
A hilarious, heartfelt, and poignant novel about a fairy-in-training.
The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens
Perfect for fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish and Counting by 7's, this deeply moving novel features an offbeat girl who learns that she can remain true to herself while also letting others in.
The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis
12-year-old Charlie Bobo and his sharecropper parents eke out a living on the Tanner Plantation deep in South Carolina in 1858. When an accident takes his father's life, Charlie and his mother must settle a debt with the plantation's sadistic overseer, Cap'n Buck.
The Lifters by Dave Eggers
A cozy contemporary novel about lifting spirits and rebuilding community through teamwork and imagination.
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
After Ruthie’s family flees Cuba for America in the 1960s, Ruthie is in a car accident and has to spend months in a body cast. Friends and family help her cope. (Belpré Honor Winner)
The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius, tr. by Peter Graves
Determined to clear her friend, the Chief, of murder, remarkable ape Sally Jones sets off on an epic journey and meets a fascinating cast of characters. (Batchelder Award Book)
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
It's 1947, and half-Muslim, half-Hindu twelve-year-old Nisha doesn't know where she belongs, or what her country is anymore. When Papa decides it's too dangerous to stay in what is now Pakistan, Nisha and her family become refugees and embark on a journey to reach her new home.
Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder
Jinny lives on an idyllic, secluded island with eight other children. The fundamental mystery of the island’s rules is exposed amid distress and anxiety.
Patina by Jason Reynolds
Patty’s triad of home, track, and school lives forces her to become reliant on others while altering her self-confidence and core values.
Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson
Izzy and Bri are just two very different girls trying to make it through middle school. The girls’ lives converge in unexpected ways on the day of a school talent show, which turns out to be even more dramatic than either Bri or Izzy could have imagined.
Posted by John David Anderson
When their school bans cell phones, Frost and his friends communicate through Post-its instead. But when their idea catches on, a sticky-note war begins.
Problim Children by Natalie Lloyd
Filled with mystery, humor, and adventure, the first book in this new trilogy is an unforgettable tale of adventure, family, and finding the courage to face any problem heart-first.
Quicksand Pond by Janet Taylor Lisle
In this thought-provoking, eerie story, two girls from disparate backgrounds build a raft where two murders occurred nearly 80 years prior.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Three kids go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers -- from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.
Restart by Gordon Korman
From the #1 bestselling author of Swindle and Slacker, Restart is the spectacular story of a kid named Chase with a messy past who has to figure out what it means to get a clean start.
The Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
With action-packed storytelling and inventive twists on Caribbean and West African mythology and fairy tales, Rise of the Jumbies is a breathlessly exciting tale of courage and friendship.
She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah) by Ann Hood
Determined to regain her social status and prove herself to her father, Trudy looks toward the biggest thing happening worldwide: the Beatles. She is set on seeing them in Boston during their final world tour--and meeting her beloved Paul McCartney. So on a hot August day, unknown to their families, Trudy and crew set off on their journey, each of them with soaring hopes for what lies ahead.
Sidetracked. By Diana Harmon Asher. Abrams/Amulet (9781419726019).
Despite learning disabilities, Joseph joins his school’s track team and discovers the value of achieving a personal best, both on and off the cross-country course.
The War I Finally Won. By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Dial (9780525429203).
As WWII continues, Ada discovers that her disability doesn’t define her and that family takes many shapes in this stunning sequel.
The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy, Illus. by Carson Ellis
Loner Charlie Fisher finds himself lured into the exciting underworld of Marseille pickpockets where he finds unlikely friendships in this rollicking tale.
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown
Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, Illus. by Charles Santoso
Red, a quiet wishing tree, is the recipient of neighborhood hopes and dreams. When an immigrant family is harassed in the community, Red is motivated to act.
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
Over the course of a week, Charlotte and Ben—online friends connected only by a Scrabble game—will intersect in unexpected ways, as they struggle to navigate the turmoil of middle school. This engaging story about growing up and finding your place in the world will appeal to fans of Rebecca Stead and Rita Williams-Garcia.