Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Joan Aiken
Two cousins and a friend are left in the care of Miss Slighcarp at a great English country house. See other books in this series.
Just As Long As We’re Together
Judy Blume
Stephanie’s relationship with her best friend, Rachel, changes during her first year in junior high school. See the sequel, Here’s to You Rachel Robinson.
The Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Sook Nyul Choi
A young Korean girl’s harrowing escape, in the 1940s, from the Japanese and Russian occupation of North Korea.
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Beverly Cleary
Leigh writes letters to his favorite author sharing his feelings about school and his parents’ divorce. See the sequel, "Strider."
Over Sea, Under Stone
Susan Cooper
Three children on vacation in England search for ancient treasure linked to King Arthur and are trapped in a battle between Light and Dark. See other books in this series.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham
Christopher Paul Curtis
The Watsons, an African-American family, go on a trip to visit their grandmother in Alabama and are immersed in the civil rights movement.
The Middle of Somewhere: A Story of South Africa
Sheila Gordon
Nine-year-old Rebecca and her family, living in a segregated South African village, are threatened with removal to a bleak, development to make room for a new white suburb.
Redwall
Brian Jacques
Matthias, a young mouse, is determined to find the sword of Martin the Warrior. See other books in this series.
Ella Enchanted
Gail Carson Levine
Ella has more to deal with than a midnight curfew, as she struggles against a curse to obey any order she is given.
Freedom Songs
Yvette Moore
Sheryl organizes a gospel concert to help her Uncle Pete who joins The Freedom Riders.
Journey to Jo’burg
Berverly Naidoo
When their babysitter becomes ill, 13-year-old Naledi and her brother travel to Johannesburg where their mother works as a maid. See the sequel Chain of Fire.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Robert O’Brien
A widowed field mouse calls on genius rats to move her home and her son from the path of a farmer’s tractor. See more books in this series.
Baby-Sitting is a Dangerous Job
Willo Davis
A babysitter and her three charges outwit their kidnappers.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
J. K. Rowling
Rescued from the neglect of his aunt and uncle, a boy proves his worth while attending school for witchcraft and wizardry.
Holes
Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a correctional camp in Texas where he finds a friend, a treasure and self confidence.
Boy: Tales of Childhood
Roald Dahl
Dahl tells about his childhood adventures on vacations and at school. See the sequel, Going Solo.
Homesick: My Own Story
Jean Fritz
Stories from Fritz’s childhood in China. See the sequel, China Homecoming.
Oh, Freedom!: Kids Talk about the Civil Rights Movement with the People Who Made It Happen
Casey King
Interviews accompany essays describing African American efforts for equality.
The Bone Detectives: How Forensic Anthropologists Solve Crimes and Uncover Mysteries of the Dead
Donna Jackson
Learn how bones give clues about people—how they looked and how they died.
Upstairs Room
Johanna Reiss
A Jewish girl describes how she hid in a Dutch farmer's house in World War II. See the sequel, The Journey Back.
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