“The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau

Grade Level: 5-6 | AR Points: 9.0

The City of Ember

Imagine living in a city that is eternally dark with the only light being from an electrical system that is falling apart.  Not only that, but food and other supplies are running out as well.  The Builders only meant for the city to last 220 years, but it has now been 241 years.  The Builders left instructions on leaving the city after 220 years, but those have been stuffed in a case and forgotten.

However, the case is found, but Lina’s baby sister ate most of the instructions.  So, now she and her friend Doon must try to figure out what the instructions said before the city completely shuts down.  From this, they learn why the city of Ember was built in the first place and what the Builders were trying to do.  When they try to tell the citizens, they find out the mayor is stealing supplies and doesn’t want it to end.

Read the book and find out if they escape the mayor’s guards and escape the city.

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“Freak the Mighty” by Rodman Philbrick

Grade Level: 5-6 | AR Points: 5.0

Freak the Mighty

Max is huge, can barely read and write, and thinks himself brainless.  He lives in his grandparents’ basement and he knows they fear him because he looks just like his father, known as Killer Kane, who is in prison.  He knows other people fear him, as well.

That is until a new kid moves into the neighborhood.  Meet Kevin, a brilliant, crippled boy who seems willing to look past Max’s shortcomings and befriend him.  The two together become strong and go on imaginary quests with Kevin mounted on Max’s shoulders.  Together, they are known as Freak the Mighty and they find they are much braver together.  Using Max as his legs, the two find exciting adventure right there in their own town.  Kevin teaches Max to read and even has Max join him in his classes.

All is good until the day Max’s father is paroled and returns for him.  Upon hearing of Max’s kidnapping, Kevin tries to rescue him.

Find out more by reading this thrilling adventure and learn what true friendship is all about.  This book can teach young readers to accept others who seem different and to befriend those who just don’t fit.

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“Holes” by Louis Sachar

Grade Level: 4-5 | AR Points: 7.0

Holes - Louis Sachar

This is a story of young Stanley Yelnats, a meek young boy from a very unlucky family.  The family’s bad luck goes back to a curse upon his “no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather.”  The bad luck manifestes itself with  Stanley being wrongfully convicted of stealing a pair of shoes belonging to a famous basketball player.  The judge does not believe him when he tells him the shoes fell from the sky and gives him the choice between jail and Camp Green Lake.  Of course, not knowing about Camp Green Lake, Stanley chooses camp because his poor family has never been able to send him to camp.

However, Camp Green Lake is not a summer camp, there is no lake, and there’s nothing green in sight.  The Warden makes her charges dig holes to “build character”, but Stanley soon figures out that she is looking for some type of treasure and they are the labor.  Mr. Sir and Mr. Pendanski oversee the boys to make sure they dig a five foot hole every day.  Stanley befriends a young, quiet boy named Zero and agrees to teach him how to read.

Stanley learns the history of Green Lake, how a teacher became known as the legendary outlaw Kissin’ Kate Barlow, sweet onions, and how his own family history fits in.  Louis Sachar brings all the elements of this story together so well, it has enthralled both kids and adults.

This book was made into a movie, and even if you’ve seen the movie, you need to read this book.  Most of the time, movies don’t closely follow the book, but this is one of the exceptions.  However, there are some differences you can find between the book and the movie.

I highly recommend this book.

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