Mrs. Cunningham's Class: Top Ten
Our 10 "Must Reads" for Every Fifth Grader
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Out of My Mind is about a girl named Melody who cannot walk or talk, and this is her adventure of how she gets through. First at Melody's school there's a new program for people like Melody (with disabilities and all that jazz.) It is called the inclusion program, where Melody can go to a class with regular kids. She finds out about the Whiz Kids program and it is interesting to her. To participate in this program she gets a special computer that talks for her. She tries out for the Whiz Kids program, with the help of her aid Catherine, and she makes the team! She is not like any ordinary girl. She is super smart and leads her team to victory so they get to go to Washington D.C. When she gets to the airport she realizes that her 12 o'clock flight was canceled. She also realizes that the rest of the team left her behind and went on the 9 o'clock flight. Will she get to the Whiz Kid competition in time? Read this book to find out!
Reviewed by Sydney and Olivia
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is about a girl named Minli who sets off to find good fortune for her and her family. On the way she meets a dragon who cannot fly. They encounter many problems on their journey that they have to do together. For instance, they go through various kingdoms and meet new people along the way that help her throughout her exciting adventures. Read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin to find out what happens to Minli and her family's fortune!
Reviewed by Sophia, Liam, and Kerryn
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Calvin is a normal kid. But his imagination is something else. Calvin's tiger, Hobbes, is really just a stuffed animal even though Calvin's imagination makes him come to life. Hobbes is barely never in the comic strip, but Hobbes has always been there for Calvin. Through the book, Calvin goes on adventures with Hobbes to crazy places, even though he makes Roselyn, the babysitter, and his mom and dad crazy to the breaking point. One day Calvin and his mom and dad went out to dinner without Hobbes even though Calvin begged them to let him bring Hobbes. While they are gone, an intruder storms the house. Read the book to find out what they lost!
Reviewed by Elijah, Matthew, and Jack Kr.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Have you ever thought what it would be like to be stared at every time you go out in public? Well, August has. His whole life August has been going through surgeries because his face is different and doctors didn't think he was going to live. Because of the surgeries August didn't get to go to school until fifth grade. Now August is starting at Beecher Prep. In the beginning, people don't want to go near him at all. They can't seem to realize August is a normal kid. But Summer does. Summer and August sit together at lunch. August wishes other kids will talk to him to realize that he is a normal kid too. But will they? Read this amazing book to find out!
Reviewed by Clara, Caroline, and Colin
The Witches by Roald Dahl
The witches are despicable women who really aren't women at all. They all wear wigs because they are completely bald! They all wear gloves because they do not have nails, they have claws. They have a green slime on their teeth which is barely noticeable. There are a lot of other weird things about these women but most of all they hate children. Most of their magic is used against children, and in the book one unfortunate kid comes across many witches. What happens next? You have to find out by reading The Witches by Roald Dahl.
Reviewed by Kaitlin
Big Nate: In the Zone by Lincoln Peirce
Big Nate: In the Zone by Lincoln Peirce is a very interesting book. In this book Nate, a sixth grade boy, is facing hard times not only in school but in his life. Then Chad, a small chubby kid, gives him his lucky action figure foot. That gym has a fat mean substitute named Coach John. Coach John says you have to make a backwards shot from half court with his eyes closed or the class will have to do jazzercise. If Nate makes it the class will play basketball. Luck goes Nate's way, but will it continue? Read Big Nate: In the Zone to find out!
Reviewed by Jay, Jaime, and Josh
Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
Under the Blood Red Sun is an award-winning book about a Japanese boy named Tomi-kazu. His family has moved to Hawaii where Tomi has lived all his life. America has declared war on Japan and almost all his most beloved things have been killed or arrested including his father. But Tomi stays strong and so do his friends the Rats. Read this book to find out more.
Reviewed by Miles, Max, and Natasha
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Ha and her family live in Vietnam- a place of tradition, celebration, a place of hope. but war has come to Vietnam. Ha and her family are not safe, for their father was a navy officer and the Communist enemies will cause the destruction of their home and life. Ha and her family must flee to Alabama for their safety.
Reviewed by Jessica
Jake and Lily
Jake and Lily is about two abnormal twins who appear at the train station on the night of their birthday. Will goombla, they know they will never be lost and know exactly what each other is up to. They always find each other in hide and seek because they have a feeling where each other is. But when Jake decides to separate and leave Lily, trouble starts. Jake starts hanging out with trouble makers and Lily feels alone once again. Will their birthdays and relationships ever be the same? Or will goombla fall apart and separate them forever? Will Jake and Lily ever be together again? Read this book or you'll be separated from this book forever.
Reviewed by Raina, Natalie, and Rima
The Green Book by Jill Paton Walsh
In this book life is not the same. The warm blue sky is now filled with smog, and the only way to live is to leave once and for all to survive they must move to a new planet where they don't know if they can grow plants on farmland. When they arrive they find out many secrets about the odd planet...including EVERY plant is made up of glass-like leaves, and many more secrets. Will they live or die of starvation? READ TO FIND OUT!
Reviewed by Connor and Jack Ke.