Mr. Tibbetts's Class: Top Ten
Our 10 "Must Reads" for Every Fifth Grader
Small As An Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Jack and his mom fight a lot, and when they get in a fight on the way to a campground in Maine, he wonders if he went too far. He wakes up to find the rental car missing and his mother gone! Jack goes on a wild goose chase to find his mother and also Lydia the elephant.
Reviewed by Mary Ann and Hae Yeon
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
A 13-year-old New Jersey girl named Turtle takes a trip to Key West with a man named Mr. Edgit. When she arrives she finds out she has 4 younger cousins who are in a gang called the Diaper Gang. Their names are Pork Chop, Beans, and Kermit! Find out more by reading Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.
Reviewed by Casie and Brian
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder is about a boy named August who has facial deformity. When he learns he's going to Beecher Prep for fifth grade, he meets boys named Julian and Jack and a girl named Summer. During the year people treat him as if he had a contagious disease. At Halloween he overhears Jack say that the only reason that he's friends with August is because the principal told him to. Saddened by this, August refused to talk to him. In an overnight school campout while watching a movie, Jack and August settle their differences. Some big kids start to bully August and Jack's friends scare them away. In the end-of-the-year celebration the book comes to an end. August received an award specially from the principal. This might have been the best and worst year for August.
Reviewed by Yukiko, Jackson, and Joshua
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Ivan is a gorilla. He loves to make art. They call him the Primape Picasso. He has been in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for more than 9,000 days. His friend Stella dies (Stella is an elephant). He has to take care of the baby elephant Ruby. He promises to get her in a zoo. Read this book to see if Ruby gets to the zoo with Ivan.
Reviewed by Aidan and Bella
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
A young orphan boy named Bud escapes from the orphanage, being there since he was 4 years old. He discovers a suitcase full of flyers and flyers of musical performances. Bud looks at all the flyers and thinks, "Why would my mom keep all these flyers?" Then he looks at the flyers and finds a name. He goes on a chase for his "father." Bull will he find his maybe father?
Reviewed by Madison and Kylie
No, David! by David Shannon
Davis is a little obnoxious boy who is always getting into trouble. David has done some pretty crazy things like drawing on the walls and playing baseball in the house. No, David! is a book based on author David Shannon at the age of five. This book will make you fall on the floor laughing. And it's also an easy read.
Reviewed by Zoey and Jasmine
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Seventh grader Georges is having a rough time fitting in. He just moved to a Brooklyn apartment building with his mom and dad. One day when he explores the apartment he finds a note. That little note followed him to the boiler room. When he gets there, he finds a boy about his age and a little girl wearing bunny slippers. They say that the are "Top Secret Agents" on the hunt for "Mr. X" and all the mischief that he is doing in his apartment building. Georges agrees to train with them and hunt down "Mr. X." His confidence starts to boost up. Will they find out what Mr. X is up to? Read the book Liar and Spy to find out.
Reviewed by Ava and Drake
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Smile is about a girl named Raina. When she was running with her friends at night she tripped and knocked her two front teeth out. Then she had to get fake teeth with braces. She got bullied a lot...even from her friends. After months of teeth treatment, she got better. Will Raina ever smile again?
Reviewed by Ethan and Noah
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
This book written in poem form is a great read! Ha (the main character) has to leave her home in Saigon, South Vietnam. She leaves for the U.S. and moves to Alabama. She's escaped the wrath of the Communists, but will she survive the mean names and bullies that torment her in this strange, new land? This Newbery-winning book has a great author in Thanhha Lai. Definitely, a must read!
Reviewed by Lachlan, Spencer and Noelle
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian is a boy going to visit his Dad on a plane. Then the pilot has a heart attack. Brian then tries to save himself and the pilot by flying into a lake. The plane crashes and he survives. After the plane crash he explores the area. He eventually builds a shelter then finds food. He wasn't satisfied with the food the wild gave him. He grabbed his hatchet and decided to try to cut open the plane and look for supplies. He cut open the plane to get the emergency kit. He found food in the kit. Read the book Hatchet to find out what happens next to this daring boy.
Reviewed by Mark, Lucas, and Ben