Ms. Testa's Class: Top Ten
Our 10 "Must Reads" for Every Fifth Grader
Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
Rusty is an ordinary house cat, but his journey is nothing like it. One day he was sitting on his fence staring out into the forest. Rusty wondered what it would be like to live in the forest so he leapt into the trees. A mouse squeaked and he heard it, so he instinctively dropped into a crouch. He had always wondered what a fresh mouse tasted like, so he did his best to catch it He attempted to pounce on it but the mouse sensed him and ran away. Then a gray tom (boy cat) yelled at him and attacked him. What do you think happens next?
Reviewed by Jericho, Brian, and Lucien
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Wonder is about a 10-year-old boy named August who has a deformed face. He was homeschooled for nine years due to his face and what people think. But that all changes when he enters the fifth grade. As in all stories, something goes wrong. In this case, there is a mean bully named Julian. He teases August just because he has a different face. Will this be the end of August going to a public school? Will he ever make a friend? Read this amazing book to find out.
Reviewed by Alison, Jason, and Matt
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Ivan is an artistic silverback gorilla who lives in the Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. One day Ivan loses his best friend Stella who is an elephant who lived at the mall with him. One ordinary day a truck pulls up to the mall/arcade with a tiny gray elephant named Ruby. The unlikely friendship continues to grow. Will these two friends make a better life out of the tough life they're living in? Read The One and Only Ivan to find out!
Reviewed by Triana, Alex, and Noelle
Sidekicks by Dan Santat
The graphic novel Sidekicks by Dan Santat is about animals who form a group of crime-fighters behind their superhero owner's back. But when they face a master of evil, they will have to work together. Can they do it and survive? Read Sidekicks by Dan Santat to find out!
Reviewed by Doug and Adam
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This book is about a 12-year-old boy named Percy Jackson. He lived a normal life until he found out his long lost dad was the Greek god Poseidon. This changed Percy's life forever because that made him a half-blood and he had to go to a camp called Camp Half Blood. But on his way to camp his mom was captured by a minotaur, so he went to camp to train for going out on a quest to save his mother. But on his way there, he figured out that Zeus blamed him for stealing his lightning bolt. What happens next? Can he solve the lightning bolt case and save his mother?
Reviewed by Keegan and Andrew
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
Jason has a problem. He has no memory of his past life. He ends up at Camp Half Blood with no idea who he is. He doesn't know anyone. Can he figure out who he is in three weeks? Read The Lost Hero to find out.
Reviewed by Bennett and Will
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian Robeson is visiting his father for the first time since his parents were separated. He knows why his father left and is obsessed with the secret. Flying in a single engine plane, he crashes leaving him alone in the Canadian wilderness. Stranded, alone, fighting for survival, and stuck between life and death...What would you do to survive?
Reviewed by Aquinnah
How To Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor
How To Steal a Dog is about a family that lives in a car and has no money to buy a house. Georgina wants to make a plan to get her family some money. She plans to steal a dog so the owners can put up a reward for the dog. She needs to hide the dog from her mom. Also she needs to find out how to feed the dog. Will Georgina get the money? To find out if she does read the book. It is truly a good one.
Reviewed by Logan and Laila
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Have you ever dreamed of traveling to a new magical world with flying broomsticks, magical potions, three headed dogs, as well as evil magical dangers and loads more? Well, that is exactly what happens in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter, a young 11-year-old boy who lives with his grumpy relatives, travels to the magical school Hogwarts. There, he meets many new friends and trolls, befriends a giant, and plays the game Quidditch, which is played on flying broomsticks. But Harry faces evil along the way. These challenges build him up for the most dangerous wizard: Voldemort. Voldemort needs a magical stone, the Sorcerer's Stone, which will give him eternal life. Harry must find the stone and protect it, defeat Voldemort, and return the stone to the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Will Harry (with a little help from his friends) be able to defeat the evil wizard, Voldemort, find the Sorcerer's Stone, and bring it to Headmaster Dumbledore? Find out in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!
Reviewed by Sean, Thomas, and Eden
Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
Amulet is a book about a girl named Emily and a boy named Navin. Their parents are driving on a road when a car comes around a curb and smashes into their car. Their car goes off a cliff and they....Read the book to find out what happens next!
Reviewed by Kathleen