Challenge One

Students entering fifth grade are required to read the following:

Lord, Cynthia. Because of the Rabbit. ISBN-13: 978-0545914246 Realistic Fiction
On the last night of summer, Emma tags along with her game warden father to rescue a wild rabbit from a picket fence, but instead they find a little bunny. The next day, Emma starts fifth grade. More than anything, she wants to make a best friend. But things don't go as planned. On the first day of school, she's paired with a boy named Jack for a project. They develop a bond but will their new friendship keep Emma from finding the new best friend she's meant to have?

Challenge Two

Students entering fifth grade are also required to read one book from the following list:

Balliett, Blue. Chasing Vermeer. Series. Mystery
Art, intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns make this art mystery a great read. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay set out to find the connection between their teacher, the eccentric woman in their neighborhood, the bookstore owner, and an international art thief. The first book in the mystery series is layered with pentominoes (a mathematical tool consisting of 12 pieces), puzzling clues, and suspicious strangers. The detailed black-and-white chapter illustrations hold hidden messages.

• Book 1: Chasing Vermeer. ISBN-13: 978-0439372978
• Book 2: The Wright 3. ISBN-13: 978-0439693684
• Book 3: The Calder Game. ISBN-13: 978-0439852081
• Book 4: Pieces and Players. ISBN-13: 978-0545299916

Bauer, Marion Dane. On My Honor. 1986 Newbery Honor Winner. ISBN-13: 978-0547722405 Realistic Fiction
Tony Is a persuasive daredevil, and Joel is less imaginative and perhaps too responsible, like his protective father. To Joel's dismay, his father has given permission for a bike trip on which Tony secretly plans a dangerous rock climb. Taunts and dares lead to tragedy and a truth that must be faced.

Blackwood, Sage. Miss Ellicott’s School for the Magically Minded. ISBN-13: 978-0062402646 Fantasy
Chantel would much rather focus on her magic than on curtsying, which is why she often finds herself in trouble at Miss Ellicott’s School for Magical Maidens. But when Miss Ellicott mysteriously disappears along with all the other sorceresses in the city, Chantel’s behavior becomes the least of her problems. Without any magic protecting the city, it is up to Chantel and her friends to save the Kingdom. On a dangerous mission, Chantel will discover a crossbow-wielding boy, a dragon, and a new, fiery magic that burns inside her—but can she find the sorceresses and transform Lightning Pass into the city it was meant to be?

Brady, Dustin. Trapped in a Video Game. Series. Fantasy/Gaming
Jesse Rigsby hates video games—and for good reason. You see, a video game character is trying to kill him. After getting sucked in the new game Full Blast with his friend Eric, Jesse starts to see the appeal of vaporizing man-size praying mantis while cruising around by jet pack. But pretty soon, a mysterious figure begins following Eric and Jesse, and they discover they can't leave the game. If they don't figure out what's going on fast, they'll be trapped for good!

• Book 1: Trapped in a Video Game. ISBN-13: 978-1449494865
• Book 2: The Invisible Invasion. ISBN-13: 978-1449494896
• Book 3: Robots Revolt. ISBN-13: 978-1449495152
• Book 4: Return to Doom Island. ISBN-13: 978-1449495183
• Book 5: The Final Boss. ISBN-13: 978-1449495732

Brown, Peter. The Wild Robot.*  ISBN-13: 978-0544826083 Fantasy
Can a robot survive in the wilderness? When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is--but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home--until, one day the robot's mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
*If you like The Wild Robot, check out the sequel, The Wild Robot Escapes!

Fletcher, Ralph. Flying Solo. ISBN-13: 978-0547076522 Realistic Fiction
When the substitute for Mr. "Fab" Fabiano never shows up and his sixth-grade students are on their own, they set out to prove that they can run the class by themselves. With a little ingenuity and some careful planning, they might just succeed. But when a fight breaks out between Bastian Fauvell and Rachel White over a classmate, Tommy Feathers, who died six months earlier, everything begins to fall apart. Can Rachel deal with the anxieties that plunged her into silence the day Tommy died? "Flying Solo" follows Mr. Fab's students hour by hour as they tackle the challenges of an unusual school day.

Gratz, Alan. Ban this Book. ISBN-13: 978-0765385581 Realistic Fiction
A fourth grader fights back when From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is challenged by a well-meaning parent and taken off the shelves of her school library. Amy Anne is shy and soft-spoken, but don’t mess with her when it comes to her favorite book in the whole world. Amy Anne and her lieutenants wage a battle for the books that will make you laugh and pump your fists as they start a secret banned books locker library, make up ridiculous reasons to ban every single book in the library to make a point, and take a stand against censorship.

Gutman, Dan. The Million Dollar Shot. Series. Realistic Fiction
In The Million Dollar Shot, Eddie Ball believes he can solve his family's financial woes by sinking a million-dollar half-time basket at the NBA finals, but someone wants him to miss and will stop at nothing to keep Eddie from winning.

• Book 1: The Million Dollar Shot. ISBN-13: 978-1423100843
• Book 2: The Million Dollar Kick. ISBN-13: 978-0786852109
• Book 3: The Million Dollar Goal. ISBN-13: 978-0786854943
• Book 4: The Million Dollar Strike. ISBN-13: 978-1423101727
• Book 5: The Million Dollar Putt. ISBN-13: 978-0786836420

Hale, Shannon. Real Friends.* ISBN-13: 978-1626727854 Graphic Novel/Realistic Fiction
Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen's #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top.... even if it means bullying others. Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group―or out?
*If you like Real Friends, check out the sequel, Best Friends!

Kibuishi, Kazu. Amulet. Series. Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a mission. After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.

Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

• Book 1: The Stonekeeper. ISBN-13: 978-0439846813
• Book 2: The Stonekeeper’s Curse. ISBN-13: 978-0439846837
• Book 3: The Cloud Searchers. ISBN-13: 978-0545208857
• Book 4: The Last Council. ISBN-13: 978-0545208871
• Book 5: Prince of the Elves. ISBN-13: 978-0545208895
• Book 6: Escape from Lucien. ISBN-13: 978-0545433150
• Book 7: Firelight. ISBN-13: 978-0545433167
• Book 8: Supernova. ISBN-13: 978-0545828604

Korman, Gordon. The Unteachables.* ISBN-13: 978-1626727854 Realistic Fiction
The Unteachables are a notorious class of misfits, delinquents, and academic train wrecks. They have been removed from the student body and isolated in room 117. Their teacher is Mr. Zachary Kermit, the most burned-out teacher in all of Greenwich. Over the course of a school year, though, room 117 will experience mayhem, destruction—and maybe even a shot at redemption.
*If you like The Unteachables, try Gordon Korman’s Swindle series!

Hunter, Erin. Warriors series. Fantasy
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their ancestors. But now ThunderClan is in grave danger. Rival ShadowClan is growing stronger, a traitor may be hiding in their midst, and rising tensions threaten every cat in the forest. In the dark days ahead, ThunderClan’s fate will rest in the paws of an unexpected hero: an ordinary house cat named Rusty…who may yet turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

• Book 1: Into the Wild. ISBN-13: 978-0062366962
• Book 2: Fire and Ice. ISBN-13: 978-0062366979
• Book 3: Forest of Secrets. ISBN-13: 978-0062366986
• Book 4: Rising Storm. ISBN-13: 978-0062366993
• Book 5: A Dangerous Path. ISBN-13: 978-0062367006
• Book 6: The Darkest Hour. ISBN-13: 978-0062367013

London, Jack. White Fang. ISBN-13: 978-1505313109 Animal Tale/Classic
Part dog and part wolf, White Fang relies on instincts to survive in the Yukon wilderness. He overcomes animal predators, and eventually makes his peace with man.

Medina, Meg. Merci Suárez Changes Gears. 2019 Newbery Winner. ISBN-13: 978-1536212587. Realistic Fiction
Sixth-grader Merci Suárez struggles with fitting in as a scholarship student at a posh Florida private school, and balancing school and life at home with her extended Cuban-American family. Heartwarming and funny.

Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet.* 1988 Newbery Winner. ISBN-13: 978-0545503259 Survival Story
Following a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian Robesonis alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present.
*Other Gary Paulsen books are also approved!

Shurtliff, Liesl. Rump: The (Fairly) True Tale of Rumpelstiltskin.*  ISBN-13: 978-0307977960 Fantasy
In a magic kingdom where your name is your destiny, 12-year-old Rump is the butt of everyone's joke. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. Rump discovers he has a gift for spinning straw into gold. His best friend, Red Riding Hood, warns him that magic is dangerous, and she’s right. With each thread he spins, he weaves himself deeper into a curse. To break the spell, Rump must go on a perilous quest, fighting off pixies, trolls, poison apples, and a wickedly foolish queen. The odds are against him, but with courage and friendship—and a cheeky sense of humor—he just might triumph in the end.
*Other Fairly True Tales are also approved!

Spinelli, Jerry. Jake & Lily. ISBN-13: 978-0064471985 Realistic Fiction
Jake and Lily are twins. Despite their slightly different interests and temperaments, they feel exactly the same—like two halves of one person. But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms. Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. And Lily is devastated, not to mention angry. Who is she without Jake? And as her brother falls under the influence of the neighborhood bully, he also must ask himself—who is the real Jake?

Tarshis, Lauren. I Survived!. (20-Book Series) 
#1: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912. ISBN-13: 978-0545090544 Historical Fiction     
Ten-year-old George Calder can't believe his luck -- he and his little sister, Phoebe, are on the famous Titanic, crossing the ocean with their Aunt Daisy. The ship is full of exciting places to explore, but when George ventures into the first class storage cabin, a terrible boom shakes the entire boat. Suddenly, water is everywhere, and George's life changes forever. Lauren Tarshis brings history's most exciting and terrifying events to life in this New York Times bestselling series. Readers will be transported by stories of amazing kids and how they survived!

Various Authors. The 39 Clues. (11-Book Series)
Book One: The Maze of Bones. ISBN-13: 978-0545090544 Mystery   
Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue." Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

Various Authors. Nonfiction
Who Was? (190 Titles)
A series of illustrated biographies for young readers featuring significant historical figures, including artists, scientists, and world leaders.
What Was? (42 Titles)
Covering everything from revolutionary battles to natural disasters, social movements to witch trials, this series dives into our world’s most important historical events.
Where Is? (32 Titles)
From historic landmarks to natural wonders, this series goes on a world tour through our world’s most exciting places.

Wallace, Ali. Wilder Boys.*  ISBN-13: 978-1481432634 Realistic Fiction
Two brothers need all their wilderness skills to survive when they set off into the woods of Wyoming in search of their absent father.
*If you like Wilder Boys, try The Journey Home (Wilder Boys)!

Weeks, Sarah & Varadarajan, Gita. Save Me a Seat. ISBN-13: 978-1338110791 Realistic Fiction
Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL. Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in. Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.

Yang, Kelly, Front Desk. ISBN-13: 978-1338157826 Realistic Fiction
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?  

Challenge One

Students entering sixth grade are required to read the following:

Stead, Rebecca. When You Reach Me. 2010 Newbery Medal Winner. ISBN-13: 978-0375850868 Mystery
Twelve-year-old Miranda travels in her 1970s New York City neighborhood with ease. But her everyday life becomes harder to navigate as she tries to make sense of notes from an anonymous source who claims to want to save her life. There is a crisscross of reality and fantasy in this book that is similar to A Wrinkle in Time, Miranda’s favorite book.

Challenge Two

Students entering sixth grade are also required to read one book from the following list:

Anderson, John David. Posted. ISBN-13: 978-0062338211 Realistic Fiction
When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well. A sticky-note war quickly escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts. Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same.

Behar, Ruth. Lucky Broken Girl. ISBN-13: 978-0399546457 Historical Fiction
In this novel, based on the author’s childhood in the 1960s, a young Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl is adjusting to her new life in New York City when a car accident leaves her in a body cast and confined to her bed for a long recovery. As Ruthie’s world shrinks because of her inability to move, her powers of observation and her heart grow larger and she comes to understand how fragile life is, how vulnerable we all are as human beings, and how friends, neighbors, and the power of the arts can sweeten even the worst of times.

Buyea, Rob. The Perfect Score. Series* Realistic Fiction
No one likes or wants to take the statewide assessment tests. Not the students in Mrs. Woods’s sixth-grade class. Not even Mrs. Woods. It’s not as if the kids don’t already have things to worry about. . . . Randi is under pressure to be the top gymnast her mother expects her to be, football-crazy GAVIN struggles with reading, Trevor acts tough and mean, but as much as he hates school, he hates being home even more, Scott’s got a big brain and an even bigger heart but his good intentions always backfire in spectacular ways, and know-it-all Natalie who loves to follow the rules is about to break them all. When one of the kids has a big idea for acing the tests, they’re all in. But things get ugly before they get better, and in the end, the real meaning of the perfect score surprises them all.

• Book 1: The Perfect Score. ISBN-13: 978-1101938287
• Book 2: The Perfect Secret. ISBN-13: 978-1524764623
• Book 3: The Perfect Star. ISBN-13: 978-1524764661

 *Note that the Mr. Terupt series by Rob Buyea is also approved!

 Colfer, Chris. The Land of Stories. Series. Fantasy
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with fairy tale characters they grew up reading about. But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

• Book 1: The Wishing Spell: ISBN-13: 978-0316201568
• Book 2: The Enchantress Returns. ISBN-13: 978-0316201551
• Book 3: A Grimm Warning. ISBN-13: 978-0316406826
• Book 4: Beyond the Kingdoms. ISBN-13: 978-0316406871
• Book 5: An Author’s Odyssey. ISBN-13: 978-0316383219
• Book 6: Worlds Collide. ISBN-13: 978-0316355889

Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. Series. Science Fiction
Follow Mark, Trina, and Thomas as they struggle to solve the Maze and cross the Scorch while having to rely on Gladers and fight off Cranks. If only they were so sure that they could trust Wicked as they mark their way through these trails.

• Origin Story Book 4: Kill Order. ISBN-13: 978-0385742894
• Prequel Book 5: The Fever Code. ISBN-13: 978-0553513127
• Book 1: Maze Runner. ISBN-13: 978-0385737951
• Book 2: Scorch Trials. ISBN-13: 978-0385738767
• Book 3: Death Cure. ISBN-13: 978-0385738781

Gibbs, Stuart. Spy School. Series. Fantasy
Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent? Ben Ripley sure hopes so—and his life may depend on it! Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: C.I.A. or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior C.I.A. academy. Could the C.I.A. really want him?

• Book 1: Spy School. ISBN-13: 978-1442421837
• Book 2: Spy Camp. ISBN-13: 978-1442457546
• Book 3: Evil Spy School. ISBN-13: 978-1442494909
• Book 4: Ski Spy School. ISBN-13: 978-1481445634
• Book 5: Spy School Secret Service. ISBN-13: 978-1481477833
• Book 6: Spy School Goes South. ISBN-13: 978-1481477864
• Book 7: Spy School British Invasion. ISBN-13: 978-1534424715

Graff, Lisa. Absolutely Almost. ISBN-13: 978-0147508577 Realistic Fiction
Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at P.E. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself.

Hoge, Robert. Ugly. ISBN-13: 978-0425287774 Nonfiction
When Robert Hoge was born, he had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in the middle of his face and short, twisted legs. Surgeons removed the tumor and made him a new nose from one of his toes.  Amazingly, he survived—with a face that would never be the same. Strangers stared at him, kids called him names, and adults could be cruel in their own ways. Everybody seemed to agree that Robert was "ugly." But Robert refused to let his face dictate his entire life. Then, when Robert came face to face with the biggest decision of his life, he followed his heart.

Hunter, Erin. Bravelands, Seekers, Survivors, or Warriors. Series.* Fantasy
Animal fantasy series that focus on the adventures of animals of the African plains (Bravelands), wild bears (Seekers), packs of dogs (Survivors), and clans of wild cats (Warriors).

• Bravelands Book 1: Broken Pride. ISBN-13: 978-0062642042
• Seekers Book 1: The Quest Begins. ISBN-13: 978-0060871246
• Survivors Book 1: The Empty City. ISBN-13: 978-0062102584
• Warriors Book 1: Into the Wild. ISBN-13: 978-0062366962
  *Any book in any of these series is approved!

Korman, Gordon.* Restart. ISBN-13: 978-1338053807 Realistic Fiction
Will a bully always be a bully? That’s the question eighth-grade football captain Chase Ambrose has to answer for himself after a fall from his roof leaves him with no memory of who and what he was. When he returns to Hiawassee Middle School, everything and everyone is new.
*All Gordon Korman books approved!

Kraft, Jerry. New Kid. Winner 2020 Newbery Medal & Coretta Scott King Award. ISBN-13: 978-0062691194 Graphic Novel
Seventh-grader Jordan Banks is recently enrolled in a prestigious private school as one of the few kids of color. Drawn from the author-illustrator’s own middle school experiences, this story explores complex topics of race, class, and friendship without ever becoming overwhelming or confusing; the balance of varied perspectives is handled with honesty and thoughtfulness.

Mass, Wendy. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. ISBN-13: 978-0316058490 Mystery
Just before his thirteenth birthday, Jeremy Fink receives a keyless locked box, set aside by his father before his death five years earlier, that purportedly contains the meaning of life.

Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. 1979 Newbery Medal Winner. ISBN-13: 978-0451480989 Mystery
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must solve the mystery of his death before they can claim their inheritance.

Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows. ISBN-13: 978-0440412670 Classic Fiction
When four twelve-year-olds, including Logan, who has grown up never leaving his parents’ Life Is Sweet candy factory, compete in the Confectionary Association’s annual contest, they unexpectedly become friends and uncover secrets about themselves during the process.

Respicio, Mae. The House that Lou Built. ISBN-13: 978-1524717971 Realistic Fiction
Lou Bulosan-Nelson is going to build her dream. She shares a room with her mom in her grandmother's house in San Francisco, and longs for a place of her own where she can escape her lovable but large extended Filipino family. Lou has a talent for woodshop class and creating projects, and plans to build a tiny house, 100 square feet, all her own, on land that she inherited from her dad, who died before she was born. Then Lou discovers it's not so easy to build one, but she won't give up on her dream—and her friends and family won’t either.

Sachar, Louis. Holes*. ISBN-13: 978-0440414803 Realistic Fiction
Stanley Yelnats tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment—and redemption.Stanley is under a curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten- pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnats. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys' detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the warden makes the boys "build character" by spending all day, every day, digging holes: five feet wide and five feet deep. It doesn't take long for Stanley to realize there's more than character improvement going on at Camp Green Lake.
*If you like Holes, check out the sequel, Small Steps!

Spinelli, Jerry. Loser. ISBN-13: 978-0060540746 Realistic Fiction
Just like other kids, Zinkoff rides his bike, hopes for snow days, and wants to be like his dad when he grows up. But Zinkoff also raises his hand with all the wrong answers, trips over his own feet, and falls down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." Other kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it. He doesn't know he's not like everyone else. And one winter night, Zinkoff's differences show that any name can someday become "hero."

Stead, Rebecca. Liar & Spy. ISBN-13: 978-0375850875 Realistic Fiction
The first day Georges (the S is silent) moves into a new Brooklyn apartment, he sees a sign taped to a door in the basement: SPY CLUB MEETING—TODAY! That’s how he meets his twelve-year-old neigh­bor, Safer. He and Georges quickly become allies—and fellow spies. Their assignment? Tracking the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the apartment upstairs. But as Safer’s requests become more and more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: how far is too far to go for your only friend?

Telgemeier, Raina. Guts. ISBN-13: 978-0545852500 Graphic Novel/Nonfiction
Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug. Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session. It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn't going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships. What's going on?

Venkatraman, Padma. The Bridge Home. ISBN-13: 978-1524738136 Realistic Fiction
Life is harsh in Chennai, India's teeming streets, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter--and friendship--on an abandoned bridge. With two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, the group forms a family of sorts. And while making a living scavenging the city's trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to laugh about and take pride in too. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.

Wolk, Lauren. Beyond the Bright Sea. ISBN-13: 978-1101994870 Adventure
Abandoned as an infant and rescued by a man named Osh, 12-year-old Crow knows nothing about her background - or even the world outside her island home. When she sees a mysterious fire across the water, it kindles curiosity in her, and sends her on a journey of discovery and danger.

Challenge One: Touchstone Text

Students entering seventh grade are required to read the following:

Kamkwamba, William. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader's Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0147510426 Memoir
When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land.

Challenge Two
Students entering seventh grade are also required to read one book from the following list:

Balliett, Blue. Hold Fast. ISBN-13: 978-0545299893 Mystery
Where is Early's father? He's not the kind of father who would disappear. But he's gone and he's left a whole lot of trouble behind. As danger closes in, Early, her mom, and her brother have to flee their apartment. With nowhere else to go, they are forced to move into a city shelter. Once there, Early starts asking questions and looking for answers. Because her father hasn't disappeared without a trace. There are patterns and rhythms to what's happened, and Early might be the only one who can use them to track him down and make her way out of a very tough place.

Barnhill, Kelly. The Girl Who Drank the Moon.  2017 Newbery Medal winner. ISBN-13: 978-1616207465 Fantasy
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the Forest, Xan, is kind. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. Xan decides she must raise one girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge – with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch.

Card, Orson Scott. Ender’s Game. ISBN-13: 978-0812550702 Science Fiction
The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Enter Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, the result of decades of genetic experimentation. Is Ender the general Earth so desperately needs? The only way to find out is to throw him into ever-harsher training at Battle School, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast.But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. His two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Among the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. 2005 Newbery Honor Book. ISBN-13: 978-0142403709 Historical Fiction
In 1935, Moose Flanagan moves with his family to Alcatraz so his father can work as a prison guard and his autistic sister can attend a special school in San Francisco. Moose befriends the warden’s daughter and learns to cope with this awkward situation. When all hope seems lost, Moose and his friends turn to the infamous criminal Al Capone for help. Will Moose solve his problem, or is ithe “lights out” for the Flanagan family?

Gibbs, Stuart. FunJungle. Mystery
When Teddy Fitzroy moved into FunJungle, the nation’s largest zoo, with his scientist parents, he expected things to be kind of quiet. There’d be the occasional elephant stampede and water balloon fight with the chimpanzees, of course, but when Henry the Hippo dies from not-so-natural causes, Teddy suspects foul play. And that was just the beginning. He begins to realize that the zoo is far more exciting than he thought it was, and soon the mysteries at FunJungle are piling up…

• Book 1: Belly Up.  ISBN-13: 978-1416987321
• Book 2: Poached. ISBN-13: 978-1442467781
• Book 3: Big Game. ISBN-13: 978-1481423342
• Book 4: Panda-monium. ISBN-13: 978-1481445689
•  Book 5: Lion Down. ISBN-13: 978-1534424739

Graff, Lisa. Lost in the Sun. ISBN-13: 978-0147508584 Realistic Fiction
Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can’t get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him, middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he’s not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is.

Lai, Thanhha. Listen, Slowly. ISBN-13: 978-0062229199
A California girl born and raised, Mai can’t wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War.Mai’s parents think this trip will be a great opportunity for their out-of-touch daughter to learn more about her culture. But to Mai, those are their roots, not her own. Vietnam is hot, smelly, and the last place she wants to be. Besides barely speaking the language, she doesn’t know the geography, the local customs, or even her distant relatives. To survive her trip, Mai must find a balance between her two completely different worlds.

Lupica, Mike. The Comeback Kids. Sports

• Book 1: Hot Hand (Basketball). ISBN-13: 978-0142414415
• Book 2: Safe at Home (Baseball). ISBN-13: 978-0142414606
• Book 3: Long Shot (Basketball). ISBN-13: 978-1481423342
• Book 4: Two Minute Drill (Football). ISBN-13: 978-0142414422

Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures, Young Readers' Edition. ISBN-13: 978-0062662378 Non-Fiction
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, who lived through the Civil Rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country.

Wolk, Lauren. Wolf Hollow.  A 2017 Newbery Honor Book. ISBN-13: 978-1101994849 Historical Fiction
Growing up in the shadows cast by two world wars, Annabelle has lived a mostly quiet, steady life in her small Pennsylvania town. Until the day new student Betty Glengarry walks into her class. Betty quickly reveals herself to be cruel and manipulative, and while her bullying seems isolated at first, things quickly escalate, and reclusive World War I veteran Toby becomes a target of her attacks. While others have always seen Toby’s strangeness, Annabelle knows only kindness. She will soon need to find the courage to stand as a lone voice of justice as tensions mount.

 

Challenge One

Students entering eighth grade are required to read the following:

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. ISBN-13: 978-0670532575 Classic
No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far.

Challenge Two

In addition to Challenge One, students entering eighth grade are also required to read one book from the following list:

Adeyemi, Tomi. The Children of Blood and Bone. ISBN-13: 978-1250294623 Fantasy
Zelie Adebola remembers well the night magic disappeared, her mother was killed, and her people enslaved by the ruthless king. Eleven years later, it looks as if there's a new chance to rekindle magic. Three powerful artifacts seem to hold the key, but they must be used together before a deadline that will banish magic forever. Aided by her loyal brother Tzain, Zelie sets off on a quest to retrieve the artifacts, taking with her one member of the royal family while being pursued by another. By the time all the pieces of her plan are in place, Zelie will discover that magic is more dangerous and unpredictable than she ever imagined.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. ISBN-13: 978-1416905868 Historical Fiction
As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

Carbone, Elisa. The Pack. ISBN-13: 978-0670036196 Historical Fiction
Becky is convinced that Akhil Vyas is the weirdest person on earth when he shows up in her English class. He refuses to sit in chairs, stares at her with spooky eyes, and has scar-covered skin. But soon Becky’s revulsion turns to fascination. The National Institutes of Health is studying Akhil, but he won’t say why—until something happens that makes him swear Becky and her friend Omar to secrecy. Suddenly Becky isn’t sure what’s more shocking—Akhil’s secret, or the chilling reason why he must reveal it. Elisa Carbone weaves a tale of intrigue that will enthrall any reader.

Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Watsons Go to Birmingham. ASIN: B00CNQ7HBE Realistic Fiction
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent."

When Byron gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they'll be in Birmingham during one of the darkest moments in America's history.

Crutcher, Chris. Ironman. ASIN: B01FIXJ5LI Sports
Bo has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. The rage he feels gives him the energy as a triathlete to press his body to the limit, but it also translates into angry outbursts toward his teachers.

Now dangerously close to expulsion from school, Bo has been assigned to Anger Management sessions with the school "truants." With an eclectic mix of hard-edged students, Bo may finally have to deal with his long-brewing hatred for his father -- before it eats away at him completely.

Feinstein, John. Series. Sports Mysteries
In John Feinstein’s series, sports and mystery are intertwined. Follow reporters Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson as they go behind the scenes and cover stories about baseball, football, basketball, tennis, and swimming.

• Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery. ISBN-13: 978-0553494600
• Vanishing Act: Mystery at the U.S. Open. ISBN-13: 978-0440421252
• Cover Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl. ISBN-13: 978-0440422051
• Change Up: Mystery at the World Series. ISBN-13: 978-0375847592
• The Rivalry: Mystery at the Army-Navy Game. ISBN-13: 978-0375858161
• Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics. ISBN-13: 978-0375871689

Hamilton, Virginia. The House of Dies Drear. ISBN-13: 978-1416914051 Classic
An African-American family moves into a house that once hid runaway slaves and soon comes to believe that their new home is possessed by the spirit of a murdered abolitionist, Dies Drear.

Johnson, Angela. First Part Last. Coretta Scott King Award Winner. ISBN-13: 978-1442403437 Realistic Fiction
Bobby is a 16-year-old father struggling to raise a child. In flashbacks, we see how Bobby gets to where he is today and how he deals with the stress and joy of being a father.

Marchetta, Melina. Jellicoe Road. Winner of the 2009 Printz Award. ISBN-13: 978-0061431852 Mystery
Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs, the boy who might be the key to unlocking the secrets for Taylor’s past, is back in town, moody stares and all.

Murphy, Jim. The Great Fire. 1996 Newbery Honor Book. ISBN-13: 978-0439203074 Non-Fiction
This nonfiction book tells the story behind Chicago’s Great Fire in 1871. It is told with a strong narrative and period illustrations.

Oppel, Kenneth. Airborn. 2005 Printz Honor Book. ISBN-13: 978-0060531829 Fantasy
In an alternate world, Matt Cruse is a cabin boy aboard a huge airship. Reminiscent of the adventure stories of Verne and Stevenson, Matt must investigate an old man’s claims of seeing mysterious flying creatures.

Paulsen, Gary. The Transall Saga. ISBN-13: 978-0375873232 Science Fiction
Thirteen-year-old Mark crosses into another world on a camping trip. He must learn how to survive in this new alien world.

Reynolds, Jason. Long Way Down. ISBN-13: 978-1481438261 Young Adult
Will has known about The Rules for a long time. No one he knows invented them, they've just always existed: No Crying, No Snitching, Get Revenge. When his big brother Shawn is killed, Will knows what he has to do -- he has to follow The Rules, right? The 60-second trip down the elevator from his apartment to the killer is among the longest of his life. When his past offers a different perspective on The Rules, Will has to make a tough decision: Will he go through with it?

Riggs, Ransom. The Peculiar Children. Series. Fantasy
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that makes for a thrilling listening experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets 16-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

• Book 1: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. ISBN-13: 978-1594746031
• Book 2: Hollow City. ISBN-13: 978-1594746123
• Book 3: Library of Souls. ISBN-13: 978-1594749315

Sonnenblick, Jordan. Notes from the Midnight Driver. ISBN-13: 978-0439757812 Realistic Fiction
Alex Gregory has made some bad decisions. After a drunk driving incident, he is sentenced to spend time in a retirement home with an old man with a mystery.

Vicelli, Emma and Shakespeare, William. Manga Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing. ISBN-13: 978-0955816963 Graphic Novel
Shakespeare’s play about the dangers of deceit and rumor is presented in contemporary Manga form. But don't believe everything you hear...

White, Robb. Deathwatch. ISBN-13: 978-0440917403 Mystery
An exciting novel of suspense, based on a fight to the finish between an honest and courageous young man and a cynical business tycoon who believes that anything can be had for a price.

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. ISBN-13: 978-0312384487 Graphic Novel
Jin Wang starts at a new school where he's the only Chinese-American student. When a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn't want to be associated with an FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he's in love with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball, popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee's annual visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny's reputation at school, leaving him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again. The Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu and the heavenly disciplines. He's ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods in heaven. But there's no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each other? They're going to have to find a way―if they want fix the disasters their lives have become.

Yolen, Jane. The Devil’s Arithmetic. 1989 National Jewish Book Award Winner. ISBN-13: 978-0142401095 Historical Fiction
Hannah is transported back to 1942 Poland during her modern-day Passover Seder. As she tries to figure out what has happened, Nazi soldiers begin to take everyone away. Hannah is the only one that knows what horrors are in store.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. ISBN-13: 978-0375842207 Historical Fiction
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.