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VIRGINIA
READERS' CHOICE ANNOTATIONS
Elementary
List 2007-2008
Grades 3-5
The Big House
by Carolyn Coman (Front Street, 2004)
After their mom and dad are sent “up the river” for embezzlement, Ray and Ivy
are sent to live in a grand house with their parents’ accusers. In this humorous
mystery the two clever children immediately begin making plans for escape from
their scheming captors and search for evidence that could free their parents.
Freedom on the Menu:
The Greensboro Sit-ins
by Carole Boston Weatherford (Dial, 2005)
Eight-year-old Connie tells about Dr. King, the growing changes in civil rights
during the sixties, and how some of her brother’s friends take part in sit-ins
at a Greensboro lunch counter. The times are scary, but she finally enjoys a
banana split of her own at the counter.
John, Paul, George
and Ben by
Lane Smith (Hyperion, 2006)
This book paints a picture of our founding fathers as a bunch of troublemakers
when they were young lads. Each of these young men showed glimpses of unique
personalities during childhood that eventually helped our country start a
revolution.
The Penderwicks: A
Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
by Jeanne Birdsall (Knopf, 2005)
For their summer vacation, the Penderwick sisters rent a cottage on an estate
with their father. They quickly become friends with Jeffrey, son of the owner
of the estate. Together they have many adventures while exploring the gardens,
attic, and chasing rabbits.
Project Mulberry
by Linda Sue Park(Clarion, 2005)
Julia, a Korean American girl, and her friend Patrick work together on a project
raising silkworms. In addition to learning about what is involved in caring for
silkworms, they learn about friendship, patience, prejudice, and tolerance.
Ruby Lu, Brave and
True by
Lenore Look (Atheneum, 2004)
Ruby Lu is an eight-year-old, Asian-American girl who has a great deal to worry
about in her life. She is concerned about attending Chinese School on Saturdays,
sharing a bedroom with her cousin Flying Duck who is from China, and preparing
for a backyard magic show.
Scarecrow and His
Servant by
Philip Pullman (Knopf, 2005)
Scarecrow is a courteous, but pea-brained fellow, with grand ideas. He meets a
boy, Jack, who becomes his faithful servant. Scarecrow leads them into
hilarious situations and terrifying dangers, but Jack's common sense always
saves the day. Scarecrow never realizes the one family who desperately wishes
he’d never sprung to life is following him. Will the Scarecrow discover the
secret to his past before the crooked Buffalonis close in on him?
The
Star of Kazan
by Eva Ibbotson (Dutton, 2004)
Abandoned as a baby, Annika is found and adopted by Ellie and Sigrid, cook and
housemaid for three professors. Growing up in early 20th century
Vienna, she learns to cook and clean and is perfectly happy until a rich
beautiful woman claiming to be her mother appears and takes her to live in her
cold, crumbling castle in the north. With the help of Ellie, Sigrid, the
professors, and friends old and new, Annika escapes from a ruinous fate and
learns to face the truth about her relatives.
Three Good Deeds
by Vivian Vande Velde (Harcourt, 2005)
In this fantasy, an old woman, rumored to be a witch, sees Howard trying to
steal goose eggs and decides to teach him a lesson by turning him into a goose.
Howard can only break the curse by performing three good deeds, which is not as
easy as it seems.
Whales on Stilts
by M. T. Anderson (Harcourt, 2005)
Twelve-year-old Lily discovers that her unsuspecting father is working for an
evil genius determined to take over the world with an army of stilt-walking
whales. She and her two adventurous friends race against the clock to stop this
bizarre plan.
Virginia Readers' Choice Menu
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