Book Lists

Book List

Something To Talk About - Great J Books To Discuss

Books tackling big issues that aren't afraid to take sides or show their characters taking sides, for younger audiences.

	The Savage David Almond Call Number: J ALMOND While coping with his father's death, a boy writes a tale about a savage kid living in a ruined chapel in the woods—but then the savage kid comes to life. Write Review		All The Broken Pieces: a novel in verse Ann Burg Call Number: J BURG Two years after being airlifted out of Vietnam in 1975, Matt Pin is haunted by the terrible secret he left behind and, now, in a loving adoptive home in the United States, a series of profound events forces him to confront his past. Write Review
	No Talking Andrew Clements Call Number: J or JPB CLEMENT The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to a "no talking" contest. Write Review		Road to Paris Nikki Grimes Call Number: J GRIMES or JPB Inconsolable at being separated from her older brother, eight-year-old Paris is apprehensive about her new foster family but just as she learns to trust them, she faces a life-changing decision. Write Review
	The Homework Machine Dan Gutman Call Number: J GUTMAN or JPB Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments. Write Review		The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate Jacqueline Kelly Call Number: J KELLY In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery. Write Review
	The Giver Lois Lowry Call Number: J LOWRY or JPB Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community. Write Review		Jacob Have I Loved Katherine Paterson Call Number: J PATERSO or JPB Feeling deprived all her life of schooling, friends, mother, and even her name by her twin sister, Louise finally begins to find her identity. Write Review
	The Higher Power of Lucky Susan Patron Call Number: J PATRON or JPB Fearing that her legal guardian plans to abandon her to return to France, ten-year-old aspiring scientist Lucky Trimble determines to run away while also continuing to seek the Higher Power that will bring stability to her life. Write Review		The Talented Clementine Sarah Pennypacker Call Number: J PENNYPA or JPB Convinced she has no talent, 3rd grader, Clementine is desperate to come up with an act for her class talent show Write Review
	Yellow Star Jennifer Roy Call Number: J ROY Roy retells the true story of her Aunt Syvia's experiences in the Lodz Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Write Review