Here's my list of The BEST Middle-Grade Books that I read in 2010. (Most of these would also be suitable for Tweeners.)
Out of this list of 33 there are quite a few books that would fall into the Historical Fiction category. I've noted these --by putting them in green -- because they make great additions to history studies. Those books that I thought were OUTSTANDING have **'s of glory.
Out of this list of 33 there are quite a few books that would fall into the Historical Fiction category. I've noted these --by putting them in green -- because they make great additions to history studies. Those books that I thought were OUTSTANDING have **'s of glory.
In the order I/we read them:
1. Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan (historical fiction that both La-la and I enjoyed)
2. Odd and the Frost Giants
3. Keepers of the School: We the Children
4. Dead Guy Spy (Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie)
5. Brian's Return
6. Brian's Hunt
7. The Rifle (This one not recommended for Tweeners)
8. Mr. Tucket * (great boy-friendly series)
9. Notes From the Dog ** (exceptional!)
10. Call Me Francis Tucket (in the Tucket series)
11. Tucket's Ride (in the Tucket series)
12. Tucket's Home (in the Tucket series)
13. George Washington's Socks (outstanding historical fiction) *
14. Marvin Redpost, Kidnapped at Birth (didn't like this one, it's a series though)
15. Bug Boy *
16. Horse: A Genuine and Authentic Guide
17. Life-size sharks and other underwater creatures (fun book!)
18. Alcatraz versus The Evil Librarians (fun boy-friendly book in a series)
19. Trouble River (historical fiction, American West)
20. Shiloh ** (historical fiction, 19th Century, award winning book in a beloved series)
21. Sign of the Beaver
22. Red Pyramid **
23. Stinker from Space (scifi classic)
24. George's Marvelous Medicine (not my fave R. Dahl)
25. Black Jack: the Ballad of Jack Johnson (poem, early 19th Century)
26. Ender's Game: Battle School a graphic novel
27. The Witches Kitchen ** (by Allen Williams. Not for tweeners)
28. Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave *
29. Romeo and Juliet for kids **
30. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth *
31. You wouldn't want to be a crusader! *
32. The Amulet of Samarkand : a Bartimaeus graphic novel
33. A World Without Heroes ** (pre-order. Brandon Mull fan's will love this one)
34. Hamlet ala Brendan P. Kelso **
You can check out my Top KidLit picks here.
Top YA books of 2010 can be found here.
Shan's Top Lists of Picture books can be found here.
Her Top List of books for Middle-Schoolers can be found here.