The Best Books Ever!

"This is such a good book. Once you start reading it you will not be able to put it down. Literally. I sat at my table and didn’t get up until I was finished."

Looking for summer reading recommendations from real, live people? My 5th graders each compiled a #BestBookList, which could have an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Best Books Ever!

Recommended by Nathalie 

• Those Kids From Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly: This is such a good book. Once you start reading it you will not be able to put it down. Literally. I sat at my table and didn’t get up until I was finished. Lots of books by Erin Entrada Kelly are good but out of all of them this is my favorite. 

• Dress Coded and The First Rule of Climate Club by Carrie Firestone: These aren’t two books from a series, but they come one after the other and have the same characters. They are both about issues that need solving, but they are interesting and make you feel like you are one of the people in the book campaigning to make the world a better place. Read this book! 

• City Spies by James Ponti: This series is AMAZING. It is about a family of spies, and it is so sweet but will also keep you hooked. There are so many twists and turns, you have to keep reading because otherwise you will only be able to think about what will come next. You have to read this! 

• Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger: This series is so good. It isn’t very realistic, but reading at least the first book is necessary. 

• Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan: This is a great series, and it follows Apollo as a mortal through the U.S. You should read the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus first, but after that make sure to read this.

Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts or click28iLoveMG for individual book recommendations. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?

Hummingbird book review

"I looooooooove this book because it combines the real world with magic." Read on for the full review!

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Hummingbird

Recommended by Carina

My book is called Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd and the genre is fantasy. This book is about an eleven-year-old girl named Olive, who has osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and has been homeschooled her whole life long. When she finally convinces her parents to let her attend Macklemore Middle School, a traditional school that looks straight out of Olive's favorite fantasy books, she is super excited! Unfortunately, her first day goes… not so well. 

The next day, she hears about a magical hummingbird that can grant wishes, and believes it might solve all her problems. Teaming up with a new friend who also wants to find the magical bird, she starts collecting clues and looking for it, and discovers it is real. 

I looooooooove this book because it combines the real world with magic. I think it’s very well-written (THANK YOU Natalie Lloyd), I couldn't put it down! I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy with a little mystery. I definitely rate this book 5/5 stars because I love both realistic fiction and fantasy (and a little mystery to make things interesting).

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

12 Awesome Books I've Read in Fifth Grade

Not content to only share 5 books, Elsa brings you TWELVE awesome books plus six of her favorite graphic novels.

Looking for summer reading recommendations from real, live people? My 5th graders each compiled a #BestBookList, which could have an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

12 Awesome Books I've Read in Fifth Grade

Recommended by Elsa

• Myth of Monsters series - After she freezes a kid in her class by glaring at him, Ava goes to a boarding school in Venice and finds out she is descended from a Greek “monster.” 

• Masterminds - Once Eli’s friend moves out of his town, he notices really weird – even screwy – things all around him. Plus, his dad is acting really weird… 

• Dreamslinger - Aria tries to destroy the league that killed her mother and make it through the DreamslingerTrials. 

• The Gauntlet: When her aunt accidentally gives them an ancient game that takes kids as prisoners, Farah, her friends, and her brother are sucked inside. 

• Witchlings: A story about three girls who must defeat the legendary nightbeast or be turned into frogs forever. 

• Star Crossed - A story about a girl navigating school, friends, and trying out for the Shakespeare play. 

• Dragon Fire: Ocean Mist - Jaxon and Alli become friends with the Shi Shi dragons, but they need to outsmart the mean dragon named Zorg. 

• Daughters of the Lamp - A girl named Sahara finds out that magic is real while in Egypt for a wedding. 

• Tear This Down - A story about a girl named Freya who finds out the truth about the person their town’s named after, and even sneaks out in the night in secret with her friend to put signs on his statue. 

• The Girl Who Drank The Moon - A story about a girl and her witch, monster, and dragon. 

• A Duet For Home - A sweet book about two kids who live at Huey House, which is a homeless shelter, and become friends (I didn’t include the ones for graphic novels.

Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts or click #iLoveMG for individual book recommendations. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?

Luck Uglies review

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Luck Uglies

Recommended by Anonymous

My book is called The Luck Uglies, by Paul Durham. It is about tween Riley O’Chanter, AKA Rye, who needs to be told about her true family, and stop monsters who threaten the village she lives in. It is a very good book, and apparently, part of a trilogy. I rate this 5 stars out of 5, and please get the series if you like this book as much as i did. 

When mysterious monsters from the bogs threaten Rye’s village, it seems like the right time to call upon the old protectors , the Luck Uglies, to help, but the earl doesn’t want them back in the village. But if Rye can help, she must help. 

So She Does…

[Katie note: book two is called Luck Uglies 2: Fork-Tongued Charmers.]  

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Inspired ... by books!

One of my fifth grade students, Ash, has been making a paper chain in honor of the people who died from WWII. “My grandfather was a veteran half a centimeter from death,” they say. “I’m making this chain in honor of him and who fought beside him.” Their idea came from one of their favorite books, Linked, and they decided to do something similar. [insert cheer]! #LinkProjectWI

Have you ever had students be inspired by a book and take action?

5 Books to Read This Summer

"It is a great book for readers who like to read realistic fiction novels."

Looking for summer reading recommendations from real, live people? My 5th graders each compiled a #BestBookList, which could have an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

5 Books to Read This Summer

Recommended by Ezra

• A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga A Rover’s Story is a realistic fiction book that takes place on Mars. It is told from the perspective of the fictional rover Resilience, who learns through the plot of the story. I would recommend it mainly for realistic fiction readers. 

• The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill The Ogress and the Orphans is in the genre of fantasy. It has a very lyrical tone and is told from the perspective of the narrator. I would recommend it for people who enjoy reading fantasy and realistic fiction. 

• Restart by Gordon Korman Restart is an amazing book told in multiple perspectives. It is about a boy who loses his memory to amnesia. But as he starts to gain his memories again, he realizes that he wants to change his personality. It is a great book for readers who like to read realistic fiction novels. 

• Mixed Up by Gordon Korman is told in multiple perspectives and is one of my favorite books of all time. It is told in the perspectives of two ordinary people who don’t know each other. One day, though, they start losing their memories and gaining the other person’s. I would recommend it for realistic fiction readers. 

• The Superteacher Project by Gordon Korman is a great book told in multiple perspectives. One day in Oliver Zahn’s school, there is a new teacher. Quickly, though, the students start to realize that he knows—almost everything. How could that be? This is a great novel for people who like reading mysteries.
  
  Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts or click #iLoveMG for individual book recommendations. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?
  

Coyote Sunrise Review

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Recommended by Fiona

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is a very eventful, and charming chapter book that involves accidental passengers. Animal and human. And warm friendships that last forever. But when they decide to head back to the town, a police car pulls them over and takes the dad to jail. Coyote has to get back to that town and quick! To save the memories of her mom and sister who are gone forever but still need to be remembered. Can she save those memories or do the memories slowly fade away?

Bonus: the sequel is now out - Coyote Lost and Found.   

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

My Side of the Mountain review

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

My Side of the Mountain

Recommended by Fox

My Side of the Mountain is a very delightful, engaging story about a boy who runs away to the Catskills mountains and lives there and makes lots of animal friends and human friends. He survives the beautiful and treacherous winters of the catskills. This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions and you will get attached to the characters as they evolve. This is the best book I have ever read.

[Katie note: there are additional books in this series too!]    

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

The Ogress and the Orphans book review

"This part mystery, part heart-warming book is a great recommendation for a mystery or fantasy fan. "

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Ogress and the Orphans

Recommended by Ezra

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill is a low-fantasy book which shows the importance of trust and distrust. It is about an ogress named, conveniently, the Ogress. She believes that the more you give, the more you have. The Ogress lives on the edge of a peaceful village – well, a village that used to be kind and good until the town’s library and school mysteriously burned down – called Stone-in-the-Glen. She is misunderstood, though. Instead of being thought of as kind, the townspeople think the Ogress is stealing children and wreaking havoc. 

This part mystery, part heart-warming book is a great recommendation for a mystery or fantasy fan. This book has great characters and a great storyline. Kelly Barnhill’s Ogress and the Orphans is an amazing read.

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Wild Robot book review

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Wild Robot

Recommended by Anonymous

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is very heartwarming. The main character’s name is Roz, AKA ROZZUM unit 7134, who is from a factory ship that sunk into the ocean during a hurricane. All the other carts/robots got destroyed, except Roz. She ends up on an island and meets animals and makes relationships. If you like adventure mixed with a little bit of sadness, you will love this book. I absolutely love this book, it can be a little sad at times, but it’s just the right amount of sad. If you like adventure mixed with a little bit of sadness, you will love this book. I rate it:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(five stars)!

The Wild Robot, in addition to being a blockbuster movie, is also the first in a series of books!

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Myth of Monsters: Medusa review

"I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology. This book isn’t a slow starting book."

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Myth of Monsters: Medusa

Recommended by Anonymous

The book I read was called The Myth Of Monsters, MEDUSA. It was all about this girl named Ava, who had a hard time controlling her emotions. There was an incident with a snobby boy named Owen. 

When Ava told her mom and her mom was understanding. The next day, Ava transferred to a boarding school, Accademia. Her mom went there when she was a kid, so Ava thought she would give it a try. 

The principal, Mr. Orion, gave an announcement that made every students’ jaws drop. Everyone was a descendant of monsters. 

Could Ava find out what her monster is? Will she find the true story of her ancestors? I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology. This book isn’t a slow starting book. 

I like this book because there is adventure, drama, and there are clues that you can figure out, too! This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I think that whoever picks up this book, will fall instantly in love, like how I did.

[Bonus! Book Two, The Gods Revenge arrives on April 22nd, 2025! I've already pre-ordered and have tons of students on the hold list.]     

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Preorder The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin!

I am thrilled to share with you my fifth grader's review of the forthcoming The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon - Grace Lin's first middle grade novel in nine years! (We are huge Grace Lin fans here. My son has an autographed copy of A Big Mooncake for Little Star, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Newbery Honor) is a book club selection for my fifth graders.)

This post is also part of  #iLoveMG, my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Recommended by Anonymous

I think The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin was REALLY good. All the characters have their own flaws and good things about them, and are very distinctive. The problem is kind of confusing at first (for the characters, not for me) and I love the rivalry between the dragon-head and the real dragon. The worm was probably my favorite character: he's so wise! (for a worm) The stories in between the book helped me understand what was going on, and it was a really good idea in the first place. 

Overall, I would rate this book 4.99 stars. Good job, Grace Lin! There would just be one thing I would fix: some of the drawings are a bit strange, and don't really match the story or what I'm thinking. Maybe they could be changed, or just removed. [Teacher note: this was the advanced copy with the sketches, not the full-color images.] Otherwise, this story was awesome with no flaws whatsoever.

Preorder Information

Grace is running several preorder campaigns for the book. And all preorders should receive the deluxe first edition, which is going to have these super-lovely sprayed edges with decorations. So fancy! 

- Preorder from High Five books for an exclusive sticker

- Preorder from Porter Square books for an enamel pin

- Preorder from the Eric Carle Museum for a virtual visit (order by April 11th) -  this is the one our school librarian is doing, yay! 

- All links available here 

- There is also details about all her upcoming tour dates (none in Wisconsin yet, sigh)

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

The Wolf's Curse book review

"I recommend this book to people who people who like books about fantasy and nature."

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Wolf's Curse

Recommended by Nathalie

My book is The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis, and the genre is fantasy. It is about a boy named Gauge. Gauge lives with his grandfather in Bouge-by-the-Sea. He’s done so for twelve years, even when his life was upended by him realizing he can see the mysterious Wolf. 

But one day his grandfather dies, and leaves telling Gauge to stay away from the wolf. Gauge’s whole world is upended, leaving him homeless and an orphan. But he knows he has to complete the ritual that will send his grandfather to the Sea-in-the-Sky, where he can actually “rest in peace.” 

But Gauge starts noticing little thing about the way they send people to the Sea-in-the-Sky, and has to face a choice: Will he believe what he has thought his whole life, or will he believe the mysterious wolf and let the walls of reality crash in? 

This is a good book because it is about not always believing everything you are told, and the plot flows nicely. I recommend this book to people who people who like books about fantasy and nature. I rate this book 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Review: Ms. Bixby's Last Day

"If you like sad or scary books you might like this book. If you like a happy book this might be your book. This book is happy and sad. "

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

Recommended by Violet M

Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson is a book that everyone should read. It is full of love and compassion. The main Ms. Bixby has a loud taste and personality. When she announces a big change to the class, three boys are on a mission to save her. They try to save her but end up doing something else. This book is good in so many ways. If you like sad or scary books you might like this book. If you like a happy book this might be your book. This book is happy and sad. This is why you should read this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Greenglass House

For one of our book projects, my 5th graders design their own book covers and write reviews. You can read more of their reviews at #iLoveMG. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Greenglass House

This student drew an amazing cover but did not want to share their written review. So here's my thoughts instead:

Greenglass House by Kate Milford is the first in a series of five books about a mysterious house (now hotel) in a town full of smugglers with their own mysteries. The beginning is a bit confusing, as a colorful cast of characters appear at the hotel just before Christmas, but you soon settle in as things start going missing, and it seems like everyone has a motive! 

This is a great book for imaginative kids, especially those who like role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, as the main characters play their own version of such a game throughout the story. If you like mysteries, games, and lots of sneaking, I recommend this book! 

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Controlled Burn reviewed by Sophia

Another great #iLoveMG book recommendation from my fifth graders. This one is especially relevant with all the fires in the news and can help students who are trying to process such natural disasters. If you're looking for a great nonfiction complement, check out Fire Escape: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires by Jessica Stremer. 

(Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Controlled Burn

Recommended by Sophia

My book is Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing. 12 year old Maia’s house got burned down. She is blaming herself for not taking her sister out of the fire sooner. When Maia finds an unexpected creature, that might bring her luck. 

This is a good book because it is interesting and hard to put down. If you like sad and hard to put down I recommend this book to you. I rate this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(five out of five stars).

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Gregor the Overlander book review

This is part of my continuing series, #iLoveMG , where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Gregor the Overlander

When Gregor finds himself falling down an air duct, He soon realizes he will not be coming back for a while. Can he face the rats to stop a war, follow a prophecy and find his dad? But his two year old sister might also not be the best person to take on a dangerous journey……….. I would rate this book ⅘ stars.

Gregor the Overlander is part of a five book series by author Susanne Collins (Hunger Games).   

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Some Good Books

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Some Good Books

Recommended by Margaux

• So B. It by Sarah Weeks
• Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
• Everything I Know about You by Barbara Dee
• Masterminds by Gordon Korman
• Blubber by Judy Blume
  
  
  Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?
  

Read Your World Day!

This Thursday, January 30th, is Read Your World Day! #ReadYourWorld, formerly known as Multicultural Children's Book Day, is a celebration of children's literature and reading. You can read all about it here, on their website.  

Book Reviews

As a reviewer for Read Your World Day, I received two different books to review, and I am delighted to share them here with you. As always, my opinions are my own. 

WE SING FROM THE HEART by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez is the story of Simon Tam and his Supreme Court case to trademark the band name The Slants. This is an interesting and engaging look at history-making in action: walking kids through the process of trademarks and how cases end up before the Supreme Court. 

There is a lot of great background information woven in, introducing readers to the history of anti-Asian sentiment and racist terminology, as well as how The Slants subverted and reappropriated those terms. An empowering and inspirational read!

I Have Cerebral Palsy by Mary Beth Springer is a photo essay about a child name Sydney who has cerebral palsy. The book's inclusion of photographs from Sydney's earliest days through her childhood helps young readers relate and connect to Sydney. Kids can see Sydney doing lots of activities that are also familiar to them (going to school, taking the bus, even playing baseball), making this a good, relatable way to introduce kids to celebral palsy. 

What are your favorite multicultural or diverse books? 

You can see more of my 5th graders' favorite books here: Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. 

Mock Sibert Winners 2025

The ALA Youth Media Awards are coming on Monday! (Livestream here on 1/27/25 at 8 am MT.) This is the Super Bowl of the kidlit world, when many of the major book awards are announced including the Newbery and Caldecott Awards. Every year, I try to have my students participate in at least one mock awards vote.

The past few years we've enjoyed Melissa Stewart's Sibert Smackdown. The Sibert Medal is for informational fiction (nonfiction), and each year Melissa shares her slate of top books for schools to host their own Mock Sibert voting. In coordination with our school librarian, my 5th graders have spent the past month reading, analyzing, and discussing their favorites among this year's choices.

We read aloud different books with each class, and it was interesting to see how much the voting was swayed by books we read aloud vs. books the students read and discussed in pairs. 

And the Winners Are ... 

In my first class, the winner was One Day This Tree Will Fall by Leslie Barnard Booth and illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman! Our honor books were...

• Life After Whale by Lynn Brunelle and Jason Chin 

• What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky 

• Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Ying Chang Compestine and Xinmei Liu (This was was not from the Sibert Smackdown list but was a student favorite.)
   

In my second class, the winner was Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Deena So'Oteh.

The honors books were...

• Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars by Jonathan Roth

• The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee and illustrated by Stacy Innerst

• Urban Coyotes by Mary Kay Carson and illustrated by Tom Uhlman

Bonus content: photo of the "Almost Underwear" taken over winter break at the Wright Brothers National Monument in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. 

Who are your top choices for the awards this year! Share a guess in the comments below!

Want more of my 5th graders' favorite books? Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. 

Mila's Best Books

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Best Books

Recommended by Mila

• The Parker Inheritance, a story about a girl and history 
• Love that Dog & Hate that Cat, two books of really good poetry 
• Super Boba Cafe, a book about a boba shop 
• The Maze Runner, A book about people being trapped in a giant maze
  
  Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?
  

Books You Must Read by Katherine

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Books You Must Read (in my opinion)

Recommended by Katherine

• Wings of Fire is about 5 dragonets born to fulfill a prophecy and stop a war between tribes. It's also available as a graphic novel.

• Keeper of the Lost Cities is about a girl named Sophie who finds out she’s an elf, not a human. She moves to the Lost Cities, where the elves live, and she learns more about herself. 

• Percy Jackson is about a young demigod named Percy Jackson who goes to Camp Half-Blood and goes on many quests to save camp, himself, his friends, and the gods. 

• Spy School is about math genius Ben Ripley who gets into Spy School to train to be a spy. During his training, he is targeted by an enemy group whose mission is to get rich and cause chaos. 

• Harry Potter is about a boy who is a famous wizard for surviving Voldemort, a powerful evil wizard, when no one else had survived. Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts, a school for wizards and witches, and tries to stop Voldemort from coming back and ruling the world. 

• The Serpent’s Secret is about Kiranmala, a princess from another dimension, who finds out she is a princess and has to stop her evil father from his evil plans. 

• Battle Dragons is about a boy, Abel, and his 2 friends who try to stop the gang-like kins who terrorize the whole city while freeing dragons from the humans. Along his journey, he meets many amazing dragons who are hurt because of humans and some who lead the others to the wild. 

• Myth of Monsters: Medusa is about a girl, Ava, who tries to control her anger but fails, freezing her bully. She doesn’t know what happened, but soon her parents send her to a school for descendents of monsters. She learns she is a descendant of Medusa, who was locked up and misunderstood. Once Ava knows this, she goes on a quest to free Medusa from her prison. 

• Witchlings is about 3 girls, Seven, Thorn, and valley, who are placed in a second-rate group and are shunned. There is evil, though. And misunderstood. Seven and her friends have to fix things once and for all. 

• Amari and the Night Brothers is about a girl, Amari, who has “lost” her brother. Amari is soon accepted into a school for kids like her, and she gets a power, but an “evil” one. She meets someone else, but he betrays Amari by revealing her works for an ancient evil person, one of the night brothers, whose goal is to bring his twin back from the dead. The boy also reveals he has the same power as Amari. The forbidden one. Amari needs to stop her ex-friend and the one remaining night brother from ruling the world.

What do you think Katherine should read next? 

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