May Grades 3 & 4 Book Suggestions

One-Third Nerd by Gennifer Choldenko

"Fifth grade is not for amateurs, according to Liam. Luckily, he knows that being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam lives in the Bay area near San Francisco with his mom and two younger sisters. Dakota is fascinated by science and has a big personality but struggles to make friends; Izzy, a child with Down syndrome, makes friends easily and notices things that go past everyone else. Dad lives across town, but he's over a lot. And then there's Cupcake, their lovable German shepherd, who guards their basement apartment.

Recently, Cupcake has a problem--she's peeing in the house. The kids need to make enough money to take her to the vet before their landlord upstairs finds out. And Mom and Dad have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will find her a new home. But the kids will never let Cupcake go. Can they save her?"—Goodreads

Over the Moon by Natalie Lloyd 

"Twelve-year-old Mallie's prospects are grim. In her mining town, Coal Top, boys leave school at 12 to work in the mines, and girls leave to work as servants for the rich people. Mallie can't stomach the idea of that kind of life, but what choice does she have? Especially when her family is counting on her wages to survive.

All that changes when Mallie is recruited for a dangerous competition in which daring (and ideally, orphaned children) train flying horses to battle the monsters that lurk beneath Coal Top. If she wins, she'll earn a fortune for her struggling family. If she fails . . . her family will have one less mouth to feed.

But the situation proves even more sinister than Mallie realizes, and in addition to fighting for her life, she finds herself uncovering a dangerous mystery at the heart of Coal Top's struggles-a mystery that the charismatic ringleader, Mortimer Good, will do anything to protect."—Goodreads

Scouts by Shannon Greenland

"The story of a group of friends who set out to find a crashed meteor...but find mystery, danger, and fractures in their close relationships instead.

Annie, Beans, Rocky, and Fynn. They're the Scouts—best friends who do everything together. It's 1985, and with the summer before seventh grade winding down, the Scouts decide to secretly climb Old Man Basinger's silo to watch a meteor shower. When one meteor seems to crash nearby, the Scouts know they have to go find it.

But their fun overnight jaunt through the woods soon takes a turn when they come across a series of disturbing discoveries about the meteor, and find themselves on the run from the Mason clan who live in the wilderness. Bonds are tested when new kids join their adventure and true feelings are revealed. Will the Scouts survive this journey together, or will their unbreakable friendships prove vulnerable after all?"—Goodreads

March Grades 3 & 4 Book Club: The One and Only Bob

For March's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate. Ben and Michael were present. 

To see what we discussed, visit the Educator's Guide. 

Please rate this novel on a scale of 1-5:

—3.5!

—4!

For April's Book Club, we will be reading Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick.

"Flames race toward Sam Castine's summer camp as evacuation buses are loading, but Sam runs back to get his phone. Suddenly, a flash of heat blasts him as pine trees explode. Now a wall of fire separates Sam from his bus, and there's only one thing to do: Run for his life. Run or die.

Lungs burning, Sam's only goal is to keep moving. Drought has made the forest a tinderbox, and Sam struggles to remember survival tricks he learned from his late father. Then, when he least expects it, he encounters Delphy, an older girl who is also lost. Their unlikely friendship grows as they join forces to find civilization.

The pace never slows, and eventually, flames surround Sam and Delphy on all sides. A powerful bond is forged that can only grow out of true hardship-as two true friends beat all odds and outwit one of the deadliest fires ever."—Goodreads

We will meet on Wednesday, April 13, at 3:30 p.m. To register, visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280. Book club will be held in the meeting hall. 

For New Book Club Members

At each session, the kids vote on a book to read together for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Please reach out with any questions. 

April Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

Time Villians by Victor Pineiro 

Javi Santiago is just a sandwich-obsessed Puerto Rican trying to host the ultimate dinner party and not fail sixth grade. When the annual "Any Three People to Dinner" homework assignment rolls around, Javi needs helps, so he pulls his best friend Wiki and his kid sister Brady into the effort. Only none of them predicted that the family's mysterious antique table would actually bring their storied guests to the meal. And who did they invite? Kid Mozart, the Earl of Sandwich, and...Blackbeard the Pirate. Whoops.

Before they can say "avast, ye maties," Blackbeard escapes and Javi's world does an awkward somersault. As the trio tries to avoid the bloodthirsty pirate, a few of their teachers come to their aid--teachers who are suspiciously out of place. But there's no time to think--Blackbeard is intent on summoning his pirate crew, so Javi may have to invite some even zanier figures to set things right again.—Goodreads 

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home.—Goodreads 

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls. Upon arrival, Elizabeth quickly discovers that Winterhouse has many charms―most notably its massive library. It’s not long before she locates a magical book of puzzles that will unlock a mystery involving Norbridge and his sinister family. But the deeper she delves into the hotel’s secrets, the more Elizabeth starts to realize that she is somehow connected to Winterhouse. As fate would have it, Elizabeth is the only person who can break the hotel’s curse and solve the mystery. But will it be at the cost of losing the people she has come to care for, and even Winterhouse itself?—Goodreads

February Grades 3 & 4 Book Club: Down to Earth

  

For February's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read Down to Earth by Betty Culley. Mack and Thomas were present. This book inspired us to check out Ahnighito. We began our discussion by using the curriculum guide. Below are some of the other things we discussed. 

1. What is a dowser? Would you want to be a dowser? Why or not? 

2. Who is Henry?

3. Do you think Henry made the right decision to keep the meteorite a secret? 

4. Who are the other characters? What are their roles?

5. Writers do things on purpose. Do you think it is an important detail that Henry is home-schooled? Why do you think the writer included this detail? 

6. What were your favorite or least favorite parts of the book?

7. Henry thinks in terms of percentages. Why is this important? 

Please rate this novel on a scale of 1-5:

4.5

4.5

For March's Book Club, we will be reading The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate.

"Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his long-lost sister with the help of his two best friends, Ivan and Ruby. As a hurricane approaches and time is running out, Bob finds courage he never knew he had and learns the true meaning of friendship and family."—summary

We will meet on Wednesday, March 9, at 3:30 p.m. Join us for a trivia-style book club battle of reading comprehension and elements of craft. To register, visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280. Book club will be held in the meeting hall. 

For New Book Club Members

At each session, the kids vote on a book to read together for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Please reach out with any questions. 

March Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

 

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 

"Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?"—Goodreads

Strangeville School is Totally Normal by Darcy Miller

"Harvey Hill's first day at Strangeville Middle School doesn't go quite as expected when he discovers it's full of various creatures and odd happenings, including a particularly nefarious supply closet."—Provided by publisher.

Willa and the Whale by Chad Morris & Shelly Brown

"Twelve-year-old Willa, grieving the loss of her mother, a renowned marine biologist, discovers she can talk to whales"—Provided by publisher.

January's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club

 

For January's Grades 3 & 4 Book Club, we read Anti/Hero by Kate Karyus Quinn and Demitria Lunetta. Thomas was present for our discussion. Here are some of the things we discussed: 

General Questions

1. Anti/Hero is a graphic novel. What are some of the visual differences we see between Sloane and Piper? 

2. What is the significance of the chapter titles? 

Text Specific Questions

Chapter 1

1. Where does the story take place? 

2. On page 16, the reader is introduced to Sloane’s mom. She keeps coughing. This is foreshadowing. What is foreshadowing?

3. Fill in the blank: Piper excels at ________ while Sloane excels at ________.

4. Who is the Bear? 

5. Where are Piper’s parents? 

6. What is Sloane supposed to steal for the Bear, and how does this connect her to Piper? 

Chapter 2 

7. What happens as Sloane and Piper struggle over the TMI? 

8. Who is Sloane’s neighbor?

Chapter 3

9. How did Piper get her powers? 

10. How did Sloane get her super brain?

Chapter 4

11. What does Abuela make Sloane and Piper realize? 

12. Who shows up at the competition and why? 

13. What happens to the Bear? 

14. How does the competition end? 

15. What birds represent Sloane and Piper?

For February's Book Club, we will be reading Down to Earth by Betty Culley.

"Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.

But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself."—Goodreads

We will meet on Wednesday, February 9, at 3:30 p.m. Join us for a trivia-style book club battle of reading comprehension and elements of craft. To register, visit the circulation desk, email Miss Colleen at jamlibyouth@gmail.com, or give us a call at (401) 423-7280. Book Club will be held in the Meeting Hall. Masks are required. 

 

For New Book Club Members

At each session, the kids vote on a book to read together for the next month. Then, Ms. Colleen orders enough copies of that book through the Ocean State Libraries consortium. You pick up the book at the library (usually a week after the last book club). Books are never due before Book Club. Please reach out with any questions. 

February Grades 3 & 4 Book Club Suggestions

 

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate 

"Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?"—Goodreads

Down to Earth by Betty Culley

"Henry has always been fascinated by rocks. As a homeschooler, he pours through the R volume of the encyclopedia to help him identify the rocks he finds. So, when a meteorite falls in his family's field, who better to investigate than this rock enthusiast--with his best friend, James, and his little sister, Birdie, in tow, of course.

But soon after the meteorite's arrival, the water in Henry's small Maine town starts drying up. It's not long before news spreads that the space rock and Henry's family might be to blame. Henry is determined to defend his newest discovery, but his knowledge of geology could not have prepared him for how much this stone from the sky would change his community, his family, and even himself."—Goodreads

The Nightmare Thief by Nicole Lesperance

"Maren Partridge loves working in her family's dream shop where she can hand-craft any dream imaginable. The shop has only one rule. Dreams cannot be given to a person without their consent. Maren has no problem with this—until her sister, Hallie, has an accident that leaves her in a coma. Maren's certain she can cure Hallie with a few well-chosen dreams. And when no one is watching, she slips her a flying dream.

But a strange new customer from the shop has been following Maren and knows what she did. Now she's laid the perfect trap to blackmail Maren into creating custom nightmares for a dark and terrible purpose. As Maren gets drawn further into the sinister scheme, she must make a choice: to protect her family or to protect the town from her family's magic."—Goodreads