2012-13
Oregon Battle of the Books
Grades 3-5
Annotated Booklist

Note to Parents: The Oregon Battle of the Books is a voluntary program. OBOB welcomes students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. The titles are selected with the reading level and maturity of 4th and 5th graders in mind. You may feel that the content and/or theme of one or two of these titles are inappropriate for your child. We recommend that you read and discuss these books with your child. A book that stretches a child’s thinking is a great opportunity to discuss world events and your family’s values.

Castle Corona by Sharon Creech (2004).
AR 5.5, 880L, 336 pages.
Two orphaned peasant children discover a mysterious pouch, the contents of which lead them to the majestic Castle Corona, where their lives may be transformed forever.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (1964).
AR 4.8, 810L, 176 pages.
Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way.

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor (2007).
AR 4.0, 700L, 192 pages.
Living in the family car in a small North Carolina town after her father leaves, Georgina persuades her younger brother to help her in a scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming a reward.

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson (2001).
AR 5.6, 860L, 304 pages.
Sent with her governess to live with the dreadful Carter family in exotic Brazil in 1910, Maia endures many hardships before fulfilling her dream of exploring the Amazon River.
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies (2007).
AR 4.1, 630L, 192 pages.
Evan and his younger sister, Jessie, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn $100.

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (2008).
AR 4.3, 610L, 224 pages
Amy and Dan, members of the powerful Cahill family, try to uncover the thirty-nine clues which will reveal the secrets of their lineage and find out what really happened to their parents. Book #1

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood (2011).
AR 6.8, 1000L, 267 pages.
Fifteen-year-old Penelope, a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is hired as governess to children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner in time for a Christmas ball. Book #1

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz (2010).
AR 4.2, 630L, 128 pages.
When Flory the night fairy's wings are accidentally broken and she cannot fly, she has to learn to do everything differently.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Willams-Garcia (2010).
AR 4.6, 750L, 224 pages.
In 1968, after traveling from Brooklyn to Oakland to spend a month with the mother they barely know, eleven-year-old Delphine and her sisters arrive to a cold welcome as they discover their mother wants them to attend a nearby Black Panther summer camp.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (2010).
AR 4.3, 700L, 304 pages.
Considered by many to be mentally retarded, a brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time.

Ray and Me by Dan Gutman (2009).
AR 4.2, 620L, 192 pages.
After recovering from being hit in the head during a baseball game, Stosh travels back in time to try to save Ray Chapman, a batter who was killed by a pitch in New York in 1920.

Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda (2001).
AR 4.7, 660L, 176 pages.
Because only he can read the magical map, young, weak, and timid Rowan joins six other villagers to climb a mountain and try to restore their water supply, as fears of a dragon and other horrors threaten to drive them back.

Star in the Forest by Laura Resau
AR 4.5, 780L, 160 pages.
After eleven-year-old Zitlally's father is deported to Mexico, she takes refuge in her trailer park's forest of rusted car parts, where she finds a stray dog that she nurses back to health and believes she must keep safe so that her father will return.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
AR 4.7, 760L, 160 pages.
Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether the puppet can really predict the future. Book #1

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
AR 3.7, 610L, 208 pages.
In 1935, when her mother gets a job housekeeping for a woman who does not like children, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to stay with relatives she has never met in faraway Key West, Florida.

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules
AR 3.3, 550L, 88 pages.
Freddie finds a mysterious package containing sneakers that allow him to run faster than a train and inspire him to perform heroic deeds. Book #1