5th Grade (Age 10)

King Arthur, his wife Lady Di of Ameter, and their son, Radius, problem solve to find the right shape for a table that the king uses to discuss matters with his knights. This clever tale of geometry has simple diagrams that reinforce math concepts, including circumference, diameter, and Pi.

In the bleak winter of 19 0, Nazi troops parachuted into Peter Lindstrom’s tiny Norwegian village and held it captive. Nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated–until Uncle Victor told Peter how the children could fool the enemy. It was a dangerous plan. They had to slip past Nazi guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds. It meant risking their country’s treasure–and their lives. This classic story of how a group of children outwitted the Nazis and sent the treasure to America has captivated generations of readers.

Thirteen-year-old Karen Nomura loves New Jersey and knows exactly how she’ll spend the summer there: hanging out with friends and painting. But her grandmother comes for a visit from Japan and insists that Karen return with her for the summer. When she first arrives in Japan, Karen feels awkward and angry. She doesn’t understand the language, customs–or her grandmother. While Karen’s inevitable change of heart may be predictable, details about Japanese culture and Japanese-American relocation camps, as well as a realistic and likable main character, make this coming-of-age novel a compelling read.

The spider, a character in many Native American stories, is numerous things — sometimes a teacher, other times an ally, but also a trickster. This collection of Native American legends is beautifully illustrated by five different Native American artists and endorsed by tribal authorities. Legends from several culture areas — including the Southwest, Southeast, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and California — are represented. These legends are great to read aloud to younger students, and older students will enjoy reading them on their own.

Sabuda and Reinhart Studios have created another spectacular pop-up book for George Lucas’s epic STAR WARS movies! Bestselling pop-up artist and engineer Matthew Reinhart has designed a thirtieth anniversary commemorative edition that comes packed with a variety of novelty features — pop-ups, working light sabers, pull tabs, and other interactive looks at the exciting and popular movies. This beautiful book will impress all fans of STAR WARS and gives a whole new perspective to the films.

Despite the danger of capture and punishment, a brave young slave creates a quilt with a map stitched into it to guide herself and others to freedom.

This is a compelling chronicle about black American writers. It’s told by a man to his granddaughter after she says, “Please tell me a story. Write it down so I can put it in my pocket and carry it around. Tell me about the people from Africa who came before me.” Bold oil paintings and inspiring quotes tell the history of African American storytellers, writers, and orators beginning with slaves. Featured authors range from Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, to Toni Morrison, the first African American to win the Nobel Prize for literature.

President Carter’s highly accessible book for teenagers helps them understand the causes and cures for conflicts. It’s helpful not only to find solutions to the large political process of peace, but to work through the daily conflicts often found in a teenager’s life. To learn more about Jimmy Carter and his projects for peace, visit www.jimmycarter.org