Here in Vermont we are benefitting from a blizzard of recommendations of books for kids and young adults this holiday season. What is our source? Well, two BOOK BUZZes over the course of two days means that numerous students from area schools presented their favorite books to read, give, and get. On Friday we posted the selections from the middle school students at Crossroads Academy, today we post the selections from students from our own Norwich elementary school, the Marion Cross School.
We hope you (and the kids you need to shop for) enjoy the selections from these students. Their names and grades are listed at the end of this post.
Books for your friends who don’t like to read but who would love a great story
- The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson (1994). Selected by Roxy. Crazy magical nonsense and amazing beasts.
- Chronicle of the Dark Star by Kevin Emerson (Assorted Years). Selected by William. Time is up. Must leave Mars.
- The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline Ogburn (2017). Selected by Ally. Mythical Creatures. Finding friends. Heart-warming story.
Superb books you would assign to your favorite adult (teacher, aunt, parent) as required reading
- The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGupta (2018). Selected by Hannah. Another dimension with a hidden adventure.
Best family read-alouds
- Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill (2012). Selected by Twyla. Best friends, dragon, mirrored sky, war.
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1942). Selected by Mr. Bill. A little philosopher ponders life’s mysteries.
Perfect books to help you ignore the fact you are waiting for your sister or brother to finish hockey practice
- The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (2012). Selected by Gavin. Silver-back Ivan and Elephant Stella.
- Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan (2011). Selected by Mrs. French. Four dogs help family find comfort.
Fun non-fiction books for kids who prefer TRUE stories
- The Who Is – What Was – Who Was Series by Various Authors (Assorted Years). Selected by Wyatt For lovers of Sports, History, Biography.
Fiction Books that do a great job of teaching history
- Refugee by Alan Gratz (2017). Selected by Penelope. Three kids, all refugees, different times.
GREAT Books to give to your friends for their birthdays
- I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda (2015). Selected by Campbell. Two kids. Different continents. One letter.
- Grandpa’s Great Escape by David Walliams (2017). Selected by Harrison. Thrilling adventure – will make you laugh.
- All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson (2017). Selected by Lucy. Brave knight, middle-school adventures, challenges.
The BEST Book to give to your younger brother or sister because it was your favorite in 2nd grade
- Baseball Mysteries Series by David Kelly (Assorted Years). Selected by Drew. Two kids solve mysteries. Many ballparks.
Sports books that are about so much more
- Mascot by Antony John (2018). Selected by Jacobi. Kid in wheelchair. Out with Fredbird.
- The Contract Series by Derek Jeter (Assorted Years). Selected by Joe. A dad, a bully, & a nothing.
Picture Books to read with your reading buddy (or younger sister or brother)
- Otis and Will Discover the Deep by Barb Rosenstock & Katherine Roy (2018). Selected by Mrs. McCaull. Suspenseful, amazing first deep ocean dive.
A series you won’t be able to put down, or what to read when you run out of Wimpy Kid books
- The Apothecary Series by Maile Meloy (Assorted Years). Selected by Adeline. Potions! Flying! Chemistry! Stop the Bomb!
- Zodiac Legacy by Stan Lee (Assorted Years). Selected by Benjamin. Zodiac Powers Return After 144 years.
- Friday Barnes, Girl Detective by R. A. Spratt (Assorted Years). Selected by Milly. Smart girl detective solves crazy mysteries.
- Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson (Assorted Years). Selected by Daniil. Calvin and Hobbes Never Grow Old.
The Marion Cross presenters
4th grade
- Drew
- Ally
- Harrison
- Joe
- Addy
- Roxy
5th grade
- Wyatt
- Twyla
- Milly
- Daniil
- Jacobi
6th grade
- Penelope
- Campbell
- Benjamin
- Gavin
- Lucy
- William
- Hannah
Adults
- Mr. Bill (Thank you Mr. Bill for your support of BOOK BUZZ and the MCS students always.)
- Mrs. McCaull (Thank you Mrs. McCaull for all your help coaching the students. BOOK BUZZ would not happen without you.)
- Mrs. French (Thank you Mrs. French – and the 4th, 5th and 6th grade teams – for your support of BOOK BUZZ; teachers like you make a huge difference.)
