A Begonia for Miss Applebaum
By Paul Zindel (Realistic Fiction)
Discovering that their beloved former teacher, Miss Applebaum, is terminally ill, fifteen-year-old Henry and his friend, Zelda, accompany her on excursions to the colorful parts of New York City. They join her in confronting death with quiet courage.
The Best School Year Ever
By Barbara Robinson (Humor)
* Starred Reviewed Book
The six horrible Herdmans, the worst kids in the history of the world, cause mayhem throughout the school year.
The Case of the Baker Street Irregular
By Robert Newman (Historical Mystery)
Brought to London under mysterious circumstances by his tutor, a young boy seeks the help of Sherlock Holmes when his tutor is kidnapped and he himself is threatened with the same fate.
City of Ember - 1st of 4 books in series
By Jeanne DuPrau - pronounced Jean Du - Pro (Science Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
The Face on the Milk Carton - 1st of 5 books in series
By Caroline B. Cooney (Realistic Fiction)
A photograph of a missing girl on a milk carton leads Janie on a search for her real identity.
Firegirl
By Tony Abbott (Realistic Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
A middle school boy’s life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his Catholic school while receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The Girl Who Owned a City
By O.T. Nelson (Science Fiction)
When a plague sweeps over the earth killing everyone except children under twelve, ten-year-old Lisa organizes a group to rebuild a new way of life.
Ida B
By Katherine Hannigan (Realistic Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
In Wisconsin, fourth-grader Ida B spends happy hours being home-schooled and playing in her family's apple orchard, until her mother begins treatment for breast cancer and her parents must sell part of the orchard and send her to public school.
Kira-Kira
By Cynthia Kadohata - pronounced Ka-doe-ha-ta (Historical Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
Chronicles the close friendship between two Japanese-American sisters growing up in rural Georgia during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and the despair when one sister becomes terminally ill.
Out of My Mind
By Sharon M. Draper (Realistic Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
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.
Ruby Holler
By Sharon Creech (Realistic Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
Thirteen-year-old fraternal twins, Dallas and Florida, have grown up in a terrible orphanage but their lives change forever when an eccentric but sweet older couple invites them each on an adventure, beginning in an almost magical place called Ruby Holler.
Shakespeare's Secret
By Elise Broach (Mystery)
* Starred Reviewed Book
Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual connection because of a valuable diamond supposedly hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school.
Stargirl
By Jerry Spinelli (Realistic Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
In this story about the perils of popularity, the courage of nonconformity, and the thrill of first love, an eccentric student named Stargirl changes Mica High School forever.
The Wednesday Wars
By Gary D. Schmidt - pronounced Ssh-midt (Historical Fiction)
* Starred Reviewed Book
During the 1967 school year, on Wednesday afternoons when all his classmates go to either Catechism or Hebrew school, seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood stays in Mrs. Baker’s classroom where they read the plays of William Shakespeare and Holling learns about the value of world he lives in.
The Westing Game
By Ellen Raskin (Mystery/Humor)
* Starred Reviewed Book
The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance.
The above summaries are from Novelist K – 8 Plus