F STO	Cat Walk (age 8-11) by Mary Stolz adventure ... animals Catalog: Yearning to be more than just a barnyard rat catcher, a young cat in search of a name embarks on a journey that finally leads him to a special place he can call a home.
F CON	Mishmash Series (age 8-11) by Molly Cone humor ... animals Publisher comments: Mishmash is a very friendly dog. When he moves like a cyclone into Pete's heart, his family's new house, and the neighbor's gardens, life will never be the same! But when Mishmash's well-intentioned enthusiasm leads to messy garages and ruined gardens, it's too much for the grownups to tolerate. Pete realizes Mish must go. How he finds a new home for Mish and gives his favorite teacher a wonderful gift all in one accidental gesture makes for a hilarious, lovable story. title: Mishmash
F VAN	Smart Dog (age 8-11) by Vivian Vande Velde brilliant protagonist ... friendship ... school ... animals Fifth grader Amy Prochenko is wildly unpopular. Then one day Amy meets Sherlock, a dog on the run from a university lab. Sherlock is not like other dogs: He can talk, he's smarter than most of Amy's classmates--and he needs Amy's help. Suddenly Amy's life is full of danger and excitement, and she finds she is becoming, of all things, popular. Best of all, she discovers in Sherlock the sort of friend she's always longed for--and one she must protect no matter what the cost.
F AIK	Arabel's Raven (age 8-11) by Joan Aiken animals ... humor Young Arabel's life is changed forever when her father, a taxi driver, brings home an injured bird he finds in the street. This wacky raven eats everything in sight, answers the telephone by squawking ``Nevermore!'' and causes chaos wherever he goes--but Arabel loves her new feathered friend, whom she names Mortimer.
F HEN	White Stallion of Lipizza (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry animals A baker's son, who dreams of becoming a riding master at Vienna's Spanish Court Riding School, is admitted as an apprentice and achieves his desire under the tutelage of both two-legged and four-legged masters.
F HAL	Megan's Mare (age 8-11) by Lynn Hall friendship ... animals Eleven-year-old Megan, daughter of a Yorkshire horse trainer, finding she has a special bond with the beautiful problem mare Berry, determines to help her overcome her fear of wooden bridges.
F JAM	Smoky the Cow Horse (age 8-11) by Will James adventure ... animals Smoky knows only one way of life: freedom. Living on the open range, he is free to go where he wants and do what he wants. And being a smart colt, he learns what he must in order to survive. He can beat any enemy whether it be a rattlesnake or a hungry wolf. He is as much a part of the Wild West as it is of him, and Smokey can't imagine anything else. But then he comes across a new enemy, one that walks on two legs and makes funny sounds. Smoky can't beat this enemy like he has all the others. But does he really want to beat it? Or could giving up some of his freedom mean getting something else in return that's even more valuable?
F DUE	Hoofbeats Series (age 8-11) by Kathleen Duey historical ... animals Orphaned at age six and taken in by a heartless couple, nine-year-old Katie Rose spends her days doing chores and dreaming of going west to find her Uncle Jack. Then Mr. Stevens brings home an unbroken Mustang, and Katie's world changes. Katie is drawn to the horse's wildness, and he seems to sense her need for companionship. So when Katie learns that the Stevenses plan to join the expansion West ... without her or the Mustang ... she makes a desperate decision to go on her own. And she will not leave the Mustang behind. title: Katie and the Mustang title: Lara and the Gray Mare title: Lara and the Moon-Colored Filly title: Lara and the Silent Place title: Lara at Athenry Castle
F BYA	The Midnight Fox (age 8-11) by Betsy Cromer Byars family ... animals Tom is horrified when his parents tell him he is to stay on Aunt Millie's farm while they are away on a trip. When he arrives, he finds the farm every bit as strange and uncomfortable as he feared - that is, until the appearance of the black fox.
F BYA	The House of Wings (age 8-11) by Betsy Cromer Byars nature ... animals ... family Left with his grandfather until his parents are settled in Detroit, Sammy learns to respect and love the old man as they care for an injured crane together.
F BAU	Runt (age 8-11) by Marion Dane Bauer survival ... nature ... growing up ... animals Deep in the Minnesota forest, where only the strong survive, four regular-sized pups ... Leader, Sniffer, Runner, and Thinker ... are pushed into the world. Then one last, very small pup is born into the wolf pack. He is called Runt. From the very start, Runt struggles in the harsh wild world of the wolves. He tries learning along with his brothers and sisters, but makes serious mistakes. It's hard pleasing his father, King, and the other wolves. If only Runt could prove himself to his powerful father and family...
F KIP	How the Camel Got His Hump (age 8-11) by Rudyard Kipling animals ... folklore Once upon a time, when the world was new-and-all, Man turned to the animals for help--to the horse for carrying, the dog for fetching, the ox for plowing. But the camel refused to do a lick of work, haughtily replying Humpf! to all requests. The other animals complained of the inequity to the Djinn of all the Deserts, who used his powerful magic to punish the lazy camel.
F GEO	There's an Owl in the Shower (age 8-11) by Jean Craighead George family ... animals ... nature Borden's father, Leon, was a logger in the old-growth forests of California. That is, until the spotted-owl lovers interfered. One day, frustrated by his father's unemployment, Borden sets out on a mission of revenge against the spotted owl but returns home with a half-starved owlet instead. The family soon discovers that the owlet, whom Borden names Bardy, loves to take showers and watch late-night TV. Only after the whole family has fallen in love with Bardy do they realize that the conflict between nature and human industry is not so easily resolved.
F WAL	Beauty (age 8-11) by Bill Wallace animals ... family Unhappy about his parents splitting up and moving with his mother to Grandpa's farm, eleven-year-old Luke finds comfort in riding and caring for a horse named Beauty.
F KNI	Lassie Come-Home (age 8-11) by Eric Knight adventure ... animals A collie undertakes a 1000-mile journey in order to once again meet her former master at the school gate.
F HEN	San Domingo: the Medicine Hat Stallion (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry historical ... animals Peter Lundy has two joys in life: the rugged western plains where he has grown up and San Domingo, a Medicine Hat Stallion. The Indians believe such a horse is sacred ... that neither bullet nor arrow can harm its rider. As they explore the prairie together, a bond forms between Peter and San Domingo that can never be broken. But Peter's father, Jethro Lundy, knows only one love: bargaining. He trades San Domingo for a thoroughbred. How can Peter ever forgive his father? His only choice is to leave home forever!
F ENR	Thimble Summer (age 8-11) by Elizabeth Enright historical ... adventure ... magic ... animals When Garnet finds a silver thimble in the sand by the river, she is sure it's magical. But is it magical enough to help her pig, Timmy, win a blue ribbon on Fair Day?
F EDW	Little Bo: the Story of Bonnie Boadicea (age 8-11) by Julie Edwards voyages/journeys ... adventure ... animals After being separated from her brothers and sisters, a very small cat named Bo falls in with a sailor and becomes a ship's cat, having various adventures at sea.
F FAR	The Warm Place (age 8-11) by Nancy Farmer adventure ... fantasy ... animals When Ruva, a young giraffe, is captured and sent to a zoo in San Francisco, she calls upon two rats, a street-smart chameleon, a runaway boy, and all the magical powers of the animal world to return to the warm place that is home.
F HOB	Sheep (age 8-11) by Valerie Hobbs adventure ... animals After a fire destroys the farm where he was born, a young border collie acquires a series of owners and learns about life as he seeks a home and longs to fulfill his life's purpose of shepherding sheep.
F KIN	The Water Horse (age 8-11) by Dick King-Smith animals ... folklore ... fantasy In 1930, on the coast of Scotland, eight-year-old Kirstie finds a large egg which hatches into an unusual sea creature, and as he grows her family must decide what to do with him.
F KIN	Harry's Mad (age 8-11) by Dick King-Smith adventure ... animals Harry's legacy from his great-uncle, a talking parrot, proves to be a much more exciting gift than he ever imagined.
F COA	The Cat Who Went to Heaven (age 8-11) by Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth animals ... folklore ... the arts Catalog: A little cat comes to the home of a poor Japanese artist and, by humility and devotion, helps to bring about a miracle.
F COU	Frankenbug (age 8-11) by Steven Cousins science fiction ... humor ... animals ... school Inspired by the movie Frankenstein, bug-lover Adam Cricklestein decides to create a monster bug that will protect him from the school bully, Jeb McAllister.
F BAG	Animal Ark Series (age 8-11) by Ben Baglio animals ... adventure Meet Mandy, the daughter of two veterinarians who own the Animal Ark Veterinary Hospital. Whenever an animal is in trouble, Mandy and the vets at the clinic are there to help. title: Kittens in the Kitchen title: Pony on the Porch title: Puppies in the Pantry title: Goat in the Garden title: Hamster in a Handbasket title: Squirrels in the School title: Polars on the Path title: Hedgehogs in the Hall
F WIS	Christopher Mouse: the Tale of a Small Traveler (age 8-11) by William Wise adventure ... friendship ... animals After being sold to an unscrupulous pet store owner, a young mouse lives with several owners and has many adventures, before ending up with an appreciative family.
F WHI	Charlotte's Web (age 8-11) by E. B. White friendship ... animals ... enterprise Wilbur the pig is desolate when he discovers he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner, until his spider friend Charlotte comes up with a plan to save him.
F HEN	Brighty of the Grand Canyon (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry animals Relates the adventures of a little burro who blazed trails through the Grand Canyon and met many famous people in the process.
F HEN	Born to Trot (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry enterprise ... animals As he learns about the famous Hambletonian, sire of the American trotter, young Gib White dreams of some day having his own filly become a champion trotter.
F CLE	Socks (age 8-11) by Beverly Cleary humor ... realistic ... friendship ... family ... animals Socks is one happy cat. He lives with a nice young couple called Brickers who play with him, pet him, feed him treats, and always have a warm lap for him to sit in. Then a new baby joins the family Suddenly, the Brickers are sharing their laps and love with Charles William, and Socks is getting into trouble. He runs from a phantom dog, wrestles with Nana's best wig, and fights Old Taylor the tomcat for his territory. But as Charles William grows, Socks discovers that he has a new friend and a new way to be a part of the family.
F FEI	A Room With a Zoo (age 8-11) by Jules Feiffer humor ... realistic ... animals Nine-year-old Julie loves animals, and she's assembling a zoo in her bedroom. She collects a sick cat, a hamster, a big, ugly fish, six smaller fish that start to disappear, a turtle, a strong-minded kitten, an unresponsive hermit crab, and a borrowed classroom rabbit who appears to be dying. Julie's passion takes over her life and her family's life. The more she gets, the more she desires; but what she wants most of all, she can't have.
F NAY	The Grand Escape (age 8-11) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor humor ... adventure ... animals It's a scary world out there. If only Marco hadn't read a newspaper article about a ranch and become determined to see one. If only Polo hadn't found himself longing for the mother he barely remembered as a soft-warm-wiggle-purr-milk-tongue. Then the two tabbies might have been content to remain pampered house cats forever. But when their owners leave a door open, Marco and Polo can't resist the temptation to escape to the outside world.
F FLE	Jim Ugly (age 8-11) by Sid Fleischman adventure ... mystery ... animals ... humor Twelve-year-old Jake is thrown into an uneasy alliance with proud, one-man dog, Jim Ugly, when the dog's owner, Jake's father, suddenly disappears. Confident that Jim Ugly can pick up Jake's father's trail, boy and dog set out on the adventure of their lives.
F CRE	Love That Dog (age 8-11) by Sharon Creech illness/loss ... animals ... authorship ... school ... poetry Jack hate poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments, and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns he does have something to say. sequel: Hate That Cat
F HEN	Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry animals Movie men have come to Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning, and Paul and Maureen are thrilled ... until they learn that the producers want to buy their beloved Misty. Reluctantly, they agree to sell in order to send their uncle to college. But how will they ever fill the lonely place that Misty leaves behind? Finding an orphaned colt helps Paul and Maureen deal with their loss, and they soon discover that little Sea Star needs them just as much as they need him.
F HEN	Stormy: Misty's Foal (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry enterprise ... adventure ... animals A raging storm slashes across Assateague and Chincoteague islands. Water is everywhere! The wild ponies and the people must battle for their lives. In the midst of the storm, Misty-the famous mare of Chincoteague-is about to give birth. Paul and Maureen are frantic with worry as the storm rages on... will Misty and her colt survive? This is the thrilling story of the hurricane that destroyed the wild herds of Assateague, and how strength and love helped rebuild them.
F HEN	Misty of Chincoteague (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry enterprise ... adventure ... animals Nobody could capture the Phantom, the wildest mare on the island. Paul and Maureen had their hearts set on owning her. They worked hard to earn the money she would cost. On Pony Penning Day, Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but her newborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both?
F HEN	King of the Wind (age 8-11) by Marguerite Henry adventure ... animals This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned Godolphin Arabian, whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior Thoroughbred. Sham's speed, like his story, has become legendary.
F DIC	Because of Winn-Dixie (age 8-11) by Kate Dicamillo growing up ... family ... friendship ... animals Publisher comments: Opal spends all one sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of her dog, Winn-Dixie, or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship and forgiveness can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.
F CLE	Henry Huggins (age 8-11) by Beverly Cleary adventure ... animals ... realistic Publisher comments: Henry Huggins feels that nothing very interesting ever happens to him. But from the moment a stray dog in the drugstore begs for a taste of his ice-cream cone and downs it in one gulp, everything is different. Henry names the dog Ribsy and decides to keep him. Before Henry even reaches home with Ribsy he spends all of his money, gets kicked off three buses, and enjoys a hair-raising ride in a police car. And that's only the beginning of Henry's exciting new life! See also the rest of the Henry Huggins series. sequel: Henry and Beezus sequel: Henry and Ribsy sequel: Ribsy sequel: Henry and the Paper Route sequel: Henry and the Clubhouse

Fairmeadow Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:29 2012 Other themes and genres