F
LIN
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (age 8-11)
by Grace Lin
traditions ... folklore ... fantasy
Publisher comments: In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz.
F
ASI
The Heavenly Host (age 8-11)
by Isaac Asimov
traditions ... folklore ... science fiction
Newly arrived on Planet Anderson Two just before Christmas, Jonathan is warned about the dangerous native inhabitants but an accidental meeting with one of the natives convinces him that they are friendly and peaceful.
F
ABB
Kringle (age 8-11)
by Tony Abbott
action ... fantasy ... traditions
Publisher comments: Unlike the traditional Santa Claus myth, KRINGLE is a coming-of-age story about an orphan who becomes a force for good in a dark and violent time. It is a tale of fantasy, of goblins, elves, and flying reindeer — and of a boy from the humblest beginnings who fulfills his destiny. Our tale begins in 500 A.D., when goblins kidnapped human children and set them to work in underground mines. Kringle is one such child.... until he discovers his mission - to free children from enslavement. His legend lives on today, as he travels the earth every Christmas Eve to quell the goblins once more.
F
ROB
The Best Halloween Ever (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
traditions ... school ... humor
The Herdmans plus Halloween have always spelled disaster. Every Halloween, the six Herdman kids steal candy, spray-paint other kids, and take everything that isn't nailed down. And this year promises to be the same, until the Mayor decides to up and cancel Halloween. True, that means there'd be no Herdman trouble to contend with, but that also means no candy, no costumes, and no trick-or-treating! Is it possible that the Herdmans themselves could make what looks like a horrible Halloween into the best one ever?
F
CHO
A Very Special Kwanzaa (age 8-11)
by Debbi Chocolate
traditions ... school ... folklore
Charlie, an African-American fourth-grader, is embarrassed when his class is asked to organize a school-wide Kwanzaa celebration, but as everyone prepares for the festivities, Charlie comes to understand what the holiday is all about.
F
EST
The Witch Family (age 8-11)
by Eleanor Estes
traditions ... humor ... fantasy
Old Witch, Little Witch Girl, Weeny Witch, and two real girls in a fantasy that blends the worlds of reality and imagination. A Halloween classic about the power of make-believe.
F
CUY
Invisible in the Third Grade (age 8-11)
by Margery Cuyler
traditions ... humor ... magic
Alex has fun fooling his family and his fellow third graders when he finds a brand of bubble gum that turns him invisible, but his pranks get out of hand on Halloween night.
F
ROB
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (age 8-11)
by Barbara Robinson
traditions ... humor
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, swear, and hit little kids. So no one is prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday and decides to take over the annual Christmas pageant.

Walter Hays Elementary School, Sat Aug 25 11:55:30 2012
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