Rosa Parks Community School

Pie by Sarah Weeks

After the death of Polly Portamn, whose award-winning pies put the town of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1950s, her devoted niece Alice and Alice’s friend, Charlie, investigate who is going to extremes to find Aunt Polly’s secret pie crust recipe.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence, but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut relate how their lives are changed for the better by “rookie teacher” Mr. Terupt.

Schooled by Gordon Korman

Capricorn Cap Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured in a fall, Cap is forced to attend the local middle school. Although he knows a lot about Zen Buddhism, nothing has prepared him for the politics of public school.

Storm Runners by Roland Smith

Twelve-year-old Chase Masters travels the country with his father, a “storm runner,” but he is tested in ways he never could have imagined when he and a new friend are caught in a hurricane near St. Petersburg, Florida.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon  by Grace Lin

Minli, an adventurous girl from a poor village, buys a magical goldfish, and then joins a dragon that cannot fly, on a quest to find the Old Man of the Moon in hopes of bringing life to Fruitless Mountain and freshness to Jade River.

Windcatcher by Avi

While learning to sail during a visit to his grandmother’s home at the Connecticut shore, eleven-year-old Tony becomes excited about the rumors of sunken treasure.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to enter fifth grade, and as an ordinary kid with an extraordinary face, he must convince his classmates that he’s just like them…despite appearances.

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Naomi Leon has much to contend with in her young life: her name, her clothes, and her status at school as "nobody special." But with Gram and her little brother, life at Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho in California is happy and peaceful...until their mother reappears after seven years of being gone, stirring up all sorts of questions and challenging Naomi to proclaim who she really is.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve-year-old Kyle gets to stay overnight in the new town library, designed by his hero (the famous game-maker Luigi Lemoncello), with other students. Come morning, Kyle finds he must work with friends to solve puzzles in order to escape.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

When the Sudanese Civil War reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Salva becomes separated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who, after immigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in Sudan.

Powerless by Matthew Cody

Soon after moving to Noble’s Green, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Daniel learns that his new friends have super powers that they will lose when they turn thirteen, unless he can use his brain power to protect them.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

When sixteen people are called together for the reading of wealthy Sam Westing's will, they are surprised to learn that the will is a contest in which they are all to participate. Working with partners, the potential heirs take their clues to try to find the elusive answer to the Westing game and thus take their shares of the two hundred-million-dollar prize.

Chomp by Carl Hiaasen

When the difficult star of the reality television show, “Expedition Survival” disappears while filming an episode in the Everglades using animals from the wildlife refuge run by Wahoo Crane’s family, Wahoo and classmate Tuna Gordon set out to find him while avoiding Tuna’s gun-happy father.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Billy has long dreamt of owning two dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. Billy and his hounds become the finest hunting team in the valley. Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region. But tragedy awaits these determined hunters—now friends—and Billy learns that the seeds of the future can come from the scars of the past.

Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan

When thirteen-year-old Koly enters into an ill-fated arranged marriage, she must either suffer a destiny dictated by India’s tradition or find the courage to oppose it.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn't have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. To stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to their families.

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

After he is cut from his travel basketball team—the very same team that his father once led to national prominence—twelve-year-old Danny Walker forms his own team of cast-offs that might have a shot at victory.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Twelve year old Carley Connors can take a lot. Growing up in Las Vegas with her fun-loving mother, she has learned to be tough. But she never expected a betrayal that would land her in foster care. When she is placed with the Murphys, she is blindsided. Do happy families really exist?

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story’s heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Written in free-verse poems, this is the gripping story of Billie Jo’s struggle to survive during the dust bowl years of the Depression. With stoic courage, she learns to cope with loss and deterioration.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

While going through the possessions of a deceased guest who owed them money, the mistress of the inn and her son find a treasure map that leads to a pirate fortune as well as great danger.