Fallsmead Elementary School

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. (2000)

Sixteen year-old Mattie lives with her mother and grandfather who run a coffee house in Philadelphia. The year is 1793, and August has been hotter than ever. An epidemic of yellow fever breaks out, and those that can are leaving the town as fast as the disease is spreading. Mattie is forced to make decisions about her mother's health, whether to abandon the coffee house, and ultimately how she and her grandfather will avoid the deadly fever.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Avi. Crispin: Cross of Lead. (2002)

It isn't until he is thirteen, and his mother dies, that Crispin is told his real name by a local priest. Determined to find out more about his past, Crispin goes to look for the priest, only to discover he has been murdered, and Crispin is accused of the crime! Now wanted dead or alive for murder, Crispin goes on the run while trying to learn his true identity. Set in 14th century England, Crispin is a suspensful adventure with plot twists and turns. (Sequel: Crispin: At the Edge of the World)

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Avi. Traitor's Gate. (2007)

John Huffam does not know what to believe about his father. Arrested for owing a large gambling debt, he has caused the family to live in shame. John is given the responsibility to get the family out of the debt they owe. As John struggles to find out the truth about his father, the pieces of an even bigger mystery involving spies and traitors, is revealed!

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Avi. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1990).

It’s 1832, and thirteen year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from England back to her home in Rhode Island. Charlotte has no idea that this journey is about to turn her whole life around. The families who were supposed to chaperone her do not show up and Charlotte is left on board with only Captain Jaggery and his crew. Captain Jaggery begins to show his true colors and soon Charlotte is up to her neck in it! It’s an adventure of murder and deceit, with many exciting twists and turns and a surprise ending too!

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Avi.Murder at Midnight (2009). Our story begins when stage magician Magnus is accused of treason and sent to the dungeon to await certain death. His orphan servant boy, Fabrizio, hoping to avoid being thrown out on the streets, is determined to prove Magnus' innocence. Unfortunately Fabrizio is up against powerful people willing to do anything, include commit murder, to save themselves!

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Clark, Clara Gillow. Hattie on Her Way. (2005)

During the late 19th century in New York, Hattie has been sent to live with her grandmother to get a better education. Struggling to get along with her grandmother, she also becomes burdened with a rumor that her grandmother killed her husband. Could it possibly be true? Hattie eventually gets to the bottom of her families secret.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Curtis, Christopher Paul. Bud, not Buddy. (2000)

It’s 1936 and ten-year-old Bud has never known his father, but he’s pretty certain who he is, and all he has to do now is find him. Since his mother’s death four years ago, Bud has kept the flyers his mother brought home of Herman E. Calloway and his band. Escaping his foster home in search of Mr. Calloway, Bud finally finds the man he’s always wondered about. The mystery finally becomes unraveled, and it’s a shock for everyone, even Bud.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Curtis, Christopher Paul. Elijah of Buxton. (2007)

When 11 year-old Elijah goes after a thief he embarks on a dangerous journey outside his home in Buxton; a haven for runaway slaves. Elijah is not prepared for what life is like outside of Buxton, and he must find a way to get back safely, or lose his freedom.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Glaser, Linda. Bridge to America: Based on a True Story. (2005)

A story of immigration about Fivel, a boy living in Poland with little food and under threat of Russian soldiers. The family is waiting for word from the father, who left for America years ago with a promise to send enough money for the family's passage to America. Finally the money comes, and Fivel cannot wait to become a real American, but how soon will he forget where he came from?

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Holm, Ann. I am David also published as North to Freedom. (2004)

Having spent almost his entire twelve years in a concentration camp, David knows nothing of the outside world when he is finally given a chance to escape. On his journey to freedom this powerful story tells of his discoveries with senses and emotions completely new and thrilling to him; but which we experience everyday without a second thought.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Karwoski, Gail. Quake! Disaster in San Francisco, 1906. (2004)

Jacob left his house early one morning, angry with his father. He soon found himself in the middle of one of the worst earthquakes in history. After surviving immediate danger, he manages to save a boy named San, and they quickly develop a strong friendship. In the aftermath of destruction and chaos the boys try to find out what has become of Jacob's family.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Morpurgo, Michael. The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips. (2005)

In journal format, Lily tells of the events in her past that occured during 1943 on the south coast of England. With her father off fighting in the war, the family must move out of their rural home to give the American troops an area to prepare for the Normandy invasion. Lily's cat gets lost during the move but a kind American soldier helps her find him and they strike up a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. (2002)

Tree-ear is a teen-age orphan in Korea, during the 12th century. He lives with Crane-man under a bridge, often hungry but happy with the comfort of Crane-man’s fatherly love. One day Tree-ear begins to work for Min, a talented potter, in exchange for food. Tree-ear does back-breaking work and is devoted to his master, but Min will not teach him how throw his own pots, the tradition being that this skill is only passed down from father to son. Tree-ear learns the true meaning of bravery and courage and eventually gains more than he ever dreamed of.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Paterson, Katherine. Bread and Roses Too. (2006)

Based on the events of the labor textile mills strike in 1912, this is a touching story of two children with two very different opinions and views of the strike. When circumstances throw them together they must learn more about each other and in so doing, learn a lot about themselves.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Roy, Jennifer. Yellow Star (2006)

This dramatic story tells about real events with only a fraction of fictionalization. It was mainly written through phone conversations between the author and her aunt, Syvia Perlmuttera, one of only twelve children who survived the Lodz Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Read how this brave, young girl and her family survived these unimaginable conditions without ever losing hope.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Scieszka, Jon. Oh, Say I can't See. (2005)

The Time Warp Trio are thrown back in time to George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware River to battle the British. What could possibly go wrong?

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara

Woodruff, Elvira. The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape from the Tower of London. (2003)

Set during the 18th century in London, eleven year-old Forrest Harper lives and works within the walls of the Tower of London. The son of the ravenmaster, he helps to look after the ravens but longs to prove he is capable of much more. When Scottish Rebels are imprisoned in the Tower, Forrest makes a friend in Maddie, a young girl accused of treason. Forrest wants to help Maddie escape, but doing so means betraying his King and risking his own life. On the other hand doing nothing means leaving Maddie to hang.

*Annotation written by Ms. O'Hara