The Year of the Dog, by Grace Lin

This book begins with the Chinese New Year, which Grace celebrates with her Taiwanese-American family. This year was The Year of the Dog, a year which was supposed to be about discovering your purpose in life. Grace decides that she will make this her goal, and she struggles to find where she really fits in. At school she is called Grace, but her family calls her Pacy at home. She celebrates both Chinese and American holidays. The Year of the Dog brings surprises for Grace: a new friend, a writing contest, a science fair, and a first crush. This book is short and easy to read, but is filled with lots of information about the Taiwanese culture. My fifth- graders will identify with Grace's experiences, and they will love the cute illustrations!

Turn Homeward,Hannalee by Patricia Beatty

This book is on the history summer reading list this year, and I think my students will enjoy this exciting book. Hannalee is 12 years old and works in a mill in Roswell, Georgia. When the Yankees come to her town during the Civil War, they round up all the mill hands and send them north to work in the factories there. Hannalee's brother Jem is also sent north, but her pregnant mother is left behind in Roswell. Before Hannalee leaves, she promises her mother that she and Jem will return. In order to accomplish this, she has to escape from the north, disguise herself as a boy, and rescue Jem. They have some exciting adventures as they struggle to survive.
Caution: There is a lot of violence; Hannalee and Jem come upon a battlefield just after a battle, and they also witness a murder.