William Allen White 3rd-5th Grade Master List 2025-2026

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Elf dog & owl head / M.T. Anderson ; illustrated by Junyi Wu

Quarantined with his family as a global plague ravages the world, Clay retreats to the woods where he meets a special little dog who leads him on surreal adventures where choosing the wrong path could cause them both to lose their way forever.

 

Book/ Large Print/ ebook/ eaudio

 

 

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Hidden hope : how a toy and a hero saved lives during the Holocaust / written by Elisa Boxer ; illustrated by Amy June Bates

During World War II, families all across Europe huddled together in basements, attics, and closets as Nazi soldiers rounded up anyone Jewish. The Star of David, a symbol of faith and pride, became a tool of hate when the Nazis forced Jewish people to carry papers stamped with that star, so that it was clear who to capture. But many brave souls dared to help them. Jewish teenager Jacqueline Gauthier, a member of the French Resistance who had to conceal her identity, was one who risked her life in secret workshops, forging papers with new names and without stars in order to help others escape. But how to get these life-saving papers to families in hiding? An ordinary wooden toy duck held the answer, a hidden compartment: hope in a hollow. Written by award-winning journalist Elisa Boxer and movingly illustrated by the acclaimed Amy June Bates, Hope in a Hollow celebrates the triumph of freedom and the human spirit, a story of everyday heroism, resilience, and finding hope in unexpected places

Bookebook

 

Amazon cover imageZeus : water rescue / W. Bruce Cameron ; illustrations by Richard Cowdrey

Some dogs were born to lend a helping hand (or paw!). Zeus, a chocolate lab puppy, is one of them. With his courage, smarts, and strength his purpose seems clear: he’ll become a water rescue dog! When a young boy named Kimo is tasked with training Zeus, they quickly become best friends. But Zeus’s excitement makes training hard, and worse yet, becoming a working dog means being separated from Kimo. Can Zeus and his boy figure out how to stay together forever?

Bookebook/ eaudio

 

Amazon cover imageSparrow being Sparrow / Gail Donovan ; illustrated by Elysia Cas

Nine-year-old Sparrow Robinson blames herself for her elderly neighbor’s accident, so she promises to take care of Mrs. LaRose’s seven cats, all while trying to adjust to a new school–but things become complicated when she has to find new homes for all of the cats plus some unexpected kittens.

Book/ ebook

 

 

Amazon cover imageThe penguin of Ilha Grande : from animal rescue to extraordinary friendship / Shannon Earle ; illustrated by Renato Alarcão

A man rescues a penguin off the coast of Brazil and finds a lifelong connection in this delightful true story about the power of friendship. When an oil-covered penguin washes up in Brazil, Seu João saves the penguin’s life. Soon man and penguin are friends, and Dindim the penguin won’t return to the wild. At last Dindim swims away, only to return four months later! For seven years, Dindim the penguin lived with Seu João in Brazil for eight months a year, disappearing for four months after his annual molting. Readers will enjoy discovering the wildlife of Brazil while learning about the impacts of oil spills and the importance of conservation. This inspiring, true account of real and unusual friendships is sure to win the hearts of nature and animal lovers alike.

Bookebook

 

Amazon cover imageJust Gus / McCall Hoyle ; illustrations by Vivienne To

After guardian dog Gus is injured defending his flock of sheep, he is sent to recuperate and heal with a young boy, Diego, whom Gus finds he can help by learning how to work as an emotional support animal.

Bookebook/ eaudio

 

 

Amazon cover image Squished / Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter

Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves living in Hickory Valley, Maryland. She loves her neighborhood, school, and the end-of-summer fair she always goes to with her two best friends. But she’s tired of feeling squished by her six siblings! They’re noisy and chaotic and the younger kids love her a little too much. All Avery wants is her own room — her own space to be alone and make art. So she’s furious when Theo, her grumpy older brother, gets his own room instead, and her wild baby brother, Max, moves into the room she already shares with her clinging sister Pearl! Avery hatches a plan to finally get her own room, all while trying to get Max to sleep at night, navigating changes in her friendships, and working on an art entry for the fair. And when Avery finds out that her family might move across the country, things get even more complicated. Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have once again teamed up to tell a funny, heartfelt, and charming story of family, friendship, and growing up

Bookebook/ spanish

 

Amazon cover imageWhen sea becomes sky / Gillian McDunn ; illustrations by Yaoyao Ma Van As

As Pelican Island’s history-making drought wears on, the water level on Bex and Davey’s beloved marsh reveals the hand of a statue that has been underneath the water for who knows how long, and the siblings are determined to find out more.

Bookebook/ eaudio

 

Amazon cover imageHow do you spell unfair? : MacNolia Cox and the national spelling bee / Carole Boston Weatherford ; illustrated by Frank Morrison

A true story of determination and groundbreaking achievement follows eighth grade African American spelling champion MacNolia Cox, who left Akron, Ohio, in 1936 to compete in the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., only to be met with prejudice and discrimination.

Bookebook

 

Amazon cover imageFinally seen / Kelly Yang

When ten-year-old Lina Gao leaves China to live with her parents and sister, after five years apart, she must reckon with her hurt, anger, and curiosity and find a way to get her bearings in this new country–and the almost-new family that comes along with it.

Bookebook/ eaudio

 

 

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BOOK REVIEW: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

A book review by Mina

Shiori’anma is the princess of Kiata, and she has a secret: forbidden magic runs through
her. Typically, she conceals it well but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she loses
control and stalls the wedding she never wanted. However, it catches the attention of Raikama,
her stepmother. A sorceress herself, Raikama banishes Shiori and turns her brothers into
cranes, placing a curse on Shiori that if she were to ever speak, each word that escapes her
mouth will cause the death of one of her brothers. Cast out of Kiata, Shirori is now a regular
citizen, forced to work while searching for her brother. While searching for her brothers, Shiori
uncovers a conspiracy for the throne where Shiori will have to decide whether the throne or her
brothers are her priority.
As a huge fan of Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk, I had high hopes for Six Crimson
Cranes, and I was not disappointed. While reading Spin the Dawn during early high school, I
fell in love with her story writing and her ability to describe fantasy so intricately and beautifully.
Now reading Six Crimson Cranes as an adult in college, I found the writing to still be intricate
and delicate, even if I find it a bit juvenile. I would’ve loved Six Crimson Cranes if I were still in
high school, but I did find the book still enjoyable. I really enjoyed the plot and the inspirations
that inspired the book; however, I did find that the main character got really lucky most of the
time she ran into trouble. It played off as her figuring it out, but I find that it was luck or chance
that she was able to figure it out, so I felt that it slightly diminished her strong resolve. The plot
was really consistent, and I really enjoyed the character development. Some of the plot twists
were a little predictable, but it was still a great read nonetheless. Additionally, I really enjoyed
the magic aspect in the fantasy world. While the romance was well-written, I love the
importance of family in this book. You can tell that Shiori prioritizes her brothers and that her
love is extensive for them, and it shows through what she goes through in order to find them.
Also, I found that this book defied stereotypes, especially through certain characters that made
me rethink their entire personas. I don’t see many adult readers enjoying this series, but I could
see a middle schooler wanting to transition from juvenile fiction to young adult, and this would
be a great book to start off with!
Books similar to Six Crimson Cranes:
● If You Could see the Sun by Ann Liang
● Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
● Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

Put Six Crimson Cranes on hold today

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Books Coming to Screens-June 2025

If it Bleeds / Stephen King

(The Life of Chuck)

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A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

June 6th/ Theaters/ Put on hold

Not a box / Antoinette Portis

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To an imaginative bunny, a box is not always just a box.

June 13th/ Apple/ Put on hold

 

The Twits / Roald Dahl

Two orphans join forces with a family of magical animals to save their city from the powerful Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world.

June 13th/Netflix/ Put on hold

How to train your dragon / Cressida Cowell

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As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together.

June 13th/Theaters/ Put on hold

The Buccaneers / Edith Wharton

(Season Two)

Sent to secure husbands and titles, young American women explode into the tightly corseted London season of the 1870s, kicking off an Anglo-American culture clash.

June 18th/Apple/ Put on hold

We Were Liars /  E. Lockhart

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The story of a 17 year old girl from a wealthy family. Cady Sinclair spends her summers on a private island. After suffering a terrible accident she struggles to remember events that happened in her past.

June 18th/Amazon/ Put on hold

 

 

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