The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

Newbery Medal

Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

1953 Newbery Honor

The grownups did not believe there were bears on Hemlock Mountain. Jonathan did, and he had to fetch a pot from the other side of the mountain.

Comments below by Emily U., and Emily S., 5th grade

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

2004 Newbery Honor

The adventures of Despereaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.

Comments below by Emily S., Emily U., 5th grade
Summer F., 4th grade

Savvy by Ingred Law

2009 Newbery Honor

For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a "savvy" -a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity . . . and now it's the eve of Mibs's big day.

Comment below by Cassie N., 3rd grade

Ramona Quimby Age 8 by Beverly Cleary

1982 Newbery Honor Book

From the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom. The responsibilities of an 8-year-old are sometimes daunting, especially in a family that is trying to squeak by while the father goes back to school. But Ramona is full of too much vim and vigor to ever be down for long.

Comment below by Sophie W., 3rd grade

All Alone by Claire Huchet Bishop

1954 Newbery Honor

Marcel has to watch his family's cows. His father tells him to keep to yourself, mind your own business, and nothing else. Then his friend's cows get loose. Marcel helps him.

I thought this book was terrible.

1 star

by Emily S., 5th grade.
Comments below by Jordan S., 3rd grade

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

1984 Newbery Honor

Left alone to guard the family's wilderness home in eighteenth-century Maine, a boy is hard-pressed to survive until local Indians teach him their skills.

Comments by Ms. Lacson's 5th grade class
Travis B., Madison W., Meridith C., Angela, Emily U., Victoria, Codie S., Bayleigh B., Dean M., Emily G., Kalley L., Tristan M., Tadd W., Taylor M., Megan E., Maddy C., Emily S.. Parker K., Ben A., Jacob C., Alexis S., Logan B., Laney T., Sarah S., Jacob C., Ryan A-W., Tevin W., Lauren, Sidney W., Olivia T., Zimri, Kyle C., Conner R., Caroline C., Sam C., Sean G., Hannah S., Travis O., Alexander A., Kaitlyn S., Summer F., Abigail W., Madi A., Caroline C., Kaden, Nick L., Josh S., Claire E., Jamie T., Kaitlyn W., Josh, Robert L., Grace F., and Rylie R.