ereks mom Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I'm looking for books on 5th-6th grade level and preferably 150 or so pages in length. Light, easy reading, in other words. Here's what we'll be reading for literature this year: Beowulf (Globe Fearon Adapted Classics) 1001 Arabian Nights (Geraldine McCaughrean) King Arthur (Core Classics) Robin Hood (Core Classics) Canterbury Tales (Geraldine McCaughrean) Stories from Shakespeare (Geraldine McCaughrean) The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Elizabeth George Speare) Calico Captive (Elizabeth George Speare) The read-alouds don't *have* to be set in the same time period as our history and literature (AD 500-1750s), but I would prefer that. ETA: The books do NOT have to be historical--even fantasy is fine--but I would like them to have the "flavor" of this particular time period (AD 500-1750). I am looking for FUN, engaging plots that incorporate humor, suspense, and especially ROMANCE--I teach teenage girls who hate to read, and I want to draw them in! Thanks in advance for your suggestions. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 Matilda's Secret (Sandra Goldbacher) - involves Henry VIII's 5th wife, some suspense The Light Princess and Other Stories (George MacDonald) - not historical, but does include princesses, humor and light romance Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine) - a variation of the Cinderella story The Thirteen Clocks or The Wonderful O (James Thurber) - humor, mild romance 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share Posted July 6, 2015 Matilda's Secret (Sandra Goldbacher) - involves Henry VIII's 5th wife, some suspense The Light Princess and Other Stories (George MacDonald) - not historical, but does include princesses, humor and light romance Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine) - a variation of the Cinderella story The Thirteen Clocks or The Wonderful O (James Thurber) - humor, mild romance Thanks! I've heard of two of these, but not the other two. I'll see what I can find out. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 All Creatures Geeat and Small is hilarious!! You may have to skip a few parts that talk too much about drinking in a positive light but other than that very clean, very funny and it's 100% true stories!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted July 6, 2015 Share Posted July 6, 2015 I heartily second Ella Enchanted. One of our favorites and a very sweet, age appropriate romance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 I already have some of these on my shelf! Thanks! Keep the suggestions coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastweedpuller Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Sounds like the girls are doing Middle Ages this year? Mine is too...so I have a few extra readings for her lined up. The Midwife's Apprentice and Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman (neither is really a "light" read but thumb's up for life in the time period, plus girl protagonists of course) I Rode a Horse of Milk-White Jade (Mongols, adventure, girl protagonist, a horse and a cat and family honor) And Outrageous Women of the Middle Ages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 The horse one might just be the best suggestion yet. One of my students is REALLY into horses. She's a barrel racer and hopes to be a farrier or go into equine therapy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 The Ramsey Scallop is one of my favorite middle ages books. Others that often end up on reading lists: A Door in the Wall Adam of the Road Men of Iron Otto of the Silver Hand Children of Odin (retelling of Norse myths by Padraic Colum) Rolf and the Viking Bow Treasure of Glastonbury The Lost Baron (The last few in italics are reprinted by Bethlehem Books. You might look at their catalog to see if there are more titles that fit your period. They tend to reprint good stories that are out of print. Because they are older, they are gentler in some areas, but might have stereotypes in others.) One book that I never see mentioned is The Little Duke, by Janet Yonge. This is the story of the great-grandfather of William the Conqueror. Readings of classic fairy tales might be a good choice too. My 12th grader was just reading Till We Have Faces, and I was struck with how similar the story is to the classic version of Beauty and the Beast (both works drawing on the story of Cupid and Psyche). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 What about some George MacDonald? Fairy Tales ( We think that ironic stories of fairy tale wishes gone wrong is a recent development, but MacDonald was playing with this long ago. The Light Princess, and The Day Boy and the Night Girl are two of my favorites.) The Princess and the Goblin The Princess and Curdie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loesje22000 Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Do you know this serie: http://www5.scholastic.co.uk/zone/book_my-story_girls.htm It covers certain era's but written from a girl perspective. i have not read them all. But what I read gave me a different point of view. Another serie is christian: Chosen Daughters These are closer to your timeframe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 The Golden Key (kind of short per your request) The Princess and Curdie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue plaid Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Perhaps Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, and its sequel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 Do you know this serie: http://www5.scholastic.co.uk/zone/book_my-story_girls.htm It covers certain era's but written from a girl perspective. i have not read them all. But what I read gave me a different point of view. Another serie is christian: Chosen Daughters These are closer to your timeframe These look great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted July 11, 2015 Share Posted July 11, 2015 Ben and Me Half Magic The Twenty One Balloons Those are some of the funniest older children's books I have ever read. Not to be missed for this age: Number the Stars (set during WWII and based on a true story) In Place of Katya (hard to find but absolutely exquisite--set in Russia during the 1700s) The Diamond In The Window (my absolute favorite book until I read LOTR) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy M Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 Stuff by Shannon Hale (I've read two of Princess Academy series and The Goose Girl--exciting and romantic and can be humorous) and Robin McKinley (I LOVE Beauty, her version of Beauty and the Beast!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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