Paddle to the Amazon, Don Starkell, 1987
Here’s a true story about a recently divorced dad who doesn’t want to lose touch with his teenaged boys. So he takes them on a canoe trip from Winnipeg all the way down to the Amazon River. Wholesome family activities! Demonstrates how important it is to push ourselves to the limit, which after all was Captain Ahab’s point.
There Are No Children Here, Alex Kotlowitz, 1991
Sharon
The Candy Shop War, Brandon Mull, 2007
This book is about some kids whose town gets a new candy store. The kids meet the owner and she introduces them to some special candy. Complications follow. The book is exciting and a great page-turner.
Spencer
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, 1959
The main character in this book is Sam Gribley, a young boy who decides to run away and live in the woods.
This is an exciting book with lots of adventurous encounters. (I especially liked the part with the hunters.) You won’t want to put it down until you’re finished, and then you’ll want to read it again.
Matt
The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo, 2003
This book is about a mouse that goes to a dungeon to rescue a princess.
It’s about a lot of other things too. For instance, a rat falls into the queen’s soup, which makes her have a heart attack, and she dies. The king then abandons soup. You should read this book. It has lots of fun surprises.
Claire
