ELA5, CSS, Sferrazza

This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson is a modern classic of friendship and loss.

Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. Friendless and misunderstood, will they band together? Bullies, family differences, trying to fit in, and an enchanted world combine to make a story where genuine friendship can grow and where tragedy can tear people apart and bring people together all at once.

You will be drawn in by the interesting dialects, the quirky characters who face challenges like anyone your age that is growing up, and the amaziing enchanted world.

***This novel has been made into a movie. Please, if you haven't already seen it, do not watch the movie before reading the novel, but please do watch it after your novel study is complete. I am sure you will agree that this is a case where the book is even better!***

Grade equivalent reading level: 4.6

Chapters: 13

Words: 32888