Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Interest Level: 5-8

Lexile: 670L
Reading Level: 4.9
Genre: Historical Fiction

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. 

This book has been on my want to read list for a very long time. I originally wanted to read it because I love historical fiction and it is set in Denmark. I am 1/4 Danish. My paternal grandfather was the first of his family born in the United States. I really enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting. I cared about what happened to them. I highly recommend this book to 5th to 8th graders.

The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin

Interest Level: 3-6
Lexile: 710L
Reading Level: 4.9
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Led by new student Caitlyn, seventh-graders at a tiny rural school in Vermont create a reality-show inspired competition to determine who will replace the school's legendary class clown, Paulie Fink.

I enjoyed the characters and the story. I did not see the ending coming which I enjoyed. The cliffhanger ending was a little frustrating. But maybe that means there may be a sequel. I would definitely read the sequel. I would recommend this book to any student 3rd to 9th grade.