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Experience the joy of friendship and self-discovery with Sharon Dennis Wyeth's Pen Pals series. Follow the correspondence between two girls from different backgrounds as they share their hopes, dreams, and fears. With heartwarming characters and a timeless message, the Pen Pals series is perfect for fans of middle-grade fiction and coming-of-age stories.
Beverly Cleary
Dear Mr. Henshaw
In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, boy named Leigh Botts begins to write a letter to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, as a way to express his feelings about his parents' divorce and his move to a new town. This book is a great choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also explores the power of letter writing and the ways it can help young people navigate difficult emotions.
Learn MoreGary D. Schmidt
The Wednesday Wars
Set in the 1960s, this novel follows Holling Hoodhood, a seventh-grader who is the only student in his class not excused for Hebrew school or catechism on Wednesday afternoons. Instead, he stays in class with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, and they read and discuss plays by William Shakespeare. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also features a strong, believable relationship between a student and a teacher, and it shows how literature can help young people make sense of their own lives.
Learn MoreMildred D. Taylor
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
This novel tells the story of Cassie Logan, an African-American girl growing up in Mississippi during the Great Depression. Cassie and her family face racism and discrimination on a daily basis, but they remain strong and determined to hold on to their land and their dignity. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also deals with serious issues and shows how young people can find strength and support in their families and communities.
Learn MoreKatherine Paterson
Bridge To Terabithia
This Newbery Medal-winning novel tells the story of Jesse Aarons, a fourth-grader who loves to run, and Leslie Burke, a new girl in his small rural town. Together, they create a magical kingdom called Terabithia in the woods near their homes. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also explores the power of imagination and the ways it can help young people cope with difficult situations.
Learn MoreLois Lowry
The Giver
In this dystopian novel, twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect community where there is no poverty, crime, or unemployment. But as he begins to receive memories of the past from the Giver, he realizes that the community is not as perfect as it seems. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also deals with serious issues and shows how young people can find the courage to challenge the status quo.
Learn MoreFrances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden
This classic novel tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled and lonely young girl who is sent to live with her uncle in the English countryside after her parents die. There, she discovers a secret garden that has been locked and neglected for years. With the help of a local boy named Dickon, Mary brings the garden back to life and in the process, discovers a new sense of purpose and belonging. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also explores the theme of friendship and the ways it can help young people grow and change.
Learn MoreEllen Raskin
The Westing Game
In this mystery novel, sixteen people are invited to the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. They are all strangers to each other, but they soon discover that they have been brought together for a reason. They must solve a series of puzzles and riddles in order to inherit Westing's fortune. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also features a diverse cast of characters and shows how they can work together to solve problems and achieve their goals.
Learn MoreJeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
This novel tells the story of the four Penderwick sisters, who spend the summer with their father and their dog, Hound, at a cottage in the Berkshire Mountains. There, they meet a boy named Jeffrey and have a series of adventures. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also explores the theme of sisterhood and the ways that family and friendship can help young people navigate the challenges of growing up.
Learn MoreKatherine Applegate
The One and Only Ivan
This novel tells the story of Ivan, a gorilla who lives in a mall and has few memories of his life in the wild. But when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, Ivan begins to remember his past and long for a better life. With the help of a friend, he sets out to make that dream a reality. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also explores the theme of friendship and the ways that young people can make a difference in the world.
Learn MorePam Muñoz Ryan
Esperanza Rising
This novel tells the story of Esperanza, a young girl who must flee her home in Mexico and start a new life in California after her father is killed. There, she faces challenges and learns about the realities of life as a migrant worker. This book is a good choice for fans of 'Pen Pals' because it also deals with serious issues and shows how young people can find strength and support in their families and communities.
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