Milena tells you the answer to the question "Could a female embroiderer's apprentice in the Middle Ages be literate?"

1. Literate Female Embroiderer's Apprentice in the Middle Ages

   (Outline for paper)

   By Milena Weide

   
   

   
   

   
   

          I.         Could a female embroiderer’s apprentice in the Middle Ages be literate?                                                                      

         II.         While it was not common for women to be literate, if you had the right circumstances a woman could be a literate and a skilled craftswoman, like an embroiderer.
   A. For example, there was a woman named Christine de Pisan who lived in the late 1300s and early 1400s. She wrote for a living. She is famous because this was very rare.
   B. Millions of uneducated people in Europe could not read.
   1. Books were very rare. They were generally found only in monastery libraries until 1200.
   A. Monks wrote the books by hand, and professional scribes and illuminators (people who decorated the first letter of a book like in a story book), began to get paid for writing books by the wealthy.
   C. Generally men were the literate people in Medieval culture because it was mostly boys who were going into a religious order where they were taught to read and write.
   1. However, girls who entered religious orders might also be taught to read and write, but this was less common.
   a. Girls were mostly taught how to run a household, instead of being sent to school.

        III.         Apprenticeship was rigidly enforced, being seen as the only acceptable path into a craft, and it took different periods of time according to the demands of the craft being learned.
   A. To start an apprenticeship the master was paid a large sum of money, and the apprentice took a ceremonial oath. The child was bound to work for his master by law.
   B. Masters and apprentices usually formed close bonds, probably because the masters had to care for their apprentices, providing them with food, clothes, and a place to live.
   C. Most of the day was spent in the workshop, hard work was expected from the apprentice, and if expectations were not met, the master could release their apprentice, and charge the apprentice’s family a fee.

      IV.         Embroidery guilds protected their ‘participants’ (masters and apprentices) from abuse, as well as set regulations, and prices.
   A. The cost of a piece depended on the cost of materials, and the cost of time, or labor.
   B. Usually the embroiderers themselves didn’t make the designs (for what was to be stitched), but were given the designs.
   b. If an apprentice came up with a new design, their master was allowed to steal it from them, and pretend that they had come up with it.

       V.         In 1386, a French priest wrote, “It is clear that man is much nobler than woman, and of greater virtue.”
   A. Men were often sent to get an education at a school, or as an apprentice, while the girls were kept at home. A girl’s parents were sometimes faced with the option to send their daughter to school, or to apprentice her, but it was less often that you would see an educated woman than to see an educated man in the Middle Ages.

      VI.         Until 1200, books were very rare. The books that existed were all hand written, and the monks that wrote them spent numerous hours in the “scriptorium” copying out religious texts. Books were mainly found in monastery libraries.

     VII.         In Medieval times the majority of schooling took place in monasteries, convents, and cathedrals. Children (mostly boys) got a basic education in reading, and writing. They also spent a lot of their time learning Bible passages, and prayers by heart. They weren’t allowed to talk to each other, and they got beaten with a birch rod when their attention wandered. The main source of schooling was the church.

    VIII.         Children, starting around the age of seven, were sent to school. They were mostly boys destined to the holy order.

      IX.         Literate people in the Middle Ages could join holy orders to write (religious texts), or write books themselves like Christine de Pisan.

       X.         Embroidery in the Middle Ages must have had some importance, because in a world revolving around survival, women spent a portion of their time embroidering.

      XI.         In Medieval times, almost all of the wealthy person's things had embroidery on them.
   A. In fact a lot of embroideries had a religious importance, sometimes depicting biblical scenes.
   B. There were even embroideries made to cover coffins!

     XII.         Almost anything could be embroidered on. In fact, they couldn’t print anything on cloth, so embroidery must have been like their version of that.

    XIII.         Embroidery had many household uses, or rather the cloth that was embroidered on had many household uses. It could be on a cover, a hat, a gown, or just on a decoration, and many more things.

   XIV.         Even though it was not common for women to be literate in the Middle Ages, some were, and it is possible that one of them was a skilled embroiderer. As apprenticeship was seen as the only acceptable route into a craft, such as embroidery, the skilled female embroiderer was most likely an apprentice at some point in time. So, for all we know, she was literate at the time that she was still an embroiderer’s apprentice. In conclusion, yes it was possible for a female embroiderer’s apprentice in the Middle Ages to be literate.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

The Treatment of the Lower Classes in the Middle Ages, by Sarina

Dear Class,

Sarina is sharing her research with us. Please enjoy this thorough outline!

1. Lower classes were not treated fairly in a Middle Ages.
   A. The lower class was treated very unfairly (almost like slaves).
   1.In the beginning Middle Ages, there was a closed cast system. Near the end of the Middle Ages, because of the new commercial class, there was an open cast system. Open cast systems were definitely more fair than closed cast system.
   B.90%of the people worked on land in poverty.
   2.Peasants also had to pay the church 10% of everything they produce. The church got richer and richer while the peasants got more and more poor. And everyone also had to pay for their protection.
2. Life in the Middle Ages was very rough. The weak government was unable to protect the people so many were at the mercy of invaders and bandits.  
   A. Districts had to look after themselves and everyone sought protection from their nearest powerful neighbor.
   B. The lower classes faced many hardships from having little food and having a long day of hard labor. Many  people also suffered injuries and diseases that had no found cure. The Black Death killed much of the population in Europe and life was hard when bad weather brought bad crops.
   3. Peasants were on the bottom of the feudal system and if you were one, you were probably likely to suffer most of these cases. Peasants worked on the lord’s land for a living.
   4. Servants lived in the manor house and were closely watched by the lady. Though they were not as poor as the peasants, they also worked very hard. The steward was in charge of all the servants and sent them to clean, cook, serve, and run errands. Since they didn’t have a bathtub, the servants had to wash in the local river to try to try to get rid of lice and fleas.  
3. The lord himself ,however, lived far more comfortably and essentially owned everything the peasants used.
   A.The lord was supported by the taxes the peasants paid and did not have to worry about not having enough to eat. In total, the ruling class consisted of kings, nobles, military, and religious leaders.
   1. In the Middle Ages, the queen or king was the most important person in the country. Kings often fought each other and most nobles were also knights. Nobles enjoyed hunting, tournaments and games.
   2.The lord and his family lived in a castle or a manor house. A castle was not exactly a luxury home. Though the lord did seem to live a reasonably comfortable life, the castle was built for protection and not for comfort. Usually, only the lord and his family would sleep in real beds. The lord also used his manor house to to place soldiers, hold tournaments,and have great banquets.
   3. The lord and his family ate at the great hall while minstrels and jesters entertained them and large amounts of food was served. If there were leftovers, they would be flung to the dogs or given to the poor.
   B. The main business of the lord and his knights was warfare. The lord’s sons were trained in horsemanship and handling as well as social skills.
   1. The lord controlled the castle itself and the land and people. The lord usually had more land than he could manage so they started to grant land to tenants.  He also directed the training of squires. Some of the lord’s duties were to fight for his overlord and advise him on whether to start a war or not. If the lord proved disloyal, the overlord could take back the lord’s land and give it to someone else.
   2. The lady was in charge to the day-to-day running of the manor. She supervised the kitchen, gave orders for feasts, paid expenses, and entertained guests.
4. The church was very powerful in the middle ages. There were usually conflicts between the church and the king so they had to try very hard to get along. The church,like the king also controlled large areas of land and grew rich from the taxes paid by peasants.
5. During the middle ages, a large part of europe was organized by a system called feudalism.
   A. Strictly speaking, feudalism involved only noble classes though the system rested on the work of serfs or villeins who supported the lord.
   2. Nobles in the Middle Ages fought for control over the rich farmlands in Europe. They gave loyal knights manors to rule to rule in exchange for their help fighting. Everyone was born in a specific status. This was called feudalism. The feudal system was a system of rights and obligations based on ownership patterns. The term feudalism therefore describes an entire way of life.
   3. Serfs were unfree. They couldn’t leave the land they were born on without permission from the lord. Today, the upper class either inherited or achieved wealth.
   B. Europe was organized by the feudal system during the Middle Ages.
   1. Feudalism grew in the age of disorder and was gradually established between the 8th and 11th centuries. The feudal system especially flourished from the 11th to 13th centuries. During the fourteenth century, national states were already taking the place of feudal governments.
   2. A vassal could take the oath of fealty to many different overlords, who didn’t owe fealty to one another. So, the system led to endless conflict. Towns grew in wealth and the feudal system became intolerable.
   3. Soon gunpowder came into use, making castles much easier to conquer.
   4. Feudalism died out when a commercial class emerged to join nobles and peasants. Today, the upper class still either inherited or achieved wealth.
6. Life in the middle Ages would be more fair if lower classes had the same freedom, chance, and opportunity as noble classes.
   A.Peasants had little meat and ate meals of pottage while the lord had grand and enjoyable feasts.
   1.Free peasants lived in more justice because they didn’t have as many fines and fees as serfs. Peasants didn’t really own anything while nobles had power over lots of land.
   2. The family of a noble had the chance to enjoy the entertainment of musicians and jugglers while the lower class didn’t even have enough food to eat.
   B. the lord did a lot of the decision and peasants did more physical labor in the fields.
   
   

Recommended Summer Reading (from your classmates in Ms. Frank's and Ms. Mitz's rooms)

5th Grade Recommended Summer Reading

(All books have been read by actual 5th graders)

The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin

This book is a fun read. It’s clever and a little creepy. It has a heroine as its main character and the book carries a deep message. If you like Grimm’s Fairy Tales or Roald Dahl books, this may be right up your alley.

(Recommended by Ms. Frank’s class. It was one of our read aloud books.)

Rules for Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu

This book is a real tear-jerker, but it is also funny. It’s about a girl who has to deal with serious family issues. If you like books like Harry Potter you may like this book. I loved it because it showed how someone going through something very bad found a way to save her whole family and herself. The main character showed resilience and bravery.

(Recommended by Gretchen in Ms. Frank’s class)

Poached by Stuart Gibbs

This book is a gripping mystery with seriously scary and seriously funny bits. Teddy is the main character His family works at Fun Jungle, an amusement park combined with a zoo. Teddy  lives in the trailer park nearby.  An animal named Kazoo is stolen from Fun Junge and that’s when things get interesting.

(Recommended by Lucia in Ms. Frank’s class)

Echo by Pam Muñoz-Ryan

This book is depressing. Songs are incorporated into the book. Characters think about songs while they are experiencing things. The stories are centered around a harmonica that each character has at some point in their life. The children who have the harmonica all go through tough things. They all meet up at a concert at the end of the book where they discover their common history. This is NOT the movie “Echo”.

(Recommended by Charlie  in Ms. Frank’s class)

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The book is about a girl who was in The Hunger Games. In this book she is symbolically a mockingjay. She is a symbol of revolution. She is part of a group called The Rebels. They try to take down President Snow, a guy that’s evil who wants to kill Katniss, the main character. There is NOTHING boring about this book. It’s really good. It’s really well written.

(Recommended by Sophia  in Ms. Frank’s class)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien

I really liked this book because there is a lot of adventure and the characters try to do something that is pretty much impossible. The characters have to discover and destroy a ring so that an evil spirit doesn’t start to rule Middle Earth. There is true loyal friendship and bravery that allows the main characters to persevere. There are some boring parts but you get through them. If you like adventure then you will like this book. It’s a part of the Lord of the Rings series.

(Recommended by Louis  in Ms. Frank’s class)

One Crazy Summer , P.S. Be Eleven, and Gone Crazy in Alabama  a series by Rita Williams-Garcia

The stories are about three sisters whose mother joins the Black Panthers. Their father marries a new wife and he lives with his wife and her crazy mother. The girls go through a lot of trauma. In the first book the girls visit their mother. In the second book they go through a school year. In the third book they visit their grandmother who left them. They encounter a tornado there. The sisters don’t always get along but they are still family. This is an emotional book. It is a little creepy. The books are all very funny. Power to the People! (They are good as read aloud books.)(I recommend reading the first book last because it’s kind of depressing.)

(Recommended by Milena in Ms. Frank’s class)

The Brixton Brothers: Danger Goes Berserk, by Mac Barnett

I liked this book because there is always action going on. There’s never a point when there isn’t action. The main character takes risks trying to find out what is right. He knows when something is wrong and he wants to find out the right answer. The main character always tries to stand up for what is right. If you like action you’d like this book. It’s a fairly short read. You can read it in a couple of days, because it is so exciting. It’s the kind of book you just want to get back to when you put it down.

(Recommended by Ethan in Ms. Frank’s class)

Counting by 7s, by Holly Goldberg Sloan

This book is about an autistic girl and how she deals with life. I like this book because it teaches you how people might feel. Willow, the main character, gets a counselor who thinks he can solve her problems, but he can’t. He uses topic cards trying to get her to speak. The counselor, Del, understands Willow more and more throughout the book. They become close. Because Willow has autism she has a hard time getting along with people. She does make a friend in the book. To calm herself Willow counts by 7s. She particularly likes 7 because it is a prime number. People who want to know how other people feel would enjoy this book.

(Recommended by Hudson in Ms. Frank’s class)

A Long Walk to Water, by Linda Sue Park

My book has two stories in one. One is about a boy named Salva who walks away from his war torn village leaving behind his family and friends. He travels across Africa to find safety. The second story is about a girl named Nya who has to walk 8 hours a day to get muddy water. Nya is not allowed to go to school because she is a girl. This book is about bravery and effort to survive. There are opposite experiences in the book that make you think, particularly once you get to the end of the book. These are true stories and if you like to read and think about the world you would like it. It is is a fairly easy read, so even if it covers tough topics it is very enjoyable.

(Recommended by Phoebe in Ms. Frank’s class)

A Snicker of Magic, by Natalie Lloyd

My book is about a girl who can’t find a place to live because her mom is cursed which causes them to constantly move. They find themselves in a place where there is a history of magical brothers who alway made everyone happy until they got into a fight. They fought over who was most powerful. One had to leave. This place became full of sadness and lacked the cheerfulness it once had. These brothers had done good deeds for people. Some kids are continuing that tradition because they believe in magic. Carrying on traditions and being brave enough to do the right thing are themes in this book. There is mystery in this book as well as drama. Someone who likes books that involve magic would like this book.

(Recommended by Sofia  in Ms. Frank’s class)

The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall

This book is a part of a series. I really liked this book because it has a lot of different emotions. It is a story about 4 sisters who go to a cottage for a summer. Next to the cottage is a mansion and there is a rumor that the woman who lives in the mansion, Mrs. Tifton, hates children. The second to oldest sister becomes friends with Jeffery (Mrs. Tifton’s son). The girls go on a lot of different adventures which almost always seem to end up with the youngest sister nearly dying. I really like this book because there are so many different personalities but the characters always find a way to get along.

(Recommended by Sarina  in Ms. Frank’s class)

A Dog’s Purpose, by W. Bruce Cameron

This book is about life as a dog which means as a reader you will  go on a lot of adventures, most are horrifying and really sad, so if you feel like crying for a long time you should read this book. It has some funny and kind stuff too, but mostly it is sad. The book is intended for older children because there is so much sadness in the book. “Humans have such a broad range of feelings. I was now living a far richer life, though sometimes I didn’t understand,” is a quote that represents the book because of the way life spirals along and there is so much heartache that is hard to understand along with love and kindness. There is also a sequel called A Dog’s Journey.

(Recommended by Maya in Ms. Frank’s class)

The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

This book is basically about river life and how the main characters live it. The main characters are a mole, a rat, and a badger. Near their homes by the river there is a toad who owns and mansion and is kind of full of himself. He goes on an amazing journey because of his love of motor cars. He is always getting himself into trouble. His friends, Rat, Mole and Badger, have to go looking for him and help him out of any trouble his personality gets him into. People who enjoy beauty and wonder would like this book. The book is full of references to the beauty and wonder in life, particularly around the river. It is also beautifully written. If you admire good writing you would like this book. Also if you like humor give this book a try.

(Recommended by Anokha in Ms. Frank’s class)

Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker

The book Clementine is about a little girl who is faced with friendship problems...and she cuts off all her hair!  She feels like her family is excluding her and wants to send her away.  One of the best qualities is that the book is relatable. One example from the book that relates to me is, in the story, there is a scene where Clementine is fighting with her friend. I have had the same experience. If you like books about friendship and family problems, this would be a good book for you.

(Recommended by Greer in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s Class)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan

If you like funny books (with girl problems), try out The Lightning Thief.  If you also like adventure books, like the Warriors series, you might like this, too.  The book is filled with cliffhangers urging you to read on. There is also sadness woven into this story - the main character faces challenges with dyslexia and ADHD - which leads to a life-changing quest in a world of Greek mythology!

(Recommended by Amy in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

This book gives you a strong way to think about life.  If you are sensitive and brave and would dare to take a journey that can change your perspective of life, this is the book for you.  A Bridge to Terabithia allows the characters to face challenges and make accomplishments.  The book is also a great way to connect a fictional story with your own personal life!  This is a great book.  I loved it and you should read it, too!

(Recommended by Ella in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George

My Side of the Mountain is a good book if you like and care about nature.  The story is about a boy who lives on his own out in the wild.  Another reason that My Side of the Mountain is a very good book is because it has very realistic emotions. The book also makes you want to live alone in the Catskill mountains like this character.  This book has a lot of loneliness, too.  Even though the boy makes some friends in the wild, he is still alone. The book is also inspiring. It helped me to make a house out of natural materials!  There are lots of good reasons why Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain is a good book.  You should read it, too!

(Recommended by Frederick in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Tuesdays at the Castle, by Jessica Day George

This book is part of a series.  It is packed with adventure!  There is also sadness, overcoming and bravery.  One of the things that is a big part of the story is the girls’ atlas of the castle.  If you like magic and adventure, you should read this book.  The book is also filled with details and very realistic characters that seem like they are a part of a real family.  This author does a good job making you think what the adventure will be. You wonder what will happen.  This is why you should read Tuesdays at the Castle!

(Recommended by Hannah in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a book about a girl who is different.  When it rains, she dances in it.  She sings “Happy Birthday” to the person every time there is a birthday.  This book is an amazing story about love, growing up and friendship.  So if you like books that you can relate to, then you would love Stargirl.  If you like books like Knots in My Yo-Yo String and Eggs (also by Jerry Spinelli), then you would love this book because there are lots of connections in it to his other books.

(Recommended by Talia in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Life is a very sad (and long, in a good way!) book.  It is very thought-provoking and uses a lot of metaphors and symbols.  Ada, the main character, is very unknowing, therefore, making the story a little funny.  One reason why this book is very meaningful is that persistence is shown throughout the book; it shows what we can do.  Another reason I really like this book is because a moral in this book is to always hope and dream.  The last reason I like thinking about this book is because it is a clear way to see that there is some good in all bad. If you like long, sad and funny books (and can stand horses) you will definitely like The War That Saved My Life.  

(Recommended by Amelia in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George

I highly recommend this book if you’re interested in survival books and books about kids and about nature.  The book is about a boy named Sam who runs away to the woods.  He ends up getting a bird called Frightful that helps him hunt and keeps him company.  My Side of the Mountain is a million times better than any other nature book ever created and you should read it!

(Recommended by James in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass

A Mango-Shaped Space is an emotionally changing book.  This book is about a 13-year-old girl who has a rare “disease.”  The book gives you a peek into her life and how she lives with this “disease.”  The book shows that everyone faces challenges and that you can solve them if you try.  If you like books like Out of My Mind or Wonder, this would be a good book for you.

(Recommended by Sophia in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

This is a book, told in one boy’s voice, about two children fighting for freedom.  They have to hide from the government who made all children like them illegal!  The main characters face many challenges in the story.  It is so realistically written that the book seems like it is a true story.  If you like books that do not end with, “happily ever after,” then you will like this book!

(Recommended by Maya in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a strikingly good book!  Especially if you like learning about mythology.  This book is also very funny and gives you cliff hangers so you always want to finish.  This book is a good-sized book and is in a series (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)so there is always more to read.  If you are looking for a series, try it.  This book also makes you laugh and feel adventurous.  This book has monsters and other creatures, so if you want to read a book with a lot of great qualities, try Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

(Recommended by Kavan in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson

Calvin and Hobbes is about a boy named Calvin who has a stuffed tiger named Hobbes. Calvin thinks the tiger is real. Calvin’s parents don’t. Calvin annoys his parents a lot. Calvin and Hobbes go on adventures together, but it is a real back and forth relationship. Sometimes they love each other and sometimes they hate each other. The comic is all about their relationship. I like Calvin and Hobbes because it is really interesting and funny. Calvin sometimes just bursts out with his thoughts about the world and it is very interesting and very funny. There are a lot of books, so if you like one you can be kept entertained for a long time. At times random poems about stuffed tigers lying on the ground occur. Yep, it’s just funny.

(Recommended by Matthew in Ms. Frank’s class)

Sidewalk Story, by Sharon Bell Methis

The book is about a girl and her friend from across the street. The friend from across the street is evicted, kicked out of her house, because her mother has a hard time paying the rent. All of the family’s belongings are put out on the sidewalk and people start to take their things. It is the third time a family in the town was evicted. The main character tries to take care of her friend and her friend’s family. There are nine children in the family. She lets the family stay with her family but then she goes on to do more. She is brave and persistent. She uses her own money to try to solve the problem that caused the problem for his family. It is a short book. It’s also a mystery because the main character has to figure out what is going on.  So if you like short interesting books, with a little mystery this might be for you.

(Recommended by Jordan in Ms. Frank’s class)

Treasure Hunters, by James Patterson

Treasure Hunters is a good book because it is adventurous and funny.  If you are an adventure person, another reason you might like this book is because it quickly gets into the action.  The book is about four kids who struggle to pay off thugs to get their parents back.  It’s a great book and I think you should read it.

(Recommended by Reese in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan

This book is about a kid, Percy, who thinks he is normal, but all kinds of weird things are happening to him. He finds out he is a demigod (half human and half god) and gets sent to a summer camp for kids like him. It turns out he has to save the world, and battle with other Greek gods, demigods, and monsters. This is an action packed book. There literally never is a part where there isn’t some action. If you like books that you always want to get back to reading this book is for you. It is also part of a series. This book is the first in the series. It is called The Lightning Thief.  There are 5 books in the series.  A connected series Heroes of Olympus that you can move onto once you are done with the first 5 books.

(Recommended by Jake  in Ms. Frank’s class)

The BFG, by Roald Dahl

When you add giants, dreams, England and kids together, you get The BFG by Roald Dahl. This book is about a girl from England who gets stolen by a giant! But the giant is not an ordinary giant.  The book makes you feel cheerful, but also scared and sad.  There are lots of emotions.  If you like fantasy or magical books, you would like this book.  It is really weird and funny.  It has fun language and makes you think you can dream anything.  

(Recommended by Liam in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate

If you like books that show you a new perspective or different point of view, this is the book for you.  This book is about a gorilla who lives in a shopping mall.  The book shows the gorilla’s point of view and perspective, and you really start see what animals feel and go through. The gorilla’s life is boring until Ruby comes along.  Ruby is a baby elephant.  The book has a lot of strong emotions in it like melancholy.  The story is also realistic and pulls you in, but you don’t want the story to end.

The book The One and Only Ivan is a touching inspirational book that I will always remember.  I hope you read it.

(Recommended by Asha in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Knots in My Yo-Yo String, by Jerry Spinelli

The book Knots in My Yo-Yo String is a book that is about Jerry Spinelli’s life when he was a kid.  He talks about sports, funny romance, his school, his family and many more things similar to those examples.  If you like those kind of things, you will like this book.

(Recommended by Joe in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The Crossover, by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover is a book written in poetry.  If you like sports like basketball, this would be a good book for you.  The book has strong feelings that make it fun to read.  It is sad, exciting and inspirational.  You experience a lot of emotions when you read the book.  The Crossover is a great example of an author using variety in language and mood.  The story will make you wish the book would never end.

(Recommended by Maile in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The Young World, by Chris Weizt

This book is about a kid and his friends and it takes place in an apocalyptic place. All adults have died because of sickness. Only people aged 10 to 18 survived. The story switches back and forth between different characters’ perspectives. It is like Lord of the Flies in that only kids survived and the kids have to form tribes to keep everything together. The book is meant for an older age group. There is some mild swearing. The kids have to find a cure for the sickness. The book has a lot of action and adventure.

(Recommended by Teddy  in Ms. Frank’s class)

No Talking, by Andrew Clements

If you like peaceful resolutions to conflicts, then this book is for you.  No Talking by Andrew Clements is a worthy choice for readers who like to watch contests and who enjoy seeing how conflicts get solved.  In the book, the first main character, Dave, starts off trying not to talk for one day which then quickly turns into a giant conflict between two teams, boys and girls.  Because of these good qualities, the book No Talking is a read-worthy book that will always stay with me.  You should read it, too.

(Recommended by Jeffrey in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Beware and Stogie, by Jessie Haas

The book Beware and Stogie is a book about a girl who has one challenge and it is to catch Stogie.  Stogie is a very wild horse that doesn’t like humans.  If you like horses, you will love this book!  This book has a lot of emotions.  It switches from sad to happy and even to painful.  The author makes you feel like you are in the book. She makes you imagine that you experiencing everything that happens in the book but in real life.  Because of all of this, I think it is worth your time to read Beware and Stogie.

(Recommended by Jenna in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,  by C.S. Lewis

This is a wonderful book and it is full of imagery.  This book has great characters and teaches the value and importance of teamwork.  Working together is important, because it assisted the main characters in making better decisions.  Teamwork creates a positive, supportive, and communicative environment.  The main characters encounter other characters throughout their journey and everyone has to work together towards a common goal. It also helped the main characters in the book to accomplish their goals.  Also, this book shares important life lessons through specific examples in the novel.  This book will always be dear to my heart, because while it is set in a magical world, the lessons connect to real life. The adventure set in Narnia will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to read more and more of the Narnia series.

(Recommended by Kian in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O’Dell

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a book about a girl who lives alone on an island after being abandoned by her tribe.  As she grows up, she struggles to survive.  If you like the Harry Potter books, you will like this book because the book makes you feel sad yet happy.  Even when the main character is happy, there is still a vibe of sadness because of the loss of family and other problems the main character is facing for example, having no friends.  I think you should read this book, too, so get to the library and check out Island of the Blue Dolphins!

(Recommended by Ida in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach is a book about a boy named James and his friends taking risks.  If you like journey books with risks in the journey, you will love James and the Giant Peach.  Read the book to find out what risks James will face and overcome!

(Recommended by Sohrab in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien

I really liked this series because it is detailed and complicated.  It will occupy you for a very long time.  You will like it, too, if you like long, war-like adventures.  There’s a hobbit who is sent on a mission to save the world with a bunch of companions.  You should read The Lord of the Rings if you are a fan of fantasy and adventure.

(Recommended by Alex in Ms. Mitzenmacher’s class)

Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome, by Robby Novak and Brad Montague

The book is half autobiography and half biography. The book tells you about different people who are starting organizations to help others. Robby Novak, Kid President, also tells you how he was “discovered” by a website called Soul Pancake. Robby has met many famous people including the real president. Robby has brittle bone disease which really restricts what he can do. He is also really addicted to corn dogs and appreciates them being sent to him in any form.

(Recommended by Camille  in Ms. Frank’s class)

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, by Chris Grabenstein

This book is about a kid named Kyle who likes video games and is kind of in the shadow of his older brothers. Every game Kyle loves is developed by Mr. Lemoncello who has also sponsored a new library. The 12-year-olds have gone without a library for years. Kyle writes an essay to win a sleepover at the new library. While at the library he has to play a game in order to be allowed to leave. Also winning the game allows you to represent Lemoncello’s games (and you get paid). If you like reading, writing, puzzles, humor, or even video games you will like this book. This book is one giant puzzle. It is so much fun. Also there is a sequel.

(Recommended by Hannah in Ms. Frank’s class)

Candymakers, by Wendy Mass

There are four main characters, Logan, Daisy, Philip, and Miles, who are going to a candy competition. If your candy wins the competition your candy gets made all over the world and your candy is the main candy of the year. You will be rich. The book is from all four characters’ perspectives. The book has a twist. The secret ingredient to the candy that makes it so special goes missing. The characters have to figure out what is going on and who did it. You would like this book if you like the oozing sound of candy and if you like a good mystery. Also there is a sequel coming out.

(Recommended by William in Ms. Frank’s class)

Awkward, by Svetlana Chmakova

A girl named Penelope starts Middle School in a new school. She trips and falls in the hallway and all of her things fall out. A shy boy named Jaime helps her out. Everyone starts calling her “Nerder Girlfriend”. Jaime is in the Science club and Penelope joins the Art Club. The clubs hate each other, but because of Jaime and Penelope things start to change. People who like graphic novels would like this book. It’s also full of humor so if you like a good laugh and a book full of great ideas you would like this book.

(Recommended by Myla in Ms. Frank’s class)

Wildwood, by Colin Melloy

This book is about a girl who is bored in school. There is a wood that very few have ever dared to go into. Those few went mad or died after going into the woods. The girl has a younger brother who she brings to school in a wagon one fateful day. Crows kidnap her brother and take him into the evil woods. She goes after him trying to save him. She is followed into the woods by a boy who eventually becomes her friend. She encounters a crazy witch and many challenges. The book is about balance. If the little brother isn’t saved the entire world goes out of balance, towards evil.  Someone who likes adventure would like this book. If you like fairly long adventure books you would like this book.

(Recommended by Jacob in Ms. Frank’s class)

Wonder, by R J Palacio

The book is about August, a kid whose face does not look normal. Other people are not nice to him. A mother of a classmate actually erases his face from a class photo. Halloween is August’s favorite holiday because he is able to cover his face. He also loves Star Wars. Wonder  is a very realistic, sad story, so if you like true to life stories that are well written and have some funny parts you would like this book. This book is also written from multiple characters’ perspectives. It is interesting to hear their thoughts. There are two companion books to Wonder.

(Recommended by Samuel  in Ms. Frank’s class)