List
Staff Picks 2022: Fiction for Grades 4-5
From magic to friend stories to humor, mystery, and folklore, this list is packed with great stories and characters.
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Dream, Annie, Dream
2022 by Brown, Waka T.Get this itemI rooted for Annie right from the start. I loved how she navigated the highs and lows of middle school and friendship and never gave up on her dreams, despite other people's bigotry. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Golden Girl
2022 by Faruqi, ReemGet this itemI loved Aafiyah: even though she is not perfect and makes mistakes, she has good intentions. This is a story about family, friendship, change, and hope. Suggested by Rummanah.
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The Midnight Children
2022 by Gemeinhart, DanGet this itemThis book defied all of my expectations, over and over. Steeped in what feels like slightly dangerous kid magic, this book reminded me of reading Tuck Everlasting or Bridge to Terabithia for the first time. A great, engaging story. Suggested by Caitlin.
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Nura and the Immortal Palace
2022 by Khan, M. T.Get this itemI really enjoyed this action-packed fantasy that takes place in a fictional city in Pakistan. I really appreciated that it does not shy away from some serious real-life issues too. Suggested by Rummanah.
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In the Beautiful Country
2022 by Kuo, JaneGet this itemI love that this novel in verse gave me a lot to think about. Can something be beautiful and ugly at the same time? Suggested by Rummanah.
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Aviva vs. the Dybbuk
2022 by Lowe, MariGet this itemThis is a mind-melter of a book. Part mystery, part realistic fiction, part supernatural/psychological thriller with a good, strong emotional core--there is so much to love about this one. I can't wait to reread it! Suggested by Caitlin.
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Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene
2022 by Otheguy, EmmaGet this itemI could relate to Sofia on so many levels, and I empathized with her trying to meet her parents' expectations. I cheered when she was able to find her own path and her own voice, while learning how one person can make a big difference. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Black Bird, Blue Road
2022 by Pasternack, SofiyaGet this itemI found this historical fantasy set in the Khazaria, a Jewish medieval empire, to be an engrossing and touching tale combining Jewish traditions and mythology. Suggested by Maria.
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The Secret Battle of Evan Pao
2022 by Shang, Wendy Wan LongGet this itemThis book gave me a lot to think about, and I really loved it. The characters are complex and endearing, and I learned about some parts of history that I hadn't known before. An excellent book for those who like realistic fiction. Suggested by Caitlin.
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A Comb of Wishes
2022 by Stringfellow, LisaGet this itemEverything about this book is fun to read. The call-and-response nod to oral folklore pulls the reader right into the story and gives us a front row seat to the edgy action. Perfect for those of us who like our wishes and our mermaids a little dangerous. Suggested by Caitlin.
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Eden's Everdark
2022 by Strong, KarenGet this itemThis story had me hooked from the first page; it started out one way and then turned into a spooky, haunting tale. Suggested by Meleesa.
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The Language of Seabirds
2022 by Taylor, WillGet this itemI thought this book was a beautiful story of two boys who develop a friendship and their own secret language of seabirds to describe their big feelings. Suggested by Rummanah.
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Maizy Chen's Last Chance
2022 by Yee, LisaGet this itemI love Lisa Yee's books and there's a reason this one is a National Book Award nominee. It combines humor and history as well as family drama and mystery to tell an intergenerational story that left me thinking about my own history. I'm hoping this one makes it on our 2023 Cool Summer Reads list! Suggested by Mandy.
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