黄色视频

Spring break is upon us, and with the kids out of school for two weeks, what better time to curl up with a good book?

Our Spring Reading series continues with four recommendations for Grade 4-7 students from Surrey Centre Elementary teacher-librarian Mandip Bains. Here’s what’s on her reading list for pre-teens over spring break:

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling

First generation Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to belong at school. To make matters worse, they have to help work at their family food truck business, dressing up as a dancing pig and handing out food samples. Their world is turned upside down when the witches, ogres and other creatures from Filipino folklore their parents talk about come to life. Faced with this magical upheaval, JJ and Althea are compelled to embrace their cultural roots and discover the strength within themselves to safeguard their family. Readers will enjoy a quick-paced graphic novel with a mix of humour and fantasy.

Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

Minni is 12 years old and lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, India, where water is only available a couple of hours a day from a communal tap with long lineups. When Minni and her brother Sanjay witness the “water mafia” stealing from their community, their parents are scared the thieves will come after their family. Sanjay is sent away while Minni has to take over her mother’s job as a servant for a wealthy family when her mother falls ill. Minni struggles to balance school, work and the worry of the water mafia finding her. A revealing novel of the water crisis in India and the basic human right for clean water.

The Academy by T.Z. Layton

Leo has never seen the ocean or gone on a plane but he dreams of being a professional soccer player. Surprisingly, a soccer scout comes to his small town and invites him to try out for the London Dragons youth squad, known as the Academy.  To his surprise, the London Dragons is a world famous English Premier League team. Leo is off to a new country and for a whole new adventure. But will he be good enough to make the Academy? This book will appeal to soccer fans and readers who are interested in reading a series.

Dogtown by Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko 

Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs and discarded robot dogs that humans do not want anymore. Chance, a three-legged dog, is a permanent resident of Dogtown; Metal Head is a robot dog who misses home; and Mouse is a mouse and Chance’s best friend. Metal Head appeals to Chance and Mouse to escape Dogtown to help him get back home to his family. During their adventure, they face danger, cheese sandwiches and some kindness along the way. Readers who love adventure, humour and animals will enjoy this illustrated novel.

There are lots of great books to choose from for intermediate readers this spring!

See also some excellent primary reads recommended by École Laronde Elementary teacher-librarian Emily Montgomery, and stay tuned for book suggestions for secondary students in the next instalment of our Spring Reading series!