Kids and Families

Book Discussion Kits for Grades 4 and 5

The Kits: New youth titles | All kits for grades 4 - 5 | All kits for grades 6 - 9 | New Adult Titles | Adult titles, sorted by author | Adult titles, sorted by title

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Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
When Moose Flanagan’s father gets a job in the prison on Alcatraz Island, he and his family move there. Moose learns to come to terms with his new, unusual surroundings while living with his autistic sister. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
After Naomi’s unstable mother arrives back in her life after seven years, her grandmother takes Naomi and her brother to Mexico to search for their father, which leads Naomi to find out who she really is. Book Discussion Questions from Scholastic.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis
Living in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression, ten-year-old Bud leaves his foster home to find who he thinks is his father in Grand Rapids, finding a lot of adventure along the way. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
When sixth graders Petra and Calder hear about a stolen Vermeer painting, their love of art spurs them to solve the mystery as they follow the clues left by the thief and make connections to strange events around them. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Twelve-year-olds Lina and Doon use their new job assignments to puzzle out the truth of the underground world in which they live, and discover the possibility of another world on the outside. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

The Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
In this fantasy full of mysticism and moral dilemmas, set in modern-day India, Anand meets Abadhyatta, a member of the Brotherhood of Healers, who asks Anand to return a magicial conch shell to its rightful home hundreds of miles away. Book Discussion Guide from Simon & Schuster.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
When Coraline explores her new apartment, she unlocks a door that leads to a different world. At first familiar, Coraline quickly learns that evil lurks there. Soon she is caught in a life or death struggle to save herself, her family, and three lost children.

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi
The boy has always been called "Asta's son." After his mother's death, he learns from the local priest that his real name is Crispin. Then the priest is murdered and Crispin is blamed. On the run, Crispin searches through 14-century England to find out who he is. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Claudia and her younger brother, Jamie, run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and uncover an art mystery while they’re there. Book Discussion Questions from Scholastic.

Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost by Cornelia Funke
Tom discovers a ghost in his cellar and learns from his grandmother’s best friend how to get rid of it. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Heat by Mike Lupica
Michael Arroyo, a recent immigrant from Cuba, loves to play baseball, but some of his rivals think he may be lying about his age. Will he be able to find his missing birth certificate in time? Book Discussion Questions from Common Sense.

I, Freddy by Dietlof Reiche
Smarter than your average hamster, Freddy not only engineers his adoption in hopes of having a more civilized life outside the pet store, but he also teaches himself to read, write, and use a computer.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
Jack doesn't want to write poetry. Then his teacher shares famous poems by William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost and Walter Dean Myers, and Jack discovers his own writing voice. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
Eleven-year-old genius Millicent Min shares her troubles and successes through her journal entries as she joins the volleyball team, tutors her rival, and becomes friends with Emily. Book Discussion Questions from the author.

Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism by Georgia Byng
Miserable orphan Molly Moon discovers a book about hypnotism and takes the world by storm! Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse
A "wild child," Mila has been raised by dolphins since the age of four. Now a teenager, she is rescued and turned over to scientists determined to teach her how to speak. Book Discussion Questions from Multnomah Co., OR.

Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
When new Folks move into the Big House, the surrounding animals wonder who they are and hope for a new garden. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
Hilarity and trouble follow Ramona as she experiences her first days of kindergarten where she meets new people and becomes a memorable new student for her teacher. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Redwall by Brian Jacques
Matthias, a young mouse who lives in Redwall Abbey, must defend his home against an attack by nearby nefarious rats and begins the epic series of Redwall adventures. Book Discussion Questions from Carolhurst.

The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
Lady Lynet, boldly setting out for King Arthur’s court with the intention of finding a suitor for her sister, meets some humorous characters and many unexpected turns throughout her quest. Book Discussion Questions from Book Bratz.

Spy X: The Code by Peter Lerangis
When twins Andrew and Evie turn 11, their mother mysteriously disappears. Will they be able to find and rescue her or is she gone forever? Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Stand Tall by Joan Bauer
Twelve-year-old Tree deals with his parents’ divorce, his non-athletic ability, and the fact that he’s 6 foot 3, with the help of his Vietnam vet grandfather and a new friend named Sophie. Book Discussion Questions from MPL.

Tunnels! by Diane Swanson
This collection of ten true stories about tunnels, including bank robberies, hostage rescues, and King Tut’s tomb, offers history, excitement, and suspense.