My older son gravitates toward books with characters facing intellectual or physical challenges.  Not surprisingly, he loved Wonder and its companion book Auggie and Me. So when I saw Superstar on display at our local library when he was in fourth grade, I knew this was one we had to read. 

Ten-year-old Lester Musselbaum narrates this heartwarming story from a first person perspective. Soon after we meet Lester, his mom delicately tells him that for the first time ever he will be enrolling in public school. Now in 5^th grade, he has always been home-schooled by his mom, who now will be working at the local library during the day to make ends meet. Lester’s father was an astronaut and died on a mission years ago.

Lester loves science, space and predictability. He finds his unpredictable days at school to be harder than he anticipated and science lessons less enlightening than he hoped. He has to contend with bullies, but also makes a fashion-forward friend named Abby who remains present throughout the book. We loved rooting for Lester as he encountered new challenges, scientifically dissected the game of kickball, and indulged his scientific passions by entering the school science fair.

You’ll love reading this book with your kids or suggesting it as an independent read. The text can generate conversations about inclusion, acceptance and the mutual happiness that can come from unexpected friendships.

My 5^th grader and I just finished reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry – for the second time. Set in 1943 amidst Nazi occupation of Denmark, it is an amazing story of friendship, courage and kindness. The main characters are Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen, two 10-year-old girls who have grown up a lot like sisters – living in the same building, walking to and from school together each day, and sharing the kind of friendship young girls treasure for life. As the Nazis begin to transport Jews away from Denmark, Annemarie’s family takes in Ellen, who must pose as Annemarie’s sister. Desperate to protect Ellen and her family, Annemarie discovers a new sense of courage within herself as she is taunted by harsh Nazi soldiers, tracked by trained dogs looking for hideaways, and given a critical mission.

I highly recommend this book as one you can share together, or use for independent nightly reading.