FAMILY RELATION NOVELS Grades 3-6
Bawden, Nina. Granny the Pag. J FIC Bawden
Originally abandoned by her actor parents who later attempt to gain
custody, Cat wages a spirited campaign to decide her own fate and remain
with her grandmother.
Byars, Betsy Cromer. Bingo Brown, Gypsy Lover. J
FIC Byars
A sixth-grade boy deals with the prospect of a new baby brother and
a long-distance love relationship.
Cleary, Beverly. Dear Mr. Henshaw. J FIC Cleary/JPB
C
In his letters to his favorite author, ten-year-old Leigh reveals his
problems in coping with his parents' divorce, being the new boy in school,
and generally finding his own place in the world.
Cleaver, Vera. Moon Lake Angel: A Novel. J FIC Cleaver
Kitty Dale, whose mother does not want to deal with a child, or admit
one into her new life, spends the summer with Aunt Petal and eventually
learns to accept her mother's weaknesses.
Colman, Hila. Rich and Famous Like My Mom. J FIC
Colman
The overprivileged, lonely daughter of a famous and popular singer
seeks to find her own identity through friendship with a street lady.
Cruise, Robin. The Top-Secret Journal of Fiona Claire Jardin.
J FIC Cruise
At the suggestion of her therapist, ten-year-old Fiona begins to keep
a journal in which she records her fears, feelings, and gradual adjustment
in the year after her parents get a divorce.
Danziger, Paula. The Divorce Express. J FIC Danziger
Resentful of her parents' divorce, a young girl tries to accommodate
herself to their new lives and also find a place for herself.
Elliott, David. Jeremy Cabbage and the Living Museum of human
oddballs and quadruped delights. J Fic Elliott
While searching for a loving family, orphaned Jeremy becomes entangled
in a conflict between his city's arrogant and oppressive leader, the Baron
von Strompie, and a group of outlandish people called the "cloons."
Fox, Paula. Monkey Island. J FIC Fox
Forced to live on the streets of New York after his mother disappears
from their hotel room, eleven-year-old Clay is befriended by two men who
help him survive.
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Y FIC
Gantos // Y PB G
To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey
has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription
medications wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.
Hamilton, Virginia. Plain City. J FIC Hamilton/J
PB H
Twelve-year-old Buhlaire, a "mixed" child who feels out of place in
her community, struggles to unearth her past and her family history as
she gradually discovers more and more about her long-missing father.
Härtling, Peter. Old John. J FIC Hartling
Things are never quite the same after Jacob and Laura's lovable but
idiosyncratic grandfather moves in.
Hahn, Mary Downing. Following My Own Footsteps.
J FIC Hahn
In 1945, Gordy's grandmother takes him and his family into her North
Carolina home after his abusive father is arrested, and he just begins
to respond to his grandmother's loving discipline when his father returns.
Hermes, Patricia. Someone to Count On : A Novel.
J Fic Hermes
When eleven-year-old Sam visits her grandfather's ranch for the first
time, she finds a new life very different from the one she has known with
her vagabond mother.
Horvath, Polly. Everything on a Waffle. J FIC Horvath
Eleven-year-old Primrose living in a small fishing village in British
Columbia recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature
and the unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost
at sea.
LaFaye, A. The Year of the Sawdust Man. J
FIC LaFaye
In 1934, when her mother leaves her and her father, eleven-year-old
Nissa tries to cope with the gossip of her small Louisiana town and the
changes in her own life.
Mills, Claudia. Boardwalk With Hotel. J FIC Mills
When fifth-grader Jessica discovers that her parents adopted her because
they mistakenly believed they could not have children, she wonders if they
love her less than the brother and sister who were born later.
Rodgers, Mary. Freaky Friday. J FIC Rodgers / J
PB R
A thirteen-year-old girl gains a much more sympathetic understanding
of her relationship with her mother when she has to spend a day in her
mother's body.
Sargent, Sarah. Secret Lies. J FIC Sargent
Thirteen-year-old Elvira arrives at her aunt's home in the hills of
Virginia full of fantasies about the father she has never known and her
mother's prejudices about life in a small town.
Smith, Doris Buchanan. Karate Dancer. J FIC Smith
Passionate about karate, fourteen-year-old Troy tries to convince his
disapproving parents about the true nature of the art and its importance
in his life.
Yep, Laurence. Later, Gator. J FIC Yep
Teddy finds that his imagination has gotten him into trouble once more,
when he buys his younger brother Bobby an alligator for his birthday.
7/08