Bibliography

Theme 4: Problem Solvers

The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Recommended Leveled Books for Independent Reading

Below Level

Barn Savers by Linda Oatman High
Boyds Mills 1999 (32p)
A boy and his father take apart a barn board by board for recycling.

Sammy, Dog Detective by Colleen Bare
Cobblehill 1998 (32p)
Sammy is part of a police K-9 team in Modesto, California.
Social Studies

Painted Dreams by Karen Lynn Williams
Lothrop 1998 (32p)
Ti Marie uses her ingenuity to find a way to paint.
Multicultural

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
Aladdin 1987 (48p)
In a town where all the food is hidden, three soldiers begin to make soup from a stone and water.
Classic

Music Over Manhattan by Mark Karlins
Doubleday 1998 (32p)
When Uncle Louis teaches him to play the trumpet, Bernie no longer has to play second fiddle.

The Summer My Father Was Ten by Pat Brisson
Boyds Mills 1998 (32p)
While they plant a garden, a boy learns how his father first became interested in gardening.

* Martha Walks the Dog by Susan Meddaugh
Houghton 1998 (32p)
Through kind words, Martha tames a fearsome and ferocious hound.

Mama and Me and the Model T by Faye Gibbons
Morrow 1999 (40p)
When Mr. Long refuses to teach his wife how to drive the new Model T, she finds a way to show him that cars are not just for men.

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
Farrar 1997 (32p)
Through her love of gardening, Lydia Grace hopes to cheer up her Uncle Jim.

* My Rows and Piles of Coins by Tololwa Mollel
Houghton 1999 (32p)
If Saruni can save money for a bicycle, he can help his mother take goods to the market.
Multicultural

Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Harper 2000 (32p)
Jenna wants to dance the jingle dance at the next powwow, if she finds enough jingles for her dress.
Multicultural

On Level

Henry and Ribsy Beverly Cleary
Avon 1993 (192p)
Henry has to find a way to keep his dog out of trouble.

Seal Island School by Susan Bartlett
Viking 1999 (80p)
Pru and her classmates plan ways to keep their beloved teacher from leaving their island school.

Cam Jansen and the Barking Treasure Mystery by David A. Adler
Viking 1999 (64p)
On a boat ride, Cam uses her photographic memory to find a passenger's missing pet.

Beware and Stogie by Jessie Haas
Greenwillow 1998 (80p)
After a storm scatters the livestock, Lily and her mare Beware must find a way to capture Gramps's favorite horse, Stogie, who will let no one touch him.

Uncle Daney's Way by Jessie Haas
Beech Tree 1997 (128p)
While Uncle Daney recovers from a logging accident, Cole wonders how they can afford to care for Uncle Daney's horse.

The Paint Brush Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla
Random 1999 (69p) also paper
In this sequel to The Chalk Box Kid, Gregory and his friends try to save a neighbor's home from demolition by painting murals on it.

* Jumping Into Nothing by Gina Willner-Pardo
Clarion 1999 (58p)
Sophie devises a plan to help her overcome her fear of diving.

Ramona's World by Beverly Cleary
Morrow 1999 (192p)
In the first new Ramona book in fifteen years, Ramona is in fourth grade and has a new baby sister.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Philomel 1998 (48p)
When Trisha has trouble learning to read, her teacher comes to her aid.

Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World by Mildred Pitts Walter
Lothrop 1986 (128p) also paper
His grandfather must make Justin see there is more to being a cowboy than riding and roping.
Multicultural

Boys at Work by Gary Soto
Delacorte 1995 (134p)
Rudy must find a way to earn money to replace a disc player he borrows and accidentally breaks.
Multicultural

Above Level

Suitcase by Mildred Pitts Walter
Lothrop 1999 (112p)
Alexander hates basketball, but everyone expects him to play because he is tall.
Multicultural

The Great Bicycle Race Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Whitman 2000 (128p)
The Boxcar Children must find out who is out to ruin a bicycle race.