Battle of the Books, 2011 Unit 4 Gentle Ben by Morey The Other Side of Dark by Nixon Project Mulberry by Park Bridge to Terabithia by Paterson The River by Paulsen

Mark Andersen leads quite a lonely existence in the Alaskan wilderness. Things wouldn't be so lonely if his older brother was still around, but since his death, Mark has been devoid of contact with anyone even close in age to him. He's the smallest boy at school - at least for his age - and risks injury if he plays with the stronger boys, so he keeps to himself. That is, until he discovers a friend named Ben. Ben isn't your average friend. He's an Alaskan brown bear and frightens anyone who sees him. Except for Mark. Mark knows how gentle Ben is, and quickly befriends him. But when the local townspeople find out about Mark and Ben's relationship, they are determined to destroy it. Even if it means destroying Ben. ---Erika Sorocco, The Community Bugle Newspaper Gentle Ben by Morey

Stacy, 17, awakens from the coma she's been in for four years, following a gunshot wound, and finds her world is drastically altered. The shooting incident that injured her also killed her mother. Her older sister is married and pregnant. Hairstyles, clothing and friends have changed. Stacy, if her memory returns, can put the man who shot her and murdered her mother behind bars. Soon every face she sees looks both familiar and strange, and the attention of a boy named Jeff is welcomed and feared. Because of press reports, the murderer knows that Stacy can find him. She's afraid she's being watched. And when her memory and the truth about the killer come back to her, Stacy faces the darker side of herself. ---Publishers Weekly The Other Side of Dark by Nixon

A seventh grader, Julia and her family have just moved to Plainfield, Illinois where they are the only Korean- American family in the neighborhood. Julia and Patrick become friends and need a ribbon-winning project idea for the state fair. Julia's mom suggests they raise silkworms, but Julia initially rejects the idea because she wants a more American project and thinks that raising silkworms will label her as Asian with all of her new friends, and she doesn't want to be identified with her culture. Julia accepts the project and is able to overcome the obstacles facing its implementation. Along the way, she learns to be proud of her heritage and value Patrick's friendship. ---Joyce Rice, School Library Journal Project Mulberry by Park

Jess Aarons is eager to start fifth grade. He's been practicing his sprints all summer, determined to become the fastest runner at school. All seems to be on track, until the new girl in class (who also happens to be Jess's new next-door neighbor), Leslie Burke, leaves all the boys in the dust, including Jess. After this rather frustrating introduction, Jess and Leslie soon become inseparable. Together, they create an imaginary, secret kingdom in the woods called Terabithia that can be reached only by swinging across a creek bed on a rope. But one morning a tragic accident befalls Leslie as she ventures alone to Terabithia, and Jess's life is changed forever. ---Publishers Weekly Bridge to Terabithia by Paterson

Nearly two years after being marooned in the wilderness, Brian agrees to go back, accompanied by Derek, a psychologist who wants to study the strategies and especially the mental toughness that brought Brian through. At first he chafes at the relative comforts, the lack of true challenge, this second time around. All that changes when Derek is struck by lightning and falls into a coma-- Brian must raft Derek to the nearest outpost, 100 miles downriver. ---Publishers Weekly The River by Paulsen