Upper Elementary to Middle School Books

Theme: Grandparents

Becoming Naomi Leon - (ISBN: 978-0439269971)

by Pam Munoz Ryan

Naomi and her half-brother live with their great-grandmother until their mother reappears with a new boyfriend who wants to take Naomi away from her happy home of three. When the three find out that the boyfriend just wants Naomi to babysit for his own daughter, they embark on a journey into Mexico to find Naomi's real father. Naomi learns about the strength of her great-grandmother’s and her father’s love for her as she rediscovers Mexican culture. Think about things you have learned on family journeys to visit relatives.

Dicey's Song - (ISBN: 0689863624)

by Cynthia Voight

Dicey begins to find herself after her orphaned family finally settles in with their grandmother in rural Maryland. Although she misses the mother she's lost very intensely, she finds new roles in continuing to care for her siblings and making friends in the nearby community. What things help you and your friends when you must adjust to new situations?

Heidi - (ISBN: 978-1604590357)

by Johanna Spyri

Enjoy this tale that children have loved for well over a century, about the young woman who goes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. They have milk and cheese for lunch, and her stern grandfather teaches her to love the mountain life. The love and respect they have for each other beams through every page. How does Heidi keep this love alive when she must go back to the city to help out other family?

Loose Threads - (ISBN: 978-0689844195)

by Lorie Ann Grover

A young teen keeps a poetic journal about the days when her grandmother is diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. While exploring her feelings about her grandmother's illness, she is also a typical developing young woman, confronting problems with friends, family, and school. Have you ever kept a journal to help you when times were tough?

The Magic Paintbrush - (ISBN: 978-0064408523)

by Laurence Yep

After his parents die unexpectedly, young Steve struggles to adjust to life with his Chinese grandfather and uncle in Chinatown in San Francisco. His suffering is compounded when his grandfather cannot even buy him the new paintbrush he needs for school. Instead, his grandfather shares a family heirloom to take its place, a magic paintbrush made with the hairs of a unicorn! Suddenly Steve can not only paint; his pictures change to reality! What heirlooms are important in your family?

A Long Way from Chicago - (ISBN: 978-0803722903)

by Richard Peck

Grandfather's Tale - (ISBN: 978-0704381001)

by Ulfat Idlibi

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup - (ISBN: 978-0060292904)

by Sharon Creech

Activities for this Theme

Make an eye of God (ojo de dios)


Make dream catcher earrings


Make a card for your grandparents and to send on Grandparents Day in September. Or declare your own special grandparent day. Write some of your favorite memories about them in the card and include a photo of you together.