Sonya -
If you were studying American History, World War II, the book "Number the Stars" is a good bridge book for upper and lower readers and grade levels. Also, studying the book "The Giver" by Lois Lowry helps students understand and appreciate our culture and how it may change in the future. Great discussion novel! Yet another is "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Always a hit with 5th grade through middle school. Getting a comprehension guide for any of these books (one that contains comp. questions and vocabulary is a good way to keep the upper kids moving forward, while requiring lower achieving kids to answer less questions and do less vocabulary than their peers.) For upper kids, "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck is another short, but memorable and timeless classic. Hope these suggestions help! Oh yeah - For the third grade - a great book from www.veritaspress.com - Baby Island. They have a great comp. guide too where the kids cut out old-fashioned paper dolls of the characters. They love to color and collect them. Lots of other fun stuff, too.
Regards,
Angie Wilkins
Covenant Christian Academy
Bloomingdale, Georgia, USA