Malcolm Under the Stars

Loads of useful information here: irresistible bits of science (hamsters have pouches that let them really stuff their mouths), history (the investigation leads kids and critters to learn more about Depression-era events and culture), and vocabulary (the fifth-grade narrators supply footnotes about words that might be too hard for younger readers; for example, "Quandary=dilemma, problematic situation. Vocabulary from 2/22. Normally, Malcolm's biggest quandary was which to eat first: Jovahn's Pop-Tarts or Amelia's graham crackers").

Brave young rat Malcolm always tries to do the right thing -- which sometimes means not following conventional wisdom, as when he makes friends with critters living in the forest, despite being told that Inside and Outside animals don't mix. Many animal and human characters display courage, creative thinking, and tenacity in their efforts to save their beloved school. A long-ago incident in which a rich man forgives someone who steals from him has far-reaching effects and serves as an example to the characters. (Heads up: Some younger kids may be inspired to follow the lead of Malcolm's hamster friends in seeing how many French fries they can stuff into their mouths at once.)