The following Character Education Traits were selected by a committee of 
Beech Grove residents to represent our local community.

Work ethic

Note: All books listed are available in the BGMS Media Center, 
and will count for required reading for Language Arts Classes.

Citizenship- accepting the duties, rights, and responsibilities of being or becoming an American citizen.
Good-bye Vietnam, Whelan- Thirteen-year-old Mai travels from war-ravaged Vietnam to the United States in search for freedom.
Journal of Ben Uchida, Denenberg- When twelve year old Ben and his family are imprisoned in a Japanese Internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ben records his experiences in a journal.
Once on this Island, Whelan- During the War of 1812, Mary is left with responsibility for the family farm, and is caught between the American, British, French and Indian conflict.

Cooperation- working with others toward a common goal
Climb or Die, Myers- Danielle and Jake work together to climb Mount Remington with improvised climbing tools after their parents are injured in an car accident.
Haunting At Home Plate, Patneaude- After they hear stories about their baseball field being haunted by the ghost of a boy who died there many years ago, twelve-year-old Nelson and his teammates start finding mysterious messages written in the dirt.
Hobbit, Tolkein- Bilbo Baggins, Thorin & company all work together as a team to reach the treasure that Smaug has stolen from their ancestors.
Schernoff Discoveries, Paulsen- Harold and his friend, both social outcasts, mastermind schemes to solve every problem from dating, to playing sports to buying a care when you're only fourteen.

Courage- acting bravely for a good reason
Call It Courage, Sperry- Mafatu is challenged to conquer his fear of the Sea God Moana after a hurricane kills his mother.
Color Me Dark, McKissack- An African American girl has to overcome racism in Illinois in 1919.  (A. Reynolds, 4/03)
Countdown, Mickaelsen- Elliott, NASA's first junior astronaut, learns many lessons as her prepares for his flight.
Fear Place, Naylor- Doug must face his fears to save his brother, when his parents leave him alone on a camping trip.
Guts, Paulsen- The author relates incidents in his life and how they inspired parts of his books about the character, Brian Robeson.
Hatchet, Paulsen- After a plane crash, Brian is left to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet.
I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade, Wilson- Oyuna, a Mongolian girl who is disabled because her foot was crushed by a horse, pursues her dream in spite of many obstacles.
Mr. Lincoln's Drummer, Wisler- Fictionalized account of the youngest Medal of Honor winner, Willie Johnston, a drummer in the Civil War.
Subtle Knife, Pullman- Will and Lyra overcome obstacles to gain possession of the knife that cuts through several dimensions. (J. Hill 4/03)

Courtesy- displaying good manners and behaving in polite ways
The Absolutely True Story… How I Visited Yellowstone Park with the Terrible Rupes, Roberts- Lewis and Allison go on vacation with their neighbors, who turn out to have no interest in nutrition, manners or watching their own children.
I Am Lavina Cumming, Lowell- When Lavina's mother dies she is sent to live with an aunt to receive a "woman's influence."
Just Ella, Haddix- In this continuation of the Cinderella story, fifteen-year-old Ella finds that accepting Prince Charming's proposal ensnares her in a suffocating tangle of palace rules and royal etiquette, so she plots to escape.

Friendship- having a close and sincere regard for someone else
Babcock, Cottonwood- Overweight, brief-case-carrying Babcock becomes friends with Kristen, who gives him a new perspective on life.
Bronx Masquerade, Grimes- Students learn become friends through Friday poetry readings.
Crush, Conford- The Sweetheart Stomp is a short time away, and friends scheme to find just the right date.
Golden Compass, Pullman- Lyra makes many new friends, who help her defeat evil. (C. McGinnis 4/15)
P.S. Longer Letter Later, Damziger & Martin- Best friends Elizabeth and Tara*Starr, totally opposite in personality, maintain their friendship by mail. 
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Brashares- Carmen, Tibby, Lena & Bridget share a memorable summer with a pair of jeans that magically fits each one.
Stepping on the Cracks, Hahn- Margaret and Elizabeth's brothers are overseas during World War II, and they have a secret at home.
Seedfolks, Fleishman- Through growing gardens, a diverse community becomes friends.

Generosity-giving something to others
Boxer, The, Karr- Having learned how to box while in prison, fifteen-year-old Johnny sets out to discover if he can make a decent living as a fighter in late nineteenth-century New York City and ends up supporting his family.
Out of the Dust, Hesse- In spite of terrible times in Oklahoma during the dust bowl, Billie Jo and other families continue to help each other, even though they have little themselves.
Yolanda's Genius, Fenner- Yolanda sees her brother's special gifts that no one else can, and helps him find the music within himself.

Helpfulness-doing positive things that help others
Anastasia at Your Service, Lowry- When Anastasia becomes a maid, she learns the meaning of being helpful.
The Barn, Avi- Nine-year-old Ben returns from boarding school to help run the farm after his father suffers a stroke.
The Tarantula in My Purse, George- The George family helps a variety of "wild" animals, including a family of ducks who live in their bathtub and a skunk who lived in their closet.

Honesty-being truthful
Burning Up, Cooney- When a girl she had met at an innercity church is murdered, fifteen-year-old Macey channels her grief into a school project that leads her to uncover prejudice she had not imagined in her grandparents and their wealthy Connecticut community.
Caleb's Choice, Wisler- Living with his grandmother in Texas, Caleb is faced with helping fugitive slaves.
The Face on the Milk Carton, Cooney- Janie Johnson faces the truth that her parents kidnapped her.
Long Way from Chicago, Peck- Joey and Mary Alice learn many life lessons from their grandma who manages to always "adjust" the truth to her advantage.
Midnight Magic, Avi- In Italy in 1491, Mangus the magician and his apprentice are summoned to the castle of Duke Claudio to determine if his daughter is indeed being haunted by a ghost.
On My Honor, Bauer- Joel and Tony make a promise to their parents that they won't go near the river. What happens when they break their promise?
Shakespeare Stealer, Blackwood- An orphaned child becomes an actor at the Globe Theater while trying to steal a copy of Shakespeare's play.
Zach's Lie, Smith- When Jack's family enters the Witness Security Program, he grapples with issues of honesty and his former life.

Individual Excellence- striving to reach your personal best
Amber Spyglass, Pullman- A lot of people from different worlds all try to accomplish a goal that will save the universe. (T. Albertson, 4/03)
Anastasia Has the Answers, Lowry- Anastasia conquers the art of rope climbing, and numerous other escapades. 
The Boxer, Karr- After learning how to box in prison, Johnny tries to make a living as a boxer.
Heart of a Champion, Deuker- Seth and Jimmy live and breathe baseball, but Jimmy makes personal choices that threaten his life.
In The Forests Of The Night, Atwater-Rhodes-  Risika, a teenage vampire, wanders back in time to the year 1684 when, as a human, she died and was transformed against her will.
Winners and Losers, Hoffius- Track stars Daryl and Curt struggle with the battle of winning at any cost.

Integrity- committing yourself to doing what is right
Holes, Sachar- Stanley goes out to help Zero when no one else will. (J. Toppe, 4/03)
Music of the Dolphins, Hesse- Scientists try to "humanize" a girl raised by dolphins, who is happier in the water.
Perloo the Bold, Avi- A member of the rabbit-like Montmers, Perloo is unwillingly placed as their leader.
Songs Of Power, Bell- Someone is trying to sabotage the underwater habitat where Imina, the granddaughter of an Inuit shaman, lives after terrorists have infected the earth's food supply, and Imina must call on her still undeveloped magical skills to save the colony.
Wringer, Spinelli- Palmer, or Snots to his friends, struggles with doing what is right at the town's annual Pigeon Shoot.

Justice- acting with fairness toward others in accordance with laws and rules
Art Of Keeping Cool, Lisle- In 1942, Robert and his cousin Elliot uncover long-hidden family secrets while staying in their grandparents' Rhode Island town, where they also become involved with a German artist who is suspected of being a spy.
Ella Enchanted, Levine- A "Cinderella" story, this Ella has the curse of obedience, and so MUST obey her wicked stepsisters.
Frindle, Clements- Nick creates a new word for a "pen." What are the rules for introducing a new word?
Whirligig, Fleishman- Brent, striving for popularity in high school, is involved in a drunken driving accident, resulting in an unusual act of repentance- creating Whirligigs.
Running Out of Time, Hahn- In the reconstructed 1840 village people are denied medicine that will save their lives. Will Jessie be able to help in time?
Touching Spirit Bear, Mikaelsen- Cole agrees chooses confinement on a remote Alaskan island over a prison sentence, and encounters a Spirit Bear.

Kindness- Supporting others with encouraging words and deeds
Art of Keeping Cool, Lisle- In 1942 two boys exchanges acts of kindness with a German artist, who is accused of being a spy.
Crazy Lady, Conly- Vernon becomes friends with Maxine and her special needs son Ronald, and finds ways to make their life manageable.
Randall's Wall, Fenner- Jean breaks through Randall's walls and helps him overcome his difficult home life.
Stargirl, Spinelli- Stargirl gives gifts and cards, attends funerals and surprises people. 

Loyalty- being steadfast and constant toward people, groups, institutions, or ideals that are positive
The Circuit, Jimenez- Hispanic migrants work the yearly circuit of fields, maintaining an intense sense of loyalty to family.
Locked Inside, Werlin- Heiress Marnie must face loyalty to her mother, after being kidnapped.
Marrying Malcolm Murgatroyd, Farrell- Hannah is faced with betraying a lifelong friend, Malcolm, in a story that involves family, friends and a brother with special needs.
Memories Of Summer, White- In 1955, thirteen-year-old Lyric finds her whole life changing when her family moves from the hills of Virginia to a town in Michigan and her older sister Summer begins descending into mental illness.
Zach's Lie, Smith- When Jack Osborne is befriended by his school's custodian and a Basque girl, he begins to adjust to his family's sudden move to Elko, Nevada, after entering the Witness Security Program, but the drug cartel against which his father will testify is determined to track them down.

Patience- demonstrating a calmness and a willingness to wait when necessary
The Great Gilly Hopkins, Paterson- Gilly's foster mother, Trotter, shows great patience in loving Gilly and providing the best home she's had.
Just Ella, Haddix- Ella learns great patience while being trained in palace rules and royal etiquette. 

Patriotism-showing honor and respect for your country
Battle Dress, Efaw- Andi, a female freshman at West Point Military Academy, learns what it means to be part of military cadet training.
Bigger, Calvert- When Tyler's dad does not return from the Civil War, Tyler finds him still fighting a war that he will nto win.
My Brother Sam is Dead, Collier- Sam is part of the American Revolutionary Army, but the rest of his family supports the English king. Tim knows he will need to make a choice.
Runs With Horses, Burks- In 1886 a young Apache warrior is training for manhood, while resisting capture by the U.S. Army.

Perseverance- persisting in efforts to improve yourself or a situation, even when it would be easier to give up
Fever 1793, Anderson-  Matilda learns perseverance and self-reliance as she copes with the horrors of a yellow fever epidemic.
Island of the Blue Dolphins, O'Dell- Karana, an Indian girl lives alone for years on the Island of the Blue Dolphins, keeping herself alive by finding food & making shelter, while she waits for a ship to take her away. 
The Man in the Ceiling, Feiffer- Jimmy persists in his desire to be a comic artist through much discouragement from friends and family.
The Window, Ingold- After being blinded in an accident and losing her mother, Mandy adjusts to a new life at her uncle and aunt's home, and finds out secrets from her mother's past.

Positive Attitude- trying to find the best in any situation
Beyond the Western Sea, Avi- Maura and Patrick leaving Ireland with only what they can carry on their back, seek to immigrate to the United States through a variety of setbacks.
Blizzard!, Murphy- Presents a history, based on personal accounts and newspaper articles, of the massive snow storm that hit the Northeast in 1888, focusing on the events in New York City. (non-fiction)
Hidden Talents, Lubar- Thirteen-year-old Martin, a new student at an alternative school for misfits and problem students, falls in with a group of boys with psychic powers and discovers something surprising about himself.
The Kid Who Ran For President, Gutman- A twelve- year-old who gets on the ballot to run for president? That takes a positive attitude!
Letters from Rifka, Hesse- When Rifka's Jewish family leaves for America without her, Rifka endures her disease with a positive attitude, until she is able to travel.

Pride in Accomplishment- being pleased with goals that you have accomplished
Looking Back, Lowry- In this photo-biography, Lois Lowry shares the stories of her life and her books through pictures from her past.
No More Dead Dogs, Korman- Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentenced to detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life as well.
The View from Saturday, Konigsburg- The sixth grade Academic Bowl Team is made up of an unlikely foursome who work together to become state champions.

Reliability- acting in a responsible, dependable, and trustworthy manner
The King's Shadow, Alder- Evyn, a young Welsh serf, left orphaned and unable to speak, gains skills to be appointed the King of England's personal companion.
McMummy, Byars- Mozie has a job to take care of Professor Orloff's plants, which grow into humming mummy sized pods!
Touching Spirit Bear, Mikaelsen- After his anger erupts into violence, fifteen year-old Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the Native American Circle Justice, and he is sent to a remote Alaskan Island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.

Respect- treating others and their property as you would like to be treated
Burning Up, Cooney- Macey's school project, after an inner city church burns,  forces her to face the prejudice in her community.
Crash, Spinelli- Crash learns that making his neighbor Webb's life miserable, is not as great as he thought.
 Freak the Mighty- Two unusual friends work at understanding each other and combine their efforts to conquer the difficulties in their personal lives.
Gideon's People, Meyer- Respect for Jewish and Amish cultures develop as Isaac is cared for by an Amish family after an accident.

Responsibility- taking ownership of and admitting to your own behavior
Downriver, Hobbs-Discovery Unlimited or "Hoods in the Woods" teens act irresponsibly and suffer the consequences on a white water rafting trip.
Forged by Fire, Draper- A substance-abusing mother and a brutal step-father cause Gerald to be responsible for his life and Angel, his sister.
Goodnight, Maman, Mazar- A Jewish Girl, Karin, has to take responsibility for herself and her brother as they hide from the Germans. (K. Davis 4/03)
Make Lemonade, Wolfe- LaVaughn learns through a babysitting job how to manage her own life, while watching an unmarried mother struggle to care for two children.
Moving Mama to Town, Young- Thirteen-year-old Freddy moves Mama to town as man of the family when his father leaves them.
Night Hoops, Deuker- While trying to prove that he is good enough to play on his high school's varsity basketball team, Nick must also deal with his parents' divorce and erratic behavior of a troubled classmate who lives across the street.

Self-discipline -taking positive control of your own behavior
Another Way to Dance, Southgate- Vicki learns the value of self-discipline and struggles with racism, when she is accepted into the prestigious New York City's School of American Ballet.
Battle Dress, Efaw- As a newly arrived freshman at West Point, seventeen-year-old Andi finds herself gaining both confidence and self esteem as she struggles to get through the grueling six weeks of new cadet training known as the Beast.
The Whipping Boy, Fleishman- Prince Brat and his whipping boy (one who takes the beatings for the Prince's misbehavior) end up switching places and working together to survive.

Self-respect- regarding and treating yourself as a person who is worthwhile
Bloomability, Creech- Domenica, better known as Dinnie, learns a lot about herself as she is spends a year living at a boarding school in Switzerland with her uncle and aunt.
Jubilee Journey, Meyer- Emily discovers the value of her African American heritage, as she visits her great-grandmother for the Jubilee celebration.
Locked Inside, Werlin- After she is kidnapped from the exclusive boarding school she attends, heiress Marnie Skyedottir must rethink her idealized relationship with her mother, her own sense of who she is, and her relationships with others.
Tangerine, Bloor- Paul learns the value of himself, while living in the shadow of his "jock star" older brother, whose bad-side is worse than anyone imagines.

Trustworthiness- being known by others as reliable, dependable, and honest
Blackwater Swamp- Ted's trustworthiness is challenged as he spies on a "witch" by the swamp and discovers stolen goods in a friend's garage.
A Wind in the Door, L'Engle- Charles Wallace is known by others to be dependable and honest and his trustworthy sister to saves his life. (J. Elliott, 4/03)

Work Ethic- desiring to accomplish worthwhile goals by using your time wisely
The Haymeadow, Paulsen- Fourteen-year-old John spends his summer caring for 6000 sheep in Wyoming.
The Midwife's Apprentice- A homeless and nameless girl is trained as a Midwife's apprentice in Medieval England.
The Richest Kids in Town, Kehret- Peter and his new friend Wishbone Wyoming have several schemes to make money so Peter can buy a plane ticket visit a friend.
Rules of the Road, Bauer- An outstanding shoe-salesperson, Jenna learns about the rules of life as she chauffeurs the shoe company's president across country.