The Land of Elyon (series)

1. The Dark Hills Divide (2005)

2. Beyond the Valley of Thorns (2005)

3. The Tenth City (2006)

4. Into the Mist (2007)

5. Stargazer (2008)

I recommend reading this series in the order listed above, however, Patrick Carman says that Into the Mist can be read as a prequel to the trilogy.  Into the Mist explains some of the why, and back story of the first three books written, but I think it would spoil some of the magic of reading the books for the first time. 

Summary:

    The Land of Elyon has four cities that are walled-in keeping the "unknown"  (which of course is bad and scary) out and all of the people inside safe and sound.  The walls have done more than keep out the unknown though, they have also severed the magical link between the people and the animals in the Land of Elyon.  The Land of Elyon series follows a young girl named Alexa Daley who goes on many magical and mysterious journeys with several different friends, including a squirrel named Murphy and a giant named Armon.  She also has the help of many adults, such as the librarian, her father and some of his friends, although they don't always know they are helping.  
     Thomas and Roland Warvold are main characters that helped design the Land of Elyon as it changed over time.  Into the Mist tells of their childhood and how overcoming some early trials in an orphanage effected what they did over the course of their lifetimes. 

I would recommend this book for students who like fantasy and have about a 6th grade reading level. 

Carman, Patrick.  The Land of Elyon (book series). Scholastic Inc. New York.  2005-2008.