Picture Books
Barrett, M.B. (2011). Shoebox Sam. Michigan: Zonderkidz.
Dealing with homelessness, this story teaches about being kind to the less fortunate. Shoebox Sam fixes shoes for both the rich and poor and two young
girls help him with his customers.
Beaty, A. (2013). Rosy Revere, Engineer. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
The great-great-niece of Rosie the Riveter is a great inventor. She tries to create a gadget that can fly. When it hovers, but then crashes, she learns that
it's a success because she stuck with it and didn't quit. This book shows a girl taking part in the sciences and is a great way to encourage girls to tinker
and build.
Beaty, D. (2013). Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me. New York: Little.
This heart-wrenching books tells the story of a young boy who plays the Knock Knock game every morning with his father. One day, his father isn't there.
He has to deal with his loss and become a strong adult. He receives a beautiful message from his father. This story examines some challenging topics
that many students today face.
Deedy, C.A. (2009). 14 Cows for America. Georgia: Peachtree Publishers.
This colorful picture book is based on a true story of the Maasai Tribe and their reaction to the September 11th terrorist attacks. The tribe hosts a
ceremony that honors America by providing them with 14 cows. This book stimulated many cultural connections as well as historical connections in
book clubs.
Fromental, J.L. (2010). Oops!. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
A retro styled story of a French family heading to the airport. There are all sorts of problems that stop them in their tracks.
Hole, Stian. (2014). Anna's Heaven. Michigan: Eerdman's.
A girl and her father reminisce about her mother on the way to her funeral. This story originates from Norway.
Javaherbin, A. (2012) Goal!. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Dealing with bullying, this book is about boys in South Africa playing a game of football. Many of my students who read this book enjoyed talking about
connections between football, U.S. football, and soccer, sport events they like, as well as bullies along with noticing cultural differences between South
Africa and America.
Gaynot, K. (2009). A Friend Like Simon, Ireland: Special Stories Publishing.
A new student comes to class from the special education class. The students learn how to accept someone who is "different," while dealing with the
realities of autism.
Hill, L.C. (2013). When the Beat Was Born: DJ Cool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. New York: Roaring Brook Press.
This book examines American art and culture by following the creation of hip hop and break dancing. A Coretta Scott King Award winner, this book
allows students to examine their own culture and history based on their interests.
Myers, W.D. (2009). Looking Like Me. New York: Egmont USA.
Unlike many books about being yourself told by animals, this book is written by Walter Dean Myers and addresses this topic poetically with vibrant arts
capturing many cultures.
Urveti, R. (2012). I Saw a Peacock With a Fiery Tail. India: Tara Books.
A poem in verse is made more clear through art made from die-cuts. The poem is a trickster tale.
Williams, L.E. (2010). The Can Man. New York: Lee & Low Books.
A story about homelessness, the "can man" worked at an auto body shop until it closed and now he is homeless and collects cans to survive. Tim
decides to earn money the same way to get himself a skateboard. He decides to give the man his money to buy a winter coat, rather than a skateboard.
Wolf, G. (2013). The Enduring Ark. India: Tara Books.
A gorgeously illustrated book, The Enduring Ark tells a version of Noah's Ark.The accordion fold art gets to 7 feet long.
Dealing with homelessness, this story teaches about being kind to the less fortunate. Shoebox Sam fixes shoes for both the rich and poor and two young
girls help him with his customers.
Beaty, A. (2013). Rosy Revere, Engineer. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
The great-great-niece of Rosie the Riveter is a great inventor. She tries to create a gadget that can fly. When it hovers, but then crashes, she learns that
it's a success because she stuck with it and didn't quit. This book shows a girl taking part in the sciences and is a great way to encourage girls to tinker
and build.
Beaty, D. (2013). Knock Knock: My Dad's Dream for Me. New York: Little.
This heart-wrenching books tells the story of a young boy who plays the Knock Knock game every morning with his father. One day, his father isn't there.
He has to deal with his loss and become a strong adult. He receives a beautiful message from his father. This story examines some challenging topics
that many students today face.
Deedy, C.A. (2009). 14 Cows for America. Georgia: Peachtree Publishers.
This colorful picture book is based on a true story of the Maasai Tribe and their reaction to the September 11th terrorist attacks. The tribe hosts a
ceremony that honors America by providing them with 14 cows. This book stimulated many cultural connections as well as historical connections in
book clubs.
Fromental, J.L. (2010). Oops!. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
A retro styled story of a French family heading to the airport. There are all sorts of problems that stop them in their tracks.
Hole, Stian. (2014). Anna's Heaven. Michigan: Eerdman's.
A girl and her father reminisce about her mother on the way to her funeral. This story originates from Norway.
Javaherbin, A. (2012) Goal!. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Dealing with bullying, this book is about boys in South Africa playing a game of football. Many of my students who read this book enjoyed talking about
connections between football, U.S. football, and soccer, sport events they like, as well as bullies along with noticing cultural differences between South
Africa and America.
Gaynot, K. (2009). A Friend Like Simon, Ireland: Special Stories Publishing.
A new student comes to class from the special education class. The students learn how to accept someone who is "different," while dealing with the
realities of autism.
Hill, L.C. (2013). When the Beat Was Born: DJ Cool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. New York: Roaring Brook Press.
This book examines American art and culture by following the creation of hip hop and break dancing. A Coretta Scott King Award winner, this book
allows students to examine their own culture and history based on their interests.
Myers, W.D. (2009). Looking Like Me. New York: Egmont USA.
Unlike many books about being yourself told by animals, this book is written by Walter Dean Myers and addresses this topic poetically with vibrant arts
capturing many cultures.
Urveti, R. (2012). I Saw a Peacock With a Fiery Tail. India: Tara Books.
A poem in verse is made more clear through art made from die-cuts. The poem is a trickster tale.
Williams, L.E. (2010). The Can Man. New York: Lee & Low Books.
A story about homelessness, the "can man" worked at an auto body shop until it closed and now he is homeless and collects cans to survive. Tim
decides to earn money the same way to get himself a skateboard. He decides to give the man his money to buy a winter coat, rather than a skateboard.
Wolf, G. (2013). The Enduring Ark. India: Tara Books.
A gorgeously illustrated book, The Enduring Ark tells a version of Noah's Ark.The accordion fold art gets to 7 feet long.
Wordless Picture Books
Pett, M. (2014). The Girl and the Bicycle. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.
In this wordless narrative, a girl wants a bicycle so she helps a neighbor to earn the money to buy it. When she goes back to get it, it isn't in the window,
so she buys her brother a tricycle. Much to her surprise, the neighbor bought her the bike as a gift and she was grateful. This is a great book to use for
inferences, especially about characters. Both their feelings and their character development are clear using images in this book.
Sta. (2013). Bluebird. New York, New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.
In Bluebird, a lonely boy who gets picked on in school makes friends with a bird. They go through the city together meeting other children and then, a
bully hits the bird with a stick and injures it. All of the other birds of many colors carry the boy off to the sky so he can let the bluebird go amongst the
clouds. This visually striking narrative has a similar set up to comics and graphic novels and is a great stepping stone to help kids read them. It is also a
great way to introduce kids to adding dialogue. They could create their own speech bubbles with this books, as they would in a comic book.
In this wordless narrative, a girl wants a bicycle so she helps a neighbor to earn the money to buy it. When she goes back to get it, it isn't in the window,
so she buys her brother a tricycle. Much to her surprise, the neighbor bought her the bike as a gift and she was grateful. This is a great book to use for
inferences, especially about characters. Both their feelings and their character development are clear using images in this book.
Sta. (2013). Bluebird. New York, New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.
In Bluebird, a lonely boy who gets picked on in school makes friends with a bird. They go through the city together meeting other children and then, a
bully hits the bird with a stick and injures it. All of the other birds of many colors carry the boy off to the sky so he can let the bluebird go amongst the
clouds. This visually striking narrative has a similar set up to comics and graphic novels and is a great stepping stone to help kids read them. It is also a
great way to introduce kids to adding dialogue. They could create their own speech bubbles with this books, as they would in a comic book.
Illustrated by David Catrow
Berger, W. (2013). Dream Dog. New York: Random House.
A more challenging picture book, this story tells of a boy who desperately wants a dog, but isn't allowed to have one. He dreams of a dog and all of the
things they would do together. Then, he gets a real dog and the real dog and imaginary dog become friends. Then, the imaginary dog becomes a cloud
and the boy happily plays with his real dog.
Catrow, D. (2002). We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitutions of the United States. New York: Penguin Young Readers.
Catrow illustrates the constitution with art that reflects the important ideas in the document. This ties strongly to fourth grade standards as well as
bringing challenging words and ideas to life.
Catrow, D. (2010). Max Spaniel: Funny Lunch. New York: Orchard Books.
A silly book of a dog who is also a chef. This book is great for early readers because the text and pictures strongly match and the language is simple.
Katz, A. (2007). Don't Say That Word. New York: Simon & Schuster.
A gross book about what happened in a boy's day at school. The repeating phrase, "don't say that word," stops the boy from saying any of the gross
words that are about to come out of his mouth. He gets in trouble for it. At night, his mother tells him to go to... and he ends with, "don't say that word."
Orloff, K.K. (2010). I Wanna New Room. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Similar to I Wanna Iguana, I Wanna New Room is written in letters between Alex and his family members. He is very upset about sharing a room with his
brother with the arrival of his new sister.
A more challenging picture book, this story tells of a boy who desperately wants a dog, but isn't allowed to have one. He dreams of a dog and all of the
things they would do together. Then, he gets a real dog and the real dog and imaginary dog become friends. Then, the imaginary dog becomes a cloud
and the boy happily plays with his real dog.
Catrow, D. (2002). We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitutions of the United States. New York: Penguin Young Readers.
Catrow illustrates the constitution with art that reflects the important ideas in the document. This ties strongly to fourth grade standards as well as
bringing challenging words and ideas to life.
Catrow, D. (2010). Max Spaniel: Funny Lunch. New York: Orchard Books.
A silly book of a dog who is also a chef. This book is great for early readers because the text and pictures strongly match and the language is simple.
Katz, A. (2007). Don't Say That Word. New York: Simon & Schuster.
A gross book about what happened in a boy's day at school. The repeating phrase, "don't say that word," stops the boy from saying any of the gross
words that are about to come out of his mouth. He gets in trouble for it. At night, his mother tells him to go to... and he ends with, "don't say that word."
Orloff, K.K. (2010). I Wanna New Room. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Similar to I Wanna Iguana, I Wanna New Room is written in letters between Alex and his family members. He is very upset about sharing a room with his
brother with the arrival of his new sister.
Science Connections
Cox, L. (2014). Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas. New York: Shwartz & Wade Books.
Based on a true story, this book tells about an elephant seal who comes onto land and ends up becoming part of a family. When they send her out to
see, she keeps returning to visit. This book has great connections to teaching Biomes and animals' interactions with their habitats.
Geisert, A. (2013). Thunderstorm. New York: Enchanted Lion Books.
This wordless picture book chronicles a storm passing over a farm. The thunderstorm turns into a tornado later in the afternoon. When teaching severe
weather, this book would be a great resource.
Goldstone, B. (2012). Awesome Autumn. New York: Henry Hold and Company.
This Nonfiction picture book tells facts about fall using a combination of real and animated pictures along with bolded text. It supports low readers with
easy to read bolded words and students on a higher reading level with added facts. Reading sections of this book would support a study of weather.
Hynes, M. (2011). Extreme Weather. New York, New York: Kingfisher.
This informational text is about thunderstorms and lightning, tornadoes and twisters, and hurricanes along with sections on watching the weather,
climate, and disaster relief. All of these are in the old and new Science Standards for fourth grade. It includes many text features such as maps,
diagrams, captions, headings, bolded words, and images that you can teach students to use.
Jones, L. (2011). Hurricane Disaster. New York, New York: Scholastic.
This visually stimulating informational text is about how and why there are hurricanes and how to prepare for one. There are some formats and text
features in this text that are not as easy to come by in other informational texts such as interviews and Q&A formats.
Rabinowitz, A. (2014). A Boy and a Jaguar. Massachusetts: HMH Books for Young Readers.
A young boy who stutters, unless talking with animals, goes to the zoo where he promises them to find his voice in order to save them. He ends up in
Belize where he studies Jaguars and makes a jaguar preserve using his voice. This book handles wildlife conservation.
Tarshis, L. (2011). I Survived: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. New York: Scholastic.
This narrative is part of the I Survived… series, which is high interest, especially for boys. It connects to our informational texts about severe weather
and makes these disasters more real by telling the story of a family in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans trying to survive Hurricane Katrina. This
also pulls in more current events and can be combined with news reports.
Laidlaw, R. (2014). 5 Elephants. Ontario: Fitzhenry & Whiteside.
This Non-Fiction texts is a heartfelt book about elephants. It goes over why elephants shouldn't be held in captivity or hunted by following the stories of
5 elephants.
Based on a true story, this book tells about an elephant seal who comes onto land and ends up becoming part of a family. When they send her out to
see, she keeps returning to visit. This book has great connections to teaching Biomes and animals' interactions with their habitats.
Geisert, A. (2013). Thunderstorm. New York: Enchanted Lion Books.
This wordless picture book chronicles a storm passing over a farm. The thunderstorm turns into a tornado later in the afternoon. When teaching severe
weather, this book would be a great resource.
Goldstone, B. (2012). Awesome Autumn. New York: Henry Hold and Company.
This Nonfiction picture book tells facts about fall using a combination of real and animated pictures along with bolded text. It supports low readers with
easy to read bolded words and students on a higher reading level with added facts. Reading sections of this book would support a study of weather.
Hynes, M. (2011). Extreme Weather. New York, New York: Kingfisher.
This informational text is about thunderstorms and lightning, tornadoes and twisters, and hurricanes along with sections on watching the weather,
climate, and disaster relief. All of these are in the old and new Science Standards for fourth grade. It includes many text features such as maps,
diagrams, captions, headings, bolded words, and images that you can teach students to use.
Jones, L. (2011). Hurricane Disaster. New York, New York: Scholastic.
This visually stimulating informational text is about how and why there are hurricanes and how to prepare for one. There are some formats and text
features in this text that are not as easy to come by in other informational texts such as interviews and Q&A formats.
Rabinowitz, A. (2014). A Boy and a Jaguar. Massachusetts: HMH Books for Young Readers.
A young boy who stutters, unless talking with animals, goes to the zoo where he promises them to find his voice in order to save them. He ends up in
Belize where he studies Jaguars and makes a jaguar preserve using his voice. This book handles wildlife conservation.
Tarshis, L. (2011). I Survived: Hurricane Katrina, 2005. New York: Scholastic.
This narrative is part of the I Survived… series, which is high interest, especially for boys. It connects to our informational texts about severe weather
and makes these disasters more real by telling the story of a family in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans trying to survive Hurricane Katrina. This
also pulls in more current events and can be combined with news reports.
Laidlaw, R. (2014). 5 Elephants. Ontario: Fitzhenry & Whiteside.
This Non-Fiction texts is a heartfelt book about elephants. It goes over why elephants shouldn't be held in captivity or hunted by following the stories of
5 elephants.
Biographies
Tavares, M. (2013). Becoming Babe Ruth. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
In this beautifully illustrated biography of Babe Ruth, students can read the true story of a sport legend. When studying Nonfiction Text Features,
students can use the chart of his stats located in the back, which can be a challenging feature to find.
Tonatiuh, D. (2011). Diego Rivera: His World and Ours. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
Diego Rivera was a famous mural artist in Mexico. This story shows his life as a mischievous boy as well as his passion for art. He then became one of the
most famous painters in the world.
Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
Sylvia Mendez and her family helped to end segregation in California's school system. Her Puerto Rican- American family took action to get Sylvia into a
"whites only" school by getting the Latino community to file a law suit.
Weatherford, C.B. (2014). Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century. New York: Alfred A. Knopff.
A poor girl from rural Mississippi overcomes segregation to realize her dream of becoming an Opera singer. This book would be ideal to teach theme.
In this beautifully illustrated biography of Babe Ruth, students can read the true story of a sport legend. When studying Nonfiction Text Features,
students can use the chart of his stats located in the back, which can be a challenging feature to find.
Tonatiuh, D. (2011). Diego Rivera: His World and Ours. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
Diego Rivera was a famous mural artist in Mexico. This story shows his life as a mischievous boy as well as his passion for art. He then became one of the
most famous painters in the world.
Tonatiuh, D. (2014). Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation. New York: Harry N. Abrams.
Sylvia Mendez and her family helped to end segregation in California's school system. Her Puerto Rican- American family took action to get Sylvia into a
"whites only" school by getting the Latino community to file a law suit.
Weatherford, C.B. (2014). Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century. New York: Alfred A. Knopff.
A poor girl from rural Mississippi overcomes segregation to realize her dream of becoming an Opera singer. This book would be ideal to teach theme.
Novels
Conklin, W. (2011). Sylvia & Aki. New York: Random House.
In this narrative of friendship, two young girls from different cultures experience the effects of racism in the United States. A Mexican American girl,
Sylvia, is forced into a school that will not provide her with an equal education. Aki was forced into a Japanese Internment Camp. This book provides a
platform to examine difficult topics such as injustice and different points of view from the nondominant culture.
Goldblatt, M. (2014). Twerp. New York: Yearling.
A novel about doing the right thing, twerp examines bullies and their "posse." It light-heartedly examines major issues in middle level students and
opens the platform for students to talk about the effects of their actions, friendships, and building character.
Grabenstein, C. (2014). Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library. New York: Yearling.
Similar to the classic tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a game maker invites 12 children to his brand new library. In order to escape the library,
they have to solve puzzles. This book is full of literary references and ideal for text to text connections for more avid readers.
Hiaasen, C. (2013). Chomp. New York: Ember.
One of my favorite authors' newest books is funny, descriptive story about reality T.V. "Expedition Survival" is a new show on an animal farm starring
James van der Beek. Wahoo Cray helps star in it to raise money to help his sick father.
Lai, T. (2013). Inside Out and Back Again. New York: Harper Collins.
This novel is written in verse. It tells the story of a girl who had been living in Saigon, Vietnam. Tragedy caused her family to have to move to America.
Many of my students have been reading this book and it has become popular with them.
Manzano, S. (2012). The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
A Puerto Rican family living in Harlem gets pulled into the Civil Rights by their strong willed daughter. The family is swept up into a protest led
by the Young Lords and the main character learns to love her heritage and forms her own identity as a Puerto Rican American. It shows that racism in
America was not just experienced by African Americans and related to experiences students face today.
Moundlic, C. (2013). The Bathing Costume: Or the Worst Vacation of My Life. New York: Enchanted Lion Books.
A book originating from France tells about a boy's first trip without his mother and how he becomes his own person and stands up to his older cousins.
Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.
A community learns empathy and acceptance when August, a boy with a facial deformity, begins the 5th grade, his first time in public school. This is a
phenomenal book to study theme.
Park, L.S. (2011). A Long Walk to Water. Massachusetts: HMH Books for Young Readers.
Based on a true story, this novel tells the story of two children in Sudan; Nya, who has to travel to get water twice a day and Salva, a refugee who has
been attacked by armed rebels. Some of my students have been reading this in books clubs and have had some interesting responses and
conversations.
Vanderpool, C. (2011). Moon Over Manifest. New York: Yearling.
Feeling abandoned, Abilene jumps a train to a small town called Manifest hoping to learn about who her father was as a child. She meets Miss Sadie and
learns more and more about the characters and secrets of the town.
Williams-Garcia, R. (2011). One Crazy Summer. New York: Amistad.
3 sisters with strong personal voices visit their long lost mother for the summer. They learn to stay out of her way and spent most of their time with the
Black Panthers and learn about the Civil Rights Movement.
Woodson, J. (2010). Feather. New York: Speak.
After schools were integrated, white and black people were still living in different areas. When a white student comes to an all black school across the
tracks, questions are raised. The young girls learns about faith, friendship, and acceptance while teaching others to do the right thing. This would be a
great read aloud or book club book.
In this narrative of friendship, two young girls from different cultures experience the effects of racism in the United States. A Mexican American girl,
Sylvia, is forced into a school that will not provide her with an equal education. Aki was forced into a Japanese Internment Camp. This book provides a
platform to examine difficult topics such as injustice and different points of view from the nondominant culture.
Goldblatt, M. (2014). Twerp. New York: Yearling.
A novel about doing the right thing, twerp examines bullies and their "posse." It light-heartedly examines major issues in middle level students and
opens the platform for students to talk about the effects of their actions, friendships, and building character.
Grabenstein, C. (2014). Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library. New York: Yearling.
Similar to the classic tale, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a game maker invites 12 children to his brand new library. In order to escape the library,
they have to solve puzzles. This book is full of literary references and ideal for text to text connections for more avid readers.
Hiaasen, C. (2013). Chomp. New York: Ember.
One of my favorite authors' newest books is funny, descriptive story about reality T.V. "Expedition Survival" is a new show on an animal farm starring
James van der Beek. Wahoo Cray helps star in it to raise money to help his sick father.
Lai, T. (2013). Inside Out and Back Again. New York: Harper Collins.
This novel is written in verse. It tells the story of a girl who had been living in Saigon, Vietnam. Tragedy caused her family to have to move to America.
Many of my students have been reading this book and it has become popular with them.
Manzano, S. (2012). The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
A Puerto Rican family living in Harlem gets pulled into the Civil Rights by their strong willed daughter. The family is swept up into a protest led
by the Young Lords and the main character learns to love her heritage and forms her own identity as a Puerto Rican American. It shows that racism in
America was not just experienced by African Americans and related to experiences students face today.
Moundlic, C. (2013). The Bathing Costume: Or the Worst Vacation of My Life. New York: Enchanted Lion Books.
A book originating from France tells about a boy's first trip without his mother and how he becomes his own person and stands up to his older cousins.
Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.
A community learns empathy and acceptance when August, a boy with a facial deformity, begins the 5th grade, his first time in public school. This is a
phenomenal book to study theme.
Park, L.S. (2011). A Long Walk to Water. Massachusetts: HMH Books for Young Readers.
Based on a true story, this novel tells the story of two children in Sudan; Nya, who has to travel to get water twice a day and Salva, a refugee who has
been attacked by armed rebels. Some of my students have been reading this in books clubs and have had some interesting responses and
conversations.
Vanderpool, C. (2011). Moon Over Manifest. New York: Yearling.
Feeling abandoned, Abilene jumps a train to a small town called Manifest hoping to learn about who her father was as a child. She meets Miss Sadie and
learns more and more about the characters and secrets of the town.
Williams-Garcia, R. (2011). One Crazy Summer. New York: Amistad.
3 sisters with strong personal voices visit their long lost mother for the summer. They learn to stay out of her way and spent most of their time with the
Black Panthers and learn about the Civil Rights Movement.
Woodson, J. (2010). Feather. New York: Speak.
After schools were integrated, white and black people were still living in different areas. When a white student comes to an all black school across the
tracks, questions are raised. The young girls learns about faith, friendship, and acceptance while teaching others to do the right thing. This would be a
great read aloud or book club book.
Series
Benton, J. (2010). Dear Dumb Diary #10: The Worst Things in Life Are Also Free. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
This series is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but geared toward girls. Funny and dramatic, Jamie Kelly writes about life as a middle schooler in her diary.
Pierce, L. (2014). Big Nate: In the Zone. New York: Harper Collins.
This is a humorous series of graphic novels that are reminiscent of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. These books are about a class clown that learns
about growing up and friendship.
Russell, R.R. (2009). Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life. New York: Aladdin.
A series similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Nikki Maxwell writes about her life as an Eighth Grader. It is a New York Times Bestseller.
Scholastic. (2013). Minecraft: Essential Handbook. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Many students are interested in playing Minecraft. This is a series of guidebooks that give Minecraft players tips and tricks.
Scholastic. (2014). Geronimo Stilton #58: The Super Chef Contest. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
A fun series for older students with low reading levels. This book series is fun and silly with lots of play on words. There are also series that spin off of
this one.
Uehashi, N. (2009). Moribito II: Guardians of the Darkness. New York: Arthur A. Levine.
Based on the Cartoon Network Series, this series from Japan tells of a female warrior who returns to her native land to defeat a corrupt ruler.
This series is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but geared toward girls. Funny and dramatic, Jamie Kelly writes about life as a middle schooler in her diary.
Pierce, L. (2014). Big Nate: In the Zone. New York: Harper Collins.
This is a humorous series of graphic novels that are reminiscent of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. These books are about a class clown that learns
about growing up and friendship.
Russell, R.R. (2009). Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life. New York: Aladdin.
A series similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Nikki Maxwell writes about her life as an Eighth Grader. It is a New York Times Bestseller.
Scholastic. (2013). Minecraft: Essential Handbook. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Many students are interested in playing Minecraft. This is a series of guidebooks that give Minecraft players tips and tricks.
Scholastic. (2014). Geronimo Stilton #58: The Super Chef Contest. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
A fun series for older students with low reading levels. This book series is fun and silly with lots of play on words. There are also series that spin off of
this one.
Uehashi, N. (2009). Moribito II: Guardians of the Darkness. New York: Arthur A. Levine.
Based on the Cartoon Network Series, this series from Japan tells of a female warrior who returns to her native land to defeat a corrupt ruler.