K-2

This list was compiled by librarians from the South Orange and Maplewood elementary schools and public libraries. You may read books from this list, or from the Intermediate Grades List. Reading is one of the best activities for academic success. We suggest you make frequent virtual and physical visits to your public libraries this summer.

ALLEN, DEBBIE. Dancing in the wings
Sassy tries out for a summer dance festival in Washington, D.C., despite the other girls' taunts that she is much too tall.
ANHOLT, LAURENCE. Van Gogh and the Sunflowers
Despite the derision of their neighbors, a young French boy and his family befriend the lonely painter who comes to their town and begin to admire his unusual paintings.
ALSO: Picasso and the girl with the ponytail
ASTON, DIANA. A seed is sleepy
An informative, yet beautiful introduction to seeds.
BANG, MOLLY. Living sunlight: How the sun gives us life
Colorful illustrations and text introduce young readers to the importance of sunlight to grow plants, which humans and animals depend on to survive.
BANG-CAMPBELL, MONIKA. Little rat makes music
Little Rat loves the violin but hates to practice, until her teacher suggests she perform a duet with one of the advanced students at the holiday concert.
BEMELMANS, MARCIANO. Madeline and the cats of Rome
The orphan Madeline catches a thief and makes a friend in Rome.
BENNETT, KELLY. Not Norman: A Goldfish Story
Norman the goldfish was not the kind of pet the boy wanted. He wanted a pet that could run and catch. But when he tries to trade Norman for a "good pet," things go wrong.
BROACH, ELISE. When dinosaurs came with everything
Although his mother is a little worried, a young boy is delighted to discover that every shop in town is giving away real dinosaurs to their customers.
BROWN, JEFF. Flat Stanley
A picture book version of the story of a boy who finds that being flat has some advantages.
BRUEL, NICK. Poor Puppy
When Bad Kitty won't play with him, Poor Puppy has to amuse himself with an alphabetical list of toys and dreams of playing in an alphabetical list of countries.
CALMENSON, STEPHANIE. May I pet your dog?
Harry the dog explains how to safely meet him and his friends.
COTTIN, MENENA. Black book of colors
Learn Braille and see the world through your fingers.
CUMMINGS, PAT. Harvey Moon, museum boy
When Harvey and his pet lizard Zippy go on a school field trip, Zippy gets loose in the museum and they have a harrowing adventure.
DICAMILLO, KATE. Louise, the adventures of a chicken
Longing for adventure, intrepid Louise leaves her comfortable nest and goes to sea.
DOYLE, MALACHY. Horse
Illustrations and simple text describe the first year of a foal's life, from his birth oen warm spring night, through lazy summer days, to the next spring, when he is old enough to be bridled like his mother.
GRAVETT, EMILY. The odd egg
Duck is trying to hatch the oddest egg of all.
ALSO: Orange pear apple bear
GREY MINI. Traction man meets TurboDog
Traction Man braves the evil bin things in order to save Scrubbing Brush, who had been thrown away by the little boy's father and replaced with a battery-operated dog.
GRIMES, NIKKI. When gorilla goes walking
In this collection of rhyming poems, Gorilla the cat enjoys answering the telephone, eating soul food, and sharing mischievous adventures with her young owner.
GUTMAN, DAN. Casey Back at Bat
Where does a baseball go when it is hit out of the park?
HOBERMAN, MARY ANN. You read to me, I’ll read to you: very short scary stories to read together
Contains poems presented in two voices for young children and adults to read together.
HOFFMAN, MARY. Princess Grace
Grace wants to participate in her community festival's princess float, but first she must decide what sort of a princess she wants to be -- from an African princess in kente cloth robes to a floaty pink fairy tale princess.
HUTCHINS, H. J. A Second is a Hiccup: A Child's Book of Time
Playful rhyming text helps children comprehend units of time, presenting lively examples of what can happen in the span of a second, a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, and a whole childhood.
JEFFERS, OLIVER. The great paper caper
When tree branches begin to disappear and paper airplanes are left in their place, the forest creatures carry out an investigation to find the culprit who has been stealing their homes.
JENKINS, STEVE. Dogs and Cats
When you have finished reading about dogs, you can flip the book over and read about cats!
also: Living Color
JENKINS, Emily. Sugar would not eat it
When Leo adopts a cat, he names her Sugar and tries to feed her a piece of his birthday cake; but no matter what Leo does to try to make her eat it, the cat simply refuses.
JOHNSON, ANGELA. Lily Brown's Painting
When Lily Brown paints, she imagines all sorts of fantastic things in the scenes that she sees every day.
KELLY, IRENE. Even an ostrich needs a nest: Where birds begin
Illustrations and simple text introduce young readers to the different ways that birds build their nests. The a author lives in Maplewood.
KIMMEL, ELIZABETH CODY. Top Job
On Career Day, a young girl entertains the class with a description of her father's exciting job as light bulb changer at the top of the Empire State Building.
KUDLINSKI, KATHLEEN. Boy Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs!
Examines what is known about dinosaurs and how different the facts often are from what scientists believed to be true.
LAROCHELLE, DAVID. The End
When a princess makes some lemonade, she starts a chain of events involving a fire-breathing dragon, one hundred rabbits, a hungry giant, and a knight.
LARSON, KIRBY. Two Bobbies: A true story of Hurricane Katrina, friendship, and survival
Tells the true story of Bobbie the dog and Bob Cat, two pets who bonded together and were able to survive the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
LOW, WILLIAM. Old Penn Station
An illustrated account of the construction, history, and demolition of one of the most famous railroad stations in America -- New York City's Penn Station.
MCCALL, BRUCE. Marveltown
Marveltown's adults are outstanding inventors, but when their best engineers create giant, but stupid robots that threaten the town, it is the children's outrageous creations that save the day.
MCCLEMENTS, GEORGE. Baron von Baddie and the ice ray incident
Baron von Baddie, having defeated his nemesis, Captain Kapow, discovers that it is not as much fun to create chaos and engage in bad behavior if no one tries to stop him.
MCPHAIL, DAVID. Water boy
Fascinated by the fact that humans are made mostly of water, a boy develops an unusual relationship with it once he stops being afraid.
MICKELTHWAIT, LUCY. I spy colors in art
See if you can find some famous paintings in this art book on color.
MORTENSON, GREG. Listen to the wind
A children's book that tells the story of Dr. Greg Mortenson's promise to build a school in a remote Himalayan village after the villagers saved his life.
MYERS, CHRISTOPHER. Jabberwocky
The classic Lewis Carroll nonsense poem, with new illustrations.
NIVOLA, Clare A. Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai
A true story about how this Nobel peace prize winner changed the world one seed at a time.
OLDER, JULES. Telling time.
Humorous text explains the concept of time, from seconds to hours, on both analog and digital clocks, from years to millennia on the calendar.
O'MALLEY, KEVIN. Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates
Captain Raptor and the crew of the Megatooth are called back into action to save the planet Jurassica from rogue space pirates.
PALANTINI, MARGIE. Gorgonzola: A very stinkysaurus
When Gorgonzola the dinosaur learns that everyone runs from him to avoid his smell, rather than out of fear, he is grateful to the little bird who shows him how to brush his teeth and wash.
ALSO: The cheese
PINTO, SARA. Apples and oranges: Going bananas with pairs
Why is a bicycle like a motorcycle? The answers may surprise you.
PINKNEY, JERRY. Little Red Riding Hood
A new version of this classic tale – retold and illustrated by this award-winning artist.
PINTO, SARA. Apples and Oranges: Going Bananas with Pairs
Why is a bicycle like a motorcycle? The answers may surprise you.
PORTIS, ANTOINETTE. Not a Stick
An imaginative young pig shows some of the many things that a stick can be.
also: Not a Box
RACZKA, BOB. Artful Reading
An art adventures book.
RAYNER, CATHERINE. Harris finds his feet
Harris, a very small hare with very big feet, has an elderly Grandad who teaches him the many uses of big, strong feet and other important life lessons.
REIBSTEIN, MARK. Wabi Sabi
Text mainly in English, with some Japanese characters. Wabi Sabi, a cat living in the city of Kyoto, learns about the Japanese concept of beauty through simplicity as she asks various animals she meets about the meaning of her name.
ROCKWELL, ANNE. Clouds
Colorful illustrations and simple text introduce early readers to the different types of clouds -- which includes cirrostratus, altocumulus, nimbostratus, and others -- and describes how to recognize the different types of clouds and how to predict weather based on the clouds.
RODMAN, MARY ANN. My Best Friend
What happens when a first grader tries to be friends with a second grader?
ROOT, PHYLLIS. Toot, toot, zoom
Pierre, who lives alone at the foot of a mountain, hops in his car one day in search of a friend, and meets Goat, Sheep, and Bear along the way.
ROSENTHAL, AMY. Spoon
A small spoon, feelig rather envious of fork, knife, and chopsticks, gets a lot to think about when his mother reminds him of all the things he can do that they cannot.
ALSO: It's not fair!, Duck! Rabbit!, Yes day, Little Hoot
SAYRE, APRIL PULLEY. Vulture view
Turkey vultures soar on the balmy air, looking for their next stinky feast. They are nature's cleanup crew.
SCOTTON, ROB. Splat the cat
Splat the cat is nervous about his first day at cat school, but once he arrives, he realizes he had nothing to worry about.
SEDER, RUFUS BUTLER. Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book
A first book of motion for kids, using Scanimation technology. The images really move!
SHELDON, DAVID. Barnum Brown, Dinosaur Hunter
Find out how a boy who loves to explore, grows up to discover the first nearly complete T-Rex specimen.
TAVARES, MATT. Mudball (a baseball story)
During a rainy Minneapolis Millers baseball game in 1903, little Andy Oyler has the chance to become a hero by hitting the shortest and muddiest home run in history.
THOMPSON, LAUREN. Ballerina Dreams
The true story of five little girls with physical disabilities who are determined to become ballerinas.
THOMSON, SARAH L. What Lincoln said
An illustrated biography of Abraham Lincoln that provides quotes from the president and examines his childhood, the Civil War, achievements, and more.
Why Did the Chicken Cross The Road?
Fourteen artists present their answers to this age-old question. This funny collection is by Mo Willems, Jerry Pinkney, Chris Raschka, David Shannon, and others.
ZEMACH, KAETHE. Ms. McCaw learns to draw
Dudley Ellington struggles to learn anything at school, but when his very patient teacher, Mrs. McGraw, is unable to draw a face on the board, he helps her figure out how to do it.
Additional Authors: Here are some great authors & illustrators to explore for primary readers:
Marc Brown, Eric Carle, Beverly Cleary, Lauren Child, Andrew Clements, Joanna Cole, Floyd Cooper, Doreen Cronin, Tomie DePaola, Ezra Jack Keats, Steven Kellogg, E.B. Lewis, Leo Lionni, Pat McKissack, Susan Meddaugh, Robert Munsch Margie Palatini, Dav Pilkey, Jerry Pinkney, Patricia Polacco, James Ransome, Cynthia Rylant, John Scieszca, Mark Teague, George Shannon, Rosemary Wells, Mo Willems, Harriet Ziefert

Books in a Series: Here are some suggestions for series books for young readers:
Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows
Flat Stanley's Worldwide adventures series by Jeff Brown
Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
Life size series (Life Size Reptiles / Life size killer creatures/ Live size Dragons)
My Father's Dragon series by Ruth Gannett
Andrew Lost series by J. C. Greenburg
Riddle books by Katy Hall
Just for You easy readers.
Miami series by P. & F. McKissack
Capital Mysteries series by Ron Roy
Dog and Bear series by Laura Seeger
Black Lagoon Adventures series by Mike Thaler
Willimena Rules series by Valerie Wilson Wesley
Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems.
Series about life in an African village by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Nibbles, bites, and chomps series

Download this list as a PDF document here

3-5

The South Orange and Maplewood elementary school librarians and public librarians worked together in creating this listing of suggested summer reading. Feel free to choose books from any of our lists – Primary, Intermediate, or the Middle School "Choices" list. We suggest you make frequent virtual and physical visits to your public libraries this summer.

ARONSON, MARC. Ain't nothing but a man: My quest to find the real John Henry
If you like history mysteries, you'll love this book.
AVI. Iron thunder: The battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac: A Civil War novel
Thirteen-year-old Tom Carroll takes his place as head of the family after his father dies fighting for the Union; but his job at the local ironworks, where he helps build an iron ship for the Union army, and his loyalty come into question when he is approached by Confederate spies to sell secrets about the ship to the South.
BARBER, TIKI. Kickoff
Twelve-year-olds Tiki and Ronde tryout for the junior high football team and hope to not only get a spot but also to be a part of the starting lineup.
ALSO: By my brother's side, Go long, Teammates, Game day
BROACH, ELISE. Masterpiece
After Marvin, a beetle, makes a miniature drawing as an eleventh birthday gift for James, the two new friends work together to help recover a drawing stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
BRYANT, JEN. A river of words, the story of William Carlos Williams
A picture book biography of American poet William Carlos Williams, who studied to become a doctor, but still found time to write poetry.
BUCHANAN, ANDREA J. Daring book for girls
Jam-packed with information on how to do almost anything.
CARBONE, ELISA LYNN. Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of his Faithful Dog
A runaway slave makes a daring escape to freedom. Based on the true story of James Smith's journey from Virginia to Ohio in the mid-1800s.
CHANG, ANDREA J. Honeysuckle House
An all-American girl with Chinese ancestors and a new immigrant from China find little in common when they meet in their fourth grade classroom, but they are both missing their best friends and soon discover other connections.
CLEMENTS, ANDREW. Lost and found
Twin brothers Jay and Ray Grayson learn about friendship, honesty, and themselves after taking advantage of a clerical oversight in which their new school thinks there is only one Grayson boy.
COLLINS, ROSS. Medusa Jones
In ancient Greece, Medusa Jones, a gorgon, and her friends, a minotaur and a centaur, are mocked and sneered at by the other Acropolis Academy children whose parents are kings and gods, but when they go on a school camping trip together, the "freaks" become true heroes.
COOK, SALLY. Hey Batta Batta Swing: The Wild Old Days of Baseball
A look at baseball from its beginnings to today.
DOWD, SIOBHAN. London Eye mystery
When Ted and Kat's cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye ferris wheel, the two siblings must work together--Ted with his brain that is "wired differently" and impatient Kat--to try to solve the mystery of what happened to Salim.
DURAND, HALLIE. Dessert first
Third-grader Dessert's love of treats leads to a change in her large family's dinner routine, then an awful mistake, and later a true sacrifice after her teacher, Mrs. Howdy Doody, urges students to march to the beat of their own drums. The author lives in Maplewood!
ENGLISH, KAREN. Nikki and Deja
When an arrogant new girl comes to school, third-graders and best friends Nikki and Deja decide to form a club that would exclude her but find the results not what they expected.
FLORIAN, DOUGLAS. Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric poems and paintings
Presents illustrated verse about various carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs, including the Iguanodon, Spinosaurus, and long-necked plesiosaurs.
GERAS, ADELE. Cleopatra
Cleopatra comes to life through fictional journal entries written by her young handmaid.
GIOVANNI, NIKKI, ed. Hip hop speaks to children: A celebration of poetry with a beat
A collection of fifty-one children's poems that features selections from Nikki Giovanni, Queen Latifah, and the Sugarhill Gang; and contains an audio CD with thirty performances.
GONYEA, MARK. Another Book About Design: Complicated Doesn't Make it Bad
Fun and interesting!
GUTMAN, DAN. Nightmare at the book fair
On his way to lacrosse tryouts, the president of the PTA asks Trip Dinkelman to help her with the book fair, resulting in Trip sustaining a head injury which causes him temporary amnesia and makes for an interesting journey home.
GUTMAN, DAN. Return of the homework machine
After discarding their infamous homework machine, four friends, now in sixth grade, find themselves once again at the police station, this time giving testimony about an incident involving a powerful computer chip, a Grand Canyon treasure, and a dead body.
HARPER, CHARISE. Fashion Kitty
After a stack of fashion magazines falls on her head, Kiki turns into Fashion Kitty, a feline superhero who saves other kitties from fashion disaster. Graphic Novel.
HOROWITZ, ANTHONY. Public enemy number two: A Diamond Brothers mystery
Nick Diamond is framed for a jewelry robbery, and shares a cell with Johnny Powers, who is a notorious criminal, and it is up to Nick's older half-witted brother, Tim, to break them out of jail so he can diffuse a time bomb.
IGGULDEN, CONN. Dangerous book for boys
An adventure guide for boys.
JENKINS, EMILY. Toy dance party: Being the further adventures of a bossyboots stingray, a courageous buffalo, and a hopeful round someone called Plastic
Six stories relate further adventures of three best friends, who happen to be toys.
ALSO: Toys go out
KELLER, LAURIE. Do Unto Otters: A Book About Manners
Mr. Rabbit wonders if he will be able to get along with his new neighbors, who are otters, until he is reminded of the golden rule.
KIMMEL, ERIC. A. Horn for Lois
A biography of the great jazz musician – Louis Armstrong. A Stepping Stones chapter book.
LASKY, KATHRYN. One beetle too many: The extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin
Describes the life and work of the renowned nineteenth-century biologist who transformed conventional Western thought with his theory of natural evolution.
LAW, INGRID. Savvy
Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident.
LOOK, LENORE. Alvin Ho allergic to girls, school, and other scary things
A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.
LOWRY, LOIS. The Willoughbys
In this tongue-in-cheek take on classic themes in children's literature, the four Willoughby children set about to become "deserving orphans" after their neglectful parents embark on a treacherous around-the-world adventure, leaving them in the care of an odious nanny.
LUCKE, DEB. The Book of Time Outs: a mostly true history of the world’s biggest troublemakers
Tells about some interesting characters through history. Sometimes it's good to be bad…
MACLACHLAN, PATRICIA. Once I ate a pie
A collection of fourteen poetic examples of a dog's life from the perspective of the animals.
MARKEL, MICHELLE. Dreamer from the village: The story of Marc Chagall
Chronicles the life of March Chagall, a celebrated twentieth-century artist who was born in Russia.
MARTIN, ANN. Runaway dolls
Best friends Annabelle and Tiffany risk placing all of dollkind in danger when they run away while trying to prevent Tilly from being sent back to London before they can determine if she is Annabelle's long-lost baby sister.
MCCARTHY, MEGHAN. Strong Man: the story of Charlie Atlas
You've seen him in the back of comic books. Now meet the original 90 pound weakling.
MCKISSACK, PAT. Song for Harlem
In the summer of 1928, Lilly Belle Turner participates in a young author's writing program, taught by Zora Neale Hurston and hosted by A'Lelia Walker in her Harlem teahouse at the height of the Harlem Renaissance.
MEBUS, SCOTT. Gods of Manhattan
Thirteen-year-old Rory discovers a spirit world that thrives alongside his contemporary New York City, filled with fantastical creatures and people from the city's colorful past who have become gods and goddesses and who have chosen Rory to perform a dangerous mission.
MERCADO, NANCY, ed. Baseball crazy
A collection of ten short stories from popular, contemporary authors that celebrate the joys of America's favorite past time and the wonder, frustration, and delight of its fans.
MORTENSON, GREG and OLIVER RELIN. Three cups of tea: Young reader's edition
This young-reader’s edition of the New York Times best-seller presents an abbreviated, simplified account of Mortenson’s life-saving mountain rescue by Pakistani villagers that inspired his life’s work: building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Our White House: Looking in, looking out
A collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry that traces the history of the White House through the eyes of the children who have lived and visited there. Created by 108 renowned authors and illustrators and the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance.
PARKER, ROBERT ANDREW. Piano starts here: The young Art Tatum
Explores early twentieth-century jazz pianist and virtuoso Art Tatum's passion and talent for playing the instrument, and includes illustrations and biographical information.
PRELUTSKY, JACK. My dog may be a genius
New poems by the master of funny.
QUATTLEBAUM, MARY. Jackson Jones and the curse of the outlaw rose
When Jackson and Reuben take a rose cutting from a graveyard for Mr. Kerring, events make them believe it is cursed and will continue to threaten anyone in its vicinity until it is returned.
REISMAN, MICHAEL. Simon Bloom: Octopus effect
Twelve-year-old Simon, the official Keeper of the Order of Physics, and his friends Owen and Alysha, face extreme danger as they try to protect the Universe from destruction by evil forces.
RICHARDSON, CHARRISE K. Real Lucky Charm
Thinking that luck -- rather than hard work -- has helped her succeed, ten-year-old Mia panics and turns to her twin brother for help when her lucky gold basketball goes missing from her charm bracelet.
RIDDELL, CHRIS. Ottoline and the yellow cat
Ottoline and Mr. Munroe investigate a string of burglaries and the disappearance of several lapdogs.
RUBIN, SUSAN GOLDMAN. Delicious: The life and art of Wayne Theibaud
An enticing biography of the 20th century painter, famed for ordinary objects like cakes and ice cream.
ALSO: Edward Hopper: painter of light and shadow
SCIESZKA, JON. Knucklehead
Presents a memoir of what it was like to grow up in the 1950s and other almost true stories by American children's author Jon Scieszka.
STADLER, ALEXANDER. Julian Rodriguez. Episode One: Trash Crisis on Earth
Julian Rodriguez escapes from the crisis of the moment (being sent to his room for not taking out the trash) by imagining he is a space warrior.
STEWART, TRENTON LEE. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the perilous journey
Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, all graduates of the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened and members of the Benedict Society, embark on a scavenger hunt that turns into a desperate search for the missing Mr. Benedict.
ALSO: The mysterious Benedict Society

Books in a Series:
Here are some suggestions for books that you may like:
Baratz-Logsted, Lauren. Sisters 8 series
Benton, Jim. Franny K. Stein series
Buckley, Michael. Sisters Grimm
Charles, Veronika Martenova. Easy-to-read spooky tales series
Clements, Andrew. Jake Drake series
Danko, Dan. Sidekicks series
Deutsch, Stacia Blast from the past series
Draper, Sharon. Ziggy and the black dinosaurs series
Gutman, Dan. Weird planet series
Gutman, Dan. My Weird School series
Holm, Jennifer. Babymouse series
Hunter, Erin. The Warriors series
also: The Warriors Graphic Novel series
Jacques, Brian. Redwall Graphic Novel series
also: Redwall series
Klein, Abby. Ready Freddy series
Leonard, Elise. Al's World series
Martin, Ann. Main Street series
Mazer, Anne Sister magic series
McDonald, Megan. Stink series
Moore, Ulysses Ulysses Moore series
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
Riordan, Rick. The 39 clues series
Small, Charlie Charlie Small series
Stanley, George Edward. Third-Grade Detectives series
Geronimo Stilton series
Twisted journeys series
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Shredderman series
Wesley, Valerie. Willimina series
Who was...? series

Download this list as a PDF document here

Choices: 6-8

nonfiction and biography

Excelsior: the Amazing Life of Stan Lee by Stan Lee
Stan Lee’s name is legendary in the history of comic books. This inspirational autobiography skillfully illustrates the rise of Marvel Comics. “Excelsior” depicts the development of the comic book industry, and his creation of super hero magazines titles such as: Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and Spider Man, all created by Stan Lee.
Masters of the comic book universe revealed! by Arie Kaplan
Kaplan, a writer for MAD Magazine, compiled this book for comic book artists and fans alike. Kaplan depicts the lives of legendary comic book artists such as: Will Eisner, Stan Lee (Iron Man, Spiderman, Fantastic Four), Neil Gaiman (Sandman), and Dwayne Duffie (Static, Icon, and Damage Control). This book is great for people who are interested in the history of comic books.
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine:Solving the Mysteries of the H.L. Hunley by Sally Walker
What happened to sink this early submarine, and why did it take over 130 years of searching to find the wreckage? Find out about the sub, its mission, and the recovery of its secrets in this fascinating tale of bravery, mystery, bones and gold.
We Are the Ship: the story of the Negro Baseball League by Kadir Nelson
They barely got paid, they often didn’t have matching uniforms, they couldn’t afford to stay in hotels, and they couldn’t get food in many places they traveled
because they were Black. But, they loved the game and they were some of the best athletes of their day. The heart of the beast, eight great gorilla stories by Nancy Roe Pimm
In 1996 a small boy fell into a ravine and was saved and gently rocked by a mother gorilla until resucers appeared. This eight true life stories will make see gorillas not just as beasts of the jungle but as mammals with a unique combination of strength and tenderness.
Why did it have to be snakes, from science to the supernatural, the many mysteries of Indiana Jones by Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg
Get ready for adventure as you explore the secrets and stories of Indiana Jones and his world. Why did he have to wear a leather jacket and a fedora!? Find out here!
Chasing Lincoln's killer by James L. Swanson
Based on his adult book “Manhunt,” Swanson writes a fast-paced thriller about the 12-day chase for Abraham Lincoln’s killer. You’ll find out why John Wilkes Booth wanted to shoot the president, and how Lincoln’s death affected those closest to him, as well as the nation.

Mystery/Adventure

The Case of the Left-Handed Lady by Nancy Springer
Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes is being hunted by her brother, the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. While trying to elude her brother she tries to solve the kidnapping of sixteen-year-old Lady Cecily in nineteenth-century London.
The first book of the Enola Holmes mystery series is The Case of the Missing Marquess.
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz
The action and adventure continues for teenage spy Alex Rider in this newest book in the series. In Southeast Asia and Australia Alex faces danger at every turn as he tries to stop ruthless gangs. Alex has the opportunity to work with his newly-found godfather and to learn more about his parents.

historical fiction

Bread and Roses Too by Katherine Paterson
Twelve-year-old Rosa and thirteen-year-old Jake form an unlikely friendship as they try to survive and understand the 1912 Bread and Roses strike of mill workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy. This fast-paced novel reveals the heartache and struggles of a country and slave fighting for freedom. The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic.
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, which is a haven for slaves fleeing the American South in 1859, uses his wits and skills to try to bring to justice the lying preacher who has stolen money that was to be used to buy a family's freedom.
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Hugo spends his life in secret in the walls of the Paris train station, until he gets caught stealing and things begin to unravel. Hugo’s adventure unfolds through both the text and the pictures in this exciting story.
On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck
This story takes place in a time when the whole street played “hide and seek.” And everyone knew each other. Davy’s brother flies war planes and there are air raid drills at home as they wait for Bill’s safe return to the family in this World War II story.
When I crossed No-Bob by Margaret McMullan
Margaret McMullan’s eloquent prose creates an unforgettable character Addy, in this powerful story of life in Mississippi after the Civil War. Addy, the young narrator has been abandoned by her mother and father and leaves behind the land called No-Bob and the constant feuding of her relatives, the O’Donnell family. Sheltered by her school teacher Mr. Frank, she is safe until post Civil War racism rears its ugly head. Mr. Frank is falsely accused and Addy must confront her own family and tell the truth.

science fiction/fantasy

Dr. Franklin’s Island by Ann Halam
An airplane with a group of science students crashes into the ocean and only three survive stranded on a deserted island. While struggling to survive they become part of a science experiment involving animal genes being transferred into humans.
The Extras by Paul Westerfeld
In a futuristic society one’s popularity rating determines where and how one lives, the higher your rating the more you get. Like everyone else Aya Fuse is an extra. Follow her exploits as she strives to raise her popularity rank.
This is the fourth book in The Uglies series which includes The Pretties and The Specials.
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
After her mother’s suicide Gemma is sent to a boarding school in London. There she begins to have visions of her mother’s death and learns about sorcery as well as proper deportment for Victorian ladies.
Marvelous World, Marvelous Effect by Troy Cle
This fantasy novel is set in East Orange, New Jersey. Louis Proof, an African American, slips into a coma after accompanying his friend to an amusement park. He wakes up with super human powers in a different dimension and battles creatures in a fight against evil.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
After a fall in which she hits her head, Naomi Porter has no memory of her life after sixth grade. When she returns to school the high school junior must deal with the people who were her friends, renew or create new friendships and accept the forgotten divorce of her parents. There are clues about her life and she has to decide what, if any, changes she wishes to make. If you could “re-invent” yourself what would you do?
Simon Bloom, the Octopus effect by Michael Reisman
In this second book of the series join Simon and his friends on their adventure, as they use their knowledge of science and biological powers of an octopus to fight off the evil sources, in a struggle over a book of formulas that will allow the Keeper to control the universe.

real life

The absolutely true story of a part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Fourteen-year-old Arnold lives on a Indian reservation, wants to be a cartoonist, but doesn’t have many friends, other than his often violent friend Rowdy. Arnold transfers to the rich white school in a nearby town, a decision that he soon discovers carries enormous consequences back home. Based on the author’s own experiences, this book details how one Native American boy tries to break away from the life he assumed he had to live – but how you can never totally break free of your past.
After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Two best friends who love rap music are looking for their “Big Purpose” in life. When “D” wanders on their street one day, two best friends become three. What’s it like out there? “D” knows. She’s cool! What happens when they roam off the block?
Big Field by Mike Lupica
When fourteen-year-old baseball player Hutch feels threatened by the arrival of a new teammate named Darryl, he tries to work through his insecurities about both Darryl and his remote and silent father, who was once a great ballplayer too.
The book thief by Marcus Zusak
This best selling book for mature readers is a sensitive and beautifully written portrayal of life in Germany for anti Nazi sympathizers. The narrator is death and death recounts the story of Liesel who, separated from her parents and witness to the death of her brother, is sent to live with the Hubermans during the war. There she helps hide Max a Jew and survives by learning to read and by stealing books. The author portrays a time and characters who cannot be forgotten.
Click by David Almon, Eoin Colfer, et al
Maggie is left a box of 7 seashells and a note with an instruction from her photojournalist grandfather, George “Gee” Keane. Each of the 10 chapters is written by a different author who unfold the puzzle of the 7 shells.
The disreputable history of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
This coming of age novel chronicles the story of Frankie, Class of 2010, through her escapades at Alabaster, a highly competitive boarding school. One moment she is an overweight somewhat nerdy teenager and then she morphs into an outspoken student with a knockout boyfriend. What really clinches this story is Frankie’s inability to take “no” for an answer when it comes to being excluded from an all male secret society at school. Through emails, memos and a slew of hilarious directions, Frankie secretly takes charge of the Royal Order of the Bassett Hounds and produces a series of happenings that leave the whole school and especially the Royal Order in an uproar. Frankie proves that the female mind is to be taken seriously.
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sam has very strange dreams with the number eleven. He can’t read and just before his eleventh birthday he finds a box with newspaper articles that provide a clue to his past.
Getting Air by Dan Gutman
It’s summer vacation and three friends from New Jersey are on their way to California for an awesome skateboarding experience. But their plane is hijacked by terrorists and their plans take a dramatic change.
The good thief by Hannah Tinti
This book which reminds the reader of Charles Dickens is an action filled story of Ren, who knows nothing of his past or how he lost his hand. Ren lives at the orphanage until one day Benjamin arrives and claims him as his long lost brother. All is not as it seems however, and Benjamin is a con artist who sees in Ren’s handicap a way to further his schemes. All goes well until they come to North Umbrage where they encounter a tyrant named McGinty, a well read dwarf, and make a deal with a local surgeon to steal bodies from the cemetery. The action is fast paced and filled with twists and turns. But in the end, Ren finds out about his true identity. This is a page turner at its best.
Revolution is not a dinner party by Ying Chang Compestine
While this award winning book (Children’s Book of the Year 2008 and Notable Books for a Global Society) is labeled as fiction, the author draws from her own experiences in creating the world of Ling. The reader will follow Ling as her life changes from the protective and educated world she enjoys with her parents to that of the repressed society she must endure during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Mexican whiteboy by Matt de la Pena
This Young Adult fiction will appeal especially to teenage boys because of its involvement in sports. Danny is a bi-racial teenager who doesn’t get along with his Caucasian mother and misses the Hispanic heritage of his father. During a summer he spends with his father’s family Danny gets involved in many things especially baseball. As he becomes confident as a pitcher, he also becomes more confident as a person.
Much ado about Anne by Heather Vogel Frederick
Middle school, cliques, boys, mothers, what more could you ask for. The members of the Mother-Daughter book club have to deal with all this while trying to find a way to save the home of one of their members. Although the characters in the book parallel the characters in Anne of Green Gables you do not need to read that book (but you may want to.)
The Neddiad by Daniel Pinkwater
This is a zany book about a group of completely unconventional characters. Neddy Wentworthstein is the son of a wealthy man who made his fortune during the war by selling shoelaces to the military. On a whim (he wants to eat at the Brown Derby Restaurant because it really is shaped like a hat) he moves his family to Los Angeles. The book is the story of Neddie’s trip by train across the country. On the way he receives the sacred turtle from Melvin the shaman, is followed by Sandor Eucalyptus the guy with the jelly bean and Sholmos Bunyip who wants to the turtle for himself, befriends a ghost and ultimately saves civilization.
The postcard by Tony Abbot
Jason’s grandmother dies and he must go to Florida to stay with his dad. While cleaning out her house Jason finds some very interesting items that surround the mystery of his father’s and grandmother’s lives. This mystery-in-a-mystery will keep you engrossed with a myriad of strange characters.
The rising star of Rusty Nail by Lesley M.M. Blume
It’s the early 1950s in a small town in Minnesota. Fear of Communism rules the town (and the country.) Franny Hansen loves to play the piano and her opportunity to improve her skills arrives with the new Russian wife of a local lawyer. Peer rivalry, pranks and a mystery play an important role in Franny’s development as a pianist.
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Everyone is special in their own way. What if you were part of an extraordinary family whose members, at age 13, discover a special, if rather odd, talent. Mibs has 2 brothers, 1 causes hurricanes, the other creates electricity. As Mibs approaches her 13th birthday she dreams of having Xray vision or, when her father is seriously injured, the ability to heal. With her siblings, Mibs sneaks a ride on a bus to get to the hospital in hopes of saving him. 2009 Newbery Honor book.
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time by Lisa Yee
Sixth grader Stanford is great at basketball – but when he flunks English big time, he finds out he has to trade basketball camp for summer school. Icckk! Then his mother hires him a tutor – know-it-all girl genius, Millicent Min – and unexpected things happen.
Also try Millicent Min, Girl Genius, for the other side of the story.
Whirligig by Paul Fleischman
When Brent Bishop makes a fatal mistake while driving, the 16-year-old knows he needs to make amends. He finds himself sent on a strange rite of repentance – a crosscountry journey of building whirligigs. What Brent doesn’t realize is how much an impact his newfound hobby will have on people around the country.
Wilderness by Roddy Doyle
Tom and Johnny head off for an action-packed vacation. Traveling by dogsled in the icy north is exciting till their mom gets lost in a storm. Determined to rescue her, the brothers go where no sleds have gone before. Will there be wolves and bears? Mom, where are you?

humor

Dairy Queenand The off season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
What is it like to live and work on a dairy farm, and then discover the love of playing football for the high school team? Not so unusual, unless, of course, you’re a girl. D.J. Schwenk comes of age in these two humorous stories of life, love, truth and consequence. Spend your summer in Wisconsin with the cows and D.J and her quirky family will make you laugh.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
Greg records his 6th grade experiences where he and his friend, Rowley, hope to survive amongst the bigger students and retain their friendship.
Greg’s experiences continue in Rodrick Rules.
Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm
One girl’s horrible (and sometimes wonderful) school year, told entirely through her stuff.
My Nights at the Improv by Jan Siebold
Lizzie always has the perfect answer and the coolest comeback; except that it comes with a 30 second delay. Her timing improves as she secretly observes an improvisational theater class, which helps her to adapt in her new school and to find her true voice. You, too, could pick up some tips on how to think on your feet!
The True Meaning of Smek Day by Rex
Aliens have taken over the Earth and re-located all humans to Arizona. They have captured Tip’s mother and Tip and a renegade Boov named J. Lo set out to find her.

short stories

Best Shorts selected by Avi
This collection of short stories has something for everyone; classic stories, horror, biography, fantasy, etc. Choose a genre you like or read something different.
Horowitz Horror by Anthony Horowitz
This book of short stories by the author of the Alex Rider series will leave you wanting even more. They are quick reads with unexpected endings, “stories you’ll wish you’d never read.”
Also available is More Horowitz Horror.
Invasion of the Road Weenies by David Lubar
Weird and wacky stories to make you laugh and shiver. Warning: Don’t read right before bed!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Each story provides a case and a mystery that only Sherlock Holmes can solve in his quest to bring any criminal to justice.
Troll's eye view: a book of villainous tales, edited by Ellen Dalton and Terri Windling
Everyone has a story to tell and in this book 15 authors team up in individual stories to let us hear from such villains as the witch in Hansel and Gretel and the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk. Let’s give them a chance.

audio books

The graveyard book by Neil Gaiman
Narrated by the author who brings to life this exciting and sometimes terrifying tale about a boy raised by kindly ghost and goblins. A 2009 Newbery medal winner!
The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz
Max Sumner and his friends form a club called the Grey Griffins, after a popular card game, and when characters from the game start to appear, it is up to Max and his friends to stop the wicked creatures from destroying their town.
Hitler Youith: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartolett
Hitler relied heavily on youth and teenagers to carry out his vision for Germany. This is the story of young people who took part in or bravely rebelled against the atrocities that occurred in Nazi Germany. The last CD contains a photo slideshow that can be viewed on a computer.
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
Twelve-year-old Sarny's brutal life as a slave becomes even more dangerous when a newly arrived slave offers to teach her how to read. The adventures of Sarny continue in Sarny, a life remembered.

graphic novels

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
This wordless novel is a unique experience that captures what it’s like be a new person in a strange land. Odd creatures become pets, flying machines look like ships and castles have faces. It does end up like home. Find out how it happens!
Indiana Jones by [various authors]
Hold onto your fedoras! This adventurer of film (and Disney) fame is now available in colorful graphic novel versions.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
See Matthias and the other Redwall characters come to life in this graphic version of the classic book.

in a series

Bluford High
(originally Bluford series) is written by two different authors, Paul Langan and Anne Schrafft.
Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini
Eragon and his dragon Saphira continue their adventures in the three books by Paolini; Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr.
Quest by Angie Sage
In book 4 of the series, Septimus Heap must find the House of Foryx, where all time meets, to rescue Nikko and Snori. . If you like Harry Potter, you're sure to like Septimus Heap. Other Septimus Heap titles include Magyk, Flyte, and Physik.
Vet volunteers by Laurie Halse Anderson
A series created for animal lovers who also love to solve mysteries. Manatee Blues, Homeless and Storm Rescue are just three titles to choose from exploring the world of injured, endangered and abandoned animals and the people who help to rescue and rehabilitate them.
Warriors by Erin Hunter
This series has evolved with two additional series with the warrior cats as the main characters. The additional series are The New Prophecy and The Power of Three.

oldies but goodies

Frankenstein by Mary W. Shelley
In this classic horror story a monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator.
Cheaper by the dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
A dozen may be cheaper but they are certainly no less fun in the case of the twelve Gilbreth children. Group tonsillectomies, nuisance boyfriends, and new babies are not out of the ordinary in this Montclair household. For their parents, industrial engineers and pioneers of motion study, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, more children just meant more laughter and more love. (sequel: Belles on their Toes)
The girl who loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
Luckily, Trisha had a transistor radio in her backpack when she got lost in the forest, so she could hear the baseball games at night when she tried to find a safe place to sleep. Will she make it out alive?
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
If the book cover gives you "the creeps”, wait till you read what’s inside.
Things not seen by Andrew Clements
“I can’t go anywhere. Clothes are supposed to have a body inside them, and mine is missing.” His parents want him to keep his invisibility a secret but Bobby isn’t so sure.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Beth Halliday, head of children's services.
This page was last updated June 2009.