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.

AGEE, JOHN. Retired Kid
A very funny story about a boy who decides to join a retirement community.
AGEE, JOHN. Orangutan Tongs
This book of 36 poems is a rhyming tribute to the tongue twister. A great way to have fun with language.
ANDREWS, JULIE. Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems
An eclectic collection of 136 poems ranging from Jack Prelutsky to lyrics from favorite Broadway shows, like “My Favorite Things.” Comes with CD.
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 introduces young readers to the importance of sunlight to grow plants, which humans and animals depend on to survive.
BARTON, CHRIS. The Day-Glo Brothers
Ready for the third grade Invention Convention? This book is a prime example of what you will discover when you study about inventions. Many inventions were the result of accidents. Enjoy this true story of the Switzer brothers and the discovery of Day-glo paint.
BASS, HESTER. Secret World Of Walter Anderson
Presents an illustrated biography of American artist Walter Anderson, who was known for his solitude and his watercolors that depicted nature on Horn Island.
BEMELMANS, MARCIANO. Madeline and the Cats of Rome
The orphan Madeline catches a thief and makes a friend in Rome.
BLISS, HARRY. Luke On The Loose
A young boy's fascination with pigeons soon erupts into a full-blown chase around Central Park, across the Brooklyn Bridge, through a fancy restaurant, and into the sky.
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.
BRUEL, NICK. Happy Birthday, Bad Kitty
Bad Kitty's birthday fun is disrupted when someone takes off with her parents, and an unexpected guest arrives for the party.
BYARS, BETSY. Boo’s Surprise
Boo discovers a giant egg in the forest, which hatches into a new dinosaur that causes all kinds of problems for Boo and her brother.
also: Boo’s Dinosaur
CALMENSON, STEPHANIE. May I Pet Your Dog?
Harry the dog explains how to safely meet him and his friends.
CHIN, JASON. Redwoods
While reading a book about redwood trees on the subway, a young boy travels as he learns - all the way to the forests of California.
COOK, MICHELLE. Our Children Can Soar
Famous illustrators celebrate the accomplishments of Rosa, Barack, and the pioneers of change. The foreword is by Marian Wright Edelman
COTTRINGER, ANNE. Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero
Eliot Jones, an ordinary boy by day, becomes a superhero when the sun goes down, capable of taming lions, recovering the queen's jewels, and maybe even saving the world.
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.
DAVIES, NICOLA. Just the Right Size
Illustrations and simple text help young readers understand why some animals are big and some are small.
DEEDY, CARMEN. 14 Cows for America
A moving, gently told story about Kimali Naiomah, a Kenyan visiting New York City during the events of 9/11 and the wonderful gift from the Masai people to America.
DICAMILLO, KATE. Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken
Longing for adventure, intrepid Louise leaves her comfortable nest and goes to sea.
EMBERLEY, ED. Chicken Little
A retelling of the classic story of a little chick who believes the sky is falling - with a funny, surprise ending.
FELDMAN, EVE. Billy and Milly, Short and Silly
Fans of the rhyming dust bunnies (mentioned later on this list) will love this ingenious collection of fourteen short stories made up of groups of rhyming words.
FLOCA, BRIAN. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11
Beautiful illustrations and poetic text retrace the steps of the three astronauts who landed on the moon.
FRANCO, BETSY. Zero is the Leaves on the Tree
An introduction to zero as both a number and abstract that follows a group of children on an adventure in search of zero.
FRENCH, JACKIE. Diary of A Wombat
In his diary, a wombat describes his life of eating, sleeping, and getting to know some new human neighbors.
GOURLEY, ROBIN. Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie
This lovely book about cookbook author and chef, Edna Lewis, will make you hungry, and luckily it includes some recipes for apple crisp, strawberry shortcake and corn pudding among others.
GRAVETT, EMILY. Dogs
A surprising narrator reveals the characteristics and attributes of dogs they love, including dogs that are big or small, striped or spotted, and good or bad.
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.
HATKOFF, ISABELLA. Owen and Mzee: The Language of Friendship
Continues the story of the unusual friendship between Owen, a young orphaned hippo, and Mzee, a 130-year old Aldabra tortoise.
HENKES, KEVIN. Birds
Fascinated by the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the many different birds she sees through her window, a little girl is happy to discover that she and they have something in common.
HOBERMAN, MARY ANN. You Read To Me, I’ll Read To You: Very Short Scary Stories to Read Together
Contains text presented in two voices for young children and adults to read together.
also: other titles in this series
HUGHES, LANGSTON. My People
Sepia toned photographs and radiant watercolor paintings accompany these two classic poems.
also: The Negro Speaks of Rivers
JENKINS, STEVE. Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea
Provides a top-to-bottom look at the ocean, from birds and waves to thermal vents and ooze.
also: Never Smile at a Monkey
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 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.
KUSZYK, NICHOLAS. R Robot Saves Lunch
R Robot rushes to his job at the robot factory and is assigned to find a missing robot and try to fix the Big Cooker robot so that everybody can have lunch.
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.
LEE, SUZY. Wave
A wordless book in which a young girl experiences the power of ocean waves.
LIPSON, EDEN ROSS. Applesauce Season
A family works together to buy, peel, cook, and stir apples for the homemade applesauce they make every year.
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.
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.
O’BRIEN, PATRICK. You Are the First Kid on Mars
An illustrated introduction to what it might be like to live on Mars, covering a boy's journey into orbit, across the solar system, and into an inhabitable station on the red planet.
PALATINI, MARGIE. Lousy Rotten Stinkin’ Grapes
Retells the Aesop fable of a frustrated fox that, after many tries to reach a high bunch of grapes, decides they must be sour anyway.
PINKNEY, JERRY. The Lion and the Mouse
This 2010 Caldecott award-winning book is a wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.
PINTO, SARA. Apples and Oranges: Going Bananas With Pairs
Why is a bicycle like a motorcycle? The answers may surprise you.
PORTIS, ANTOINETTE. Penguin Story
Edna, a penguin who is searching for something different than her world of white snow, blue water, and black night, finds a large, bright orange research station with people wearing similarly colored apparel, and when she brings the other penguins to see, they are all amazed by her discovery.
also: Not a Box and Not a Stick
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.
RENNERT, LAURA. Buying, Training & Caring For Your Dinosaur
Presents a humorous guide to selecting, owning, and caring for a pet dinosaur, covering feeding, exercise, veterinary visits, bathing, and training.
REYNOLDS, AARON. Superhero School
Leonard is disappointed when all he studies at Superhero school is math, but when ice zombies kidnap all the teachers, Leonard and his friends use their newly-acquired knowledge to best their enemies.
ROCKWELL, ANNE. Clouds
Colorful illustrations and simple text introduce early readers to the different types of clouds - how to recognize them 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?
ROSENTHAL, AMY. Spoon
A small spoon, feeling 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
RUBBINO, SALVATORE. A Walk in New York
Illustrations and text follow a young boy while his father takes him on a tour of Manhattan, and they visit Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, Union Square Park, and other places.
SALLEY, COLEEN. Epossumondas Plays Possum.
Forgetting his mother's warnings, Epossumondas goes into the swamp alone then must pretend to be dead time and again as he hears frightening sounds and fears they are being made by the dreaded loup garou.
also: Epossumondas and Epossumondas Saves the Day
SEDER, RUFUS BUTLER. Waddle! A Scanimation Picture Book
Animals in motion…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.
SHIELDS, CAROL. Wombat Walkabout
Rhyming text follows six little wombats on walkabout and a hungry dingo following, envisioning them as his lunch until the wombats turn the tables on him.
SILL, CATHERINE. About Penguins
A beautifully photographed introduction to the physical characteristics, behavior, and habitats of penguins.
STEINER, JOAN. Look-Alikes around the World
Pictures of famous sites around the world, rendered in household objects. Fans of I Spy and Where’s Waldo will love this book. (See the rest of the series of Look Alikes).
THOMPSON, LAUREN. Ballerina Dreams
The true story of five little girls with physical disabilities who are determined to become ballerinas.
THOMSON, SARAH . 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.
YOUNG, ED. Hook
A chick hatched by hens turns out to be an eaglet who must get help from a boy in learning how to fly.
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 Scieszka, Mark Teague, George Shannon, Rosemary Wells, Mo Willems, Harriet Ziefert

Books in a Series: Here are some suggestions for series books for young readers:
A is for Africa and other books about life in an African village by Ifeoma Onyefulu
Andrew Lost series by J. C. Greenburg
Black Lagoon Adventures series by Mike Thaler
Capital Mysteries series by Ron Roy
Cat the Cat series by Mo Willems
Dog and Bear series by Laura Seeger
Dolphins and other nonfiction books by Seymour Simon
Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems
Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures series by Jeff Brown
Flip-A-Word series by Harriet Ziefert
Fly Guy series by Ted Arnold
Ivy and Bean series by Annie Barrows
Just for You easy readers.
Life size series (Life Size Reptiles / Life size killer creatures/ Live size Dragons)
Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
Miami series by P. & F. McKissack
My First Graphic Novel series
Nibbles, bites, and chomps series
Pearl and Wagner series by Kate Mcmullan
Rhyming Dust Bunnies series and other titles by Jan Thomas
Riddle books by Katy Hall
Skippyjon Jones series by Judy Schachner
Willimena Rules series by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Download this list as a MS Word 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. If Stones Could Speak
Learn some new facts about Stonehenge. If you like history mysteries, you'll love this book. The author lives in Maplewood.
AVI. Hard Gold: The Colorado Gold Rush of 1859
BARRETT, TRACY. Case that time forgot
London years ago… Xena and Xander’s ancestor, Sherlock Holmes, tried to find it, but with no luck. The twins are on the case—but so is someone else. Can Xander and Xena track down what Sherlock Holmes could not?
BASKIN, NORA RALEIGH. Anything But Typical
Jason, a twelve-year-old autistic boy who wants to become a writer, relates what his life is like as he tries to make sense of his world.
BEARD, DARLEEN BAILEY. Annie Glover is not a tree lover
Annie’s grandmother is always protesting something but when her grandma chains herself to a tree across the street from her school Annie has to face the all the embarrassing questions of her schoolmates.
BISHOP, NIC. Butterflies and Moths
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.
CHRISTENSEN, BONNIE. Django: World’s Greatest Jazz Guitarist
CLEMENTS, ANDREW. Extra Credit
As letters flow back and forth--between the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of Afghanistan, across cultural and religious divides--sixth-grader Abby, ten-year-old Amira, and eleven-year-old Sadeed begin to speak and listen to each other.
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.
DAVIS, ELEANOR. Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook
Graphic Novel
DICAMILLO, KATE. The Magician’s Elephant
DOWELL, FRANCES O’ROARK. Falling in
Isabelle Bean has no friends since her classmates consider her weird and even scary. When Isabelle starts to hear a buzzing in her ears strange things start to happen.
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.
DRAPER, SHARON. Out of My Mind
A brilliant, impatient fifth-grader with cerebral palsy discovers a technological device that will allow her to speak for the first time
FLOCA, BRIAN. Moonshot
FRANCO, BETSY. A Curious Collection of Cats: Concrete Poems
FREDERICK-FROST, ALEXIS. Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics
FRIEDMAN, LAURIE. Red, White, and True Blue Mallory
GIOVANNI, NIKKI, editor. 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.
GRIMES, NIKKI. Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book
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.
HAHN, MARY DOWNING. Closed for the season
HARPER, CHARISE. Fashion Kitty and the unlikely Hero
Graphic Novel.
HIAASEN, CARL. Scat
HOOSE. PHILLIP. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice
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
KELLY, JACQUELINE. Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
KELLY, DAVID. Babe Ruth and The Baseball Curse
KIMMEL, ERIC. A Horn for Louis
A biography of the great jazz musician – Louis Armstrong. A Stepping Stones chapter book.
KINNEY, JEFF. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
KNUDSEN, MICHELLE. Dragon of Trelian
KORMAN, GORDON. Zoobreak
also: Swindle
KRULL, KATHLEEN. Boy who invented TV: the story of Philo Farnsworth
LaFEVERS, R. L. Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist series
LIN, GRACE. Where the mountain meets the moon
LINDO, ELVIRA. Manolito Four-Eyes
He’s wild and he’s spunky and he gets into a lot of trouble. You will fall off your chair laughing at the hilarious adventures of this 10-year old boy from Spain.
also: Manolito Four-Eyes the Second Volume, Manolito Four-Eyes the Third Volume
LOW, ALICE. Fastest game on two feet
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.
also: Doll People, The Meanest Doll in the World
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.
also: Spirits in the Park
MERCADO, NANCY, editor. 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. 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.
NAYLOR, PHYLLIS REYNOLDS. Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
NELSON, VAUNDA. Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. Marshall
PAUL, ANNE. Tortuga in trouble
PAULSEN, GARY. Notes from the dog
PIERCE, LINCOLN. Big Nate: In a Class By Himself
Like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid
POTTER, ELLEN. Slob
PRELUTSKY, JACK. My Dog May Be a Genius
Poems by the master of funny.
RACZKA, BOB. Vermeer Interviews: Conversations
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.
RIORDAN, RICK. The Red Pyramid
ROSENTHAL, AMY. The Wonder Book
SCHERTLE, ALICE. Button up
SCHLITZ, LAURA AMY. Night Fairy
Flory is a night fairy who is still becoming accustomed to her beautiful mothlike wings when a run-in with a bat makes her unable to fly. Dropped in a strange garden, she has to learn to survive.
SCIESZKA, JON. Knucklehead
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.
SPINELLI, EILEEN & JERRY. Today I will: A Year of Quotes
SPIRES, ASHLEY. Binky the space cat
STEAD, REBECCA. When you reach me
VERNON, URSULA. Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja frogs
WALLACE, RICH. Sports Camp
Riley Liston feels like the smallest kid at sports camp and maybe he is. He’s pretty sure he can bring in a swimming trophy for his camp at Lake Surprise. He doesn’t count on Big Joe the camps the giant vicious turtle. Wasn’t he supposed to be camp legend?
WEEKS, SARAH. Oggie Cooder
WEITZMAN, DAVID. Pharaoh’s boat
WINTER, JONAH. You never heard of Sandy Koufax


Books in a Series:
Here are some suggestions for books that you may like:
Baratz-Logsted, Lauren. Sisters 8 series
Barber, Tiki. Kickoff and other books in the series about his twin brother
Barron, T.A. Merlin’s Dragon series
Benton, Jim. Franny K. Stein series
Blade, Adam. Beast quest: The dark realm series
Buckley, Michael. Sisters Grimm series
Cabot, Meg. Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls series
Charles, Veronika Martenova. Easy-to-read spooky tales series
Child, Lauren. Clarice Bean series
Clements, Andrew. Jake Drake series
Deutsch, Stacia. Blast From the Past series
Draper, Sharon. Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series
Draper, Sharon. Sassy series
Gallagher, Diana. Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez series
Greenburg, Dan. Weird Planet series
Gutman, Dan. My Weird School series
Hennesey, Carolyn. Pandora series
Holm, Jennifer. Babymouse series
Hunter, Erin. The Warriors series
also: The Warriors Graphic Novel series
Klein, Abby. Ready Freddy series
Krosoczka, Jarrett. Lunch Lady series
Leonard, Elise. Al's World series
Martin, Ann. Main Street series
Mazer, Anne Sister magic series
McDonald, Megan. Stink series
McDonald, Megan. Sisters Club: Rule of Three series
McMullan, Kate. Dragon Slayer’s Academy series
Moore, Ulysses Ulysses Moore series
O’Donnell, Liam. Max Finder Mystery series
Riddell, Chris. Ottoline series
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
Riordan, Rick. The 39 Clues series
Salisbury, Graham. Calvin Coconut series
Small, Charlie Charlie Small series
Snicket, Lemony. A series of unfortunate events
Stadler, Alexander. Julian Rodriguez series
Stanley, George Edward. Third-Grade Detectives series
Geronimo Stilton series
Stewart, Trenton Lee. The Mysterious Benedict Society series
Van Draanen, Wendelin. Shredderman series
Wesley, Valerie. Willimina series
Who was . . .? series


Download this list as a MS Word document here

Choices: 6-8

nonfiction and biography

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 rescuers appeared. These eight true life stories will make you 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.
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, "The $20,000 Pyramid," a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space. This book is a great blend of real life and fantasy, and when you’ve reached the end, you’ll be tempted to turn back to page one to see how the author kept the mystery alive. This is the 2010 Newbery winner.

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.
Brooklyn Bridge by Karen Hesse
Fourteen-year-old Joseph Michtom's life takes a dramatic turn when, in 1903 Brooklyn, his parents turn their apartment into a factory for making teddy bears; and Joseph wonders whether he will ever see the glitter of Coney Island.
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.
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.
A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck
It’s 1958 and Mrs. Dowdel from A Year Down Yonder and A Long Way from Chicago is back, larger-than- life, twice as quirky, and keeping her eye on her new neighbor, Bob Barnhart. See what life was like over 50 years ago thorough Bob’s eyes as he marvels at Mrs. Dowdel’s antics.
The Smile by Donna Jo Napoli
Elisabetta is coming of age in a time of political intrigue, with Renaissance Florence as the backdrop for the evolving mystery of the girl who may have been the inspiration for Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Mona Lisa. Fact and fiction combine to reveal an historically accurate tale and a tender and innocent first romance. A must read.
When I Crossed No-Bob by Margaret Mc Mullan
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.
Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
During the Revolutionary War, 13-year-old Samuel’s family is taken prisoner by the British. Samuel is determined to rescue them, following their trail by using all of his forest skills as he goes deeper and deeper into enemy territory. Samuel confronts the horrors of the war, but also the humanity, as he finds unexpected allies who secretly help him save his family.

science fiction/fantasy

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan
Chills, thrills, horror and VAMPIRES are found in this first book of an 11 book series. The main character is Darren Shan, a pseudonym, that makes it seem like an autobiography but is actually fiction. If you’re looking for more vampire stories this will fit the bill.
Clone Codes by Patricia McKissack
There is a saying that “history repeats itself.” In 2170, clones and cyborgs are treated as slaves. Leanna has been learning about slavery and Harriet Tubman through virtual reality. Suddenly her life is plunged into chaos when she learns some startling information about herself and her mother’s role in a radical group, the Liberty Bell. This is the first book of a futuristic trilogy.
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.
Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Katniss Everdeen tells the story of the survival games that occur in this futuristic page turner. Each adventure and twist of fate will have you clamoring for more. The third of the series, Mockingjay, will be released in August, just enough time to finish the first two books!
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.
The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan
The fifth volume of the Percy Jackson adventure series follows the travails of the 15-year-old half-human son of the Greek god Poseidon. The dyslexic, hyperactive teen takes on the curse of Achilles's heel, discovers newfound powers, visits the kingdom of Poseidon, and finds romance as a battle mounts against Kronos.
Groosham Grange by Anthony Horowitz
After being expelled from school, David Eliot is sent to this spooky boarding school where nothing seems right. If you liked Harry Potter (or found it too overwhelming) you’ll definitely like this Horowitz (author of Alex Rider series) read-alike. The second in the series is Return to Groosham Grange: the Unholy Grail.
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 Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Jeff Alper survived leukemia as a child, but as he enters eighth grade with his cancer in remission, he finds that it still plays a huge role in his life. Sonnenblick's tale of survival is a novel that will leave an emotional, uplifting imprint on readers – and is also very funny.
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 Markus 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 Almond, 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.
8th Grade Super Zero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Would you want to be remembered and nicknamed for regurgitation? Reggie, aka “Pukey”, is trying to lose his reputation since he threw up on the principal’s shoes. He becomes involved in many acts of social responsibility and even decides to run for class president.
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.
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.
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
When Caitlin’s brother suddenly dies, she wants to bring some comfort to her grieving father, but as a 10-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome, she doesn’t know how. With the help of her trusty dictionary, Caitlin is able to find closure for both her father, and herself.
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 newest book in the series is Dear Pen Pal. 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.
Notes from the dog by Gary Paulsen
Finn is a shy 14-year-old and a bit of a loner. When Johanna, a young graduate student battling cancer, moves next door for the summer his life subtly begins to change as she “hires” him to create her garden in his backyard. Despite many humorous mishaps the garden begins to grow, as does Finn’s relationship with people and his maturity.
Peeled by Joan Bauer
Budding high school journalist, Hildy Biddle is going to get to the core of the rotten apple to find out who is responsible for the eerie goings on and mounting fear in the sleepy apple orchard town, Banesville. A fun story filled with quirky characters and apple rich metaphors.
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.
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.
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, one causes hurricanes, the other creates electricity. As Mibs approaches her 13th birthday she dreams of having X-ray 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 cross-country journey of building whirligigs. What Brent doesn’t realize is how much an impact his newfound hobby will have on people around the country.
Zoobreak by Gordon Korman
Savannah’s monkey, Cleo, is missing and her Doberman is pining for her. When Griffin Bing and his friends are on a class trip to a floating zoo they find Cleo in a cage. They confront the zookeeper, Mr. Nastase, who denies kidnapping her. What do you do? You come up with a plan. This group of friends appeared in Korman’s previous book Swindle with hilarious results. Zoobreak will keep you reading about their antics.

humor

Dairy Queen and 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 4: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley's crazy antics continue in this latest installment in the series. Greg wants to spend the summer his way, but his mother has other ideas. Greg’s experiences began with Diary of a Wimpy Kid and book 5 is soon to be released.
Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm
One girl’s horrible (and sometimes wonderful) school year, told entirely through her stuff.

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.
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.

graphic novels

Foiled by Jane Yolen
Aliera Carstairs, having always felt like an outcast at school but special in her fencing class, falls for Avery Castle. A fencing foil with a large ruby on the hilt that her mother found at a sale reveals to her that both Avery and the world around her are not what they seem. Her fencing mask opens up a world of color that color-blind Aliera cannot normally see.
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Watch for the other titles to be released in this format.
Warriors by Erin Hunter
Yes, your favorite series is now in graphic format.

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.

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