Don't Miss These Books

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1ST AND 2ND GRADE                             Don't Miss These Old-Fashioned Favorites

(Early Readers are marked with an "E")

Adler, David A.
    Young Cam Jansen and the Double Beach Mystery (E)
They call her "Cam" because of her photographic memory.  In this easy reader version of the popular books, there are simple story lines and pictorial clues to help young readers solve the mysteries.
 

Aliki
  The King’s Day: Louis  XIV of France
The book covers one day in the reign of the king, showing the affairs of court that shielded the King from any knowledge of everyday life.
 

Arnosky, Jim
  Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Trees
An amiable naturalist named Crinkleroot shows readers the differences between tree species, hardwood and softwood forests, and the advantages of each to the creatures who live in them.
 

Applebaum, Diana
  Cocoa Ice
Two girls in the 1870s, one in Maine and one in Santo Domingo, become friends by trading gifts and sharing their love of cocoa, hot and cold.
 

Barber, Barbara E.
  Saturday at The New You
The New You is mama’s beauty shop, and on Saturdays, Shauna gets to help her mother with the customers.  It’s her favorite day of the week, and the book details just why it is, with interesting people, donuts and coffee, and feeling like an important part of mama’s work.
 

Benchley, Nathaniel
  Sam the Minuteman (E)
This is the story of the beginning of the American Revolution as a young boy might have experienced it.  There’s much historical information in this early reader.
 

Bjork, Christina
  Linnea in Monet’s Garden
Linnea visits Monet’s garden and learns about her two favorite things--art and gardening.
 

Bonsall, Crosby
  And I Mean It, Stanley (E)
A positive, non-stereotyped portrayal of a little girl as she plays alone, waiting for her dog.
 

Bonsall, Crosby
  Case of the Double Cross (E)
Marigold finally figures out a way to get her and her friends into the all boys club by concocting a letter in code.
 

Brett, Jan
  Goldilocks and the Three Bears
This is a story that has fascinated children for generations. Jan Brett’s illustrations add a Black Forest touch to the tale.
 

Brown, Marc
  Arthur’s Chicken Pox
When Arthur gets the chicken pox, he’s afraid he won’t get to go to the circus on Saturday. Sister D.W. gloats and brags, then comes down with the pox herself.  A warm story of sibling rivalry sees D.W. missing the circus and Arthur being the one to gloat.
 

Buck, Nola
  Sid and Sam (E)
A book for the very early reader, this is the tale of Sid and Sam, friends.  Sid loves to sing, and sings so long in this tongue-twisting story that Sam finally yells, “So Long!”
 

Bunting, Eve
  Smoky Night
This is the story of an inner city riot and the effect it has on one little boy’s family.  The rioting is described in great detail, and the love and security of the family temper what could have been extremely scary.
 

Byars, Betsy
  Ant Plays Bear (E)
This book explores the affection between Ant and his big brother and the thrills of ordinary, everyday life.  In chapter book form, it is easy and inviting to read.
 

Cameron, Ann
  More Stories Huey Tells
Brothers Huey and Julian are always competing; in this chapter book, Huey shows that he’s grown up enough to be a match for big brother.
 

Cannon, Janell
  Stellaluna
Stellaluna is a baby bat who falls out of her mother’s grasp into a nest of baby birds.  She tries hard to be a bird like the rest of her adopted siblings.  There is a solid lesson here about trying to be something you’re not.
 

Cole, Joanna
  The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane
Another in the series of Magic School Bus books finds Miss Frizzle taking her class into a hurricane, up close and personal.  As usual, the book contains accurate facts about hurricanes, and makes learning a distinctly non-painful experience.
 

Collicott, Sharleen
   Mildred and Sam
Mildred and Sam are two mice who live in a comfortable burrow.  Sam is quite content, but Mildred is restless and wants a bigger house. The book details the adventures on the way to the new house, and an even bigger surprise...a family!
 

Cosby, Bill
  The Treasure Hunt (E)
Seems like everyone in the family has a special interest except little Bill.  However, Alice the Great helps Bill find his special interest…making up stories that make people laugh.  See other books in the series.
 

Coy, John
         Strong to the Hoop
James enters a game of basketball and is told to guard Marcus, a head taller and tough as nails.  He fumbles at first, then gets into the rhythm of the game, and it is he who scores the winning basket.
 

Crews, Donald
  Shortcut
A group of friends takes a shortcut home along the railroad tracks.  This turns out to be a big, dangerous mistake, and they never do it again.
 

Cristaldi, Kathryn
  Baseball Ballerina (E)
The frustrations of a non-conformist child are explored in this story of a girl who loves to play baseball, but has to take ballet lessons.  She’s worried about what her teammates will think, but they show up to cheer her on at her dance recital.
 

Cushman, Doug
  Aunt Eater’s Mystery Vacation (E)
She loves to solve mysteries, this Aunt Eater the Anteater, and here, in an appealing and easy to read chapter book, she even follows the trail of a missing sea captain and a diamond ring thief while she’s on vacation at the Bathwater Hotel.
 

Cushman, Doug
  Inspector Hopper (E)
Mrs. Ladybug disappears and Inspector Hopper is called out on the case.  This is a tale where bugs are all the major characters.  An easy reader for the beginner.
 

dePaola, Tomie
  26 Fairmont Avenue
This Newbery Honor book is the first in a series about the childhood of a children's book author and illustrator. Told in chapter book form, the story features the dePaola family and their everyday adventures.
 

Dugan, Barbara
  Loop the Loop
The friendship between a little girl and a wheel chair bound older lady avoids being too sad and has a sweetness and warm-hearted humor in its telling.
 

Frasier, Debra
A Birthday Cake Is No Ordinary Cake
A birthday cake baker is collecting oodles of fun ingredients from each of the four seasons to make a special cake for the wonderful planet Earth. Great story about the magic of celebrating any sort of birthday, and how each year comes around "full circle" as the Earth makes its trip around the Sun. Includes recipes for both cake and frosting.

Goble, Paul
  Buffalo Woman
A tale of Native Americans, Buffalo Woman tells the story of a young woman who transforms herself from a buffalo to human form.  She falls in love, has a child, and subsequently returns to the great herds from which she came.
 

Gauch, Patricia Lee
  Tanya and Emily in a Dance for Two
Tanya is the smallest and wiggliest girl in her ballet class.  She doesn’t have the graceful moves of Emily.  But when they go to the zoo, Tanya creates a dance that turns them into friends.
 

Giff, Patricia Reilly
  Today Was a Terrible Day
Ronald is having a terrible day. It’s written all over his face.  However, even the worst day can have a silver lining.
 

Grifalconi, Ann
  The Lion’s Whiskers
A good stepmother figures out a way to make her stepson love her in this Ethiopion folk tale.  All she has to do is obtain the whiskers of a lion.
 

Havill, Juanita
  Jamaica’s Blue Marker
Russell is the class bad boy.  He scribbles on Jamaica’s drawing, throws sand at her, and never has anything he needs for school.  When he is moving away, Jamaica realizes that Russell needs one thing more than anything else…a friend.
 

Hess, Debra
  Wilson Sat Alone
Wilson sits alone while the rest of the class interacts at recess, at lunch, in school.  That all changes when Sara comes to school.
 

Hest, Amy
  Nana’s Birthday Party
“No jeans. No gum. No fighting or whining.”  These are the rules for Nana’s birthday party, and the two sisters, Maggie and Brette, have lots of fun helping Nana prepare for the big day in her big New York apartment.
 

Hoban, Russell
  Bread and Jam for Frances
When her parents finally allow her to adopt an all bread & jam diet, Francess begins to long for variety in her lunchbox.
 

Hoff, Syd
  Danny and the Dinosaur (E)
A book for the youngest chapter book reader, this gentle story of Danny’s adventures with a dinosaur will still win the heart, despite today’s sophisticated information about dinosaurs.
 

Hoffman, Mary
  Amazing Grace
Grace loves stories, and playacting, and dancing.  Her grandmother tells her, “you can do anything you want to do,” and Grace proves it when she lands the role of Peter Pan.
 

Howe, James
  Pinky and Rex and the Spelling Bee
Pinky is the second-grade spelling champion who tries to help his shy friend Rex and winds up embarrassing himself in front of the whole class.
 

Jackson, Isaac
  Somebody’s New Pajamas
Jerome and Robert, two boys from different economic backgrounds, become friends at school. At first, Jerome is ashamed because he doesn’t have the fine things Robert does. But he learns that his family does things its own way, a way to be proud of.
 

Keats, Ezra Jack
  Jennie’s Hat
Jennie gets a new hat from her favorite Aunt, but it’s just so plain that she’s ashamed of it. After church on Sunday, her friends the birds bring flowers, leaves, valentines and photographs to decorate it, and Jennie has the best hat of all.
 

Kessler, Leonard
  Old Turtle’s Winter Games (E)
Old Turtle organizes his own olympics, with events like hockey, figure skating and downhill sled racing.  Everyone wins a prize…even rabbit…and Turtle is rewarded for his hard work.
 

Leedy, Loreen
  Postcards from Pluto: A tour of the solar system
Dr. Quasar conducts a holiday tour of the planets, where postcards to earth are permitted.  Accurate information about the solar system, humorously and cleverly presented.
 

Levinson, Nancy
  Clara and the Bookwagon (E)
Clara is forbidden to read by her father, who says that farm people do not have time for such things.  Things change for Clara when the horse-drawn bookwagon arrives in town in this story based on the true tale of the first bookmobile in America.
 

Lobel, Arnold
  Uncle Elephant (E)
Little elephant’s parents are lost at sea, and Uncle Elephant comes and takes little elephant home with him.  They have many adventures together until, happily, a telegram arrives telling that little elephant’s parents have been rescued.
 

Maccarone, Grace
  Soccer Game (E)
This rhyming easy reader takes you through the ups, downs, and ins and outs of a soccer game.
 

McDonald, Megan
  Is This a House for a Hermit Crab?
Hermit crab is searching for a new home in this story told with rhythmic, alliterative prose.
 

McKissack,Patricia C.
  Mirandy and Brother Wind
Mirandy figures out a way to make Brother Wind help her win the cakewalk.  This fine tale of African-American life in the early 1900s is sure to capture the imagination.
 

Marshall, Edward
  Fox and His Friends (E)
A beginning chapter book finds Fox in adventures with friends. He has to take care of little sister Louise, with some surprising results.  And Fox the crossing guard discovers his talents are really needed.
 

McCully, Emily Arnold
  Grandmas at Bat (E)
When the Stings baseball team loses its coach, they realize they can’t play until they get a new one.  Fortunately, Pip’s grandmas come through in the clinches to assure a Stings win.
 

McMillan, Bruce
  Mouse Views: What the class pet saw
Chase, the class mouse, explores Margaret Chase Smith School. The book offers a guessing game, with mouse views of everyday objects providing an unfamiliar perspective. It also provides a glimpse of a typical school day.
 

Mitchell, Marjorie King
  Uncle Jed’s Barbershop
Great Uncle Jed is Sarah’s favorite relative.  He cuts hair for a living, and wants his own shop very much.  But he spends his money to save Sarah’s life when she goes to a segregated hospital.  On his 79th birthday, he opens his own shop.  Although he dies soon after, he dies happy, and Sarah learns what it means to work toward your dreams.
 

Mozelle, Shirley
  Zach’s Alligator (E)
Zach’s alligator begins life as a key chain. He waters it, however, and it grows into a full-size alligator, funloving and mischievous.
 

Nixon, Joan L.
   Gus and Gertie and the missing pearl
The humor in this mystery is as much fun as the mystery itself.  Penguins Gus and Gertie, visiting a tropical island, wander into a fleabag hotel and a meeting of the Bad Guys Club.  Gertie's pearls go missing, but the sleuths are on the job.
 

O’Connor, Jame
  Molly the Brave and Me (E)
Molly is the brave one, unafraid of heights or bugs.  But it is Beth who saves them when they get lost.
 

Parish, Peggy
  Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping (E)
Amelia Bedelia is a person who takes everything very literally. So when she goes camping, this results in some real hilarity.  “Go jump in the lake” means just what it says.
 

Pawagi, Manjusha
  The Girl Who Hated Books
Meena’s parents love books…they’re stacked to the ceiling…but Meena hates them.  One day, she accidently knocks over a pile, and all the characters in them spill out everywhere.  Since she doesn’t read, she doesn’t know where they go. So she reads the books, puts all the characters back, and discovers she loves books after all.
  

Pinkney, Brian
  Jo Jo’s Flying Side Kick
Jo Jo is about to try to pass the test to get her yellow belt in Tae Kwan Do. She has butterflies in her stomach, and the spooky tree in front of her house scares her to death.  This is a story of facing up to fears as Jo Jo discovers the secret to executing the perfect Side Kick.
 

Pomerantz, Charlotte
  The Outside Dog (E)
A chapter book for the early reader, this is the story of Marisol and Pancho, the outside dog.  First a stray, then a pooch that saves her home, Pancho finds a place with Marisol and her grandfather.
 

Porte, Barbara Ann
  Harry’s Dog (E)
Harry has a dog, but his father is allergic.  After telling his dad several wild tales about how he came to have the dog, Harry tells the truth.  The problem seems unsolvable until Aunt Rose comes up with a solution and Harry discovers a great way for his father to have a pet.
 

Ringgold, Faith
  Tar Beach
If you can fly, you can go anywhere you want for the rest of your life.  Cassie Louis Lightfoot is only in the third grade, but when she goes to Tar Beach with her family, she can fly, and whatever she flies over, she claims as her own.
 

Roop, Peter
  Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
A terrible storm on the coast of Maine in 1856 keeps Abbie’s father from returning home.  It is up to Abbie to keep the lighthouse going to save ships at sea.
 

Ross, Pat
  M & M and the Mummy Mess (E)
One of a series of books on friends Mandy and Mimi finds the duo going to the museum for the mummy exhibit and getting into loads of trouble in the process.
 

Rylant, Cynthia
        Case of the Missing Monkey (E)
Another in the author's High-Rise Detective series, this episode finds Bunny and Jack investigating the case of a missing glass monkey.  The mystery is mild but a good deal of fun.
 

Rylant, Cynthia
  Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night (E)
Another early reader describes the joys of camping as Henry and his dog Mudge join Henry’s parents on a trip to the woods.
 

Rylant, Cynthia
         Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears (E)
Mr. Putter and his elderly cat, Tabby, are just too “cranky” to climb the ladder and pick the pears anymore.  So Mr. Putter devises a slingshot from some old underwear and shoots apples at the pears. The apples land in a neighbor’s yard and come back to Mr. Putter as pies, cakes and jellies.
 

Sams, Carl R.
  Stranger in the Woods
Who is the stranger in the woods?  It’s a snowman!  Illustrated with dazzling photographs, the book depicts all the animals that visit the stranger and their reaction to him.
 

Schwartz, Alvin
  In a Dark, Dark Room (E)
A collection of seven traditional scary stories retold in simple language for second graders. The illustrations add a darkly comic touch.
 

Schwartz, Alvin
  Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (E)
Traditional ghost tales, folklore, and chilling stories with surprise endings are told with humor. This is not to say they’re not scary!
 

Seeger, Pete
  Abiyoyo
Based on a South African legend, this book tells the story of a town where people are tired of hearing a boy play his ukulele and the boy’s father practice his magic.  Until, one day, a giant comes to town…a giant who can only be appeased by the music of a ukulele and the power of a magic wand.
 

Segal, Joyce
  The Scariest Witch in Wellington Towers
Bonny is the scariest witch…and the only girl…in her apartment complex.  That is, until she meets the new girl on the fourth floor!  
 

Snyder, Zilpha Keatley
  Come On, Patsy
Patsy’s friend wants her to play.  But after she trips over the wire, gets bitten by the dog and dragged through the mud, among other things, Patsy decides she doesn’t want to play anymore.
 

Stevenson, James
  The Mud Flat Olympics
This is a hilarious look at unlikely Olympic events with animal participants. “The Smelliest Skunk “ and “The Deepest Hole” are just two of the funny offerings.
 

Tarpley, Natasha
  I Love My Hair
This is a celebration of African-American identity, as a young girl rejoices in all the ways she can wear her hair…in ponytails, in an afro, and in braids with beads that make joyous noises as she moves her head.
 

Van Leeuwen, Jean
  Amanda Pig and Her Best Friend, Lollipop (E)
One of a series of stories about Amanda Pig, this book features Amanda and her friend, Lollipop, discovering things about themselves and each other in a chapter book that’s easy to read.
 

Viorst, Judith
  Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
What good can come of a day that begins when you wake up with gum in your hair?  Crabby little Alexander has a hilariously bad day but learns that not everything goes wrong.
 

Weiss, Nicki
  Princess Pearl
Sibling rivalry is the theme of this funny tale about sisters Peal and Rosemary.  They just can’t seem to get along until an erstwhile friend, Janie, makes them realize they really care about each other.
 

Wild, Margaret
  The Slumber Party
Jane invites seven of her friends over for a birthday slumber party. The story follows each guest as they pack, through the party, and going home.  The little quirks of each friend are humorously told, and the story moves along rapidly.
 

Winthrop, Elizabeth
  Lizzie and Harold
Sometimes, what you want most in the world is found right under your nose.  Lizzie wants a best friend more than anything, and Harold is always right there to listen and understand.
 

Yolen, Jane
  Commander Toad and the Planet of the Grapes (E)
A rather complex plot produces hilarious results.  Another space adventure for Commander Toad, as he and his crew land on a planet that grows monstrous sized grapes.  They discover that the planet is allergic to them!
 

Zoehfeld, Kathleen Weidner
  What Lives in a Shell?
This is a good introduction to crustaceans that encourages children to collect shells. Lovely watercolors illustrate this book that always reminds children that a shell is someone’s home.

OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITES

Carle, Eric
  The Tiny Seed
The life cycle of a plant is entertainingly told in this story of a tiny seed that grows into a giant flower, only to begin the cycle all over again.
 

Eastman, P.D.
  Are You My Mother? (E)
A baby bird sets out to find its mother. Asking everyone from a cow to a steamshovel the question, “Are You My Mother,” the little one is finally reunited with his real mother.
 

Haywood, Carolyn
  B is For Betsy
This chapter book explores the first year of school.  It is one of a series of books about childhood in the first half of the last century.  Betsy discovers the excitement of school and looks forward to summer at her grandfather’s farm.
 

Lobel, Arnold
  Days With Frog and Toad (E)
The joys of friendship are eloquently expressed in this tale of Frog and Toad and all the everyday things they do together.
 

Lionni, Leo
         Frederick
While all the other field mice prepare for the winter, Frederick has other ideas.  But when the snow flies, the others realize that Frederick has stored supplies of his own. Caldecott Honor Book 1967
 

Lovelace, Maud Hart
  Betsy-Tacy
One of a series of great books for girls, written in 1940 and set in the Midwest at the turn of the last century.  This is a story of a lasting friendship between two young girls.
 

Minarik, Else Holmelund
         Little Bear (E)
Little bear is an endearing bear cub that has many adventures in this beginning chapter book.  He learns he doesn’t need clothes to keep warm; he flies to the moon; he makes birthday soup; and, he realizes that his mother loves him very, very much.
 

Seuss, Dr.
  Green eggs and ham (E)
 Sam-I-Am tries to persuade the reader that green eggs and ham are delicious. To convince, Sam presents them in every possible way. Sure enough, when you finally taste them, they ARE pretty wonderful.
 

Seuss,Dr.
    Oh, the Places You’ll Go
This book is perfect for anyone embarking on a new phase of life.  Success is promised, “guaranteed 99 ¾,” if you’ll just keep on track.  This, and any other book by Dr. Seuss, is guaranteed to fascinate and enlighten and give you just a little broader outlook on life.
 

Slobodkina, Esphyr
    Caps for Sale
This tale, written in 1940, features a peddler who sells caps, and a whole troop of mischievous monkeys.  The monkeys steal the caps, but then the phrase “monkey see, monkey do” comes into play, and the peddler gets all the caps back.
 

Thompson, Kay
    Eloise
The incomparable little six-year-old, Eloise, and her life in the Plaza Hotel, is hilariously told in this classic.  She wreaks havoc on the elevator, on room service, even on wedding receptions.  But she is loveable just the same.
 

Waber, Bernard
    Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle lives in New York City with the Primms, and he is affable and peaceful.  But the neighbor's cat has other ideas, and Lyle finds himself locked up in the zoo.  He finally winds up back home, a neighborhood hero, in this fine 1965 tale.
 

Williams, Margery
  The Velveteen Rabbit
Since 1922, children have been enchanted by this story of a velveteen rabbit that became real.  A boy loved him and hugged him enough to make him REAL (meaning authentic) ,and then, when discarded by the nanny, is made into a real-life rabbit by the nursery fairy.
 

Zion, Gene
    Harry the Dirty Dog (E)
Harry the dog has been a favorite of children for generations.  Harry loves everything about his life, except taking a bath.  He runs away and ventures into the city, where, among other things, he slides down a coal chute.  He returns home only to find that his family no longer recognizes him.
  

Zolotow, Charlotte
    Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present
Award winning writer teams with award-winning illustrator, Maurice Sendak, to produce a wonderful book about a little girl looking for the perfect birthday present for her mother.  She happens upon Mr. Rabbit, who, after some ridiculous suggestions, comes up with “color.”
 
 

3RD AND 4TH GRADE

Old-fashioned Favorites   |   Humor   |   Mysteries   |   Fantasy & Science Fiction   |   Fairytales, Myths, & Legends   |
School and Growing Up   |   Historical Fiction   |   Sports
 
 

OLD-FASHIONED FAVORITES
Baum, L.Frank
    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Originally published in 1900, this novel tells the story of Dorothy and her dog Toto, who are swept from the Kansas plains by a tornado and transported to Oz.  There she meets the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the wizard of Oz himself.
 

Burnett, Frances Hodgson Burnett
    A Little Princess
Sara undergoes changes of fortune after coming to an exclusive boarding school. A perennial favorite with children, the story follows Sara as she goes from joy to grief and back to joy again.
 

Estes, Eleanor
    The Hundred Dresses
Wanda wears the same faded blue dress every day, but insists she has 100 dresses at home. Some of the girls make fun of her until she has to move away. This book was a Newbery Honor book in 1945.
 

Lindgren, Astrid
    Pippi Longstocking
First published in 1950, Pippi Longstocking recounts the tale of a free-spirited, irrepressible girl who lives alone with a monkey.  You never know what she’ll do or say, and she has inspired a series of books and movies.
 

Lovelace, Maud Hart
    Betsy, Tacy and Tib
This is the gently told story of the adventures of three girls growing up in turn-of-the-century America.  First published in 1941, this book is one of a series about the girls.
 

MacDonald, Betty
    Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
Kids love Mrs. Piggle Wiggle because she understands them.  She provides magical, common-sense answers to childhood’s problems, and has been a hit with children for more than 50 years.
 

Milne, A.A.
    Winnie the Pooh
For more than 70 years, Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore have been members of the family.  This is an introduction to Pooh, the “Bear With Little Brain,” who has more wisdom than anyone would suspect.
 

Norton, Mary
    The Borrowers
The Borrowers’ small world becomes endangered when Arrietty goes upstairs to the Big World and meets a boy.  Winner of the 1952 Carnegie Award, The Borrowers is the first in a series and provided the basis for movies of the same name.
 

Streatfeild, Noel
    Ballet Shoes
This tale features the adventures of three adopted sisters who take dancing and stage training.  One becomes a dancer, one an actress and one a famous aviatrix.  One of a series of books about child performers.
 

Taylor, Sydney
    All-Of-a-Kind-Family
Five daughters of a poor immigrant family have wonderful adventures on New York’s Upper East Side just prior to World War I.
 

Travers, P.L.
    Mary Poppins
Jane and Michael Banks have excitement in store for them when Mary Poppins, the most nonsense-filled Nanny in England, blows in on an east wind.
 
 

HUMOR

Byars, Betsy
    The Not-Just-Anybody Family
Bad times have come to the Blossom family. Pip is in the hospital, Pap is in jail, and their mother is away on the rodeo circuit. Maggie and Vern have to come up with a way to rescue the family from ruin.  The first in a hilarious series of books about the Blossom family.
 

Cleary, Beverly
    The Mouse and the Motorcycle
An unplanned fall into a wastebasket brings Ralph the mouse a chance to become a champion motorcyclist.
 

Dickinson, Peter
    Chuck and Danielle
Danielle has a pet whippet named Chuck, who is afraid of EVERYTHING.  Danielle is certain, however, that it is Chuck’s destiny to save the Universe.
 

Greenwald, Sheila
    Give Us a Great Big Smile, Rosy Cole
Rosy’s Uncle Ralph has written books about her two older siblings, which have turned them into superstars.  Rosy, untalented and unmotivated, is the subject of Uncle Ralph's next book.
 

Kline, Suzy
    What’s the Matter with Herbie Jones?
Herbie, Raymond and Annabelle are involved in the eternal triangle.  Herbie would rather be with Annabelle than go fishing with Raymond, and Raymond sets out to get Herbie out of Annabelle’s clutches in this hilarious novel.
 

Lowry, Lois
    Anastasia Krupnik
Ten-year-old Anastasia is struggling with her life. Her teacher is awful, the boy she is interested in doesn’t even know she’s alive, her grandmother can’t remember her name, and her parents are going to have a baby!
 

Lowry, Lois
   Gooney Bird Greene
Gooney Bird Greene is the most outrageous second-grader at Watertower School.  Her clothing is fantastic, her manner quirky, and her storytelling skills the best ever!  She has to be "at the center of everything," and thrills her classmates with tales about her life and times.
 

McNaughton, Colin
    Making Friends With Frankenstein
This gross, slimy and hilarious book of poetry casts a new shadow on monsters, ogres, and things that go bump in the night.
 

Park, Barbara
         Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Meet Junie Beatrice Jones, kindergartner!  In her own words, she describes her first day at school and what she does when she decides not to take the bus home.  Fans of Ramona Quimby will enjoy reading about Junie B. Jones.
 

Pilkey, Dav
    The Adventures of Captain Underpants
With the aid of a magic hypnotic ring,  George and Harold turn their principal, Mr. Krupp, into their comic-book hero, Captain Underpants.
 

Rockwell, Thomas
    How to Eat Fried Worms
How many worms do you think YOU could eat?  Billy can win a $50 bet…and buy a minibike…if he can eat 15 worms in 15 days.  Fortunately, his friends discover all sorts of ways they can be prepared and garnished.
 

Sachar, Louis
    Marvin Redpost: Why Pick On Me?
There is a lesson to be learned here about bullies. A classmate of Marvin’s starts a nasty rumor about him, and Marvin resolves it in a way that makes the bully look foolish.
 

Seidler, Tor
    Mean Margaret
A funny commentary on parenthood unfolds as a fastidious woodchuck adopts a human toddler, Margaret.  She wreaks havoc on the burrow until she flees after being skunked and returns to her real parents, who find her a mixed blessing.
 

Silverstein, Shel
    The Light in the Attic
This is a hilarious, award-winning book of poems designed to tickle the funnybone of 3rd to 7th graders.
 

MYSTERIES

jF Adler
Cam Jansen Mysteries
Adler, David A.
Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
Jennifer Jansen, called Cam (short for The Camera) by her friends and her friend Eric happen to witness a robbery at Parker’s Jewelry Store. But two witnesses say the man the police have arrested is the wrong one. Can Cam use her remarkable memory to solve the case? Cam Jansen has a photographic memory. With one “click” she can recall almost anything. With her best friend Eric at her side, Cam uses her quick mind and amazing memory to solve mystery after mystery.
Check out more Cam Jansen Mysteries:
Cam Jansen and the Birthday Mystery
Cam Jansen and the Chocolate Fudge Mystery
*Meg’s Favorite!
 

Cooney, Caroline B.
   Safe as the grave
Who is buried in the grave marked "Cornelia?"  Eleven-year-old Lynne Greer sets out to discover the identity of a mysterious cemetary plot in the family burying ground.  A mystery with a a supernatural twist.
 

Erickson, John R.
   The original adventures of Hank the Cowdog
Hank is head of Ranch Security.  He investigates a murder, and finds himself the prime suspect.  He resigns and heads for the hills, determined to be the outlaw they think he is.  A strange turn of events turns Hank into a hero who saves the ranch from a band of coyotes.
 

Giff, Patricia Reilly
   Have you seen Hyacinth Macaw?
The first in a series of mysteries featuring Abby and her friend Potsie, this fast-paced story finds the pair seeking a missing person, creeping around subways and in and out of apartments.  A fun, fast read.
 

Hale, Bruce
   Farewell, my lunchbag
This popular and outrageous series features Chet the gecko and his sidekick, the mockingbird Natalie.  In this book, Chet and Natalie go after a lunchroom thief.

jF Hass
Incognito Mosquitos Mysteries
Hass, E.A.
Incognito Mosquito, Private Insective
Incognito Mosquito is a somewhat strange but multitalented private eye. Whether he’s tracking down a stolen prize horsefly or rescuing a pitching mantis, he’s always in control. See if you can solve the cases as fast as the Private Insective!
Check out more Incognito Mosquito Mysteries:
Incognito Mosquito Flies Again!
Incognito Mosquito Makes History!

Howe, James
    Bud Barkin, private eye
Fashioned after The Maltese Falcon and a dozen other 40s and 50s detective stories, this is a funny and fast-paced mystery.  Bud Barkin, a long-haired daschund, meets Delilah Gorbish (or is she?) and the fun begins.  The detective story alternates with pages from the journal of "Howie Monroe," the "author" of of the mystery stories.  See others in this series, which combines exciting stories with fun and useful tips for would-be writers.

jF Joosse
Wild Willie Mysteries
Joosse, Barbara M.
Alien Brain Fryout
When the neighborhood bully, Chuckie, starts acting strangely, Wild Willie and his friends, Lucy, Kyle and talking parrot Scarface suspect a mystery. Soon they notice that Chuckie isn’t the only one acting spacey and weird. Could Chuckie and the others be under alien mind control like Willie thinks? Or will Scarface’s explanation turn out to be correct? Hilarious and fast-paced, Wild Willie Mysteries are a wild ride.
Check out more Wild Willie Mysteries:
Wild Willie and King Kyle Detectives
The Losers Fight Back
 

Raskin, Ellen
    The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel)
This story of an eccentric but loveable family is full of word games, puzzles, mystery and hilarious adventures.

jF Roy
A to Z Mysteries
Roy, Ron
The Absent Author
When Dink invites his favorite author, Wallis Wallace, to visit him in Green Lawn, he is thrilled that he accepts by letter. But when the big day arrives Wallis Wallace is nowhere to be found. Will a message about kidnapping in the letter help Dink and his friends Josh and Ruth Rose find the missing author? Clever and funny, these alliterative mysteries are full of fun.
Check out more A to Z Mysteries:
The Empty Elevator
The Jaguar’s Jewel
 

Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman
    Nate the Great and the Phony Clue
Nate and his faithful dog Sludge set out to solve a mystery that begins with a note left on his doorstep early one morning. See others in the series.
 

Shreve, Susan
   Lucy Forever, and Miss Rosetree, shrinks
Lucy and Rosy are sixth-graders with a thriving psychiatric practice.  They're not REAL psychiatrists, of course, but they find themselves facing a strange and possibly dangerous case when a mute girl named Cinder walks into their basement office.
 

Sobol, Donald
    Encyclopedia Brown Gets His Man
Leroy Brown’s father is a police chief, and when he has a tough case, Leroy “Encyclopedia” Brown always gives an assist.

jF Stanley
Third Grade Detectives
Stanley, George E.
The Puzzle of the Pretty Pink Handkerchief
Todd thought Mr. Merlin, his teacher and ex-spy, would give him a good mystery to solve. But he was surprised when a mystery found him. Someone’s been in Todd’s treehouse and left a clue. Todd, Mr. Merlin, Dr. Smiley, police scientist and the rest of the class are on the case! Full of interesting scientific facts and exciting schemes, the Third Grade Detectives can solve any case.
Check out more Third Grade Detectives:
The Clue of the Left-Handed Envelope
The Mystery of the Hairy Tomato
The Cobweb Confession
The Riddle of the Stolen Sand

jF Torrey
Doyle and Fossey, Science Detectives
Torrey, Michelle
The Case of the Mossy Lake Monster
The best scientists in the fifth grade, Drake Doyle and Nell Fossey, can solve any mystery.
Whether it’s a sick cat, ruined campaign posters or monster in the lake, Doyle and Fossey will solve any mystery. Four great mysteries fill this book followed by fun activities and experiments for you to try at home.
Check out more Doyle and Fossey Mysteries:
The Case of the Gasping Garbage
The Case of the Barfy Birthday
 

Warner, Gertrude Chandler
    The Boxcar Children
Four orphaned children choose to live in a red boxcar rather than with a grandfather they’ve never met. See others in the series.
 

Wright, Betty Ren
    Christina’s Ghost
Christina spends the summer with her Uncle Ralph, who doesn’t like her, and faces the possibility that she is seeing a real ghost.  There’s another mystery too, a presence in the attic that upsets even Uncle Ralph.
 

Wright, Betty Ren
    Too Many Secrets
Someone has been breaking into Miss Bean’s house, and nine-year-old Chad and his friend Jeannie try to discover the burglar’s identity.  In addition, Chad’s father has been spending too much time away from home, and Chad wants to know why.
 

Yep, Laurence
    The Case of the Goblin Pearls
Lily Lew and her former movie star Great Auntie Tiger Lil witness a crime at the New Year’s Parade. They uncover a rather more complicated plot than they had expected.
 
 

FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION

Arkin Alan
    The Lemming Condition
This is an allegory about questioning custom.  A young lemming has some doubts about the march into the sea, and when he begins to vocalize them, he gets the typical resistance.
 

Beckhorn, Susan Williams
   The Kingfisher's gift
Franny Morrow's father has died, and she is sent to live with her grandmother.  Described as an "odd" child, Franny talks to faeries. A search for a kingfisher's feather in grandmother's mansion allows Franny to finally face the reality of growing up and the importance of imagination.
 

Bellairs, John
    The House With a Clock in its Walls
Lewis learns that his uncle is a good wizard; however, the previous owner of his house was a bad wizard, who hid a clock in the house walls that is ticking down the time until the end of the world.  That is, unless Lewis can find it and stop it.
 

Briggs, Anita
   Hobart
Four pigs with aspirations conspire to escape the clutches of Farmer Mills and refuse to be anyone's lunch.  This book proves that a tap-dancing pig can accomplish anything he puts his mind to.  
 

Crilley, Mark
    Akiko and the planet Smoo
Based on a comic book character, the character of Akiko (a bright, Japanese-American fifth-grader, with girl-power to spare)  is taken to the planet Smoo to head up a team for the purpose of rescuing the kidnapped son of King Froptoppit.  This is the first of four books about Akiko.
 

Dahl, Roald
    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
After many years, Charlie is opening the doors to his famous and mysterious chocolate factory.  But he’s only opening it to five lucky children.  They discover that the factory is more exciting than any of them bargained for.
 

Dahl, Roald
         Matilda
Matilda is a genius whose parents have made her the scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in their dysfunctional family.  She makes it her mission to rescue Miss Honey, her favorite teacher, from the clutches of the hammer-throwing headmistress of the school, Miss Trunchbull.
 

Duey, Kathleen
   Unicorn's secret
This series of fantasy books features unicorns, among other magical being, in a magical, mystical setting reminiscent of that found in C.S. Lewis' Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe land of Narnia.
 

Fleischmann, Sid
    The Whipping Boy
Jemmy is a young boy kidnapped and taken to the palace to serve as spoiled Prince Horace’s “whipping boy.” The story is a study in the difference between social classes. Neither of the boys is happy, and each runs away, for a different reason.
 

Gannett, Rulth Stiles
    My Father’s Dragon
This book relates the fantastic adventures of Elmer Elevator and a baby flying dragon named Boris. In this book, one of a series of three, Elmer goes to an island populated by wild beasts to rescue Boris.
 

Godden, Rumer
    The Doll’s House
Tottie, the tiny farthing doll made of wood, tells the story of her life with the children Emily and Charlotte.
 

Gray, Luli
   Falcon and the Charles Street Witch
Twelve-year-old Falcon faces a challenge: to rescue her brother Toody.  In the process, she involves a dragon named Egg, St. George, and the Charles Street Witch.
 

Hahn, Mary Downing
    The Doll in the Garden
Ashley finds a beautiful old doll and follows a white cat through a small opening in the hedge. She discovers an enchanted place and a little girl with golden curls and sad eyes. Is she a ghost?
 

Howe, James
    Bunnicula
Written by the family dog, Howard, this is the story of a foundling baby rabbit and his curious habits, which lead Howard to conclude that he is a vampire.
 

Hurwitz, Johanna
   Pee-wee's tale
Pee-Wee is a guinea pig who knows how to read.  (He learned from the newspapers once used to line the bottom of his cage).  His owners turn him loose in New York City, where he befriends a street-wise squirrel and he discovers there's a lot more to life than he ever dreamt.
 

Jocelyn, Marthe
   The Invisible Day
Walking in Central Park, fifth-grader Billy Stoner discovers a cosmetic case.  One of the bottles inside contains a substance that renders her invisible. At first, she sees it as a way to escape from her always-present mother and overbearing sister, but she and her friend Hubert realize they must find a way to get things back to normal.
 

Kassirer, Norma
    Magic Elizabeth
Sally finds herself in a musty old house with a musty old aunt, and, while trying to amuse herself, stumbles across a magic mirror and a missing antique doll in this time travel fantasy.
 

King-Smith, Dick
    Babe: The Gallant Pig
The piglet Babe, destined for the table, is befriended by a sheep dog and learns a skill that turns everything around.
 

King-Smith, Dick
    Harriet’s Hare
Harriet meets an alien on her father’s farm in England, right in the middle of a wheat field.  The alien is a shape-changing hare, and the friendship she forms with Wiz will change her life forever.
 

King-Smith, Dick
    The Terrible Trins
Thomas, Richard and Henry Gray are the terrible trins…like twins, but three…who create hilarious havoc in the perennial cat vs. mouse wars.

Kraan, Hanna
    Tales of the Wicked Witch
This is a great collection of fourteen tales about a witch. She lives in the forest with a personality-packed group of animal characters, for whom she causes more fun than nastiness.
 

Lawson, Robert
    Rabbit Hill
Rabbit Hill is buzzing with the news that New Folks will be coming to occupy the brick house. Will they plant?  Every animal nearby is hoping for the best. And on midsummer’s eve, they get their answer.
 

LeGuin, Ursula K.
    Catwings
Four winged kittens, obeying their mother’s wishes, fly off away from the city and find a place in the country, where they are discovered by humans with “kind hands.”
 

Lewis, C.S.
    The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Three children are sent to the country from war-torn London.  Behind the fur coats in a wardrobe, they discover a mysterious land called Narnia.  See other books in the series

Lunn, Janet
    Double Spell
Identical twins Elizabeth and Jane find a doll in an antique shop one day.  They fall in love with it, buy it, and strange things start happening to them.  Ultimately, their experiences lead them to an old house and to the girl to whom the doll once belonged.  This is a well-written and scary book.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds
         Witch’s Sister
What do you do when you suspect that your sister might be turning into a witch?  If you’re Lynn, you try to save her from the powers of the elderly Mrs. Tuggles.

Orr, Wendy
    Nim's Island
Nim and her father, Jack, live on a remote island after the death of Nim's mother.  Her father leaves the island to scout for new protozoans, and Nim fends for herself after he is unable to get back on time.  In the company of a sea lion, a turtle and an iguana, she makes friends via e-mail with a writer, and her whole life changes.

Pfeffer, Susan Beth
    The Trouble with Wishes
Katie wants the lead in the school Thanksgiving play, and when she finds a magic lamp that will grant her three wishes, she thinks she's solved her problem. But she discovers that wishes have unexpected consequences, and does some growing up in the process.

Rowling, J.K.
    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Here begins the story of Harry Potter, orphan, and his career at Hogwarts Academy for Wizards. Completely spellbinding, this story demands a reading of the rest of the series.
 

Smith, Robert Kimmel
    Chocolate Fever
Henry loves chocolate so much he could eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between.  One day, however, he breaks out in brown bumps and is diagnosed with Choclate Fever!
 

White, E.B.
    Charlotte’s Web
Wilbur the pig befriends Charlotte, a spider who lives in the rafters of his barn.  This classic children's tale has a lesson about appreciating every moment, and the lesson is wrapped in a very appealing package.
 

White, E.B.
    Stuart Little
It was quite a surprise to the Little Family when their second child turned out to be a white mouse.  But they named him Stuart and accepted him into the family.  All except for Snowball the cat.  The author takes Stuart on cross-country adventures, where he meets all sorts of colorful characters.
 
 

FAIRYTALES, MYTHS, & LEGENDS

Ernst, Lisa Campbell
    Little Red Riding Hood: a newfangled prairie tale
Another fractured fairy tale.  This time, the wolf wants grandma’s muffin recipe. Grandma, however, turns out to be the ORIGINAL Red Riding Hood, and she knows all about foiling the baddies.
 

Levine, Gail Carson
    Cinderellis and the Glass Hill
Oh my! Cinderellis is a boy in this retelling of the classic tale.  He has two unfriendly brothers and no fairy godmother, but he uses magic to win Princess charming.
 

Levine, Gail Carson
    The Fairy’s Mistake
What is good, and what is bad, really?  Rosella is sweet, and Myrtle is rude. The fairy Ethelinda rewards them according to their behaviors, but the result isn’t quite fair.
 

Levine, Gail Carson
    Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep
This book, number three in her series The Princess Tales, is a funny take on the fairy tale about the princess who pricks her finger on a spindle and sleeps for a hundred years.  Princess Sonora is given all sorts of gifts at her naming ceremony.  One of them is genius, and she is, as a result, a highly unusual princess.
 

Levine, Gail Carson
    The Princess Test
True love is celebrated in this book about Lorelei, who stumbles into a strange castle and right into the middle of the Princess Test.
  

O’Neal, Shaquille
    Shaq and the Beanstalk
This book features clever spins on six fairy tales, cleverly told and worthy of consideration.
Although celebrity tales don’t always succeed, this one does in fine style.

Quindlen, Anna
        Happily Ever After
Kate loves to read fairy tales. She makes a wish one day to be a princess, and her wish comes true.  But in the process she learns a lot about Princes, witches, trolls and dragons, and that you don't always love what you wish for.  Through the magic of a baseball mitt, Kate ventures into a fairy tale world that she will change forevermore.

Sciescka, Jon
    The Frog Prince, Continued
The frog has been turned into a prince and doesn’t particularly care for his life with the princess.  He looks for a witch to turn him back into a frog, and runs into several witches from other fairy tales.  This is an irreverent parody, sophisticated enough for adults, but quite accessible to children.
 

Sciescka, Jon
         The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
A take-off on the original story, this version is told from the point of view of the wolf.
 

Steptoe, John
    Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
This is an African folktale of two daughters, one kind, the other disposed to be mean, and what happens to them when they are called to the great city by the king in search of a wife.
 

SCHOOL & GROWING UP

Banks, Kate
    Howie Bowles, Secret Agent
Howie Bowles has to change schools twice in his third year. Worried about what people will think of him, he pretends to be Secret Agent Bean Burger.
 

Blume, Judy
    Blubber
Children’s cruelty to each other is accurately portrayed as a nasty note goes around a classroom and begins a terrible episode of meanness.
 

Blume, Judy
    Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Older brother Peter deals with the antics of three year old Fudgie, baby sister Tootsie, neighbor Sheila Tubman and other characters in New York City.
 

Byars, Betsy
    Seven Treasure Hunts
Divided into seven chapters, this book details the adventures of two school friends who send each other on treasure hunts.
 

Byars, Betsy
    Cybil Wars
Simon learns some hard lessons about good and bad friendships.  He has fallen for Cybil, but his best friend Tony is making life difficult.
 

Cameron, Ann
    The Stories Julian Tells
Julian tells his little brother Huey five stories. Each conveys the warmth of family, from the “whipping” and “beating” it takes to make the boys understand about lemon pudding, to the “catalog cats” that Huey expects to see when the garden catalog arrives.
 

Cleary, Beverly
    Dear Mr. Henshaw
Ten-year-old Leigh is assigned a class project that changes his life.  He writes letters to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, and the answer surprises him.
 

Cleary, Beverly
    Ramona and Her Father
This is a Newbery Honor Book for 1978.  Ramona’s father has lost his job, and she tries everything she can to cheer him up.  She manages to get on everyone’s nerves and remain a loveable character at the same time.

Clements, Andrew
    Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Despite its not-so-auspicious title, this book is a real gem.  It tells the story of Jake, who has attracted bullies since he was in preschool.  Finally, in fourth grade, he is confronted with a Superbully...Link Baxter...and he discovers that every bully has a weak spot, a place where he's just a regular kid.
 

Conrad, Pam
    Staying Nine
Heather wants to stay nine forever until 23-year-old wacky Rita convinces her that growing up isn’t so bad after all.
 

Cooper, Ilene
    The Winning of Miss Lynn Ryan
The new fifth-grade teacher is pretty, popular and wears great clothes.  Carrie would give anything to impress her, but can’t seem to do anything right.
 

Cutler, Jane
    No Dogs Allowed
Five chapter stories detail the adventures of the Fraser brothers, Edward and Jason.  They get involved in some crazy predicaments, but always manage to come out the wiser for the experience.
 

Danziger, Paula
    Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon
Third grade turns into a disaster when Amber’s best friend, Justin, has to move away.  See other books in the series.
 

Jukes, Mavis
    Like Jake and Me
Alex tries to make a connection with his rugged cowboy stepfather, Jake.  The two find a common bond when Alex rescues Jake from a Wolf spider.  
 

Hanel, Wolfram
    Abby
This is not a chapter book, but still is highly accessible to beginning chapter book readers.  Set on the Irish coast, this book tells the story of Moira and her dog and best friend, Abby.

Hesse, Karen
    Sable
This is a great chapter book about Tate, a lonely girl, and Sable, the dog who changes her life.  A touching story of determination and loyalty, the book is packed with real emotion as the love in the family is revealed.
 

Hurwitz, Johanna
    The Just Desserts Club
The 6th grade class cooks up a year full of desserts, culminating with the April Foods Day party.  This hilarious book includes recipes.
 

Konigsburg, E.L.
    Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth
Mysterious Jennifer claims to be a witch, and wants lonely Elizabeth to be her apprentice!  They meet in the park each Saturday to work imaginary spells, until a fight over a secret ingredient threatens to break them apart.

Lombard, Jenny
Drita, My Homegirl
When Drita and her family arrive in New York City from war-torn Kosovo to start anew, Drita struggles to learn the English language and make friends at her new school, challenges that are tough for her to remain brave and hopeful about her new life. Maxie is a popular girl in Drita's fourth grade class who, at first, teases Drita for being different. But when Maxie is forced by her teacher to do a school project about Drita and her homeland, an unlikely friendship develops between the two.

Mahy, Margaret
    The Good Fortunes Gang
This is book one of the Cousins Quartet. It introduces the Fortune cousins of Fairfield, New Zealand.  Pete, recently returned from Australia, has to prove himself to the other cousins, and faces a frightening initiation.
 

Mead, Alice
    Crossing the Starlight Bridge
Rayanne’s life changes drastically when her father leaves the family and she has to forsake her life on the Penobscot reservation, cross the bridge from the island, and go to live with her grandmother in town.

Moss, Marissa
    Amelia's Notebook
Amelia moves away to a new school, leaving behind her best friend, her room, and lots of memories.  But she begins to build a new life as she creates her notebook, where she pours out her feelings, fears and hopes.  She learns she can move on without giving up everything she had...like friendship
 

Napoli, Donna Jo
    When the Water Closes Over My Head
Mikey, a boy from a big family, just can’t swim.  He is afraid of drowning when his family goes to visit his grandparents.
 

Paterson, Katherine
    Flip-Flop Girl
Vinnie and her brother Mason are uprooted by the death of their father. They have to move to another town, another school and learn to cope with the help of a girl named Lupe.
 

Peck, Robert Newton
    Soup
This is the story of two boys who are best friends, growing up in a small Vermont town in the 1920s.  They have rollicking adventures, and just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.
 

Ray, Karen
    The T. F. Letters
Alex is losing her baby teeth, but she wants to keep them instead of giving them to the tooth fairy.  So, to seal the deal, she begins a correspondence with the Tooth Fairy that eventually helps her cope with a big family move.

Ruepp, Krista
    Midnight Rider
Charlie knows the secret of the Midnight Rider.  Through her love of the horse Starburst, Charlie brings Mr. Grimm out of the darkness and adds to the legends of the island where she lives.

Sachs, Marilyn
    The Bear’s House
Nobody at school likes Fran Ellen.  She sucks her thumb and she smells bad.  But nobody at school knows what Fran’s life is at home, how well she takes care of her baby sister, or her special relationship with The Bear’s House.
 

Shreve, Susan
    The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates
A humorous look at a third-grader’s worst nightmare: Repeating the third grade.  The kids think Joshua’s a freak, the other members of the class are babies, and Joshua’s teacher leaves a great deal to be desired.
 

Smith, Jane Denitz
    Charlie is a Chicken
Peer pressure and the changing nature of friendships are the themes of this book. Charlie and Maddie, best friends forever, are torn apart when Maddie is befriended by the popular Jessica and begins a cruel campaign to humiliate Charlie.
 

Spinelli, Jerry
         Fourth Grade Rats
Suds enters fourth grade and is encouraged by best friend Joey to adopt some out-of-character behavior.
 

Van Leeuwen, Jean
         Two Girls in sister Dresses
Five chapter stories tell the tales of two sisters, Jennifer and Molly, and all the family love and rivalry that happen in even the best of families.
 

Williams, Vera B.
    Scooter
Elana Rose Rosen explores her new city neighborhood on her scooter, making new friends like Petey and filling her notebook with drawings and quotes.
 

Yarbrough, Camille
    The Shimmershine Queens
Shimmershine is the glow you get when you feel really good about yourself.  Michelle and Angie try to stir their 5th grade classmates into dreaming higher than their inner city lives would let them.
 
 

HISTORICAL FICTION

        The American Girl  books
This is a popular series of books about girls in America from earliest colonial times to the present.  The books deal with issues surrounding growing up, which is a common theme no matter the era.
 

Antle, Nancy
    Tough Choices: A Story of the Vietnam War
Samantha discovers that nothing is as simple as it seems.  She is caught between loyalty to her older brother, who fought in the war, and her other brother, an anti-war protester.
 

Armstrong, Jennifer
    Black-Eyed Susan
This tender and poetic book takes place in one day and night in the Dakota Territory.  Susie and her mother and her father lived in a prairie sod house where the wind blows all the time and her mother is enduring a melancholy beyond words.  Susie searches for a way to make her depressed mother happy again.
 

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker
    Ruthie’s Gift
Set in a World War -era Indiana farming community, this book tells the story of Ruthie, the only girl in a family of boys. She wants, more than anything else, to be a lady.  Ruthie’s gift…her generous heart…brings her friendship and the warmth of family.
 

Cooney, Barbara
    Hattie and the Wild Waves
This is the story of an affluent family in turn of the century Brooklyn.  Hattie is the unconventional daughter who wants to become an artist.
 

Coerr, Eleanor
    Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Sadako Sasaki was two when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.  Ten years later, ill with leukemia, Sadako is told by a friend that if she folds a thousand paper cranes, she will get well.  When she died, she had folded six hundred and forty-four. Her classmates folded the rest.
 

Dorris, Michael
    Morning Girl
It is 1492 in the Bahamas, and Morning Girl and Star Boy, brother and sister, live in harmony with nature. They witness the arrival of the first Europeans, strangely dressed people in a fat canoe.
 

Hahn, Mary Downing
    Anna all Year Round
This is a growing up story set in Baltimore just prior to World War I.  Anna is sure her world will never change, but finds that life is one change after another.
 

Hall, Donald
    Ox-Cart Man
The pastoral quality of life in 19th Century New England is captured in this marvelous book about the simpler way things used to be done.

Herman, Charlotte
    Millie Cooper and Friends
Set in 1947, this book tells the story of Millie Cooper, who thinks that the fourth grade is going to be the best year ever.  But when a new girl from L.A. comes to her school, her best friend Sandy becomes pals with the newcomer, and doesn't seem to notice that it changes everything.

Houston, Gloria
    The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree
During an Appalachian winter, Ruthie and her mother wonder how they will get the perfect Christmas tree into town for the holiday celebration without the help of Ruthie’s father, who is off at war.
 

Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie
    The Canada Geese Quilt
Set in the 1940s on a farm in Vermont, this tells the story of ten-year-old Ariel, worried about the impact of the arrival of a new baby and her grandmother’s illness. She uses her skills to create a very special quilt.
 

Lowry, Lois
    Number the Stars
German troops set out to relocate all of Denmark’s Jews in 1943 Copenhagen.  Annemarie and her family become part of the effort to smuggle almost the entire Jewish population across the sea to Sweden.
 

MacLachlan, Patricia
    Sarah, Plain and Tall
 A widowed midwestern farmer in the late 19th Century advertises for a wife.  Sarah, a native of Maine, arrives to care for the farmer and his two children.  Although she misses her life in Maine, she learns that she would miss this family more if she returned there.
 

McKissack, Patricia
    Mirandy and Brother Wind
Set in the period 40 years after slavery ended, this story tells of Mirandy, who is sure she will win the cakewalk if only she can capture Brother Wind as her partner. This is a Caldecott Honor Winner and a Coretta Scott King Award winner.
 

Olson, Arielle North
    The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter
Miranda’s father, the lighthouse keeper, is kept from coming home by business.  Miranda, sick, but determined to keep the lighthouse going, displays amazing courage.

Spires, Elizabeth
    The Mouse of Amherst
Emmaline the white mouse moves into the wainscoting in Emily Dickinson's bedroom. She soon learns she has a penchant for writing poetry herself, and the book includes seven of her poems as well as those of Emily.
 

Stevenson, James
    Don’t You Know There’s a War On?
The privations of the home front are seen through the eyes of a young boy during World War II.  Evocative and authentic, this book portrays both the humorous and the deadly serious aspects of being a child in the war years.
 

Taylor, Mildred  D.
    Mississippi Bridge
It is raining hard in 1930s rural Mississippi.  Ten-year-old Jeremy Sims sees the bus driver order all the black folk off the bus.  Then the bus races away, across the bridge and directly into disaster.
 

Wilder, Laura Ingalls
    Little House in the Big Woods
Written in 1933, this is the first book in the pioneer series about the Ingalls family.  Set in Wisconsin in the 1800s, the book details all aspects of pioneer life, from curing bear meat to making bullets.
 

Wilder, Laura Ingalls
    On the Banks of Plum Creek
This is a Newbery Honor winner for 1938. Set in the late 19th Century, it details the story of the Ingalls family, who moved to Minnesota only to encounter blizzards and a plague of grasshoppers.  The story is told through the eyes of nine-year-old Laura.
 
 

SPORTS

Auch, Mary Jane
    Angel and Me and the Bayside Bombers
Brian teams up with his cousin Angel to take on the Bayside Bombers. They have some pretty effective tricks up their sleeves, making for a hilarious soccer game and an unexpected victory.
 

Christopher, Matt
    Centerfield Ballhawk
Another tale of the Peach Street Mudders finds Jose Mendez trying to win his father’s respect.  This is a story of baseball, family relationships and responsibility.
 

Christopher, Matt
    Man Out at First
Turtleneck Jones, the Peach Street Mudders' first baseman, is hit by a fast-moving ball and loses his confidence in this story of courage and determination.
 

Christopher, Matt
    Stranger in Right Field
Who is this new kid who gets to be on the baseball team without even trying out?  Right-fielder Alfie Maples makes friends with him despite his misgivings, and winds up getting the surprise of his life.
 

Christopher, Matt
    Zero’s Slider
Fast-paced baseball action as the Peach Street Mudders are faced with forfeiting three games. Pitcher Zero Ford discovers that he pitches better with a bandaged hand, and he tries to persuade his Uncle Pete to step into the coach’s shoes for awhile.
 

Greene, Stephanie
    Owen Foote, Soccer Star
Owen and his best friend Joseph join the neighborhood soccer team. This turns out to be not only a test of their skills, but of their friendship as well.
 

Hughes, Dean
    Angel Park All-Stars Series
The exploits of third graders on a Little League Baseball team.
 

Kroll Steven
    Hit and Run Gang Series
The trials and travails of the Rah-Rah-Rockets baseball team are featured in this series of sports books.

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Books for All Ages

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein 
Where the Sidewalk Ends: the Poems and Drawing of Shel Silverstein by Shel Silverstein 
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott 
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 
Heidi by Johanna Spyri 

Books for Preschoolers - More Preschool Titles from TeachersFirst / TeachersAndFamilies

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle 
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown 
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin, Jr. 
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister 
Corduroy by Don Freeman 
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats 
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise 
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney 

Books for Children Ages 4-8 - More Primary Reading from TeachersFirst / TeachersAndFamilies

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss 
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss 
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch 
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst  
The Mitten by Jan Brett 
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon 
Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss 
Strega Nona by Tomie De Paola 
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams 
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss 
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka 
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault 
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne 
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff 
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss 
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman 
Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg 
Math Curse by Jon Scieszka 
Are You My Mother? by Philip D. Eastman
The Napping House by Audrey Wood 
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig 
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter 
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss 
Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper 
Curious George by Hans Augusto Rey 
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox 
Arthur series by Marc Tolon Brown 
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton 
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
The Art Lesson by Tomie De Paola 
Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina 
Clifford, the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell 
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch 

Books for Children Ages 9-12 - More Books by Grade Level from TeachersFirst

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White 
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis 
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson 
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor 
Little House on the Prarie by Laura Ingalls Wilder 
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner 
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks 
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell 
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 
The BFG by Roald Dahl 
The Giver by Lois Lowry 
James and the Giant Peach: A Children's Story by Roald Dahl 
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder 
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner 
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien 
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Matilda by Roald Dahl 
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume 
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary 
The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White 
The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis 
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery 
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson 
Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder - Laura Ingalls Wilder Webquest
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar 
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh 
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater 
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett 
Stuart Little by E. B. White 
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 
The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis 

Books for Young Adults - More Books by Grade Level from TeachersFirst

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien 
Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls 
The Cay by Theodore Taylor 
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare 

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위에 책을 모두 다 읽으면, 영어가 술술 나오지 않을까요 ^^ 저희가 익히 알고 있는 작가 이름과 익숙한 책은 빨간색으로 표시하였습니다. 빨간색이 가득 보이는 그 날 까지