Suggested Reading by Grade Level

• Allard, Harry. Miss Nelson Has A Field Day. (Growing Up JJ Allard)
  • The notorious Miss Swamp reappears at the Horace B. Smedley School, this time to shape up the football team and make them win at least one game.
• Barrett, Judi. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. (Make Believe JJ Barrett)
  • In Chewandswallow, meals rain from the sky at appropriate times of the day, but a change in the weather blows in massive problems.
• Berenstain, Stan & Jan. Berenstein Bear Books. (Series) (JJE Berenstain)
  • Recounts the adventures of Brother and Sister in Bear in Bear County.
• Burton, Virginia Lee. The Little House. (Favorites JJ Burton)
  • A country house is unhappy when the city, with all its buildings and traffic, grows up around her.
• Cannon, Janell. Pinduli. (Animals JJ Cannon)
  • Pinduli, a young striped hyena, is hurt by the unkind words of Dog, Lion, and Zebra, but her clever trick in return promotes her clan's survival and spreads harmony throughout the savannah. Includes backmatter notes about hyenas and other animals of the African savannah.
• Cronin, Doreen. Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type. (Favorites JJ Cronin)
  • When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn they start making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want. Farmer Brown thinks it's odd when he hears the sounds of typing coming from the barn, but his troubles really begin when his cows start leaving him notes. First they demand better working conditions, then they stage a strike!
• Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a fly. (Nature JJ Cronin)
  • A young fly discovers, day by day, that there is a lot to learn about being an insect, including the dangers of flypaper and that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
• De Paola, Tomie. Strega Nona. (Favorite JJ De Paola)
  • When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
• Falconer, Ian. Olivia Forms a Band. (Favorites JJ Falconer)
  • Olivia decides there has to be a marching band at the fireworks display, even if she has to do it herself.
• Feiffer, Jules. Bark George. (Pets JJ Feiffer)
  • A mother dog tries to teach her pup how to bark, and is surprised at why he isn't learning.
• Hall, Donald. Ox-Cart Man. (Favorites JJ Hall)
  • Describes the day-to-day life throughout the changing seasons of an early 19th-century New England family.
• Henkes, Kevin. Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. (JJRT Henkes)
  • Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, but when he asks her to wait a while before showing her new purse, she does something for which she is very sorry later.
• Holabird, Katherine. Angelina Ballerina. (Activities JJ Holabird)
  • Angelina loves to dance and wants to become a ballerina more than anything else in the world.
• Marshall, James. George and Martha. (Growing Up JJ Marshall)
  • Relates several episodes in the friendship of two hippopotamuses.
• McCloskey, Robert. Blueberries for Sal. (Favorites JJ McCloskey)
  • Little Sal and Little Bear both lose their mothers while eating blueberries and almost end up with the other's mother.
• Mosel, Arlene. Tiki Tiki Tembo. (Our World JJ Mosel)
  • This humorous retelling of a favorite folk tale recounts how the Chinese came to give their children short names.
• Rathmann, Peggy. Officer Buckle and Gloria. (Favorites JJ Rathmann)
  • Officer Buckle knows more about safety than anyone else in Napville, but his dull presentations put his audiences to sleep. Enter Gloria, Napville's new police dog. Gloria knows just how to liven up the safety speeches--as long as Officer Buckle's back is turned!
• Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. (Folk and Fairy Tales JJ Scieszka)
  • The wolf gives his own outlandish version of what really happened when he tangled with the three little pigs.
• Schwartz, Amy. Annabelle Swift Kindergartener. (Growing Up JJ Schwartz)
  • Although some of the things her older sister taught her at home seem a little unusual at school, other lessons help make Annabelle's first day in kindergarten a success.
• Sendak Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are. (Favorites JJ Sandak)
  • A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king.
• Seuss, Dr. McElligot’s Pool. (Favorites JJ Seuss)
  • A boy imagines the rare and wonderful fish he might catch in McElligot's pool.
• Shannon, David. Duck on a Bike. (Farm JJ Shannon)
  • A duck decides to ride a bike and soon influences all the other animals on the farm to ride bikes too.
• Slate, Joseph. Miss Bindergarten has a Wild Day in Kindergarten. (Growing Up JJ Slate)
  • From Adam throwing his hat too high to Zach setting the butterflies free, the students in Miss Bindergarten's class contribute to one wild day in kindergarten.
• Steig, William. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. (Favorites JJ Steig)
  • Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble and unthinkingly wishes himself a rock when frightened by a lion. Although safe from the lion, Sylvester cannot hold the pebble to wish himself into a donkey again.
• Taback, Simms. Joseph had a Little Overcoat. (Favorites JJ Simms)
  • A very old overcoat is recycled numerous times into a variety of garments.
• Viorst, Judith. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day. (JJ Viorst)
  • On a day when everything goes wrong for him, Alexander is consoled by the thought that other people have bad days too.
• Waber, Bernard. Ira Sleeps Over. (JJRT Waber)
  • A little boy is excited at the prospect of spending the night at his friend's house but worries how he'll get along without his teddy bear.
• Yolan, Jane. How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight. (Dinosaurs JJ Yolan)
  • Mother and child ponder the different ways a dinosaur can say goodnight, from slamming his tail and pouting to giving a big hug and kiss.

• Bonsall, Crosby. The Day I Had to Play With my Sister. (JJE Bonsall)
  • An older brother thinks he knows the rules to hide-and-seek, but his little sister has her own idea of how to play, and the resulting confusion, compounded by a lively dog, is hilarious.
• Eastman, P. D. Go, Dog, Go! (JJE Eastman)
  • A classic romp with some very busy dogs!
• Hoff, Syd. Danny and the Dinosaur. (JJE Hoff)
  • Danny makes an unusual new friend at the museum and shows him around town.
• Karlin, Nurit. The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat.* (JJE Karlin)
  • Rat tries to get the fat cat off the mat and back to his usual resting place in the vat.
• Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad Are Friends.* (JJE Lobel)
  • Five tales recounting the adventures of two loveable best friends.
• McClintock, Mike. A Fly Went By. (JJE McClintock)
  • A sheep with its foot caught in a tin can sets off a chase with a fly in the lead.
• McPhail, David. Big Pig and Little Pig. (JJE McPhail)
  • Although they like different things, Big Pig and Little Pig enjoy spending time together.
• Marshall, Edward. Fox and His Friends.* (JJE Marshall)
  • Fox wants to play with his friends, but duty calls and interferes with their plans.
• Meister, Cari. Tiny Goes to the Library. (JJE Meister)
  • Tiny the dog is a big help at the library when his owner takes out too many books to carry home.
• Minarik, Else H. Little Bear.* (JJE Minarik)
  • Little Bear's four adventures include taking a trip to the moon and having a birthday party.
• Parish, Peggy. Amelia Bedelia.* (JJE Parish)
  • A literal-minded housekeeper causes a ruckus in the household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions.
• Rylant, Cynthia. Henry and Mudge in the Green Time.* (JJE Rylant)
  • For Henry and his big dog Mudge, summer means going on a picnic in the park, taking a bath under the garden hose, and going to the top of the big green hill.
• Rylant, Cynthia. Poppleton.* (JJE Rylant)
  • Poppleton the pig makes a friend, reads a library book about adventure, and helps a sick friend get better.
• Seuss, Dr. Green Eggs and Ham. (JJE Seuss)
  • The story unfolds in classic cumulative rhyme as Sam I Am tries to share his Green Eggs and Ham.
• Seuss, Dr. Hop on Pop. (JJE Seuss)
  • Pairs of rhyming words are introduced and used in simple sentences, such as "Day. Play. We play all day. Night. Fight. We fight all night.
• Seuss, Dr. Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! (JJE Seuss)
  • Suggests in rhyme a number of ways for Marvin K. Mooney to travel as long as he gets going--now!
• Shaw, Nancy. Sheep in a Ship. (Vroom JJ Shaw)
  • Records the misadventures of a group of sheep that go sailing in a ship.
• Willems, Mo. Don't Let the Pidgen Drive the Bus. (JJ Willems)
  • Mo Willems perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum in the guise of a pigeon who pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the story.

* This book is part of a series

• Adler, David A. Young Cam Jansen and the Missing Cookie.* (JJE Adler)
  • Eight-year-old sleuth Cam Jansen uses her photographic memory to discover what happened to a classmate's missing cookie.
• Cleary, Beverly. Ramona and Her Mother.* (J Cleary)
  • Ramona, at 7 1/2, sometimes feel descriminated against by being the youngest in the family.
• Colfer, Eoin. Legend of Spud Murphy.* (J Colfer)
  • When their mother starts dropping them off at the library several afternoons a week, nine-year-old William and his brother dread boredom and the overbearing librarian, but they are surprised at how things turn out.
• Danzinger, Paula. Get Ready for Second Grade Amber Brown.* (JE Danziger)
  • Amber is nervous about starting second grade with a new teacher, but despite being n the same class as mean Hannah Burton, things turn out just fine.
• Guest, Elissa Haden. Iris and Walter, the Sleepover. (JJE Guest)
  • Iris's first sleepover at her friend Walter's house ends early when Iris gets homesick and wants to go home.
• Howe, James. Pinky and Rex Go to Camp* (JE Howe)
  • Although his best friend Rex is excited about going to camp, Pinky is afraid of leaving home.
• Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry in Room 2B.* (JCD Book Kline)
  • Doug discovers that though being Harry's best friend isn't always easy, it is often a lot of fun.
• McDonald, Megan. Stink the Incredible Shrinking Kid.* (J McDonald)
  • The shortest kid in the second grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns all about the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate Presidents' Day at school.
• Marshall, Edward. Fox in Love.* (JJE Marshall)
  • Fox falls in love with several girls and then enters a dance contest with his sister.
• Miller, Sara S. Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog.* (JJE Miller)
  • Stories addressed to dogs and written from a dog's point of view, featuring such topics as a burglar, bones, and running free.
• Osborne, Mary Pope. Dinosaurs Before Dark.* (JE Osborne)
  • Eight-year-old Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic treehouse, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs. This is the first of the Magic Tree House Series.
• Parish, Peggy. Amelia Bedelia.* (JJE Parish)
  • A literal-minded housekeeper causes a ruckus in the household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions.
• Roy, Ron. The Absent Author.* (JE Roy)
  • Dink Duncan and his two friends investigate the apparent kidnapping of famous mystery author Wallis Wallace. This is the first book in the A to Z mystery series.
• Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putter and Tabby.* (JE Rylant)
  • Mr. Putter gets an old cat to share his life and humorous adventures with him.
• Sharmat, Marjorie W. Nate the Great and the Long List.* (JE Sharmat)
  • Nate the Great interrupts his backyard vacation to find his friend's lost grocery list--before lunch.

* This book is part of a series.

• Adler, David. Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the UFO.* (JE Adler)
  • Cam, who possesses a photographic memory, and her friend Eric investigate what seems to be a brief appearance of a U.F.O.
• Bauer, Marion Dane. Bear Named Trouble. (J Bauer)
  • Based on a true story, this is the tale of a young boy in Alaska who sets out to get even with the wily bear cub that has accidentally killed the boy's favorite animal.
• Beech, Linda. The Magic School Bus Gets Ants in its Pants. (J 595.796 Magic)
  • Keesha's ant disappears, and the kids have no choice but to follow, all the way into an anthill. Come along on a zany field trip and learn how ants work together.
• Blume, Judy. Freckle Juice. (J Blume)
  • Andrew wants freckles so badly that he buys Sharon's freckle recipe for fifty cents.
• Cameron, Ann. The Stories Julian Tells.* (JE Cameron)
  • Laugh-out-loud tales of family life.
• Christopher, Matt. The Dog that Pitched a No-Hitter.* (JE Christopher)
  • Mike's telepathic dog Harry is able to send him secret signals about the opposing players on the baseball field!
• Cleary, Beverly. The Mouse and the Motorcycle.* (J Cleary)
  • A reckless young mouse named Ralph makes friends with a boy in room 215 of the Mountain View Inn and discovers the joys of motorcycling.
• Cleary, Beverly. Beezus and Ramona.* (J Cleary)
  • Beezus' biggest problem was her 4-year-old sister Ramona. Even though Beezus knew sisters were supposed to love each other, with a sister like Ramona, it seemed impossible.
• Dalgliesh, Alice. Courage of Sarah Noble. (J Dalgliesh)
  • Remembering her mother's words, an eight-year-old girl finds courage to go alone with her father to build a new home in the wilderness and to stay with the Indians when her father must go back to bring the rest of the family.
• Danziger, Paula. Amber Brown is Not a Crayon.* (JE Danzinger)
  • The year she is in the third grade is a sad time for Amber because her best friend Justin is getting ready to move to a distant state.
• Kline, Suzy. Horrible Harry Takes the Cake. (JE Kline)
  • The kids in room 3B have found out that their teacher, Miss Mackle, is engaged! But who is the lucky groom? Leave it to Harry and his best friend, Doug, to find out. Harry goes into detective mode, and wastes no time starting his investigation. Doug is willing to help until he sees Harry stealing a piece of evidence. Doug can't believe it! But Harry thinks his risky move is worth it. After all, he manages to crack the case and tells everyone who Miss Mackle is going to marry. But does Harry really have all the facts, or has he made a horrible mistake?
• Hoban, Russel. Best Friends for Francis. (Favorites JJ Hoban)
  • When Albert and his buddies have a "no girls" baseball game, Frances and her sister organize a "Best Friends Outing -- No Boys".
• McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody.* (J McDonald)
  • Judy is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece.
• Osborne, Mary P. Dinosaurs Before Dark.* (JE Osborne)
  • Jack and his younger sister Annie find a magic tree house, which whisks them back to an ancient time zone where they see live dinosaurs.
• Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine.* (J Pennypacker)
  • While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building.
• Scieszka, Jon. Knights of the Kitchen Table.* (J Scieszka)
  • Joe receives a magic book for his birthday from his uncle. When they investigate the book, Joe and his friends Fred and Sam are transported to a time when evil knights, fire-breathing dragons and vile-smelling giants roamed the land.

*This book is part of a series

• Banks, Lynne Reid. The Indian in the Cupboard. (J Banks)
  • It all starts with a birthday present Omri doesn't even want-a small plastic Indian of no use to him at all. But when an old wooden cupboard and a special key bring the unusual toy to life, Omri's Indian becomes his most important secret: precious, dangerous, wonderful, and above all, magical.
• Blume, Judy. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing..* (JCD Book Blume)
  • Peter finds his demanding two-year-old brother an ever increasing problem.
• Burnett, Frances Hodgson. Secret Garden. (J Burnett)
  • Ten-year-old Mary comes to live in a lonely house on theYorkshire moors and discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.
• Catling, Patrick S. The Chocolate Touch. (J Catling)
  • A boy acquires a magical gift that turns everything his lips touch into chocolate.
• Creech, Sharon. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. (J Creech)
  • With the help of her wise old grandmother, twelve-year-old Rosie manages to work out some problems in her friendship with Bailey, the boy next door.
• Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach. (J Dahl)
  • A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of adventures with six giant insects he meets inside a giant peach.
• Davies, Jacqueline. The Lemonade War. (J Davies)
  • Evan and his younger sister, Jesse, react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade and as the end of the summer approaches, they battle it out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn 100 dollars.
• Henry, Marguerite. Misty of Chincoteague. (J Henry)
  • Nobody could capture the Phantom, the wildest mare on the island. Paul and Maureen had their hearts set on owning her. They worked hard to earn the money she would cost. On Pony Penning Day, Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but her newborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both?
• Howe, James. Bunnicula.* (J Howe)
  • Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.
• Levine, Gail C. The Princess Test.* (J Levine)
  • In this humorous retelling of "The Princess and the Pea," Lorelei must pass difficult tests in order to prove that she is a true princess.
• Lowry, Lois. All About Sam.* (J Lowry)
  • The adventures of Sam, Anastasia Krupnik's younger brother, from his first day as a newborn through his mischievous times as a toddler.
• Lawson, Robert. Ben and me : a new and astonishing life of Benjamin Franklin as written by his good mouse Amos.* (J Lawson)
  • Banjamin Franklin's companion, Amos the mouse, recounts how he was responsible for Franklin's inventions and discoveries.
• MacLachlan, Patricia. Sarah, Plain and Tall.* (J MacLachlan)
  • When their father invites a mail-order bride to come live with them in their prairie home, Caleb and Anna are captivated by their new mother and hope that she will stay.
• Park, Linda Sue. Kite Fighters. (J Park)
  • Set in 13th Century Korea, eleven-year-old Young-sup overcomes his rivalry with his older brother Kee-sup, in an attempt to win the New Year kite-fighting competition on behalf of the emperor.
• Rockwell, Thomas. How to Eat Fried Worms. (J Rockwell)
  • Because of a bet, Bily is in the uncomfortable position of having to eat 15 worms in 15 days. The worms are supplied by his conniving opponent whose motto is "the bigger and juicier,
• Sachar, Louis. Sideways Stories from Wayside School.* (J Sachar)
  • Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story.
• Smith, Robert Kimmel. Chocolate Fever. (J Smith)
  • Henry Green is a boy who loves chocolate. He likes it bitter, sweet, dark, light, and daily; for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; in cakes, candy bars, milk, and every other form you can possibly imagine. Henry probably loves chocolate more than any boy in the history of the world. One day-it starts off like any other day-Henry finds that strange things are happening to him.
• White, E.B. Trumpet of the Swan. (J White)
  • Knowing how to read and write is not enough for Louis, a voiceless Trumpeter Swan; his determination to learn to play a stolen trumpet takes him far from his wilderness home.

*This book is part of a series.

• Avi. Poppy.* (J Avi)
  • Poppy the deer mouse urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas.
• Balliett, Blue. Chasing Vermeer.* (J Balliett)
  • When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal.
• Barry, Dave. Peter and the Starcatchers.* (J Barry)
  • Soon after a young orphan named Peter sets sail from England on the ship Never Land, he befriends a young Starcatcher, whose mission is to guard a trunk of magical stardust from a greedy pirate and other inhabitants of a island.
• Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. (J Choldenko)
  • A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.
• Clements, Andrew. Frindle. (J Clements)
  • When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.
• Cooper, Susan. The Dark is Rising.* (J Cooper)
  • On his eleventh birthday Will discovers that he is the last of the Old Ones, destined to seek the six magical Signs that will enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark.
• Cottrell Boyce, Frank. Framed. (JCD Book Cottrell Boyce)
  • Dylan and his sisters have some ideas about how to make Snowdonia Oasis Auto Marvel into a more profitable business, but it is not until some strange men arrive in their small town of Manod, Wales with valuable paintings, and their father disappears, that they consider turning to crime.
• Danziger, Paula. United Tates of America: A Novel with Scrapbook Art. (J Danzinger)
  • Eleven-year-old aspiring artist Skate experiences many changes when she enters middle school, finds her best friend drifting away from her, and loses her beloved great-uncle. Along with this often funny story are tips on scrapbooking.
• DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. (J DiCamillo)
  • Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
• DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember.* (J DuPrau)
  • In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
• Eager, Edward. Half Magic.* (J Eager)
  • Four children looking forward to an ordinary summer enjoy a series of fantastic adventures by double-wishing on an ancient coin.
• Gaiman, Neil.The Graveyard Book. (J Gaiman)
  • Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except that he has been raised by ghosts and other denizens of the graveyard.
• George, Jean Craighead. Julie of the Wolves.* (J George)
  • While running away from home and an unwanted marriage, a thirteen-year-old Eskimo girl becomes lost on the North Slope of Alaska and is befriended by a wolf pack.
• Ibbotson, Eva. The Secret of Platform 13. (J Ibbotson)
  • Odge Gribble, a young hag, accompanies an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a magical tunnel from their island to London to rescue their King and Queen's son who was stolen as an infant.
• Jacques, Brian. Redwall.* (J Jacques)
  • When the peace of Redwall Abbey is shattered by the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which will help Redwall's inhabitants destroy the enemy.
• Levine, Gail C. Ella Enchanted. (J Levine)
  • In this novel based on the story of Cinderella, Ella struggles against the childhood curse that forces her to obey any order given to her.
• Lord, Cynthia. Rules. (J Lord) (JCD Lord)
  • Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?
• Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief.* (J Riordan)
  • Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
• Weeks, Sarah. So B. It. (J Weeks)
  • Although she lives an unconventional lifestyle with her mentally disabled mother and fearful neighbor, Heidi has a lucky streak that makes their lives much easier. When a mysterious word in her mother's vocabulary begins to haunt her, Heidi's thirst for the truth leads her on a cross-country journey in search of the secrets of her past.
• Wiles, Deborah. Each Little Bird That Sings. (J Wiles)
  • Comfort Snowberger is well acquainted with death since her family runs the funeral parlor in town, but the ten-year-old is unprepared for the series of heart-wrenching events that begin with the sudden death of her beloved great-aunt.

*This book is part of a series.