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Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
Girls like these books, too. Ages 8-12 |
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Love that Dog and Hate that Cat by Sharon Creech
Both books are written in easy-to-read free verse and are so compelling and funny that students find themselves rethinking poetry. Ages 8-12 |
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Guys Write for Guys Read: Boys' Favorite Authors Write about Being Boys: a collection of wonderful, short autobiographical stories written by favorite authors like Avi, Dan Gutman, Daniel Pinkwater, and Jerry Spinelli; edited by Jon Scieszka
Best for older readers as independent read-younger readers need some guidance-not all stories are appropriate for elementary ages and these stories are not just for boys. Grades 5-9 |
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Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories of Growing up Scieszka by Jon Sciezska
A hysterically funny autobiographical novel told with lots of visuals and exaggeration. Ages 9-12 |
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
A 566-page novel told mostly through illustration. Kids love this fat book; it makes them feel like “real readers.” Ages 9-12 |
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Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A simply told touching story with short easy-to-read chapters. |
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Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Nathan Hale
A funny retelling of the classic tale done in graphic novel format. Boys do like it, even though they resist it at first. |
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Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
A good short book packed with humor and adventure and a little introduction into how capitalism works. Ages 9-12
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Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff by Jennifer L. Holm
The author uses everything from journal entries to refrigerator notes to tell a touching story about one girl’s challenging year. Ages 9-12 |
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Many titles by Jerry Spinelli seem to get students hooked on reading in the middle elementary grades. Loser and Love, Stargirl are favorites. Spinelli's autobiography, Knots in My Yo-Yo String, is also a surprise hit.
Teachers who recommend these titles gain a lot of credibility with their students. |
