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Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
The popularity of the "Wimpy" series ushered in many popular spin-offs. The best thing about these humorous graphic novels is that they appeal to all reading abilities. Because everyone in the class reads (and enjoys) them, the series creates a shared experience among the students, regardless of reading abilities. Ages 8-12 |
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OTHER BOOKS LIKE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID:
Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading
by Tommy Greenwald, illus. by J.P. Coovert
From the author's website: "Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader every born. He does whatever it takes to get out of reading, and so far, it's worked out really well. But one day in middle school he gets into trouble, and finds his impressive record is on the line. Will he push his luck and do whatever it takes to get out of reading, or will he finally bite the bullet and... gasp...read a book??!? "
Alvin Ho by Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham
Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce
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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
Guys Read: Funny Business
From the publisher: "Ten stories guaranteed to delight, amuse, and possibly make you spit your milk in your friend's face"
The Series is 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.” A Caldecott Medal winner. Ages 9-12
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick.
Like "Hugo Cabret" this book is told mostly through pictures. From the publisher: "Ben and Rose wish their lives were different. Set fifty years apart, their two stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth on a spectacular journey." |
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Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A simply told touching story with short easy-to-read chapters.
Other books by Kate DiCamillo:
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
The Magician's Elephant
Tiger Rising |
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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
And the sequel, Lawn Boy Returns. |
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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. |
