Grade Level Booklists

The following booklists are recommendations based on interest level and reading level (to a more limited extent) of students in each grade. The books on this list have received positive professional reviews and represent a variety of interests and styles. Some titles are classics, others brand new. Enjoy!  

 

 

 

4 Year-Old Kindergarten

Recommendations

“The Most Important Time of Your Day”

“Every day, make a quiet, restful place.  Put your child in your lap and read a book aloud.  Reading to your little one is just like putting gold coins in the bank.  It will pay you back tenfold.  Your daughter will learn, and imagine, and be strong in herself.  Your son will thrive, and give your love back forever.”

 

* Bonny Becker –The Sniffles for Bear

* Harry Bliss - Bailey

* Suzanne Bloom – What About Bear?

* Raymond Briggs – The Snowman

* Peter Brown – You Will Be My Friend

* Doreen Cronin – Thump, Quack, Moo! Bounce!, Click Clack Quackity Quack, Click Clack Moo,

* Ree Drummond – Charlie the Ranch Dog

* Mary Englebreit -  Mother Goose

* Greg Foley – Good Luck Bear, Thank You Bear

* Wanda Gag – The ABC Bunny, Millions of Cats

* Eugene Field – Wynken, Blynken and Nod

* Kevin Henkes – Little White Rabbit

* Paul Hoppe – The Woods

* Emily Jenkins – Small, Medium, Large: A Book About Relative Sizes

* Tom Lichtenheld - Cloudette

* Grace Maccarone – Miss Lina’s Ballerinas

* Patricia Machlachlan – Before You Came

* Alison Murray – ABC Apple Pie

* Jerry Pinkney – The Lion and the Mouse

* Sherri Rinker – Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

* Joseph Slate - Miss Bindergarten series

* Daska Slater – The Sea Serpent and Me

* Bill Thompson - Chalk

* Rosemary Wells – Yoko’s Show and Tell, Voyage to the Bunny Planet series, Max and Ruby series, etc.

* Walter Wick – Can You See What I See? Toyland Express

* Wilson, Karma – Bear Feels Scared, Bear Stays Up

* Willems, Mo Elephant and Piggie series

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Kindergarten Recommended Authors

* Bemelmans, Ludwig (Madeline Stories)

* Brett, Jan (Home for Christmas, Gingerbread Friends, The Three Snow Bears, The Mitten, etc.)

* Bridwell, Norman (Clifford stories)

* Brown, Margaret Wise (The Runaway Bunny, Goodnight Moon, etc.)

* Buzzeo, Toni (Lighthouse Christmas, Adventure Annie)

* Carle, Eric (Ten Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Hungry Caterpillar)

* Ehlert, Lois (Lots of Spots, Leaf Man, Snowballs, etc.)

* Grey, Mini (Three by the Sea, Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog, Traction Man Is Here, etc)

* Hoff, Sid (Danny the Dinosaur, Sammy the Seal)

* Jenkins, Steve (Time to Eat, Time for a Bath, Time to Sleep, Never Smile at a Monkey)

* Kann, Elizabeth (Silverlicious, Pinkalicious, Goldilicious)

* Keats, Ezra Jack (The Snowy Day, Dreams, etc.)

* Martin Jr., Bill (Big Book of Poetry, Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What do You See? Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, etc.)

* Marzollo/Wick – (I Spy series)

* McCloskey, Robert (Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, etc.)

* McDonnell, Patrick (Me….Jane, Earl & Mooch)

* McMullan, Kate (I’m Bad, I’m Mighty, I’m Dirty, etc.)*McPhail, David (Waddles, Edward and the Pirates)

* Numeroff, Laura (If You Give a Dog a Donut, If You Give a Cat A Cupcake)

* Palatini, Margie (Piggie Pie, Zoom Broom)

* Pinkney, Jerry (Three Little Kittens, Noah’s Ark)

* Portis, Antoinette (Not A Box, Not a Stick)

* Scotton, Rob (Splat the Cat series)

* Shannon, David (It’s Christmas David! Too Many Toys)

* Seuss, Dr. (Ten Apples Up On Top, Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, etc.)

* Sciezka, Jon (Trucktown series)

* Stevens, Janet (Tops & Bottoms, Great Fuzz Frenzy)

* Willems, Mo (Knuffle Bunny, Leonardo and the Terrible Monster, Edwina the Dinosaur, etc.)

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First Grade Recommended Reading

Arnold, Tedd Fly Guy series

Berenstain, Stan and Jan Berenstain Bears series

Bourgeois, Paulette Franklin series

Brown, Charlotte – The Day the Dinosaurs Died, etc.

Brown, Marc Arthur series

Capucilli, Alyssa Biscuit series

Chaconas, Dori Cork and Fuzz series

D’Amico Carmela and Steven Ella the Elephant series

DiCamillo, Kate Bink and Gollie, Mercy Watson series

Funke, Cornelia Wildest Brother, Pirate Girl, etc

George, Jean Craighead Goose and Duck

George, Kristine Emma Dilemma: Sister Poems

Henkes, Kevin Owen, Chrysanthemum, Lily series

Hoban, Russell Frances series

Hoberman Mary Ann You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You

Katz, Jon Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm

Lin, Grace Ling & Ting, Not Exactly the Same!

Lionni, Leo Frederick, Swimmy, others

Lobel, Arnold Frog and Toad series

Mayer, Mercer Little Critter, others

McDonnell, Christine Goyangi Means Cat

Miller, Sara Swan Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog and others

Minarek, Else Holmlund Little Bear series

O’Connor, Jane Fancy Nancy series

Rey, Margaret and HA – Curious George series

Rylant, Cynthia Annie and Snowball, Henry and Mudge Series, Mr. Putter and Tabby Series, others

Sattler, Jennifer Pig Kahuna

Schachner, Judy Skippyjon Jones books

Seuss, Dr. Your Favorite Suess: A Baker’s Dozen By The One and Only Dr. Seuss, others

Silverman, Erica and Betsy Lewin Cowgirl Kate series

Smith, Lane Grandpa Green

Thompson, Lauren One Starry Night

Van Leeuwen, Jean Amanda Pig series

Varon, Sara Chicken and Cat series

Wadham, Tim The Queen of France

Willems, Mo Pigeon series, Elephant and Piggie series

 

Second Grade

Recommended Chapter Books

Adler, David Cam Jansen series

Atinuke Anna Hibiscus series

Bentley, Sue Magic Kitten and Magic Puppy series

Bergen, Lara Sophie the Awesome series

Brown, Jeff Flat Stanley series

Bruel, Nick Poor Puppy, Bad Kitty, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath

Butler, Dori The Buddy Files series

Carman, Patrick Elliot’s Park series

Crowne, Alyssa Perfectly Princess series

Delacre, Lulu Rafi and Rosi series

DePaola, Tomie Strega Nona, Fairmont Avenue, etc.

DiCamillo, Kate Mercy Watson series

Disney Fairies series

French, Vivian Tiara Club series

Gelsey, James Scooby Doo series

Giff, Patricia Reilly Zig Zag Kids series

Guest, Elissa Haden Iris and Walter series

Gutman, Dan My Weird School series

Harper, Jessica Uh, Oh Cleo series

Howe, James Houndsley and Catina, Pinky and Rex series, Bunnicula  Ready to Read series

Kelly, David Ball Park Mysteries

Kerrin, Jessica Martin Bridge series

Klein, Abby Ready Freddy series

Kvasnosky, Laura McGee Zelda and Ivy

Mackall, Dandi Daley Natalie series

Mazer, Anne Sister Magic series

McMullan, Kate Pearl and Wagner series

Meadows, Daisy Fairy series

Montgomery, Lewis B. Milo and Jazz Mysteries

O’Malley, Kevin Captain Raptor & the Space Pirates

Odgers, Darryl Jack Russell Dog Detective series

Osborne, Mary Pope Magic Tree House series

Parish, Peggy Amelia Bedelia series

Pennypacker, Sara Clementine series

Rylant, Cynthia Mr. Putter and Tabby series

Sharmat, Majorie Nate the Great series

Thomas, Shelley Moore Good Knight series

Thompson, Kay Eloise series

Webb, Holly Alone at Night, Timmy in Trouble

Yolen, Jane Commander Toad series

 

Third Grade Recommended Reading

* American Girl Series

* Choose Your Own Adventure series

* My America series

* Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott

* Ivy and Bean series by Ann Barrows

* Beast Quest series by Adam Blade

* Arthur Chapter books by Marc Brown

* Matt Christopher Sports Series

* Mouse and the Motorcycle series by Beverly Cleary

* Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

* Legend of Spud Murphy series by Eoin Colfer

* Puppy Patrol by Jenny Dale

* Blast to the Past series by Stacia Deutsch

* Hank the Cowdog Series by John Erickson

* Mallory series by Laurie Friedman

* Maximum Boy/Andrew Lost series by Dan Greenburg

* Dear Max and Bravo Max by Sally Grindley

* Just Grace, others by Charise Mericle Harper

* Jack Stalwart series by Elizabeth Singer Hunt

* Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins

* Horrible Harry series by Suzie Kline

* Katie Kazoo series by Nancy Krulik

* Zac Power by H.I. Larry

* Ruby Lu, Alvin Ho by Lenore Look

* Judy Moody/Stink series by Megan McDonald

* The Dollshop Downstairs by Yona McDonough

* Puppy Place series by Ellen Miles

* Milo and Jazz Mysteries by Lewis B. Montgomery

*Three Cousins Detective Club by Elspeth Murphy

* Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne

* Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park

* The Littles series by John Peterson

* Capital Mysteries and A-Z Mysteries by Ron Roy

* Wayside School books by Louis Sachar

* Calvin Coconut series by Graham Salisbuy

* Spaceheadz,Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka

* Encyclopedia Brown books by Donald Sobol

* Oggie Cooder by Sarah Weeks

 

Fourth Grade Genres

Biography

* Good Sports biography series

* History Maker Bios Biography series

* Who Was…? Biography series

Fantasy

* The BFG,  others by Roald Dahl

*  Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

* Dragon Keepers series by Kate Klimo

* Narnia series by C.S. Lewis

* Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon

Forklore/Mythology

* Mythlopedia series (multiple authors)

* Treasure of Greek Mythology by Donna Jo Napoli

Historical Fiction

* Sylvia and Aki by Winifred Conkling

* Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

* Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan

* Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Non-Fiction

* The Adventurous Book of Outdoor Games by Scott Strother

* Christian the Lion by Anthony Bourke

Poetry

* The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry

* Everything On it  by Shel Silverstein

Mysteries

* Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach

* Saxby Smart, Private Detective by Simon Cheshire

* 39 Clues series

* Boxcar Children Mysteries  by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Animal Stories

* Freddy the Pig series by Walter Brooks

* Backward Bird Dog,  others Bill Wallace

* Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, others by E. B. White

Realistic Fiction/Adventure

* The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

* Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls by Meg Cabot

* Extra Credit, No Talking, others by Andrew Clements

* Joe Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

* Swindle, Zoobreak, Framed by Gordon Korman

* I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis

Humor

* Amelia Rules by Jimmy Gownley

*Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

* School! by Kate McMullan

* Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce

* Dork Diaries by Renee Russell

 

5th Grade Battle of the Books 2011-12

Please visit the library website for links to author websites and audio clips for many of the battle books here

Realistic Fiction

Wild Card by Tiki Barber

The Report Card by Andrew Clements

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Niagara Falls or Does It?  By Henry Winkler

 

Fantasy

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Honus and Me by Dan Gutman (also Historical Fiction)

Guardians of Ga’Hoole, the Capture by Kathryn Lasky

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Measle and the Wrathmonk by Ian Oglivy

 

Science Fiction

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Mystery

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil

Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Kongisburg

Historical Fiction

Attack of the Turtle by Drew Carlson

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Adventure

Swindle by Gordon Korman

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Poetry

Kaleidoscope Eyes by Jen Bryant (also Mystery)

 

 

6th Grade Book Battle of the Books

Please visit the library website for links to author websites and audio clips for many of the battle books here

REALISTIC FICTION

Abbott, Tony Firegirl

Green, Tim Football Genius

Henkes, Kevin Olive’s Ocean

Lord, Cynthia Rules

Lupica, Mike Travel Team

Tarshis, Lauren Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree  

FANTASY

Flanagan, John Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

Hale, Shannon Princess Academy

Horowitz, Anthony Stormbreaker

Nix, Garth Mister Monday

Scott, Michael The Alchemyst  

HISTORICAL FICTION

Avi The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Carbone, Elisa Lynn Blood on the River: Jamestown 1607

Roy, Jennifer Yellow Star 

SCIENCE FICTION

Bell, Ted Nick of Time

Dasher, James Maze Runner

DuPrau, Jeanne City of Ember

Westerfeld, Scott The Uglies 

ADVENTURE

George, Jean Craighead My Side of the Mountain

O’Dell, Scott Island of the Blue Dolphins

Paulsen, Gary Brian’s Winter  

MYSTERY

Balliet, Blue The Wright 3

Cooney, Carline Face on the Milk Carton

Feinstein, John Last Shot

Grisham, John Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer  

INFORMATIONAL

Aronson, Marc Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert

Freedman, Russell Lincoln: A Photobiography

Walker, Sally Written In Bone

 

Seventh Grade Book Recommendations

 Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert by Aronson, Marc

I, Emma, Freke by Atkinson, E. J

City of Orphans by Avi

The Summer Before Boys by Baskin, Nora Baskin

Star Crossed by Bunce, Elizabeth

The Heist Society series by Carter, Ally

The Hunger Games series by Collins, Suzanne

Dark Life, Rip Tide by Falls, Kat

Amelia Lost by Fleming, Candace

Hidden by Frost, Helen

Dead End in Norvelt by Gantos, Jack

Tall Story by Gourlay, Candy

Baseball Great, others by Green, Tim

The Magnificent 12 series by Grant, Michael

13 Treasures, 13 Curses by Harrison, Michelle

The Icemark Chronicles by Hill, Stuart

The Water Seeker by Holt, Kimberly

Paper Daughter by Ingold, Jeanette

Small as an Elephant by Jacobson, Jennifer

The Year of Goodbyes by Levy, Debbie

The Boneshaker by Milford, Kate

The Inquisitor’s Apprentice by Moriarty, Chris

A World Without Heroes by Mull, Brandon

The Inheritance Cycle series by Paolini, Christopher

The Woods Runner by Paulsen, Gary

The Lost Hero, Son of Neptune by Riordan, Rick

Okay for Now by Schmidt, Gary

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud

Moon Over Manifest by Vanderpool, Clare

Countdown by Wiles, Deborah

The Hard Kind of Promise by Willner-Pardo, Gina

Dragon’s Tooth by Wilson, N.D.

 

Eighth Grade Book Recommendations

Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Bell

The Goblin Gate, The Goblin War by Hilari Bell

Good Fortune by Carter, Noni

Airman by Colfer, Eoin

Lost Songs by Cooney, Caroline B

Maze Runner, Scorch Trials, Death Cure by James Dashner

Payback Time by Deuker, Carl

The Winter War : a Novel by Durbin, William

The Project by Falkner, Brian

Emperors of the Ice by Farr, Richard

Outcasts by John Flanagan

Incarceron, Sapphique by Fischer, Catherine

Beautiful Creatures by Garcia, Kami

Gone by Grant, Michael

A Crack in the Sky by Mark Hughes

Children of the Lamp series by Kerr, P.B.

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence

Hannah’s Winter by Meehan, Kierin

The Boneshaker by Milford, Kate

The Elephant in the Garden by Morpugo, Michael

Trash by Mulligan, Andy

Akada Witch by Okorafor, Nnedi

Witch and Wizard, Daniel X, Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Bamboo People : a Novel by Perkins, Mitali

Lost Voices by Porter, Sarah

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

Fever Crumb by Reeve, Philip

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Divergent by Roth, Veronica

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar

Leviathan by Westerfeld, Scott

The Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow

The Watch that Ends the Night by Wolf, Allan

The Book Thief by Zusak, Markus