reluctant readers

High Interest Books for Middle Grade Readers

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

I have talked before about reluctant readers and transitional readers, particularly about finding books that can interest and engage them as they work to become more confident readers. (Check out the list here if this would apply to the books you are looking for). However, my kids are a little older now, so I have spent more time looking for the elusive perfect middle grade book to interest my high energy readers. They both love to read but only if the subject matter and action level meet their specific standards. I know this is a common issue since I have helped many a frustrated parent and child find something to read while working in the children’s room.

Why do I bring this up? Well, this week as I was unpacking a new order of children’s books I was thrilled to see a large number of books that fill this sweet spot of reads that would interest many middle grade readers. Right away I started mentally listing some of the best and realized how many zany, energy packed reads are available.middlegrade1

Here are some high interest, high humor, and high action reads for those who have trouble getting into a book, or who have convinced themselves that reading is boring. These are not readers who have trouble reading, only who are tired of being told what to read or have not found highly entertaining books and might have lost interest in books because of it.

Most of these suggestions are series starters or are by authors who consistently write this style of book, middlegrade2so if you find one that makes your reader happy they will have more to follow it up with.

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier & Douglas Holgate

Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson

Home Sweet Motel by Chris Grabenstein

Marvin and the Moths by Matthew Holm and Jonathamiddlegrade3n Follet

Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies by Andrea Beaty

The Hero Revealed by William Boniface

The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt

Wonkenstein by Obert Skyemiddlegrade5

Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon

My Rotten Life by David Lubar

As usual, I found more books I wanted to include than can fit in a simple list, so more suggestions are: The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, SPHDZ by Jon Scieszka, The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French, Herbert’s Wormhole by Peter Nelson and Rohitash Rao, Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka, The Lunch Witch by Deb Lucke, Dodger and Me by Jordan middlegrade6Sonnenblick, Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis, My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O’Hara, The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry, The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood, and The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson.

Did I miss a book that was a hit with you or a reader you know? Share the title here so we can give it a look too!

Great Graphic Heavy Books for Reluctant Readers

/ Sharon Tyler / 1 Comment

Do you have a reader that is sad to find the majority of their books are missing the illustrations that initially drew them to reading in the first place? Or perhaps you have a reader that is a bit intimidated (but refuses to admit it) by books with so much text, and so few illustrations? Perhaps they just think that reading is boring or not fun. Thankfully, graphic heavy books and graphic novels for this age group are increasing in both quality and quantity. This means that there are books out there with an extra dash or excitement and silliness available for readers of all ages.

Here are some great books that just might capture your reader’s eye with graphics, and keep them reading because of the story. The majority of theses books are the first in a series, so if your reader gets hooked, you should have a few books to go before looking for the next title. I have broken the lists down by age group, and by amount of text, to make finding the perfect book just a little easier.

Graphic Novels for Grades 2-5
1. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by George Beard and Harold Hutchins
2. Zita the Space Girl: Far from Home by Ben Hatke
3.Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso
4. Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. & Matthew Holm
5.  Fashion Kitty and the Unlikely Hero by Charise Mericle Harper
6. Squish 1: Super Amoeba by Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm
7. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey

 


Grades 2-5 with more a bit more text:
1. School!: Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School by Kate McMullan
2. SPHDZ (Spaceheadz series) by Jon Scieszka
3. Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School by Ruth McNally Barshaw
4. Knucklehead: Tall Tales & Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka
5. Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
6. Justin Case: School, Drool, and other Daily Disasters by Rachel Vail
7. Secret Identity (Shredderman Series) by Wendelin Van Draanen
8. Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
9. Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight
10. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger


Grades 5 and Up
1. Coraline (based on the novel by Neil Gaiman) adapted by P. Craig Russell
2. Stickman Odyssey, Book 1: An Epic Doodle by Christopher Ford
3. Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
4. Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
5. The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter by John Gosselink
6. Amelia’s Itchy-Twitchy, Lovey-Dovey Summer at Camp Mosquito by Marissa Moss
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal by Jeff Kinney
8. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell
9. Doodlebug: A Novel in Doodles by Karen Romano Young
10. Max Quigley: Technically Not a Bully by James Roy
11. The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang by Amy Ignatow
12. Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg

Young Adult Audio Books to Share

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Do you want to keep up with that your teens are reading but feel like you spend all your time in the car, or find that your teen says that they have no time to read? Well, thankfully there have been some fantastic teen reads made into audio books with wonderful narrators. With audiobooks, the narrator is just as important as the story itself, and the voice telling you the story can make or break any book. Here are some young adult books turned audio book that I would recommend for teens and adults alike. Perhaps all the car rides to sports practices, work, and school can be made better with the sharing of a great book. Maybe sharing a book can spark some discussion and bring everyone a little closer.

The Diviners by Libba Bray, read by January LaVoy
Seventeen-year-old Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. Evie worries her uncle will discover her dark secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble. But when police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer.

Curveball: the Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick, read by Luke Daniels
After an injury ends former-star pitcher Peter Friedman’s athletic dreams, he concentrates on photography, which leads photographer, and a deeper relationship with the beloved grandfather who, when he realizes he is becoming senile, gives Pete all of his professional camera gear.

The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, read by Michael Page, Phil Gigante, Christopher Lane, Laurel Merlington, and Angela Dawe
Recreates the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as observed by millionaire John Jacob Astor, a beautiful young Lebanese refugee finding first love, “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, Captain Smith, and others including the iceberg itself.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, read by Ben MacLaine, Hamish R. Johnson, and Chelsea Bruland
Told in alternating voices, an all-night adventure featuring Lucy, who is determined to find an elusive graffiti artist named Shadow, and Ed, the last person Lucy wants to spend time with, except for the fact that he may know how to find Shadow.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, read by Jason Isaacs
Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from the recurring nightmare that began when his mother became ill–an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face truth and loss.

Looking for even more great listening? Well then,  check out some more young adult books that have been recorded for your listening pleasure: Son by Lois Lowry and read by Bernadette Dunne; Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals and read by Lisa Renee Pitts; The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens and read by Jim Dale; Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz and read by Lin-Manuel Miranda;  Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and read by Rebecca Soler;  Kings of Colorado by David E. Hilton and read by Phil Gigante; Wonder by R.J. Palacio and read by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd; The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and read by Kate Rudd ; or Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell and read by Rebecca Lowman and Maxwell Caulfield.

Sharon Reads: The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

The Odd Squad: Bully Bait by Michael Fry is a children’s chapter book. Nick is short, he thinks he must be the shortest seventh grader in history. He does not really fit in with any of the groups at school, so spends most of his time bully dodging. An enthusiastic guidance counsel teams Nick up with two other outcasts, and the team is mentored by the eccentric janitor. The team of oddballs  come together to a common goal, fighting a bully, and learn about themselves and the nature of bullies.

The Odd Squad: Bully Bait was a great read, and I think is accessible to both elementary and middle school students. It speaks to dealing with bullies, and how easy it can be to cross the line and act like a bully when feeling powerless. Some tough questions are dealt with, while still being funny. Nick is short but smart, stuck spending a good portion of his school day crammed in his locker. His family is a little different, and add to the quirkiness of the story. The other oddballs, Molly and Karl, have their own troubles and quirks. The bully, Roy, is as well developed as the three oddballs, as are the janitor and Nick’s grandmother. rumors of a school ghost, and mentions of other interesting kids at the school, left me wanting to read more about what happens in those halls.

I highly recommend The Odd Squad: Bully Bait to middle grade readers, particularly those that have ever felt like an oddball or on the receiving end of the bully effect. There is some cute, awkward romance in the story, and a collection of unforgettable characters that will keep readers turning the pages. Fry includes some illustrations, which only further enhance the heart, humor, and truth of the story. The sequel, the Odd Squad: Zero Tolerance is scheduled for release in September 2013. I gave this book 4 out of five stars on Goodreads.

This review was originally published on Sharon the Librarian.