Books are listed in order from easier to more difficult.

*Stink The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald
In this realistic humorous story, Judy Moody’s younger brother Stink wants to be taller, but she has him convinced that he is shrinking. He learns that size is not everything.

*Ruby Lu Brave and True by Lenore Look
This multicultural story is about Ruby Lu who spends time with her baby brother, goes to Chinese school, performs magic tricks, learns to drive, and has other funny adventures.

*Judy Moody MD: The Doctor is In by Megan McDonald
In this realistic humorous story, Judy Moody is in a medical mood. For her 3rd grade project, she plans a real-live ooey-gooey operation and a cloning experiment.

*Andy Russell, Not Wanted by the Police by David Adler
This mystery story features kid detectives Andy Russell and Tamika. Together they solve the mystery concerning many unexplained things that keep happening to their vacationing neighbor’s house.

*Milton Hershey by Charnan Simon
Learn about the life story of Milton Hershey- candy inventor, manufacturer and philanthropist in this biography book.

* Recommended for third graders

Say What by Margaret Peterson Haddix
In this realistic humorous story, 3 kids try to find out why their parents are saying strange things whenever they do something wrong.

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
In this classic fantasy story, John Midas’s love of chocolate causes everything he puts in his mouth to turn into chocolate. His dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.

The Real Slam Dunk by Charisse Richardson
This realistic multicultural story is about Marcus and Mia and their classmates who meet a pro basketball player with an important message about succeeding in life and sports.

Meow Means Mischief by Ann Whitehead Nagda
In this realistic multicultural story, Rana must convince her family to let her keep a mischievous kitten while also dealing with her visiting grandparents from India.

Trading Places with Tank Talbott by Dori Hillestad Whitman
In this realistic humorous story, Jason who is sensitive and artistic trades places with Tank who is athletic and bullying. Despite their differences they might just become friends.

Gifts from the Sea by Natalie Kinsey – Warnock (Pine Tree author)
This historical fiction book is about a family who lives in and keeps a lighthouse during the mid-1800s. After the death of Quila’s mother, her family gets a gift from the sea that changes their lives and heals their family.

Crime Busters by Andrew Donkin
This nonfiction book is all about how professionals catch criminals and solve mysteries. It examines the evidence and looks at the masterminds of law enforcement at work.

In Their Own Words – Sojourner Truth by Peter Roop
Learn all about the fascinating life of Sojourner Truth in this biography book. She escaped slavery, gave speeches with other abolitionists, and worked for women's suffrage.

Swindled (Crime through Time) by Bill Doyle
In this historical –mystery fiction book 2 kid detectives solve a counterfeiting crime on a train heading to San Francisco in the year 1906.

**Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
This classic adventure story is about the courage and self-reliance of an Indian girl who lived alone for eighteen years on an isolated island off the California coast in the 1800’s.

**Measle and the Wrathmonk by Ian Ogilvy
This fantasy adventure book is about a boy named Measle who goes on an adventure in a model railroad village to return himself and several other victims into their normal size.

**Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan
This realistic multicultural story is about Naomi and her brother who are being raised by their grandmother. When their mom shows up, they go on a desperate search for their father who lives in Mexico so that they can stay together as a family.

**Never Mind: A Twin Novel by Avi and Rachel Vail (2004)
In this realistic story, 7th grade twins Meg and Edward are such opposites that it is hard to believe they are related. Even though they go to different schools, one big event throws them both together in a way that changes how they view themselves and each other.

** Challenge books