My 2nd grade son and I have been reading most of these books together. I do the heavy lifting but he will read a half-page here and there. I think that’s ok. We’ve especially enjoyed the challenge of trying to make it through the Worst-Case Scenario adventures without getting ourselves killed or sent home.
My son also introduced purchased a small pile of graphic novels from the school book fair last month. SideKicks is especially well done and reads like the next big animated movie. Not surprising because it’s from a Disney animator-turned-author.
We are going to see Grace Lin talk about Starry River of the Sky tomorrow. PickyKidPix is bringing her book club and we are all excited to meet her.
So many great books. So little time! What are you reading with your kids and what do you recommend? Please share!
Exceptional Books for Picky Kids
The Worst-Case Scenario: Deadly Seas by David Borgenicht
Non-fiction and adventure collide in this appealing “you decide” chapter book aimed at boys. You, the reader, will need to read the Expedition File in the back first to glean the knowledge necessary to survive. At critical moments during this adventure, you’ll need to decide what to do: two choices will lead to different outcomes. There are 33 possible endings but only 1 path to sail around the world in one go. My 8-year-old son loves this combination of being in the driver’s seat while utilizing a database of knowledge. His sailing knowledge is limited to fishing trips but boys with sailing experience will particularly enjoy this adventure. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng
The Year of the Book is a subtle and realistic portrayal of what it means to grow up as a second-generation Asian American. For 4th grader Anna Wang, it means being on the sidelines at school while her once best friend trades up socially. At home, life is safe and cozy, especially with books that comfort and entertain her. Is it her Asian-ness that keeps her from being popular or it is her bookish personality? Should she care or embrace it? Books, family, and friends make up the triad that defines Anna right now and this is the year of the book to learn how to balance it all. I’d hand this multicultural chapter book to any girl who has ever felt left out. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet Book 3: The Good, the Bad, and the Fuzzy by Kirk Scroggs
The premise for this series is intrinsically comical. 6th grader Danvers Blickensderfer wakes up one morning to find that he’s been transformed into a muppet. Each book in the series has Danvers searching for a reverse Muppetophosis while he grapples with the reality of middle school life from bullies to boy band battles, all the while assisted by his pals in the Muppet theatre. We find the muppet characters to be an integral part of the fun. This series is particularly suited for reluctant boy readers but boys 7 and up will enjoy it. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
I’m a huge fan of Grace Lin’s work her latest companion book to Newbery Honor-winning Where the Mountain Meets the Moon did not disappoint. In fact, I think it’s her best work to date. She masterfully weaves Chinese mythology into an adventure story of a young boy’s rebellion against his greedy and self-absorbed father, Magistrate Tiger. Rendi is a more complex and realistic character than Minli’s beatific can-do optimism. But it’s probably more correct to think of this pair of books as yin and yang counterparts with each resolving the issue of how the moon meets the mountain. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Sidekicks by Dan Santat
Dan Santat, the animator who brought us Disney’s The Replacements animated series, has a graphic novel gem about an older superhero and his superhero-wanna-be pets. Captain Amazing, the superhero savior of Metro City, is getting old and needs backup in the form of a sidekick. Told from the point of view of his pets, they want this coveted position but must convince their dad, Captain Amazing, who is too busy auditioning sidekick prospects to spend time with them. Add in a bad guy, DNA transfer technology, a peanut allergy, and a disgruntled ex-pet and you end up with a graphic novel as entertaining as an animated movie. My son and I loved this exception graphic novel’s full-color illustrations on every page and the plot that is just right for a younger audience. [graphic novel, ages 6 and up]
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea: Book 1 by Elis Weiner, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes
Suppose there were 12-year-old twins, a boy and girl named John and Abigail Templeton. Let’s say John was pragmatic and played the drums, and Abigail was theoretical and solved cryptic crosswords. Now suppose their father was a brilliant if sometimes confused, inventor. And suppose that another set of twins—adults—named Dean D. Dean and Dan D. Dean, kidnapped the Templeton twins and their ridiculous dog in order to get their father to turn over one of his genius (sort of) inventions. Yes, I said kidnapped. Wouldn’t it be fun to read about that? Oh please. It would so. Luckily for you, this is just the first in a series perfect for boys and girls who are smart, clever, and funny (just like the twins), and enjoy reading adventurous stories (who doesn’t?!).
I love a snarky narrator and The Templeton Twins is the best I’ve ever encountered. Equal parts clever and sarcastic, he — I think it’s a he –assumes the reader is responding to his every word and insists on audience participation with quizzes at the end of each chapter. The twins would be up to his questions. They, too, are clever which is good because they need their smarts to rescue themselves from their inventor father’s nemesis, adult twins of a nefarious nature. I’d hand this funny adventure book to a clever kid who is capable of outwitting an adult. Which is to say, most kids! [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Stead’s new book is a spare zen gem with the names of her characters shouldering some of the storytelling. There’s Candy, Safer’s little sister who loves candy. Bob English Who Draws is rewriting the rules of English. And, of course, seventh grader Georges, named after artist Georges Saurat whose dot paints are a metaphor for Georges’ middle school life. Focus on the big picture when bullies pick on him. Notice the small dots when they don’t. Seeing the picture is harder than it seems. Things shift. People change. All is not what it seems. This is a remarkable book. I’d hand this to kids who like Newbery books as well as anyone who loved Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
p.s. Related posts:
10 Middle Grade Books about Immigrant Families
Best Middle Grade Books for with Female Protagonists
Middle Grade Books with Refugee Themes
Middle Grade Books Featuring Characters Who are Incarcerated
Top 10: Best Books for Middle School by my 6th Grade Daughter
6th Grade Girl Reviews Middle Grade Chapter Books
Best Middle Grade Books from My 5th Grade Daughter
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
I’ll have to keep these in mind for Emma in a year or two!
Hi MaryAnne,
Liar and Spy might win a Newbery so I hope Emma gets to enjoy that when she’s older. We are also loving anything Grace Lin! The other books are great to get boys reading!
I love Grace Lin so much. I heard her talk at KidLitCon and she was so wonderful!
Hi Mom and Kiddo,
I went to KidLitCon in 2010. Did you go to the one in NYC? I’d love to meet you at one there! I saw Grace Lin speak in Brookline and she’s wonderful … she lives near me in Sommerville, MA. Love her too!
Yes, I went to the NYC KidLitCon this year since it was right in my own backyard. I think 2013 might be in Texas.
Hi Mom and Kiddo,
The year I went there weren’t many mom bloggers who blog on KidLit; mostly authors and librarians but it was a great conference and everyone was really nice and welcoming. I’d love to go again but the timing is bad so close to when school starts to get really busy. Will you go to Texas next year? You make me want to go…
True, it was mostly librarians and people who have kid lit dedicated blogs as opposed to mom blogs. I really enjoyed it and the nice thing about it being in NY was that we had a day of previews at the big publishing houses. However, I doubt I’ll go if the next one is in Texas. But, you never know…
I think that is a great way to read a more challenging book!
Been meaning to check out the Worst Case Scenario books!
Hi Ann,
What are your kids reading now? We are enjoying Sea of Monsters right now and See You at Harry’s. I need to find books for my oldest though.
My daughter is reading American Girl Doll historical books. Together we are reading Swiss Family Robinson (abridged version from Barnes and Noble – on the fence about these – you get the story without the older language – the kids like it – but I guess you also miss out on the richness). We are also reading all the Gingerbread books… Man, baby, pirate…). My son is really into them right now! Of course other Christmas picture books too : )
Sea of Monsters sounds really good! Definitely looking for books for my daughter too. She doesn’t want anything too challenging. Her favorite is Magic Tree House books and she loves the Fact Trackers but needs a change.
Hi Ann,
The American Girl Doll books are really excellent. My oldest had a phase in which she seemed to get them as presents and had piles of them. She liked the American Girl Doll mysteries as well.
Your daughter might like The Doll People series. I think we used it for 3rd (a little advanced) and 4th grade book club for girls. She also might like the Clementine series and that would be just right for her I suspect. The author, Sara Pennypacker, also lives on the Cape so you might have opportunity to see her at a local book signing. Her latest book is supposed to be great and some think might win a Newbery, Summer of the Gypsy Moths. I want to read it myself.
Awesome, personalized recommendations from Pragmatic Mom! Making a request for a Clemintine book right now!
Hi Ann,
Let me know what your daughter thinks. She may find it fun that the author is near you and Clementine is a great character that kids really like. We’ve read the entire series and my PickyKidPix will still want to read every new book even though they are easy for her as a fifth grader. Fingers crossed!