Today, please welcome Kate Nafz with a Hi-Lo book list for middle readers. Hi-Lo is a term used to describe high-interest, low-readability books perfect for enticing reluctant readers to read. We are both excited about Greenhorn, a book on this list by Anna Olswanger because it is also a film!
Greenhorn, both the book and film, is based on the true story of an 11-year old Holocaust survivor named Daniel who arrives at a Brooklyn yeshiva in 1946. He is befriended by Aaron, a boy with a stutter, and the two of them stand up to the bullies who make fun of them—Aaron because of his stutter and Daniel because of the small box, with its terrible secret, that he won’t let out of his sight.
Check out the film trailer!
GREENHORN was named the 2015 Audience Award Winner for Best Short Film Drama at the Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival at the Memphis Jewish Community Center.
And now read the book that inspired this list!
p.s. If you want to watch Greenhorn, the movie:
- Amazon Prime members can rent or buy the film, or view it for free
- The film is available as a DVD, download, or stream from TMW Media Group, the distributor
- The film is available for sale as a DVD on Amazon
16 Hi-Lo Books for Middle Readers
Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Peirce
Based on the author’s syndicated comic strip, Nate becomes the first boy in school history to be given detention by every one of his teachers on the same day. Try also other titles in the Big Nate series or The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series for more cartoon-illustrated fun. [graphic novel, grades 3-7]
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
A King Midas reboot is sure to appeal to kids everywhere. John receives an amazing gift–everything he touches turns to chocolate! [middle grade, grades 2-6]
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Narrative poetry relates the story of two basketball-playing twins and their father who has high hopes for them. [middle grade novel in verse, grades 6-9]
Eerie Elementary series by Jack Chabert
Heavily illustrated, short, and slightly creepy, this series is perfect for adventurous kids who enjoy a good scare. Part of the Branches family of books by Scholastic, try other high-interest series such as Press Start! or Dragon Master. [early chapter book, grades 2-6]
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
Traces the friendship between Max who is big in stature, yet struggles with learning, and Freak, who is brilliant, yet small physically and sickly. Together they are unstoppable! [middle grade, grades 6-9]
Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Ghost does not have the easiest life. The one thing he excels at is running and joining
A city-wide track team becomes a lifeline. Try other titles in the Track series featuring other student runners. [middle grade, grades 4-7] *From Mia: Ghost is part of a 4 book series. I have a post on it here.
Greenhorn by Anna Olswanger
The full-color illustrations and generous white space will attract the casual reader and the mystery of the contents of the box will keep them reading. The reveal will both shock and educate. [middle grade, grades 5 and up]
I Funny by James Patterson
Being stuck in a wheelchair doesn’t slow Jamie down. He is determined to become the world’s best comedian. First in a series with comic-style illustrations. Try other series by the same author, James Patterson, who has made it his mission to convert reluctant readers, such as the Middle School series. [middle grade, grades 5-8]
The Jake Maddox series by Jake Maddox
Short and exciting sports stories on a variety of different sports written in an enticing format. [middle grade, grades 3-7] * From Mia: I have other hockey book lists and sports book lists too.
Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen
How does a twelve-year-old boy build a successful business complete with a team of employees all in one summer? Read to find out! [middle grade, grades 5-8]
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
The modern classic of Ponyboy and his brothers who must make their way as “greasers” in a small Texas town in the 1950s. [middle grade, grades 6-12]
Restart by Gordon Korman
Bully, Chase, is an unlikeable and feared character in his school. When he falls off his roof and gets amnesia, he re-enters school as a nice guy. Will this new Chase stay? [middle grade, grades 5-8]
Riding Freedom by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Relates the true story of Charlotte (Charlie) Parkhurst who became the first female Pony Express driver, posing as a man, and the first woman to vote in a US election. [middle grade, grades 3-7]
Thirteen-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths Grades 3-6
Friends Andy and Terry describe life in their souped-up treehouse, complete with a pet monkey, bowling alley, and swimming pool. Sequels follow. [middle grade, grades 3-6]
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Alternating stories told in two formats, text and illustrations, and across two time periods relate the tales of newly orphaned Ben and deaf Rose as they both run away from home, connecting in the end. [middle grade, grades 4-8]
Kate Nafz is the Head of Children’s Services for the Fair Lawn Public Library in New Jersey, a position she has enjoyed for twenty years. An avid reader of children’s literature, she specializes in middle grade fiction but dabbles in YA. Presently she leads two enthusiastic book discussion groups for young readers at the library. Children’s literature is her passion and she loves to spread the word about exciting new books. To learn more about her, check out her blog.
Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent for fourteen years, first as a senior agent with Liza Dawson Associates in New York and then as the head of her own agency, Olswanger Literary. She is the author of the middle grade novel Greenhorn, which became an indie film and had its New York premiere at The Museum of Tolerance, and the picture book Shlemiel Crooks, a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book. The Kaufman Center in New York adapted Shlemiel Crooks into a musical for families. To learn more about her, check out her website, Twitter, and Facebook.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
