Romantic Novels for Young Adults

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The Missing Piece

The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein

Summary: This is the story of a “piece” who rolls slowly singing a song about how he wishes to find his “missing piece.” It encounters different pieces.

I really enjoy this book. It is entertaining for children because of it’s simplicity and repetition. As children look back on this book later in life, they may be shocked at message of this metaphor for searching for a special someone. Perhaps, we can try to help them understand parts of it now. 

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by John Sciezka

Summary: A collection of parodies of classic fairy tales.

As a child I remember looking at this book questioningly at the book fair. It sounded crude and the boys seemed to like it. One day the school librarian read it to us and I realized the boys were right; it is a very funny book. It helps to know classic fairy tales before reading this collection of “fractured fairy tales,” a newly named genre for traditional fairy tales told in a different way.


Interest Level:grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Frida by Jonah Winter

Summary: About the life of an artist named Frida, who suffered many pains but made it through life with her art.

I was curious how the author would make the story of Frida into a children’s book after seeing the R rated movie that won academy awards. This book is simplistic enough that it is appropriate for children. There is an artist’s note at the end that she portrayed traditional characters in Mexican folk art which included funny skeletons, little devils, and sweet jaguars.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman

A mother bird sits on her egg that is about to hatch. She thinks the egg will hatch shortly and the baby bird will need food. So she leaves the nest to find food and while she is away the egg hatches and the baby bird leaves the nest in search of his mother. He encounters different animals and asks each one if they are his mother. At last he returns to his nest and his mother returns and finally he has found his mother.

One of my brother’s “Read it again! Read it again!” books for many nights. P.D. Eastman was a student of Dr. Seuss and he uses a very similar easy reader format in his books. They are repetitive but different and interesting. Young children enjoy repetition and “reading” a story that is really memorized, is encouraging to a child’s on their reading journey!

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

No, David! by David Shannon

A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.

Do you have a child in your life you repeatedly say “no” to? Is your child starting to get upset about this? Try reading this book and show that you still care about them unconditionally and they can get attention from positive behavior, too! I saw this book being read aloud to pre-school class to teach the same lesson.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 1

Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now!

Marvin K. Mooney, Will You Please Go Now! by Dr. Seuss

Summary: Suggests in rhyme a number of ways for Marvin K. Mooney to travel as long as he gets going--now!

I LOVED this book as a child! It was a “read it again! Read it again!” book for more nights than I could count at that age! Perhaps, one of the lesser known Dr. Seuss books, like other books by this author, it is repetitive but in a creative way. (Perhaps, more entertaining than “See Jane run” to others besides me) Young children enjoy repetition and “reading” a story that is really memorized, is encouraging to a child’s on their reading journey!

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Science Fiction for Young Teens

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Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words : From Accessories to Zany

Fancy Nancy's Favorite Fancy Words :
From Accessories to Zany
by Jane O'Connor

Summary: Fancy Nancy provides one or more of her favorite fancy words for each letter of the alphabet, defines them, and uses some in sentences that show what they mean to her, such as that she yearns--wants really badly--to visit Paris someday.

The ever-so popular easy reader and picture book character Fancy Nancy stars in an alphabet book! For the child who is not satisfied with “c is for car” try these hard words! Though we all have to start with the basics, try this book to spice things up and maybe even increase your child’s interest in print!

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 3

If You Give a Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Summary: This book is the story of what could happen if you a gave mouse a cookie… and then whatever else he may ask for.

I first heard this book in second grade and remembered it years later when it was discussed in a literature class! This is a great interactive read aloud for a class where children can chant the repeating parts.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Summary: As the lone "young lady" on a transatlantic voyage in 1832, Charlotte learns that the captain is murderous and the crew rebellious.

Charlotte is a very strong female character, especially for her time period. I was very impressed with her courage in her adventures when I was younger as well.

Reading Level: grade 5
Interest Level: grades 4-8

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein

Summary: A young boy grows to manhood and old age experiencing the love and generosity of a tree which gives to him without thought of return.

I remember the first time I heard this book. My second grade teacher read it to us in a woodsy area outside of the classroom on a stump of a tree that had been torn down in a recent storm. I was teary eyed. We counted the rings and felt bad for the tree.

The tree gives and gives. This book can teach many lessons. The tree gives the boy everything it can. The tree is unhappy when it has little left for itself but spending time with the boy makes it happy again. All the tree wants is company, but company does not always appreciate gifts, and does not always stay.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 3

Gary and Ray

Gary and Ray

by Sarah Adams

Summary: Gary is lonely because the other forest animals find a gorilla too intimidating to play with. A tiny sunbird named Ray sees his sadness and befriends him. Gary is happy but still wishes he could have a family of his own. Ray finds Susan for him, and the rest is history.

This is a sweet story. The vibrant illustrations and minimal text make it appropriate for use with young readers. This book could be used to discuss that friends come in all different shapes and sizes. Also, with patience, we may find friends like ourselves, as well.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

There Are No Cats in This Book!

There Are No Cats in This Book!

by Viviane Schwarz

Summary: Filled with the spirit of adventure, three cats pack their suitcases and try to escape from their book.

This is a fun book. It is appropriate to read to a young class or reluctant readers to get them involved in a story.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 1

Chit Lit for Young Teens

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Ruby Valentine Save the Day

Ruby Valentine Saves the Day

 by Laurie B. Friedman

Summary: Ruby invites everyone to a grand Valentine's Day party at her mountaintop home, but when a blizzard keeps her guests away, she decides to take the carefully planned party into town.

This is a precious Valentine’s Day story. The moral of the story is that a party is what you make it, in the moment. An adult may discuss with children how even well-thought out plans do not always work out the way we expect. Is it more important to have your vision of a party implemented or have a great time with the people you care about? The people have fun doing simple activities and with things of no monetary value; and adult may discuss with a children fun things they may do without money. Discussing simply that driving in the snow in not always safe is appropriate as well.

Interest Level: Grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 3

No Ghost under My Bed

No Ghost Under My Bed

by Guido van Genechten

Summary: When a little penguin named Jake becomes afraid of strange noises in his room at night, he calls his father to check out the situation, and when everything from the curtain to the wardrobe and toy box has been checked, Jake feels comforted that all of the ghosts are gone and prepares to sleep.

This book is wonderful for children who are reluctant to sleep on their own, afraid of the dark, or afraid of the noises of the night.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3
Reading Level: grade 2

Librarianjk recommends Who Stole Mona Lisa?

Who Stole Mona Lisa?

by Ruthie Knapp

Summary: Tells the story of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci portrait known as the Mona Lisa, including its 1911 theft from the Louvre in Paris, from the point of view of the subject of the painting. Includes an author's note with facts about the painting.

This is an excellent fictionalized story of a true event. The author weaves in many facts during the story in addition to the facts on the author’s note page. This book is appropriate for older readers interested in the Mona Lisa or art in general.

Interest Level: grades 4-6, grades 7-8
Reading Level: grade 2

Tiny Little Fly

Tiny Little Fly

by Michael Rosen

Summary: With a tramp and a roll and a swat, Great Big Elephant, Great Big Hippo, and Great Big Tiger try to capture Tiny Little Fly as he teases each one in turn.

This is an adorable book appropriate for very young listeners. This book can be used for an interactive audience. The text is repetitive and has many fun sounds to make, and a guessing game of which animal is on the next page can be played.

Interest Level: birth-age 2, ages 2-4

Reading Level: grade 2

Doctor Squash: The Doll Doctor

Doctor Squash: The Doll Doctor

by Margaret Wise Brown

Summary: Doctor Squash has always taken care of the sick and injured dolls until, one day, when Doctor Squash himself gets sick, all the dolls get together to help him get well.

Though lengthy, this book is appropriate for young children who are ill. This book may decrease the anxiety some children feel when visiting the doctor. A parent can reassure the child that if toys are brave when the doctors come, they can be brave, too.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

The Odious Ogre

The Odious Ogre

by Norton Juster

Summary: An ogre terrorizes villages until he meets a friendly villager.

This is a fantastic book for addressing bullies. Some parents teach “be nice to other and they will be nice to you.” This is not always true; this book teaches that sometimes you can hurt people more with kindness than unkind words. This book is lengthy and I recommend it for older readers and listeners.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 7

Humorous Books for Young Adults

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Counting Birds

Counting Birds

by Alice Melvin

Summary: Swans, swallows, peacocks, geese, and starlings appear in this charming story that leads children through a spring day from dawn to dusk.

This book is beautifully illustrated and is super for lovers of bird identifying who are learning numbers. A game of “look and find” can be played as well as counting the birds.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 4

Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon

Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon

by Ute Krause

Summary: No princess is around to be fed to the dragon so Little Oscar's name is pulled from the hat. Learn how the boy's cleverness comes to his rescue!

I found the beginning of this book slightly disturbing, but the middle and the ending are humorous. This book is wonderful simply for entertainment. It is lengthy and most appropriate for third graders and advanced second graders to read to themselves.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 3

Am I Right or Am I Right?

Am I Right or Am I Right?
by Barry Jonsberg

Summary: Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with a handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. So stocking shelves at the store seems like a perfect job--until that annoying customer tries to hold up the store. . .

Though considered chick lit, this girl is not your average whiney school girl! She’s tough and arrogant, but also hilarious and entertaining. If you are looking for a comedy, that sense that someone else gets it besides you, or even a romantic comedy, try this book.

Reading Level: YA
Interest Level: YA

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale

by Ying Chang Compestine

Summary: One Chinese New Year's Eve, a poor man who works for the richest businessman in Beijing sends his son to market to trade their last few eggs for a bag of rice. Instead, he brings home an empty, but magical wok that changes their fortunes forever.

This is a humorous, lengthy book. This clever story seems like a hybrid of The Gingerbread Man and Robin Hood.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 4

Ruth and the Green Book

Ruth and the Green Book

 by Calvin Alexander Ramsey

Summary: When Ruth and her parents take a motor trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit her grandma, they rely on a pamphlet called "The Negro Motorist Green Book" to find places that will serve them. Includes facts about "The Green Book."

This is a wonderful historical fiction read most appropriate for older elementary school students. This book could be used during Black History Month or for discussing segregation.

Interest Level: grades 3-6
Reading Level: grade 5

Happy February!

February is Black History Month!

February 14th is Valentine's Day!

Check out

recommended books from last year

on February themes

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