Sister Bear: A Norse Tale

by Jane Yolen

Summary: Halva is traveling with her trained bear to visit the King of Denmark when they stop for the night at a cottage where, they learn, a pack of trolls is about to make its annual Christmas Eve visit, causing trouble and making a big mess. Includes author's note about the story's origins.

This is a captivating tale with gorgeous, vibrant illustrations. This lesser known European folktale is wonderful for genre studies lesson units. However, is lengthy and I do not recommend reading this book aloud to a young class.

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

Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation 

by Ann Droyd

Summary: A bedtime story for bidding electronic gadgets goodnight, from the Blackberry and the Nooks to the iPad and the MP3s.      

This is a humorous parody of Goodnight Moon, a classic bedtime story. Young children to adults will enjoy this book.  I enjoyed the last page the most.      

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 4

 

Goldilicious 

by Victoria Kann

Summary: A little girl and her brother play with her imaginary gold-horned unicorn that can float on water, fly, and turn herself into a fairy princess.                           

This book is one of the sequels to the very popular book, Pinkalicious. The story is not particularly noteworthy, but it will be enjoyed by fans of the series.

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

Puddle's New School

by Amber Stewart

Summary: Puddle the Duckling starts to have second thoughts about going to duckling school for the first time, but with some encouragement and kindness from his mother, he is able to enjoy his new environment.

This is a cute story that can help prepare children for a first day of preschool. Teachers may read this book aloud on the first day of school and discuss how their school will be similar and different to the duckling’s

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



Happy Birthday, Hamster

by Cynthia Lord

Summary: Follows Hamster and his friend Dog as they prepare for a birthday party.

This is an excellent interactive one-on-one read with a young child. As with any picture book, the reader may engage the child by asking what is happening in the illustrations and what he/she thinks will happen next. The pages contain pictures with increasingly obvious clues for what will happen at the end of the story. The text allows for a quick re-read in which a reader may ask a child how the pictures relate to the ending.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1

The Jewel Fish of Karnak

by Graeme Base

Summary: Two thieves, caught stealing from an Egyptian market, are brought before the Cat Pharaoh who agrees to pardon them if they bring back a treasure that was stolen from her. They must not take anything else or get the precious Jewel Fish wet.

This is the coolest picture book I have seen a long time. The back cover contains a movable puzzle. The Cat Pharaoh challenges readers to go to the author’s website with the answers. Even without this feature, the book contains a fantastic fable, and the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend this book to any primary grade student and older children who are up for a fun challenge.

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

 

The Wizard Mouse 

by Dean Morrissey

Summary: A field mouse travels far from his home and helps restore a wizard's magic; thus, saving the kingdom of Muddmoor.

This imaginative adventure is ideal for strong readers in primary school to read to themselves. The vibrant illustrations draw the reader deep into this fantasy. The story’s message of following one’s dreams and being true to oneself is truly inspiring and will captivate any young readers’ heart. 

Interest Level: grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 4

Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy

Summary: When twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her weird uncle's estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from the Faceless Ones.

This is a strange, far-fetched, fabulous fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed Skulduggery’s dry sense of humor and bitter sarcasm. I admire Stephanie, who is a strong, stubborn, young female. I look forward to continuing this series.

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

Bunnicula: A Rabbit-tale of Mystery

by Deborah Howe

Summary: Though scoffed at by Harold the dog, Chester the cat tries to warn his human family that their foundling baby bunny must be a vampire.

This is a humorous tale with a ridiculous, though enjoyable, plot. I have recommended this book to older readers on a low reading level. They have told me that they enjoyed it. There are several other Bunnicula books to try if you like this first told tale.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: Grade 5



Fox and Hen Together

by Béatrice Rodriguez

Summary: In this sequel to The Chicken Thief, the chicken goes on an adventure when the refrigerator is empty and finds a surprise when returning home.

This wordless book’s illustrations depict interesting events. The illustrations are not extremely detailed, however, that may aid children in creating their own unique story.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Halloween Beginning Readers

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Horror Stories for Grades 6-8

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Maddie's Monster Dad 

by Scott Gibala-Broxholm

Summary: Maddie loves it when her father plays scary games with her, but when he is too busy with work, she turns into a "Maddie Scientist" and builds herself a monster dad that she thinks will be more fun.

This is not a Halloween story, but reading it around this holiday is appropriate. The book is great for Frankstein or other monster lovers. The story is wonderful for a discussion on working parents, especially fathers. Though sad at times, the silly puns are comic relief to the subject matter. I enjoyed the twist at the end.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 3

Horror Stories for Young Adults

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Zombie in Love

by Kelly DiPucchio

Summary: When all his efforts to find a sweetheart fail, Mortimer the zombie decides to place an ad in the newspaper.

This book will appeal to both romantics and children with a silly or gross sense of humor. This book is great for celebrating Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, the book is narrow compared to other picture books, which does not make it an ideal read aloud.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 2

What Am I? Halloween

by Anne Margaret Lewis

Summary: A rhyming text provides clues for the various Halloween themed pictures hidden under the flaps.

This is a terrific interactive book. The illustrations under the flaps have parts of the pictures sticking out on the page before; this makes it easier for little ones to guess what the picture is.

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

What's in the Witch's Kitchen?

by Nick Sharratt

Summary: The contents of the witch's kitchen are hidden by flaps that can be opened either to the left or right to reveal pop-up illustrations of either a delight or a nasty fright.

This is a really fun book and is great for celebrating Halloween. The story is fabulous for young children with a silly sense of humor or children who enjoy gross things.

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

Miss Fox's Class Shapes Up

by Eileen Spinelli

Summary: When Miss Fox realizes that her students do not have healthy habits, she teaches them that healthful living is fun and rewarding, which they find to be true on Field Day.

This story is best for preschoolers due to its mildly didactic nature. For primary grade students, it is appropriate to read this book before field day.

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

 

Hopper and Wilson 

by Maria van Lieshout

Summary: An elephant and a mouse embark on a journey to discover what it looks like at the end of the world.

This is a sweet book that is great for entertainment value alone. A quick discussion on how there is no edge of the world is appropriate after reading this story with younger children.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2

Me and My Dragon 

 by David Biedrzycki

Summary: A child tells all the reasons a small, fire-breathing dragon would make an excellent pet and the ways to take proper care of it.

This is a humorous story that is great simply for entertainment. Children will find the text silly but fun.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3

Reading Level: grade 2