Engaging Elementary Students: A Curated Reading List

School is almost out, which means it’s time for swimsuits, sunblock, summer reading challenges, and finding ways to combat boredom. Summer reading for rising 1st - 3rd graders is about finding books that keep them engaged, laughing, and coming back for more while reinforcing skills they learned in class, avoiding that summer slide. This summer, let’s match books to classic seasonal activities - whether your kiddo spends their days at the pool, explores the backyard, or becomes a lemonade stand CEO.

Books for Budding Readers (Grades K-3)

Step into Reading Series

For new readers who need books with basic vocabulary, familiar words, and short sentences, the Step into Reading series is a great option. There are hundreds of books to choose from that cover a variety of interests. The latest book, We Dig Fossils, follows a little girl named Ava, a budding paleontologist, and her family as they search for fossils.

Three Boys by Kiese Laymon

City Mouse, Country Mouse meets Black Boy Joy in this ode to the friendships made during summer vacation. Three boys visiting their grandmothers in the deep South find freedom in playing games and forging kinship in the Mississippi woods. With lyrical text and moving illustrations, this picture book is a beautiful tribute to summer.

What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? by Rachel Ignotofsky

This book is the newest title in Rachel Ignotofsky’s beautiful nonfiction What’s Inside series. What’s Inside a Bird’s Nest? gives readers a snapshot of our winged friends from the moment they hatch until they take to the sky. Engaging information, concise text, and detailed illustrations answer curious readers’ questions.

Illustrated Novels

Illustrated novels pair the text and storytelling of a short chapter book with the full-color illustrations of a picture book. This makes them a perfect bridge for 6- to 8-year-olds who enjoy picture books but are ready to read longer stories.

Swimming into Trouble

In Swimming into Trouble, Julia is the youngest swimmer of the Vipers Swim Team and is anxious to prove herself in the pool. Not even an ear infection will keep her from competing.

Bluey: Swim School

Eight-year-olds were around Bingo’s age when Bluey first came on the air, and there’s a good chance your kid adores the television show. Our family has grown up watching the beloved TV series, and we never pass up a chance to read a Bluey book. The “Swim School” episode from season two follows Bluey acting as a swim instructor and mom, dad, and Bingo as students trying to pass their swim test without “dobbing” on each other. Readers will love reading the familiar episode, and parents will love getting kids off screens.

Lemonade Stand Entrepreneurship

What’s summer without trying to become a young entrepreneur with your own one-of-a-kind lemonade stand? It's too bad all the other kids on the block have the same idea. So, this spunky heroine takes her lemonade stand on the road, searching for thirsty clientele, and ends up in unexpected places. This is a funny and engaging story about turning lemons into lemonade with a slight twist. The rich, colorful illustrations are jam-packed with funny, comic-book-style details.

Esme! Series

Esme! is another illustrated chapter book series for the transitional reading crowd. After meeting Wendall, a boy trying to earn a badge by selling Troop Badger cookies, Esme decides she wants to earn badges, too. She isn’t part of a Badger troop, so she starts her own and invites the kids in her apartment building to join. Her troop’s first task is to help Wendall sell all of his cookies.

Disney Descendants

If your reader knows who Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay are (mine do!), chances are they are a Disney Descendants fan. We know that the Descendants are the children of Disney Villains, but what were those villains like as kids? Did they cause trouble? Of course they did! When young Hades gets to the most magical summer camp, the ropes relay course is no match for his hot temper.

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Would You Rather? Books

This set of three Would You Rather? books is bursting with questions about favorite summer activities like campfires, whitewater rafting, and pool parties. Readers will find thought-provoking scenarios and games to entertain and challenge kids to think creatively and speak persuasively. While this is listed for 8- to 12-year-olds, it’s a great addition to any family’s summertime activities.

Father-Son Adventures

Join a father and son duo as they embark on a journey filled with unexpected mishaps and endless laughs. From a crowded camping ground to rainy nights and failed fishing attempts, nothing seems to go according to plan.

Super Pancake Graphic Novel Series

Graphic novel lovers will want to read Peggy Pancake’s latest superhero adventure with her sidekick, Luc Croissant, as they battle Dr. Evil Breakfast Sandwich and his sinister Henchtoasts. In the second book of this graphic novel series, Peggy’s everyday life gets in the way of her superhero duties, and she soon finds herself facing an unexpected villain of her own making!

The Underdogs Chapter Book Series

In this hilarious mystery, The Underdog Detective Agency investigates a string of burglaries by a sly cat burglar. To catch the burglar, they do the unthinkable and bring on a brand new detective - a cat! This first title in The Underdogs chapter book series will keep young readers laughing as they try to crack the case.

Animal Island Graphic Novel Series

With its vibrant illustrations, this graphic novel series will entice screen-loving kids away from their devices. The Boggle family has arrived on Animal Island, and Max can’t wait to explore! When he learns about a mysterious creature called the Chaffy, Max takes his notebook and a few clues and sets out to find it.

Early Chapter Book Series

Short chapters mixed with black and white illustrations make this new early chapter book series fly. When Elvis the dog chases a strange creature through the neighborhood and vanishes into a portal, three kids and their babysitter have no choice but to follow him. They soar through deep space, encounter aliens, dodge asteroids, and defy gravity as they attempt to find their furry best friend (and return home before bedtime!). Add a few pizzas, and you have a new favorite series.

Fairy Tale Adventures Series

Fans of horses and Disney princesses will fall in love with Maddie, her little sister, Evie, and their magical adventures on their new farm. When a wish gone wrong brings fairy tale horses to their farm, the sisters step in to save their happily-ever-afters. In this fifth book in the series, they help Major, Cinderella’s horse. This series by the creator of the Disney: The Never Girls series is excellent for readers transitioning from leveled readers to chapter books.

Max Meow Graphic Novel Series

If your reader loves to “meow-l” with laughter, check out the fan-favorite Max Meow graphic novel series. In this installment, Max Meow and his best friend Mindy (Science Kitty) save Kittyopolis from monster pancakes, wild dreams, and familiar villains. Can Max’s friends help contain the breakfast chaos and stop a newly organized Legion of Nasty from putting Max on permanent pawse?

Recommended Books for Elementary Students by Grade

Must-Read Books for 1st Grade

Must-read books for 1st grade children - curated and compiled by teachers, home educators and librarians for elementary school students aged 6-7 and including picture books and short single chapter books to suit all abilities. Authors include Jon Scieszka, Mal Peet, Mo Willems, Dr. Seuss, and Eleanor Estes.

Recommended Picture Books for Kindergarten

A list of recommended picture books for grade K children aged 5 and 6 in elementary school kindergarten. These reading choices have been compiled by teachers, librarians, and home educators to appeal to beginner and emergent readers of all abilities.

Recommended Best Books for 2nd Grade

A list of recommended best books for grade 2 children aged 7 and 8 in elementary school. These reading suggestions have been compiled by professional teachers and librarians to appeal to all abilities in the second grade including reluctant readers.

Recommended Best Books for 3rd Grade

Here are our recommended best books for grade 3, including short stories and chapter books to appeal to 8 and 9-year-olds. Authors include Dick King-Smith, Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, and Cornelia Funke.

Best Reading Books for Grade 5

Here are our recommendations for the best reading books for grade 5. The list includes challenging reads for 10 and 11-year-olds as well as easier texts for children who find reading more challenging. Authors include Kate Messner, James Patterson, and E.B. White.

Best Books for 4th Grade Readers

This collection of the best books for 4th grade readers has been selected by experienced teachers and librarians. There is a range of genres and styles to appeal to 9 and 10 year olds. Authors include Roald Dahl, Tui Sutherland, Rudyard Kipling, Neil Gaiman, Shannon Hayle and JK Rowling.

Books for Grade 6 Children

The list of books for grade 6 children includes more challenging reads for 10 and 11-year-olds as well as gripping series and easier texts for reluctant readers. Authors include Sharon Creech, Anna Sewell, Lous Sachar, and Jason Reynolds.

Additional Reading Recommendations

Beginning Readers (Pre-K-Grade 1)

Big by Vashti Harrison: Any kid who has felt marginalized due to their size will see a part of themselves in this book’s main character, a ballerina who gets stuck in a swing and starts to feel shunned. Foldout pages bring the story to life and help kids follow along as she learns to love herself.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall: Readers with big dreams-and a kid-sized amount of patience and resources-will learn the value of persistence while seeing Jabari try to make a flying machine in his backyard.
Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming: Colorful illustrations and catchy chants like, “We say BOOK, you say BAG … Book! Bag! Book! Bag!” will even have the most reluctant students nodding along and asking, “When does school start?”
Swallows Swirl by Christina Wilsdon: Children will build appreciation for nature-and for using precise words to describe what they see, hear, and feel-as they follow the young narrator and her furry and feathered friends through a year outside her rural home.
What Do You Do with an Idea? By Kobi Yamada: Bright kids will find solace in the narrator’s journey through the exciting and often scary process of turning an idea into something tangible.

Young Readers (Grades 2-3)

Classified by Traci Sorell: Kids with an early interest in STEM will find inspiration in this book about Mary Golda Ross, from her experience as the only girl in her high school math class to her work designing aircrafts as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer.
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar: Welcome to the wacky world of Wayside School, which, instead of being built one story tall with 30 classrooms, was accidentally built 30 stories tall with one classroom on each story. Bright young readers will enjoy meeting the students and teachers, who are just as eccentric as the building itself.
Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes by Patty Cisneros Prevo: Written by a two-time paralympic gold medalist, this nonfiction book shares the compelling biographies and daily obstacles that some of the world’s most tenacious athletes must overcome, from a long jumper with an amputated leg to a young dancer with cerebral palsy.
The Math Inspectors Series by Daniel Kenney and Emily Boever: Math lovers-and kids who need help finding the fun in math-will relish this series about a group of kid detectives who use their numbers skills to crack cases that involve a diamond, a roller coaster, a Christmas caper, and more.
The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-El: Kids will love meeting the wholesome cast of characters who live in “the north part of the north, where the parallels and meridians tangle.” Reminiscent of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh series, this book is sprinkled with some nice big words to stretch young readers’ skills and build their vocabulary.

Advanced Readers (Grades 4-6)

Gut by Giulia Enders: This fascinating, sometimes-funny-sometimes-gross exploration of the microscopic world that lives inside each of us and plays a crucial role in our health will appeal to readers who are curious about the human body.
The Partition Project by Saadia Faruqi: Budding storytellers will relate to Maha, who decides to focus her documentary project on her grandmother, who has just arrived from Pakistan. Maha learns about world history while also exploring her family and culture in this timely and moving novel.
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff: Middle school can be scary, especially when you’re dealing with a potential ghost. Readers who are apprehensive about middle school will see a bit of themselves in best friends Bug and Moira as they spend the summer preparing, in their own unique ways, for the next stage in their lives.
What Happened to Rachel Riley? By Claire Swinarski: Tweens who like mysteries will be intrigued by this novel that starts off with an observation: Rachel Riley, who used to be the most popular girl in school, is suddenly shunned by everyone. Her classmate, podcast enthusiast Anna, tries to find out why, in this book that explores themes of friendship, bullying, and harassment.

Young Adult Readers (Grades 7+)

The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Rivalry, Adventure, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements (Young Readers Edition) by Sam Kean: Science-minded teens will love learning true tales of the elements- the curious ways they work in the world, the way they’re organized, and the scientists that discovered them-including stories of a radioactive Boy Scout, a gold rush, the eponymous disappearing spoon, and more.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune: This fantasy novel follows a caseworker who visits magical orphanages for children with unusual abilities. Its quirky characters and messages of acceptance and found family offer a delightful escape for advanced readers who appreciate stories with a touch of magic.
The Martian by Andy Weir: Science fiction fans will be on the edge of their seats following teacher-turned-astronaut Mark Watney as he becomes the first person to walk on Mars. When Watney suddenly finds himself stranded, he must put his engineering skills to the test and dig deep, both literally and figuratively, to survive and make his way back to Earth.
The Joy of X: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity by Steven Strogatz: Strogatz, a renowned mathematician, helps readers discover the beauty and ubiquity of math, which can be found in everything from the spirals in a seashell to the intricate workings of the universe.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: History enthusiasts will be spellbound reading this novel that unfolds during World War II and is told through the alternating narratives of two teenage friends: Verity, a headstrong pilot yearning for adventure; and Julie, an artist with a gift for languages.

Tips for Encouraging Reading

Relate Books to Interests: If you’ve studied your children, you may know some of the genres your kids prefer too. Here’s what you can do with that information. Next to the words “Book Reviews‚” is a drop-down menu beneath the word “Filter.” If you click on the arrow, you can find a specific genre that your child likes to read. Click on it and on the “Submit” button to receive a list of books that have been reviewed in that genre.
Make Reading Fun: Take a few minutes each day to just read a book together for fun. Good stories bring us together!
Use Books to Teach: Books can be used to teach any standard, even math standards!

Back-to-School Read Alouds

Mo Willems' Books: If you do not have any Elephant and Piggie Books in your collection, stop what you are doing right now and go get some! I haven’t met a first grader who doesn’t love Mo and his beloved characters. I’ve had so many parents tell me that their child didn’t like to read until I introduced him to Elephant and Piggie! They’re pure gold! You, of course, should read the books with voices to get the full effect! Don’t forget about Pigeon too! “The Pigeon HAS To Go To School!” is perfect for the first day or first week of school as many of our primary aged students can relate to Pigeon’s nervousness about going to school for the first time! It’s not only fun to read, but is also great to start discussions about how we felt about the first day. How it’s okay to be nervous, but how our emotions can also change! Just like Pigeon’s did as he discovers that he loves school! This book is also great to go back to when you want to discuss how characters change in a book.
How To Get Your Teacher Ready is such a fun read aloud for back to school!! You and your students will love this adorable story! Also, if you’re looking for some mentor texts to add to your How-To writing unit, all of Jean Reagan’s “How To” books are amazing!
Decibella and Her 6-Inch Voice is a perfect book for teaching students expectations for voice levels. It’s about a little girl named Isabella who only speaks at one level: way too loud! Her teacher teaches her 5 different voice levels: whisper, 6-inch, table-talk, strong speaker, and outside. The teacher empowers the little girl by modeling the levels for her, allowing her to practice, and then teaching her that she has the power to choose what voice level is appropriate!
"You Get What You Get": If you have the rule “you get what you get and you don’t get upset” in your classroom or home, "You Get What You Get" is PERFECT for introducing or reinforcing it!
My Mouth Is A Volcano is a fun read aloud to teach students the importance of controlling their tongue and being respectful to others!
Interrupting Chicken is a fun story with great illustrations about how it feels when someone is constantly blurting out or interrupting, even when they don’t mean to.
Even Superheroes Make Mistakes is an important reminder for us all that it’s ok to make mistakes as we can learn and grow from them.
The Recess Queen is great for the beginning of the year as you introduce playground/recess rules!
Too Much Glue is so much fun to read! It’s a great book to use to introduce expectations for using glue in the classroom and other supplies.
The Invisible Boy: I fell in absolute love with “The Invisible Boy“, as tears brimmed in my eyes, when I first read through its pages in the aisle of Ollies Bargain Outlet! I love that the illustrations tell the story as much as the words!
Quiet Please, Owen McPhee is about a little boy who talks All.THE.TIME! But one day he gets laryngitis and quickly realizes the importance and power of listening!
Strictly No Elephants is one of my absolute favorite read alouds!! If you haven’t read it yet, you are missing out! It’s the perfect book for teaching students about friendship, empathy, and making everyone feel welcomed-even those who are different from us!!
The Color Monster: I was SO excited to add “The Color Monster” to my library!⁣ It’s a story about a color monster that is feeling all out of sorts as his feelings are all jumbled up.
We’re All Wonders is the picture book version of the “Wonder” chapter book and reinforces the truth that each child is so special: an absolute wonder!
The Power To Choose books: Both of the "What Should Danny Do?" books and the "What Should Darla Do?" book are must-haves for every classroom as their interactive texts allow students to decide the character’s choices and see what happens as a result.

Books for Teaching About Books

Robot Zot is one of my FAVORITE books to read during the first week of school! I first use this book to model how to read the pictures and the words by reading Robot Zot with the class. You can’t read this book without using them both! It’s amazing! And using a robot voice to read is, of course, a must! Plus, having the students chime in for the “Robot Zot-never fall! Robot Zot-conquers all!” makes it such a fun book to read together!⁣⁣ Then, I pull this book out again to introduce the third way to read a book, which is retelling the story. It ends up becoming a mentor text that we then refer back to when we talk about the 3 ways to read a book.
The Magician’s Hat is the perfect book to discuss the importance of books and finding books that interest us! It’s a great book to kick out how to use the classroom library and finding good fit books!
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story is perfect for discussing the importance of books and of taking good care of them! The stains on the pages look real and it’s hilarious to read!!

Books for Writing Workshop

Ralph Tells A Story is one of my all-time favorite books for kicking off writing workshop! It becomes a mentor text that we continue to refer back to throughout the year. Plus, it’s absolutely hilarious and relatable as it’s about a little boy that can’t think of anything to write (he does all of the typical avoidance behaviors during writing), but once he finds a story he can’t stop writing!
Look! I Wrote A Book! (And You Can Too!) is absolutely perfect for teaching the writing process in a fun, easy to understand way! It teaches things such as where to get ideas, writing for a purpose/to an audience, the components of a good story (even how to write a good title!), genres, receiving feedback from peers, and the editing/revision process!

Books for Math

Zero The Hero is a fun story and the kids always love it!
Anno’s Counting Book is one of my favorite ways to begin math talks and is perfect for students to begin to see math in the real world!

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