Dragon Masters Series by Tracey West
Drake was simply picking onions like a young farming peasant does, when one of the King’s soldiers appears. Drake is pulled onto the soldier’s horse and told he is chosen. He heads to the castle, and meets other children, all chosen as Dragon Masters. Drake is assigned a dragon, and adventure awaits him at every turn. Short paragraphs, engaging pictures, and an exciting plot line for beginning chapter book readers.
Independent Reading Level: Beginning 3rd Grade
Appropriate for ages 6-8
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Rise of the Earth Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters 1)
Saving the Sun Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters 2)
Secret of the Water Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters 3)
Power of the Fire Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters 4)
Song of the Poison Dragon (Dragon Masters. Scholastic Branches)
Flight of the Moon Dragon: A Branches Book (Dragon Masters 6) (Dragon Masters. Scholastic Branches)
Kung Pow Chicken Series by Cyndi Marko
Gordon Blue is just an ordinary chicken with a big secret. He was accidently dropped into a vat of toxic sludge by his scientist uncle. Now he has, you guessed it, SUPER POWERS! He has a secret identity as Kung- Pow Chicken. He fights bad guys with his brother and super- secret side kick, Egg Drop. These books are full of puns, fast paced action scenes, and engaging illustrations.
Independent Reading Level: End of 2nd Grade
Appropriate for ages 5-8
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Let’s Get Cracking!: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken 1)
Bok! Bok! Boom!: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken 2)
The Birdy Snatchers: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken 3)
Heroes on the Side: A Branches Book (Kung Pow Chicken 4)
Princess in Black Series by Shannon Hale
The Princess in black is visiting at a proper tea when she is called off for secret spy work. She lives a double life, part time princess, part time ‘Princess in Black’ solving problems and fighting bad guys. These books are delightful, funny, and appeal to boys and girls. Do not let boys be deterred by a Princess on the cover, she solves mysteries, fights trolls, and swoops in to save the day at the last minute. This series is a perfect choice for any reader who likes funny adventures.
Independent Reading Level: 2nd-3rd Grade
Appropriate for ages 5-9
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The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde
The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation
Mercy Watson Series by Kate DiCamillio
Mercy is a lovable pet pig owned by Mr. and Mrs. Watson. She gets into all sorts of mishaps. These books are lighthearted, upbeat, and funny. The illustrations are colorful and appealing. Kate DiCamillio has a gift for using varied and rich vocabulary. If you are home-schooling, I would use them as a vocabulary teaching tool. Challenge your child to find the 10 most unusual words and write a story using them all. Just an idea! I love Mercy Watson! Your child will too.
Independent Reading Level: 2nd-3rd
Appropriate for ages 5-9
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Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise
The Miniature World of Marvin and James
Marvin is a beetle, James is a boy, and they are best friends. James has to go away on a beach vacation. Marvin has to stay home; he is sad and lonely without his best friend. He goes on adventures to the pencil sharpener with his cousin Elaine, and gets into some mischief. However, he cannot shake the fear that James will not come home, or worse, not want a beetle best friend anymore. This charming story teaches the lesson that you can make new friends, but keep the old. This book is delightfully illustrated, with the perfect amount of tension to keep a child engaged.
Independent Reading Level: Middle 2nd Grade
Appropriate for Ages: 5-9
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The Miniature World of Marvin & James (The Masterpiece Adventures)
James to the Rescue (The Masterpiece Adventures)
The Ruby Lu Series by Lenore Look
Ruby lives on 20th Ave W and could charm a binky away from a baby. Every child will relate to her, and parents will love her as well. She is spirited, but smart, clever, and kind-hearted. She lives on Beacon Hill and attends Kimball Elementary four blocks from her house. This series is a true gem. The voice of Ruby is funny, strong, and endearing. Diversity is included respectfully, without stereotyping. The Ruby series resonates with the voice the beloved Ramona Quimby. Read these!
Independent Reading Level: 3rd Grade
Appropriate for Ages: 6-8
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Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything
Tales from Maple Ridge by Grace Gilmore
Logan Pryce lives on a farm with his family. He loves inventing new gadgets out of old junk, and caring for the animals. These books are a good prelude to the Little House Series, a manageable size with simple text, pictures, and large type face. They are wholesome and focus on working together as a family.
Independent Reading Level: 3rd Grade
Appropriate for Ages: 5-9
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Logan Pryce Makes a Mess (Tales from Maple Ridge)
The Lucky Wheel (Tales from Maple Ridge)
The Big City (Tales from Maple Ridge)
The New Kid (Tales from Maple Ridge)
The Ghost of Juniper Creek (Tales from Maple Ridge)
Lost in the Blizzard (Tales from Maple Ridge)
The Chicken Squad Series by Doreen Cronin
Cute and funny chickens with major kid appeal get up to many misadventures. These have lots of pictures to break up the text, they are silly, and with a plot that engages children. Parents will love the Chicken Squad as well.
Independent Reading Level: 3rd Grade
Appropriate for Ages 6-8
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The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure
The Case of the Weird Blue Chicken: The Next Misadventure (The Chicken Squad)
Into the Wild: Yet Another Misadventure (The Chicken Squad)
The Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliot
I can attest to boys reading and loving these books as well as girls. The boys in my class who were ready for chapter books eagerly read this series. Eva has many sweet and endearing adventures. The Owl Diaries have so much visual appeal, which engages all children.
Independent Reading Level: 2nd Grade
Appropriate for Ages 6-8
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Eva’s Treetop Festival: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries 1)
Eva Sees a Ghost: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries 2)
A Woodland Wedding (Owl Diaries 3): A Branches Book
Eva and the New Owl (Owl Diaries)
Warm Hearts Day: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries 5)
The Who Was Series
I have seen many children reluctant to read non-fiction devour these biographies. They have illustrations, and explain complicated history in a way that children understand and care about. Every person you want to learn about has been featured. I read about Winston Churchill today and learned a plethora of facts I never knew.
The Independent Reading Levels Vary, but most are 4th-5th Grade
They make a wonderful read- aloud books
To Purchase on Amazon, click here: Who Was Helen Keller?
Beginnings and Book Ends 