Summer Reading List
CHAPTER BOOKS
Chapter Books help students transition from easy readers to longer novels. They
contain more complex vocabulary and sentence structure, lengthier texts broken
into easy-to-digest chapters, and illustrations that add detail and help to hold
interest.
Prepared by: Haviva Donin Peters, Head Librarian, Ramaz Lower School
Adler,DavidA.(2004).CamJansen.NewYork:PuffinBooks.Summary:Afifth-graderwitha
photographicmemoryandherfriendErichelpsolvethemysteryofthestolendiamonds.Note:
Series
Auch,MaryJane.(2003,c2001).Iwasathirdgradespy.NewYork:DellYearling.Summary:
WhenBrian'sdogArfulsuddenlybeginstalking,Brianandhistwofriendssendthedogtofind
outwhattheirclassmatesareplanningfortheschooltalentshow.Note:Series
Barrows,Annie.(2011).Ivy+Bean.SanFranciscoEdina,Minn.:ChronicleBooksSpotlight.
Summary:Whenseven-year-oldBeanplaysameantrickonhersister,shefindsunexpected
supportforheranticsfromIvy,thenewneighbor,whoislessboringthanBeanfirstsuspected.
Note:Series
Blume,Judy.(c2008).Going,going,gone!withthePain&theGreatOne.NewYork:Delacorte
Press.Summary:Describesthesiblingrivalrybetweenthird-gradeAbigailandherfirst-grade
brotherJacobEdward.Note:Series
Brown,Jeff.(c2003).Stanley,flatagain!.NewYork:HarperCollinsPublishers.Summary:After
StanleyLambchopgoesflatonceagain,heuseshisflatnesstohelpwinasailboatraceandto
rescueaclassmatefromacollapsedbuilding.Note:Series
Catling,PatrickSkene.(1979,c1952).Thechocolatetouch.NewYork:MorrowJuniorBooks.
Summary:Aboyacquiresamagicalgiftthatturnseverythinghislipstouchintochocolate.
Christopher,Matt.(c1987).TouchdownforTommy.NewYork:Little,Brown.Summary:A
youngboyworriesaboutmakingthefootballteamandconvincinghisfosterparentstoadopt
him.Note:Series
Cleary,Beverly.(2000).HenryHuggins.NewYork:HarperTrophy.Summary:HenryHuggins
picksupastraydog,nameshimRibsyandsetsoutonnumerousadventureswithhim,including
breedinghundredsoffishandcollectingoverathousandworms.Note:Series
Cleary,Beverly.(2006,c1968).Ramonathepest.NewYork:HarperTrophy.Summary:Ramona
startskindergartenwherehergoodintentionsanduncontrollablecuriosityleadhertobe
labeledapest.Note:Series
DeLaCroix,Alice.(c2002).Theheroofthethirdgrade.NewYork:HolidayHouse.Summary:
WhenRandallchangestoanewschool,hepretendstobeananonymousherountil,whenhis
thirdgradeclassplansafundraiser,hefindsthatbeinghimselfisgoodenough.
Friedman,LaurieB.(c2004).Malloryonthemove.Minneapolis,MN:CarolrhodaBooks.
Summary:Aftermovingtoanewtown,eight-year-oldMallorykeepsthrowingstonesinthe
"WishingPond"butthingswillnotgobacktothewaytheywerebefore,andsheremainstorn
betweenoldandnewbestfriends.Note:Series
Giff,PatriciaReilly.(c1989).Spectacularstonesoup.NewYork:DellPub.Summary:WhenMrs.
Zacharywantsherclasstobepeople-helpersandpreparestonesouptogether,Stacyworks
hardtobehelpfulbutnooneseemstonotice.Note:Series:PolkStreetSchool
Greene,Stephanie.(c2001).OwenFoote,superspy.NewYork:ClarionBooks.Summary:Owen
andhisfriendsdecidethatspyingontheschoolprincipalathisownhousewillbeafun
challenge.Note:Series
Gutman,Dan.([2004]).MissDaisyiscrazy!.NewYork:HarperCollinsSummary:MissDaisy's
unusualteachingmethodssurprisehersecondgradestudents,especiallyreluctantlearnerA.J.
Note:Series:MyWeirdSchool
Hale,Shannon.(2014).Theprincessinblack.Somerville,Massachusetts:CandlewickPress.
Summary:PrincessMagnoliausuallywearspinkandbehavesinadaintymanner,butwhenever
amonsterarrivesfromMonsterLand,shetransformsintothePrincessinBlackand,alongwith
herponyBlacky,sendsthemonstersbacktoMonsterLand.Note:Series
Harper,ChariseMericle.(2007).JustGrace.Boston:HoughtonMifflin.Summary:Misnamedby
herteacher,seven-year-oldJustGracepridesherselfonbeingempathetic,butwhenshetriesto
helpaneighborfeelbetter,hergoodintentionsbackfire.Note:Series
Hurwitz,Johanna.(2007).MostlyMonty.Cambridge,MA:CandlewickPress.Summary:
Becausehesuffersfromasthma,six-year-oldMontyisnervousaboutstartingfirstgradebuthe
soonlearnstocopewithhisillnessandusehisspecialtalentstomakefriends.Note:Series
Kelly,DavidA.(2011).Thepinstripeghost.NewYork:RandomHouse.Summary:Whilevisiting
NewYork'sYankeeStadiumwithKate'smother,cousinsMikeandKatedecidetoinvestigatethe
rumorthattheghostofBabeRuthishauntingthestadium.Note:Series
Kerrin,JessicaScott.(c2005).MartinBridgereadyfortakeoff!.Toronto:KidsCanPress.
Summary:FeaturesthreestoriesaboutMartinBridgeandhiselementaryschooladventures.In
"Riddles,"Martingetsasubstitutebusdriverforthecrankyonehedoesn'tlike.Martinfinds
himselfinanawkwardpositionin"FasterBlaster"whenthehamsterheiscaringfordies.In
"Smithereens,"Martingiveshisfriendagoodideafordecoratingarocketshipthencan'tcome
upwithagoodoneforhimself.Note:Series
Kirby,Stan.(c2012).CaptainAwesometotherescue!NewYork:LittleSimon.Summary:When
second-graderEugeneandhisfamilymovetoanewneighborhoodandhestartsatanew
school,hehasachancetobringouthissuperheroalterego,CaptainAwesome,tofindthe
kidnappedclasshamster.Note:Series
Kline,Suzy.(2002).HerbieJones.NewYork:PuffinBooks.Summary:Herbie'sexperiencesin
thethirdgradeincludefindingbonesintheboy'sbathroom,wanderingawayfromhisclasson
theirfieldtrip,andbeingpromotedtoahigherreadinggroup.Note:Series
Kline,Suzy.(1997).HorribleHarryinroom2B.NewYork:PuffinBooks.Summary:Doug
discoversthatthoughbeingHarry'sbestfriendinMissMackle'ssecondgradeclassisn'talways
easy,asHarrylikestodohorriblethings,itisoftenalotoffun.Note:Series
Krailing,Tessa.(1998).Jillythekid.Hauppauge,N.Y.:Barron'sEducationalSeries.Summary:
Whenagroupofchildrenformsaclubtobabysitanimals,theyendupwithapetgoatwhich
leadsthemonaSeriesofwildadventures.Note:Series
Krulik,NancyE.(2006).Anyonebutme.NewYorkEdina,Minn.:Grosset&DunlapSpotlight.
Summary:KatieCarewistiredofbeingherselfandwantstobesomebodyelse,butwhenher
wishcomestruesheisshocked.Note:Series
Levine,GailCarson.(c2005).Fairydustandthequestfortheegg.NewYork:DisneyPress.
Summary:PrillaisanewfairytoNeverLand,butheroddbehaviorsurprisestheotherfairies,
whoquestionwhethersheissuitableforFairyHaven.ThewiseMotherDovehasfaithinPrilla,
whotriestoidentifyhertruetalentandbecomeaself-respectingNeverfairy.Intheprocess,
Prillaencountersahurricane,aselfishfairy,theevilCaptainHook,snobbymermaids,a
frighteninggoldenhawk,andanevildragon.Note:Series
Look,Lenore.(c2009).Look,Lenore.(c2009).AlvinHo.NewYork:Schwartz&WadeBooks.
Summary:WhenAlvin'sfathertakeshimcampingtoinstillaloveofnature,likethatoftheir
home-townheroHenryDavidThoreau,Alvinmakesanewfriendandlearnsthathecanbe
bravedespitehisfearofeverything.Note:Series
MacDonald,BettyBard.(2007).Mrs.Piggle-Wiggle.NewYork:HarperCollins.Summary:From
herupside-downhouse,theeccentricMrs.Piggle-Wiggleissuestoparentshermarvelouscures
forsuchcommonchildren'sdiseasesasWon't-Put-Away-Toys-itis,Answerbackism,andFighterQuarrelitis.Note:Series
Maddox,Jake.(c2013).Pointguardprank.NorthMankato,Minn.:StoneArchBooks.Summary:
SomebodyisplayingnastytricksonRyanDeMoss,pointguardfortheHillcrestHammers,andit
isstartingtointerferewithhisgamerightbeforethebigtournament.Note:Series
Maddox,Jake.([2009]).Skater'ssecret.Minneapolis:StoneArchBooks.Summary:Maggieis
alwaysskatinginhersisterShannon'sshadowbutthistimesheisdeterminedtomakeherown
success.Includesdiscussionquestionsandwritingprompts.Note:Series
McDonald,Megan.(2010).JudyMoody.Somerville,Mass.:CandlewickPress.Summary:Third
graderJudyMoodyisinafirstdayofschoolbadmooduntilshegetsanassignmenttocreatea
collageallaboutherselfandbeginscreatinghermasterpiece,theMecollage.Note:Series
McDonald,Megan.(2010).Stink:theincredibleshrinkingkid.Edina,Minn.:Spotlight.Summary:
Theshortestkidinthesecondgrade,JamesMoody,alsoknownasStink,learnsallaboutthe
shortestpresidentoftheUnitedStates,JamesMadison,whentheycelebratePresidents'Dayat
school.Note:Series
Mitchelhill,Barbara.(2007).Howtobeadetective.Minneapolis:StoneArchBooks.Summary:
SupersleuthDamianDroothtakeshisstudentstothestreetstofindsomerealcrimes,but
thingsgoawrywhenDamianandhistraineesarriveatthelocaldogshow.
Montgomery,LewisB.(2009).Thecaseofthestinkysocks.NewYork:KanePress.Summary:
Detectives-in-trainingMiloandJazzjoinforcestotackletheirfirstbigcase--findingoutwho
stoletheluckysocksfromthehighschoolbaseballteam'sstarpitcher.Note:Series
Mlynowski,Sarah.(2012).Fairestofall.NewYork:ScholasticPress.Summary:Aftermovingto
anewhouse,ten-year-oldAbbyandheryoungerbrotherJonahdiscoveranantiquemirrorthat
transportsthemintotheSnowWhitefairytale.Note:Series
O'Connor,Jane.(c2012).NancyClancy,supersleuth.NewYork:Harper.Summary:Nancy
ClancyandherfriendBreeputtheirsleuthingskillstowork,usingtheirmagnifyingglassand
code-breakingskillstosolveacrimethathappenedrightintheirclassroom.Note:Series
O'Ryan,Ray.([2013]).Hello,Nebulon!NewYork:LittleSimon.Summary:WhenZackNelson's
fathergetanewjobontheplanetNebulon,theirentirefamilyhastomoveandZackworries
aboutadjusttolifeonanewworld.Gradually,however,helearnsthatlifeisn'treallysobadon
thisfuturisticplanet.Note:Series:GalaxyZack
Osborne,MaryPope.(c1992).Dinosaursbeforedark.NewYork:RandomHouse.Summary:
Eight-year-oldJackandhisyoungersisterAnniefindamagictreehouse,whichwhisksthemback
toanancienttimezonewheretheyseelivedinosaurs.Note:Series:TheMagicTreehouse
Parish,Peggy.(1980,c1968).Cluesinthewoods.NewYork:BantamDoubledayDellBooksfor
YoungReaders.Summary:Missinggarbagescraps,aredsweaterfoundinthewoods,anda
trappedpuppyleadthreechildren,stayingwiththeirgrandparents,tothinksomeoneisinneed.
Paterson,Katherine.(c1999).Theking'sequal.NewYork:HarperTrophy.Summary:Inorderto
wearthecrownofthekingdom,anarrogantyoungprincemustfindanequalinhisbride.
Instead,hefindssomeonefarbetterthanhe.
Pennypacker,Sara.(c2006).Clementine.NewYork:HyperionBooksforChildren.Summary:
WhilesortingthroughdifficultiesinherfriendshipwithherneighborMargaret,eight-year-old
Clementinegainsseveraluniquehairstyleswhilealsohelpingherfatherinhiseffortstobanish
pigeonsfromthefrontoftheirapartmentbuilding.Note:Series
Pennypacker,Sara.(c2003).Stuartgoestoschool.NewYork:Scholastic.Summary:Worried
abouthisfirstdayatanewschool,eight-year-oldStuartwearshismagiccapeandhopesthatit
willhelphim.Note:Series
Peterson,JohnLawrence.(c1967).TheLittles.NewYork:Scholastic.Summary:TomLittle
suggeststryingtotamethecattoscareawaythemice.Note:Series
Pilkey,Dav.(c2000).RickyRicotta'smightyrobotvs.themutantmosquitoesfromMercury:the
secondrobotadventurenovel.NewYork:Scholastic.Summary:WhenMr.Mosquitofrom
planetMercurymanufacturesamobofmutantstoattackEarth,itisuptoRickyRicottaandhis
robotfriendtosaveSqeakyvilleandtheplanet.Note:Series
Preller,James.(c1999).Thecaseofthespookysleepover.NewYork:Scholastic.Summary:
WhenRalphieJordanthinkshishouseishaunted,Jigsawtakesthecaseandtriestopiece
togethertheclues.Note:Series
Ransom,CandiceF.(c2009).Thedayoftheblackblizzard.Minneapolis:MillbrookPress.
Summary:Whenten-year-oldOrryandhisstepsistergooutsidetoplay,theybecometrapped
inanenormousduststormandtrytofindtheirwaybackhome.
Riddell,Chris.(2009).Ottolinegoestoschool.NewYork:Harper.Summary:OttolineandMr.
Munroe,herveryhelpfuldog,enrollintheAliceB.SmithSchoolfortheDifferentlyGifted.While
Ottolineworriesthatshemaynothaveaspecialgift,Mr.Munroeworriesabouttheghostthat
issaidtohaunttheschoolatnight.Note:Series
Roop,Peter.(c1986).ButtonsforGeneralWashington.Minneapolis,Minn.:CarolrhodaBooks.
Summary:Reconstructsapossiblemissionofthefourteen-year-oldspywhocarriedmessages
toGeorgeWashington'scampinthebuttonsofhiscoatduringtheRevolutionaryWar.
Roy,Ron.(1997).Theabsentauthor.NewYork:RandomHouse.Summary:DinkDuncanand
histwofriendsinvestigatetheapparentkidnappingoffamousmysteryauthorWallisWallace.
Note:Series:AtoZMysteries
Sachar,Louis.(c1992).MarvinRedpost.NewYork:RandomHouse.Summary:Red-haired
Marvinisconvincedthatthereasonhelooksdifferentfromtherestofhisfamilyisthatheis
reallythelostprinceofShampoon.
Sachar,Louis.(2005,c1978).SidewaysstoriesfromWaysideSchool.NewYork:HarperTrophy.
Summary:PresentshumorousepisodesfromtheclassroomonthethirtiethfloorofWayside
School,whichwasaccidentallybuiltsidewayswithoneclassroomoneachstory.
Sheinmel,Courtney.(c2012).StellaBattsneedsanewname.AnnArbor,MI:SleepingBear
Press.Summary:Whenaclassmatemakesfunofhername,eight-year-oldStellapicksanew
oneforherself,butdiscoversthatthenamesheabandonedsuitsherjustfine.Note:Series
Sobol,DonaldJ.(2007).EncyclopediaBrown,boydetective.NewYork:PuffinBooks.Summary:
EncyclopediaBrown,ten-year-olddetective,helpsthepolicesolvetenpuzzlingcases.Note:
Series
Sternberg,Julie.(2014).Likecarrotjuiceonacupcake.NewYork:AmuletBooks.Summary:A
newgirlatschoolthrowsnine-year-oldEleanor'srelationshipwithherbestfriendPearlinto
disarray.Note:andotherbooksbythisauthor
Taylor,Sydney.(1989).All-of-a-kindfamily.NewYork:Dell.Summary:Theadventuresoffive
sistersgrowingupinaJewishfamilyinNewYorkintheearlytwentiethcentury.Note:Series
Warner,Sally.(2005).OnlyEmma.NewYork:Viking.Summary:Third-graderEmma'speaceful
lifeasanonlychildisdisruptedwhenshehastotemporarilysharehertidybedroomwithfouryear-oldAnthonyScarpetto,abonafide"paininthepatootie."Note:Series