elementary+books

I chose to focus my search on books that would work well for upper elementary students (4th-5th grade) who are reading between a 2nd-3rd grade reading range.

Characteristics of Good Elementary Hi/Lo Books:[[image:girl.jpg width="140" height="212"]]

 * They look like real chapter books. Picture books are generally not accepted at these grade levels.
 * They have lots of quality, fun pictures throughout the book, sometimes in the margins.
 * They have engaging and "cool" characters.
 * Many use humor to keep readers reading.

Issues/Concerns for Selecting Elementary Books:

 * Find books that are about them. Make sure the book isn't about a 2nd grade student when it's a 4th grade student who is reading the book.
 * Pictures are important. These help beginning readers to understand the text more easily.

=10 Elementary Level Picks:=

North Pole, South Pole by: Nancy Smiller Levinson
RL 2.8 This book shares with readers differences between the north and south pole. There are colorful illustrations throughout the book. Short sentences and simple vocabulary help new readers to understand this nonfiction book easily.



Hoops by: Robert Burleigh
RL 2.5 The author uses simple text to poetically describe what it feels like to play basketball. The text is full of descriptive words that cause the reader to feel that they are playing the game.



The Attack on Pearl Harbor by: Jane Sutcliffe
RL 2.8 This graphic novel tells the story of the attack on Pearl Harbor on both the air and the ground. There are eye catching illustrations and simply stated information that help struggling readers.

The Meanwhile Adventures by: Roddy Doyle
RL 2.9 This is an adventure story with lots of silly fun. The Mack children have to work to rescue their dad who has been accused of robbing a bank as well as find their world record breaking mother who is running around the world. It has plenty of pictures for beginning readers and is 176 pages long so it doesn’t feel like a book for young children.



The Great Snake Swindle by: Juren Banscherus
RL 2,7 Klooz is an 11 year old detective and he solves mysteries for people in his town. This mystery starts with a missing dad, a scary abandoned building, a boy named Snake, and several magic eight balls. This is an entertaining and thoughtful book with illustrations throughout.

The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by: Greg Trine
RL 3.3 After Melvin graduates from superhero academy, he leaves to fight crime in Los Angeles. He teams up with Candance, a 3rd grade actress, and together they work to stop the McNasty brothers. He does have some difficulty in the superhero basics, such as taking off to fly and his one weakness is bologna.

Just Annoying by: Andy Griffiths
RL 2.1 In this story, Andy has great ambitions, his dream is to become the most annoying kid in the world. He loves to drive his parents crazy, irritate his sister, and bug his friends. This book is filled with humor. This book doesn’t feel like a book made for little kids book because it has 144 pages and it has little pictures on the sides in a comic like format.



Prince of Underwhere by: Bruce Hale
RL 2.8 The plot of this story follows three friends on an adventure as they go back and forth through the real world and the “Underwhere” world. Whenever they are in the alternate world, the book becomes a graphic novel. It is full of action and silly humor.

Babymouse 2:Our Hero by: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
RL 2.0 In its graphic novel format, Babymouse is the heroine of the novel and she faces regular growing up and school challenges. This tale focuses on gym class where un-athletic Babymouse faces dodgeball. This book will encourage low readers with lots of pictures and little text.

Four Mice Deep in the Jungle (Geronimo Stilton, Book #5) by: Geronimo Stilton
RL 2.3 Geronimo is taken to the jungle by Thea and Trap who want to help him get over his fears. He is forced to do many adventurous and scary tasks. Geronimo Stilton books are filled with illustrations and will capture the attention of reluctant readers with its easy to read text and fun plots.