Great books to try if you liked…..
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
I Spy by Jean Marzollo
Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell.
Wonder by R.J Palacio.
If you liked … Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship.
Angleberger, Tom. Origami Yoda. (Series – 1st book is The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. (J FIC Ang)
Amato, Mary. Our Teacher is a Vampire and Other (not) True Stories. A notebook that is passed from student to student around a classroom becomes a repository for wild rumors, heartfelt confessions, and creative writing and helps the students cope when their teacher has medical emergency and they must cope with a rigid substitute as they worry about their beloved teacher and her family. (J FIC Ama)
Barnet, Mac. The Terrible Two. When master prankster Miles Murphy moves to sleepy Yawnee Valley, he challenges the local, mystery prankster in an epic battle of tricks but soon the two join forces to pull off the biggest prank ever seen. (J FIC Bar)
Benton, Jim. Dear Dumb Diary. (Series – 1st book is Let’s Pretend this Never Happened). In her diary, middle school student Jamie Kelly describes her life at home and at school, including her attempts to triumph over her nemesis, the beautiful and popular Angeline. (J FIC Ben)
Benton, Kim. Franny K. Stein. (Series – 1st book is Lunch Walks among Us). Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist who prefers all things spooky and creepy, but when she has trouble making friends at her new school she experiments with fitting in–which works until a monster erupts from the trashcan. (J FIC Ben)
Cammuso, Frank. Knights of the Lunch Table. (Series – 1st book is The Dodgeball Chronicles) Arnie opens a mysterious locker at Camelot Middle School and ends up in a dodgeball game with the school bullies. (J COMIC Cam)
Child, Lauren. Clarice Bean. (Series – 1st book is Utterly Me, Clarice Bean) A girl describes the hectic life she leads among the members of her large family, and her search for a little peace and quiet. (J FIC Bea)
Clements, Andrew. Frindle. When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher’s love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control. (J FIC Cle)
Fields, Bryan W. Lunchbox and the Aliens.Lunchbox is an ordinary basset hound until he is abducted by aliens, zapped by a mental enhancer, and sent back to convert Earth’s garbage into food–a task that would be easier if he had opposable thumbs, or at least tentacles. (J FIC Fie)
Greenwald, Tom. Charlie Joe Jackson (Series – 1st book is Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading).Middle schooler Charlie Joe is proud of his success at avoiding reading, but eventually his schemes go too far. (J FIC Gre)
Griffiths, Andy. The 13-Story Treehouse. Follows the efforts of Andy and Terry to meet a latest book deadline despite numerous distractions in their sophisticated tree house home, including flying cats, giant bananas, and sea monsters pretending to be mermaids. (J FIC Gri)
Guibert, Emmanuel. Sardine in Outer Space. The Chief Executive Officer of the universe, Supermuscleman, is training all children to obey him. Only the space pirates aboard their ship the Huckleberry–Sardine, her cousin Louie, and her Uncle Yellow–can outwit him and his wicked plan. (J COMIC Gui)
Gutman, Dan. My Weird School.(Series – 1st book is Miss Daisy is Crazy) Miss Daisy’s unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially reluctant learner A.J. (J FIC and JPB Gut)
Hale, Bruce. Prince of Underwhere. When Zeke, his twin sister Stephanie, their neighbor Hector, and Hector’s cat Fitz slide into the world of Underwhere, Zeke is hailed as a prince who will, according to an ancient prophecy, free the Undies from the evil UnderLord’s rule by finding and destroying his throne (J FIC Hal)
Holm, Jennifer. Babymouse. (Series – 1st book is Queen of the World). An imaginative mouse dreams of being queen of the world, but will settle for an invitation to the most popular girl’s slumber party. (J COMIC Hol)
Holm, Jennifer. Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf: A Year told Through Stuff.The first year of middle school can be exciting, or scary, just ask Ginny. (J FIC Hol)
Ignatow, Amy. The Popularity Papers (Series – 1st book is Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang)Two best friends embark on a project to study the behavior and taste of the popular girls at their elementary school so that by the time they get to middle school they too will be in the right crowd. Novel appears in the form of a scrapbook. (J FIC Ign).
Kerrin, Jessica Scott. Martin Bridge (Series – 1st book is Ready for Takeoff) In three short stories, Martin develops a crush on his new bus driver, takes care of his friend’s hamster with tragic results, and participates in a rocket exhibition that threatens a friendship. (J FIC Ker)
Klise, Kate. Regarding the Fountain. When the principal asks a fifth-grader to write a letter regarding the purchase of a new drinking fountain for their school, he finds that all sorts of chaos results. (J Fic and JPB Kli)
Mack, Jeff. Clueless McGee. (Series – 1st book is Clueless McGee) Through a series of letters to his father, a private investigator, fifth-grader PJ “Clueless” McGee tells of his efforts to discover who stole macaroni and cheese from the school cafeteria. (J FIC Mac)
McDonald, Megan. Stink. (Series – 1st book is The Incredible Shrinking Kid). The shortest kid in the second grade, James Moody, also known as Stink, learns all about the shortest president of the United States, James Madison, when they celebrate Presidents’ Day at school. (J Fic McD)
Nelson, Peter. Herbert’s Wormhole. When almost-sixth-grader Alex, a video game fanatic, is forced on a “playdate” with his neighbor Herbert, an inventor, the two travel to the twenty-second century and face off against aliens, who are not as beneficent as most people think. (J FIC Nel)
Pastis, Stephen. Timmy Failure. (Series – 1st book is Mistakes Were Made) Meet Timmy Failure, the founder, president, and CEO of the best detective agency in town, probably the nation. And his lazy sidekick, total, a 1,500-pound polar bear. (J FIC Pas).
Paulsen, Gary. Lawn Boy.Things get out of hand for a twelve-year-old boy when a neighbor convinces him to expand his summer lawn mowing business. (J FIC Pau)
Peirce, Lincoln. Big Nate. (Series – 1st book is In a Class by Himself) Supremely confident middle school student Nate Wright manages to make getting detention from every one of his teachers in the same day seem like an achievement. (J FIC Pei).
Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine. (Series 1st book is Clementine) While sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eight-year-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building. (J FIC Pen)
Pennypacker, Sara. Stuart’s Cape and Stuart Goes to School. Worried about his first day at a new school, eight-year-old Stuart wears his magic cape and hopes that it will help him. (J FIC Pen).
Pichon, Liz. Tom Gates.(Series – 1st book is Brilliant World of Tom Gates) Irritating his teachers with his lack of focus and creative excuses, Tom Gates spends his time drawing pictures and writing down observations about everything from his grumpy sister and annoying classmate to an unsatisfying camping trip. (J FIC Pic)
Potter, Helen. Otis Dooda. (Series – 1st book is Strange but True) Everyday, nine-year-old Otis Dooda confronts a series of zany changes when his father’s new job prompts the family’s move to a New York City apartment, where Otis is cursed by a guy in a potted plant in their apartment building lobby and has to team up with a new friend and a gassy miniature horse to break the curse. (J FIC Pot)
Russel, Rachel Renee. Dork Diaries. (Series – 1st book Dork diaries: Tales from a Not-so-Fabulous Life) Fourteen-year-old Nikki Maxwell writes in her diary of her struggle to be popular at her exclusive new private school, then of finding her place after she gives up on being part of the elite group. (J FIC Rus)
Sachar, Louis. Wayside School (Series – 1st book is Sideways Stories) Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story. (JPB Sac)
Smallcomb, Pam. The Last Burp of Mac McGerp.Mac McGerp, winner of the Best Burper first prize at the Tri-county Fair, and his good friend, Lido, try to figure out how to deal with the new repressive school principal. (J FIC Sma)
Sonnenblick, Jordan. Dodger and Me. Miserable because his only friend moved away and he has once again caused his baseball team to lose a game, fifth-grader Willy Ryan’s life suddenly becomes a lot more interesting when he finds Dodger, a furry, blue chimpanzee that only he can see, and he has to decide what he really wishes for in life. (J FIC Son)
Stadler, Alexander. Julian Rodriguez. (Series – 1st book Julian Rodriguez. Episode 1. Trash Crisis on Earth) Eight-year-old Julian Rodriguez escapes from the crisis of the moment (being sent to his room for not taking out the trash) by imagining he is a space warrior. (J FIC Sta)
Trine, Greg. Melvin Beederman. (Series – 1st book is The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich) After graduating from the superhero academy, Melvin Beederman heads for Los Angeles, where he unexpectedly teams up with Candace Brinkwater, school play actress, to nab the evil McNasty Brothers. (J FIC and JPB Tri)
Trueit, Trudi. Secrets of a Lab Rat. (Series – 1st book is No Girls Allowed (Dogs OK)) Fearless nine-year-old “Scab” McNally tries to get his twin sister’s help in convincing their parents to let them get a dog, but when he embarrasses her in school with a particularly obnoxious invention, it looks like he has lost her cooperation forever. (J FIC Tru)
Whybrow, Ian. Little Wolf. (Series – 1st book is Little Wolf’s Book of Badness) Little Wolf has been behaving too courteously, so his parents send him to his uncle’s Big Bad Wolf school to learn to be a proper wolf. (J FIC Why)
Winkler Henry. Hank Zipzer. (Series – 1st book is Niagara Falls, or Does It?) Fourth-graders Hank, Ashley, and Frankie are excitedly preparing for a magic show at the Rock ‘N Bowl when Hank’s creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show. (J FIC and JPB Win)
If you liked…I Spy Series by Jean Marzollo
Rhyming text invites the reader to find hidden objects.
Chedru, Delphine. Spot It! Find the Hidden Creatures. (J PICTURE Che)
Michael Garland. Super Snow Day: Seek and Find. (J PICTURE Gar)
Hanford, Martin. Where’s Waldo? (J PBK Han) (Located on back wall by picture books)
Marks, Jennifer. School Times: A Spot-it Challenge. (J PICTURE Mar)
Steiner, Joan. “Look Alikes” series. (J PICTURE Ste)
If you liked…Captain Underpants by Dave Pilkey
When George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is the superhero Captain Underpants, he leads them to the lair of the nefarious Dr. Diaper, where they must defeat his evil robot henchmen.
Applegate, Katherine. Roscoe Riley (Series – 1st book is Never Glue Your friends to Chairs) When the first-graders’ bee antennae would not stay on their heads and the drummers would not stay in their seats for the open house play, Roscoe decides to help by using the “don’t-you-dare” glue. (J FIC & JPB App)
Benton, Jim. Franny K. Stein. (Series – 1st book Lunch Walks Among Us) Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist who prefers all things spooky and creepy, but when she has trouble making friends at her new school she experiments with fitting in–which works until a monster erupts from the trashcan. (J Fic & JPB Ben)
Boniface, William. Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy. (Series – 1st book is The Hero Revealed). Ordinary Boy, the only resident of Superopolis without a superpower, uncovers and foils a sinister plot to destroy the town. (J FIC Bon)
Bruel, Nick. Bad Kitty. (Series – 1st book is called Bad Kitty) When a kitty discovers there is no cat food in the house, she decides to become very, very bad. (J FIC Bru)
Guibert, Emmanuel. Sardine in Outer Space. (Series – 1st book is Sardine in Outer Space) The Chief Executive Officer of the universe, Supermuscleman, is training all children to obey him. Only the space pirates aboard their ship the Huckleberry–Sardine, her cousin Louie, and her Uncle Yellow–can outwit him and his wicked plan. (J COMIC Gui)
Kirby, Stan. Captain Awesome. (Series – 1st book Captain Awesome to the Rescue) When second-grader Eugene and his family move to a new neighborhood and he starts at a new school, he has a chance to bring out his superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome, to find the kidnapped class hamster. (J FIC Kir)
Krosoczka, Jarrett. Lunch Lady. (Series – 1st book Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Institute) The school lunch lady is a secret crime fighter who uncovers an evil plot to replace all the popular teachers with robots. (J COMIC Kro)
Scroggs, Kirk. Wiley and Grampa’s Creature Features. (Series – 1st book is Dracula vs. Grampa at the Monster Truck Spectacular.) When Grampa and Wiley sneak out of the house on a stormy Halloween night to attend Colonel Dracula’s Monster Truck Spectacular, they run into trouble from which only Gramma and an F5 tornado can save them. (J FIC Scr)
Simon, Francesca. Horrid Henry (Series – 1st book Horrid Henry) Horrid Henry causes his brother Perfect Peter all sorts of problems when he behaves properly for a change, upstages Peter at a dance recital, plays pirates, and goes on a camping trip. (J FIC Sim)
Stilton, Geronimo. Geronimo Stilton (Series – 1st book Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye) When Geronimo’s sister, Thea, discovers an old, mysterious map showing a secret treasure hidden on a faraway island, the gang of the “Rodent’s gazette” is dragged into a treasure hunt. (J FIC and J PBK Sti)
Trine, Greg. Melvin Beederman, Superhero. (Series – 1st book The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich) After graduating from the superhero academy, Melvin Beederman heads for Los Angeles, where he unexpectedly teams up with Candace Brinkwater, school play actress, to nab the evil McNasty Brothers. (J Fic & JPB Tri)
If you liked…Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan.
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
Abbott, Tony. Copernicus Legacy. (Series – 1st book The Forbidden Stone.) Wade, Lily, Darrell, and Becca fly from Texas to Germany for the funeral of an old family friend. But instead of just paying their respects, they wind up on a dangerous, mind-blowing quest to unlock an ancient, guarded secret that could destroy the fate of the world. (J FIC Abb)
Armstong, Kelley. Loki’s Wolves. Matt Thorsen is a direct descendent of the order-keeping god Thor, and his classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke are descendants of the trickster god Loki. When Ragnarok–the apocalypse–threatens, the human descendants of the gods must fight monsters to stop the end of the world. (J FIC Arm)
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl (Series – 1st book is Artemis Fowl) When a twelve-year-old evil genius tries to restore his family fortune by capturing a fairy and demanding a ransom in gold, the fairies fight back with magic, technology, and a particularly nasty troll. (YA PBK Col)
Collins, Suzanne. Underland Chronicles. (Series – 1st book is Gregor the Overlander). When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy. (J FIC Col)
DasGupta, Sayantani. The Serpent’s Secret. (Series, 1st book). Up until her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala considered herself an ordinary 6th grader in Parsippany, but then her parents disappear and a drooling rakkhosh demon shows up in her kitchen. Soon she is swept into another dimension, full of magic, winged horses, talking birds (very annoying) and cute princes, and somehow she must sort it out, find her parents, and save the world.
Fletcher, Charlie. Stoneheart Trilogy. (Series – 1st book is Stoneheart) When twelve-year-old George accidentally decapitates a stone statue in London, England, he falls into a parallel dimension where he must battle ancient “live” statues and solve a dangerous riddle. (J FIC Fle)
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart. (Series – 1st book is Inkheart) Twelve-year-old Meggie learns that her father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can “read” fictional characters to life when one of those characters abducts them and tries to force him into service. (J FIC Fun)
Harris, Joanne. Runemarks. Maddy Smith, who bears the mysterious mark of a rune on her hand, learns that she is destined to join the gods of Norse mythology and play a role in the fate of the world. (YA FIC Har)
Hennessy, Carolyn. Mythic Misadventures. (Series – 1st book is Pandora Gets Angry) As Pandy, Iole, and Homer travel to Baghdad to seek another deadly evil–rage–they face a lethal sandstorm and worse, while Alcie is aided by Persephone, the queen of the underworld. (J FIC Hen)
Holub, Joan. Goddess Girls. (Series- 1st book is Athena the Brain) Athena learns that she is a goddess when she is summoned to Mount Olympus by her father, Zeus, and she must quickly adjust to her new status, make friends with the other godboys and goddessgirls, and catch up with all the studies she missed while attending mortal school. (JPB Hol)
Holub, Joan. Heroes in Training. (Series – 1st book is Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom) When ten-year-old Zeus is kidnapped, he discovers he can defend himself with a magical thunderbolt. (J FIC Hol)
McMullan, Kate. Myth-o-Mania. (Series – 1st book is Have a Hot Time, Hades!) Think you know the real story behind the Greek myths? Think again.(JPB & J FIC McM)
Michael, Livi. City of Dogs. Jenny, a mysterious dog, shows up on Sam’s birthday and pulls many of the other dogs in the neighborhood into her quest to prevent the destruction of the world. (J FIC Mic)
O’Hearn, Kate. Pegasus. (Series – 1st book is The Flame of Olympus) Reborn as the Flame, thirteen-year-old Emily has saved Olympus from destruction but when the gruesome Nirads begin a new invasion, Emily and her friends become entangled in the conflict as old grudges are unearthed and new enemies are discovered. (J Fic O’He)
Scott, Michael. Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel. (Series – 1st book is The Alchemyst) While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life. (YA FIC Sco)
Hunter, Erin. Warriors. (Series – 1st book is Into the Wild) As prophesied, a young house cat becomes an apprentice warrior in a clan of wild cats, where he faces many dangers and treachery both within and outside of his new clan. (J FIC & JPB Hun)
Ursu, Anne. Cronus Chronicles (Series – 1st book is The Shadow Thieves) After her cousin Zee arrives from England, thirteen-year-old Charlotte and he must set out to save humankind from denizens of the underworld, Nightmares, Death, Pain, and a really nasty guy named Phil. (J FIC Urs)
Yancey, Richard. Alfred Kropp. (Series – 1st book is The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp) by (book 1 of series) (YA Fic) Through a series of dangerous and violent misadventures, teenage loser Alfred Kropp rescues King Arthur’s legendary sword Excalibur from the forces of evil. (YAPB Yan)
Yep, Lawrence. City Trilogy. (Series – 1st book is City of Fire) Twelve-year-old Scirye and her companions travel to Houlani, a new Hawaiian island created by magic, where they enlist the help of volcano goddess Pele in an attempt to stop an evil dragon and a mysterious man from altering the universe. (J FIC Yep)
If you liked … Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.
Aiken, Joan. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. Surrounded by villains of the first order, brave Bonnie and gentle cousin Sylvia conquer all obstacles in this Victorian melodrama. (J FIC Aik)
Alexander, Lloyd. Chronicles of Prydain. (Series – 1st book is The book of Three) Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil. (J FIC Ale)
Collins, Suzanne. Underland Chronicles. (Series – 1st book is Gregor the Overlander). When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy. (J FIC Col)
Cooper, Susan. The Dark is Rising. (Series – 1st book is Over Sea, Under Stone) Three children on a holiday in Cornwall find an ancient manuscript which sends them on a dangerous quest for a grail that would reveal the true story of King Arthur. (J FIC Coo)
Downer, Ann. Hatching Magic. When a thirteenth-century wizard confronts twenty-first century Boston while seeking his pet dragon, he is followed by a rival wizard and a very unhappy demon, but eleven-year-old Theodora Oglethorpe may hold the secret to setting everything right. (J FIC Dow)
Flanagan, John. The Ranger’s Apprentice (Series – 1st book is The Ruins of Gorlan) When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger. (J FIC & JPB Fla)
Fletcher, Charlie. Stoneheart Trilogy. (Series – 1st book is Stoneheart) When twelve-year-old George accidentally decapitates a stone statue in London, England, he falls into a parallel dimension where he must battle ancient “live” statues and solve a dangerous riddle. (J FIC Fle)
Gliori, Debi. Pure Dead Magic. (Series 1st book is Pure Dead Magic) When their father is kidnapped and danger looms, the Strega-Borgia children, their mysterious new nanny, and a giant tarantula use magic and actual trips through the Internet to bring peace to their Scottish castle. (J FIC Gli)
Ibbotson, Eva. The Secret of Platform 13. Odge Gribble, a young hag, accompanies an old wizard, a gentle fey, and a giant ogre on their mission through a magical tunnel from their Island to London to rescue their King and Queen’s son who had been stolen as an infant. (J FIC Ibb)
Jones, Diana Wynne. Howl’s Moving Castle. Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl. (JPB Jon)
Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. Milo, a young boy with little interest in anything, takes a trip through the Phantom Tollbooth to the Lands Beyond where he meets an enchanting cast of characters that teaches him the importance of words, numbers, ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm for life. (J FIC & JPB Jus)
Khan, Joshua. Shadow Magic. Thorn, a boy sold into slavery who must serve the royalty of Castle Gloom for a year and a day to earn his freedom, and Lilith Shadow, the 13-year-old ruler of Gehenna, who is forbidden to practice the magic that is her heritage, join forces to solve the murders taking place in Gehenna. (J FIC Kha)
Littlewood, Kathryn. Bliss. Twelve-year-old Rose Bliss wants to work magic in her family’s bakery as her parents do, but when they are called away and Rose and her siblings are left in charge, the magic goes awry and a beautiful stranger tries to talk Rose into giving her the BlissCookery Booke.
Mould, Chris. Something Wickedly Weird. (Series – 1st book The Wooden Mile) Eleven-year-old Stanley Buggle, happily anticipating a long summer vacation in the house he inherits from his great-uncle, discovers, soon after arriving in the seemingly peaceful village of Crampton Rock, that along with the house he has also inherited some sinister neighbors, a talking stuffed fish, and a host of mysteries surrounding his great-uncle’s death. (J FIC Mou)
Nimmo, Jenny. Children of the Red King. (Series – 1st book is Midnight for Charlie Bone) Charlie Bone’s life with his widowed mother and two grandmothers undergoes a dramatic change when he discovers that he can hear people in photographs talking. (J FIC Nim)
Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson & The Olympians. (Series -1st book is The Lighting Thief). After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods. (J FIC & JPB Rio)
Rodda, Emily. Fairy Realm. (Series – 1st book is The Charm Bracelet) by When Jessie searches for her ill grandmother’s missing charm bracelet, she is led to a magical world and finds she has a reason and right to be there. (J FIC Rod)
Sage, Angie. Septimus Heap. (Series 1st book is Magyk) After learning that she is the Princess, Jenna is whisked from her home and carried toward safety by the Extraordinary Wizard, those she always believed were her father and brother, and a young guard known only as Boy 412–pursued by agents of those who killed her mother ten years earlier. (J FIC & JPB Sag)
Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. (Series – 1st book is Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians) by On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry receives a bag of sand which is immediately stolen by the evil Librarians who are trying to take over the world, and Alcatraz is introduced to his grandfather and his own special talent, and told that he must use it to save civilization. (J FIC San)
Stewart, Paul. Far Flung Adventures. (Series- 1st book is Fergus Crane) Nine-year-old Fergus Crane’s life is filled with classes on the school ship Betty Jeanne, interesting neighbors, and helping with his mother’s work until a mysterious box flies into his window and leads him toward adventure. (J FIC Ste)
Townsend, Jessica. Nevermoor. (Series- 1st book is The Trials of Morrigan Crow) A cursed child destined to die on her eleventh birthday is rescued and whisked away to a secret realm called Nevermoor and given the chance to compete for a place in a prestigious organization called the Wundrous Society (J FIC Tow)
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to share in an adventure from which he may never return. (J FIC Tol)
Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath. Danny Dragonbreath and his friend Wendell get an up-close underwater tour of the Sargasso Sea from Danny’s sea-serpent cousin, encountering giant squid and mako sharks and learning about standing up to bullies in the process.
If you liked … A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
After the sudden death of their parents, the three Baudelaire children must depend on each other and their wits when it turns out that the distant relative who is appointed their guardian is determined to use any means necessary to get their fortune.
Angleberger, Tom. Horton Halfpott, or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, The Loosening of M’Lady Luggertuck’s Corset. Horton, an upstanding kitchen boy in a castle in nineteenth-century England, becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding a series of thefts, which is also connected to the pursuit of a very eligible and wealthy young lady’s affections. (J FIC Ang)
Soup, Cuthbert. A Whole Nother Story. Ethan Cheeseman and his children, ages eight, twelve, and fourteen, hope to settle in a nice small town, at least long enough to complete work on a time machine, but spies and government agents have been pursuing them for two years and are about to catch up. (J FIC Sou)
Weiner, Ellie. The Templeton Twins. (Series – 1st book is The Templeton Twins Have an Idea) Abigail and John, the Templeton twins, and their dog Cassie, foil a pair of inept kidnappers intent on stealing one of their father’s newest inventions. (J FIC Wei)
Wood, Maryrose. Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. (Series 1st book is The Mysterious Howling) Fifteen-year-old Miss Penelope Lumley, a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, is hired as governess to three young children who have been raised by wolves and must teach them to behave in a civilized manner quickly, in preparation for a Christmas ball. (J FIC Woo)
If you liked … The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.
After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
Balliett, Blue. Chasing Vermeer. When seemingly unrelated and strange events start to happen and a precious Vermeer painting disappears, eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder combine their talents to solve an international art scandal. (J FIC & JPB Blu)
Berlin, Eric. The Puzzling World of Winston Breen (Series 1st book is The Puzzling World of Winston Breen) Puzzle-crazy, twelve-year-old Winston and his ten-year-old sister Katie find themselves involved in a dangerous mystery involving a hidden ring. Puzzles for the reader to solve are included throughout the text. (J FIC Ber)
Bosch, Pseudonymous. Secret.(Series – 1st book is The Name of This Book is Secret) Two eleven-year-old misfits try to solve the mystery of a dead magician and stop the evil Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais, who are searching for the secret of immortality. (J FIC Bos)
Broach, Elise. Shakespeare’s Secret. Named after a character in a Shakespeare play, misfit sixth-grader Hero becomes interested in exploring this unusual connection because of a valuable diamond supposedly hidden in her new house, an intriguing neighbor, and the unexpected attention of the most popular boy in school. (J FIC Bro)
Feldman, Jody. The Gollywhopper Games (Series – 1st book The Gollywhopper Games) Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling from Golly Toy and Game Company. (J FIC Fel)
Forester, Victoria. The Girl Who Could Fly. When homeschooled farm girl Piper McCloud reveals her ability to fly, she is quickly taken to a secret government facility to be trained with other exceptional children, but she soon realizes that something is very wrong and begins working with brilliant and wealthy Conrad to escape. (J FIC For)
Hulme, John. The Glitch in Sleep. When twelve-year-old Becker Drane is recruited by The Seems, a parallel universe that runs everything in The World, he must fix a disastrous glitch in the Department of Sleep that threatens the ability of everyone to ever fall asleep again. (J FIC Hul)
Konigsberg, E. L. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Having run away with her younger brother to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, twelve-year-old Claudia strives to keep things in order in their new home and to become a changed person and a heroine to herself. (JPB & J NEWBERY Kon)
Miller, Kirsten. Kiki Strike. (Series- 1st book is Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City) Life becomes more interesting for Ananka Fishbein when, at the age of twelve, she discovers an underground room in the park across from her New York City apartment and meets a mysterious girl called Kiki Strike who claims that she, too, wants to explore the subterranean world. (J FIC Mil)
Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs who must uncover the circumstances of his death before they can claim their inheritance. (JPB & J NEWBERY Ras)
Riordan, Rick. The 39 Clues. (Series 1st book is The Maze of Bones) by Dan and Amy Cahill are given the choice of receiving a million dollars or uncovering the thirty-nine clues hidden around the world that will lead to the source of the family’s power, but by taking on the clues, they end up in a dangerous race against their own family. (J FIC Thi)
Stanley, Diane. The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy. Eighth-grader Franny and her friends investigate why most of the students at their exclusive boarding school are brilliant, beautiful, and perfectly behaved. (J FIC Sta)
Walden, Mark. H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education (Series – 1st book is H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education) Swept away to a hidden academy for training budding evil geniuses, Otto, a brilliant orphan, Wing, a sensitive warrior, Laura, a shy computer specialist, and Shelby, an infamous jewel thief, plot to beat the odds and escape the prison known as H.I.V.E. (J FIC Wal)
If you liked…Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell.
Fourteen-year-old Nikki Maxwell writes in her diary of her struggle to be popular at her exclusive new private school, then of finding her place after she gives up on being part of the elite group.
Barshaw, Ruth McNally. Ellie McDoodle. (Series – 1st book is Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel) Eleven-year-old Ellie McDoodle illustrates her sketchbook with chronicles of her adventures and mishaps while camping with her cousins, aunt, and uncle. (J FIC Bar)
Becker, Suzy. Kate the Great: Except When She’s Not. Fifth-grader Kate faces a challenge when her mother asks her to be especially nice to Nora, a classmate and fellow flute player who is sometimes mean. (J FIC Bec)
Benton, Jim. Dear Dumb Diary. (Series – 1st book is Let’s pretend This Never Happened). In her diary, middle school student Jamie Kelly describes her life at home and at school, including her attempts to triumph over her nemesis, the beautiful and popular Angeline. (J FIC Ben)
Holm, Jennifer L. Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff. The first year of middle school can be exciting, or scary, just ask Ginny. (J FIC Hol)
Ignatow, Amy. The Popularity Papers (Series – 1st book is Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang)Two best friends embark on a project to study the behavior and taste of the popular girls at their elementary school so that by the time they get to middle school they too will be in the right crowd. Novel appears in the form of a scrapbook. (J FIC Ign).
Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Series -1st book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s Journal) Greg records his sixth grade experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular, Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship. (J FIC Kin)
McDonald, Megan. The Sisters Club. In Acton, Oregon, sisters Alex, Stevie, and Joey take turns telling about their lives, including their long line of actor ancestors, creative family dinners, toe marshmallows, swearing in Shakespeare, and the Sisters Club. (J FIC Mcd)
Moss, Marissa. Amelia’s Notebook. (Series – 1st book is Amelia’s Notebook) The hand-lettered contents of a nine-year-old girl’s notebook, in which she records her thoughts and feelings about moving, starting school, and dealing with her older sister, as well as keeping her old best friend and making a new one. (J FIC Mos)
If you liked….Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Ten-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born with extreme facial abnormalities and was not expected to survive, goes from being home-schooled to entering fifth grade at a private middle school in Manhattan, which entails enduring the taunting and fear of his classmates as he struggles to be seen as just another student.
Abbott, Tony. Firegirl. A middle school boy’s life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his Catholic school while receiving treatment at a local hospital. (J FIC Abb)
Angleberger, Tom. Origami Yoda. (Series – 1st book is The Strange Case of Origami Yoda) Sixth-grader Tommy and his friends describe their interactions with a paper finger puppet of Yoda, worn by their weird classmate Dwight, as they try to figure out whether or not the puppet can really predict the future. (J FIC Ang)
Davis, Mandy. Superstar. Enrolling in public school after years of homeschooling, Lester, a mildly autistic fifth-grader, struggles to adapt and manage symptoms before becoming eager to win a science fair, discovering an unexpected truth along the way. (J FIC Dav)
Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription medications wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired. (JPB Gan)
Graff, Lisa. Absolutely Almost. Ten-year-old Albie has never been the smartest, tallest, best at gym, greatest artist, or most musical in his class, as his parents keep reminding him, but new nanny Calista helps him uncover his strengths and take pride in himself. (J FIC Gra)
Palacio, R. J. Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories. These stories are an extra peek at Auggie, a boy born with extreme facial abnormalities, before he started at Beecher Prep and during his first year there. Readers get to see him through the eyes of Julian, the bully; Christopher, Auggie’s oldest friend; and Charlotte, Auggie’s new friend at school (J FIC Pal)
Spinelli, Jerry. Loser. Even though his classmates from first grade on have considered him strange and a loser, Donald Zinkoff’s optimism and exuberance and the support of his loving family do not allow him to feel that way about himself. (J FIC Spi)
Yee, Lisa. Warp Speed. Marley Sandelski has always felt invisible at school when he is not facing bullies, but a series of unexpected events gives him a taste of popularity and insights into some classmates, well-liked or greatly-feared. (J Fic Yee)
