Here's what I read in July that's kind of my grade-level:
- Warriors: The Power of Three: Sunrise Erin Hunter An... interesting conclusion to the series/introduction to the next.
- Jake and Lily Jerry Spinelli I've heard a lot about this book, so I decided to read it. It really gave me a new look on how being a twin can be difficult! All in all, I enjoyed it. Again, my first-going-into-second grade sister is reading it; the reading is easy, but I think it's geared more towards fifth-ish grade.
- Warriors Super Edition: Firestar's Quest Erin Hunter Taking place between the first and second Warriors series, this book follows Firestar and Sandstorm as they attempt to bring back SkyClan. The plot is very good for a stand-alone, and the SkyClan cats have very unique characteristics! Probably the same grade-level as the rest of Warriors.
- Spy School Stuart Gibbs I discovered this book through the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program, and LOVED it! The characters, the plot, the details, and the style of writing all appealed to me; it's a fourth-fifth-six grade book.
- The Sixty-Eight Rooms Marianne Malone When Ruthie and Jack discover a key in the Thorne Rooms, they find a puzzling mystery that takes them back in time.... Fourth grade level, but my mom enjoyed it, too. :)
- All the Wrong Questions: When Did You See Her Last? Lemony Snicket As with most books by the same author, this book was confusing and had a surprising ending--but in a good way! Anyone who can read it could read it, but it takes some deciphering!
- Loser Jerry Spinelli A fantastic book about a boy who doesn't quite seem to fit in, and yet sees others in a way only he can. The climax comes when he is in fifth grade, so fifth graders could probably relate the best.
- Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library Chris Gabenstein This seemed to be a zany/cool cross between different books--from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to The Westing Game to The Candy Makers--that had interesting characters. I loved the creativity the author used to think of the library itself and the clues integrated within. While everyone can enjoy this, the one downside was that it was really hard to figure out the clues for yourself....
- Poached Stuart Gibbs After reading Spy School, I decided to try another Gibbs book, and once again loved it! Poached is about Teddy, a boy who lives at a giant zoo in Texas, and the kidnapping of a koala. I made the mistake of reading it BEFORE Poached, as it actually comes after. Probably the same reading level as Spy School.
- The City of Ember Jeanne Duprau I can't really describe anything without giving the ending away, but let's just say Lina and Doon's city is falling apart, and they seem to be the only ones who notice or care.... Probably upper-elementary school level.
- Schooled Gordon Korman Capricorn Anderson is a middle-school hippie, and when his grandmother falls out of a tree, he must learn how to survive amidst bullies. Probably middle school reading level.
- The Sixty-Eight Rooms Marianne Malone Yes, I read it twice.
Other shorter kids' books:
- My Weirder School: Miss Child has Gone Wild! Dan Gutman These are funny, with oddball characters, including the protagonist who happens to hate school. I think first-second grade on up would be fine reading this series.
- Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid Megan McDonald Two words: Poor salamander!
- Stink and The Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker Megan McDonald Second-grade level....
- Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard Annette LeBlanc Cate This was very informative, and kept my attention--mostly because the birds had a ton of funny comments!
- The Road to Oz Kathleen Krull This is about L. Frank Baum and how he came to write The Wizard of Oz. It, too, is informative, and the illustrations are beautiful.
- I'm in Charge of Celebrations Byrd Baylor I happened to see this at my grandma's house, decided to read it, and found it VERY different than what I expected! A girl throws celebrations for "ordinary" desert wonders, explaining them in poetry-type stanzas. The style of writing was my favorite here.
