Grades K-4 Book Reading Suggestions
Lower Melrose
Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: The
First Computer Programmer. By Diane Stanley.
Illus. by Jessie Hartland.
This engaging biography introduces
nineteenth-century scientist Ada Lovelace, who developed the first algorithm
used by the world’s early computers. Non-fiction/biography picture book.
Ada Twist, Scientist. By Andrea Beaty. Illus. by David Roberts.
Inquisitive Ada Twist is determined
to identify a mysterious smell. Her mission includes some not-so-successful
science experiments, supportive parents, and insatiable curiosity. Realistic
fiction.
Coyote Moon. By Maria Gianferrari. Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline.
Striving to feed her pups, a coyote
hunts in the moonlight until dawn. This strikingly illustrated, nonfiction
offering holds many facts and celebrates this skilled predator. Non-fiction
picture book.
Du Iz Tak? By Carson Ellis. Illus. by the author.
As a tiny plant springs from the
ground, curious bugs watch it grow and marvel in their own buggy language.
Whimsically detailed paintings showcase their activities and the subtly passing
seasons. (Caldecott Honor Book) Picture book.
Fabulous Frogs. By Martin Jenkins. Illus. by Tim Hopgood.
Frogs of all sizes and colors,
bearing a variety of unique characteristics, hop through this beautiful
nonfiction picture book. Non-fiction picture book.
Frank and Lucky Get Schooled. By Lynne
Rae Perkins.
A boy and his dog learn about each other, go to school to learn more,
then explore the world around them as they study science, geography and even
foreign languages together. Picture book.
Giant Squid. By Candace Fleming. Illus. by Eric Rohmann.
Plunging into the “depths of the
sunless sea,” readers are wrapped in the tentacles of Fleming’s text and
Rohmann’s illustrations, gaining an appreciation for the ever-elusive giant
squid. (Sibert Honor Book) Non-fiction picture book.
Go, Otto, Go! By David Milgrim. Illus. by the author.
Extremely simple text and humorous,
energetic illustrations bring to life, with surprising emotional complexity,
this tale of Otto the robot who is building a spaceship to take him home. (Geisel Honor Book)
Easy
Reader.
Good Night Owl. By Greg Pizzoli. Illus. by the author.
When an unfamiliar noise prevents Owl
from falling asleep, his desperate efforts to find its source escalate to
comedic effect. (Geisel Honor Book)
The Great Pet Escape. By Victoria Jamieson. Illus. by the author.
The class pets at Daisy P. Flugelhorn
Elementary are on the loose! Second-grade classroom hamster GW has had enough and
sets out to free his two best friends. Graphic Novel.
Horrible Bear! By Ame Dyckman. Illus. by Zachariah OHora.
When a kite goes astray, an accident
and misunderstanding bring together two unlikely friends in a story about the
power of forgiveness. Picture book.
The Journey. By Francesca Sanna. Illus. by the author.
In the face of war and the loss of
her husband, a mother and her children leave everything behind to make a
dangerous journey to find safety in a new land. Picture book.
Leave Me Alone! By Vera Brosgol. Illus. by the author.
In her endeavor to make sweaters for
30 curious grandchildren, a harried grandmother embarks on a quest for peace
and quiet. (Caldecott Honor Book) Picture book.
The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors. By Drew Daywalt. Pictures by Adam Rex.
You've played the game. Now read the
legend of how it all began… Picture book.
The Night Gardener. By Terry Fan. Illus. by Eric Fan.
A dreary town comes to life through
the efforts of a mysterious nocturnal gardener, whose fantastic topiaries amaze
and empower a young boy. Picture book.
Nobody Likes a Goblin. By Ben
Hatke.
It's up to Goblin to save the day. But first he's going to have to
leave the dungeon and find out how the rest of the world feels about goblins.
Picture book.
Old Dog Baby Baby. By Julie Fogliano. Illus. by Chris Raschka.
Simple text and watercolor
illustrations capture the sweet relationship between a crawling baby and a
lovable old dog as they play together on the kitchen floor. Picture book.
Otters Love to Play. By
Jonathan London, Illus. by Meilo So.
Head to the river, where a frolicsome bunch of otters plays all year
round in a nonfiction story sprinkled with facts and loaded with fun.
Non-fiction picture book.
Radiant Child: The Story of Young
Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. By Javaka
Steptoe. Illus. by the author.
The short yet brilliant life story of
Jean-Michel Basquiat and his determination to become an artist are revealed
through poetic language and illustrations dramatically influenced by Basquiat's
own style. (Caldecott Medal Book) Non-fiction picture book.
School’s First Day of School. By Adam Rex. Illus. by Christian Robinson.
In this charming account of first-day
jitters, a brand new school building is the one wracked with nerves as the
school year begins. Picture book.
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key
Taught the World about Kindness. By Donna Janell
Bowman. Illus. by Daniel Minter.
Born a slave, William “Doc” Key,
became a self-taught veterinarian. With much kindness, he raised a remarkable
horse, named Jim Key, which he taught to answer questions, spell, and write.
Non-fiction picture book.
Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White. By Melissa Sweet. Illus. by the author.
This enticing biography of beloved
children’s book author E. B. White seamlessly incorporates photographs,
personal letters, pages from his books, and collage illustrations with engaging
text. Non-fiction picture book.
They All Saw a Cat. By Brendan Wenzel. Illus. by the author.
Readers observe a cat from a variety
of perspectives as he sees and is seen by a cast of characters. (Caldecott
Honor Book) Picture book.
Thunder Boy Jr. By Sherman Alexie. Illus. by Yuyi Morales.
Named after his father, Thunder Boy
Jr. seeks a new name that’s all his own and celebrates something cool that he
has done. Picture book.
A Voyage in the Clouds : The (Mostly)
True Story of the First International Flight by Balloon in 1785. By
Matthew Olshan, Illus. by Sophie Blackall.
Dr. John Jeffries and his pilot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, each want to be
the first man to fly from one country to another, across the English Channel.
There's only one problem: they can't stand each other! Inspired by the true
story of the first international flight. Non-fiction picture book.
We Found a Hat. By Jon Klassen. Illus. by the author.
Two turtles unexpectedly explore the
depths of their friendship and loyalty when they come across a good-looking hat
without an owner. Picture book.
Weekends with Max and His Dad. By Linda Urban. Illus. by Katie Kath.
On weekends, third-grader Max visits
his dad's new apartment and begins to adjust to his parents' divorce. Realistic
fiction.
When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems
for All Seasons. Illus. By Julie Morstad.
A book of poetry moving through the seasons. Poetry.
Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? By Kate DiCamillo. Illus. by Chris Van Dusen.
Baby Lincoln goes on a “necessary
journey,” taking the opportunity to explore, grow, and find herself. In the end
she realizes that there is no place like home. Fiction.
Upper Melrose
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the
Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. By Susan Hood. Illus. by Sally
Wern Comport.
From the mountains of trash that envelop the town of Cateura, Paraguay,
comes the true story of a girl, her music teacher, and an orchestra that turns
trash into musical instruments. Non-fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
As Brave As You. By Jason Reynolds.
As their parents try to repair their
marriage, brothers Ernie and Genie uncover family history and the extent of
their own bravery, while spending an eye-opening summer with their grandparents
in Virginia. Realistic fiction.
Backyard Witch: Sadie’s Story. By Christine
Heppermann & Ron Koertge. Illus. by Deborah Marcero.
Sadie is bored and lonely while her best friends go on vacation without
her. When a funny witch moves into the backyard playhouse, Sadie discovers a
bird-filled adventure. Fantasy. (RICBA Nominee)
The Best Man. By Richard Peck.
Four men in Archer’s family become
his heroes in this story of small-town life, family, and marriage. Realistic
fiction.
Brave Like My Brother. By Marc
Tyler Nobleman.
Join Charlie and his brother Joe as they exchange letters during WWII.
Charlie needs to confront bullies without the physical help of his deployed,
hero brother. Can he do this on his own? Historical fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
Cinnamon Moon. By Tess
Hilmo.
Orphan and homeless siblings of the Peshtigo fire in 1871, Allis and
Quinn are taken to live in a Chicago boarding house where they befriend orphan
Nettie. Together they plan to escape the miserable conditions when Nettie is
kidnapped. Historical fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo. By
Drew Weing.
After moving with his parents to Echo City to remodel an old hotel,
Charles starts to feel like he is being watched by something strange. In comes
the young Margo Maloo, monster mediator, to solve the case. Graphic
Novel/Fantasy. (RICBA Nominee)
Dory Fantasmagory. By Abby Hanlon..
Dory’s best friend Rosabelle can read
big chapter books. Feeling left out, Dory decides she will learn to read, no
matter what it takes. Realistic fiction.
Fortune Falls. By Jenny
Goebel.
Life in Fortune Falls, a magical town where superstitions are real, is
not easy if you, like Sadie Bleeker, are an Unlucky. How will Sadie change her
luck? Fantasy. (RICBA Nominee)
FRAMED! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery. By James
Ponti.
Meet Florian, the only kid on the FBI’s speed dial and criminals' most
wanted lists all because of his Theory of All Small Things (T.O.A.S.T.). Can
Florian decipher the clues and finish his
homework in time to help the FBI solve the case? Mystery. (RICBA
Nominee)
Full of Beans. By Jennifer L. Holm.
Bean and his gang of friends find the
resources to survive the Great Depression’s hardships in their hometown of Key
West, Florida. Historical fiction.
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes
Her Mark. By Debbie Levy. Illus. by Elizabeth Baddeley.
Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—in the
first picture book about her life—as she proves that disagreeing does not make
you disagreeable! Non-fiction picture book. (RICBA Nominee)
Juana & Lucas. By Juana Medina. Illus. by the author.
Juana, a spirited young girl in
Bogotá, Colombia, shares her frustrations and successes in learning
English. (Belpré Author Medal Book) Realistic fiction.
The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson
Elementary. By Laura Shovan.
Emerson Elementary is going to be torn down and Ms. Hill’s students have
something to say about it. Follow the fate of the school as each student records
their year for a time capsule class project. Realistic fiction. (RICBA
Nominee)
A Long Pitch Home. By Natalie
Dias Lorenzi.
Bilal is surrounded with newness when he arrives in the U.S. from Pakistan
with his Mom and sister. There is so much to learn! But harder still is getting
through each day missing his father who stayed behind and waiting for him to
join them. Realistic fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
Mo’ne Davis, Remember My Name: My
Story From First Pitch to Game Changer. By Mo’ne Davis with Hilary Beard.
Mo'ne's story is one of determination, hard work, and an incredible
fastball. She also plays basketball and soccer! Mo’ne learned to play baseball
with the boys and rose to national stardom before the beginning of 8th grade. Non-fiction/Biography.
(RICBA Nominee)
Ms. Bixby’s Last Day. By John David Anderson.
Ms. Bixby is the sort of teacher that
makes going to school worthwhile. When she is diagnosed with cancer, three boys
decide to make sure her last day is perfect. Realistic fiction.
Ollie’s Odyssey. By William
Joyce.
Ollie is Billy’s favorite toy. Zozo has never been anybody's favorite
toy. When their paths cross, Ollie risks losing Billy forever. Can Ollie escape
Zozo and his gang of “Creeps”? Fantasy. (RICBA Nominee)
Pax. By Sara Pennypacker. Illus. by Jon Klassen.
Readers join a stirring search for
peace in this poignant tale of loss and reconciliation, told in the alternating
views of a fox and his boy. Realistic fiction.
A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra
Jack Keats and the Creation of The Snowy Day. By Andrea Davis Pinkney. Illus. by Lou Fancher and Steve
Johnson.
This homage to Ezra Jack Keats takes
the form of a biographical poem, telling of his creation of Peter, the young,
black protagonist of The Snowy Day, and Keats’ impact on children's literature.
Poetry.
The Poet’s Dog. By
Patricia MacLachlan.
A poignant story about two children, a
poet, and a dog and how they help one another survive loss and recapture love.
Realistic fiction.
The Prize Winners of Piedmont Place. By Bill
Doyle.
Cal can’t wait for his family to win the Great Grab Contest! The prize?
Twenty minutes to grab anything in the Wish Shoppe! He knows his family will
leave the competition in the dust, but first he has to convince them to
compete! Humorous fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
Secrets of the Seven: The Eureka Key.
By Sarah L. Thomson.
Sam (a puzzle master) and Martina (a history whiz) become involved in a
dangerous quest to find seven keys left behind by Benjamin Franklin and a
secret society, which, when gathered together, unlock a powerful weapon. Help
solve the puzzle and save the nation! Adventure. (RICBA Nominee)
Steamboat School. By Deborah Hopkinson. Illus. by Ron Husband.
When James’ school is closed by a law
forbidding the education of African Americans, he helps create a clever
alternative. Historical fiction.
Towers Falling. By Jewell
Parker Rhodes.
Deja doesn’t know what happened to the Twin Towers or what it means to
her own family. Join her and her new friends on a journey to understand her
home and community. Realistic fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
The War That Saved My Life. By
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
A young disabled girl and her brother are evacuated from London to the
English countryside during World War II, where they find life to be much
sweeter away from their abusive mother. Historical fiction.
Weekends with Max and His Dad. By Linda
Urban. Illus. by Katie Kath.
With newly divorced parents, Max spends his weekends with his dad in an
almost empty apartment. Can new furniture, pancakes, and spy missions make this
place feel like home? Realistic fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems. By Bob
Raczka.
Who says words need to be concrete? This clever collection shapes poems
in surprising and meaningful ways and challenges students to look at words and
poetry in a whole new way. Poetry. (RICBA Nominee)
When Mischief Came to Town. By Katrina Nannestad.
Recently orphaned, Inge Maria goes to
live with her grandmother. Through her wild and spirited ways, Inge soon
endears herself to the villagers, bringing joy to all. Historical fiction.
When the Sea Turned to Silver. By Grace Lin. Illus. by the author.
Chinese folklore intertwines with
Pinmei and Yishan’s perilous journey to save Pinmei's storyteller grandmother
from the clutches of the evil Tiger Emperor. Fantasy.
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking
Stream of Inventions. By Chris Barton. Illus. by Don Tate.
Ever wonder how great toys are made? Sometimes by accident! Learn how
NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson’s tinkering made a splash in the history of toys
but not until years of hard work, vision, and perseverance. Non-fiction picture
book. (RICBA Nominee)
Wild Robot. By Peter
Brown.
When robot Roz wakes up for the first time alone on an island, she must
adjust her programming to help her live among wild animals and other threats.
But can technology and nature survive together? Fantasy. (RICBA Nominee)
Wish. By Barbara
O’Connor.
Charlie has been making the same wish every day. Now her wish will
never come true when she is sent to live with family she barely knows. Will a
stray dog and a neighbor boy get Charlie to change her mind about what she
wants – and needs? Realistic fiction. (RICBA Nominee)
The Wolf’s Boy. By Susan Williams Beckhorn.
Two outcasts, a boy and a wolf, band
together to survive the harsh, Ice-age winter. Historical fiction.
The Worst Class Trip Ever. By Dave Barry.
When Wyatt Palmer’s class goes on a
school trip to Washington, D.C., he finds himself in deep trouble before the
plane even lands. Humorous fiction.
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