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It's so important for 10-year-olds, usually 5th graders, to read for meaning in expository and narrative nonfiction texts. They need practice, lots of practice, in well-written books like the ones listed below.

Also read:
All Picture Book Biographies
Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Strategies
Best Books for 10-Year-Olds

Nonfiction Books for 10-Year- Olds

by Jane Solomon, illustrated by Louise Lockhart
Want a mesmerizing book that is even better than a word-a-day calendar? This oversized dictionary contains the coolest selection of 400 words that kids will love to learn beginning with abecedarian (someone who is learning the alphabet) continuing to Zeppelin. Each letter gives readers about 15 new words to learn. This includes the word, pronunciation, part of speech, and definition. You'll find haberdashery, ichthyologist, luddite and mugwump, mulligrubs, mumpsimus, and mishpocha. Read one of these words (or more) every day. Then try to use it at least a few times in a sentence. It won't be too onerous and you won't be ramfeezled; in fact, learning new words might just be a salubrious experience because you'll soon become a sesquipedalian.

by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
I really loved this expanded and revised edition because Melissa Sweet's design and illustrations make the book so special. The author writes the biographies like a fictional narrative story with action and suspense but it's all true. These biographies are about women who solved problems by inventing the solution. What great models for entrepreneurs, inventors, and having a growth mindset.

by Michael Dahl
I love the large type size and grin-worth (groan-worthy?) jokes! My kids call these "dad jokes" because there are a lot of puns and plays on words. Want an example? " What kind of fruit is never lonely? Pears." or " What is a swimmer's favorite game? Pool. "

by Nathan Hale
After the Civil War, Major John Wesley Powell sets off on a perilous expedition through the Grand Canyon. The story begins with his life as a child and it 100% action and dialogue. Many kids, especially boys who love history, devour the Nathan Hale books which are filled with adventure, sarcasm, and history. I'm not personally a fan of the writing style or the illustrations but can see how these appeal to may readers. Another recent book in this series is Alamo All Stars, perfect for Texan readers.

by Jennifer Therme
I couldn't put this down! It's the history of the island of Manhattan s tarting with the Lenape people and continuing to the present day with subways and bridges and 1.6 million people. You might not know that when settlers organized into a city, the city's long-term plans meant that homes and farms were relocated and destroyed which also happened when Central Park was later created. That's when eminent domain forced an entire African American community called Seneca Village to move, disappearing forever. This book is packed with information about the city including the ecosystem, fires, and slavery. Gorgeous illustrations and readable informative writing, this oversized picture book will interest all readers, especially those who like American history or live in the New York area. Highly recommended.

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids With Extraordinary Stories by Amanda Li, illustrated by Amy Blackwell
A must-own book and favorite from this list! Kids will love the colorful layouts, exceptional writing, and wealth of information about SO many amazing role model kids. Learn about Poorna Malavath from India who climbed Mt. Everest, Desmond Doss, a WWII hero from the U.S., and Molly Kelly from Australia who escaped from forced resettlement for Aboriginal children. The writing grabs you from the first sentence - and makes these children's true stories exciting and dramatic as if you were reading an adventure story.

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome by Jonathan W. Stokes The Thrifty Guides Handbooks for Time Travelers are irresistible, wildly imaginative romps through history. These books are filled with tongue and cheek hilarity while also being boldly informative about their historical topics. If Ancient Rome is your preferred destination, you'll need your handy handbook close by to make sure you survive - which seems to be unlikely since, since as the book says, " Rome is an absolute deathtrap." Throughout these thrifty travel guides, you'll read letters from your " Corporate Overlord at Time Corp ". These, as you may expect, are hilarious! The guides are published by Time Corp in the year 2164 to help vacationing tourists with the most practical information for their time travel trips.

Mercy The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh: Founder of the ASPCA and Friend to Animals by Nancy Furstinger This little nonfiction chapter book packs a big punch - it's the absolutely fascinating life of a rich (and formerly lazy) man named Henry Bergh who devoted his life and his money to saving maltreated animals in the late 1800s. (He also is persuaded to start campaigning for children as well - they were often treated just as badly or worse!) This is one of my favorite narrative nonfiction books ever. One of the reasons I like this book so much is that the writing is excellent and the author paints a complete picture of a man who is flawed. The print is big (yeah!) and the illustrations throughout add to the narrative. FANTASTIC and I highly recommend this narrative nonfiction chapter book for schools and libraries!

I wasn't sure what to expect but again, National Geographic outdid themselves. The facts weird (did you know professional hockey players can be penalized for tucking their jerseys into their pants?!) and come from a wide range of topics and sports. Learn crazy facts about skateboarding, ostrich races, and jetsprint boats! Highly recommended. ALSO READ: Awesome Sports Books for Kids

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Jillian Nickell
Stylized to look like a comic book of superhero action with oversized pictures and the occasional large comic-style typeface of smack! pow! and chomp! impress upon the reader just how super these superbugs are. Bugs like the Green tiger beetle, the fastest of all insects. Messner shares the must-know basics (name, size, hideout, superpower) then launches into fascinating details about each including what they eat (favorite foods) and who eats them (archenemies). Action-filled cartoon panels show a bug stalking and then devouring its food. Interesting insets of information narrate more facts about each insect. What kid could resist reading this enthralling tome!?

and Brushes: A Great Girls' Guide to Disney Animation by Mindy Johnson, illustrated by Lorelay Bovi
Learn about some of the incredible women who worked at Disney's animation from writers to artists to animators to researchers. My daughter read this and thinks that artsy girls especially (like my daughter) will love these biographies. Each one skillfully captures the woman's story, where she started, her passions, her education, and how she came to work for Disney as well as what she worked on while at Disney. We enjoyed learning about these women as well as all the jobs someone could have in animation. As you might expect, the illustrations and design of this book are both eye-catching and exquisite.

by Hal Iggulden
Remember the wildly popular book, The Dangerous Book for Boys? This is the long-awaited sequel! Styled to look like a book from my own childhood, this is a dense volume of SO MUCH CONTENT to read and absorb! You'll find

information (12 Ceasars)

directions (finding the height of a tree)

experiments (The Fire Snake)

stories, tips (solving a Rubic's cube)

activities (the endless card)

games (The Moon is Round)

how-tos (how to write a thank you letter)

quotes (quotes from Shakespeare)

puzzles (math puzzles)

book recommendations

and more

I can't even begin to cover the scope of this book - I, myself, have barely cracked the surface of all the content inside. Ditch the phones and pick up this book. It will entertain and educate children for more hours than I can predict.

We Are Artists: Women who Made Their Mark on the World by Kari Herbert
I'm loving this book so much - it shares with well-written biographies (about 3- 5 pages for each woman) about so many female artists from different countries, each with their own unique style and life experience. From Yayoi Kusama of Japan to Alma Thomas of the U.S. to Amrita Sher-Gil of India and Hungary, discover incredible, passionate artists with long-lasting influence.

Rocket to the Moon: Big Ideas That Changed the World by Don Brown
Instead of reading a narrative nonfiction book, get your fact-filled history about the first moon landing in an exciting, well-written, black-and-white graphic novel. Reading this book will help you understand our country's competitiveness with Russia, the many attempts to launch rockets, and the eventual success of sending astronauts into space. I'm happy to see this new "Big Ideas" graphic novel series with a home-run first book.

National Geographic Kids Get Outside Guide: All Things Adventure, Exploration, and Fun!
Fun activities for kids to do in the backyard, on a road trip, in a park, and more. Filled with amazing photography and designed in a kid-friendly colorful layout, this book is awesome. We LOVE it!

by Sean Connolly
CHEMISTRY
FASCINATING! I love the writing in this book because it makes chemistry really understandable and interesting. You'll read about an element on the periodic table then do a related experiment. For example, you might learn how iron oxidizes by submerging steel wool in vinegar. Or learn about magnesium with an Epsom salts crystalizing experiment.

by Cari Meister
This reminds me of the Strange But True books only about history and from a different publisher. And, I LOVE IT! This little book makes history interesting to kids - it's filled with colorful photos and illustrations and yes, wacky facts. Here are a few to get you started: Early Chinese spies flew on large kites to gather information about their enemies. Ancient Romans were the first to record seeing UFOs. Napoleon suffered from ailurophobia. that means he was afraid of cats. Crazy cool, right? It makes you want to know more!

by Joyce Sidman
This is not a picture book, it's a detailed and thorough biography written for ages 10+, about Maria's childhood and adult life from her stepfather who taught her to paint and her first caterpillar observational study at age 13 to her later years of careful observational studies and art in the Netherlands and Surinam. The book includes detailed illustrations and photographs of her actual drawings and the insect and plant specimens she observed plus occasional informational insets describing the world around her at the time- the first museums, the role of women, and science before photography, just to name a few. Maria's dogged passion for the natural world, insects, in particular, led to being one of the first naturalists to document a butterfly's metamorphosis. Her story is fascinating and inspirational. I love this book! Added to: Best Biographies for Women's History Month

by Anita Silvey, forward by Jane Goodall
Not your average biography for kids with small font and ugly black and white photos...no, it's so much better! Untamed is an excellent depiction of Jane Goodall's life with kid-friendly language using kid-appealing layouts of colorful photos. Interesting insets throughout describe tips for kids and information such as sign language. I love the Gombe Family Scrapbook at the end with some of the significant chimps in Jane's life. I also found it really interesting to learn how this English girl read about Africa as a child and fell in love with it.

Biggest and Smallest! Guinness World Records Over 300 Fun Facts by Christy Webster
Photos accompany fun facts about the biggest and smallest of so many things - food, instruments, and more.

Bold layouts and fascinating information fill this huge book about everything football including the fastest players, best passer-receiver duos, tricky plays, sack masters, and so much more. I'm pretty sure your football fans will spend hours reading this nonfiction keeper. ALSO READ: Awesome Sports Books for Kids

DNA Detective by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Lil Grump
Colorful and easy to read, I very much enjoyed this informational book and it's kid-friendly layout. Plus it's packed full of fascinating facts about the science of DNA and how researchers figured it out and use it in practical applications like solving crimes.

LEGO Awesome Ideas What Will You Build?
Awesome barely begins to describe this book - it's jam-packed with so many ideas from different themes like Outer Space, Modern Metropolis, the Wild West, Fantasy Land, and The Real World. I just love browsing through the ideas. Be warned: Your kids will want you to order A LOT more Legos for these new projects.

by Bob McCabe
Last year AJ's favorite Christmas gift was Harry Potter Film Wizardry, a book she still reads over and over - just this morning in fact, she was curled up on the couch reading it before school. Even though I haven't let her see all the movies, I'm going to buy her this newest Harry Potter movie book, Page to Screen. It's a whopping 531 pages! HUGE, right? This ultimate Harry Potter movie bible gives readers, besides a workout lifting the thing, stories, photographs, memorabilia, cinematic history and the film-making techniques from each of the movies.

by Sarah Albee
Once my 13-year old and I started this book, we were engrossed from front to back. Albee writes fantastic chapter titles and headings: " Caulk like an Egyptian," "Putting the "Protest" in Protestant," and " Hazardous Hemlines." The book is formatted so that you can pick and choose interesting sections such as Corsets, Dressed to Compress because the corset photo is so intriguing or the inset of information has such a tantalizing title, " Why Did Napoleon Always Have His Hand in His Coat? "

The world's hottest most impressive and exciting customized cars by Kane Miller So many 10 year old (5th grade) kids love cars like these (okay, and many of their dad's do as well). This book highlights cool custom cars, their top speeds, their 0-60 mph, and their horsepower. From an Aston Martin DBS to the Bugatti Veyron, if you have a car lover, he will devour this book.

National Geographic Kids Weird But True! FOOD: 300 bite-size facts about incredible edibles!by Julie Beer
My oldest started reading because of these books. She started out as a nonfiction reader who needed bite-sized tidbits to read in whatever order she desired. So, we have a special place in our hearts for the Weird But True books. The Food edition is a little different because it's well, only about food. We suggest reading facts from it at dinnertime because what a great conversation starter! Here are a few nuggets for you: Taurophobia: Fear of Cheese Starbucks Coffee is named after Starbuck, a character in the novel Moby-Dick. You can eat deep-fried orchids in Thailand. See? Dinner table talk. Discuss.

Harry Potter Film Wizardryby Brian Sibley
My kids love this book! It's a lot of beautiful photos with details from behind the scenes of the movies.

Primates The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks ages 8 - 12
Well-told in comic version, this graphic novel captures the intersecting stories and scientific advancements of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas who have spent their lives studying primates.

by Ben Boos
Swords is a fantastic visual and factual history of swords. The illustrations and design entice readers into the information - even if they're not that interested in swords. Kids will pour over this book for hours and learn the history of swords, and the types of sword use for people like medieval knights, samurais, and sultans. It's gorgeously illustrated and very well-written.

by Brenda Peterson, photographs by Robin Lindsey
A group of volunteers called Seal Sitters, watch out for baby seals who are left on Seattle shore while their mothers hunt for food. This photographic story tells the story of baby seal, Leopard, who is crowded by onlookers and dogs. Young volunteer, Miles, calls his fellow Seal Sitters to help him move the people away from Leopard. Miles and his grandpa decide to build a floating dock for Leopard so he will be safe when his mother hunts. It's a compelling story about the real dangers that marine mammals face every day.

Greek Myths retold by Ann Turnbull, illustrated by Sarah Young
Greek Myths took AJ a half-day to devour it's 167 pages; she gave it the thumbs up. "NO mixing up of the myths, mom!" she exclaimed. Turnbull created the ultimate guide of Greek locations, monsters, heroes, gods, and mortals. This is a must-buy!

The Incredible Plate Tectonics Comic by Kanani K.M. Lee & Adam Wallenta
I highly recommend this well-written and educational comic book! George, a normal skateboarder kid, is also Geo, a superhero who can transport back in time to learn about geology. In this story, he's back to Pangea where he learns about plate tectonics first hand! The story goes back and forth between George and Geo seamlessly. Fantastic!

The Brainiest Insaniest Ultimate Puzzle Book! by Amy Goldstein, Robert Leighton, Mike Shenk
Colorful word games, mazes, puzzles, and more for kids ages 8 and up.

Mad-Libs Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Travel
How do you cross piranha-infested waters? This is a hilarious way to pass the time and practice your parts of speech. Plus, I love the Worst-Case Scenario books, don't you?

Sandra Staple
Drawing Dragons: Learn How to Create Fantastic Fire-Breathing Dragons by
I want this book - I wonder if even beginners like me could follow the step by step directions to draw dragons? Great for 10-year-old artists in 5th grade.

Tear Up This Book! by Keri Smith
A very popular American Girl book for fun, creativity, and crafts. My kids love this book.

Nonfiction Books for 10-Year- Olds

by Jane Solomon, illustrated by Louise Lockhart
Want a mesmerizing book that is even better than a word-a-day calendar? This oversized dictionary contains the coolest selection of 400 words that kids will love to learn beginning with abecedarian (someone who is learning the alphabet) continuing to Zeppelin. Each letter gives readers about 15 new words to learn. This includes the word, pronunciation, part of speech, and definition. You'll find haberdashery, ichthyologist, luddite and mugwump, mulligrubs, mumpsimus, and mishpocha. Read one of these words (or more) every day. Then try to use it at least a few times in a sentence. It won't be too onerous and you won't be ramfeezled; in fact, learning new words might just be a salubrious experience because you'll soon become a sesquipedalian.

by Catherine Thimmesh, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
I really loved this expanded and revised edition because Melissa Sweet's design and illustrations make the book so special. The author writes the biographies like a fictional narrative story with action and suspense but it's all true. These biographies are about women who solved problems by inventing the solution. What great models for entrepreneurs, inventors, and having a growth mindset.

by Michael Dahl
I love the large type size and grin-worth (groan-worthy?) jokes! My kids call these "dad jokes" because there are a lot of puns and plays on words. Want an example? " What kind of fruit is never lonely? Pears." or " What is a swimmer's favorite game? Pool. "

by Nathan Hale
After the Civil War, Major John Wesley Powell sets off on a perilous expedition through the Grand Canyon. The story begins with his life as a child and it 100% action and dialogue. Many kids, especially boys who love history, devour the Nathan Hale books which are filled with adventure, sarcasm, and history. I'm not personally a fan of the writing style or the illustrations but can see how these appeal to may readers. Another recent book in this series is Alamo All Stars, perfect for Texan readers.

by Jennifer Therme
I couldn't put this down! It's the history of the island of Manhattan s tarting with the Lenape people and continuing to the present day with subways and bridges and 1.6 million people. You might not know that when settlers organized into a city, the city's long-term plans meant that homes and farms were relocated and destroyed which also happened when Central Park was later created. That's when eminent domain forced an entire African American community called Seneca Village to move, disappearing forever. This book is packed with information about the city including the ecosystem, fires, and slavery. Gorgeous illustrations and readable informative writing, this oversized picture book will interest all readers, especially those who like American history or live in the New York area. Highly recommended.

Rise Up: Ordinary Kids With Extraordinary Stories by Amanda Li, illustrated by Amy Blackwell
A must-own book and favorite from this list! Kids will love the colorful layouts, exceptional writing, and wealth of information about SO many amazing role model kids. Learn about Poorna Malavath from India who climbed Mt. Everest, Desmond Doss, a WWII hero from the U.S., and Molly Kelly from Australia who escaped from forced resettlement for Aboriginal children. The writing grabs you from the first sentence - and makes these children's true stories exciting and dramatic as if you were reading an adventure story.

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome by Jonathan W. Stokes The Thrifty Guides Handbooks for Time Travelers are irresistible, wildly imaginative romps through history. These books are filled with tongue and cheek hilarity while also being boldly informative about their historical topics. If Ancient Rome is your preferred destination, you'll need your handy handbook close by to make sure you survive - which seems to be unlikely since, since as the book says, " Rome is an absolute deathtrap." Throughout these thrifty travel guides, you'll read letters from your " Corporate Overlord at Time Corp ". These, as you may expect, are hilarious! The guides are published by Time Corp in the year 2164 to help vacationing tourists with the most practical information for their time travel trips. Information such as:

Where to find a decent hotel room

How to dress (Ancient fashions are tricky - read the guide because you don't wear a candy corn hat when you're supposed to wear a tricorne hat! And if you're in Rome, here's a helpful tip: "While any chump can wear a tunic, only free Roman citizens are allowed to wear togas... If you think you can pass as a citizen and you're planning to wear a toga, just know that it's been bleached white using stale urine.")

What's going on when you arrive

Who is important

Helpful hints ("What to Do If You Are Enslaved in Rome")

Who to take out to lunch

Pranks to pull ("Install a metal detector at the Roman Senate in 44 BC and you can completely prevent Caesar's assassination by knife-wielding Senators. Caesar will feel grateful, and it doesn't hurt to have the most powerful man in the world as your new best friend.")

Charts ("Cleopatra's Perfectly Normal Family Tree")

Maps ("All the Land Caesar Conquers in Europe, 58 - 51 BC")

Mercy The Incredible Story of Henry Bergh: Founder of the ASPCA and Friend to Animals by Nancy Furstinger This little nonfiction chapter book packs a big punch - it's the absolutely fascinating life of a rich (and formerly lazy) man named Henry Bergh who devoted his life and his money to saving maltreated animals in the late 1800s. (He also is persuaded to start campaigning for children as well - they were often treated just as badly or worse!) This is one of my favorite narrative nonfiction books ever. One of the reasons I like this book so much is that the writing is excellent and the author paints a complete picture of a man who is flawed. The print is big (yeah!) and the illustrations throughout add to the narrative. FANTASTIC and I highly recommend this narrative nonfiction chapter book for schools and libraries!

I wasn't sure what to expect but again, National Geographic outdid themselves. The facts weird (did you know professional hockey players can be penalized for tucking their jerseys into their pants?!) and come from a wide range of topics and sports. Learn crazy facts about skateboarding, ostrich races, and jetsprint boats! Highly recommended. ALSO READ: Awesome Sports Books for Kids

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Jillian Nickell
Stylized to look like a comic book of superhero action with oversized pictures and the occasional large comic-style typeface of smack! pow! and chomp! impress upon the reader just how super these superbugs are. Bugs like the Green tiger beetle, the fastest of all insects. Messner shares the must-know basics (name, size, hideout, superpower) then launches into fascinating details about each including what they eat (favorite foods) and who eats them (archenemies). Action-filled cartoon panels show a bug stalking and then devouring its food. Interesting insets of information narrate more facts about each insect. What kid could resist reading this enthralling tome!? by Andrew Prentice, illustrated by Mike Smith
Like the Houdini book, this well-written narrative biography is filled with cartoon illustrations from which you'll learn a LOT! I recommend this series because kids will get a full picture of Millie's life as well as the context of the world around her including how women were treated. The book is organized in a clear sequence of events starting when Millie was a child and ending with the time of her infamous disappearance. In addition, the back matter includes a timeline and glossary. by Alan Katz, illustrated by Chris Judge
Kids will zip through this excellent middle-grade biography because the author makes the information relevant and relatable. The writing is conversational, the author is totally hilarious (especially when he talks about his own ridiculous inventions or the questions he asks Siri) and there are illustrations, quizzes, fast facts, and activities plus a wealth of fascinating information about each inventor's life. You'll read about the inventors of video games, the television remote control, the cell phone, windshield wipers, the first web browser, and the microwave oven. I appreciate that the book includes both men and women inventors! Also of note is that Katz takes us through the process of how each inventor got their idea as well as the final product.

and Brushes: A Great Girls' Guide to Disney Animation by Mindy Johnson, illustrated by Lorelay Bovi
Learn about some of the incredible women who worked at Disney's animation from writers to artists to animators to researchers. My daughter read this and thinks that artsy girls especially (like my daughter) will love these biographies. Each one skillfully captures the woman's story, where she started, her passions, her education, and how she came to work for Disney as well as what she worked on while at Disney. We enjoyed learning about these women as well as all the jobs someone could have in animation. As you might expect, the illustrations and design of this book are both eye-catching and exquisite.

by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Sterling Hundley
Fascinating and important! I learned so much history that I didn't know about both Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman. Whitman observed Lincoln as a candidate and later as the President. The Civil War affected Whitman deeply, he hated the suffering and visited wounded soldiers regularly. It's not a typical picture book because it is dense with information but would be great for the upper grades.

by Hal Iggulden
Remember the wildly popular book, The Dangerous Book for Boys? This is the long-awaited sequel! Styled to look like a book from my own childhood, this is a dense volume of SO MUCH CONTENT to read and absorb! You'll find

information (12 Ceasars)

directions (finding the height of a tree)

experiments (The Fire Snake)

stories, tips (solving a Rubic's cube)

activities (the endless card)

games (The Moon is Round)

how-tos (how to write a thank you letter)

quotes (quotes from Shakespeare)

puzzles (math puzzles)

book recommendations

and more

I can't even begin to cover the scope of this book - I, myself, have barely cracked the surface of all the content inside. Ditch the phones and pick up this book. It will entertain and educate children for more hours than I can predict.

We Are Artists: Women who Made Their Mark on the World by Kari Herbert
I'm loving this book so much - it shares with well-written biographies (about 3- 5 pages for each woman) about so many female artists from different countries, each with their own unique style and life experience. From Yayoi Kusama of Japan to Alma Thomas of the U.S. to Amrita Sher-Gil of India and Hungary, discover incredible, passionate artists with long-lasting influence.

Rocket to the Moon: Big Ideas That Changed the World by Don Brown
Instead of reading a narrative nonfiction book, get your fact-filled history about the first moon landing in an exciting, well-written, black-and-white graphic novel. Reading this book will help you understand our country's competitiveness with Russia, the many attempts to launch rockets, and the eventual success of sending astronauts into space. I'm happy to see this new "Big Ideas" graphic novel series with a home-run first book.

The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and 76 Other Animals with Weird, Wild Names by Matthew Murie and Steve Murrie, illustrated by Julie Benbassat
Get ready for funny names, magical names, fierce names, delicious names, and weird names. But even better is the ANIMALS with these unusual names. Like the striped pyjama squid which is a cool-looking stripped squid. Or the yeti crab which is a crustacean with hairy arms. My favorite weird creature is the Tasseled Wobbegong! Permanent facts (species, habitat, and interesting details) are written in a text box with a well-written elaboration of about a page describing the animal's looks, behavior, habitat, abilities, and more. Each animal has at least one illustration, sometimes more than one, and sometimes a photograph. Fantastic!

Extreme Engineering (STEM Adventures) by Paul Virr
All the mazes, puzzles, quizzes, and info are mostly engineering related in this STEM 2018 activity book. Read the information, then do the activities. For example, you'll read about arches then do a drawing activity by completing the other half of two famous bridges. Other topics include levers, water power, and gears. You'll find word searches, mazes, dot-to-dots, drawing, labeling, and more.

National Geographic Kids Get Outside Guide: All Things Adventure, Exploration, and Fun!
Fun activities for kids to do in the backyard, on a road trip, in a park, and more. Filled with amazing photography and designed in a kid-friendly colorful layout, this book is awesome. We LOVE it!

by Sean Connolly
CHEMISTRY
FASCINATING! I love the writing in this book because it makes chemistry really understandable and interesting. You'll read about an element on the periodic table then do a related experiment. For example, you might learn how iron oxidizes by submerging steel wool in vinegar. Or learn about magnesium with an Epsom salts crystalizing experiment.

by Cari Meister
This reminds me of the Strange But True books only about history and from a different publisher. And, I LOVE IT! This little book makes history interesting to kids - it's filled with colorful photos and illustrations and yes, wacky facts. Here are a few to get you started: Early Chinese spies flew on large kites to gather information about their enemies. Ancient Romans were the first to record seeing UFOs. Napoleon suffered from ailurophobia. that means he was afraid of cats. Crazy cool, right? It makes you want to know more!

Surprising Stories Behind Everyday Stuff by National Geographic Kids
These origin stories of everything from skateboards to pickles and candles answer all the questions you didn't even know you had. Read how the ancient Egyptians filled hollow reeds with ink made from soot, oil, or gelatin, to make the world's first pens. And while "Ancient Egyptians didn't invent the cake-they did come up with the idea of birthdays." Ancient Romans added a cake to the celebration. Who knew!? YOU WILL if you read this book - and a lot more to boot. Surprising histories of everyday things plus eye-pleasing layouts make this book an accessible, interesting read.

by Joyce Sidman
This is not a picture book, it's a detailed and thorough biography written for ages 10+, about Maria's childhood and adult life from her stepfather who taught her to paint and her first caterpillar observational study at age 13 to her later years of careful observational studies and art in the Netherlands and Surinam. The book includes detailed illustrations and photographs of her actual drawings and the insect and plant specimens she observed plus occasional informational insets describing the world around her at the time- the first museums, the role of women, and science before photography, just to name a few. Maria's dogged passion for the natural world, insects, in particular, led to being one of the first naturalists to document a butterfly's metamorphosis. Her story is fascinating and inspirational. I love this book! Added to: Best Biographies for Women's History Month

by Anita Silvey, forward by Jane Goodall
Not your average biography for kids with small font and ugly black and white photos...no, it's so much better! Untamed is an excellent depiction of Jane Goodall's life with kid-friendly language using kid-appealing layouts of colorful photos. Interesting insets throughout describe tips for kids and information such as sign language. I love the Gombe Family Scrapbook at the end with some of the significant chimps in Jane's life. I also found it really interesting to learn how this English girl read about Africa as a child and fell in love with it.

Biggest and Smallest! Guinness World Records Over 300 Fun Facts by Christy Webster
Photos accompany fun facts about the biggest and smallest of so many things - food, instruments, and more.

Bold layouts and fascinating information fill this huge book about everything football including the fastest players, best passer-receiver duos, tricky plays, sack masters, and so much more. I'm pretty sure your football fans will spend hours reading this nonfiction keeper. ALSO READ: Awesome Sports Books for Kids

DNA Detective by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, illustrated by Lil Grump
Colorful and easy to read, I very much enjoyed this informational book and it's kid-friendly layout. Plus it's packed full of fascinating facts about the science of DNA and how researchers figured it out and use it in practical applications like solving crimes.

LEGO Awesome Ideas What Will You Build?
Awesome barely begins to describe this book - it's jam-packed with so many ideas from different themes like Outer Space, Modern Metropolis, the Wild West, Fantasy Land, and The Real World. I just love browsing through the ideas. Be warned: Your kids will want you to order A LOT more Legos for these new projects.

by Bob McCabe
Last year AJ's favorite Christmas gift was Harry Potter Film Wizardry, a book she still reads over and over - just this morning in fact, she was curled up on the couch reading it before school. Even though I haven't let her see all the movies, I'm going to buy her this newest Harry Potter movie book, Page to Screen. It's a whopping 531 pages! HUGE, right? This ultimate Harry Potter movie bible gives readers, besides a workout lifting the thing, stories, photographs, memorabilia, cinematic history and the film-making techniques from each of the movies.

by Sarah Albee
Once my 13-year old and I started this book, we were engrossed from front to back. Albee writes fantastic chapter titles and headings: " Caulk like an Egyptian," "Putting the "Protest" in Protestant," and " Hazardous Hemlines." The book is formatted so that you can pick and choose interesting sections such as Corsets, Dressed to Compress because the corset photo is so intriguing or the inset of information has such a tantalizing title, " Why Did Napoleon Always Have His Hand in His Coat? "

The world's hottest most impressive and exciting customized cars by Kane Miller So many 10 year old (5th grade) kids love cars like these (okay, and many of their dad's do as well). This book highlights cool custom cars, their top speeds, their 0-60 mph, and their horsepower. From an Aston Martin DBS to the Bugatti Veyron, if you have a car lover, he will devour this book.

National Geographic Kids Weird But True! FOOD: 300 bite-size facts about incredible edibles!by Julie Beer
My oldest started reading because of these books. She started out as a nonfiction reader who needed bite-sized tidbits to read in whatever order she desired. So, we have a special place in our hearts for the Weird But True books. The Food edition is a little different because it's well, only about food. We suggest reading facts from it at dinnertime because what a great conversation starter! Here are a few nuggets for you: Taurophobia: Fear of Cheese Starbucks Coffee is named after Starbuck, a character in the novel Moby-Dick. You can eat deep-fried orchids in Thailand. See? Dinner table talk. Discuss.

Harry Potter Film Wizardryby Brian Sibley
My kids love this book! It's a lot of beautiful photos with details from behind the scenes of the movies.

Primates The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks ages 8 - 12
Well-told in comic version, this graphic novel captures the intersecting stories and scientific advancements of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas who have spent their lives studying primates.

by Ben Boos
Swords is a fantastic visual and factual history of swords. The illustrations and design entice readers into the information - even if they're not that interested in swords. Kids will pour over this book for hours and learn the history of swords, and the types of sword use for people like medieval knights, samurais, and sultans. It's gorgeously illustrated and very well-written.

by Brenda Peterson, photographs by Robin Lindsey
A group of volunteers called Seal Sitters, watch out for baby seals who are left on Seattle shore while their mothers hunt for food. This photographic story tells the story of baby seal, Leopard, who is crowded by onlookers and dogs. Young volunteer, Miles, calls his fellow Seal Sitters to help him move the people away from Leopard. Miles and his grandpa decide to build a floating dock for Leopard so he will be safe when his mother hunts. It's a compelling story about the real dangers that marine mammals face every day.

Greek Myths retold by Ann Turnbull, illustrated by Sarah Young
Greek Myths took AJ a half-day to devour it's 167 pages; she gave it the thumbs up. "NO mixing up of the myths, mom!" she exclaimed. Turnbull created the ultimate guide of Greek locations, monsters, heroes, gods, and mortals. This is a must-buy!

The Incredible Plate Tectonics Comic by Kanani K.M. Lee & Adam Wallenta
I highly recommend this well-written and educational comic book! George, a normal skateboarder kid, is also Geo, a superhero who can transport back in time to learn about geology. In this story, he's back to Pangea where he learns about plate tectonics first hand! The story goes back and forth between George and Geo seamlessly. Fantastic!

The Brainiest Insaniest Ultimate Puzzle Book! by Amy Goldstein, Robert Leighton, Mike Shenk
Colorful word games, mazes, puzzles, and more for kids ages 8 and up.

Mad-Libs Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook Travel
How do you cross piranha-infested waters? This is a hilarious way to pass the time and practice your parts of speech. Plus, I love the Worst-Case Scenario books, don't you?

Sandra Staple
Drawing Dragons: Learn How to Create Fantastic Fire-Breathing Dragons by
I want this book - I wonder if even beginners like me could follow the step by step directions to draw dragons? Great for 10-year-old artists in 5th grade.

Tear Up This Book! by Keri Smith
A very popular American Girl book for fun, creativity, and crafts. My kids love this book.

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Nonfiction Books for 10 Year Olds (5th Grade)

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It's so important for 10-year-olds, usually 5th graders, to read for meaning in expository and narrative nonfiction texts. They need practice, lots of practice, in well-written books like the ones listed below. Also read: All Picture Book Biographies Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Strategies Best Books for 10-Year-Olds by Jane Solomon, illustrated by Louise LockhartWant a mesmerizing book that is even better than a word-a-day calendar?

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Graphic novels have become increasingly popular among young readers for good reason. These visually engaging books capture students’ attention, increase reading comprehension and can be a more approachable read for striving readers, English language learners or those with learning difficulties. Advanced readers also benefit from reading graphic novels, as they learn how to interpret various images and words to construct a complex story.

The expertly selected graphic novels below showcase how this medium is not only entertaining and exciting for young readers but also delivers important themes, topics and ideas in an engaging way that aids comprehension and retention skills.

1. CatStronauts
by Drew Brockington

Interest level: 1-4

When the world is in danger, only the best space cats on earth can save us all. Meet fearless commander, Major Meowser, brave-but-hungry pilot, Waffles, genius technician and inventor, Blanket, and quick-thinking science officer, Pom Pom, on their most dangerous and important missions in the galaxy. This series breathes life into a world populated entirely by cats, brimming with jokes, charm, science and enough big boxes and tuna sandwiches for everyone!

2. Mighty Jack
by Ben Hatke

Interest level: 3-7

It would have been a normal, boring summer had Jack not sold his mother’s car for a box of mysterious seeds. Mighty Jack takes Jack and the Beanstalk’s folk-tale charm and adds a dash of modern fantasy. Follow Jack, his sister Maddy and the spunky neighbor Lilly, as they wrangle with the magical garden behind Jack’s house and travel to the dangerous world beyond the vines and stalks.

3. The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America
by Jaime Hernandez

Interest level: 3-8

How would a kitchen maid fare against a seven-headed dragon? What happens when a woman marries a mouse? And what can a young man learn from a thousand leaf cutter ants? Learn the answer to all these questions and more as these timeless tales are transformed into bold, stunning and utterly contemporary comics. This book brings the sights and stories of Latin America to a new generation of graphic novel fans around the world.

4. The Bad Guys
by Aaron Blabey

Interest level: 2-5

They sound like bad guys; they look like bad guys and they even smell like bad guys. But Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark are about to change all of that, whether you like it or not! This hilarious series delivers all the naughty and silly laughs readers could want.

5. Karen’s Witch
by Ann M. Martin

Interest level: 2-5

A fresh and fun graphic novel series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy’s little stepsister. Karen Brewer lives next door to Mrs. Porter, who wears long black robes and has wild gray hair. Karen isn’t supposed to spy on her neighbor, but she’s determined to prove that Mrs. Porter is a witch. Mrs. Porter is getting ready to have a special meeting at her house, and Karen is sure the meeting is for witches. Are they going to cast a spell on Karen? Or will she be brave enough to send them away once and for all?

6. Dog Man
by Dav Pilkey

Interest level: 2-6

Dog Man is the crime-biting canine who is part dog, part man and all hero. Perfect for reluctant and voracious readers alike, this series follows the adventures of Dog Man as he claws after crooks and rolls over robbers! He has a nose for justice, but will his canine ways get him in trouble? Dav Pilkey’s wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence and the importance of being true to oneself.

7. Super Potato
by Artur Laperla

Interest level: 2-5

Spanish cartoonist Artur Laperla presents the adventures of a costumed crime-fighter who turns into a potato and becomes a bigger hero than ever. He faces off against sinister scientists, slugs from space, giant chickens and more in a series of graphic novels perfect for reluctant readers.

8. Lowriders in Space
by Cathy Camper

Interest level: 3-7

Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack and Elirio Malaria love working with cars. You name it, they can fix it. But the team’s favorite cars of all are lowriders. The stars align when a contest for the best car around offers a prize of a trunkful of cash, just what the team needs to open their own shop! Features striking, unparalleled art from debut illustrator Raúl the Third, and the story is sketched with Spanish, inked with science facts and colored with true friendship. With a glossary at the back to provide definitions for Spanish and science terms, this delightful book will educate and entertain in equal measure.

9. Cici a Fairy’s Tale: Believe Your Eyes
by Cori Doerrfeld

Interest level: 2-5

A lot is changing for Cici. Her parents are separating, her wacky abuela is moving in, and on her tenth birthday, she wakes up with fairy wings! Cici’s new magical powers let her see people as they truly are. But what she learns about her friends and family isn’t always easy to accept. She has only one day to decide whether to keep her wings. When Cici wishes life could just be normal again, will she choose to believe in the power of fairies?

10. Real Friends
by Shannon Hale

Interest level: 3-6

Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top, even if it means bullying others. Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends, and why it’s worth the journey.

11. Raina Telgemeier Graphic Memoirs
by Raina Telgemeier

Interest level: 3-7

Raina Telgemeier uses her signature humor and charm in both present-day narrative and perfectly placed flashbacks to tell the story of her relationship with her family and relatable tales from her childhood. Each novel features themes of family, friendship and the highs and lows of growing up.

12. El Deafo
by Cece Bell

Interest level: 5-8

Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful – and very awkward – hearing aid.

13. Pashmina
by Nidhi Chanani

Interest level: 4-7

Priyanka Das has unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? Who is her father, and why did her mom leave him behind? But to Pri’s mom, the topic of India is permanently closed. That is, until Pri finds a mysterious pashmina tucked away in a forgotten suitcase. When she wraps herself in it, she is transported to a place more vivid and colorful than any guidebook or Bollywood film. But is this the real India? To learn the truth, Pri must travel farther than she’s ever dared and find the family she never knew.

14. When Stars Are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Interest level: 4-7

Omar Mohamed was only four years old when he fled to a Kenyan refugee camp from war-torn Somalia with only his little brother in tow. Accompanied by Victoria Jamieson’s brilliant graphic artwork, When Stars Are Scattered is a remarkable true account of Omar’s childhood growing up in the camp, raising his little brother and dreaming of a better life for them both. A heartbreaking, hopeful, eye-opening must-read for all ages.

15. The Cardboard Kingdom
by Chad Sell

Interest level: 4-7

Welcome to a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary boxes into colorful costumes and their ordinary block into a cardboard kingdom. This is the summer when 16 kids meet knights and rogues, robots and monsters – and their own inner demons – on one last quest before school starts again. In the Cardboard Kingdom, you can be anything you want to be. Imagine that! Cardboard Kingdom is a collaboration project of Chad Sell and 10 authors, including Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, David DeMeo, Jay Fuller, Cloud Jacobs, Barbara Perez Marquez, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon and Katie Schenkel.

16. New Kid
by Jerry Craft

Interest level: 4-7

New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds and not really fitting into either one.

17. Black Heroes of the Wild West
by James Otis Smith

Interest level: 3-8

This graphic novel celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three Black heroes who took control of their destinies and stood up for their communities in the Old West. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields became famous as “Stagecoach Mary,” a cigar-chomping, card playing coach driver who never missed a delivery. Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, was one of the wiliest lawmen in the territories, bringing thousands of outlaws to justice with his smarts. Bob Lemmons lived to be 99 years old and was so good with horses that the wild mustangs on the plains of Texas took him for one of their own.

18. Stargazing
by Jen Wang

Interest level: 4-7

Moon is everything Christine isn’t. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic and although they both grew up in the same Chinese American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known. But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Moon’s visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine’s best friend is in the hospital fighting for her life. A heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel that paints a deeply personal yet wholly relatable friendship story that’s at turns joyful, heart-wrenching and full of hope.

19. The Crossover (Graphic Novel)
by Kwame Alexander

Interest level: 5-7

Kwame Alexander’s New York Times bestseller and Newbery Medal–winning The Crossover is now a graphic novel! Thanks to their dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood – he’s got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it’s all on the line. See the Bell family in a whole new light through Dawud Anyabwile’s dynamic illustrations as the brothers’ winning season unfolds, and the world as they know it begins to change.

20. Click
by Kayla Miller

Interest level: 3-7

Olive “clicks” with everyone in the fifth grade – until one day she doesn’t. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up? A heartfelt and insightful story about navigating friendships, leaning on family and learning to take the stage in the most important role of all.

What are some of your student’s favorite graphic novels? Share in the comments below!

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20 Must-Have Graphic Novels to Engage Readers in Grades 3-6

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Graphic novels have become increasingly popular among young readers for good reason. These visually engaging books capture students' attention, increase reading comprehension and can be a more approachable read for striving readers, English language learners or those with learning difficulties. Advanced readers also benefit from reading

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10 Adventure Books That Should Be In Every Kid’s Library - B&N Reads

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Pop-quiz tomorrow? Book report due on Friday? Don’t fret! While your kids can’t skip school and hop on a plane for an extended summer vacation, they can “escape” by reading a great book. If your little ones are craving epic adventures into extraordinary worlds, look no further! Make these awesome b…

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As I have shared previously, my children both love a good dose of humor in their books. This started with picture books and has continued as they moved into chapter books and novels, which has accumulated in this list of over 40 funny chapter books for kids.

These are comedic chapter books filled with humor alongside relatable characters, lots of family, friend and school references that readers will also relate to (often shared with more than a little cheekiness). There's lots to laugh about within these pages!

While some of the featured titles are mre suitable for younger independent readers, there is also plenty to appeal to children in the later years of primary/elementary/middle school. Plus, many of the titles listed are part of a series - these titles offer plenty to encourage your child to keep reading, so the list is probably more like 101 funny chapter books for kids than the 40+ listed!

RELATED: Looking for funny books for kids of different ages? Check out our lists of funny picture books, more funny picture books and funny graphic novels for kids.

40+ Funny Chapter Books for Kids

As with all of the lists in our Chapter Books for Kids collection, each title in this list links to an Amazon and/or Book Depository page (these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you) where you can find more information and reviews for titles you might not be personally familiar with.

Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables (book 1 of the series) by Tim Harris
The new teacher in Room 12B is somewhat unusual - who else has a teacher who rides a unicycle whilst flipping bacon in a pan in a dazzling blue suit? Tricks and magical illusions aside, Mr Bambuckle is a fabulous teacher, getting to know each and every one of his new students and their own interesting and funny ways, while making learning more than a little exciting and lots of fun!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Does your tween or teen love Star Wars? Check out this list of 21 Star Wars Books.

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. EVER. edited by Betsy Bird
A collection of uproarious stories, hilarious comics and rib-tickling wit from 25 of today's funniest female writers for kids.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Mr. Kermit is just putting his time in until retirement. He is saddled with the worst class in the school - these are the kids that everyone has pretty much given up on. The Unteachables never thought they'd find a teacher who had a worse attitude than they did. And Mr. Kermit never thought he would actually care about teaching again. Together they will experience mayhem, destruction, and maybe even a shot at redemptio n. Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Funniest Stories by Paul Jennings
A fun collection of 25 very funny short stories from one of Australia's most prolific writer of funny books for kids. These are sure to have you laughing out loud! Age 10+ years.
Available: The Book Depository

Do you have a funny chapter book that's super popular with the kids in your classroom or home?
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.

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40+ Hilariously Funny Chapter Books for Kids (Ages 6-12 Years)

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As I have shared previously, my children both love a good dose of humor in their books. This started with picture books and has continued as they moved into chapter books and novels, which has accumulated in this list of over 40 funny chapter books for kids.

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I love me a good mystery. I want to be Miss Marple when I grow up and Flavia de Luce is absolutely my best friend in my head. But long before Agatha Christie and Alan Bradley filled my bookshelves, I was a kid enraptured by spies named Harriet and kids living in boxcars. Mystery books for kids are great because they foster logical thinking and deductive reasoning. They're also just plain fun.

Classics like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys still have a healthy readership, but the genre has come a long way. There are so many fantastic mystery series and standalone works out there by a diverse mix of authors and illustrators. I've compiled a list of 50 mystery books for kids, both new and tried & true. The list spans everything from cake theft capers in picture books to art heist novels for middle grade readers.

A note about reading levels...

I've broken this list up into two broad sections, picture books and chapter books, with the chapter books listed in a mostly ascending order based on grade level. This process was a tricky one! I consulted various sources to come up with the best estimates: Scholastic's handy Book Wizard tool; the Renaissance Accelerated Reader Bookfinder; conversations with local librarians and, of course, input from parents. Using a combination of these resources, I've listed a grade level for each of these 50 selections, but these are by no means a universal one-size-fits-all guide.

Lastly, while this list focuses on mystery books for kids in the fifth grade or younger, the reading level range on several titles creeps into higher grade levels, i.e. titles with a range of grades 5-7. I've gone ahead and included those since they do at minimum work for fifth graders. Again, use your own discretion.

Now go crack some cases!

Picture Mystery Books For Kids (infants, toddlers, preschool, Kindergarten)

So, funny story-a of mystery books for kids like to riff off the Sherlock thing. This one is for the really little humans so it's sort of in a league of its own! The books in the Babylit Sounds Primer series all use simple word pairings to introduce young minds to classic works of literature, like this one about the famed quirky detective of London's Baker Street.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book-seriously, the detail in these drawings is stunning-Horace the elephant throws himself an extravagant costume party to celebrate his eleventh birthday. Then disaster strikes amidst the festivities: someone has eaten the lavish birthday feast! Horace must figure out who the culprit is in the eleventh hour-which of his friends has dunnit?!

In this remix of the classic tale, Detective Doggedly is trying to catch the huffing, puffing, house-blowing wolf before he eats the three little pigs for dinner. With the help of some observant cows and his own canine spidey-sense, he'll sniff out the culprit, doggone it!

Well, this picture book certainly isn't helping my theory that all pigeons are tiny cooing spies. It reads like a crime noir comic, the story of a plumed private investigator who's come out of retirement to pursue a birdnapping case. He looks every bit the detective as one can as a pigeon-he's got a fedora on so you he means business.

The Dot & Jabber series by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Of all the dirty, underhanded crimes I've come across in my life as a mystery reader, this takes the cake. Someone has stolen the pastries! Betty's Bakery has been burgled by a bread bandit who cleared the cupboards and counters of carrot cake, cornbread and crackers. The animal detectives of Gumshoe Zoo are on the case in this awesome, alliterative comic picture book.

This is the second book in the Dear Mrs. Larue series about a dog named Ike Larue with a knack for mad-cap hijinx. The rest of the books in the series aren't mysteries, but this one finds Ike putting on a detective hat to solve a string of canary burglaries in the neighborhood. The problem is that Ike's been accused-wrongly, of course!-of a crime himself, and is trapped in doggy jail! There's only one thing for Ike to do when the local police force can't seem to get the job done: break free and take matters into his own hands. Err, paws.

"'Today is the perfect day for solving mysteries and eating cheese,' thinks Harold, tucked up warm in bed. Though, for Harold every day was the perfect day for solving mysteries and eating cheese." And folks, are some words I can relate to. Harold the fox attends a costume birthday party for his friend Donkey. The festivities are soured when the birthday burro's cake is stolen during a game of monster tag. Harold steps in to save the party and the day by putting the pieces together to find the culprit of this cake caper. It's a great lesson on the importance of honesty, sharing, and the joys of a yummy slice of cake.

Don't let the format fool you-while it looks like a chapter book from the outside, the easy, sparse language reads like a picture book. Baby Monkey is just the cutest little gumshoe, sitting in his giant office waiting for cases to solve. He finds the thieving culprits for everything from an opera singer's missing jewels to an astronaut's misplaced spaceship using some detective work. I love, love, that he never begins a case before stopping for a snack and how laborious an effort it is for him to put on pants. Pants are hard!

You might take a look at that title and think, "Is this about Vanessa in her twenties when Mr. Tweezer went rogue and defiled her face?" But no, this picture book is about cat detective Inspector Brunswick. He and his assistant Nelson take a trip to the art museum where they find something missing from a very famous painting. The two put their heads together to figure out what happened in this charming story about art, teamwork and a very sneaky caterpillar.

This picture book is the perfect companion to the classic kids song. You know-the one you started singing as soon as you read the title, and don't you deny it! Mr. Skunk discovers the aforementioned cookie jar and dang it, he's going to find the thief. Follow along as he confronts each of his animal friends to see which one of them nabbed those cookies!

by Tara Lazar, Illustrated by Ross MacDonald

Ok, I can't write up a better blurb for this book than what's already been done. Alas, I bring you this spot-on, punny piece of plot-summary perfection from the author's website: "Word on the street is that 7 ate 9. If that's true, 6's days are numbered. Lucky for him, Private I is on the case. But the facts just don't add up. It's odd. Will Private I put two and two together and solve the problem...or is 6 next in line to be subtracted?" See? Told you.

I'm a fan of Richard Scarry books in general, but this is one of my favorites. Sam Cat and Dudley Pig are these cute and quirky animal sleuths who do cute and quirky detective things. In this collection of three stories, their capers include catching shoplifters, pearl thieves and even more shockingly: pie thieves. Sam and Dudley are often hilariously clueless and love to dress themselves in some pretty ridiculous disguises. The illustrations are half the fun.

Mama the Alien by Rene Colato Lainez, Illustrated by Laura Lacamara

This isn't exactly your typical mystery-there's no crime to be solved, no whodunnit to unravel. The mystery here is whether Sofia's mom is who she says she is-like from planet Earth! It all starts one day when an ID card falls out of Mama's purse. Sofia sees the words "Resident Alien" on it and wonders: does this mean Mama is an alien?! This bilingual story is a funny, lighthearted lesson on immigration and how words sometimes mean more than one thing.

Chapter Mystery Books For Kids (Grades 1-5)

The Haunted Library series by Dori Hillstead Butler (Grades 1-3)

This delightful series feels a little like a bookish Casper the Friendly Ghost. It's about a library-lurking ghost named Kaz who gets separated from his family and fears he'll never see them again. Then one day he meets Claire, a young girl who can actually see him! The pair become friends and solve ghostly mysteries while they search for Kaz's family.

The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series by Holly Webb, Illustrated by Marion Lindsay (Grades 1-4)

Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth by Jane O'Connor, Illustrated by Robin Price Glasser (Grades 1-4)

Julian and his buddies Huey and Gloria consider themselves some pretty sweet secret agents. They have after all rescued a neighborhood dog, saved a small child from drowning... but these kids have their sights set on solving some serious crime. They decide they're going to nab themselves a bank robber but get in the way of the police. When they find themselves in some hot water, they'll need to use their super sleuthing and spy skills to save themselves!

Malcolm at Midnight by W. H. Beck, Illustrated by Brian Lies (Grades 2-5)

Malcolm is jazzed to be the new fifth grade class pet at school: he's well fed, well loved and has some comfy digs. Even better: he finds out that the rest of the classroom pets are part of a secret society called The Academy whose charge is to keep the students of the school safe. When Aggy the iguana goes missing, the rest of the class pets accuse Malcolm of the crime. See, he chose to hide the fact that he's not so much a mouse as a rat, and rats are not to be trusted-or are they? This is a delightful mystery with some valuable lessons on acceptance and inclusion.

The Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton (Grades 2-5)

The Sherlock Sam series by A.J. Low (Grades 2-5)

Lulu's Mysterious Mission by Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Kevin Cornell (Grades 2-5)

So I definitely grabbed this book off a library shelf because young Lulu looks like a teeny tiny Edna Mode. You see it too, right?! In Lulu's Mysterious Mission , Lulu is shocked and appalled to find out that her parents are going on vacation...without her! She enacts all sorts of elaborate schemes to get rid of babysitter Sonia Solinsky, but Ms. Solinsky has a secret that may just make Lulu see the error in her ways. Note: this book is one in a series, but this is the only one I'd classify as a mystery.

The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warren (Grades 3-5)

The Boxcar Children books were first published back in 1942 and are pretty much considered classic mystery books for kids. The series follows the four orphaned Aiden children who decide to live in an abandoned boxcar in the forest. In the first book, , the kids learn that they have a grandfather but initially run from him, believing him to be a cruel and scary old man. This turns out happily not to be the case, and the books that follow in the series each revolve around a mystery that the children solve together. My personal favorite is a super fun caper set in the New Orleans French Quarter about...you guessed it! A mystery bookstore.

The Meg Mackintosh Solve It Yourself Mysteries series by Lucinda Landon (Grades 3-5)

The Bunnicula series by Deborah and James Howe (Grades 3-5)

There's no way I was going to forget to include this series in a list of mystery books for kids. be a vampire. Sign me up! When the Monroe family finds a peculiar little bunny at a screening of Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery is a middle grade mystery-comedy about a fanged rabbit who Dracula, they decide to bring him home with them. They call him Bunnicula and introduce him to pets Harold the dog and Chester the cat. Strange things start to happen around Bunnicula, convincing Chester that this fluffy bunny guy is a vampire. He sets out to prove his theory-is Bunnicula really a bloodsucking bunny, or is it all a big misunderstanding?

T he Clubhouse Mysteries by Sharon Draper, Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson (Grades 3-5)

The Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol (Grades 3-5)

The Great Mouse Detective Series by Eve Titus, Illustrated by Paul Galdone (Grades 3-5)

The Nate the Great Series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, Illustrated by Marc Simont (Grades 3-5)

Nate the Great is enjoying his morning pancakes when he gets a call from his friend Annie. She's lost something important and needs Nate's help to find it. Nate throws on a very Sam Spade-ish trench coat and gets right on it. He follows clues, asks questions, makes a list of suspects-you know, all the stuff great detectives do. These books are clever and funny and there's plenty to love: this series for beginning readers is 26 books long!

The Olivia Sharp: Agent for Secrets series by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat, Illustrated by Denise Brunkus (Grades 3-5)

Olivia Sharp isn't new to mystery-she's Nate the Great's cousin, after all! She considers herself less a solver of mysteries and more an agent of secrets: she helps her clients with warm & friendly approach and by digging into what's going on beneath the surface. Start with The Sly Spy and go from there.

The A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy, Illustrated by John Steven Gurney (Grades 3-5)

Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose are three friends who solve mysteries in this much loved collection. As you may have guessed, the book titles in this series follow the alphabet: The Absent Author, The Bald Bandit, The Canary Caper, etc. Start with The Absent Author where Dink's favorite author is a no-show at a book signing. It's up to the three amigos to find out where he went.

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series by Carolyn Keene, Illustrated by Macky Pamintuan (Grades 3-5)

You've surely heard of the original Nancy Drew series from the 1930s-yeah, you read that right. The '30s! But did you know that there's a newer series out for middle grade readers? Well there is! Nancy's adventures include finding her missing City Girls doll at a sleepover and tracking down the thief that stole a special basket of treats from a doggy fashion show. Still, Nancy remains ever the resourceful little sleuth and always cracks the case.

The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series by Jordan Stratford, Illustrated by Kelly Murphy (Grades 3-7)

Pamela Cervantes is eleven years old when she and her mother travel to Mexico City, the birthplace of Pamela's deceased father. She meets siblings Lizzie and Gael who ask for her help in finding a ring that once belonged to her father's favorite artist, beloved Mexican icon Frida Kahlo! Pamela agrees to help, but it seems like Lizzie and Gael's motives may not be as pure as they seem.

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (Grades 3-7)

I couldn't compile a list of mystery books for kids without this classic. Harriet is an astute and spunky little girl who goes around scribbling thoughts and observations in a notebook. When she misplaces that notebook, it ends up in the wrong hands. Soon the contents (some hurtful, though true) make their way to her friends...awkward! Now Harriet must find a way to fix things with her pals and prove that she's no mean girl. She just really, really loves the truth.

The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch, Grades 3-7

I really dig the witty subversiveness of this series's secrecy: the titles, the plot descriptions, and even the authors' name are all cloaked in an air of mystery that's perfect for young mystery readers and fans of a good riddle. is the first of five books in The Name of this Book is Secret The Secret Series and is most certainly about a couple of eleven-year-olds chasing a missing magician. Nope, no adventurous pursuit of villains here, folks. Nothing to see at all.

Beatrix Lee is going through some stuff. Her best friend has ghosted her right at the start of seventh grade and a new baby is about to end her reign as an only child. Feeling isolated, Bea finds comfort in the haiku she crafts in invisible ink, poems she hides in a secret hiding spot. Then one day, she's shocked to discover that someone has started writing back. She sets out to try and figure out who her secret pen pal might be and finds her way back to herself in the process. Note: I don't think this book is usually classified as a mystery. The secret poem pen pal and a mysterious labyrinth give it a mystery vibe though.

The Explorer series is comprised of three volumes to date, all edited by Kazu Kibuishi. Each volume is a collection of seven graphic stories from seven different comics creators around a central theme. Explorer: The Mystery Boxes is a creative, clever collection of stories about boxes of mysterious origin, but the stories could not be more different both in written content and artistic style. In one story, a young girl hears a tapping noise under her bed and discovers a box with a cryptic note; inside she finds a wax doll who seems sweet at first but...Another story follows a Japanese girl whose grandmother is convinced that spirits are stealing butter from the kitchen. Thing is, Obaasan miiiight not be wrong. So fun!

Set in Hyde Park, this art mystery opens with a mysterious letter sent to three unknown recipients from an anonymous sender. The letter asks each of them to solve a crime that has wronged one of the world's greatest painters. Next we meet Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay, students in the same sixth grade class who aren't exactly friends. A mysterious book brings them together and they soon find themselves wrapped up in an international art scandal. They'll have to follow a trail of complicated clues and coded messages to get to the truth.

A mysterious ad in a local newspaper reads: "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Many children respond but only four are chosen after numerous rounds of vigorous testing. The four are introduced to Mr. Nicholas Benedict; he reveals that they've been enlisted to take down an evil force behind a mind-control plot. To do this, they must go undercover to penetrate a shady org called the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. Secret and societies and kid espionage-what's not to love?

The Sammy Keyes series by Wendelin Van Draanen (Grades 3-7)

I'm pulling this blurb straight from my shelf talker at the bookstore where I work. It's one of my favorite books ever! " I probably read this twenty times when I was a kid. It is just so good! Little Claudia Kincaid decides she wants to run away, but not just anywhere: she's going to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and find a way to live there. She bamboozles her little brother into going along for the ride and pulls off her master plan. The two end up stumbling upon a headline-making mystery in the process. I've been reading mysteries (and trying to live inside a swanky museum, sssh) ever since."

"The day Patches was stolen from Smashie McPerter's class started out like any other day. Well, except for the fact that her teacher was out sick and Smashie's class was stuck with the worst substitute in the world. And except for the mysterious business with the glue. And except for the fact that Patches himself had become Smashie's new archenemy." Patches, naturally, is her class's best hamster, and Smashie is rather distraught about his disappearance. I would have been all over these books as a kid, both because how can you love the name Smashie McPerter and because the plot is just so Ramona-esquely relatable.

The Math Inspectors series by Daniel Kenney, Illustrated by Emily Boever (Grades 4-6)

The Book of Elsewhere series by Jacqueline West (Grades 4-6)

The Chinatown Mystery series by Laurence Yep (Grades 4-7)

The 39 Clues series by multiple authors (Grades 5-7)

The Enola Holmes Mystery series by Nancy Springer (Grades 5-8)

Twelve-year-old Jin is studying at her grandparents' Harlem bodega when a classmate named Alex walks in. She doesn't say a word and leaves just as quickly as she came. Jin decides she has to know more about this mysterious girl and pairs up with her for a class project. While out delivering food to a woman's shelter, the girls meet Elvin, a homeless boy whose grandfather was attacked in a community garden. The three form an unlikely friendship as they join forces to find his attacker. They don't expect to find themselves involved in an even large mystery having to do with priceless works of art.

by Blue Balliet (Grades 5-8)

Early Pearl's father is not the kind of man who'd leave his family, yet he has. At least it appears he has, leaving a mess behind that's put Early and her family in danger. When the three of them are forced to move into a shelter, Early starts asking questions. She soon discovers that there are clues to her father's mysterious disappearance and she may be the only one who can crack them. And boy oh boy, does Blue Baillet's signature love of beautiful words really sets this work apart.
What are your favorite mystery books for kids? Hit the comments to share your favorites.

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I love me a good mystery. I want to be Miss Marple when I grow up and Flavia de Luce is absolutely my best friend in my head. But long before Agatha Christie and Alan Bradley filled my bookshelves, I was a kid enraptured by spies named Harriet and kids living in boxcars.

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Explore our list of Kid's Biography Books at Barnes & Noble®. Receive FREE shipping with your Barnes & Noble Membership.

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Check out our picks for best historical fiction books for kids!

Facts are interesting, but the stories that history inspires is what truly has the power to transport us to different time periods and bring the vital lessons of the past to life.

We've got some amazing children's books to get your older elementary school-early middle school kid excited to learn about historical events. Scroll on for just a few.

Best Historical Fiction Books for Kids on Epic

By: Margi Preus

Ages: 10-12

Written by: Tracy Daley

Illustrated by: Eric Freeberg

Ages: 8-12

It's 1935 in Elsinore, California, and amid hardships due to the Great Depression and drought, 11-year-old Joseph McCoy has to work shining shoes to help keep his family afloat. One of the few Black people in a mostly white community, Joseph is getting by through hard work, and coping through his special relationship with his sister. But when an all-Black Civilian Conservation Corps work camp arrives, it sparks racial tension and prejudice runs rampant through the town. The camp soon comes under threat and Joseph must help save the camp and bring his family hope for the future.

Written by: Lesléa Newman

Illustrated by: Amy June Bates

Ages: 8-11

Written by: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Ages: 10-12

The time is during the Great Depression. Esperanza has become used to a life of privilege, filled with beautiful dresses, servants and a loving Mama, Papa and Abuelita always there to take care of her. But when tragedy strikes, Esperanza and her mother must flee their ranch in Mexico and settle in a camp for farm laborers in California. She now faces a life of hard work and financial hardship. Things get even more tough when her mother gets sick and the workers go on strike. Esperanza must find a way to rise above her struggles and face her challenges head on, because their lives depend on it.

You can also find the English-language version of this audiobook, " Esperanza Rising" on Amazon Audible.

By: Lesa Cline-Ransome

Ages: 9-12

By: Brian Selznick

Ages: 8-12

By: Avi

Ages: 9-12

More Best Historical Fiction Books for Kids

Here are a few other beloved historical fiction books not available on Epic that we highly recommend:

Number the Stars

By: Lois Lowry

Ages: 9-12

This award-winning book follows a young girl's experience in WWII-era Copenhagen, Denmark. It's 1943 and 10-year-old Annemarie dreams of life before the war, along with her Jewish best friend Ellen. Life in Copenhagen is hard enough, as it's plagued with food shortages and Nazi soldiers marching through streets. But things take a dangerous turn when the Jews of Denmark are forced to "relocate." Annemarie's parents take in Ellen, who must pose as a family member to avoid identification. It isn't long before Annemarie must embark on a dangerous mission to save her friend.

This riveting story is a heart-filled, kid-friendly way for children to learn about the holocaust. Available on Amazon Audible.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963

By: Christopher Paul Curtis

Ages: 9-12

Meet 10-year-old Kenny and his family, known as the "Weird Watsons" in their hometown of Flint, Michigan. When Momma and Dad decide to take the family to visit Grandma in Birmingham, it's road trip time, and Dad brings home the Ultra-Glide, an expensive, ultra sleek record player for ride. Heading south during one of the most important times in the civil rights movement, things go from funny to tragic and touching as they drive toward one of the darkest time periods in America's history.

This remarkable Newbery Honor shows kids how laughter and family can help us get through even the hardest times. Narrated by Levar Burton on Amazon Audible!

City of Orphans

By: Avi

Ages: 10-12

This engaging, meticulously researched piece of historical fiction transports readers to 1893 New York City where young newsboy Maks Geless makes his own way in the gritty world of the city streets.

Along with his new friend Willa, he must stand up to a gang of bullies and clear his sister's name after she's imprisoned for theft. Available on Amazon Audible.

Fever 1793

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

Ages: 10-12

It's the summer of 1793, and Mattie Cook lives a normal life above her family's coffee shop with her mom and grandfather, trying to turn the family business into the best in Philadelphia. But when fever breaks out and spreads through the streets, her mother gets sick. Mattie flees with her grandfather, only to discover that there's nowhere free of the disease. Her only choice is to figure out how to survive the panic enveloping the city. This detailed historical novel is a riveting and suspenseful take on what life can be like in an epidemic. Available on Amazon Audible.

A Few Honorable Mentions

"Sarah, Plain and Tall," by Patricia MacLachlan

"Al Capone Does My Shirts," by Gennifer Choldenko

"For Freedom: the Story of a French Spy," by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

That's it! Hope you enjoy this list of best historical fiction books for kids. If these books get your kid wanting more history-related books, check out our post " Best History Books for Kids of All Ages," which includes nonfiction, as well as titles for younger kiddos.

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Best Historical Fiction Books for Kids 8 & Up | Epic

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Check out our picks for best historical fiction books for kids! Facts are interesting, but the stories that history inspires is what truly has the power to transport us to different time periods and bring the vital lessons of the past to life.

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Finding books for 11 to 14-year-olds can be tricky. They are often a bit too old for chapter books or some “middle grade” titles but still too young for the darker or more mature content of many YA books. That’s where realistic fiction books come in. These stories give young readers “all the feels” and tackle real kid issues: friendship, family, and school drama, and the related challenges and joys of discovering your own identity. They are likely to induce tears of sorrow, full-body laughs, or seat-gripping anticipation as they race to find out how the story ends.

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow, a 12-year-old child genius, suddenly becomes an orphan after her adoptive parents are killed in a tragic accident. This deeply moving book with a fast-moving plot follows her journey to overcome her grief by connecting with strangers who become like family.

Buy it: Counting by 7s at Amazon | Counting by 7s at Bookshop

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Mad basketball skills, sibling rivalry, and family health emergencies all come into play in this Newbery Medal-winning novel-in-verse. It centers around 12-year-old twin brothers Josh and Jordan. This is a great pick for fans of basketball or anyone who loves an engaging story about the power of family during times of extreme adversity.

Buy it: The Crossover at Amazon | The Crossover at Bookshop

Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton

Set in 1969, Mimi is a half-Japanese, half-black girl who dreams of being an astronaut. When she moves to a mostly white town in Vermont, her interests are not taken seriously by most of the adults in her life. This beautifully crafted story told in verse is about being true to yourself, the power of allies, and standing up for what you believe in.

Buy it: Full Cicada Moon at Amazon | Full Cicada Moon at Bookshop

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

This emotion-filled book perfectly captures the struggles faced by middle schoolers who straddle the worlds of childhood and adulthood as they strive to find their own voices. It dives deeply into topics like evolving friendships, first romantic relationships, and the pitfalls of sending explicit selfies.

Buy it: Goodbye Stranger at Amazon | Goodbye Stranger at Bookshop

How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

Set in 1967, this is the story of Ariel, a 12-year-old Jewish girl. When her older sister falls in love with a man of Indian heritage, she is rejected by the family. Deep themes about prejudice, family and cultural loyalty, and the journey of self-discovery unfold through the experiences of highly relatable and interesting characters.

Buy it: How to Find What You’re Not Looking For at Amazon | How to Find What You’re Not Looking For at Bookshop

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Jeremy and his best friend (not girlfriend) Lizzy go on an adventure. They’re trying to open a box that his dad left him to open on his 13th birthday. This mystery-filled story provides page-turning action and thought-provoking lessons about the meaning of life.

Buy it: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life at Amazon | Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life at Bookshop

Karthik Delivers by Sheela Chari

Set in Boston in 2008 during the financial crisis, middle-schooler Karthik must spend his summer working in his family’s Indian grocery store. Things get more exciting when one of his customers asks him to star in her one-act play about Leonard Bernstein. A great pick for fans of stories about belonging, navigating parent expectations, and the joy of self-discovery.

Buy it: Karthik Delivers at Amazon | Karthik Delivers at Bookshop

OCDaniel by Wesley King

Daniel desperately hopes no one notices his “zaps” (aka OCD habits) like constantly stacking water cups or flipping light switches. When he befriends another student nicknamed Psycho Sarah, he feels seen for the first time. Part mystery, part coming of age tale, this book is perfect for anyone who has ever felt like an “other.”

Buy it: OCDaniel at Amazon | OCDaniel at Bookshop

Peak by Roland Smith

Fourteen-year-old Peak loves to climb things. His estranged dad asks him to climb Mt. Everest with him so he can be the youngest person to summit it. Peak, however, isn’t sure he’s prepared for such a high-risk adventure. This emotionally riveting story about friendship, family, and the risks and rewards of outdoor adventures will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Buy it: Peak at Amazon | Peak at Bookshop

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

When high school track star Jessica loses a leg in a car accident, she is forced to re-evaluate her life and her identity. Her journey to find her place among her friends, classmates, and family is not easy. This highly engaging story provides hope and inspiration to anyone working to overcome major life obstacles.

Buy it: The Running Dream at Amazon | The Running Dream at Bookshop

The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Arthur is headed to juvie after hurling a brick at a seemingly homeless man known as the “Junk Man.” This book has a slightly violent start but quickly becomes a page-turning story about loss, redemption, and personal growth for Arthur, the Junk Man, and other characters.

Buy it: The Seventh Most Important Thing at Amazon | The Seventh Most Important Thing at Bookshop

A Song Called Home by Sara Zarr

Fifth grader Lou and her high school sister Casey are unhappy about moving from the only apartment they’ve ever known in San Francisco to the suburbs when their mom re-marries. They have to decide whether to stay miserable or figure out how a new definition of family that brings them joy. Divorce, alcoholism, and the fear of change are major topics in this highly compelling story.

Buy it: A Song Called Home at Amazon | A Song Called Home at Bookshop

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Twelve-year-old Lolly finds creative comfort in LEGO bricks as he processes the gang-related death of his older brother. A poignant and moving tale about the power of trusted adults and creative outlets for those who have experienced too much grief at such a young age.

Buy it: The Stars Beneath Our Feet at Amazon | The Stars Beneath Our Feet at Bookshop

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

After Suzy’s best friend Franny died in a swimming accident, Suzy is convinced that her death was related to a rare jellyfish sting. She goes on a quest to find out the truth, which pulls her further away from her friends and family. A heartfelt story about how young people make sense of death and their own life amidst the normal struggles of growing up.

Buy it: The Thing About Jellyfish at Amazon | The Thing About Jellyfish at Bookshop

Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

A modern twist on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac tale. Gracie helps her beautiful best friend Sienna compose the perfect texts to send to A.J. (who, of course, is Gracie’s own secret crush). Told mostly through text messages, this is a fantastically funny and sweet rom-com for middle schoolers.

Buy it: Well, That Was Awkward at Amazon | Well, That Was Awkward at Bookshop

Want more reading recommendations? Check out our list of 50 refreshing and relatable books to teach in middle school.

Plus, sign up for our newsletters to get all our latest picks sent straight to your inbox.

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15 Realistic Fiction Books That Young Readers Love

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These stories give young readers “all the feels.”

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Fantasy is my jam so of course now that I have a child, I want her to have all the fantasy things. Thankfully, there are plenty of fantasy books for kids out there. But that can also be overwhelming. My time as the young adult and middle grade shelver at work and as a middle school reading tutor showed me how hard it is for parents to find age-appropriate material for their kids. And publishers are rarely helpful with their age delineations: 6-10 years, 1st grade-7th, etc. Those are pretty big age ranges for kids. So what I've done is organized books by age and grade. However, publishers give such broad ranges for a reason. A child's reading level is as varied as the child. Thus, use the categories more as a flexible guide to reading levels vs a hard line.

Descriptions are from Goodreads.

Fantasy Books For Babies and Toddlers (0-3)

My Mom Is Magical by Sabrina Moyle, Illustrated by Eunice Moyle

" My Mom Is Magical, featuring a magical unicorn, and My Dad Is Amazing, featuring a mythical yeti, are joyful tributes to just how amazing parents (and their kids!) are."

"A classic fairy tale gets a fresh twist in this vibrant Caribbean spin on the Little Mermaid!

The Little Mermaid longs to know about the world above the ocean. When she's finally old enough to visit, she falls in love with a prince! A sea witch agrees to give the mermaid a potion that will make her human-but the spell will be broken if the prince doesn't love her too! Set in the Caribbean, with beautiful illustrations by Puerto Rican illustrator Nivea Ortiz, this fifth book in the Once Upon a World series is the same beloved fairy tale but it's totally reimagined.

Once Upon a World offers a multicultural take on the fairy tales we all know and love. Because these tales are for everyone, everywhere."

Goodnight, Dragons By Judith L. Roth, Illustrated By Pascal Lemaitre

"Everyone needs a cuddle. Maybe dragons more than most. These fire breathers are no match for the daring dragon tamer who arrives at bedtime to put them to sleep. Destined to become a classic bedtime story, Goodnight, Dragons is as warm and comforting as a steaming mug of hot cocoa."

If I Had A Gryphon By Vikki Vansickle, Illustrated By Cale Atkinson

"Sam just got a hamster for a pet. She's not really impressed. The hamster isn't very exciting-he mostly eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. BORING!

After reading a book about mythological creatures, Sam gets some ideas for more exciting pets. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she though. Unicorns are shy, gryphons scare the dogs at the dog park and having a fire extinguisher handy at all times makes dragons seem like an awful lot of work.

Maybe the hamster really is the best pet for her. A nice, safe pet...right?"

Where's The Unicorn By Nosy Crow, Illustrated By Ingela P. Arrhenius

"Lift the felt flaps to discover four hidden magical creatures (a mermaid, a dragon, a fairy, and a unicorn), then find the mirror under the fifth and final flap! Parents love these books because they are stylish yet robust, and little readers adore them because they're fun and easy to play with."

Day Dreamers By Emily Winfield Martin

"Emily Winfield Martin shows readers that letting their imaginations run free will lead them into fantastical day dreams. Whether cloud-gazing or wandering through a museum, reading a book or playing in a tide-pool, the children in this picture book find themselves in places inhabited by magical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, griffins, and jackalopes. A whimsical rhyme accompanies the dream-worthy illustrations."

"In this charming, super-sparkly board book, the stars of Phoebe and Her Unicorn celebrate the magical and enchanting world of being a unicorn, along with reminding young readers that being yourself is pretty great, too.

Who wouldn't want to be a unicorn? You get to trot majestically through meadows, perch high up on rainbows, and wear tiaras made of starlight. Phoebe lists all the wonderful things she'll get to do and can hardly contain her excitement about having a tail and magic horn. That is, until she learns that unicorns like to eat hay instead of pizza. Maybe she'll be a unicorn tomorrow instead!"

Fantasy Books For Preschoolers And Kindergartners

"Can knights and dragons ever be friends?

When a strange-looking creature splash lands in the lake, a kind young boy rushes to the rescue. But this is no ordinary boy, he's a knight in training! And the strange creature is a young dragon, on his very first hunt for a nibblesome knight..."

"Super Bowl champion and literacy crusader Malcolm Mitchell presents the story of a magician who reveals an awe-inspiring treasure from his bag of tricks-books that make every kid's dream come true!

This is not your typical afternoon at the library-a magician invites kids to reach into his hat to pull out whatever they find when they dig down deep. Soon-poof!-each child comes away with something better than they could've imagined-a book that helps them become whatever they want to be, and makes their dreams come true through pages and words, and the adventures that follow. But each child can't help but wonder, What's really making the magic happen?"

"In the tradition of Uni the Unicorn and Gaston, this heartwarming and adorable debut picture book tells the story of a young unicorn who was born under the sea to a family of narwhals.

Growing up in the ocean, Kelp has always assumed that he was a narwhal like the rest of his family. Sure, he's always been a little bit different-his tusk isn't as long, he's not as good of a swimmer, and he really doesn't enjoy the cuisine. Then one night, an extra strong current sweeps Kelp to the surface, where he spots a mysterious creature that looks just like him! Kelp discovers that he and the creature are actually unicorns. The revelation leaves him torn: is he a land narwhal or a sea unicorn? But perhaps, if Kelp is clever, he may find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Told with heartwarming illustrations and spare, sweet text, Jessie Sima's debut picture book is about fitting in, standing out, and the all-encompassing love of family."

"A gorgeous picture book that tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon, from award-winning, bestselling author-illustrator Grace Lin

Pat, pat, pat...

Little Star's soft feet tiptoed to the Big Mooncake.

Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she's not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can't resist a nibble?

In this stunning picture book that shines as bright as the stars in the sky, Newbery Honor author Grace Lin creates a heartwarming original story that explains phases of the moon."

"Opposites Mei and Wei may be small, but when they work together they are mighty enough to face a dragon.

When a fearsome dragon takes over their village bridge, twin sisters Mei and Wei have opposing views of how to fix the problem. Wei wants nothing more than to confront that stinky old dragon head on, but Mei favors a more thoughtful approach. With Wei's confidence and gumption plus Mei's creativity and diligence, it's only a matter of time before everyone can be happy again.

This empowering sibling story is about celebrating differences and finding that what makes us different is also what makes us a powerful team."

"When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens-with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words.

With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picture book about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come."

Ta-Da! By Kathy Ellen Davis, Illustrated By Kaylani Juanita

"What makes a good story? One little girl thinks it's a princess with magical powers that can-ta-da!-overcome any obstacle. Her friend thinks it's-dun dun duh!-a combination of dragons, pirates, and fire that cause total chaos. But as their stories intertwine, these two young storytellers soon learn that a good story needs both conflict-dun dun duh!-and resolution-ta-da! An irresistible celebration of imaginary play, storytelling, and the joys of collaboration, this gorgeous picture book features two strong voices throughout, making it the perfect read-aloud."

"Franklin the dragon loves stories and loves reading stories to people too, but everyone is too scared to even talk to him. One day, he meets a girl named Luna who, rather than being afraid, is fascinated to meet Franklin, having recently read all about dragons in one of her books. They instantly become friends and talk nonstop about what they've read: books about roller-skating, King Arthur, spiders, and how to do kung fu. Together they hatch a plan to share their love of books with others by opening a bookshop―a flying bookshop, that is―right on Franklin's back!

Franklin, a well-read and peace-loving dragon, and Luna, a young girl with an independent spirit and an insatiable love of reading, make fantastic role models for young children. Franklin's Flying Bookshop brings the magic of classic fairy tales into the twenty-first century through exquisite illustrations, and will enchant children as well as anyone who loves books."
"A magical Little Golden Book for little unicorn lovers!
I am moonlight white.
I have a magical horn.
I look a lot like a horse, of course. . .

So begins this charming Little Golden Book that introduces the magical unicorn to the littlest readers! In this sweet story, gorgeously illustrated by Disney artist Joey Chou, a unicorn tells the readers all about herself ( "My horn can make water clean, or heal a hurt") and her magical life ( "I frolic in the forest, I prance in the fields"). Sure to delight little ones who love the magic of fairy tales and beautiful creatures!"

Fantasy Books For First Graders

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy By Erin Danielle Russell, Illustrated by Jennifer Hansen Rolli

"Kaylee loves pulling pranks: from dropping water balloons on passers by to even tricking Santa Claus, she's a prize-winning prankster!

But is she the Princess of Pranks? No! That title is held by none other than the Tooth Fairy. But when Kaylee loses a tooth and the Tooth Fairy goes about her usual tooth-taking business, Kaylee pranks her with a fake frog. As Kaylee and the Tooth Fairy try to out-prank one another, things get way out of hand, until the two finally see eye and eye and decide to share the crown!"

"Who says princesses don't wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when... Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret-she's also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black."

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk, Illustrated By Rudolfo Montalvo

"A sweet and clever friendship story in rhyme, about looking past physical differences to appreciate the person (or dragon) underneath.

George and Blaise are pen pals, and they write letters to each other about everything: their pets, birthdays, favorite sports, and science fair projects. There's just one thing that the two friends don't know: George is a human, while Blaise is a dragon! What will happen when these pen pals finally meet face-to-face?"

"Cinderella had a fairy godmother. Did you know that dogs have a fairy dogmother? From the author of Pupunzel and Dogerella comes another enchanting fractured fairy tale for beginning readers!

When a homeless little dog is adopted by Fairy Godmother, the scruffy pup gets to observe and learn magic firsthand! Before long, Ivy the dog is casting spells-with comical results. Something is missing...fairy dust! Once Fairy Godmother sprinkles fairy dust on her kindhearted dog, Ivy is able to help other dogs in need."

"DRAGON MASTERS has it all! Dragons, a Dragon Stone, a king, a wizard, and magic! In the first book in this fully-illustrated series, 8-year old Drake is snatched up by King Roland's soldier and taken to the castle. He is to be trained as a Dragon Master. At the castle, he is joined by three other young Dragon Masters-in-training: Ana, Rori, and Bo. The Dragon Masters must learn how to connect with and train their dragons-and they must also uncover their dragons' special powers. Does Drake have what it takes to be a Dragon Master? What is his dragon's special power?"

The Dragon's Scales By Sarah Albee, Illustrated By John Manders

"When a hot-tempered dragon seizes the local bridge, the people of Berryville are cut off from their supply of beloved strawberries until they can correctly answer three questions related to weight. The grownups of the town are stumped, but one very smart little girl saves the day with some facts she learned in school."

Fantasy Books For Second Graders

"Despite her name, Clover has always felt decidedly unlucky. So when she stumbles upon a mysterious cottage in the Woods, she can hardly believe her good fortune. It's the Magical Animal Adoption Agency, and it houses creatures of all kinds. Fairy horses, unicorns, and a fiery young dragon are just the beginning!

Mr. Jams, the Agency's owner, agrees to hire her as summer helper and Clover hopes her luck has finally changed. But when she's left alone to care for the Agency, a sneaky witch comes after the magical creatures! Will Clover outsmart her in time to protect the animals?

The first installment in a new illustrated chapter book series by Kallie George, featuring enchanting illustrations by Alexandra Boiger, will charm young readers as Clover learns that courage and heart can be even more powerful than good luck."

"A celebration of all things unicorn!

Rare and majestic, unicorns are powerful, graceful, and mysterious. The Magic of Unicorns is a beautifully illustrated celebration of these peaceful mythological creatures. Part field guide, part folklore, this charming book includes traditional tales of unicorns helping lost princesses, dazzling images of unicorns from around the world, and lots of information about what they eat, where they live, and which magical powers they have. Plus, readers will get tips for spotting unicorns today!"

(synopsis for book 1, Ruby the Red Fairy)

"The seven Rainbow Fairies are missing! Rachel and Kirsty search for one in each RAINBOW MAGIC book. Read all seven books to help rescue the fairies and bring the sparkle back to Fairyland!

Fairyland is home to seven colorful sisters. Together, they are the Rainbow Fairies! They keep Fairyland dazzling and bright. But when evil Jack Frost sends them far away, the sisters are in big trouble. If they don't return soon, Fairyland is doomed to be gray forever!

Rachel and Kirsty discover Ruby the Red Fairy in the pot at the end of the rainbow. Can they help find the rest of her Rainbow sisters...before it's too late?"

"Beyond the realms of time and space are lands that exist only in myths and legends. This is where the magic tree house is taking Jack and Annie on the mission of a lifetime! They will visit Camelot, a haunted castle, an island lost in mist, and the Land-Behind-the-Clouds. It is one unforgettable adventure!"

"The dastardly dragon burnt the castle to smithereens and it's up to our little wizard friend, Lil' Merl, to track him down. But sometimes the path is trickier than it seems. Through word puzzles, crosswords, coloring in, dot-to-dot, and mazes, we help Lil' Merl draw closer to the fiendish villain and meet some fantastical creatures along the way."

"With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure-the brand new series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages.

In the first book of this series, Zoey discovers a glowing photo and learns an amazing secret. Injured magical animals come to their backyard barn for help! When a sick baby dragon appears, it's up to Zoey and Sassafras to figure out what's wrong. Will they be able to help little Marshmallow before it's too late?"

Fantasy Books For Third Graders

"Two girls. Two worlds. Only magic can bring them together, in this fantastical middle grade adventure for fans of the Descendants and School for Good and Evil series.

Halan is a powerless princess. She is heir to the Magi Kingdom, a blazing desert land ruled by ancient magic. But unlike every royal before her, Halan has no magical powers of her own.

Nalah is a powerful pauper. The glassblower's daughter, she lives in the land of New Hadar, where magic is strictly outlawed. But Nalah has a powerful force growing within her-one she can't always control.

One girl fears magic, one worships it. But when a legendary mirror connects them, Nalah and Halan finally meet-and must work together to save their two worlds, before everything they know is shattered forever."

"It's not easy for Danny Dragonbreath to be the sole mythical creature in a school for reptiles and amphibians?especially because he can't breathe fire like other dragons (as the school bully loves to remind him). But having a unique family comes in handy sometimes, like when his sea-serpent cousin takes Danny and his best iguana friend on a mindboggling underwater tour, complete with vomiting sea cucumbers and giant squid. It sure beats reading the encyclopedia to research his ocean report . . .Using a hybrid of comic-book panels and text, Ursula Vernon introduces an irresistible set of characters with a penchant for getting themselves into sticky situations. It's perfect for both the classroom and fans of Wimpy Kid and Bad Kitty."

"When Lana and her father return to their seaside hometown to help clear the debris of a storm, the last thing she expects is to discover a colony of Aquicorns-magical seahorse-like residents of the coral reef. As she explores the damaged town and the fabled undersea palace, Lana learns that while she cannot always count on adults to be the guardians she needs, she herself is capable of finding the strength to protect both the ocean, and her own happiness."

"Crusty dragon Miss Drake has a new pet human, precocious Winnie. Oddly enough, Winnie seems to think Miss Drake is her pet-a ridiculous notion!

Unknown to most of its inhabitants, the City by the Bay is home to many mysterious and fantastic creatures, hidden beneath the parks, among the clouds, and even in plain sight. And Winnie wants to draw every new creature she encounters: the good, the bad, and the ugly. But Winnie's sketchbook is not what it seems. Somehow, her sketchlings have been set loose on the city streets! It will take Winnie and Miss Drake's combined efforts to put an end to the mayhem...before it's too late."

"When a traveling minstrel foretells that he is to become a hero, Wiglaf sets out to fulfill his destiny: he signs up at the Dragon Slayers' Academy. But how can he ever hope to be a dragon slayer when he can't even stand the sight of blood?"

Upside-Down Magic By Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, And Emily Jenkins

"From New York Times bestselling authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins comes the hilarious and heartfelt story of a group of magical misfits.

Nory Horace is nine years old. She's resourceful, she's brave, she likes peanut butter cookies. Also, she's able to transform into many different animals. Unfortunately, Nory's shape-shifting talent is a bit wonky. And when she flunks out of her own father's magic academy, Nory's forced to enter public school, where she meets a group of kids whose magic is, well, different.

This new, offbeat series from hit authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins chronicles the misadventures of Nory and her oddball friends, who prove that upside-down magic definitely beats right side up."

"Are you ready to protect the creatures of myth and legend? Then you belong in The Unicorn Rescue Society. HURRY-THE CREATURES NEED YOU!

Elliot Eisner isn't exactly thrilled with the first day at his new school. His class is going on a field trip to a creepy forest called the Pine Barrens. The trip is being led by Professor Fauna, the weirdest teacher Elliot has ever met. And the only kid who will talk to Elliot, Uchenna Devereaux, isn't afraid of danger. She likes danger.

Elliot and Uchenna are about to become part of a secret group of adventurers, The Unicorn Rescue Society, whose goal is to protect and defend the world's mythical creatures. Together with Professor Fauna, Elliot and Uchenna must help rescue a Jersey Devil from a duo of conniving, greedy billionaires, the Schmoke Brothers.

Join Elliot and Uchenna on their very first quest as members of the Unicorn Rescue Society in this brand-new fantasy-adventure series from Adam Gidwitz, the beloved bestselling and Newbery Honor-winning author of The Inquisitors Tale and A Tale Dark & Grimm. Illustrated throughout, this is the perfect fit for newly independent readers looking for a story full of adventure, fun, and friendship."

Fantasy Books For Fourth Graders

"In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers."

"Open this entrancing book and meet Shakespeare's Queen Titania, springing up with her silver wings aflutter. Further on, a crystalline elfin castle rises into the clouds, not far from some scary hobgoblins and trolls. And on a truly stunning spread, a humanoid magical tree spreads its branches to reveal a face within its foliage, while flowers unfold and rearrange their petals, turning into flower fairies. Visiting mythical beings around the world, from household brownies to the merfolk lurking deep below the sea, this breathtaking 3-D book, brimming with facts and fancy, will hold humans of all ages in its spell."

"A trio of friends from New York City find themselves trapped inside a mechanical board game that they must dismantle in order to save themselves and generations of other children in this action-packed debut that's a steampunk Jumanji with a Middle Eastern flair.

When twelve-year-old Farah and her two best friends get sucked into a mechanical board game called The Gauntlet of Blood and Sand-a puzzle game akin to a large Rubik's cube-they know it's up to them to defeat the game's diabolical architect in order to save themselves and those who are trapped inside, including her baby brother Ahmed. But first they have to figure out how.

Under the tutelage of a lizard guide named Henrietta Peel and an aeronaut Vijay, the Farah and her friends battle camel spiders, red scorpions, grease monkeys, and sand cats as they prepare to face off with the maniacal Lord Amari, the man behind the machine. Can they defeat Amari at his own game...or will they, like the children who came before them, become cogs in the machine?"

"The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author!

When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother-but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. There are two rules when it comes to the dragons: don't let them out of the bag, and don't feed them anything sweet. Before he knows it, Jax and his friends Vikram and Kavita have broken both rules! Will Jax get the baby dragons delivered safe and sound? Or will they be lost in Brooklyn forever?"

" The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she'll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed-Sophie's dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are...?"

"With a lonely boy named Ben on board, the brave young dragon Firedrake sets out on a magical journey to find the mythical place where silver dragons can live in peace forever. Flying over moonlit lands and sparkling seas, they encounter fantastic creatures, summon up surprising courage - and cross the path of a ruthless villain with an ancient grudge who's determined to end their quest. Only a secret destiny can save the dragons in this enchanting adventure about the true meaning of home."

"Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The five scouts of Roanoke cabin-Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley-love their summers at camp. They get to hang out with their best friends, earn Lumberjane scout badges, annoy their no-nonsense counselor Jen...and go on supernatural adventures. That last one? A pretty normal occurrence at Miss Qiunzella's, where the woods contain endless mysteries.

Today is no exception. When challenge-loving April leads the girls on a hike up the TALLEST mountain they've ever seen, things don't go quite as planned. For one, they didn't expect to trespass into the lands of the ancient Cloud People, and did anyone happen to read those ominous signs some unknown person posted at the bottom of the mountain? Also, unicorns.

This hilarious, rollicking adventure series brings the beloved Lumberjanes characters into a novel format with brand-new adventures."

"Claire Martinson still worries about her older sister Sophie, who battled a mysterious illness last year. But things are back to normal as they move into Windermere Manor...until the sisters climb a strange ladder in a fireplace and enter the magical land of Arden.

There, they find a world in turmoil. The four guilds of magic no longer trust each other. The beloved unicorns have gone, and terrible wraiths roam freely. Scared, the girls return home. But when Sophie vanishes, it will take all of Claire's courage to climb back up the ladder, find her sister, and uncover the unicorns' greatest secret."

Fantasy Books For Fifth Graders

"In a heartbreaking parting, a man gives his wife and daughter a last kiss and boards a steamship to cross the ocean. He's embarking on the most painful yet important journey of his life-he's leaving home to build a better future for his family.

Shaun Tan evokes universal aspects of an immigrant's experience through a singular work of the imagination. He does so using brilliantly clear and mesmerizing images. Because the main character can't communicate in words, the book forgoes them too. But while the reader experiences the main character's isolation, he also shares his ultimate joy."

"In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted...and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.

When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help-as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family...and be truly himself."

"MEET KIRANMALA:

INTERDIMENSIONAL DEMON SLAYER

(Only she doesn't know it yet.)

On the morning of her twelfth birthday, Kiranmala is just a regular sixth grader living in Parsippany, New Jersey...until her parents mysteriously vanish and a drooling rakkhosh demon slams through her kitchen, determined to eat her alive. Turns out there might be some truth to her parents' fantastical stories-like how Kiranmala is a real Indian princess and how she comes from a secret place not of this world.

To complicate matters, two crush-worthy princes ring her doorbell, insisting they've come to rescue her. Suddenly, Kiran is swept into another dimension full of magic, winged horses, moving maps, and annoying, talking birds. There she must solve riddles and battle demons all while avoiding the Serpent King of the underworld and the Rakkhoshi Queen in order to find her parents and basically save New Jersey, her entire world, and everything beyond it..."

"Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur?

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again.

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them.

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that?"

"Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn't...then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful."

"Spunky, strong-willed eleven-year-old Mirka Herschberg isn't interested in knitting lessons from her stepmother, or how-to-find-a-husband advice from her sister, or you-better-not warnings from her brother. There's only one thing she does want: to fight dragons!

Granted, no dragons have been breathing fire around Hereville, the Orthodox Jewish community where Mirka lives, but that doesn't stop the plucky girl from honing her skills. She fearlessly stands up to local bullies. She battles a very large, very menacing pig. And she boldly accepts a challenge from a mysterious witch, a challenge that could bring Mirka her heart's desire: a dragon-slaying sword! All she has to do is find-and outwit-the giant troll who's got it!

A delightful mix of fantasy, adventure, cultural traditions, and preteen commotion, Hereville will captivate middle-school readers with its exciting visuals and entertaining new heroine."

"Leonora Logroño's family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.

Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration-but, once again, she is told she's too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have in fact been keeping a big secret: they're brujas-witches of Mexican ancestry-who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything that they bake.

Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business-even if she can't let her mama and hermanas know about it yet.

And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It's just one little spell, after all...what could possibly go wrong?"

What are your favorite fantasy books for kids?

Whether you're looking for fairytale retellings for kids, or big ol' middle-grade fantasy lists, Book Riot has plenty of reading suggestions for children.

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50 Must-Read Fantasy Books For Kids By Age And Grade Level

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Fantasy is my jam so of course now that I have a child, I want her to have all the fantasy things. Thankfully, there are plenty of fantasy books for kids out there. But that can also be overwhelming.

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15 Favorite Sci-Fi Reads Parents Picked for Their Kids

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Aliens, time travel, and space, oh sci-fi!

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Discussion Question: What is one thing you learned from trying out this new book genre?

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Discussion Question: What is one thing you learned from trying out this new book genre?

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Assignment: Read a book from a new genre that you have not explored before!

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Assignment: Read a book from a new genre that you have not explored before!

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GRADE 5

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Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection.
Learners develop and satisfy personal curiosity by:
1. Reading widely and deeply in multiple formats and write and create for a variety of purposes.