Ranger in Time Journey Through Ash and Smoke by Kate Messner

Ranger,  the golden retriever, travels back in time during the Viking era.
He meets Helga who resides in Iceland.  When a volcano erupts and Helga's new sibling decides to arrive early, he and Helga must try to find her father. 
My nine year old read this book to himself to support our study of the Vikings.
Ms. Messner includes additional facts in the back she learned as she researched.
Perfect series for transitional readers/middle grades -2nd-4th grade.
-Borrowed from the library.

Who Was Leif Erikson? by Nico Medina illustrated by Dede Putra

Not only will the reader learn about Leif Erikson's life, but also a lot about the Vikings and their impact on the world.
Great series for transitional readers and reluctant readers.

Hallowilloween by Calef Brown

Nefarious Silliness
Unique, imaginative poems
Warning: Halloween topics-   witches, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, grim reaper
-Borrowed from the library.

The Max Lucado Christmas Collection*

This little book contains three Christmas stories by Max Lucado:
An Angel's Story (previously published as Cosmic Christmas)
The Christmas Candle
The Christmas Child
The last two stories have been made into movies.
Heart warming stories which take place during three different settings-Heaven/Bethlehem-when Christ was incarnate; Victorian England; modern day Texas.

Lords of the Sea : The Vikings Explore the North Atlantic by Allison Lassieur illustrated by Ron Frenz and Charles Barnett III*

Graphic Library series
Divided into four chapters, this comic /graphic novel will appeal to reluctant (and eager!) readers.  Famous Vikings and their land discoveries are explained.
Two additional pages list other facts about Vikings in the back.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Your Life as an Explorer on a Viking Ship by Thomas Kingsley Troupe illustrated by Jeff Ebbeler

Told in second person, the reader is the main character as they pretend to sail on a Viking ship, exploring new lands.  The reader learns about how Vikings dressed, what they ate while sailing, how their ships were constructed, games they played and stories they shared and many other details about the Viking raider/explorer life.
-Borrowed from the library.
-Part of a series "Your Life as a . .  ."

Gods and Thunder retold by Carl Bowen, Michael Dahl, Louise Simonson art by Eduardo Garcia, Tod Smith, Rex Lokus*

A Graphic Novel of Old Norse Myths
When I brought home a stack of Viking books from the library, my eleven year old immediately snatched this graphic novel for his personal reading.  He read it in two days and enjoyed it immensely.
I like how the authors have included a glossary which defines all the gods/goddesses/monsters and how to pronounce their names!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You- Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman illustrated by Michael Emberley

I love this series that promotes fluency!  It is perfect for struggling readers and also for readers who need to build stamina and/or fluency.
Two people take turns reading lines from these short rhyming poems/stories.
Very fun!
Warning: Halloween topics
-Borrowed from the library.

Autmnblings poems and paintings by Douglas Florian*

I really enjoy most of Mr. Florian's poems.
Lots of clever word play in these poems that celebrate Autumn.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.

Skeleton Bones and Goblin Groans by Amy E. Sklansky illustrated by Karen Dismukes

Fun, light-hearted poems that celebrate Halloween.
Warning: typical Halloween topics
I loved the artwork in this book-Ms. Dismukes beaded the pictures on canvas.  Beautiful and amazing!
-Borrowed from the library.

It's Halloween by Jack Prelutsky illustrated by Marylin Hafner

Narrative poems that celebrate Halloween.
Perfect for beginning readers.
Warning: Poems containing werewolves, witches, goblins, ghosts etc.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff

Georgie is a dwarf.  Thankfully his parents, teachers and best friend are supportive. 
The only thing in his life that truly bothers him is Jeanie the Meanie, who constantly picks on him.  Then two major changes occur . . .his best friend Andy wants to ask Russ to join their dog walking business and Georgie's mom is pregnant. 
This book thoughtfully shares the frustrations of someone who is a dwarf plus regular friendship/parental issues.  Throughout the book the author speaks directly to the reader and asks them to try a task and then points out how Georgie is not capable of doing it.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Gargoyle on the Roof by Jack Prelutsky illustrated by Peter Sis

I borrowed this book mainly for the poems about gargoyles when we learned about the Notre Dame Cathedral.  Of course my boys wanted me to read aloud all of the poems!
The poems are spooky.
Mr. Prelutsky's word choice is precise.  He offers the opportunity for vocabulary expansion!  Every poem contains several interesting, sophisticated words.
Warning: subject matter-trolls, headless horseman, vampires, werewolves, goblins

Mosque by David Macaulay

My eleven year old read this book to himself as we studied the beginnings and spreading of Islam. 
He struggled a bit comprehending it well since there were a lot of building and Islamic terms he did not have in his schema. 
Readers witness the steps in building a mosque and how carefully planned the construction was.  As always, Mr. Macaulay writes a thorough, technical piece,  which will enlighten and educate its readers. 
-Borrowed from the library.

I Survived #17 The Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis

Melody Vega and her family visit Glacier National Park each year during the summer.  This year the vacation only reminds Melody of her mother who died in a car accident the previous year. 
A grizzly ambles onto the property surrounding their cabin and tries to break in through the door.  When they report the incident to the rangers, they seem unconcerned.  Days later Melody once again encounters the grizzly and this time she does not know if she will survive!
*Perfect book for reluctant readers.
Typically the main character is a boy which I wish she would stick to since there are so many books out there for girl readers. 
-Borrowed from the library.