The King's Equal by Katherine Paterson illustrated by Curtis Woodbridge*

A dying king wisely states that the only way his arrogant son can take the throne is if he finds a woman to be queen who is his equal.  Of course, no woman in the land is as beautiful as he is handsome, as intelligent or as wealthy (his opinion!). 
In the countryside is a poor young lady whose kindness wins her favor with a magical wolf. 
The unlikely pair, the arrogant prince and poor woman, meet and their lives are transformed forever!
A wonderful tale!  I read it aloud to my sons in one sitting.
Although it is a picture book, it is divided into chapters.
Exquisite illustrations
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Boxcar Children #1 by Gertrude Chandler Warner*

My eight year old read this book to himself and loved it. 
Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny live in a boxcar after their parents die in a car crash.  Henry finds odd jobs to support them.  But how long can these four children live on their own?
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
-We own this book.

Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary*

My eight year old is loving these stories about Henry and Ribsy.  This series is all he wants to read to himself these days.
Henry and Ribsy find themselves in many predicaments.  My son especially gushed over the last chapter when Henry caught a 29 pound Chinook with his bare hands!  This type of book appeals to my son-a boy and his dog and fishing!
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary*

My eight year old read this book in just a couple of days and loved it!
Each chapter contains mini adventures about Henry and his new dog Ribsy (from raising guppies to digging up 1, 330 night crawlers to a pink Ribsy).
-We own this book.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
GRE: 4.2

Paddle-to-the-Sea by Holling Clancy Holling*

-Award winner- Caldecott Honor Book
An Indian boy in the Canadian wilderness carves an Indian sitting in a canoe.  He places the canoe in the snow where the snow will melt and flow into the Great Lakes.
The following chapters follow "Paddle Person" and his journey through the Great Lakes and into the ocean.
Amazing diagrams!
*Highly recommend.
Perfect to utilize while learning about the Great Lakes.
-Borrowed from the library.
Point to discuss: use of the word "Injun".
Guided Reading Level: O (end of third grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5
I would love to read this author's other books-Minn of the Mississippi and Seabird.

The Lighthouse Family #4 The Turtle by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Preston McDaniels*

In a dense fog, Seabold, Whistler and Lila hear a cry for help.  As they descend down the slippery rocks, a sea turtle.  A gale has blown him off course and he now cannot swim in the wintry sea.  With Pandora's problem-solving skills, the family figures out a way to return him to the warm seas.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: O-P (3rd grade)

The Lighthouse Family #1 The Storm by Cynthia Rylant illustrated by Preston McDaniels*

As a kitten Pandora vowed to become a lighthouse keeper as this device saved her and her father's life.  Now four years into fulfilling her vow, Pandora is lonely.  She spends hours spewing light upon storm ridden waves, not always knowing if she is saving a life or not.  Occasionally transient creatures stop by to chat but Pandora lacks consistent friends and a family.
Then one day a storm brings Seabold, a sea loving dog.  As Pandora nurses him back to health, she dreads the day he must leave.  Before he leaves, however, the sea brings another gift-three orphaned mouse children.
Will Pandora's longings for friendship and family be fulfilled?
A perfect series for transitional readers and/or a read aloud series for toddlers/preschoolers.
Love the vocab./word choice!
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.8
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.

Harriet's Hare by Dick King-Smith illustrated by Roger Roth

I read this book because I was looking for science fiction books to recommend to fourth graders at a Christian school.
Although I enjoyed this book thoroughly,  I won't be recommending it to them for one main reason (see points to discuss/warnings below).
Harriet's mother died when she was little and has since then lived a lonely existence on the farm with her father.  On her first day of summer vacation she meets a hare  . . .really an alien from the planet of Pars who decided to take a vacation on Earth in the form of a hare.  He eases Harriet's loneliness that summer.  Before he leaves he vows to make something good happen in her life.
A sweet ending!
Points to discuss/warnings: The folklore in England places a lot of value on hares, claiming they are really witches and are magical.  Superstitious attitudes and beliefs are woven throughout the story.  The main reason I am not recommending this book to the fourth graders is Jessica, a new woman in the countryside/village, used to be married to a husband who physically abused her.  A couple of times characters mention how he used to "knock her around" when he was drunk and gave her a black eye/bruises.
*Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.2

Charley Waters Goes to Gettysburg by Susan Sinnott photographs by Dorothy Handelman*

Readers travel to the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg with "Charley Waters".  Readers learn more about the actual battle and also the involvement reenactments require. A perfect book to read before visiting Gettysburg and seeing an reenactment (or during a Civil War unit).
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Text features: photographs, fact box, glossary, further reading

Dragon Masters #2 Saving the Sun Dragon by Tracey West illustrated by Graham Howells*

My third grader read this book to himself.  He loves this series even though it is now a very easy read for him.
Kepri, the dragon, becomes sick so the Dragon Masters set out to save her life.  During their pursuit for a cure, they meet another dragon.
*Highly recommend for transitional readers and reluctant readers.
Borrowed from the library.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)

A Chet Gecko Mystery-Farewell, My Lunchbag by Bruce Hale

Some creature is stealing from Emerson Hicky's cafeteria.  Mrs. Bagoong, the cafeteria lady,  hires Chet and his partner Natalie to figure out who is snitching food.  Then Chet is framed and everyone (even Natalie!) thinks he is the thief.
My third grader selected this book from our library and thoroughly enjoys the series.
Guided Reading Level: O (end of third grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.1
Borrowed from the library.

A Chet Gecko Mystery #2 The Mystery of Mr. Nice by Bruce Hale

My third grader picked out this book from the library and read it to himself.
Chet's principal is actually being nice to him.  Now that is a huge mystery!
Does a recent jailbreak have any connections to the transformed principal and new teachers at Emerson Hicky Elementary?
Private-Eye Chet and his partner Natalie (a mockingbird) are determined to solve the case.
Guided Reading Level: O (end of 3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.9
Borrowed from the library.

A Chet Gecko #1 Mystery The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse by Bruce Hale

My third grader found this series at our library and is thoroughly enjoying them.
He says these books are funny and exciting.
For this case, Chet is suppose to find a missing chameleon, Billy.  His sister Shirley promised Chet a stinkbug pie if he finds Billy.
As I skimmed the book, I saw the words "brat" and other name calling.
Guided Reading Level: O (end of 3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.7

The Five Lost Aunts of Harriet Bean by Alexander McCall Smith illustrated by Laura Rankin

Harriet Bean's absent-minded father has forgotten to inform her that she has five aunts.  
Harriet is determined to find her long-lost aunts and begins a humorous, unforgettable journey to discover their locations.  Each aunt possesses unique abilities (super strong, mind-readers, extremely bossy and a voice-thrower) which add a lighthearted element to the story.
A humorous, fun story.
There are three books in this series.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Borrowed from the library.

McBroom's Wonderful One-Acre Farm by Sid Fleischman illustrated by Quentin Blake*

Three tall tales told from Farmer McBroom's point of view.
Humorous stories about the family's fertile one acre farm and how they often outsmart their mean neighbor Mr. Heck Jones and the weather.
*Highly recommend.
Both my boys enjoyed these tales.  My eight year old read the book to himself and was eager to listen to the tales again when I read it aloud to my six year old.
Strategies: inferring, figurative language
Guided Reading Level: O (third grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.9

Mystic Lighthouse Mysteries-The Mystery of Dead Man's Curve #1 by Laura E. Williams*

Jen and Zeke are twins who live with their aunt Bee in a lighthouse.  Aunt Bee runs a bed and breakfast where she hosts interesting individuals.
Her latest batch of guests are all interviewing for the principal position at Jen and Zeke's school.  When the first guest arrives, she is in distress as she claims someone tried to run her car off the road at "dead man's curve".  More threatening episodes occur.  Can Jen and Zeke find the culprit before someone is injured?
The author gives the reader to solve the mystery before she reveals the solution.  She provides a blank suspect sheet in the back for the reader to complete.
Not a "deep mystery" but perfect for reluctant readers and for 2nd-4th graders.
*Highly recommend for 2nd-4th graders.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.2
Borrowed from the library.

Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg*

Learn how Paul Bunyan was an amazing baby and how he tackled the forests of the frontier.
We liked the Pecos Bill story better but still enjoyed this one.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd Grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.8

Paul Bunyan retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg*

My second grader brought this book home from his school library and read it.
"A tall tale" which shares the amazing life of Paul Bunyan and his ox Babe.
Great genre to use when teaching hyperbole.
Strategies: word choice, expanding vocab, figurative language
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.8

Claude on the Slopes by Alex T. Smith

Claude, the dog, and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock (a sock) wait until Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes leave for the day to have adventure.  In this book they discover snow for the first time and enjoy all the sports and activities that snow has to offer.
Warning: In small print at the library is a poster that says "Fifty Shades of Beige-Your Guide to Paint" . . .don't know if was intentional to hint to the reference of the other book.  I don't like any references to it!!

Guided Reading Level: O
Grade Level Equivalency: 5

Nancy Clancy Super Sleuth Book #1 by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser*

Ms. O'Connor takes her character, Fancy Nancy in picture books,  and creates chapter books for her readers who have matured.
Nancy is determined to solve cases with her best friend Bree,  like Nancy Drew.
One their teacher's beautiful blue shooter marble goes missing, Nancy and Bree seize the opportunity to solve a real case.
Love all the vocab. which Ms. O'Connor explains within the text.

Strategy: expanding vocab., fluent reading
Great series to have in a 2nd/3rd grade classroom library.

Guided Reading Level: O (3rd grade)
Grade Equivalent: 2.5