What Makes a Monster? by Jess Keating illustrated by David DeGrand*

The World of Weird Animals
Discovering the World's Scariest Creatures
My eight year old does not normally choose to read nonfiction, but he choose to read this book to himself and really enjoyed it!
Seventeen creatures (including humans) are featured in this book. On the left hand side of the two page spread is a statement of warning and a photo of the creature.  Then on the right hand side is a short paragraph about it and also a statistics fact column.
The layout is reader friendly and appealing.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Deadliest Creature in the World by Brenda Z. Guiberson illustrated by Gennady Spirin*

The two page spread illustrations in this book are beautiful (tempera, watercolor and pencil).  Each creatures shares facts about itself and why it should be crowned the "deadliest creature in the world".
My eleven year old enjoyed reading this book to himself. 
Text is sparse but informative so perfect for reluctant readers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Zombie Makers by Rebecca L. Johnson*

When I read the review for this book, the reviewer promised that the book would not remain on the classroom library shelf. 
My eleven year stopped reading his fiction book for awhile so he could read pages from this book.  He thoroughly enjoyed reading about various gross, fascinating animals.  My husband even picked it up and read some pages and thought it was interesting.
This book shares about how different creatures  can take over the bodies of other creatures.
The first part shares what the creature does and then the second part offers a scientific explanation ("science behind the story").
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Pink is for Blobfish by Jess Keating illustrations by David DeGrand*

Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals
What a fascinating book!
Ms. Keating is a former zoologist who brings her incredible knowledge to readers.
In two short paragraphs, Ms. Keating shares facts about pink animals!  On a sidebar she lists basic facts for each animal.
We loved reading this book together!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Dracula retold from the Bram Stoker original by Tania Zamorsky illustrated by Jamel Akib

Classic Starts
My third grader continues to enjoy reading the classics.  This series is especially well written for younger readers who want to read the Classics.
I would not recommend this book for younger readers.  See warning . . .
Strategy: inferring (my son while reading it commented on some inferences he had made.)
Warning: vampires, death

That's Deadly! by Crispin Boyer*

National Geographic Kids
"Fatal Facts that Will Test Your Fearless Factor"
My third grader loved this disgusting, horrifying book!
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from a teacher.
Tons of text features!

The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberson illustrated by Gennady Spirin*

Melissa Stewart (author of children's science books-http://www.melissa-stewart.com/) recommended this book in one of her emails (I subscribe to them.) Link to her suggestion: http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2016/01/persuasive-writing-text-set.html
Wow!!  My boys and I loved this book!!  Ms. Guiberson shares truly amazing facts about sea creatures . . .some I had never heard of either!! (like-the vampire squid, barreleye fish, ocean sunfish, wolffish)
The format is:  The creature introduces itself (first person narrative) and then on the next page it explains why it is the most amazing sea creature.  Each paragraph ends with "That's why I am the most amazing creature in the sea!".
It was fun to discuss with my boys which creature they thought was the most amazing and why.
 My third grader immediately read this to himself when he saw it on the stack and asked me to reread it to him later that day.
*Highly, highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Great book to use as a mentor text for persuasive writing.

Disgusting Plants by Patrick Perish*

"Epic Books"
My kindergartner is into Venus Flytraps right now.  He was excited to see this new book displayed at our local library.
This book introduces disgusting plants in a well organized layout.
My boys enjoyed reading the "gross-o-meter" chart for each plant.
Text features: table of contents, headings, photographs, colored font, chart, picture captions, glossary, "learn more" list, index
Guided Reading Level: N (beginning 3rd grade)
*Highly recommend.
Borrowed from the library.

Andrew Lost in the Whale #6 by J.C. Greenburg*

My second grader read this book to himself.  This is his review.
Andrew, Thudd, and Judy are still driving around in the ocean in the Water bug.  A whale swallows them and poops them out!
They are still trying to stop Soggy Bob from harvesting the squids!
*Highly recommend.

I'm Not Scared! by John Himmelman

"A Book of Scary Poems"
My second grader brought this home from the library.
The poems are not necessarily creepy . . .subject matters include-being afraid of what is in the closet, a bully, bee, dog, swallowing a watermelon seed, the dentist, warts, teacher, high dive etc.
Most of the poems have humor integrated into them.
My preschooler wanted me to reread it several times.
Strategies: inferring, fluency

National Geographic Snakes! by Melissa Stewart*

My second grader selects this book from his book order and enjoyed reading it.  He was sharing amazing facts with me as he read it.
A perfect nonfiction book for transitional readers and newly independent readers.
National Geographic, of course, has amazing photographs.
Text features: table of contents, headings, labels, picture captions, vocab. boxes on the page the word is used, diagram, photo glossary, a Mad Lib type story to practice using new vocab. words in  the back.
Strategies: expanding vocab, check for understanding, nonfiction reading
Guided Reading Level: N (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2nd
*Highly recommend.

Head Lice by Elise Gravel*

part of series -Disgusting Critters
With humor, Ms. Gravel relays facts about lice.  Made me itchy while I read it!!
The louse offers comments throughout the book which add the humor.
*Highly recommend.

When Lunch Fights Back Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca L. Johnson*

The title really says it all!  The book is divided into eight chapters, featuring an animal (or even plant)that has an unique to defend itself against its predator.  Each chapter has a section called "The Science Behind the Story" where the defense is further explained.
Great photographs.
Text features: table of contents, photographs, bold/colored print, arrows, fact boxes, headings, glossary, "more to explore"-books, websites, videos to watch the creatures in action!!, index
**Highly recommend!!

Poopendous! by Artie Bennett illustrated by Mike Moran

"The Inside Scoop on Every Type and Use of Poop!"
The illustrations are comic-like and colorful.
Very funny nonfiction!