I Survived #24, The Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis*

 Years ago when I tutored reluctant and struggling readers, I used these books with my upper elementary boy readers to build stamina and confidence. At that time the main characters were boys. Now the series also features female characters. 

Elsie and her best friend Humphrey discover that Sheriff Grimwood is working with the band of outlaws, stealing the town's treasures. Unfortunately, Grimwood spies the two children fleeing from their hiding place and sets out to find them. Meanwhile, members in their town are dying from the plague. Elsie is soon bedridden with it and wonders if she will survive . . .

A fast-paced book that introduces readers to the way of life during the medieval era and allows them to experience the agony (only through words!) of the bubonic plague. Many additional pages about this time period and the plague are included after the story.

*Highly recommend for reluctant readers.

Discuss: plague/death, views about Covid (Ms. Tarshis compares some aspects of the plague with Covid.)

-Borrowed from the library.

Earl & Worm Snow Problem and Other Stories by Greg Pizzoli**

 I love this series for beginning readers. These entertaining and relatable stories will appeal to even the most reluctant readers.

This book takes place over one day-Earl's birthday. Worm attempts to create a special day for Earl but, of course, encounters hinderances and frustrations. All ends well, though. 

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Three by the Sea by Edward Marshall illustrated by James Marshall*

 Lolly, Spider, and Sam are enjoying a day at the beach. After eating they are too full to resume any activities. To pass the time, Lolly reads aloud to them from her reader. They declare the story too boring and create their own stories.

Fun and humorous! Perfect for reluctant and transitional readers

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Wilder Good #1: The Elk Hunt by S.J. Dahlstrom illustrated by Cliff Wilke

 Wilder Good, twelve years old, eagerly awaits the "old man", Gale Loving, to pick him up for an elk hunt in public land near their hometown,  Cottonwood, Colorado. He begged to take off from school for this hunt and even bragged to his "secret girlfriend" about missing school. Will he bag an elk?

  This book is perfect for reluctant male readers who rather be hunting and enjoying the outdoors than reading. The chapters are short and exciting.

Warnings/discussions: The Bible/church are mentioned briefly. They are not the center of the book's purpose. Wilder swears (the word is not mentioned-just "He swore."). Gale frowns about it. It also mentions Gale swearing silently in his thoughts. Wilder has a crush on Sunny, whom he has "adored" since kindergarten. He loves watching her blonde hair swirl about and how she laughs. He wants to marry her someday! Violence-hunting, killing and butchering the elk-very descriptive-I felt like I was right next to them and smelling it!!

I read about a later book in this series via a World magazine review and was curious. More books like this are needed for reluctant, outdoorsy, junior high boys!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Viking Adventure by Clyde Robert Bulla illustrated by Douglas Gorsline*

 Sigurd sometimes wonders why he must train hard each day, all day. His father, Olaf the Strong, designs challenging activities for Sigurd. Eventually, Sigurd utilizes the training when he sails to view the mysterious Wineland. When he and the ship's owner begin to argue on a routine basis, Sigurd realizes he must escape. Fleeing the ship actually saves his life, giving him the opportunity to return home, to share his story, and to learn to read & write so he can record his adventures for future generations.

Very exciting story that kids in first through fourth grade will find enthralling. This book would be great for reluctant readers and also for  children building stamina in reading chapter books.

I found the illustrations not very crisp nor appealing. 

Considerations: violence, some cruel characters

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book (republished recently by Purple House Press).

Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger

 A graphic novel

A dinosaur learns the finer points of poetry from a frog he wants to eat. To save himself, the frog distracts the dinosaur with poetry lessons. In the end, a friendship and a poet are born.

Reluctant readers and reluctant poets will enjoy this book.  A basic introductory to poetry and different poetry forms

-Borrowed from the library

Mercy Watson Is Missing! by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Chris Van Dusen**

 One of favorite author-illustrator teams!! I was so excited to read this book!

One morning when Mrs. Watson calls for Mercy, she cannot find her. Mr. and Mrs. Watson worry; Eugenia plays a jig on her accordian. Characters from previous books search for her plus a floundering new detective and his girlfriend. Humor abounds. Even though this a book for transitional readers, Ms. DiCamillo inserts a couple of challenging, interesting words.

**Highly, highly recommend (especially for transitional readers or reluctant readers).

-Borrowed from the library.

Ski Soldier by Louise Borden*

 A World War II Biography

History contains many fascinating facets. I had not known about combat ski soldiers!

Ms. Borden focuses on Peter Seibert, a young man from Massachusetts, who loves to ski. His skiing ability allows him to serve with the 10th Mountain soldiers during WW II in the Apennine Mountains of Italy. He is badly injured. His injury does not prevent him from continuing to ski and from pursuing his dream of starting and running a ski resort, Vail!

Ms. Borden shares Peter's story via verse. The information is presented in an engaging matter. Actual photographs and maps are included. Poetic yet informative!

Perfect for reluctant older readers.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Danger at Lakeside Farm by Patricia H. Rushford

 Book #2-Max & Me Mysteries

Returning from her hospital stay where she had a bone marrow transplant, Jessie Miller dives right into solving a mystery with her best friend Max. Max, a foster child,  has decided to live with the kind, elderly Amelia Truesdale. Someone is intent on destroying Mrs. Truesdale's lavendar business. Then a dead body shows up in an abandoned mine on Mrs. Truesdale's property and Max is missing . . .Can Jessie figure out the common denominator, find her missing friend, and restore Mrs. Truesdale's business?

Suspenseful! Short chapters, easy sentence structure and minimal challenging vocab will make this book/series appeal to reluctant or struggling readers. 

A bit unrealistic and not "quality literature". But if it encourages reluctant readers to read and to read a lot, it fulfills a good purpose. A "beach read" quality for middle school girls. 

 God and praying are mentioned. 

Warning: Murder-a dead body is found, Max's aunt and uncle were drug users-just mentioned-no details,characters are in peril at times -Max is run off the road while riding her bike, a few other incidents (but this is a mystery series, so it should be expected!)

-Borrowed from the library.

Wallace and Grace Take the Case #1 by Heather Alexander illustrated by Laura Zarrin*

 Wallace and Grace own and operate a Night Owl Detective Agency. Edgar the rabbit asks them to chase away a ghost he spied in the garden while he was eating kale. Wallace and Grace are scared but take the case.

Colorful illustrations will appeal to transitional readers. 

*Highly recommend for building stamina.

Six books in the series.

-Borrowed from the library.

Barkus #1 by Patricia MacLachlan illustrated Marc Boutavant*

 Nicky's Uncle Everton drops off his dog for her before he travels the world. Barkus is the perfect dog-smart, does tricks, gets along with people, only barks when he wants to, and doesn't bite. He adds spice and adventure to Nicky's life (even at school) and introduces the family to another new pet.

Lots of illustrations and simple text to support beginning/transitional readers. 

3 books in the series

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Do You Like My Bike? #1 by Norm Feuti*

 Hello, Hedgehog! series (6 books in series)

Hedgehog has a new bike. He and his friend Harry have a fun time together on their "wheels".

Graphic novel style/comic book style.  The short chapters will appeal to new readers or reluctant readers.

Perfect for building fluency & stamina. Also perfect for paired reading-one person reads Hedgehog's lines and another reads Harry's lines.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Narwhal and Jelly Book-Narwhal Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton*

Award Winner: Will Eisner Award (for creative achievement in American comic books) 

Narwhal and Jellyfish meet for the first time, not really believing that the other creature is real. 

Three short chapters in graphic novel format   Seven books in the series (so far-#7 coming this fall 2022)

Point to discuss: old earth view: pg. 22 "Jellyfish have been around for millions of years. Well before dinosaurs!"

Strategies: fluency (two people can read aloud together-one person can be Narwhal and the other person can read Jellyfish's "lines"), stamina

*Highly recommend for beginning readers and reluctant readers

-Borrowed from the library

The Puffin Keeper by Michael Morpurgo illustrated by Benji Davies*

 Such a sweet, uplifting story! 

Benjamin Postlethwaite, a lighthouse keeper, rescues Allen, his mother and twenty-some other people when their schooner begins to sink. Memories of that evening in the lighthouse bouyed Allen through difficult times at his grandparents' home and then at boarding school. Determined to return to Benjamin, Allen journeys there after completing high school and finds a home with Benjamin.

A beautiful story of friendship and family.

*Highly recommend. I want more stories like this one! 

Something to consider: Reluctant readers will appreciate the illustrations and short chapters. The themes, however,  may be a bit mature for these readers. My junior high son would enjoy the story but may not pick it up because the length and illustrations would make him erroneously conclude it was too "babyish" for him.

-Borrowed from the library.

Grandfather's Dance by Patricia MacLachlan*

 The fifth and final book in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series

The aunts from Maine and Sarah's brother, William, travel west to attend Anna and Justin's wedding. As the aunts and family members prepare for the wedding, Jack, the youngest Witting, follows Grandfather and imitates his every move and word. Humor, love and understanding abound in this beautifully told story about life and family.

Points to discuss/heads up: Cassie wants to marry a dog instead of a man! Grandfather gives her a  wedding to marry Nick the dog. A beloved main character dies.

*Highly recommend.

-Very short chapters.

-Borrowed from the library.

More Perfect than the Moon by Patricia MacLachlan*

 Book #4 in the Sarah, Plain and Tall series

I have read books #1-3 in this series but for some reason I did not know about books #4 & 5. 

Cassie is concerned about Mama.  She believes she is sick. When Mama shares that she is pregnant, Cassie becomes more worried and decides to watch Mama all.the.time. Secretly, she despises the thought of sharing Mama with the baby and does not want it to arrive.

Sparse but perfect prose.

*Highly recommend.

-I own this book (apparently this book is difficult to find online or in bookstores. I was able to purchase it at my local bookstore for less than $2!).

Jule Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth by Davis Worth Miller, Katherine McLean Brevard & Greg Rebis

 My ninth grader is reading this classic for English.  I was not in the mood for sci-fi so I read this graphic novel for an overview.😉😁

This graphic novel version outlines the basic plot well and also portrays enough of the characters's personalities that the reader can draw conclusions about their traits.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

 I am trying to find humorous and quality books for my eleven-year-old son to read.  I probably won't be suggesting this book to him.

Donovan is implusive and suffers many consequences from his antics.  When he whacks the Atlas statue's butt in front of his middle school, the metal world that Atlas was carrying, thumps to the ground, rolls down the hill into the middle school gym, and ruins the gym floor (and the entrance).  By crazy circumstances, Donovan is sent to the district's gifted school instead of getting in trouble.  He hides out in this challenging school and soon becomes friends with the robotics team.  Will the superintendent, Mr. Schultz, ever find the kid who destroyed the school?  Is Donovan really needed at the gifted school?  The teachers there are onto him and his charade . . .

The chapters alternate points of view with numerous characters.

Warnings/points to discuss: lying, cheating, destruction to property, brawls that show no respect for property/people  By accident the district had forgotten to offer the course Human Growth and Development to the eighth grade gifted students.  So there is some talk about "sex ed" and the need for summer school or "hands on experience"-you can imagine what inferences can be made with that phrase!

Crabby books by Jonathan Fenske*

 1. Hello, Crabby!

Plankton tries to almost no avail to hoist Crabby out of his crabbiness.  

2. Let's Play, Crabby!  

Persistent Plankton suggests numerous games for Crabby to play.  Crabby's wit outsmarts Plankton each time.

These books are perfect for beginnning readers (or reluctant) to build stamina and fluency.  The adult could read one creature's dialogue while the reader could read the other creature's dialogue.  If your child likes Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems, these series would be a perfect match.

These books will definitely send a reader on the path to find delight in reading.

Each book has step-by-step instructions how to draw one of the characters and also questions to discuss about the book.

*Highly recommend (but see below).

Points to consider: crabbiness, sarcasm, Crabby isn't the nicest friends and is what I call "difficult/mean". 

-Borrowed from a friend.

The Fabled Stables #1- Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier illustrated by Olga Demidova*

 As Mr. Auxier read aloud to his three daughters each night, he noticed that there was deficiency in books that appealed to a wide-range of ages -short enough to read in one sitting, but long enough to satisfy more mature listeners.  So he decided to be the solution!

Auggie lives on an island on top of the world.  His job is to care for the unusual creatures in the Fabled Stables.  One day the stables prepare a stall for a new arrival.  First, Auggie must find and bring her to safety for nefarious people are pursuing her.  

Humor, excitement and advenutre will draw readers into the story.

*Highly recommend (especially for transitional readers or reluctant readers).

---Part of a forthcoming series-#2 Trouble with Tattle-Tails will be published May 18, 2021.  

-Borrowed from the library.